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To Inherit a Murderer
Review by: Marva Dasef on Aug. 09, 2009 :
A woman reluctantly takes on the creepy son of her dead friend. Why would Deborah not just turn the kid over to the state to deal with? First, she has promised her friend to take care of him. Second, she sees in the boy something of herself, a part of her that she has learned to control. Nobody else can help this child, but will everyone around him come out unscathed? I don't want to give any more details because the answers will surprise you and make your skin crawl at the same time.
Contact the author at the website for a free review copy.
A woman reluctantly takes on the creepy son of her dead friend. Why would Deborah not just turn the kid over to the state to deal with? First, she has promised her friend to take care of him. Second, she sees in the boy something of herself, a part of her that she has learned to control. Nobody else can help this child, but will everyone around him come out unscathed? I don't want to give any more details because the answers will surprise you and make your skin crawl at the same time.
Contact the author at the website for a free review copy.
- GenresThriller
302 pages, ebook
First published June 9, 2009
21 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Ruek
5 books15 followersE. J. Ruek is a contemporary mainstream writer who also dabbles in speculation. Her books stray between and across genre lines, crossing from benevolent horror to psychological thriller to magical realism to rural (and urban) fantasy to simply mainstream. There's usually some suggestion of paranormal, but, then, again, it might be only a 'maybe'. And there’s humor, too. It sneaks into the words, and even seeps through the cracks between the words. And, slipped in between the lines, there seem certain sleights of tongue that will keep you wondering if meaning is really edging toward innuendo or maybe even triple entendre.
Regardless, E. J. gives us mind-twisting and evocative glimpses into the human…and maybe not-so-human psyches. Says E. J., “Writing is about translating life into words without sacrificing the grimace and the giggle.”
Regardless, E. J. gives us mind-twisting and evocative glimpses into the human…and maybe not-so-human psyches. Says E. J., “Writing is about translating life into words without sacrificing the grimace and the giggle.”
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 18, 2017
Holy crap! What a story!
I couldn't decide whether to put this with horror or magical realism (largely of the dark sort), so I used both. Horses play a large role in this tale, along with cats, dogs, and crows. Ruek's novel is a story of taking on a horrific obligation, a story of terror and a story of unanticipated and unrecognized love. It's a story of a boy, a boy who makes the word "hellion" pale in the context of his actions. It is also a story of a woman realizing a horrible betrayal by someone she loved and trusted completely, then reaching deep inside herself and finding more than she could have expected, and she already expected a lot.
Although the ending was more than satisfying, I found myself disappointed not to find an epilogue. Then I noticed that this is labeled "Book 1" of "The Ward." I live in hope!
I couldn't decide whether to put this with horror or magical realism (largely of the dark sort), so I used both. Horses play a large role in this tale, along with cats, dogs, and crows. Ruek's novel is a story of taking on a horrific obligation, a story of terror and a story of unanticipated and unrecognized love. It's a story of a boy, a boy who makes the word "hellion" pale in the context of his actions. It is also a story of a woman realizing a horrible betrayal by someone she loved and trusted completely, then reaching deep inside herself and finding more than she could have expected, and she already expected a lot.
Although the ending was more than satisfying, I found myself disappointed not to find an epilogue. Then I noticed that this is labeled "Book 1" of "The Ward." I live in hope!
February 6, 2017
Tougher than Tough Love
In the author’s dedication we get a first glimpse of the struggle ahead: “To my mother who insisted William be given a chance . . .” As it turns out, masterfully done. Though as the author of my own cast of criminals, I don’t know that I’d be that forgiving.
I discovered finely drawn characters immersed in a full-color world of pain, despite the idyllic setting. There’s William, the sociopathic fat boy, teched by a dark element of the supernatural. A killer who you instinctively know will be nothing but trouble. Turns out he’s worse than that, much worse. Then there’s Deborah, the emotional strain of her loss is palpable. Badly damaged and tough to love at first, Deborah with her compulsion for control at any cost, is well worth the investment. And the payoff is big, a gripping climax stoked by high adventure on horseback in Idaho’s rugged terrain. E. J. Ruek gives us a lot to love.
In the author’s dedication we get a first glimpse of the struggle ahead: “To my mother who insisted William be given a chance . . .” As it turns out, masterfully done. Though as the author of my own cast of criminals, I don’t know that I’d be that forgiving.
I discovered finely drawn characters immersed in a full-color world of pain, despite the idyllic setting. There’s William, the sociopathic fat boy, teched by a dark element of the supernatural. A killer who you instinctively know will be nothing but trouble. Turns out he’s worse than that, much worse. Then there’s Deborah, the emotional strain of her loss is palpable. Badly damaged and tough to love at first, Deborah with her compulsion for control at any cost, is well worth the investment. And the payoff is big, a gripping climax stoked by high adventure on horseback in Idaho’s rugged terrain. E. J. Ruek gives us a lot to love.
March 16, 2014
This was a tough book to read. It's good! But it pulls no punches.
The premise is gripping: Deborah, a fierce, solitary woman, who finds it easier to relate to animals than humans, adopts a twelve year old boy, William. From the start, she knows that the boy has severe problems. He is a cruel, violent, manipulative child, a child with no empathy and no inhibitions. She fears for her own safety, and for what she might do to William if he harms one of her animals.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. On the one hand, it's easy to admire Deborah, to empathise with her. She's a driven woman, hard on herself and others. She's a skilled horse woman, and has a boundless love for the animals in her charge. She's also got an evil temper. There are times when her anger at William, her attempts to curb his behaviour are difficult to stomach. Deborah and WIlliam have a lot in common, and what they share is not pretty.
To Inherit a Murderer has a strong streak of horror, and from the beginning it's clear that all is not as it seems. William seems to have the ability to control objects without touching them, and at times his behaviour seems more like demonic possession than anything modern medicine or psychiatry could define.
The characters are compelling though, and the setting beguiling. A powerful book.
The premise is gripping: Deborah, a fierce, solitary woman, who finds it easier to relate to animals than humans, adopts a twelve year old boy, William. From the start, she knows that the boy has severe problems. He is a cruel, violent, manipulative child, a child with no empathy and no inhibitions. She fears for her own safety, and for what she might do to William if he harms one of her animals.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. On the one hand, it's easy to admire Deborah, to empathise with her. She's a driven woman, hard on herself and others. She's a skilled horse woman, and has a boundless love for the animals in her charge. She's also got an evil temper. There are times when her anger at William, her attempts to curb his behaviour are difficult to stomach. Deborah and WIlliam have a lot in common, and what they share is not pretty.
To Inherit a Murderer has a strong streak of horror, and from the beginning it's clear that all is not as it seems. William seems to have the ability to control objects without touching them, and at times his behaviour seems more like demonic possession than anything modern medicine or psychiatry could define.
The characters are compelling though, and the setting beguiling. A powerful book.
April 18, 2017
Billy is 12 when he enters Deborah's life, and he's already know to have serious issues. Deborah, though, who never thought being named the boy's godmother would put her in a position to take custody at some point, could not predict just how bad those "issues" really were — nor how bad they would become.
In a chilling and somewhat dark novel, E.J. Reuk explores all the implications of someone who by all appearances and mannerisms exhibits psychopathic or sociopathic tendencies, and is not about killing. There may be some hope for Billy under Deborah's tutelage. There may not be. And THAT'S what keeps the story so tense for much of its narrative, and yes, so compelling.
Few authors go this deeply into the exploration of how murderers are born or developed after birth. Reuk does. Expect surprises. Expect darkness. Expect a book that you'll want to put down, but find that you can't. I want more from this author. Now.
In a chilling and somewhat dark novel, E.J. Reuk explores all the implications of someone who by all appearances and mannerisms exhibits psychopathic or sociopathic tendencies, and is not about killing. There may be some hope for Billy under Deborah's tutelage. There may not be. And THAT'S what keeps the story so tense for much of its narrative, and yes, so compelling.
Few authors go this deeply into the exploration of how murderers are born or developed after birth. Reuk does. Expect surprises. Expect darkness. Expect a book that you'll want to put down, but find that you can't. I want more from this author. Now.
November 18, 2014
This is a powerful story with lots of questions and some answers. It stirred my mind, emotions, and spirit while being entertaining reading. The characters are very much alive and the interactions are engaging--that would include the non-human characters. As the author promised, gruesome is not in this book. I think Ruek is very good at writing "spine-tingling" without leaving lasting damage. What has lasted for me is a sense of question or hmmmm.
May 2, 2014
A DARING PIECE OF WRITING - READ IT IF YOU WANT TO READ SOMETHING ORIGINAL AS WELL AS A GREAT AND THOUGHTFUL STORY
Excuse the cliché but…I enjoyed this book so much I didn’t want to put it down. The story was original and written with the assurance of a writer who knows their way round a page.
E.J. Ruek has created a fascinating world, a mixture of fortress and paradise - personally built by the central character, Deborah, a woman whose intelligence helps her overcome her initial dislike of her newly adopted and seriously troubled son, William.
We are quickly immersed in the story as Deborah begins to gain an understanding of WillIam's mind as well as her own. Things are not what they seem and this is what fascinated me about this story.
There are many stories about the good versus evil debate but this is not a black and white issue and I always find the most interesting stories look at the places where good and evil overlap and intertwine and this story is one of those.
I highly recommend you read this book.
Excuse the cliché but…I enjoyed this book so much I didn’t want to put it down. The story was original and written with the assurance of a writer who knows their way round a page.
E.J. Ruek has created a fascinating world, a mixture of fortress and paradise - personally built by the central character, Deborah, a woman whose intelligence helps her overcome her initial dislike of her newly adopted and seriously troubled son, William.
We are quickly immersed in the story as Deborah begins to gain an understanding of WillIam's mind as well as her own. Things are not what they seem and this is what fascinated me about this story.
There are many stories about the good versus evil debate but this is not a black and white issue and I always find the most interesting stories look at the places where good and evil overlap and intertwine and this story is one of those.
I highly recommend you read this book.
November 26, 2014
A riveting read from start to finish, you're not quite sure who to root for and who to fear, then wind up cheering both of them on...after you think, maybe, they're both evil. It's one of those books that keeps you up all night finding out what happens...which you don't get to find out till the very last page. Don't you hate authors like that?
February 20, 2011
If you like Steig Larsson's books then you will like this, the prose is exceptionally well crafted that will keep you very interested and turning the page, with amazingly crafted characters and plots twists that add to the structure.
August 10, 2023
wow, what a page turner
This book takes you deep into fear, distrust and trying to save a boy from himself and survive. Deborah trains horses and lives a life in fear of people coming into her place without invitation. This woman inherits a very troubled, grossly over weight, full of hate and distrust. She is his God mother and he is entrusted to her care. All she can think is what the hell am I going to do with a kid. As things become more weird yet with signs of hope, the ups and downs of caring for this very disturbed child are taking a toll on Deborah and the two men hired to keep her safe from William and William safe. Can they all survive this child?
This book takes you deep into fear, distrust and trying to save a boy from himself and survive. Deborah trains horses and lives a life in fear of people coming into her place without invitation. This woman inherits a very troubled, grossly over weight, full of hate and distrust. She is his God mother and he is entrusted to her care. All she can think is what the hell am I going to do with a kid. As things become more weird yet with signs of hope, the ups and downs of caring for this very disturbed child are taking a toll on Deborah and the two men hired to keep her safe from William and William safe. Can they all survive this child?
May 22, 2022
To Inherit a Murderer
Wow! This is an awesome book. This book is not an easy read but it is a very good one. Deborah is charged with caring for a young twelve your old boy, who was her friend's son. Deborah has custody of the boy after her friend's death. The boy is believed to be evil and unmanageable. But something isn't right and Deborah is the person to find out what. Great book.
Wow! This is an awesome book. This book is not an easy read but it is a very good one. Deborah is charged with caring for a young twelve your old boy, who was her friend's son. Deborah has custody of the boy after her friend's death. The boy is believed to be evil and unmanageable. But something isn't right and Deborah is the person to find out what. Great book.
June 24, 2024
Amazing, Unique Story
This is a story I haven’t read before. About the unique relationship between a kid and his guardian. The characters are well drawn and it is well plotted. The story drew me in and I liked the ending.
This is a story I haven’t read before. About the unique relationship between a kid and his guardian. The characters are well drawn and it is well plotted. The story drew me in and I liked the ending.
July 27, 2024
What an inheritance!
William and the others were so real I felt my heart breaking especially when the journals were read! How could a mother treat her baby so terribly? I wish their stories continued!
William and the others were so real I felt my heart breaking especially when the journals were read! How could a mother treat her baby so terribly? I wish their stories continued!
February 2, 2022
Gripping
Could not put this book down until it was finished.u Some paranormal stuff but not explained very well. Wonder if there is a sequel. Would like to know more.
Could not put this book down until it was finished.u Some paranormal stuff but not explained very well. Wonder if there is a sequel. Would like to know more.
October 10, 2022
loved it!
To go from extreme dislike of the boy to joy over the ending-I’d never have guessed!! It has horses cats dogs a crow, I’ll read it again!
To go from extreme dislike of the boy to joy over the ending-I’d never have guessed!! It has horses cats dogs a crow, I’ll read it again!
December 31, 2023
wonderful read
If you like to read something out of the norm, you will really enjoy this book. It will keep you turning the pages.
If you like to read something out of the norm, you will really enjoy this book. It will keep you turning the pages.
January 15, 2024
Great read!
This book is a great read. Horses, dogs, and paranormal. It doesn’t get much better than that for me. Where can I find book 2?
This book is a great read. Horses, dogs, and paranormal. It doesn’t get much better than that for me. Where can I find book 2?
November 11, 2014
A woman reluctantly takes on the creepy son of her dead friend. Why would Deborah not just turn the kid over to the state to deal with? First, she has promised her friend to take care of him. Second, she sees in the boy something of herself, a part of her that she has learned to control. Nobody else can help this child, but will everyone around him come out unscathed? I don't want to give any more details because the answers will surprise you and make your skin crawl at the same time.
Excellent book by Ms. Ruek. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
Excellent book by Ms. Ruek. I look forward to seeing more of her work.
January 29, 2010
Since I wrote it, I like it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews