written by Edward Lee
published by Leisure Books (August 2004)
ISBN: 0-8439-5204-0
reviewed by Ty Schwamberger
05.01.2009
If you’re looking for a
book that explains what could happen if the Devil ever sends his minions to
earth in search of souls to corrupt, then look no further than, Messenger by Edward Lee.
The main character of the
book is Jane Ryan. She has just been
promoted to Station Manager at the West Branch of the US Post Office in Danelleton. Just
when she thinks her career is taking off, it quickly goes sour when one of her
employees goes ‘postal’ and murders a bunch of people at the main branch of the
post office in town. It seems that not
only are her employees suddenly delivering unwanted packages to customers all
over town, but slaughtering them in the process. Chief Steve Higgins of the Danelleton Police Department, who Jane eventually becomes
involved with, begins to investigate the murders as the body count grows each
passing day. Though, these postal
workers, err, messengers, and are being controlled by a Messenger from Hell, named, Aldezhor –
the devil’s messenger. Aldezhor controls his victims by using their fears against
themselves to ultimately do his will.
As things unravel and the
body count increases, it becomes apparent that people become possessed when
coming in contact with, “a striker from
a bell in hell.” Which would explain why
all the dead bodies are left with a bell and star (striker) sign by their
lifeless form – the star-shaped striker stands for the Morning Star –
Lucifer. Dhevic,
an Auras, or someone who can see the future as it pertains to Hell, instructs Jane
about what is really going on in town, what and who is responsible for the mass
murders. Dhevic
eventually takes it upon himself to find the striker that is hidden somewhere
in the town, which will put an end to Hell on Earth. That is his mission, passed down from
generation to generation in his family.
This book is an
entertaining read from start to finish.
There is gore, sex, good characterization, good dialog and some great
bloody action that keeps you wanting to find out who is going to go ‘postal’ next. Though,
I felt like the last few chapters of the book seemed rushed and the ‘end’ of
the story pressed a tad. It seemed that
Lee wasn’t sure how to make the conclusion ‘different or cool’ so he just stuck
with a pretty foreseen ending – which was O.K.
If I had to use stars to rate this book, I’d give it ***
out of *****.