When the Day of Evil Comes (Day of Evil Series #1): A Novel of Suspense

by Melanie Wells

Book Overview

A bizarre encounter initiates an extreme spiritual battle with only God-issued spiritual armor for protection.

School is back in session, but for psychology professor Dylan Foster, the promise of a new semester is dying in the heat of the late Texas summer. First, there is the bizarre encounter with a ghastly pale stranger. Then her mother's engagement ring turns up--the same ring that was buried with her mother two years before.

Soon,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590524268
• ISBN13: 9781590524268
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 317 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Convincingly Written Fiction - Surprisingly Humorous

When I purchased this book, I did so based on the recommendation of a credible book reviewer and an incredible writer: Eric Wilson (author of "Dark to Mortal Eyes" - "Expiration Date" and "The Best of Evil.") Otherwise, I may have dismissed it due to the title, concerned that it might be just another Christian novel in the genre of horror, out to make evil titillating. I was more than pleasantly surprised to find that this book was quite humorous, yet simultaneously suspenseful. As I was reading the book, I had to look for the fiction disclaimer, because I felt like I was reading a non-fiction account written by Bill Bryson. You may think it strange to relate this female author of Christian fiction to a secular male writer of non-fiction travel. If you are familiar with Bill Bryson's works, you know how he takes his readers on his travels with introspection and wry humor, poking fun at eccentric characters, primarily himself. In the same spirit, Melanie convincingly wrote in the first person, and she spent the majority of her time in the heroine's head, sharing her personal thoughts. She pokes fun at her own quirky behaviors, most of which are driven by her Obsessive Compulsive "Inclination." She cleverly explains how she refuses to label herself with a "disorder." This "inclination" drives her to take indomitable measures to avoid getting her mother's thighs. Sure, the story includes a demon, but she even depicts this fallen angel with humor. This is a fabulous book, as is the second in this series. I'm pleased when a first novel in a series has its own proper ending, and doesn't bait me to purchase the next work. Melanie Wells didn't leave me hanging off a cliff waiting for her second novel to be published, yet her first book flowed seamlessly into her second. This alone is worth 5 stars from me. Melanie, if you happen to read this, I have two questions for you: 1. Your heroine's resume seems to mimic your own, how much of your story is actually fiction? 2. When will your third novel in this series be published? Frank Klein 4th - FK4@KnowGrace.com

Wow, two thumbs way up.

Nightmares. Flies. Rotten egg smell. Suicide. Spiritual warfare. Whoa. And that's just the beginning. It is summer in Dallas and Dylan Foster, a university psychologist, likes her life. Until she meets a strange man at a faculty picnic. Who is he and what does he want? Matters worsen when she and all her coworkers receive anonymous gifts, a former student says she harassed him, and the engagement ring that should be on her dead mother's finger shows up once again. A friend of hers insists she has called and asked him out. What in Texas is going on? Dylan's life is spinning out of control, but what can she do to stop it? The forces at work prove powerful and mysterious as she searches for clues to the mysteries surrounding her. Thankfully, she is told to pray and to put on her armor. Sage advice. As one of her friends says: "The good news is that as a child of the King, you're entitled to protection." Will she find the inner strength to fight the spiritual battle she now admits she's involved in? Can she use her newfound knowledge to keep others from danger? I can't say enough glowing comments about this novel. It proved suspenseful, exciting, funny and a little creepy, which gives it high marks in my mind. Wells handles this weighty subject matter perfectly, balancing seriousness with levity. I absolutely adored Dylan Foster's character. She catapulted herself into my reality and stayed there. Bravo. I hope to see many more of Wells' works soon. Check out Book 2 in the Day of Evil Series, Soul Hunter, coming in May.

Great suspense novel!

Dylan Foster is having a bad week. First, she meets an enigmatic stranger named Peter Terry with a hideous wound on his back who gives her an ominous warning of the future. Over the course of the next few days, she finds her job, her life, and finally her sanity in jeopardy as everything she's grown comfortable with in her life falls apart. She believes she's been targeted by a demon intent on destroying her, but what she can't understand is "why?". What if you'd been marked for destruction by demonic forces? Author Melanie Wells tackles that question in her new novel, When the Day of Evil Comes. Borrowing in part from subject matter you'd expect to see from the likes of Stephen King, Wells creates a storyline that is at times creepy and depressing, yet always seems to rise above complete hopelessness. The character of Dylan is an enchanting woman with a sparkling personality. A psychology professor, Dylan's life seems idyllic until the day she receives two gifts: a beautiful necklace, and her mother's wedding ring-a ring that was buried with her mother years ago. Suddenly Dylan finds herself thrust into the center of a strange conspiracy to discredit her. Soon she discovers Peter Terry has been visiting others too-with terrible results. The tension continues to build as Dylan is accused of impropriety with a student she hardly remembers. Before she can defend herself against the accusation, the student kills himself. As she finds out more about the student, she uncovers darker secrets from his family's past. Now she must find the truth about Peter Terry before he destroys her life completely. Who is this man who can inhabit people's dreams and wreck almost impossible destruction in their lives? And how did Dylan, of all people, become his newest target? This was a thrill ride of a novel! Wells keeps the pace moving in this book. No time to get bored here, and even in the process of learning background on Dylan and her friends, she makes it interesting and not expository. She even gives some interesting insight on demons (the explanation for the hideous wound on Peter's back is thought-provoking and will give you one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments). With a growth of Christian suspense on the market, When the Day of Evil Comes gives you something different and well-worth the read. It's a supernatural thriller with ominous overtones, but there's still a thread of hope dangling throughout. You can't be assured of Dylan's success (or even of her survival), but the ending leaves you satisfied while still wanting more. Wells is signed to three more novels in this series, so there's no doubt we'll be hearing from Peter Terry again soon. Just pray your life isn't the one he's targeted next.

Best First Chapter, Wonderful book

This book has the BEST first chapter I have ever read. It not only "sucks you in" but it "leaves you hanging" as well. The rest of the novel delivers as well. I love the main character's sarcastic wit and her struggles with her faith. I also love the way Christianity is portrayed in this novel...it is a living, breathing way of life, not a dead religion. Furthermore it is less about becoming saved and more about how to live your life once you are saved. I can't wait to read more Melanie Wells and I hope that these characters are carried through to many sequels.

Makes My Top Ten List

In "When the Day of Evil Comes," Dylan Foster, a psych professor, finds her career, her beliefs, and her safety on the line in this creepy thriller. The title and cover caught my attention, but the first chapter proved that Melanie Wells could deliver. Dylan comes face to face with a strange, pale, scarred man; her mother's engagement ring reappears from the grave; and the story takes off from there. Throughout this chilling tale, Wells lightens the mood through her character's wry humor. I'd love to meet Dylan Thomas again in a sequel. She's strong and independent, yet susceptible to a bit of romance and spiritual wrestling. She's not religious, but she believes in a personal God. The biblical ideas presented here are clear and sound, without being too preachy. Some reviewers seemed to want more direct answers at the conclusion, while I appreciated the author's decision to leave some things for interpretation. Life isn't always black and white, easily defined, nicely wrapped in a box. If you like Dean Koontz or Frank Peretti, you'll find a lot to like here. Yet this book stands on its own two feet, original, with a female perspective, and perfectly paced. I hope Melanie Wells is working on the next one, because "When the Day of Evil Comes" ranks as one of my favorite thrillers this year--and one of the best Christian thrillers ever. ***With some of the shady things I've seen in reviews recently, I must add: I've never met, communicated with, or received any compensation from this author.