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Illusion of Memory
Multi-Award Winning Novel of Horror
Note to Self: "Your name is Kevin. You kill people."
Your entire life begins each morning and ends each night. Have a good day—it's all you've got...
Kevin Munk lives his life in twenty-four hour increments. A childhood accident left him with the inability to store new memories. Each day is a clean slate, an opportunity to discover the man he really is. Unfortunately, that man is a serial killer with the perfect alibi.
Dr. Laura Raven knows some of Kevin's secrets, but not all of them. Kevin is not just her patient. He's also the perfect lover, requiring no promises, no commitments, and no morning-after regrets. If she discovers the truth about Kevin, will she bring a killer to justice or try to redeem a man who can't remember his own sins? And if she makes the wrong choice, will Laura pay for that mistake with her life? |
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Winner of the 2004
Dream Realms Award
for Best Horror Novel
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Winner of the
2005 EPPIE Award
for Best Horror Novel
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Voted #7 in Top
Horror Novels in the
Preditors & Editors
Readers' Poll for 2004
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About the Author
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Linda Bleser began her writing career publishing short fiction for women's magazines. Since then, she's completed several award-winning novels in a variety of genres, from rib-tickling comedy to bone-chilling suspense. Reviewers have hailed her work as unique, original, and impossible to put down.
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Reviews
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 Illusion of Memory is a chilling, horrific story. L.B. Milano has given us a look into the mind of a tortured serial killer and it is not one we will soon forget. The characters are all realistically portrayed, from a homeless man everyone calls Professor to the nosy neighbor. I really enjoyed how Laura Raven became obsessed with Kevin, down to not having a normal life. And Kevin was as complex as they come. The only memories he has are from the age of twelve and younger, the time he was horribly abused by his mother. I also was spellbound by how he “re-discovered” himself every morning. Illusion of Memory is a haunting look at the mind of a serial killer and I highly recommend reading it. —Chere
A very disturbing read as we look into the mind of a serial killer with no short-term memories. The storyline will hook you from the very first page to its haunting conclusion. The character of Kevin will definitely stay with you for a long time.
Illusion of Memory is what my mother would have called a good midnight read - intelligent, fun and twisted. Just the kind of things I ask for in a suspense novel, or in this case, novella. Ms. Milano takes a theme that is becoming more and more popular, at least on TV and in the movies, and gives it an original twist, proving once again that all possible stories have already been told - it's the writer's job to retell them in creative and original ways. Ms. Milano has certainly accomplished that. —M. Kenyon Charboneaux
"... tells a delightful, fast-paced story ... never loses sight of the main characters, the secondary characters are well developed and add immeasurably to the story." —Promo Preview (The Chance You Take)
"The characters are so realistic in their thoughts and feelings that connecting with them is instantaneous." —Midnight Scribe
"I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing and delightful book. It is a must read. I guarantee once you start to read it, you will not want to put it down" —Kathy Boswell (Enchanted Cottage)
I look forward to reading more!" —Charlene Smith
"L.B. Milano is definitely an author whom fans of horror, psychological thrillers, and murder mysteries will want to keep an eye on! Normally I'm a romance fiction type of reader; however, I agreed to review this book after reading a brief excerpt at the author's web site. Talk about hooks! Once in my hands, I couldn't put the blasted book down. Good thing it's more a novella than a novel! Ms. Milano has a delightfully twisted imagination and the ability to make a reader connect with even the most vile of characters. The storyline is original, characterization flawless, and the writing in and of itself is perfection. Not once did my inner editor kick in while I was reading. I HIGHLY recommend ILLUSION OF MEMORY as a book you won't soon forget, and promise you'll never look at spaghetti sauce the same way, again!" —Carla Arpin, TOOT-BOOKS reviewer
Read Except
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Tuesday, March 31
He blinked his eyes and waited, in that limbo moment between wakefulness and sleep, to remember who he was. The memory never came.
Tick ... tick ... tick ...
He turned his head at the persistent sound, searching for a clock, although he had no need for time and no appointments to keep. In the soft twilight of dawn, he found the source of the ticking—a cheap wind-up clock with glowing hands creeping toward five forty-five. He smiled because now he knew at least one thing about himself. He was a morning person.
Perched beside the clock was a sign with bold red lettering, impossible to miss.
READ THIS!
An arrow pointed down to a notepad resting beneath the sign. Foreboding rolled like storm clouds deep in his belly. "Read this," he murmured, making no move to pick up the notebook. Not yet. To do so would break the illusion of memory.
The clock continued to tick. The numerals continued to glow. And still he had no idea who he was. He stared at the silent blood-red invitation.
READ THIS!
The more he stared, the more insistent the directive became. Hesitantly he reached out and pushed the sign aside, lifted the notebook, and began reading the tiny, cramped handwriting that seemed vaguely familiar.
Your name is Kevin.
You live alone.
There is a calendar taped to the back of this notebook. Stop reading right now and mark today's date.
He reached for the red marker beside the notepad, as naturally as if he'd done this a thousand times before. Following the written instructions, he made a red "X" on the calendar, noting that today was Tuesday, March 31st. "Tuesday," he said aloud, repeating it over and over until it gained a measure of permanence. "Tuesday, March 31st."
He turned the page to find more notes.
If today is Monday, there will be a regular delivery from the grocery store. Payment is taken automatically from your checking account, but remember to tip the delivery boy one dollar from the cookie jar above the stove.
He stopped reading and flipped back to the calendar. "It's Tuesday," he said, reminding himself again. Although he'd just noted the date moments ago, the memory was already slipping away like a wisp of smoke evaporating from his brain. "Tuesday," he repeated firmly, then went back to reading his notes.
Your clothes are laid out on the chair to your left.
The bathroom is down the hall to the right.
Your mother is dead. You killed her. You don't remember, but it's important that you know.
Put the notebook back beneath the sign. You'll need it again tomorrow.
Have a good day.
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