Testing the Prisoner (2009) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

• Daniel Masenda: Small town mayor in Virginia in his late 30s who survived an abusive childhood. He had estranged himself from an embattled family over a decade ago and made his own way in the world, burying the pain and fear of his past--or so he thought until he finds himself haunted by two apparitions that threaten to ruin his life.
• Vicki Harlan: Ultra professional business woman and girlfriend to Daniel Masenda. Vicki's father opened a massive distribution center in Daniel's town of Port Kirkand, Virginia. Ever the pragmatist, Vicki dismisses the paranormal, and unfortunately, Daniel's feelings as well.
• Miranda Lorensen: Childhood friend and college sweetheart of Daniel Masenda. Daniel left her behind when he escaped from his violent family life after graduation. They reunite fourteen years later and Miranda reveals her abilities as a psychic-medium. She helps Daniel through his tribulations with the entities that haunt him.
• Bruce Hargrove: Daniel Masenda's best friend in the town of Port Kirkland, Virginia. Bruce is a charter boat captain and deputy mayor of the town. A heavy drinker and smoker, Bruce is generally lazy and self-effacing which makes him easily dismissed. Yet he proves to possess surprising perspicacity and unsuspected depth of character when the chips are down.
• Theresa Quinn-Masenda: Daniel Masenda's abusive mother. Following a bitter divorce from Gary Masenda, Theresa had been incapable of handling the stress and responsibilities of single parenthood and had taken her life's failures and frustrations out on Daniel throughout his youth and into early adulthood. Later, her death coincides with the spirits that Daniel is forced to confront.

Quotes edit see section history

• “...I didn’t think the afterlife would be this painful.”

  Daniel Masenda

• “You know, even if you take a back seat in someone’s life, at least you’re behind them all the way.”

  Miranda Lorensen

• “Do <your kids> believe you’re psychic?” "They think I’m nuts.” "I can't imagine why.”

  Miranda Lorensen and Vicki Harlan

• “Please, don’t continue to let the past hold you back. All problems eventually find solutions though they may not be immediately clear. It’s just the way of things.”

  Theresa Masenda to her son, Daniel

• “...Why did I have to suffer for your misery? Why did I have to pay the price for your bad decisions in life? Give me a damn good reason, right now!”

  Daniel Masenda to his mother, Theresa

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Port Kirkland, Virginia: Small town near the Chesapeake Bay where Daniel Masenda is mayor and Vicki Harlan works for her father's company. Bruce Hargrove is a charter boat captain in the town.
• Baltimore, Maryland: Daniel Masenda's former hometown. Miranda Lorensen still lives there.

Organizations edit see section history

• ESCAPe: ESCAPe stands for The Eastern Shore Child Advocacy Program. A philanthropic organization started by Gayle Shartle that helps troubled children and teens in crisis.
• Harlan Industries: A warehouse and distribution company owned by Vicki's father, Walter Harlan, that opens a facility in Port Kirkland, VA.

First Sentence edit see section history

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Phil Giunta (Author)

Other Contributors:

1. Steven H. Wilson (Editor)
2. Lynn Murphy (Cover Artist)

First Edition edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Contains minimal profanity. Descriptive scenes of domestic violence.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Horror › Ghosts