Make Them Cry

Rating:
Summary: A seminary, serial killer, and martyred saints
Review: "Make Them Cry" is a chilling psychological suspense tale about a serial killer studying at a seminary in a Pacific Northwest town.

Father Jack Murphy is the primary protaganist, a widower who lost his wife and child in an auto accident and then took his vows out of guilt and in hopes that he could make a better contribution to other lives.

Maggie Costello is the older sister of John Costello, a freshman who was close to Father Murphy and who dies early in the story. Maggie and Father Murphy have an immediate chemistry, and his struggle with his vows creates plenty of tension throughout the book.

The third protaganist is Peter Tobin, John Costello's best friend, also a talented artist and very confused young man.

All three suspect foul play in the death of John Costello, and their separate investigations lead them to link the deaths of a prominent judge, a waitress, and several boys that died years earlier at the school.

The book is full of suspense and tension on every page, which kept me reading. I enjoyed the details of the college, and found the characters sympathetic. As the pieces come together, the part about the saints is well done and creates an interesting twist as we learn connections with each character's name.

I thought that too much was given away too early, and I guess the villain's identity right away. His voice was just too false and too much like Eddie Haskell from "Leave it to Beaver." I didn't trust him, so I wondered why the characters had no doubts, although he was carefully seducing them by playing on their grief and fears. Also, the villain's motive is never made clear, other than he's a sociopath. There is no depth to why he is carrying out his crimes.
The story is also an indictment of life at a Catholic seminary, with alcoholics, egotists, and closeted and not-so-closeted homosexuals thrown together in a modern Gothic setting.

Still, the book was well-paced and pulled me into the bizarre world.

Rating:
Summary: EVOKES THE OPPOSITE EMOTION
Review: "Make Them Cry" won't make YOU cry, though it is riddled with some cliches and disorganization. "Make Them Cry" takes place within a frame of about a month, however, reading this, it only seems like a few days. The least O'Brien could have done is put dates at the beginnings of the chapters. It was way too confusing without them. The other bone I have to pick with the story is that the characters (mostly Peter) were impossibly stupid. How could Peter not know who the killer was. It was blatantly obvious.

Now that I'm done with all the derogatory statements I'll tell you about the better moments in the book. SOME characters are very well expanded and expounded upon. Jack was a pretty complicated person; his situation is hardly original, though. I think everyone who's ever read a thriller or suspense novel before has heard of the tired and burnt-out protagonist responsible for the death of his family. Aside from that, Maggie's an okay person but she could have had a much larger, pivotal role.

Aside from the few technical errors, Kevin O'Brien has pulled off another suspenseful read.

Rating:
Summary: A seminary, serial killer, and martyred saints
Review: "Make Them Cry" is a chilling psychological suspense tale about a serial killer studying at a seminary in a Pacific Northwest town.

Father Jack Murphy is the primary protaganist, a widower who lost his wife and child in an auto accident and then took his vows out of guilt and in hopes that he could make a better contribution to other lives.

Maggie Costello is the older sister of John Costello, a freshman who was close to Father Murphy and who dies early in the story. Maggie and Father Murphy have an immediate chemistry, and his struggle with his vows creates plenty of tension throughout the book.

The third protaganist is Peter Tobin, John Costello's best friend, also a talented artist and very confused young man.

All three suspect foul play in the death of John Costello, and their separate investigations lead them to link the deaths of a prominent judge, a waitress, and several boys that died years earlier at the school.

The book is full of suspense and tension on every page, which kept me reading. I enjoyed the details of the college, and found the characters sympathetic. As the pieces come together, the part about the saints is well done and creates an interesting twist as we learn connections with each character's name.

I thought that too much was given away too early, and I guess the villain's identity right away. His voice was just too false and too much like Eddie Haskell from "Leave it to Beaver." I didn't trust him, so I wondered why the characters had no doubts, although he was carefully seducing them by playing on their grief and fears. Also, the villain's motive is never made clear, other than he's a sociopath. There is no depth to why he is carrying out his crimes.
The story is also an indictment of life at a Catholic seminary, with alcoholics, egotists, and closeted and not-so-closeted homosexuals thrown together in a modern Gothic setting.

Still, the book was well-paced and pulled me into the bizarre world.

Rating:
Summary: O'Brien Strikes Gold
Review: Ever since "Only Son", O'Brien's masterpiece, I have enjoyed reviewing his novels each and ever year. "The Next To Die" was a bit of a let down, but all that is now forgotten. His new thriller, "Make Them Cry", is extremely fast paced, loaded with murder, mystery, and mayhem. I read this in 3 sittings it was that good. I don't want to give anything away, so I will only say that fans of the thriller genre will not be disappointed. I loved the eerie tone he painted and hope to visit with him again on his next journey. I want to congratulate Kevin on this heart-pounding novel and I very much look forward to his next release...

Rating:
Summary: Read it or Die!
Review: I am holding Mr. O'Brien personally responsible for a few nights of no sleep! I could not put this novel down. Wonderfully written, O'Brien has crafted a solid story with memorable characters, witty dialogue, sordid secrets, and so many twists and turns that it keeps you guessing all the way through.

Yes, I am a fan of Mr. O'Brien's. I have read all of his books and have never been disappointed. He has a clear vision of his plot and knows is characters intimately. It is clear that this is a man who writes because it is a passion and wants others to be entertained.

If you enjoy a good mystery, thriller, or topical true crime, "Make them Cry" is the book to read!!!

Rating:
Summary: Who Would Have Thought?????
Review: I have no clue where the writer gets his ideas, but they sure keep the reader going. One does not have to be religious to enjoy this book. As usual, this writer is capturing readers from all walks of life.

The story takes place in a seminary and there is a questionable death of a student. The story also takes the reader back several decades to speak of other incidences that have taken place in the seminary. There is also some humor in the dialogues among the priest and and some of the students in the dorm.

Another thing I liked in this book is that the characters are all down to earth people. Just like all the other books by Kevin O'Brien, this book has a high number of characters and at the same time the plot just thickens and gets mesmerising.

This book is very well written and a must read. I would give this book a much higher rating than a five, but this website only allows a maximun of five. I must say that this is one of Kevin O'Brien's best books. I will always buy his books rest of my life and pass them on to my friends since they are also hooked to any novels by Kevin O'Brien. These are spine tingling stories. I also recommend these books to those who are fans of "Tales From The Crypt". I will tell all not to miss out.

Rating:
Summary: His 1st Book: Authors
Review: I have read all of Kevin O'Brien's other published work and now, finally, Actors. I loved Actors and enjoyed reading it as much as the other books. He is a fantastic author.
It is odd to say that Bobby had integrity considering the things that he did in his life, but somehow the author gave Bobby a good soul. I admired Bobby`s integrity and Lisa's purity.
I was so surprised at the ending. I really want a sequel.
It was fun to read and even though I was extremely busy with work, I would find myself taking breaks and joining up with the story. It was hard to put down.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilled to be thrilled!
Review: I LOVED this book and have just ordered this author's other two books. I so rarely get to read a thriller that keeps me awake at night and reading almost non-stop (did it in almost 4 hours). The characters were believable and although somewhat loosely sketched (compared to say, Stephen King), they all fit together in a story that was fantastically, surprisingly not predictable. I didn't even begin to get an inkling of who the killer was until well into the last quarter of the book. Great stuff - don't read it late at night though!

Rating:
Summary: OK, but nothing to rave about
Review: Make Them cry is definitly the type of book to be read in one sitting. People all around Seattle are being killed, with parts of their bodies missing, such as fingers and toes. One of the people who are killed is Johnny Costello, who attends A Catholic school. He is found dead one night, and it is determined to be an accident. Father Murphy, Johnny friend disagrees. When Jack meets up with Johnny's sister, Maggie, they are determined to catch whoever was responsible for Johnny's death. This search leads to a long and winding road, where there is something happening on every page. One you get to the last three or four chapters, you won't be able to stop reading. This book is one that you will never forget, and will want to pass on to others.

Rating:
Summary: O'Brien's Best to Date
Review: SUMMARY: The rumored haunted hall of St. Bart's at Our Lady of Sorrows Seminary in upstate Washington is the host of a peculiar, loosely-related murder-suicides. New priest Jack Murphy teams up with the sister of one of the victims before the killer can strike again.

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT: O'Brien's taut terror has never been better; this is by far the best book in what can be called a "series." As usual, characters are numerous, but there is more characterization in this work. You come to know these people and care what happens to them. Genuine twists abound and keep you guessing almost until the end.

WHY YOU WON'T: Anyone who has a problem with the Thorn Birds or the Catholic church in general might not appreciate this book. Burgeoning teenage sexuality (and yes, this includes homosexuality) might turn some people off.

BOTTOM LINE: O'Brien's best work, good characters, intruiging plot. Highly recommend.