DEEDS OF DARKNESS-- The author comments:
It must be obvious by now that I'm fascinated with small town culture.
I grew up in Los Angeles but was married in a tiny town in the south.
What a shock to a big city girl's system. Besides the obvious difference,
they are many social differences too.
Deeds of Darkness is another book that explores good
vs. evil in the most primitive sense.
I've always loved horror movies, but always thought, "Too bad the
heroine or hero isn't a Christian so he'd know what to do." In this
story, my heroine is a Christian, but because she's a teenager doesn't
feel adequate to challenge the evil she knows has taken over her
town.
Reviews:
"Evil is alive in Yokut Springs. The only person strong enough
and willing to face it head on is teenager Madeline Mahoney. Until
lately, Madeline's life has been consumed with the typical trappings
of teen life-clothes, hair, and guys. While spending the night at
her friend Lynette Reddick's house, the girls observe Lynette's
mother and a group of cloaked individuals performing a ceremony
on the lawn. Madeline discovers that Mrs. Reddick is the leader
of a witch coven, now at its strongest with thirteen members. Although
Madeline is a Christian, she doesn't see the harm in dabbling with
a spell to try to make Brian, the boy of her dreams, fall in love
with her.
Tragic things begin to happen in the area: fires are mysteriously
started and horrible accidents and deaths occur. Madeline starts
to pull away from her friendship with Lynette and grows closer to
Brian, who is a fellow Christian. They try to bring the evil into
the open with their pastor, who doesn't believe that demons exist
in the world today. It is up to the teens to make the town see that
this witch coven has given the devil and demons a foothold in their
community. Will they be able to stop the madness before it's too
late?
In a novel appropriate for teens and adults alike, Marilyn Meredith
has touched on issues relevant to everyone. Madeline's character
exhibits strength under extremely trying circumstances. I was chilled
to the bone at many of the scenes and was glad that I am not confronting
the evil face-to-face as she and Brian do on many occasions. The
pace is fast but Ms. Meredith does not skimp on details that help
us get to know the characters and their motivations. DEEDS OF DARKNESS
is disturbing on two levels--it's a creepy fiction story, but it
also is realistically heart-pounding and describes events that could
truly happen.
Ms. Meredith's themes are important for Christians to read and
discuss. It would make an excellent study book for youth group or
other small group members. Just how does Satan work in the present
day? Readers will come away from this experience with a deeper faith
and understanding of how the devil can take advantage of weakness
in our lives and how God is working for each one of us. I highly
recommend DEEDS OF DARKNESS, it is a book that will stay with you
for a long, long time.
A spooky tale of what happens when a new family moves into town.
A fun read that will have you examining you nearest and dearest--could
they be witches? Madeline Mahoney became close friends with a new
girl in town, Lynette Reddick, who shares a secret with her. Her
mother is a witch. Madeline doesn't believe it. At first! Then strange
and unpleasant things begin to happen in their little town of Yokut
Springs and Madeline begins to wonder who or what is responsible.
She and Lynette have tried casting spells on boys of their choice
and they seem to work. But do they? With a friend, Madeline spies
on Dian Reddick and learns to her dismay that people often aren't
who they seem. Could Lynette's mother be responsible for the events
of late? A look at the things that can bring out the dark side of
people, things that change the way you look at the world is what
you will find in Deeds of Darkness. Talented author Marilyn Meredith
shows the reader that actions have consequences and the price is
often too high. A highly recommended read."
–Anne K Edwards, Blevins Reviews
"Madeline Mahoney is a typical sixteen-year-old girl. She
attends school while living at home with her parents and younger
brother. Her father, Philip Mahoney, is the sheriff of Yokut Springs
the small town where they live. At sixteen Madeline's main thought
is about boys, actually, one boy in particular, Brian Coulter.
"Madeline's best friend is Lynette Parker. They have known
each other only a short time since Lynette and her mother have recently
moved to Yokut Springs from Southern California. Even so, Madeline
feels they have a lot in common so she is really taken by surprise
when she discovers that Dian, Lynette's mother, is a witch. Madeline
is a Christian and a bit uncomfortable with the idea of witches
but Dian explains that witchcraft is basically just another religion,
one that has been persecuted unjustly. When Lynette suggests that
she and Madeline use witchcraft to cast a romantic spell on the
two young men they want to notice them, Madeline isn't sure if it
is really a good idea. Simultaneously, Dian inducts the 13th member
in her witches' coven.
"Odd things begin to happen in Yokut Springs where it seems
nothing exciting has ever happened before. In fact, some people
begin to die. Since Madeline' s dad is the sheriff, she learns about
the incidents quicker and in more detail than most folks. She begins
to wonder if the witches' coven could have anything to do with the
strange events. It doesn't seem possible that any real connection
exists. But if it did, what could she do about it anyway? When some
of her close friends and finally her own family seem to be in jeopardy,
she decides she must know the truth and sets out to find answers.
"At my age I never thought that reading about the adventures
of a sixteen-year-old girl would be exciting or that it would even
hold my intere st. I was wrong. This book had me on the edge of
my seat and holding my breath more than once. The writing flowed
so smoothly that I almost forgot I was reading. Perhaps I read the
book at a most appropriate time since we are preparing for Halloween,
witches and other scary stuff. But I can honestly say that I thoroughly
enjoyed the book and the only complaint I had was that I couldn't
it read fast enough!
Reviewed by Barbara Wright
"The pace is fast but Ms. Meredith does not skimp on details that
help us get to know the characters and their motivations. DEEDS
OF DARKNESS is disturbing on two levels--it's a creepy fiction story,
but it also is realistically heart-pounding and describes events
that could truly happen.
"Ms. Meredith's themes are important for Christians to read
and discuss. It would make an excellent study book for youth group
or other small group members. Just how does Satan work in the present
day? Readers will come away from this experience with a deeper faith
and understanding of how the devil can take advantage of weakness
in our lives and how God is working for each one of us. I highly
recommend DEEDS OF DARKNESS, it is a book that will stay with you
for a long, long time."
--Melissa Parcel, In the Library
Reviews
"Christian teenager Madeline Mahoney is a bit uncomfortable
participating in her best friend's spell-casting, but she succumbs
to peer pressure. Fortified with the slight hope that the object
of her affection will return the feeling as a result, she allows
Lynette to perform the spell. When Brian does spend time with her,
Madeline can't help but regret her actions-how will she ever know
why Brian really likes her?
"Spying on Lynette's mother, Madeline learns that there is
a coven of witches in what used to be her small, quiet town. Now
people are getting hurt, and dying, in ways no one can explain.
Can Madeline and Brian convince the authorities that something is
dreadfully wrong? And if not, can they do anything on their own?
If they are Christians, are they on their own?
"A classic story of good versus evil! Marilyn has spun a tale
of warning--toying with evil has its consequences. Deeds of Darkness
is a must-read for Christians, non-Christians and anyone who reads
the tabloids. This story will keep you up all night reading, and
looking over your shoulder the entire time. Excellent work, Ms.
Meredith."
-Robin Bayne, author of Cougar Lake and A Matter
of Life
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