Worst Nightmares
Mystery Book Review

Mystery Book Review: Worst Nightmares

Dermot Nolan is a Booker Prize winning novelist. He is a celebrity of sorts and can buy almost anything he wants - well, that used to be the case.

For a full year now, Dermot has not been able to write. He's hit the proverbial "writer's block." The problem is that he promised his editor he'd have a completed book and time is running out. On top of that, he's already spent the million dollar advance. You might say Dermot is in trouble.

When a strange old bum drops off a crudely hand-written manuscript, Dermot is annoyed. He figures it's just another weirdo looking for his fifteen minutes of fame. However, when Dermot's wife Neela begins reading "My Worst Nightmares-My Delicious Memoirs," by Albert K. Arnold, she decides they are on to something big. She persuades Dermot, and best friend Nick, to read the manuscript.

It turns out to be a chilling account of gruesome deaths committed by what seems to be a serial killer. None of them can decide if it's true. When Dermot tries to meet with Arnold, he watches him jump off a building, crashing to his death. This triggers the idea that Dermot will claim the manuscript as his own.

From the moment he makes this fateful decision, Dermot's life is never the same. His worst nightmares are about to come true.

Mystery Book Review: Worst Nightmares Opinion

My first reaction to this book was - "ugh, how could someone come up with such gruesome ways for people to die?" As I got further into the book I realized, this is actually explained quite well. The Dream Healer, by taking people's nightmares and adding a sick twist, is able to become one of the most deranged serial killers since Hannibal Lecter.

Dermot and Neela's sad story of fame gone wrong is well-done and believable in our current world where people can become celebrities from anything - whether it be writing a bestseller or putting up an amateur video on YouTube. I felt for Dermot, but at the same time I didn't really like him. He's one of those characters who you root for because your other choice, the Dream Healer, is so much worse.

Imagine my surprise when I started to realize this is what the author wants you to feel! As the story progresses, you become aware of the fact that Dermot's difficult, angry, arrogant personality is definitely on purpose but somehow Briant still manges to make you feel sorry for him!

The ending wasn't too much of surprise for me but that made the story all the more creepy. A definite read for the mystery lover. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on!

Mystery Book Review Lists: Worst Nightmares Discussion Questions

1. Were you surprised by the ending? Why or why not?
2. If you received a flier for the Dream Healer's website, would you check it out?
3. Do you like Dermot? Why or why not?

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