Safe At
Home
C
Dennis Moore
Creative
Guy Publishing Absorbing
Read … Recommended … 5 stars Monica Ellen and Jim Bryson move
into an intriguing apartment building. Assuring their parents
that the structure is safe isn't too hard, after all only those
who have a key can get into the building. Or can others? Monica
works part time, and goes to school. Jim works at Burger King
and listens to music a good bit while he waits for Monica to
come home. The gentle life the pair of youngsters create for
themselves will not remain quite so peaceful. Police are called
when fellow tenant Roger Weinstein is found dead. They are called
again when elderly Emma Shamburg is murdered next. Jim is dismayed
to find himself the object of interest for a determined homicide
officer.
Monica discovers the heating
vent conveys conversation from one floor to another. Jim is a
little spooked when he stumbles over the fact that the door to
a rear storage room cannot really be barricaded against an unwanted
intruder. Adding to the mix is a near hidden opening marked 'basement,'
a musical strain produced by a none too popular group, Banded
Boss and a strange, unknown, late night marauder who throws Jim's
load of just washed clothes all over the laundry room. Everywhere
Jim turns it seems the Bonded Bass refrain is present. Peril,
bewilderment and downright murderous intent all dog the youngster's
steps. At last Officer Grawbadger turns his attention elsewhere,
the murders are solved, Jim and Monica move.
The young pair marry, have a
baby Samuel and life is good. Time marches on, Jim's new job
is much better, and a new baby is on the way when Jim notices
a green van parked in an alleyway. Four year old Samuel comes
into the house humming a haunting refrain.
"Safe At Home" begins
in a very low key, meandering fashion. It is the tale of youngsters
growing up and beginning to take their place in the adult world.
Writer Moore sets his scene with a deft choice of words. Richly
drawn, plausible characters come alive under the skillful pen
of this author. Nineteen year old Monica is an average girl attending
school, working part time, while the slightly older Bryson is
a normal young man with a low key job. This is one of the main
draws of the book. Most of the world is made up of rather average/normal
people and the reader is hooked right into the tale by identifying
with the characters.
Main characters Jim and Monica
are set against a backdrop of engaging settings, timbre, and
relationships in this absorbing tale. "Safe At Home"
hooks the reader into the action from the opening lines and carries
the reader along on an increasingly perilous ride right to the
last paragraph. Spine tingling action, convincing colloquy, pleasantly
puzzling apprehension all abound in this narrative
wrought with quick-witted adroitness by writer Moore.
When I first received this review
request I wasn't sure I would enjoy the read; it was presented
as a horror. I don't care much for horror, although I have reviewed
some in the past. Writer Moore has produced a nail biter of a
read, although this reviewer considers the genre is more of a
suspense-filled thriller than horror and I fully enjoyed the
read. Writer Moore adds a bit of biographical information, a
beginning script and other information to the end of his work.
I enjoyed reading how his book "Safe At Home" came
about and look forward to reading his next.
Not to be read on a dark and
stormy night. Watch for the curves and spins or you may come
up surprised by the ending.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend. |