Make Them Cry [Mass Market Paperback]

WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT: O'Brien's taut terror has never been better; this is by far the best book in what can be called a "series." As usual, characters are numerous, but there is more characterization in this work. You come to know these people and care what happens to them. Genuine twists abound and keep you guessing almost until the end.

WHY YOU WON'T: Anyone who has a problem with the Thorn Birds or the Catholic church in general might not appreciate this book. Burgeoning teenage sexuality (and yes, this includes homosexuality) might turn some people off.

BOTTOM LINE: O'Brien's best work, good characters, intruiging plot. Highly recommend.

Father Jack Murphy is the primary protaganist, a widower who lost his wife and child in an auto accident and then took his vows out of guilt and in hopes that he could make a better contribution to other lives.

Maggie Costello is the older sister of John Costello, a freshman who was close to Father Murphy and who dies early in the story. Maggie and Father Murphy have an immediate chemistry, and his struggle with his vows creates plenty of tension throughout the book.

The third protaganist is Peter Tobin, John Costello's best friend, also a talented artist and very confused young man.

All three suspect foul play in the death of John Costello, and their separate investigations lead them to link the deaths of a prominent judge, a waitress, and several boys that died years earlier at the school.

The book is full of suspense and tension on every page, which kept me reading. I enjoyed the details of the college, and found the characters sympathetic. As the pieces come together, the part about the saints is well done and creates an interesting twist as we learn connections with each character's name.

I thought that too much was given away too early, and I guess the villain's identity right away. His voice was just too false and too much like Eddie Haskell from "Leave it to Beaver." I didn't trust him, so I wondered why the characters had no doubts, although he was carefully seducing them by playing on their grief and fears. Also, the villain's motive is never made clear, other than he's a sociopath. There is no depth to why he is carrying out his crimes.
The story is also an indictment of life at a Catholic seminary, with alcoholics, egotists, and closeted and not-so-closeted homosexuals thrown together in a modern Gothic setting.

Still, the book was well-paced and pulled me into the bizarre world.

The story takes place in a seminary and there is a questionable death of a student. The story also takes the reader back several decades to speak of other incidences that have taken place in the seminary. There is also some humor in the dialogues among the priest and and some of the students in the dorm.

Another thing I liked in this book is that the characters are all down to earth people. Just like all the other books by Kevin O'Brien, this book has a high number of characters and at the same time the plot just thickens and gets mesmerising.

This book is very well written and a must read. I would give this book a much higher rating than a five, but this website only allows a maximun of five. I must say that this is one of Kevin O'Brien's best books. I will always buy his books rest of my life and pass them on to my friends since they are also hooked to any novels by Kevin O'Brien. These are spine tingling stories. I also recommend these books to those who are fans of "Tales From The Crypt". I will tell all not to miss out.