Nightmares Trilogy
Dark, disturbing and definitely scary - Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer is the first book in Demelza Carlton's Nightmares Trilogy. The second book is Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller.
Synopsis
There are real monsters out there. The worst part is that they're human.
They took her away from me.
I mumbled a protest through the haze of pain and exhaustion that had turned me into little more than a zombie. I'll never be able to watch a zombie movie again without remembering this night, I thought.
"It's all right - we have to move her to take care of her. She's hurt worse than you," I was told. "We need to treat you, too. There's a gunshot wound in your shoulder."
One of the hospital staff looked grim and came over. She started firing questions at me.
"Name?"
"Nathan Miller."
"What happened?"
"I was shot."
"By whom?"
"A homicidal lunatic with a gun and bad aim."
"Her name?"
"Caitlin Lockyer."
"What happened to her?"
"Looks like someone tried to kill her."
Nathan found Caitlin on a beach covered in blood. Saving her life was just the start. Now he's the prime suspect and he has to find out who's really responsible. Both of their lives depend on it.
Who hurt her?
Why was he shot?
What did he promise?
Why doesn't his story add up?
Who was the dead man on the beach?
What will she remember when she wakes up?
Excerpt
"Stay away from her, Nathan. That girl isn't good for you."
Stay away from her? I'd go crazy with worry in a day. "You don't know her."
Chris looked grim. "Neither do you. Is there anything you wouldn't do for her?"
"Yes," I snapped. "I wouldn't die for her."
Chris turned around to stare at me, her mouth hanging open.
"Do you want to know why?" I asked steadily. "I wouldn't die for her because I wouldn't be able to protect her any more. What if I missed one of the people who hurt her? I couldn't take that risk. She's too important."
Purchase Links
Kota's Review
Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer is the first in the Nightmares Series. It is the story of Caitlin, who has been kidnapped, traumatized and left for dead, as she strives for survival.
Nathan, who saves Caitlin from what appears to be certain death, becomes extremely attached to her, for a number of reasons.
This story takes us along the path of Nathan finding Caitlin, and being the prime suspect, Caitlin being so traumatised that she initially only communicates through her nightmares, but is clear enough for those around her to know that she needs Nathan. Nathan does not leave Caitlin’s side for extended periods while they try and piece together what happened to her.
This story is full of drama, and violence, it ends on a note of strength and shows the strength of Caitlin’s character to survive.
So in thinking about my review for this story I found it difficult. I liken this story to a contemporary dance routine – it is eclectic and relies on the choreographer’s interpretation in order to make sense to the audience. However, once the audience understands it – it can be powerful and compelling.
The plot behind this story is compelling, elements of the story telling were powerful and gripping, but unfortunately this story left me scratching my head asking what the? Rather than being left in awe of the story.
There are so many elements of the story that I struggled with. This left me with a million questions that by the end of the book still feel unanswered, and stopped me from being entrenched in the story and truly engaged.
Areas of concern for me relate to: the story regarding Nathan’s employment; The nature of Nathan’s feelings for Caitlin and his manner in internally expressing them from the start – come on really, she was 17; Caitlin’s backstory, why was she taken? How is it possible that her family did not show? The friends – how did they make the shortlist? Who are they? Caitlin vs Laura; and Caitlin’s insight at the end – how did she reach it? To mention a few.
This is the first work of Demelza Carlton’s I have read, and I will read book 2 in this series in the hope that some of these unanswered questions are resolved for me. I feel that Ms Carlton has a gift with the written word, she does not write in a conventional style, but has the capacity to be very engaging if there was a little more depth to backstory and character development.
I am rating Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer 3 ½ hearts which makes it a good story on our rating scale.
.JPG) |
| 3 & 1/2 hearts for Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer |
About Demelza Carlton
Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy.
Thank you for reviewing and look forward to reading your next review :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read and comment Joe - much appreciated :)
Delete