Reader’s Review

“Holy Terror” represents John R. Dougherty’s initial foray into the world of novelists and is the first part of a planned trilogy of novels based on the interaction of the natural with the supernatural worlds. His work resembles the kind of allegorical approach to angels and demons found in the works of C.S. Lewis and Randy Alcorn. While perhaps of greater interest to Christians familiar with the Biblical accounts of these beings, the work would have a much wider appeal to a general audience, including the non-religious, given that interest in the supernatural is intrinsic to humanity. The appeal to that mysterious, other dimension is timeless, as many of us remember the television series “The Twilight Zone,” and today “Stranger Things.”One finishes the work anticipating hearing more about these supernatural beings, whom we have come to know, whom he carefully describes in terms of their rank and authority and their interactions with humans.

James David Lawrence, M.A., M.Ph., Ph.D.

If you like to read books about good vs evil, about supernatural beings such as angels and demons…then this is the book (and book series) for you! The characters are interesting and the book directly addresses that age old question: why do bad things happen to good people….where’s the justice. Well, in this book, justice has a name: Thumos.

Melody B, author of Crazy Cats, voice actress

Faith-based speculative fiction fans should enjoy this tale of an angel vigilante’s glorious journey.

This debut novel—and series opener—is a blend of Christian mythology, crime drama, and arcane thriller that follows two detectives as they attempt to track down a seemingly unstoppable killer.

Ian Jelani and his partner, Lane Madigan, are Miami police detectives tasked with finding a murderer who has been ritualistically butchering criminals—drug dealers, porn peddlers, terrorists. As the two investigate the elusive executioner, they discover similar homicides across the country. The “Holy Terror,” as the media have dubbed the killer, only targets hardcore criminals.

Fueled by Christian beliefs—relevant biblical verses and Christian doctrine abound—this tale about the spiritual awakenings of all three characters is powerfully moving. (Christian readers will also undoubtedly enjoy the pop-culture references, like the Christian metal band Stryper.) The pacing is brisk, and Dougherty’s narrative reads like a thriller, high intensity throughout with action-packed scenes from beginning to end. (read the full review)….

KIRKUS REVIEWS

This is a very captivating story. It is nothing like I expected it to be. It is a little gory at times but very gripping. It involves various types of supernatural characters. It is part detective mystery and part otherworldly confrontations. It is a “page-turner” and keeps one guessing about the outcome.
This is a book of determination, judgment, defiance, self-examination, and retribution. It is very thought-provoking.
The characters are well-defined and events are portrayed vividly. The Title and Cover image are both chosen very well in depicting the contents of the book.
My personal opinion, in a large part, believes as the author portrays but not totally. However, it is a view worth examining. It is very imaginative.
I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating.
This book was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

Lu Ann Worley

Holy Terror is a great debut for newcomer John R Dougherty. I found it be a uniquely written story of the good vs evil concept. It is full of mystery, suspense, magic, action and adventure. I never knew what would happen between the detectives and the supernatural forces. I was intrigued with Thumos right from the start and wanted to keep reading to see what choices he would make and what would become of him, as well as, others involved. It does get a little graphic in the violence at times but I was not put off by it at all. It is a book that made me think and enjoyed that there were some lessons learned within pages. I am giving Holy Terror a very well deserved five plus stars. I would have given it one hundred if it were possible. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. It is rated for ages thirteen and above under parental guidance. I will be happily handing my copy over for my thirteen daughter to read and can not wait to get her own thoughts. I will be eagerly awaiting for the next release by John R Dougherty. I would love to see what else he has in store for his characters and readers in the future. I received a paperback copy of Holy Terror from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Amy Campbell

Holy Terror by John R. Dougherty is a novel that delves into the supernatural world of angels. We are introduced to a variety of murders occurring over the state. Interesting enough, all the victims are evil people with a history of criminal records. How they die is gruesome and despicable. Some don’t seem to be by normal human strength. Who is behind all these mysterious killings? Who is passing such passionate judgment on the victims? Where will this frenzy lead to? Is killing off deserving individuals the best justice there is? Read on to know the perpetrator and, eventually, the ultimate decision at the end of the novel. This thought-provoking masterpiece is the work of a very interesting imagination combined with research. The author understands the working of the angels and has done an incredible job of bringing them to life. I especially loved Thumo’s depiction of anger towards the evil upon the earth. I understand his predicament since this is what he was created for: to bring justice into the world. Sometimes we all wish we could do the same. Lane and Ian are also well-developed characters that will eventually become focal points for the whole story. Read this book if you want to know more about the working of the supernatural in the natural realm. This could be an eye-opener. What I loved about this story is the author’s vivid description of scenes. It was not hard for me to get into the story from the very beginning. The author does not tally in the storytelling. Most of the scenes were fast-paced and did not bore me with redundancy. This is an aspect I look for in a book. There was nothing that I disliked about this book. From the plot, storytelling, and conclusion, everything falls together beautifully. I loved the timely delivery and introduction of characters. The book is suspenseful and filled with a variety of emotional rollercoasters. It is definitely a book worth reading. The author has borrowed heavily from concepts of Catholicism. Even though this did not affect the enjoyment of the book, I found it worth noting here. The reader will come across several Catholic beliefs. If one decides to read this book, one should do so with an open mind, as that will lead to an immense enjoyment of the book. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. From the many aspects aforementioned, nothing warrants a point deduction. I found only a few errors, and the book is professionally edited. I recommend this book to lovers of fictional novels with a touch of reality. Lovers of true crime and detective novels will also greatly enjoy reading this book. The book has a number of vividly described violent scenes. Reader discretion is advised.

Seroney

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