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Mine
Adrift in the 1980s and slowly losing her mind, a heavily armed former '60s radical kidnaps a baby with the hope, deluded as it may be, of returning her life to simpler times. The child's mother, though, isn't about to take it lying down and, along with a tracker, begins a cross-country chase to get her child back.
496 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Robert McCammon
158 books5,320 followersPseudonyms: Robert R. McCammon; Robert Rick McCammon
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Robert McCammon was a full-time horror writer for many years. Among his many popular novels were the classics Boy's Life and Swan Song. After taking a hiatus for his family, he returned to writing with an interest in historical fiction.
His newest book, Leviathan, is the tenth and final book in the Matthew Corbett series. It was published in trade hardcover (Lividian Publications), ebook (Open Road), and audiobook (Audible) formats on December 3, 2024.
McCammon resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
September 2, 2020
What did I just read? That was insane! A crazy ride to crazy town and then some. Thanks for recommending this Mort 😊.
The opening scene hits you like a sledge hammer and it never lets up. Mary Terrell aka Mary Terror was part of a radical left wing group in the 60s called the Storm Front. Their raison d’être was to kill the agents of the Mindfuck state (ie the ‘pigs’ and others in authority) Well, they were pretty high on drugs, acid mainly and any number of other things most of the time. Their leader Jack Gardiner aka Lord Jack was a charismatic guy who convinced his rag-tag bunch of followers to shoot, bomb and otherwise sow mayhem for a number of years until most of them were killed in a shootout in 1972. But Mary survived, horribly injured and losing the baby she was carrying at the time but she somehow got away and now lives a mean and miserable existence, working at a Burger King, obsessed with having a baby and thoughts of the past.
Then, around 20 years later, she sees a ‘message’ in Rolling Stone magazine that she interprets is from Jack calling the faithful together again. This is what she’s been waiting for all this time. But she can’t go to Jack without his baby. Don’t have a baby? No problem, just take somebody else’s. In case you hadn’t guessed yet Mary isn’t just bad, she’s also as mad as a hatter. It’s a bit of a spoiler but it happens very early in the book. So she grabs Laura Claybourne’s baby, David. And that is her mistake. She picked the wrong mother! Laura will do anything, and I mean anything, to get her baby back. And so the chase begins.
It’s a cross country marathon drive with neither woman prepared to give and inch. The action never stops, lots of people die along the way but no quarter is given and no prisoners are taken (both literally and figuratively). It is quite a long book and I might have given it 5 stars but I thought the cross country chase went on just a little too long. Nevertheless a belter of a book (literally and figuratively), very well written and it really evokes the period, I mean it should as it was published in about 1991. Still it doesn’t seem dated. The characters were very detailed and almost felt real, although I’d hope never to meet a Mary Terror! I’ve already read Boy’s Life and I would be open to reading more from McCammon.
The opening scene hits you like a sledge hammer and it never lets up. Mary Terrell aka Mary Terror was part of a radical left wing group in the 60s called the Storm Front. Their raison d’être was to kill the agents of the Mindfuck state (ie the ‘pigs’ and others in authority) Well, they were pretty high on drugs, acid mainly and any number of other things most of the time. Their leader Jack Gardiner aka Lord Jack was a charismatic guy who convinced his rag-tag bunch of followers to shoot, bomb and otherwise sow mayhem for a number of years until most of them were killed in a shootout in 1972. But Mary survived, horribly injured and losing the baby she was carrying at the time but she somehow got away and now lives a mean and miserable existence, working at a Burger King, obsessed with having a baby and thoughts of the past.
Then, around 20 years later, she sees a ‘message’ in Rolling Stone magazine that she interprets is from Jack calling the faithful together again. This is what she’s been waiting for all this time. But she can’t go to Jack without his baby. Don’t have a baby? No problem, just take somebody else’s. In case you hadn’t guessed yet Mary isn’t just bad, she’s also as mad as a hatter. It’s a bit of a spoiler but it happens very early in the book. So she grabs Laura Claybourne’s baby, David. And that is her mistake. She picked the wrong mother! Laura will do anything, and I mean anything, to get her baby back. And so the chase begins.
It’s a cross country marathon drive with neither woman prepared to give and inch. The action never stops, lots of people die along the way but no quarter is given and no prisoners are taken (both literally and figuratively). It is quite a long book and I might have given it 5 stars but I thought the cross country chase went on just a little too long. Nevertheless a belter of a book (literally and figuratively), very well written and it really evokes the period, I mean it should as it was published in about 1991. Still it doesn’t seem dated. The characters were very detailed and almost felt real, although I’d hope never to meet a Mary Terror! I’ve already read Boy’s Life and I would be open to reading more from McCammon.
June 11, 2021
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?
With shotgun shells and walking hell and dead men all in a row."
4.5 stars out of 5. Sex, drugs and out of control violence! Mine by Robert R McCammon is a fantastic, edge of your seat thrill ride from one of the finest authors in the horror genre. I've been reading a lot of books by this author lately and he may just be my number one. A true hidden gem.
In this one Robbie Mac gives us a relentless chase thriller and completely departs from the supernatural elements that had been a feature of his previous work. The premise centres around the kidnapping of a baby and the mother's frantic pursuit to get him back. It's intense, taught and a believable with brilliant pacing. McCammon uses his background in horror to add terrifying elements throughout.
The star of the show in this one without question is the villain Mary Terrell (Mary Terror to her friends). A former left-wing extremist and complete psychopath, the authors characterisation is captivating and frightening in equal measure. She's maybe the best antagonist McCammon has written and the scenes involving her are highly memorable. Without question as terrifying as any supernatural entity ever written and the way he delves into her psyche is fascinating.
"They fed on hate, day and night. They breathed it in, in their attics and cellars, while they burned their incense and candles. I wonder what they did with that hate when the candles went out."
There's a number of other memorable characters and McCammon weaves these into a real page turner. He's not reinventing the wheel here but he does write it to an extremely high standard. There's a lot of emotion packed into this one as McCammon focuses on the maternal instinct and the depths that Laura (the mother) is prepared to go to when her child's life is at stake. Honestly, if you're looking for something that's fun and action packed this is the book for you.
So what stopped this one from getting full marks, a rarity when it comes to McCammon novels? I recently finished reading Freedom of the Mask, one of his latest novels, and the progression in his level of writing is mind-blowing. I don't think I've ever seen an author develop so much. Don't get me wrong, the writing and dialogue is good in Mine, but he's now on another level all together. So for that reason this one isn't an all out five star blockbuster.
It's not the most intricate story. Intense, relentless and brutal in parts with a satisfying conclusion. I'd give it a strong recommendation for horror fans. Great to see a truly great female villain, up there with Stephen King's infamous Annie Wilkes. Would be great to see an ultimate showdown between these two. My money is on Miss Terror. Peace out!
September 4, 2015
I've read most of McCammon's books published in the 80's and early 90's, and this one was so damn good it gives Swan Song a run for it's money. This book was so intracately plotted, detailed, carefully drawn, that I forgot I was reading. It was as if the author was speaking the story straight into my brain. I highly recommend this thriller (with touches of horror throughout) to anyone who loves McCammon, and those who love a good thriller written by one of the masters. Brilliant! Thanks to Jon Recluse for finally convincing me to read it.
February 13, 2017
“Rain fell on the roofs of the just and the unjust, the saints and the sinners, those who knew peace and those in torment, and tomorrow began at a dark hour.”
I had mixed feelings about this one. Since it was a Robert McCammon, it was written well, and the story leads the reader through a bizarre mix of betrayal, insanity, murder and kidnapping. The story is split into two viewpoints - an unstable woman consumed with the past clashes with a woman whose world has been shaken by personal betrayal and a new baby.
"Mary the Terror" isn't likeable but she's realistically written. There's a disturbing opening scene of the novel showing how twisted her mind really is and it doesn't improve from there. The author goes into details showing how grim her life is down to the details of the nasty way she lives, how she struggles to take care of herself, and her reliance on the age-old acid trips. Plenty of flashbacks explain how she came to stay the same person and how twisted their little group of 60's bandits were.
Laura's viewpoint is just okay. She was more interesting during the chase scenes in the second half, but for the first part she kind of lagged. I did sympathize with her during the scenes where she's trying to cope with the realization her daughter has been kidnapped and people are losing patience. Reminded me of how insensitive people can be because they feel uncomfortable dealing with other people's pain and loss.
I haven't read a novel with this angle before. McCammon shows a somewhat forgotten period of rebel's lives where we tend to idealize the freedom spirit feel. Instead he shows a dangerous group that felt it was their job to take down most of society and it was an "us against them" mentality. Hyped by drugs, acid and alcohol of course. The Hippie lead was a cultish figure that bent the lives of those already unstable and desperate.
The theme was intriguing, the characters well developed, but kidnapping stories aren't my bag. This is much more, but still the story produced inconsistent steam with its pacing. Flashbacks were important to the storyline but I grew impatient. The start was slow and it took me awhile to care about the characters and what they were up to - it took a considerable time to begin the main action of the book.
I had mixed feelings about this one. Since it was a Robert McCammon, it was written well, and the story leads the reader through a bizarre mix of betrayal, insanity, murder and kidnapping. The story is split into two viewpoints - an unstable woman consumed with the past clashes with a woman whose world has been shaken by personal betrayal and a new baby.
"Mary the Terror" isn't likeable but she's realistically written. There's a disturbing opening scene of the novel showing how twisted her mind really is and it doesn't improve from there. The author goes into details showing how grim her life is down to the details of the nasty way she lives, how she struggles to take care of herself, and her reliance on the age-old acid trips. Plenty of flashbacks explain how she came to stay the same person and how twisted their little group of 60's bandits were.
Laura's viewpoint is just okay. She was more interesting during the chase scenes in the second half, but for the first part she kind of lagged. I did sympathize with her during the scenes where she's trying to cope with the realization her daughter has been kidnapped and people are losing patience. Reminded me of how insensitive people can be because they feel uncomfortable dealing with other people's pain and loss.
I haven't read a novel with this angle before. McCammon shows a somewhat forgotten period of rebel's lives where we tend to idealize the freedom spirit feel. Instead he shows a dangerous group that felt it was their job to take down most of society and it was an "us against them" mentality. Hyped by drugs, acid and alcohol of course. The Hippie lead was a cultish figure that bent the lives of those already unstable and desperate.
The theme was intriguing, the characters well developed, but kidnapping stories aren't my bag. This is much more, but still the story produced inconsistent steam with its pacing. Flashbacks were important to the storyline but I grew impatient. The start was slow and it took me awhile to care about the characters and what they were up to - it took a considerable time to begin the main action of the book.
June 5, 2010
I read this book years ago and it enters my thoughts, unbidden, to this day. McCammon takes you into the mind of a psychopath unlike any you have ever encountered. You will be glued to the pages until the very end. It's just another masterpiece by a wonderful but underrated author. Anything by this man is amazing!
April 30, 2020
I believe this is McCammon's most captivating novel; it's a crazy tense suspense thriller that (forgive the cliché) is very difficult to put down. The characters seem over-the-top by description, but parents will be more easily able to understand and sympathize. The 1960's-era philosophies are not as widely understood now as they were when the book appeared, but I believe their presented sympathetically and coherently. McCammon presents fear as well here as well as anyone, and shows that the humans can be more monstrous than the creepy creature supernaturals.
June 30, 2007
Holky fuck, that was a ride. I just finished the last 200+ pages in one marathon 3 hour sitting.
One night after we'd got done doing the floors of the grocery store, and hanging out in the parking lot getting smashed, one of the managers was telling us about this book his brother had given to him. He told us about a book, Stephen King-ish that he really didn't think he'd like, this story about a woman waking up to a baby's crying, how she tried to comfort it and such, and finally losing her cool and turning on the stove, and :bahgawd: she was gonna teach it to behave, and then burning its face off and throwing it against the wall. And then it turned out it was just a doll. I lived with that story for 15 years, and I finally asked the internet and got the name of the thing. (Thanks to docbrite. Holky fuck I think I just came in my eye.)
This book, about a crazy whacked out flower power psycho bitch who has a vision and decides to steal a baby to take to her Manson-ish cult leader grabs a nerve and twists and then when you're about as tense as you can get twists *really fucking hard*. And you're looking at the book and thinking you've still got over a hundred pages to go wtf?!? If this doesn't wrap up in the next chapter...oh holy shit. Mother chasing after the baby, psycho ex-G-man out for revenge on the woman who fucked his shit up and doesn't care if the baby gets in the way, the helpful traitor who helps the heroine chase down her baby, damn. It's all in there.
This book should be the definition of thriller and suspense. Seriously, go get yourselfs a copy.
One night after we'd got done doing the floors of the grocery store, and hanging out in the parking lot getting smashed, one of the managers was telling us about this book his brother had given to him. He told us about a book, Stephen King-ish that he really didn't think he'd like, this story about a woman waking up to a baby's crying, how she tried to comfort it and such, and finally losing her cool and turning on the stove, and :bahgawd: she was gonna teach it to behave, and then burning its face off and throwing it against the wall. And then it turned out it was just a doll. I lived with that story for 15 years, and I finally asked the internet and got the name of the thing. (Thanks to docbrite. Holky fuck I think I just came in my eye.)
This book, about a crazy whacked out flower power psycho bitch who has a vision and decides to steal a baby to take to her Manson-ish cult leader grabs a nerve and twists and then when you're about as tense as you can get twists *really fucking hard*. And you're looking at the book and thinking you've still got over a hundred pages to go wtf?!? If this doesn't wrap up in the next chapter...oh holy shit. Mother chasing after the baby, psycho ex-G-man out for revenge on the woman who fucked his shit up and doesn't care if the baby gets in the way, the helpful traitor who helps the heroine chase down her baby, damn. It's all in there.
This book should be the definition of thriller and suspense. Seriously, go get yourselfs a copy.
June 8, 2024
An intense thriller about a crazy hippie who steals a newborn child and is chased halfway across the country by one desperate mother. On the one hand, I probably wouldn't rate this as high as the best Robert McCammon novels, but on the other hand, I never felt like I was wasting or losing time whenever I would sit down and read it. The characters are captivating enough and I wanted to see how both of their perspectives played out.
I guess the only thing I didn't like about it was that McCammon really knows how to write a setting so it feels like you're there (which is good), but I didn't feel that way with this one (which is bad). I think his best use of making you feel right there in the story would be in his Southern thriller, "Gone South". You could just feel how hot and sticky the swamplands were and all the flies surrounding you. There are bits and pieces of his writing in the winter setting this book finds itself in, but not quite on the same level as his other books like Swan Song, Boy's Life or even the Wolf's Hour.
There's not much else to say in this review, other than the book is intense, and in typical McCammon fashion, there's a cast of memorable characters you can't get enough of.
Recommended.
And because this is Robert McCammon, I am once again shoehorning this opportunity in to recommend the Wolf's Hour, my first and favorite Robert McCammon book.
I guess the only thing I didn't like about it was that McCammon really knows how to write a setting so it feels like you're there (which is good), but I didn't feel that way with this one (which is bad). I think his best use of making you feel right there in the story would be in his Southern thriller, "Gone South". You could just feel how hot and sticky the swamplands were and all the flies surrounding you. There are bits and pieces of his writing in the winter setting this book finds itself in, but not quite on the same level as his other books like Swan Song, Boy's Life or even the Wolf's Hour.
There's not much else to say in this review, other than the book is intense, and in typical McCammon fashion, there's a cast of memorable characters you can't get enough of.
Recommended.
And because this is Robert McCammon, I am once again shoehorning this opportunity in to recommend the Wolf's Hour, my first and favorite Robert McCammon book.
October 9, 2022
I am a big fan of Robert R. McCammon's work. I have never read a book of his that I didn't really, really like. What I mainly like about his work is that each book is completely different. He can write suspenseful thrillers, coming-of-age stories, mysteries, as well as what I believe he really succeeds at...horror. His writing talent appears to be endless. In this one he has created one of the most diabolically un-hinged characters that I have ever encountered...Mary Terrell, also known as "Mary Terror". He created someone you could weirdly relate to and at times even like, but then be presented with the horror at the things she does and the things that she says...a female Hannibal Lector. Mary was once a member of the fanatical Storm Front Brigade in the 60's and is completely convinced that their surviving leader and Mary's one time lover, Jack, wants to build a life with her. In her crazy, twisted mind she feels she can't reunite with him without bringing a baby with her to replace the one they'd lost. She now precedes to steals a newborn from a hospital. Laura, the mother of the stolen child can't wait for the police, so she goes after this psychopath through three states no less. David is the newborn son of iron-willed journalist Laura Clayborne. Laura had just dumped her unfaithful husband and was determined that she's not about to lose her child too, so when the FBI knows that the kidnapper is Mary, who has now killed several people while escaping Atlanta Laura sets after the madwoman on her own. - Laura picks up Mary's trail in Michigan that sets off a ferocious chase that features, among other over-the-top events a blizzard, several enraged pit bulls, homegrown surgery, a mutilated FBI agent on a rampage, and a completely predictable resolution. Overall, this is a book of blood, guts and crazy road trips, but and one that is nearly impossible to put down.
October 3, 2014
Flash forward from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. Gone are the days of hoping to change the world with love-ins and by wearing flowers in your hair. Head shops, roach clips, bongs, lava lamps, black light posters, Woodstock - all more or less fallen by the wayside. For Mary Terror, former member of a radical student group, moving on is a little more difficult. She is marking time until she can be reunited with her love and present him with ‘their’ baby. Mary is crazy, there is no baby - until she snatches one from the hospital. Having scored a few too many hits of acid back in the day (as well as present day), she wafts in and out of a perpetual purple haze. Considering Jim Morrison to be God, she listens to him via The Doors albums as well as when she finds him standing beside her on occasion. 'Mr. Mojo risin'.' Oh, indeed!
This story calls into play something very dangerous - the word ‘deserve’. What do any of us really deserve? And more to the point, who is in charge of deciding such a thing?
I am so impressed with Robert McCammon. He can spin a tale right up there with the best of them. This one hits the ground running with a particularly gnarly scene, then maintains its intensity at a fever pitch. I would not consider it to be quite as high caliber as BOY'S LIFE, but it is crazy good.
This story calls into play something very dangerous - the word ‘deserve’. What do any of us really deserve? And more to the point, who is in charge of deciding such a thing?
I am so impressed with Robert McCammon. He can spin a tale right up there with the best of them. This one hits the ground running with a particularly gnarly scene, then maintains its intensity at a fever pitch. I would not consider it to be quite as high caliber as BOY'S LIFE, but it is crazy good.
February 11, 2022
Just wow!!! 😨 This is probably one of the most thrilling, pulse pounding books I’ve ever read. After a wild as hell introduction, it doesn’t take long before all hell breaks loose and it legitimately does not stop until the very last page. I especially have to give it to McCammon for how he wrote Mary, who I found to be ruthless and absolutely terrifying. If I had to compare the writing style, it would be Stephen King-esq but edgier.
TW’s for Child abuse/Death, torture, misogyny (the villain is a 6 ft tall, 184 lb woman and is often referred to as fat and massive, and there’s just alot of dated language and stereotypes about women in general) , body horror/drug induced sequences, animal death, miscarriage.
TW’s for Child abuse/Death, torture, misogyny (the villain is a 6 ft tall, 184 lb woman and is often referred to as fat and massive, and there’s just alot of dated language and stereotypes about women in general) , body horror/drug induced sequences, animal death, miscarriage.
January 30, 2023
I forgot just how scary Mary Terror is. Up there with one of the best written villians ever.
November 3, 2023
"Merecer era una palabra peligrosa, pensó Laura. Era una palabra que erigía barreras, y hacia que lo que estaba mal pareciese correcto."
Me ha parecido una historia muy buena, llena de acción, muertes y suspenso. Aunque siento que es un poco más largo de lo necesario. Hubo ciertos momentos en que se extendía en detalles que se podían omitir, pero es un detalle.
Tiene escenas macabras y realmente impactantes, un personaje principal demente y altamente perturbado, con un abordaje psicológico que atrapa y mantiene en tensión haciendo muy impredecible la historia, ya que desde el inicio se nos presenta sin escrúpulos ni límites.
Un libro compuesto principalmente por secuestros, asesinatos, persecuciones, peleas, maternidad, locura, obsesión, impotencia, desesperación, drogas, relaciones, matrimonio, etc.
Lo recomiendo absolutamente.
Me ha parecido una historia muy buena, llena de acción, muertes y suspenso. Aunque siento que es un poco más largo de lo necesario. Hubo ciertos momentos en que se extendía en detalles que se podían omitir, pero es un detalle.
Tiene escenas macabras y realmente impactantes, un personaje principal demente y altamente perturbado, con un abordaje psicológico que atrapa y mantiene en tensión haciendo muy impredecible la historia, ya que desde el inicio se nos presenta sin escrúpulos ni límites.
Un libro compuesto principalmente por secuestros, asesinatos, persecuciones, peleas, maternidad, locura, obsesión, impotencia, desesperación, drogas, relaciones, matrimonio, etc.
Lo recomiendo absolutamente.
June 20, 2024
An excellent, thrilling read, with a truly terrifying antagonist. Strong opening, somewhat long-winded, uneven middle, but the last 100-150 pages were insane, incredibly intense and made up for the weaknesses in the rest of the novel. I am still trying to find a McCammon book that comes close to the quality of Boy's Life and Swan Song, I will keep searching...
September 13, 2023
Top-tier McCammon, in my opinion.
Of the 8 novels I've read from him so far, this is in my top 3 favorites. I loved everything about it. Complex, compelling characters. Riveting, thrilling, page-turning story that was vivid, cinematic, and expertly crafted, which built to a crescendo of an ending that was powerful and emotional.
This is a story set in the 1980s about a mother whose newborn baby is kidnapped by an acid crazed, hippie terrorist serial killer, and the cross-country pursuit the mother goes on to rescue her child. It is an adventure full of action, suspense, car chases, shootouts, brawls, high emotional stakes, and interesting psychological character explorations.
Reading this book didn't even feel like reading to me. Instead, every time I sat down and opened it up, I was completely transported and immersed into the story and minds of the characters, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.
It was one of those kinds of reads, as McCammon's work tends to be.
The man is a master storyteller and writer whose books feel, to me, like a privilege to read. This was no exception.
Of the 8 novels I've read from him so far, this is in my top 3 favorites. I loved everything about it. Complex, compelling characters. Riveting, thrilling, page-turning story that was vivid, cinematic, and expertly crafted, which built to a crescendo of an ending that was powerful and emotional.
This is a story set in the 1980s about a mother whose newborn baby is kidnapped by an acid crazed, hippie terrorist serial killer, and the cross-country pursuit the mother goes on to rescue her child. It is an adventure full of action, suspense, car chases, shootouts, brawls, high emotional stakes, and interesting psychological character explorations.
Reading this book didn't even feel like reading to me. Instead, every time I sat down and opened it up, I was completely transported and immersed into the story and minds of the characters, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.
It was one of those kinds of reads, as McCammon's work tends to be.
The man is a master storyteller and writer whose books feel, to me, like a privilege to read. This was no exception.
July 18, 2010
This is a horrifying book. First, imagine your child stolen from a hospital. Then imagine your child stolen by a homicidal madman. This is the situation that "Laura", the mother of "David" finds herself in. The book starts off with a bang. Enough so that I was unsure if I was going to be able to continue reading it. Violence against children upsets me so the first time I saw Mary with her "baby" my stomach knotted.
The action was fast and relentless leading to me reading late into the night. The super human nature of the characters and the at times laxity in medical accuracy could have brought down my rating of this book but the shear intensity kept my attention and the interest high. Recommend highly for horror thriller lovers.
The action was fast and relentless leading to me reading late into the night. The super human nature of the characters and the at times laxity in medical accuracy could have brought down my rating of this book but the shear intensity kept my attention and the interest high. Recommend highly for horror thriller lovers.
February 24, 2015
Don't tempt a mother!
Mine is a story of two mothers, Laura and Mary. Laura is a successful journalist whose last hope of happiness is her new born son David and Mary is a survivor of the radical 1960s who still haven't let go of the hallucinatory world of memories, guns, and above all, murderous rage. But when Mary steals David from Laura, with almost no help by her side Laura sets out on a cross-country trip to reclaim her son. To win her son back, Laura might even have to become the monster that stole David from her. With one being a savage clinging on to a world of fantasy and hallucination and the other fighting for her own son - its a dirty savage race that can result anything!
Last year I read Robert McCammon's Swan Song which left me with such an impact that even now whenever I'm reminded of it, I always drift in thoughts for a jiffy. Since then I've always wanted to try more of McCammon's books. But almost all his books being big-ass in nature, I chose Mine as it is a bit short compared to the others. Needless to say, Mr McCammon did his magic again!
Although Stephen King's books create bone chilling effects of horror, they mostly contain supernatural elements(I'm not saying that is a bad thing; just pointing out). Whereas Robert McCammon explores human nature and psychology to its limits in such dirty, filthy ways that even though I flinch while reading it, deep inside a little voice shamefully admits that in those situations I also might do quite the same. And there lies the magic of great writing! Mine showcases a different type of horror unlike anything I've read before. It clearly proves that good n' bad are just relative words and human nature is just a result of the surroundings and situations.
Mine is pure horror, it is savage, raw, bloody and chilling. Read it at the risk of getting graphic nightmares that might make you uneasy. But if you are a thriller lover with a bit of blood n' gore in it then this is just the book for you!
Mine is a story of two mothers, Laura and Mary. Laura is a successful journalist whose last hope of happiness is her new born son David and Mary is a survivor of the radical 1960s who still haven't let go of the hallucinatory world of memories, guns, and above all, murderous rage. But when Mary steals David from Laura, with almost no help by her side Laura sets out on a cross-country trip to reclaim her son. To win her son back, Laura might even have to become the monster that stole David from her. With one being a savage clinging on to a world of fantasy and hallucination and the other fighting for her own son - its a dirty savage race that can result anything!
Last year I read Robert McCammon's Swan Song which left me with such an impact that even now whenever I'm reminded of it, I always drift in thoughts for a jiffy. Since then I've always wanted to try more of McCammon's books. But almost all his books being big-ass in nature, I chose Mine as it is a bit short compared to the others. Needless to say, Mr McCammon did his magic again!
Although Stephen King's books create bone chilling effects of horror, they mostly contain supernatural elements(I'm not saying that is a bad thing; just pointing out). Whereas Robert McCammon explores human nature and psychology to its limits in such dirty, filthy ways that even though I flinch while reading it, deep inside a little voice shamefully admits that in those situations I also might do quite the same. And there lies the magic of great writing! Mine showcases a different type of horror unlike anything I've read before. It clearly proves that good n' bad are just relative words and human nature is just a result of the surroundings and situations.
Mine is pure horror, it is savage, raw, bloody and chilling. Read it at the risk of getting graphic nightmares that might make you uneasy. But if you are a thriller lover with a bit of blood n' gore in it then this is just the book for you!
December 23, 2021
“Mine” is quite the terrifying read at times. This book is a parents' worst nightmare come true, when Mary Terror kidnaps someone else’s baby. But main character Laura Clayborne is not going to accept this, she will go to hell and back to find her son. And so the scene is set for a mad chase, a crazy woman on the run with a baby that isn’t hers and a young mother who will do anything to protect her child.
There are a lot of references to the late 60s/early 70s. Mary Terror used to run with a militant group that was severely anti-government and anti-cops (" pigs! ") in particular. Mary Terror is one crazy woman, and yes she did remind me of Annie Wilkes, that other crazy woman from Misery by Stephen King (recently read and loved that book). She is haunted by a dark past and as the book progresses, she descends further into madness.
I do always love McCammon's writing style, rich language and it always has a nice flow to it. When describing the eve before hell breaks loose, he writes: "Rain fell on the roofs of the just and the unjust, the saints and the sinners, those who knew peace and those in torment, and tomorrow began at a dark hour."
All in all a fun read with some disturbing scenes, not for the faint of heart. The story is ok, the action gets a bit chaotic at times and the ride gets a little wild and crazy, but then I don't mind a bit of crazy when I'm reading. 😊
There are a lot of references to the late 60s/early 70s. Mary Terror used to run with a militant group that was severely anti-government and anti-cops (" pigs! ") in particular. Mary Terror is one crazy woman, and yes she did remind me of Annie Wilkes, that other crazy woman from Misery by Stephen King (recently read and loved that book). She is haunted by a dark past and as the book progresses, she descends further into madness.
I do always love McCammon's writing style, rich language and it always has a nice flow to it. When describing the eve before hell breaks loose, he writes: "Rain fell on the roofs of the just and the unjust, the saints and the sinners, those who knew peace and those in torment, and tomorrow began at a dark hour."
All in all a fun read with some disturbing scenes, not for the faint of heart. The story is ok, the action gets a bit chaotic at times and the ride gets a little wild and crazy, but then I don't mind a bit of crazy when I'm reading. 😊
March 20, 2018
This book was amazing! Another winner from Mr. McCammon! Tense from the first page and only rockets forward from there. I don’t think I’ve ever been this stressed reading a book, and I mean that in the best possible way! It’s a shame Mr. McCammon’s books are so hard to find in print. This guy should be a household name.
February 28, 2018
From start to finish this was fast paced, for a nearly 500 page book it kept my attention the whole way through. I think I've found an author I'm going to like.
March 3, 2017
Meh.
This story may have had more of an impact when it first came out but after so many years all the stuff about '60s radicals just doesn't translate well in this millenium.
Also, the story was soooo incredibly bloated. Entire chapters could have been removed and the story would have been improved by making it move along faster.
I've really like some of McCammon's recent books but his earlier stuff just doesn't work for me.
This story may have had more of an impact when it first came out but after so many years all the stuff about '60s radicals just doesn't translate well in this millenium.
Also, the story was soooo incredibly bloated. Entire chapters could have been removed and the story would have been improved by making it move along faster.
I've really like some of McCammon's recent books but his earlier stuff just doesn't work for me.
April 8, 2023
McCammon continues to be a homerun author for me. Mary Terror in this book absolutely gives Annie Wilkes a run for the money in terms of most well developed homicidal psychopaths in a novel. There were chapters in this books that were just so full of insanity and dread I would look over at my wife who was listening with me in the car and just wait in anticipation to see if something crazy was going to happen. I wasn't sure about Laura as a character at first but I loved her arc. And finally the prose is top tier as McCammon always brings it. Definitely recommend for horror and McCammon fans.
January 2, 2020
More known for his works of horror in the 80s, McCammon strikes for a pure thriller here in 1990 and hits at least a triple. Mine has two main leads-- Mary Terror, an ex (or not so ex) radical from the 60s and Laura, a former flower child and now a new suburban housewife/mother. We know from the back cover that Mary will steal Laura's child and Laura will go after her, and the last 300 pages or so involve that chase (and oh, what a chase). McCammon really drives you along here and while the book was long, it was effortless to read. The other strength of this novel is the nostalgia-- the two leads often reflect/remember their times in the 60s and where they are now. In a way, it reads like historical fiction now!
There are flaws to be sure. First, McCammon's treatment of LSD is laughable at best; I could go into details here, but I will just say that you do not start tripping 5 minutes after licking blotter. Second, he often falls into stereotypes with both the leads (radical revolutionary for Mary and unhappy wife assuaged by money) and the other characters (cheating husband looking back on his glory days, rube farmers, etc.). Nonetheless, it is pretty easy to forgive the faults for a rollicking good ride.
There are flaws to be sure. First, McCammon's treatment of LSD is laughable at best; I could go into details here, but I will just say that you do not start tripping 5 minutes after licking blotter. Second, he often falls into stereotypes with both the leads (radical revolutionary for Mary and unhappy wife assuaged by money) and the other characters (cheating husband looking back on his glory days, rube farmers, etc.). Nonetheless, it is pretty easy to forgive the faults for a rollicking good ride.
December 24, 2022
I just finished Mine by Robert McCammon as part of my multi-year challenge to read all the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement books. (I'm at 24/37)
Mine was the 1990 winner. This was an amazing psychological horror read. The characters were well developed and the storyline was a well written psychological horror story, think Misery in tone. I can not express how quickly this story sucked me in.
All the characters were well developed. Mr. McCammon wrote them so I started out feeling sympathy for all the characters, even Mary Terror, but then there was the scene with the stove eye.
Mine was the 1990 winner. This was an amazing psychological horror read. The characters were well developed and the storyline was a well written psychological horror story, think Misery in tone. I can not express how quickly this story sucked me in.
All the characters were well developed. Mr. McCammon wrote them so I started out feeling sympathy for all the characters, even Mary Terror, but then there was the scene with the stove eye.
July 28, 2020
Annie Wilkes: meet Mary Terror. I think you two are going to be good friends!
Wow. Just ... wow. What a relentlessly twisted and ruthless monster of a woman. Mary Terror is one of the most terrifying and despicable villains I’ve come across on the printed page. This book offers a fascinating dual character study: an in-depth look at the inner workings of an utter psychopath, and a woman who goes from living a life of comfort to being completely thrown into a nightmarish cross-country life-or-death mission to find her baby at all costs. This was easily some the strongest character work I’ve seen from Mr. McCammon so far.
The pacing was another strong suit in this novel. The plot moved along at breakneck speed and never gets stale. This book is full of compelling, adrenaline-inducing moments, seamlessly combining thriller, horror and action elements. SO well done.
Honestly, I can’t really point out too many flaws in this book at all. I can totally see how this won the Stoker Award. If it weren’t for Swan Song and Boy’s Life, both of which I consider to be masterpieces, this would be my favorite McCammon book to date. Strongly recommended, but be forewarned that this story goes into some extremely dark and violent territory. If you are up for that, you will definitely enjoy the ride.
Wow. Just ... wow. What a relentlessly twisted and ruthless monster of a woman. Mary Terror is one of the most terrifying and despicable villains I’ve come across on the printed page. This book offers a fascinating dual character study: an in-depth look at the inner workings of an utter psychopath, and a woman who goes from living a life of comfort to being completely thrown into a nightmarish cross-country life-or-death mission to find her baby at all costs. This was easily some the strongest character work I’ve seen from Mr. McCammon so far.
The pacing was another strong suit in this novel. The plot moved along at breakneck speed and never gets stale. This book is full of compelling, adrenaline-inducing moments, seamlessly combining thriller, horror and action elements. SO well done.
Honestly, I can’t really point out too many flaws in this book at all. I can totally see how this won the Stoker Award. If it weren’t for Swan Song and Boy’s Life, both of which I consider to be masterpieces, this would be my favorite McCammon book to date. Strongly recommended, but be forewarned that this story goes into some extremely dark and violent territory. If you are up for that, you will definitely enjoy the ride.
April 26, 2022
El primer capítulo es impresionante, uno de los más impactantes que he leído en mucho tiempo, a punto estuve de dejar el libro cuando lo terminé de lo fuerte que me pareció y es quizá ahí donde está el fallo, mantener durante 500 páginas ese nivel de tensión es prácticamente imposible, y no es que el autor no lo intente, es que llega un momento en que ya se hace pesado no, lo siguiente, tanta locura, tanto estirar el chicle, no sé, me esperaba otra cosa, aunque me temía algo así.
El libro en sí para mí son dos estrellas y media y redondeo a tres por la banda sonora, porque es de esos libros que tienen música y eso me encanta, cuando aparecen esas canciones de The Doors, Guns'n'Roses o The 5th dimension (que en el libro los traducen como Pistolas y rosas, y la Quinta dimensión, así literalmente 🤦), es una gozada leer con esas canciones en tu cabeza, y es que yo también estoy muy loco y les pongo BSO a los libros.
En definitiva un libro con altibajos y más sombras que luces, que empieza siendo 5 estrellas y acaba estrellándose. Cómo diría el gran filósofo y pensador de nuestro tiempo AuronPlay: ¡Le doy un TREH!
¿Lo recomendaría? No, a no ser que os gusten los libros donde una loca del cono (agréguese encima de la n una virgulilla), secuestra a un bebé y mata a todo quisqui que se cruza en su camino mientras es perseguida por la típica madre coraje que no sabe que ha pasado con su vida y que necesita que una loca del cono (vuélvase a aplicar una virgulilla sobre la n) secuestre a su bebé para darse cuenta de que su marido es un capullo de mucho cuidado y que su vida es una farsa.
Yo de vosotros esperaría a que hagan la película en Antena 3.
El libro en sí para mí son dos estrellas y media y redondeo a tres por la banda sonora, porque es de esos libros que tienen música y eso me encanta, cuando aparecen esas canciones de The Doors, Guns'n'Roses o The 5th dimension (que en el libro los traducen como Pistolas y rosas, y la Quinta dimensión, así literalmente 🤦), es una gozada leer con esas canciones en tu cabeza, y es que yo también estoy muy loco y les pongo BSO a los libros.
En definitiva un libro con altibajos y más sombras que luces, que empieza siendo 5 estrellas y acaba estrellándose. Cómo diría el gran filósofo y pensador de nuestro tiempo AuronPlay: ¡Le doy un TREH!
¿Lo recomendaría? No, a no ser que os gusten los libros donde una loca del cono (agréguese encima de la n una virgulilla), secuestra a un bebé y mata a todo quisqui que se cruza en su camino mientras es perseguida por la típica madre coraje que no sabe que ha pasado con su vida y que necesita que una loca del cono (vuélvase a aplicar una virgulilla sobre la n) secuestre a su bebé para darse cuenta de que su marido es un capullo de mucho cuidado y que su vida es una farsa.
Yo de vosotros esperaría a que hagan la película en Antena 3.
April 5, 2021
Тонове кръв, убийства и безкрайно преследване из Щатите. Също и много мудно развитие, предвидимост и изключително кофти превод.
Дочетох я с усилие, щото ми дойдоха в повече всичките напъни, особено когато се досещах какво ще се случи през цялото време. Спря да ми пука за героите доста рано и ако книгата беше свършила с едно 100 страници по-рано, сигурно щях да дам 3 звезди.
Дочетох я с усилие, щото ми дойдоха в повече всичките напъни, особено когато се досещах какво ще се случи през цялото време. Спря да ми пука за героите доста рано и ако книгата беше свършила с едно 100 страници по-рано, сигурно щях да дам 3 звезди.
February 8, 2013
Wow! McCammon’s first foray into non-supernatural thrillers is certainly a successful one! Despite approaching five hundred pages, the pacing never once lets up and the pages literally fly by! The sheer suspense never lets up! Mary Terrell, or Mary Terror, makes for a truly frightening villain, but one who feels chillingly possible in her psychotic state of mind. McCammon really does a wonderful job of capturing this imbalanced woman as we follow along Mary’s cross-country rampage with plenty of bloodshed, hearts in our throats for the fate of the stolen newborn baby. Mary Terror in all of her mad glory is a much scarier villain than any of his supernatural beasts.
Mary’s psychotic state is well-balanced by Laura, the baby’s mother. Her character really develops over the course of the novel, and really comes vividly to life. Along with the cast of minor characters, too. McCammon is at his finest here with this gripping tale. And though it covers a relatively short frame of time, there is something almost epic quality to it with the various locales and the backstories of Mary and others. And though a bit abrupt, the ending feels very satisfying. It now ranks among my favorites of McCammon’s novels.
The only downside that does slow the pacing a bit lies with the shifts in perspective. With a predominantly female cast of characters, “she” is thrown around quite a bit, and though in the beginning Mary and Laura dominate separate chapters, as their stories converge the back-and-forth between them can become a bit confused. Overall, this is a remarkably tense book and one that is nearly impossible to put down.
Mary’s psychotic state is well-balanced by Laura, the baby’s mother. Her character really develops over the course of the novel, and really comes vividly to life. Along with the cast of minor characters, too. McCammon is at his finest here with this gripping tale. And though it covers a relatively short frame of time, there is something almost epic quality to it with the various locales and the backstories of Mary and others. And though a bit abrupt, the ending feels very satisfying. It now ranks among my favorites of McCammon’s novels.
The only downside that does slow the pacing a bit lies with the shifts in perspective. With a predominantly female cast of characters, “she” is thrown around quite a bit, and though in the beginning Mary and Laura dominate separate chapters, as their stories converge the back-and-forth between them can become a bit confused. Overall, this is a remarkably tense book and one that is nearly impossible to put down.
May 7, 2021
"You dig it?" - Full review to come
So my full review. This is my third McCammon and my least favourite. I felt this book was definitely too long. Mary who is a complete nutbag, gets it into her head to steal a real baby to take to her "leader" and previous lover in a weird culty gang they used to be in, and life will be normal again.
The opening of this book is insane! It actually shocked me. This Mary character is not to be messed with. She is genuinely insane, and the characterisation for her alone is brilliant. She is so complex and so well thought out, that I think I maybe liked to read about her the most and her thoughts and feelings because they are just so bloody bonkers.
I cant remember the mothers name, but the love and dedication she has for her child is outstanding. I think maybe that is why this book is so long because of fitting all the characterisation in, but I get fed up of hearing about characters showers and changing of clothes, like I don't care... I do, I'll read about it a few times then I want to get back to the nitty gritty stuff.
Overall it is a good story, but just not my favourite by him
So my full review. This is my third McCammon and my least favourite. I felt this book was definitely too long. Mary who is a complete nutbag, gets it into her head to steal a real baby to take to her "leader" and previous lover in a weird culty gang they used to be in, and life will be normal again.
The opening of this book is insane! It actually shocked me. This Mary character is not to be messed with. She is genuinely insane, and the characterisation for her alone is brilliant. She is so complex and so well thought out, that I think I maybe liked to read about her the most and her thoughts and feelings because they are just so bloody bonkers.
I cant remember the mothers name, but the love and dedication she has for her child is outstanding. I think maybe that is why this book is so long because of fitting all the characterisation in, but I get fed up of hearing about characters showers and changing of clothes, like I don't care... I do, I'll read about it a few times then I want to get back to the nitty gritty stuff.
Overall it is a good story, but just not my favourite by him
November 11, 2020
Според читателското ми тефтерче това е четвъртата книжна среща с МакКамън. Предишните -"Границата" (харесах), "Стингър" (харесах не чак толкова) и "Момчешки живот (обикнах). Тук съм някъде между "Границата" и "Стингър" - интересна история, добре развита фабула, пълнокръвни герои, кръв се лее доволно и напоително... (романът е спечелил "Брам Стокър" за 1990), ама... явно съм се разглезил с по-динамични екшъни и трилъри, та нещо ми вървеше мудничко или пък не уцелих точния момент... Което няма да ми попречи след време да издиря и "Мистериозно завръщане" (последната преведена на нашенски, дето не съм чел) за среща №5.
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