Author: Thomas O’Callaghan

No One Will Hear Your Screams is the third novel for Thomas O’Callaghan. (2020, back cover) All are part of his Detective John Driscoll series. His prior novels have been translated and published in Germany, Slovakia, China, Italy, Indonesia, and the Czech Republic. O’Callaghan is a member of the International Thriller Writers association and the Mystery Writers of America. 

As you might have guessed, the main character of this horror tale is Detective John Driscoll. He is the top of his task force in the New York City Police Department. Driscoll’s wife and daughter were previously  killed and he is on the fence about allowing a romance to bloom, especially at work, where a sexy detective who works with Detective Driscoll has been heavily fanning the potential flames. That alluring woman would be Detective Margaret Aligante.  

There is a killer on the loose. He has a knowledge of embalming and trends toward the macabre. His flagrant abuse of women who he has a distinct dislike for based on religion or sexual appetite finds him stalking strippers and nuns. Some of this outrage can be traced back to his childhood where his mother was a loose woman and the nuns in his school abused the children.  

The detectives were hitting a wall until a social worker from a psych ward called them with a possible lead. There is a man in their care who has been there for a number of decades. His behavior range from catatonic to artistic. He has drawn a picture of a woman who appears to be getting embalmed. Is this a clue or a coincidence? How does the catatonic man fit into the bigger picture of the embalmer murderer? Is there an association? 

Detective Driscoll had engaged a savvy computer programmer in a prior case of murder. Her name is Moira. The last time he used her services she ended up getting every bone in her body broken. Driscoll feels responsible for her being hurt and endeavors to keep her safe this time around. Can he?

Moira finds these murderous men somehow titillating. Their bad behavior turns her on sexually. She becomes engrossed in chasing them down and being caught in their crosshairs. Driscoll does not want to risk her being hurt again, but she truly wants to help them find this kooky killer. 

There have been a series of church fires and missing nuns. Are these somehow part of this killers MO? If so, why? 

Slowly, they find that the killers name is Tilden. Tilden attended parochial schools as a child. He has a distinct dislike for certain nuns and is out to show them that they are anything but holy brides of God. Will they find him before he strikes again?

I really enjoyed this disturbing novel. There were lots of forks in the road that could have led in many directions. The plot deepens with each page you read. Enjoy horror and thrills? This is the book for you!