"A tense, involving, complex, deftly written and highly recommended saga about unraveling the defenses of the human mind one by one. Award winning author Vivian Schilling's novel Quietus is a bold and terrifying tale of suspense as survivors of a deadly crash awaken in a hospital with untrust-worthy memories and uncertain futures … haunting to the very end."
- MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

"Vivian Schilling's Quietus is a great gothic raven perched somewhere between, say, Anne Rice and Iris Murdoch. It's a spooky, sweeping book of death, dreams and psychosexual intrigue. Schilling herself--in her deft melding of mythic animus and modern anxiety--seems like the bastard daughter of Carl Jung and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Quietus should come with a guarantee: Will keep you up at night (either turning pages or jumping at shadows...probably both) or your money back. I loved it."
- James Ireland Baker, TIME OUT NEW YORK

"Ambitious … Schilling has crafted a complex and creepy thriller ... An Anne Rice novel without the goth trappings."
- PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

“Compelling … Amazing passages…very creepy.”
- Ellen Datlow, ST. MARTIN'S THE YEARS BEST FANTASY AND HORROR

"Gripping … an intriguing novel that explores the very nature and meaning of death. Schilling spent decades researching near-death experiences. She uses this research to create fascinating mythology about death, of which she makes excellent use in the novel ... The initial reading of Quietus can be disturbing, but the characters, particularly Kylie, will return to haunt readers at unusual times. This is the type of book that demands a second reading … always a good sign."
- Alicia Graybill, FOREWORD REVIEWS

"A haunting and stunning foray … … Quietus is an intelligent and gothic masterpiece, examining issues that most thrillers dare not face. It is moving and at once terrifying... insightful and daring. Though the story is not autobiographical, one cannot ignore the striking similarities between the author and the haunting Kylie O'Rourke. Both survive near-death experiences to return to a world irrevocably altered. Both suffer dark visions and question the very nature of their survival. This fact alone is enough to make the reader sit up and take notice. This is not your run-of-the-mill suspense novel, but a mind-bending exploration into the afterlife that challenges our societal views and treatment of death. It is true Literary Suspense spoken from the deepest part of the author's own experience."
- Mark Jordan, WEST COAST LITERARY REVIEW

"Beautifully written, this is a tale of suspense and introspection."
- Amy Rosenfield, Joseph-Beth Booksellers,
Independent Booksellers Recommendation, BOOK SENSE 76 SELECTION.

"Haunting and passionate … A chilling and foreboding tale about fate, death and the afterlife. The term quietus is defined as the moment of death. And what happens at that precise moment when the breath stills, when one passes from the realm of the living, even if only for a brief period. Vivian Schilling offers her own unique and disturbing theories surrounding this age-old question, a mystery that has been pondered by many philosophers and depicted in one form or another by every civilization on earth … Schilling delves into Medieval lore, drawing comparisons to arcane texts such as The Book of Enoch and The Book of the Dead, and examines some truly horrific artistic depictions of death and the afterlife … Through the telling of these ancient legends and the use of historical fact, Schilling plausibly brings to light myths that have been sequestered in shadow so very long … Quietus is a suspenseful tale from beginning to end. Gripping and thought-provoking … Highly recommended."
- Christine Filipak, DARK REALM MAGAZINE

"A beautiful, haunting work that stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned ... the mark of a true storyteller … Quietus is a suspense novel with substance. It has body and flair … I found myself gripping the book with white-knuckled glee, immersing myself in the mysteries presented. Never have I been so enthralled by a suspense novel … bold and terrifying."
- Jamieson Wolf, GREEN MAN REVIEW

"Rich and intelligent … I rarely write reviews of what I would classify as a "disturbing" novel. This book, however, is well written, intelligent and really gives the reader a lot to think about … This book is a mystery, suspense, and an education rolled into one. There are sections of the novel that go into thorough explanation of medicine, psychology, and religion … Her research is valid and invaluable to this thriller. Anyone who wants to branch out from their normal genre of reading should read this book. It will take a while to get through the 500-plus pages, but will definitely be worth your time!"
- Angela Campbell, THE WOMEN'S CONNECTION

"Stunning prose, vivid characters and a fascinating look at lore throughout the ages deftly fill the pages of Ms. Schilling's story. After learning that Stephen King was retiring, I was ready for a new author to fill my thirst for a well written, absorbing thriller. Vivian Schilling's chilling look at death will haunt me for months to come. Settle down for a long, gripping read!"
- Tracy Farnsworth, ROMANCE READER'S CONNECTION

"A remarkable thriller."
- INSIDE BORDERS MAGAZINE (An Original Voices Selection)

"A psychological thriller by a novelist and screenwriter who has made quite a splash in this genre … A spooky page-turner."
- ARKANSAS TIMES

"Chilling … Quietus could disrupt your summer nights reading sessions for a good month -- if you could possibly stand to ration out the chapters … Schilling uses research materials effectively … with her drawing of Julius Vanderpoel, and other undead dead characters, she reaches a certain level of artistry … While not completely explained, yet just enough to establish credibility while maintaining a great deal of mystery, Julius is the prime representative of the supernatural playing out its hand among humans in very concrete ways... the handling of the supernatural is quite well done without going overboard … Quietus could certainly ignite some not very quiet soul searching via Kylie's journey through the valley of the shadow death."
- Eva Wojcik-Obert, FANTASTICA DAILY

"Riveting, terrifying, unnerving, unsettling - all words that describe this excellently written novel of suspense. Vivian Schilling portrays a world filled with fear that will send shivers up your spine while drawing you into the minds of her characters quite skillfully, opening up their fear filled world for the reader to enter…..let it be said that Vivian Schilling uses her writing skills to near perfection by painting for us a picture that is otherworldly, not bogging it down with heavy description, but with simple strokes of the pen that enable the reader to visualize the people, places and events that are taking place, enabling them to feel the fear, the love, the grief and the sad joy within the pages of this incredible book."
- D. Morgan, NEW BOOK REVIEWS

"Thrilling … a psychological delve into the life of a plane-crash survivor and the twists and turns that result from the trauma.."
- CINCINNATI CITYBEAT

"Masterfully written, a deep thriller with a strong element of the macabre … Quietus is a horrific psychological thriller, which weaves together NDE's (near death experiences), repressed memories and pre-biblical accounts of angels of death, that come straight out of our worst nightmares. The title is based on 'that moment of quietus' between life and death, and the story explores the nature of punishment of evil acts, fate, the passage out of life and its purpose … I had a dozen theories as to the novel's direction while I was reading it. The suspense builds steadily, and the author regularly pulls the rug out from under her reader's feet. The protagonist is engaging, one wants her to fight back and to solve all the mysteries that have shrouded her life since childhood. When she eventually does so, through many trials and tribulations, the reader has gone through the wringer with her. Quietus is an unusual novel … those who read it, will find it haunts them."
- Hilary Williamson, BOOKLOONS CONTEMPORARY REVIEWS

"What makes Vivian Schilling such a great writer is her success in surprising the reader. One never knows what to expect as they walk through the scenes of this book. Just when it seems like it can be figured out, a curve is throw in. She also has a stunning handle on the key factor of suspense. The reader is quite often tensely awaiting the outcome of a particular situation and before long another has begun. Schilling writes with such clarity that descriptions go directly from the page to the mind's eye. Mutating beasts can be seen and almost felt, statues very nearly come to life; and the characters are given a depth that make them easy to identify and sympathize with. Once the first few pages have been turned, the reader will be so absorbed the end will seem to have come too quickly."
- Danielle DeFrain, FICTION ADDICTION

"A Hot Summer Read! ... Without a doubt, this is our number one book so far this year … We absolutely loved this book. Once you start this novel, you have a very hard time putting it down. It delivers everything it promises, from a psychological thriller, to a suspenseful ending. We highly recommend it the first read and then another. We are not in the habit of reading a book twice, but this is one of those, that you want to read again and again. Look for this book on the bestseller list for a long running! This will be one author to keep your eyes out for in the future."
- MYSTERIES4YOU.COM

"A break-out and chilling new thriller."
- DAILY OKLAHOMAN

"Author/screenwriter Vivian Schilling writes dramatically, with a talent for making the reader visualize as though the scenes were on film. The action is relentless ... the story is well told and highly engaging … the wrap-up is neat, tidy and devilishly clever ... As Kylie grapples with the forces stalking her, the reader can't resist turning to questions of mortality. What happens if Death is cheated? Should victims of heavy trauma be resuscitated? Can you really come back from the brink? Her (Kylie's) panic has her firmly in its grip, a stranglehold that threatens even the reader's stable realm. The unspeakable horror she faces seems insurmountable. Page after page, one can feel her frustration, her sense of aloneness, and her utter desolation."
- Kate Ayers, BOOK REPORTER

"Quietus is the kind of book you will read with all the house lights on - even in the middle of the day … The monsters in Quietus are not Steven King Monsters, Ms. Schilling's monsters are the everyday monsters we all live with. Her monsters do not drip blood and rip out your heart. They drip our deepest fears and tear at our souls, death is a release to those who find, see, and are visited by them. Paranormal, psychological, medical, or spiritual - this is a thriller that will haunt you."
- Michele Patrykus, BOOK ISLE

"Kylie O'Rourke is one of those memorable literary characters who remain lodged in one's psyche long after the book is returned to the shelf … O'Rourke's character illumines the pages even in the darkest of circumstances … Have no doubt that this is a novel of suspense … The intensity of the novel makes it an engrossing read from page one. Like a locomotive, it is difficult to stop until the track ends. Though the circumstances are uncomfortable and dark at times, the novel emerges from the shadows and the conclusion is full of light and life."
- ALL ABOUT TOWN, NW ARKANSAS MONTHLY

"A chilling thriller ... Quietus is a strong suspense that has readers questioning whether it is a psychological/medical thriller in which Kylie is losing her mind, a horror tale where the spirit domain has entered the living realm, or a combination of both. The story line is exciting ... the wide use of psychological, medicinal, and spiritual elements enhances the audience's perceptual guesses ... Kylie is a wonderful lead protagonist walking a thin line between insanity and real danger, which is what makes Vivian Schilling's haunting novel work.."
- Harriet Klausner, AMAZON.COM #1 REVIEWER

"Tightly crafted and well-paced ... An engaging tale of love, death and survival. Vivian Schilling has crafted a well-paced supernatural thriller in her second novel. Schilling does an admirable job of creating living, breathing characters. Schilling raises some thought provoking questions and leaves the reader open to consider just what happens when a person dies. Schilling brings the reader to many levels of understanding as she, through Kylie, explores the historical, religious and cultural beliefs on death and how those beliefs can form a consensus and are directly affecting Kylie. All of the exploring that Kylie does on her path to a better understanding of her situation touch upon essential and sometimes hard beliefs about our place in this world and how we leave this world ... Quietus is a quality, fast paced supernatural thriller that will keep readers enthralled. I had a hard time putting the book down and was very absorbed in the world and lives Schilling put to paper. If Schilling continues to produce novels that are as intense and suspenseful as Quietus, she will attract more readers and sustain a loyal following.".
- Rob H. Bedford, SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WORLD

"Quietus is a masterwork of psychological tension that neatly taps into the fear of death and the unknown that resonates in Western man's unconscious. Arcane scriptures and medieval artistry add a Gothic element to what is already a tautly compelling and spellbinding tale. ... The book explores many intriguing themes related to death, and poses interesting questions about who or what inhabits the afterlife. ...Quietus is an engrossing page turner that kept this reader compelled to learn each new plot twist."
-Cynthia Parkhill, LAKE COUNTY RECORD-BEE, CA

"Intense ... A thriller on the level of a top King, Straub or Dean Koontz story ... a novel that was hard to put down but almost too scary to read ... If you are interested in near death experiences then Quietus should be on your "must read" list ... When I began reading the book, the expectation was that it would be part psychological thriller, part romance novel. What I found was a scary tale on the level of anything Stephen King or Peter Straub could have put out ...This is also one of the few novels that I have ever seen that provides references that point to the material inside. Books such as Gustav Davidson's A Dictionary of Angels and Ann Ball's A Handbook of Catholic Sacraments are among the tomes listed as references ... A very disturbing novel."
- Bruce E Von Stiers, BVSREVIEWS.COM