Fiction Addict

Genre: Suspense

Release Date: November 2007

Publisher: Zondervan

Reviewed by Josh Olds

To boldly go where no man has gone before…That’s the job of Benjamin “Tuck” Tucker, Space Shuttle Commander. Problem is, his crewmates must’ve been wearing red shirts. He awakes in a daze, unsure of what knocked him out. Never a good thing while in space. With his mind clouded, Tuck realizes that something has gone horribly wrong. He launched a Space Shuttle and landed a hearse. An investigation would blame a certain medicine as the reason for his crewmates’ death

Fast forward one year. NASA has pretty much grounded Tuck, who is hailed a hero for his valiant if failed efforts. In steps Ted Roos, video game designer and head of SpaceVentures, Inc., a company poised to make the first commercial space flight. Roos asks that Tuck command the inaugural journey and Tuck agrees. But space is a dangerous place, his crewmates’ death a year ago might not have been an accident, and there could still be a killer gunning for him.

Zero-G by Alton Gansky has the right premise. Biological warfare? Check. Space travel? Check. A brilliant yet psychotic killer? Yessir. Unfortunately, I don’t think Gansky pulls this one off. Even though a major plot point is about biological warfare, Gansky says very little about it other than it kills people. The book would have benefitted from some research in this area.

Gansky also has a habit in this book of killing off random people to, I suppose, heighten the suspense of the biological warfare. Instead it comes off as a disjointed scene having little or no connection to the rest of the book. Lastly, the book, in my opinion, is a bit heavily preachy. I’m not against having a book containing Christian thematic elements, as a matter of fact I love it, but in Zero-G it’s written to an almost unnatural and awkward point. The various other side plots also seem to have very little connection to the story.

I wanted to like Zero-G, I really did. And it does have its bright points. I loved the witty banter that several of the characters engaged in. The character of Ted Roos is outstandingly written. The killer is deranged and psychotic. I just don’t think it was pulled together all that well.

If you’re in the mood to read an Alton Gansky novel, check out his J.D. Stanton mysteries, or The Prodigy, those are excellent. If space excites you, read Oxygen by John Olsen and Randy Ingermanson. If biological warfare is what you want, pick up Robert Liparulo’s Germ. Unless you’re a hardcore Gansky fan, you may want to pass on this one.

Review copy provided by Zondervan.

Genre: Suspense, Comedy, Drama

Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Kevin Quinn is a man. He’s not extraordinary. He’s a liberal. He’s older. He’s on his way to Austin for a job interview. It’s a job he’s not really sure he even wants, but he knows he wants a change. He’s not married. He’s not a dad. He’s a little scared. And he’s a wealth of fantastic comedic and dramatic material. He’s so rich with observations and memories that this entire novel encompasses only eight hours of Kevin’s life. Just eight hours. And despite that, it’s an amazingly full story of a man with a very complete beginning, middle and end.

James Hynes delves into the mind of this character with such clarity that you sometimes find yourself laughing out loud and at others you’re stunned into silence. You may even find your mouth hanging open in shock as you page back and reread passages again to find out if that really happened or if it’s something just rolling around in Kevin’s vividly creative mind.  Sometimes his thoughts can seem too implausible to believe and you want to laugh out loud at the audacity. Seconds later though, Kevin’s thoughts might mirror your own and you’ll shake your head as he backtracks and apologizes in his own mind for even thinking such things.

Hynes’ descriptions are vivid, beautiful and stunning. Echoing with shades of Updike, his word choices are sweet and rich and they melt across your tongue like ice cream in the Austin heat. They beg for you to savor them, roll them around in your mouth, speak them out loud and then share them with someone else because they’re so utterly delightful. (My husband had large passages of this book either read aloud to him or forced on him as I was reading because it was just too entertaining not to share.)

The book takes a turn at one point that is so stunning it will spin you180 degrees at breakneck speed. You may even find yourself having trouble holding on to the reality in the book. It took me several times rereading passages to fully comprehend how quickly and completely everything had changed and even then I was left speechless.  Like I’d been on a rollercoaster ride, zooming toward the bottom of a long hill and then suddenly, without warning, found myself without tracks, I flailed a little at first. Then I wondered at how well Hynes managed to capture the reality of life turning on a dime and sometimes being completely out of our control.

Since Hynes dives into the deep end of a man’s mind without any filters, expect some forays into very deeply personal moments and memories. If you’re uncomfortable with frank discussion of sexual ideas or thoughts, this may not be the book for you. Though thankfully, Kevin’s thoughts do not follow the traditional understanding that men think about sex every few seconds, it is a thread of memories and description that is woven throughout the book. If you’re bothered by this, you might not want to try it. But on the other hand, if you want to know what the average American male who’s just slightly past his prime is thinking, this is definitely an interesting and adventurous read.

Review copy provided by Reagan Arthur Books.

Genre: Psychological, Literary

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: January 2010

Reviewed by Marianne Peters

Tim Farnsworth seems to be a lucky man, with a wife and daughter, a thriving law practice, and a large home in the suburbs. Lucky except for one thing: periodically, inexplicably, he begins to walk.  He walks until he collapses, and then his wife Jane comes to find him wherever he has ended up, asleep, sometimes frostbitten or injured. After he sleeps, the walking starts again. He sees doctors, psychologists, even gurus, but no one can fix his problem. To explain his absences from work, he tells his puzzled partners at the law firm that his wife has terminal cancer.

Joshua Ferris, author of the novel Then We Came to the End, has penned a heartbreaking story about a family in the midst of a mysterious health crisis. Farnsworth’s illness is never named or cured. It goes into sudden remission, and then starts up again just as suddenly. While he copes with the distressing realities of walking himself into exhaustion, his wife Jane and daughter Becka cope with their own fear, guilt, anger and frustration – ambivalent feelings that would be familiar to anyone caring for a chronically ill loved one.

Tim and Jane Farnsworth also struggle to maintain their affection for each other, playing out their roles as husband and wife, but also as impaired person and caregiver. When does he decide to abandon treatment? When does she decide that enough is enough?

The Unnamed is not a cheery read, but it is a mesmerizing one. Joshua Ferris’ lucid writing lifts his characters from the page until they are flesh and blood, and we find ourselves asking, would I do the same thing? Would I give up or hang on? The walking itself is a device, the difficult circumstance that allows these characters to demonstrate their strengths and their loyalties, while simultaneously forcing them to expose their weaknesses to themselves and to each other. The truth about them – about us – is painful, but redemptive. We all have weaknesses that hardship will reveal. And once everything is revealed, the only thing left to do is to keep walking.

Review copy provided by Little, Brown and Company.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Supernatural

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by James Andrew Wilson

On page 285 of Faces in the Fire, readers will finally come to chapter one. This is important because the final chapter will have already been read back on page 78. While this might sound like a lawsuit against the printing press just waiting to happen, it is in fact the deliberate and brilliant mix-up that author T.L. Hines intended.

Faces in the Fire is a difficult book to describe. At a basic level, it is the story of four characters whose lives are mysteriously connected by a ten-digit number:1595544534. Kurt is a sculptor with the odd ability to hear ghostly voices from articles of clothing. Corrine is a professional email spammer suffering from lymphoma. Grace is a tattoo artist whose arm itches for another shot of heroin. And Stan is a hit man with a gift for killing that he can’t escape.

These characters are unique and richly crafted. As the title implies, they are people who find themselves facing the fire; their stories of pain and their journeys to redemption are beautiful, mesmerizing and inspiring. And Hines writes them with an easy-to-read style that dances between off-kilter humor, insightful ponderings, and fresh plays on words that make for a nice sort of poetry in the prose.

That being said, this is a complex book that requires a patient reader to see it through to the end. Most of the suspense arises from a curiosity to know what in the world is going on. Mysteries and oddities are all over the place, some of which are never completely answered. Or maybe they are. It all depends on what you think the book ultimately means and what the mysterious numbers represent. To each of the four main characters, those ten digits are something different, something unexplainable, but ultimately magical.

I don’t think it’s any mistake that those numbers are hidden in the novel’s ISBN number. They are a good metaphor for the book as a whole. This story will mean something different to each reader. Those who are willing to trust Hines to guide them through the puzzling pages will close the book with the feeling that they have been shown something for which there is no easy explanation—something that is beyond the barriers of what we can understand.

Faces in the Fire is a daring and expertly crafted novel. It is a puzzle. It is a mystery. It is a memorable story that defies simple description and refuses to be placed in a genre box.

Genre: Romance/Suspense

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

In an attempt to flee her past, underwater archaeologist Shiloh Blake moves to Mumbai, India, hoping to put as much distance as possible between herself and her father. At a dig, tragedy strikes, leaving a colleague dead, her best friend fighting for his life, and Blake running from an unknown enemy. Searching for answers, Blake finds herself caught in the middle of a nuclear terrorist plot. Those behind it will stop at nothing to see her dead. To survive, Blake must remember everything her father taught her and even do the one thing she vowed never to do — become a spy.

Former Navy SEAL, Reece Jaxon, faces the task of keeping the feisty and stubborn archaeologist alive. But how can he make Blake trust him when every man in her life has betrayed her, including her own father? How can he show her that despite the bruises and battering the world has inflicted, God has never abandoned her?

Ronie Kendig shines with her debut novel Dead Reckoning. She seizes the reader from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the end, leading her audience through a labyrinth coated with lies and dangers. She expertly keeps the reader flipping through the pages anxious to learn what follows. Though God and faith play a part in the novel, Kendig is never preachy.

Kendig could have offered more details and provided a bit more closure in a couple areas that affect Blake’s personal relationships, but regardless, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance and suspense. Once started, the reader will struggle to put down the book. It is a refreshing to find a book where clean doesn’t mean cheesy and page-turning action doesn’t mean foul language or inappropriate scenes. I eagerly await many more books from Kendig.

Review copy provided by Abingdon Press.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: March 2010

Reviewed by Tim George

What would you do if you were pursued on the dark streets of New Orleans by people you don’t know, for reasons you don’t understand, only to find yourself beaten and left dead hundreds of miles away? Thankfully, you are rescued by a kind man who takes you to a local crisis center where you are asked just one simple question, “Who are you?” The problem is, you don’t know. Such is the story of a woman who ends up at the Crossroad Crisis Center in the panhandle of Florida. The only clues to her past are the cross around her neck, a nagging fear of unidentified enemies, and an uncanny resemblance to the center’s founder – the founder who has been dead for three years.

In Forget Me Not, author Vicki Hinze explores issues of brokenness, trust, and faith. The main character (we’ll call her Susan for now) remembers next to nothing about her past life but she has an instinctive faith even she herself cannot explain. Benjamin Brandt, widower of the founder of the crisis center, remembers far too much but has completely forgotten what faith even looks like. He has become further jaded by one too many impostors trying to lay claim to his dead wife’s legacy and fortune. Susan and Ben must learn to work together in spite of their fears and distrust because someone is still intent on killing and perhaps far worse.

Vicki Hinze is a newcomer to faith based fiction but is by no means a newbie to writing. With over twenty-five novels in print she demonstrates her seasoned ability to develop characters and ratchet up the tension as the plot progresses. The subplot of bio-terrorism is interesting but feels almost in the way. At times it is hard to keep up with the secondary characters that come and go throughout the story. While the cast of villains seems a bit too varied, one thing comes across with clarity. None of these people are trustworthy. And for someone who can’t even remember who she is and a man who has lost his faith, that is indeed quite a problem.

The main story of a man who cannot let go of his grief and anger and a woman who wonders if anyone has ever cared about her is powerful. To further complicate their lives, both are having feelings for each other neither finds quite welcomed. And, when our mystery woman finally remembers everything she wishes she was still in the dark. What she now knows is far too great a burden to carry and far too devastating to reveal to the man who has finally come to trust her. But the one thing she never forgot, her faith in God, may still yet prove the hope for both she and Ben’s tattered hearts.

Review copy provided by Multnomah Books.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Faith Words

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewer: Josh Olds

A wispy bat-like creature hovers over the darkened forest, its presence called forth by a cult of teens playing with powers they know little about. Awaiting his opportunity to attack, this Angel of Wrath knows he must be patient. His time will come. It will be soon.

On the outside, it appeared Thomas Harmon’s life was coming together for him. Pastor of an exponentially growing mega-church inherited from his father, Thomas was making his mark on the world. But things aren’t always as they seem. His work at the church leaves little time for family, and it shows in the attitude of his son Will, who is the epitome of a rebellious preacher’s kid.

But something more serves to upset Thomas’s rise to fame. People in his church are being murdered. One right after another. Quickly. Each time, the murdered were guilty of a secret (or not so secret) sin, and the killer had executed his righteous judgment upon them.

Enter in Charlie Madison, an ex Special-Ops agent, and his deaf niece, Jazmin. Charlie gets asked by friend and former co-worker, Lisa Harmon,—Thomas’s sister—to go investigate. 13 year old Jazmin gets to tag along for the ride.

As the plot thickens and tension mounts, Charlie and Lisa uncover a local cult of teens who may be responsible. But even more than the murders, the teens may have unleashed a creature that they cannot control, the Angel of Wrath.

With well-drawn out characters and great action, Myers crafts a story that not only serves as a page-turner but also as a thought-provoker. From pastoral issues, to the nature of forgiveness, to the importance of family, to spiritual warfare, Myers raises questions that will keep your mind turning long after you’ve closed the last page. What comes first, congregation or family? Can one truly forgive someone who destroyed one’s life? What would you do if a demon looked into your soul and reminded you of all those sins you thought were secret, all the evil that lies within your own heart?

Angel of Wrath is a triumph of storytelling. The crisp action sequences and murder mystery serve only as a backdrop to further this character-driven drama. Regarding the characters of Charlie, Lisa, and Jazmin, perhaps I would have been more informed as to their stories had I read Myers’ 2008 release The Voice, which introduces these three. While Angel of Wrath is a sequel, Myers does a good job ensuring that it stands alone. References to The Voice serve to intrigue the reader to salivate to know the fuller story rather than leaving one in confusion about an important piece of information.

Angel of Wrath is one of my favorite kinds of stories. Instead of merely telling a story, there is a strong sense of message. I cannot wait to see what Myers has in store for his next book, The God Hater, which he has called one of the most important things he’s written.

Review copy provided by Faith Words.

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date:  August 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Tim Blake is living every father’s worst nightmare. One day his teenage daughter leaves for work and never returns home. Not only are there no leads, but the people that she supposedly worked with have never even heard of her.  Trying to hold down his job as a car salesman, Tim uses every spare moment and expense to spread the word about her disappearance, hoping that someone will have seen her. He even sets up a website for people who might have information on her whereabouts.  As Tim wallows in his despair he is overjoyed when a lead from across this country surfaces. Tim is now running full out towards the possibility of hope, never realizing that the worst is yet to come.

Linwood Barclay is quickly rising to the top of my list of favorite authors and this stellar performance only propels him higher. Once again Barclay brings us a strong first person narrative from a father in the deepest throes of anguish. As a father of a little girl I found myself torn up inside along with Tim every step of the way. This all worked together for a gut wrenching, yet engaging read that refused to release my attention until the end.

Once again, the twists just don’t stop and they consistently pack a punch. I’m amazed at Barclay’s ability to hide surprises so neatly within a story, knowing just the right time to pull back the veil and amaze his audience. The suspense drips off every page and the terror is all too real.

In the midst of the thrills, Barclay also introduces some strong characters that really sell this story. From the wild child friend of Tim’s daughter, to the ever suspicious detective, and even to the highly unstable love interest, each character takes turn adding to both the despondency Tim is swimming in and the overall depth of this story.

There is some profanity and adult content readers should be aware of, but nothing on the level of Barclay’s previous work, Too Close to Home.

We’re just weeks away from Linwood Barclay’s next release, Never Look Away, and I find myself anxiously waiting what is sure to be another high quality thriller from one of my favorite new authors.

Review copy provided by Bantam.

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: September 2008

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Jim Cutter doesn’t miss his old job. Sure, being the mayor’s driver had its perks, but no perk was worth putting up with that man. After his boss took things too far one night, Jim walked away and never looked back. Happy to be free, he started his own lawn service with his son, Derek. It also allowed him to spend more time at home with is wife, giving their relationship some much needed attention. Things seemed to be turning around for Jim. That is until his neighbors ended up dead and his son became the main suspect in their murder.

This was my first Linwood Barclay novel and it most certainly won’t be my last. After hearing comparisons to Harlan Coben, I had to find out if such lofty claims were valid.

From the opening lines Barclay weaves a tale of intrigue, murder, and mystery that keeps you guessing. Even when I thought I knew what was coming, I was continually surprised by the number of twists and how brilliantly they were orchestrated. The first person narrative of Jim Cutter is top notch and I was easily pulled into the emotional turmoil surrounding this man and his family.

Too Close to Home might be best described as a dark suburban thriller, but I’m not even sure that accurately describes the depth of this novel. Even some of the best thriller writers often neglect character development, opting instead for relentless action and pacing. Barclay expertly balances a fast paced story with the perfect amount of character building, making this story stand out above so many others written in the same vein.

The only element that seemed off here was the complete overuse of profanity. I understand a writer’s desire to create real characters, flaws and all. However, it seems that in several instances the profanity was relied upon too much, seeming forced and manufactured. There is also a smattering of adult content that some readers might want to be aware of.

Overall I was more than impressed with the level of storytelling on display here. Indeed, if you are a fan of Harlan Coben’s work you will love what Barclay brings to the table. I predict it won’t be long before fresh new thriller writers are being compared to Linwood Barclay himself.

Review copy provided by Bantam.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Morrow

Publication Date:  1998

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Imagine being a 20-year-old single mom living in rural Georgia.  You have only a seventh-grade education, and your meager income is from waiting tables at the local truck stop.  You live with your baby daddy out of necessity; he has a trailer you can call “home.”  He is frequently drunk and therefore does not hold a steady job.  Suddenly, you are guaranteed to win the national lottery of $100 million, and all you have to do is leave the country for ten years.  How could someone with such a bleak future resist?

This is the situation faced by LuAnn Tyler, an intelligent and extremely beautiful girl who, originally, prepares to decline the offer until she comes home to find her baby daddy dead from a drug deal gone sour.  She walks in on the killer and becomes his next target.  Knowing there is no way the police would believe her innocence, she takes the deal.  Her benefactor, Jackson, doesn’t like the extra baggage she brings in the form of an arrest warrant, but he looks to it as a challenge and fixes the national lottery.  Getting her out of the country gets hairy at times, but finally, he puts LuAnn on a plane to Sweden.

Of course there has to be a twist: ten years later, LuAnn decides to return to the United States, and a reporter covering high bankruptcy rates of lottery winners notices that she and eleven other winners actually earn, not lose, money after winning the lottery.  That puts him on the scent of a huge story that threatens LuAnn’s family and her very life.

Baldacci really gives the reader a reason to not put the book down.  From introducing LuAnn and her situation to describing how the lottery will be fixed to watching the plan in action, he makes the characters real and the story, while a bit over the top, fun and suspenseful.  It’s a bit sad when getting to the end because there’s that desire to read more.  I was constantly wondering what would happen next.  The mastermind behind the scam is resourceful and intelligent.  What he could do today would be absolutely amazing.

There is a bit of vulgar language and a couple of mild sex scenes, but the big caution here is the graphic violence.  It is not near the top of my list of violent books, but it does describe how Jackson kills people in cold blood.  What is disturbing is that he does not show remorse or a bit of reverence toward human life.  Readers who can handle some violence should be fine.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: July 2007

Reviewed by Tim George

There was a time when Riley Keep was a man of supreme confidence: minister, missionary, educator of New England’s finest. Then something terrible happened; he came face to face with his humanity and what he saw changed him. Now he returns home years later an abject failure, a ghost moving among the living.  By accident he catches his reflection in a mirror and he sees something far different: failed protector of an entire people, weakling of a husband, incompetent father, and drunkard.

Athol Dickson offers us the most unlikely, and to be honest, most unlikeable of heroes. Riley Keep has fallen so far that when he returns to his home town in Maine along with a dying homeless friend no one even recognizes him. Not the church people, not his former friends, and not even the mayor who just happens to be his ex-wife. Through an apparent accident Riley discovers something every person trapped by the demons of their personal sins would give anything to have, a magic bullet that would forever take away their addiction. Riley Keep has discovered The Cure.

What happens next is on one level a rousing suspense story and on another a parable of failure and despair.  It is the story of far away pagans and the pagan within us all. And in the end it is a story of ultimate hope. As always, Dickson’s characters are vivid, tragic, heroic, well-intentioned, and severely flawed. Even when Riley Keep gets his act together and appears to become a great success he is within himself a failure. In other words he is real. Perhaps this is why some found this story uncomfortable. Upon his return to his home town, Riley observes that people walk by him but never look into eyes, never see him. He guesses it is because they fear they see some of themselves. I think Riley Keep guesses right.

The Cure ends with these words: Riley was no longer dead; his ghostly days were over… here at last was something truly good to drink. The Cure is something truly good to drink.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: February 2010

Josh Olds’ Review:

If you asked any one of the members of the historic Baxter line, if they had any political luck, they’d rival the Kennedys in terms of legacy. But without that political clout, they’re just another wealthy New York family with a better sense of history than most. Graham Baxter, grandson of Sal Baxter, seems likely to turn that around if he can secure the Senate seat. Already a State senator, he and his family have their eyes on the spot in D.C. Like any political race, you grease the right hands you get the right results, right? Just so long as you keep all those skeletons in the closet.

Meanwhile, bestselling novelist CJ Baxter—Graham’s brother—is finding his life in Tennessee collapsing around him. A lawsuit over here, a divorce settlement there, and then he gets the phone call that his grandfather Sal is dying. And after 17 years of telling himself that he would never face his family again, he finds himself staring them face to face.

To say that there was bad blood between CJ and the rest of the Baxter clan would be a gross understatement. CJ’s novels, which he claims but can’t quite convince himself aren’t autobiographical, have never portrayed those characters that might be modeled on family in a good light. But there’s more. A haunting secret that CJ has lived with since childhood, and seeing his family has kindled his desire to uncover the truth.

But digging into the closets to find the skeletons of a Senator-to-be can be a dangerous business, even if that one is your brother—perhaps especially if that one is your brother, in CJ’s case. In Hunter’s Moon, Hoesel takes the reader on a suspenseful story of a powerful family and their horrible secrets.

Unlike many authors, Hoesel takes Hunter’s Moon and really takes time to lay the foundations for the deep and complex relational storyline. Sure, it’s a little slow at first—I wouldn’t classify this as your page-a-minute thriller—but once the foundations are laid, Hoesel sufficiently fleshes out the story. Perhaps most appealing to this book for me was Hoesel’s subtlety, which really required the reader to dig down and think about what had happened. The contrasts and changes in the characters of CJ and Graham really draw the reader into the story. Moreover, mostly due to Hoesel’s subtle methods, the plot twists are both major and hard to predict.

Hunter’s Moon is a great novel. It’s a little weighty, a book to read if you want to think. And yet the charms of small-town life and the thrills of high-stakes politics make it a compelling and page-turning read.

Tim George’s Review:

CJ Baxter has managed to forge a life for himself far from his home town of Adelia in Upstate New York and the dysfunctional family he left behind there. Though a successful novelist, CJ doesn’t feel much like a success. His marriage is on the rocks and he has begun to doubt his talent as a writer. And now news has come that his grandfather, the one relative he truly related to, has died. Now CJ returns to a family he hasn’t seen in years with nothing but his dog and a newfound faith in God that he hasn’t quite sorted out the details of yet. Matters are not made any easier by the fact that everyone in CJ’s family and town is sure his novels are autobiographical.

Hunter’s Moon is a suspense story in which the characters hold center stage. Those characters include: CJ’s mother, whose own divorce and sadness has changed her, in CJ’s words, from June Cleaver to a hard drinking, chain smoking woman he hardly recognizes; a stuttering, some say simple-minded friend from the past, who coincidentally won a ton of money in the state lottery; a father who has long since lost interest in being a father; the girl he should have asked to marry him now wed to his own cousin; and a brother whose political ambitions threaten to tear down the last vestiges of hope for the family and perhaps the town.

The spiritual insights in this story work their way out in a most natural and yet powerful way. The hero of the story struggles with the tension between grace and human responsibility. Ultimately he must learn what it means to forgive and be forgiven. And, like most of us, he has to learn these lessons the hard way. There are no canned answers in Hunter’s Moon, just really good questions.

Don Hoesel does a brilliant job of drawing us into one man’s realization that most secrets, especially family secrets, have a bad habit of resurrecting themselves at the most inopportune moments. And the secret CJ holds about his family may prove to be the death of him. Or, it may just hold the key to a freedom he has yet to discover.

Review copies provided by Bethany House Publishers.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Morrow

Publication Date:  1970

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Dr. Judd Stevens is one of the most popular and sought-after psychiatrists in New York City.  He has many friends and wonderful colleagues.  All of that changes the day his secretary, Carol, is brutally murdered in the office.  The next day, a client is murdered.  Dr. Stevens tries to work with the police (including a cop who doesn’t seem to like him), to solve these murders, when he realizes that the murderer is actually after him.  Convinced that the police don’t like him and therefore don’t believe him, Dr. Stevens proceeds to investigate the situation on his own.  Dr. Stevens is forced to use psychological profiling in order to discover the identity of the murderer.

Written 40 years ago, the book still packs a punch.  It doesn’t contain as much of the violence and “creative” killing seen so frequently today, but it is one of the first to explore psychological profiling.  It moves quickly and is an easy read.  The characters are well-developed and are likeable.  The story situation immediately grabs the reader and makes the reader want to find out “whodunit.”  Some may be surprised to find out it is not exactly who they expect, and that is part of the fun.

There is minimal sex and swearing.  There is some graphic violence, but not nearly as bad as one reads today.  Since the story is 40 years old, it is nice to go back memory lane to see what the norms and mores were at the time.  Some may call it quaint, but in my opinion it is simply fun.  Overall, it’s worth the read for a good story and a little nostalgia.

Genre: Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication date: October 13, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Daniel Judson continues his series of standalone cerebral thrillers set in the Hamptons with The Violet Hour, a tense yet thoughtful tale of murder, betrayal, and sacrificial love.

Caleb (“Cal”) Rakowski is an auto mechanic working for cash at a friend’s illegal but lucrative garage in Bridgehampton. He lives inexpensively in a sparse apartment on the garage’s second floor, drives an unregistered motorcycle, and does his best to stay under the radar and out of people’s way. The problem is, his beautiful and pregnant older cousin Heather, recently estranged from her powerful and abusive husband, is secretly staying with him. When Heather gets word that her missing half-sister has been spotted at a party on nearby Shelter Island, Cal volunteers to go pick her up, little realizing that his simple act of charity will prove to be the undoing of his previously simple existence. Because Heather’s husband isn’t the only dangerous man in the Hamptons—and Cal is about to be caught up in a plot so twisted, he won’t know where to turn or whom to trust. And he’ll be lucky to escape with his life.

The Violet Hour is a location thriller, but it’s much more than the stereotypical story set in the author’s hometown. For one thing, Judson doesn’t live in the Hamptons (though he used to). For another thing, the book’s dark, gothic feel coupled with unexpectedly rich characterizations, intensely realistic dialog, and eerie, suspenseful scenes set in wonderfully creepy locations render it a literary triumph that easily transcends so-called “local fiction.” Judson is an author to take seriously.

The action takes place over three days—Mischief Night, Halloween, and the Day of the Dead—and unfolds almost in real time, adding a sense of urgency to the drama. Some of the villains might be a tad overdone (a codependent assassin who derives her self-worth from her handler, for example), but in the end whatever minor negatives exist are easily and decisively marginalized by the book’s strengths. Be prepared for a few descriptions of rather gruesome violence, but mostly be prepared to see a side of the Hamptons you never imagined existed.

Review copy provided by Minotaur Books.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Tyndale House

Publication Date: May 2002

Reviewed by Tim George

They Shall See God begins with one man breathing the air of freedom for the first time in 25 years as he walks away from Louisiana’s infamous State Penitentiary at Angola. But from the moment we are introduced to Solomon Cantor it is obvious neither he nor any of those in the orbit of his life are truly free. Two girls, Katy and Ruth, though both reasonably successful, still live behind the invisible bars of fear and distrust. Sol’s wife, now a prosperous real estate agent, is a virtual prisoner to the good name she has forged for herself in New Orleans’ Garden District. And one twisted soul stalks them all; on a mission he believes to be from God. His goal, to exact retribution in a way that will shock a city that rarely notices anything.

At the center of this story are Katy O’Connor and Ruth Gold. Their childhood friendship was abruptly ended on the day their testimony helped send Sol Cantor away to Angola. Now, 25 years later, their lives are thrown back together by Sol’s release and a spate of bizarre murders in the city they never left. So much has changed in that quarter century. Katy is now a lonely widow doing her best to raise two children and keep her late husband’s business afloat. Ruth is a Reformed Jewish Rabbi with a simmering anger she does not understand. Together they have many lessons to learn about suspicion, prejudice, and the greatest enemy of all – the dark corners of their own hearts.

They Shall See God, like all of Dickson’s works, has too many layers to allow it to be pigeonholed. It is suspense of the first-rate variety. The characters are three dimensional with both good and not-so-good qualities. The plot is superbly paced. The dialogue is crisp and believable. Beneath all of these layers is the foundation of a powerful parable. Just as you label the story’s villain evil and pathetic, you realize there is some of that dark killer in all of us. And the villain’s end should serve as a warning to all where the path of hatred ultimately leads.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Penguin

Publication date: January, 2010

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

Tami Hoag is known for her suspenseful novels that have plenty of twists and turns before the final reveal, and Deeper than the Dead is no exception.  In a sleepy California town in October of 1985, several children cut through a park on their way home from school.  One ends up tumbling down a hill and lands smack on a body of a young woman.  Her eyes and mouth are glued shut and her eardrums are pierced, possibly in reference to, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”  The students’ teacher hears the commotion and rushes out to console them.  From that moment on, she is involved in a murder investigation that eventually threatens her life.  In the meantime, several students’ home lives are exposed as less than perfect and townspeople’s personal lives are made public.  What makes the investigation interesting is that since it is set in 1985, there is no access to high-tech devices and processes, even fingerprint databases.  Imagine being a police department and barely having a fax machine.  There is not a computer at each investigator’s desk; in fact, using a computer requires a wait for long stretches of time.  The police have to rely on phone calls and favors from officers in other locales.  Psychological profiling is just beginning, and many still don’t put credence in it.

Never once did I get the feeling that the story was lagging.  I was constantly on the edge of my seat, ready to turn the page, trying to get to the bottom of the investigation.  I was entertained, and best of all, my mind was engaged as I tried to figure out who could have committed the crime.  I loved that things kept moving at a good pace and just as the resolution seemed imminent, something else happened.  Nothing was as it seemed.

While this novel is highly entertaining and fast-paced, there are several grisly scenes that may upset some readers.  One woman is kidnapped and held hostage, but she is severely injured while she is held captive.  There are some very upsetting things that happen to her, and a subsequent victim, that are uncomfortable.  I know many times when I was reading a description of the torture, I had to clench my hands and take a minute to settle myself.  I was especially unnerved by another situation in which a young boy pulls a finger off the corpse and tries to shove it into another student’s mouth.  While these things may happen in real life scenarios, it is still difficult to read some of it.  In addition, there are a couple of people who are mentally unstable, and it is difficult reading some of the things they say and do.  For those who are easily unnerved, this book may not be for them.

Overall, if a reader is interested in a fast-paced, murder-mystery and can tolerate some psychological and physical torture, this is a good read.

Review copy provided by Penguin Publishers.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Tyndale

Publication Date: August 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

A coded email. A mysterious phone call. A sinister plot. A powerful cult. James Pence wastes no time throwing the reader into an intense and fast-paced story of redemption and hope. Thomas Kent had lost it all—all that really mattered anyway. His own family had been killed and he had been powerless to stop it. He had little in life to live for until one phone message changed his life. Save…the…children.

Thomas embarks on a mission that will pit him against a powerful cult whose sins are threatened to be unveiled by the children he must now protect. And there’s no choosing not to protect the children. A trained killer is already beating down the door of his cabin.

He can’t trust anybody, only God, but he and God haven’t been on speaking terms since the accident that stole his family away. Now he’s going to have to put his life back together while on the run, and in the end, Thomas must rely on the God who seemed to forsake him.

A powerful story of hope, Blind Sight takes what could have sounded ridiculous or cliché—a cult attempting to take over the world and killing those who stand in its way—and makes it sound all too plausible. From Thomas’s redemption from his broken past, to the new life brought from escaping the cult, the action rarely lets up, resulting in a great and heartfelt story.

Perhaps even more powerful is the true story connected with this fictional novel. On March 1, 2008, armed men broke into Terry Caffey’s home and killed his wife and two young sons. Terry was shot and left for dead, as the men set fire to the house. Terry’s only surviving family member, his daughter, would later be implicated in the crime. In one night, Terry had lost his entire family.

Six weeks later, as Terry stood looking at the remains of his house and thinking about the loss of his family, he noticed a scrap of paper on a nearby tree. That scrap of paper happened to be a page of Blind Sight. The page that survived recounted Thomas’s struggle with God as he too had lost his family. That single portion of a page, the lone remnant from a destroyed home, was enough for Terry to look through his pain. Terry now travels the country giving his testimony, carrying that scrap of paper with him. His story is recounted in a non-fiction title, Terror by Night.

Whether in real life or in story, this novel is a powerful testament to the sovereignty and tender mercies of God.

Review copy provided by Tyndale House Publishers.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: July 2008

Reviewed by Tim George

Tyler Perkins has been married five years, but with his wife less than a year total, fought in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and returned home with a survivor’s guilt that is eating away at both his marriage and his life. Now a postcard from an old friend beckons him to return to his roots in Wyoming at a place called Wind River. Encouraged by his desperate wife, Tyler drives across country to fulfill a promise he made as a boy to the old man who taught him about fly fishing, the mountains, and life.

At first glance, Wind River is a gentle buddy story. It is the story of one man (Soren) who at 86 knows this is his last chance to visit the high country he has photographed and mapped for years and a boy become a man (Tyler) who in some ways wishes he had never left. If you don’t care for the rugged back country, tales of rogue grizzlies, and laying on your back with nothing but the stars for a nightlight some of the chapters may grow a bit tedious. Or perhaps it would do you well to slow down for a moment and see things through Soren’s and Tyler’s eyes. If you take the time you will discover two men whose secrets and wounds run deeper than the clear lake about to be named after the old man.

Don’t let the pace or setting fool you though. Tyler has returned from war with guilt not only for what he has done, but for what others have done for him. And just when you think this story is all about Tyler finding some kind of resolution, you discover it is the old man who has ulterior motives for returning to the mountains he so loves. Tom Morrisey’s life as a world class rock climber, cave diver, and all-around adventurer shines through in this gentle yet powerful story of self-discovery and forgiveness. So set the world aside for a few hours and join Tyler and Soren at a place called Wind River.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: January 2010

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Janeal Mikkado has lived her life among her Gypsy family and friends, but has always longed for a way out. One fateful day an answer to her dilemma arrives in the form of a mysterious man named Salazar Sanso. It seems Janeal’s father is working with the DEA to bring down Salazar, and if Janeal will do just one favor Sanso promises not to take her father’s life. He also offers Janeal the opportunity to leave once and for all to chase her dreams. Janeal seizes the opportunity, but things go horribly wrong and a fire destroys the Gypsy community and everyone she loves.

Fifteen years later, Janeal has made quite a life for herself, but nevertheless feels empty and broken because of her past. Out of the blue she discovers that her two best friends survived the fire and have recently reconnected. She fears they will discover the truth behind what happened that day and Janeal’s connection to it all. To make matters worse, Sanso once again has her in his crosshairs and will do anything to get her, even if it means destroying the lives of her friends. Now Janeal enters into a deadly game where the past and truth come face to face and her life hangs in the balance.

Ted Dekker and Erin Healy once again display their collaborative prowess and even outdo their previous novel, Kiss, in the process. Going into this story I honestly wasn’t expecting much.  For some reason the premise didn’t grab my attention, but it only took a few chapters to discover how wrong I was. The plot is masterfully executed, giving us just the right amount of suspense at the right times to keep the narrative flowing along. As in Kiss, we are treated to another strong female lead in Janeal Mikkado.  Her journey is a captivating one, often times dizzying and unsettling, but always engrossing as we delve into her hurts and secrets.

In true Dekker fashion we are treated to a nice little twist that will no doubt drive some readers crazy. Nevertheless, I found this plot device worked nicely with the overall theme that is interwoven throughout. At its heart, this is a story about the darkness and light that abides in us all and the battle that rages within. I’m excited about what this writing team has accomplished and I’m especially looking forward to Erin Healy’s upcoming solo debut, Never Let You Go.

Genre: Suspense, Adventure, Young Adult

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: December 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Whirlwind is the fifth book in the Dreamhouse Kings series that follows the adventure of brothers Xander and David King as they travel through time via portals found in a secret hallway in their creepy, new house. And yes, that’s all I’m saying about the plot because the story is just too good to be described through any measly attempt on my part.

What I will divulge to Robert Liparulo’s salivating fans is this: When I read Timescape I was quick to crown it my favorite of the series so far. Of course that was before I read Whirlwind, and ladies and gentlemen we have a new favorite!!

I consistently find myself in awe of Liparulo’s ability to make each story better in this series, always ratcheting up the tension and mystery, giving us some answers here and there and more and more questions to keep up guessing.

As we’ve come to expect in previous installments, the time travel scenes are loads of fun brimming with wonder and possibility. What sets this book apart from the rest is the huge twist at the end that completely changes the course of this story. I never saw this coming, and I love the direction Liparulo is moving this story and the characters that I have fallen head over heels for.

Frenzy is the upcoming last book in this series, and if the events of Whirlwind are any indication, we are in for quite a ride. If you aren’t reading the Dreamhouse Kings novels you are truly missing out on top notch storytelling, dazzling adventure, and heroic characters worth cheering for. Young or old, it doesn’t matter. The Dreamhouse Kings series is a must read for any true fiction addict.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: March 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

When Sibella Giorello won a Christy Award for her debut novel, The Stones Cry Out, one had to wonder if she could maintain the momentum and offer an even stronger sophomore offering. The Rivers Run Dry answers that question with a rousing “yes” as we are once again taken into the sometimes tumultuous world of Special Agent Raleigh Harmon. Raleigh is a strong female lead with a background in geology and a penchant for plunging ahead with a case even if it gets her transferred for disciplinary reasons across country.

Raleigh has barely landed in Seattle before she is thrown into the perplexing case of a missing nineteen year old girl whose wealthy parents might have more bothering them than their snobbish wealth. Solving the case isn’t made any easier as Raleigh has to face numerous personal and professional challenges. Her boss treats her like a glorified coffee girl, her mother lives in the depth of despair, and her aunt is a new age believer in the power of crystals who persists in sending her unwelcomed clairvoyant friend to help Raleigh on cases.

Giorello gives us characters with real depth. Raleigh and her mother have both been profoundly changed by the murder of her father. The Aunt is not just some nutcase but rather a woman who feels failed by her lifelong faith and now seeks answers wherever she thinks she can find them. Raleigh’s faith is stretched to the limits by a job that leads her to places from which she may not be able to return. Even her abusive supervisor proves to be human as he seeks to help a female informant in desperate need of redemption from her life of drugs and crime.

One of the things that make this story work is the detail. Raleigh Harmon’s parking space (fifteen blocks from the Bureau building) and government issued car (the oldest in the fleet) tell us more about what her superiors think of her than any dialogue could. There are no neatly packaged family epiphanies at the end. Raleigh’s aunt is embarking on yet another new age enterprise and her mother is just beginning to emerge from her depression. What we have instead is the story of a woman of faith working in a profession where faith is hard to come by. But, as Raleigh walks off the pages of this latest installment of her life we have no doubt she will maintain that balancing act with grace and strength.

I can’t wait for Raleigh Harmon’s return in Giorello’s upcoming third novel, The Clouds Roll Away.

Genre:  Suspense

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: November 24^th, 2009

Jake Chism’s Review:

In the Colorado Rockies, Grady Adams and his Irish Wolfhound, Merlin, have just discovered two creatures unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. As they welcome these mysterious animals into their home, they soon discover that their arrival coincides with a wondrous event that will forever change their lives and millions of other all over the world.

Dean Koontz never seems ceases to astonish me with the amount of tricks up his sleeve. Each installment in his illustrious career is unique and otherworldly, with Breathless being no exception. In recent offerings Koontz has come under fire, unfairly so in my opinion, for not being the same guy who once scared us around every turn with evil characters and harrowing plots. Lately, dogs have become main characters more than usual, and for whatever reason a lot of fans and critics alike have not looked kindly upon his change of style. In a bold and effective move, Koontz sticks it to the doubters and transforms familiar elements in a way we never imagined.

Not only is Man’s Best Friend featured in Breathless, but in this story animals play a bigger role than most of, if not all, Koontz’s previous works.  However, fans who feel like they have been missing out will be pleased to know that this is one of the most suspenseful novels Koontz has written in a while, with a fast paced plot laced with just the right amount of dread, wonder, and redemption. We’re even treated to some frightening and disturbing scenes that will have many readers looking under their beds and in their closets long after reading. Once again Koontz‘s prose and dialogue are delivered at the highest level as we follow several storylines to a powerful conclusion.

In the end we are left with a poignant glimpse into the beauty of nature and the mystery of life and the wonder that connects them.  I love what Koontz has done of late, and I particularly love what he’s given us here. Breathless is certainly a different kind of animal, but one that is well worth your time.

Frank Redman’s Review:

“In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light…and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady’s isolated home, waiting to make their approach.”

Dean Koontz doesn’t just entertain with written words, he writes novels of great importance, entreating us to be aware of the madness in our world and rise above it. BREATHLESS is a wonderful story about the power of good and light in a world full of darkness. Characters are presented with the opportunity to accept something so amazingly pure, it will change their lives forever. Some characters grasp that opportunity, which leads to healing and restoration. Some resist, despite the miraculous existence of the event in the first place, and their lives remain in the dark. It’s interesting to consider the justification given by the characters that refuse to accept the peace-breathing event in the story.

No one is better than Koontz at infusing stories with animals, and in many cases these animals play significant roles. BREATHLESS is one of these stories. Animal lovers will take great joy in recognizing the importance the animals have in this story.

This is a novel that could have easily been twice the length and still retain reader interest and enjoyment. There are multiple plot threads that leave you wondering as you’re reading how Koontz will be able to bring them all together. This leads me to my only complaint about the book—I didn’t want it to end. The ending was certainly no disappointment, and it didn’t feel too short; I just wanted the story to keep going.

“In a novel that is at once wholly of our time and timeless, fearless and funny, Dean Koontz takes readers into the moment between one turn of the world and the next, across the border between knowing and mystery.”

Life is indeed a mystery. And a mystery we are unlikely to ever solve. But there are clues that will help us have a more peaceful life which we’ll see if we simply take a moment and open our eyes. Koontz tells us about a few of these clues: hope, perseverance, selflessness… while at the same time telling us a story that takes us out of the everyday and entertains.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Harry Bennett is a professional scavenger who spent the last year of his life rotting away in a Barbados prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Then one morning a barrister from London shows up to announce Harry’s release from prison at the dying bequest of an old friend. The will of that friend lands Harry in the posh art world of Palm Beach, Florida, and in the company of his friend’s granddaughter. Together they began to seek a treasure that had consumed their benefactor for many years. The search uncovers far more than either ever anticipated, including the murder of the man both loved dearly.

Gold of Kings is an intelligent, action-packed tale of loyalty, love, and obsession. Harry finds himself with his allegiance divided between three equal, yet very different kinds of loves: a woman who reminds him so much of the old man that trusted him when no one else would, a Federal Agent who first sees him as a suspect but ultimately captures his heart, and the gold fever both women fear still holds him firmly in its grip. Each of the main characters is driven by his or her own burning passion which at times threatens to rip the tenuous team apart. Which will win out? Will it be the drive for revenge or the desire to be professionally recognized? Or, in spite of Harry’s growing brotherly love for one and romantic love for another, will it be the gold that wins out in the end?

More recently T. Davis Bunn has been known for his collaboration with Janette Oke but in Gold of Kings he returns to a genre in which he is quite talented. This is suspense with a brain and a heart. The villain is deadly, elusive, and smart. But, unlike many suspense novels these days his methods of killing do not take center stage. Harry Bennett isn’t perfect and still has a little larceny left in him at the end of the story. But, he has also learned much about what is of real value. He discovers the greatest protagonist each of us faces is our heart. And, the greatest treasure is more lasting even than the Gold of Kings.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Kregel

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

How do you manage to work modern geo-politics, the composer of Pomp and Circumstance, an ancient and still barely understood language, and Charles Spurgeon, the most recognized preacher of the nineteenth century, into a tightly written novel of suspense? Pick up The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan and you’ll find out. What begins as the casual discovery of a long forgotten scroll hidden within the walls of the Bowrey Mission in New York City escalates into an all-out race to prove the existence of a rumored temple hidden beneath the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem for a millennium.

In his debut novel, Brennan puts his background as an award winning journalist and longtime officer of the Bowrey Mission to good use in weaving a fast paced story that blends strong characters, tight dialogue, and action that hits a dizzying pace as the story races to its conclusion. If you think the story idea is not plausible you would do well to bone up a little on Middle Eastern religion and politics or watch the evening news for a few weeks.

The spiritual themes of the story are strong but woven into the fabric of the story rather than seeming artificial or forced. The people sucked into this mystery have depth and reflect the personalities of real people. Some believe but doubt. Others doubt but wish they could believe. And all involved find their personal search has ramifications far bigger and potentially more destructive than any ever considered. With this kind of writing one can only hope that Terry Brennan has many more stories in him yet to be told.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Water Brook Press

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

“Even if we are all broken

We each are a reflection of God

Living with your arms wide open

Spreading your wings to take off.

-          Beautiful Bird by Cindy Morgan

(The song that completes Caitlyn’s journey in Broken Angel)

Run. That’s all Caitlyn and her father Jordan can do. The most infamous bounty hunter of them all is after them. After her. And whatever happens, she cannot be caught. Author Sigmund Brouwer begins the book at an addictive, page-turning pace and the action and intrigue never let up even as the final pages are turned.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world known as Appalachia, Caitlyn and her father are running from a bounty hunter sent by Bar Elohim, the theocratic ruler of the country hewn out of the mountains after years of government infighting in the United States. Father and daughter become separated and Caitlyn must continue on alone, relying only on his messages. She seeks out only to find safety but also understand the dark mystery surrounding her existence. Why had her parents wanted to kill her when she was born? Why was she not like the other children? Why was she being hunted?

In the background, Brouwer fleshes out the world of Appalachia. Created when religious fundamentalism became more about politics than religion, the country is a closed region. None go out and few come in. Everyone inside the country wears a vidpod, which allows their conversations to be recorded and their whereabouts to be tracked. None escape the all-seeing eye of the servant of God who rules Appalachia, the one called Bar Elohim. But secretly, a group called the Clan has been helping those that dissent with Appalachia’s rule escape to the Outside. This is where Caitlyn must run.

The story is a blitzkrieg of events that dare you to stop reading. You feel drawn to Caitlyn’s suffering as she tries to understand what is different about her that she would be hunted. You are aghast as the culture of Appalachia is unveiled—and you wonder how far it is from our own. But in the end, it is the story of one girl who must outwit a treacherous bounty hunter and soar like a broken angel.

Broken Angel is a challenging emotional story that manages to engage the mind while rending the heart. But it isn’t the end of the story. Flight of Shadows (coming Jan 2010) continues Caitlyn’s journey as trouble pursues her as she now faces life on the Outside. I am eagerly anticipating this second novel even as I continue now to wrap my mind around the first one. Truly a remarkable read.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: March 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Elisha’s Bones has just about everything one could ask for in an action adventure story: a flawed and somewhat misplaced hero, a love interest from the past sucked back into his chaotic profession, and a billionaire willing to spend his life’s fortune and the lives of whoever gets in the way of his slim hopes of life. Add to that a farfetched yet vaguely plausible biblical mystery and Don Hoesel’s debut suspense novel make an entertaining and intelligent read.

At the center of the story is Jack Hawthorne, a professor of archeology at a small North Carolina University with a back story that won’t wait. When an elusive billionaire dangles an unlimited budget for a short time archeological adventure to search for something that can’t possibly exist, Jack can’t resist. Within weeks his life is a tangled mess of international intrigue, murdered friends, and an ancient conspiracy that would have best been left buried. Written in first person present tense, the story has an immediacy that puts one inside this man’s shoes as he becomes first obsessed with a mystery and then running for his life with a woman he has been given an undeserved second chance with.

Hoesel gives us, in Elisha’s Bones, something Dan Brown attempts in the Da Vinci Code and the The Lost Symbol minus Brown’s seeming axe to grind against all things religious. While you may scratch your head at the end of the book and doubt if such a thing could really happen, you will also find yourself the next day wondering if perhaps it has. This is the kind of story that works on so many levels that just about anyone who loves good fast-paced suspense can enjoy. If you want, consider its themes about faith, life, and death. Or, just fasten your seatbelt and join Jack and Espy as they race from Mayan pyramids in Venezuela, to Coptic churches in Ethiopia, to the vast outback for Australia. Either way, you won’t be disappointed when you discover what might have happened to Elisha’s bones.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Nina Parker has her demons like we all do. It just so happens that her demons live in the bottom of the next bottle. Alcohol has taken over her life and the thirst has separated her from everyone she loves. Saddled by guilt and desperation she makes another attempt at rehab, hoping she will find the strength to fight through her addiction.

After a successful stint of sobriety, Nina decides to return home to Abby Hills with her estranged daughter. Soon Nina befriends a mysterious stranger who seems to be more than infatuated with her. When a series of grisly animal deaths and a murder occur in her peaceful hometown, Nina begins to suspect that something sinister is lurking in the shadows. Nina must now turn to an unlikely ally to fight the both the darkness within and the terror that threatens to harm everything she holds dear.

Everywhere we look vampire novels are crowding the shelves and it comes as no surprise that the Christian market is suddenly becoming more open to the concept. At the risk of being lost in the shuffle and alienating herself from a conservative readership, Tracey Bateman has set out to write a vampire story that is both redemptive and relevant. I think Bateman does just that in her first foray into supernatural suspense.

To be fair, readers who are looking for the next Twilight or True Blood may not appreciate the story they find here. Yes there are vampires, but they are mild compared to the violent and sensual blood suckers that are so often portrayed in the genre. One could even argue that this story could have been told effectively without the vampire angle at all. Nevertheless, Bateman does a great job of effectively using the vampires to give this story a strong suspenseful feel.

The strength of this novel is found in Nina’s battle with addiction. Her fight to win back her family and conquer her demons is inspirational for anyone who has ever lived through similar situations. Nina’s personal journey alone is enough reason to pick up this novel, and this is a great story to pass on to friends and family who are dealing with addiction.

Is Thirsty the greatest vampire novel ever written? Well, I don’t think it was meant to be. Take the vampires or leave them. The choice is yours. Just don’t let your fear of the unknown or your overexposure to a familiar genre get in the way of experiencing this powerful story.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Aidan O’Neill is a firefighter in Reno, Nevada and very good at what he does. At least he has been until recently. But now, driven by the distraction of his father’s death, an arsonist like none he’s seen before, and a gnawing sense that the fires he faces have a personal grudge against him, Aidan’s tough exterior is beginning to show signs of falling apart. Add to that, he is losing the woman he thought he would marry and making some serious mistakes in a job where the smallest error can cost lives and we have a man in deep need of regrouping.

This story has everything needed to make for good suspense. The hero is nowhere near perfect yet determined to do the right thing. The action moves along nicely with only a few scenes that sag just a bit. While there is a surprise twist along the way the real villains are the fire and the darkness threatening one’s man’s emotional, mental, and spiritual moorings.

Through the Fire is Shawn Grady’s debut novel but it is obvious he is no probie when it comes to firefighting or writing. His descriptions are vivid and the action entirely believable. While some may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the technical details of firefighting, Grady uses those details to offer the realism needed to put one’s self in the boots of his main character. But in the end, the real hero of this story is not Aidan but the one who sees though all the smokescreens of a wounded man’s life and conquers his soul. In the words of Aidan O’Neill, “I felt warmth inside me. A timeless, familiar, and wonderful presence. And in my heart I yielded.”

A hard place to come to … a wonderful place to find.

Genre: Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Jake Chism

After his not so normal stay at St. Bartholomew’s Abbey, Odd Thomas hits the road and finds himself in Magic Beach, California. In tow are his trusty ghost dog, Boo, and the restless spirit of Frank Sinatra. He finds work as a live in chef for a former silent movie star, all the while enjoying a rare moment of normalcy in his chaotic life.

As Odd fully expects, the normalcy doesn’t last and soon he is plagued by a nightmare of catastrophic proportions. His experience with the strange and unusual tells Odd that something big is about to go down, something more ominous than anything he has ever faced before. Using his psychic magnetism, Odd befriends a young girl named Annamaria who seems to be in the middle of whatever is about to happen. As Odd searches for the source of the impending doom, he uncovers a deadly plan that carries global implications. Once again, this lowly fry cook from Pico Mundo is the only one who can save the day. However, this time around the fate of the entire country rests on his shoulders.

Dean Koontz never fails to blow me away with his Odd Thomas novels. As always, the Odd One is clever and endearing with his engaging dialogue and unexpected moves throughout the story. As with the previous Odd novels, Koontz peels back more and more layers of Odd’s intriguing life, never quite giving us clear answers but all but guaranteeing that we will come back for more. The mysterious Annamaria is a delightful addition to the mix and Frank Sinatra’s performance in the police station is one of the best Odd Thomas scenes to date.

I’ve read many of Koontz’s novels, but none capture my heart and imagination as much the Odd Thomas books. Asking me to pick a favorite Odd tale would be like asking me to pick my favorite episode of Lost. Why not have it all? It’s simply that good. Oddie is back and just as enjoyable as ever.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

When some people hear “historical” and “well researched” their eyes glaze over in anticipation of what most undoubtedly will prove to be a boring read. Not so with Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey! Instead what we get is the story of two men separated by three hundred years yet joined by their love of the sea, treasure, and the pressing need to unburden themselves of resentment for the wrongs done to them by their fathers.

The two main characters at first seem to have little in common. Greg Rhode is a college educated treasure hunter with a secret affinity for bluegrass music. Bold Ted Bascombe is a sixteen year old boy set free from a Dutch slave trader by the famous pirate Captain Henry Thatch.  Their stories weave in and out of each other throughout Pirate Hunter as both fall in love and both try to reconcile their Christian faith with the unresolved pain caused by fathers who failed them miserably.

If Johnny Depp is your idea of a typical pirate you may want to set that aside for the picture Morrisey paints in its place. Captain Hatch and Bold Ted are both believers who worship every Sunday. That is, unless they are claiming a ship as the property of the local governor. The Captain is a man feeling the weight of the contradictions of his life and the path he has led his young protégée down.

The technique used to tell this story works on every level. Morrisey moves us from past to present so smoothly it sometimes takes a moment to remember the characters are separated by three centuries. Though the conclusion leaves a few questions unanswered they are not the important ones. Both characters begin their journey believing treasure is what matters most. And it is; just not the kind they first believe. As always, the greatest treasures are not gold bars and rubies. The most valuable things in life are what are valuable in eternity. Something Bold Ted and Greg Rhode discover together in the most mysterious of all seas, the human heart.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Detective Harry Bosch is called in on what looks to be a typical robbery murder in a convenience store in south Los Angeles. As Bosch explores the crime scene he begins to notice things that don’t add up. A string of evidence leads Harry and the team to a notorious triad member. Just as the case is breaking wide open Bosch gets a message from someone in Hong Kong who is holding his daughter captive. Either he lets his suspect go, or he will never see her again. Driven by determination and fear Harry Bosch catches the next flight to Honk Kong to save his daughter and bring her home.

Michael Connelly serves up this fifteenth installment of his Harry Bosch series in superb fashion. You would think after writing a character for so long that Connelly might begin to lose his edge or run out of great story ideas. Thankfully, neither is true in this case. The Bosch we fell in love with so long ago is evident throughout these pages and we’re reminded once again why Michael Connelly consistently soars to the top of the bestseller lists.

As always we are drawn into the plot through Harry Bosch’s detailed detective work and his commitment to the badge. I love “hitting the streets” with Bosch and chasing down leads and nabbing suspects. Connelly’s meticulous detail never seems overbearing and always serves to effectively drop the reader into the middle of everyday detective work.

Much of this story takes place in Honk Kong and it was fun to see Bosch in a different environment while he searches for his daughter. Along the way he makes unlikely allies and leaves a wake of bodes in true Harry Bosch style that fans have grown to love. Connelly somehow keeps the tension throughout this setting, while at the same time giving us a revealing glimpse into both the beauty and seediness of China’s global metropolis.

The strength of this novel is found in Bosch’s relationship to his daughter. There’s plenty of suspense, action, and hard boiled detective elements to go around, but it all works together to highlight the personal nature of this story. A man desperate to save his daughter no matter what the cost? That’s enough to keep the pages churning for sure.

Readers not familiar with Michael Connelly’s work should be aware that he holds nothing back when it comes to authenticity. All of the language and violence you would expect from a hard nosed detective story are evident here, and readers who are looking for a “lighter story” might take exception.

Whether you are a veteran fan of Harry Bosch or a newbie to this series, Nine Dragons can be enjoyed by all. Michael Connelly is at the top of his game and shows no signs of slowing down.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Young Adult

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Shaley O’Connor has always longed for the father she never knew. Being the teenage daughter of a rock star certainly has its perks, but Shaley would gladly trade all the glamour and spotlight for a chance to meet her dad. However, two of her friends have recently been murdered and it seems like her father may be behind it all. Shaley and her mom, Rayne, delve into the past looking for answers unaware that someone is coming for them both.

Last Breath takes up right where Always Watching left off and immediately we’re pulled in by the tight suspense and mystery surrounding Shaley. We’re treated to a great storytelling device this time around that gives us a glimpse into the past and propels the story ahead. The suspense and mystery elements are strong throughout and Shaley’s spiritual journey never seems forced or manufactured.  Rather the questions and doubts come across as a natural reaction to the fear and turmoil she is facing.

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins continue to shine in a young adult market that so desperately needs quality stories laced with positive messages. Though geared towards teen girls, this series can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone who loves great suspense. Give the Rayne Tour a try and see for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Don’t miss our interview with Brandilyn and Amberly Collins.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Young Adult

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Shaley O’Connor has the kind of life most girls would do anything for: A rock star mom, limitless wealth, and the celebrity status to boot. What teenager wouldn’t want to tour with one of the world’s most famous bands? Unfortunately, the fame soon loses its power and appeal when one of Shaley’s closest friends is murdered back stage at the latest concert. As new evidence comes to light she soon realizes her own life is in danger. Not knowing who to trust, Shaley turns to the God who has always seemed so far to help her in her greatest time of need.

Mother and daughter team Brandilyn and Amberly Collins have stormed onto the YA scene in exhilarating style with this great new series. Always Watching is a fast paced whodunit set against the intriguing backdrop of rock star celebrity. From the opening lines, we are immersed into Shaley’s exciting life as a celebrity’s daughter. It doesn’t take long for us to see that fame is not all its cut out to be. Indeed Shaley’s struggle to balance her public status with her true identity is one of the most interesting aspects of this story.

When you read Brandilyn Collins you expect mystery and thrills, and once again she doesn’t disappoint. Her adult fans will find much to rave about here, while new teen readers will love the youthful voice and perspective that Amberly Collins brings to the table. Underlying the tension and dread is a strong spiritual message about trusting in the God who is always watching over us. In the end we are left with the closure we long for and a promise of even more mystery to come. The Rayne Tour is in full swing and you can guarantee that I won’t miss a show.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Warning! If you haven’t read Farraday Road yet stop here.

Swope’s Ridge continues the story Ace Collins began in his riveting debut work of fiction, Farraday Road. Lije Evans and his cast of characters follow the mystery of Swope’s Ridge to places none of them could have possibly imagined. What began as the hunt for the murderer of his wife becomes Lije’s quest to stop something far bigger than the individual pieces of the mystery.

The stakes are raised as we realize what happened in a sleepy corner of Arkansas was only the precursor to something much more sinister than first believed. The author expands the story this time to include international terrorism and the last soldier of the most infamous of all terrorists, Adolf Hitler. This time around we are carried from Arkansas, to England, to Germany, to Mexico, to Kansas, and back home again on a wild ride of suspense, mystery, and espionage.

Though the stage is much bigger than the first novel, Collins still manages to keep us close to the characters; something that is often lost in sequels. Swope’s Ridge is not a book for readers looking for stereotypical cut outs of characters. Through all the adventure we are presented a sobering look at racism, betrayal, and misplaced loyalties. Once again the plot is tight and the dialogue, engaging. And the really good news … there is no “to be continued” at the end of this one. Though Lije Evans may be back another day, you will be satisfied with the conclusion of the mystery of Swope’s Ride. Very satisfied.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Nick Polchak is a forensic entomologist who understands one thing well … bugs. Everything else about life and people, not so much. And that is what has made Dr. Polchak such an interesting character in all of the novels in Tim Down’s, Bug Man series (Shoo Fly Pie, Chop Shop, First the Dead, and Less Than Dead). In this installment, Nick faces terrorists, possible global disaster, and most frightening of all, the attention of two women demanding he make a choice between them.

In Ends of the Earth, Tim Downs does a good job of telling a big story in a very personal way.  Eco-terrorism is something that is a very real threat and Downs paints the picture of its possibilities with frightening clarity. Few of us realize how fragile our agricultural system is and what the ramifications are if it should collapse. That story is told on a global scale. And, Nick is up to the task to finally identify the threat and help stop it.

It’s the personal side of this story that leaves Nick stymied. Two women from his past are intricately involved in Nick’s investigation. One is vulnerable (recently widowed and about to lose her farm) while the other is tough as nails. The question is, can Nick see beyond his thick-as-lead glasses and read his own heart. That is a asking a lot from a guy, who in seeking to compliment a friend’s wife, said she had the mystery and beauty of a dung beetle.

Give Nick a chance and read Ends of the Earth. The plot is tight, the action intense yet believable, and the characters memorable. In the end, this is a fun read that leaves you thinking about some things you may not have before.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Howard Fiction

Publication Date: August 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

An ancient disease, a modern pandemic, and the one person who offers hope for a cure has been dead for 350 years.

If that blurb on the back of TSI: The Gabon Virus doesn’t grab your attention then this book is not for you. For the rest of us, however, this first in a series of novels written by Paul McClusker and Dr. Walt Larimore offers an exciting new genre of Christian fiction. Thirty years ago, Michael Crichton warned of the potential for a deadly man-made pandemic devastating the planet in The Andromeda Strain. The Gabon Virus builds on that premise but raises the stakes in its introduction of eco-terrorists intent on not just taking the earth back to the stone age but in eliminating the human race altogether.

Though this is a big story taking place on three continents with a large cast of characters the authors do a good job of focusing on a couple of story-lines that are intensely personal and compelling. Dr. Mark Carlson has just joined the Time Scene Investigators after losing his own child to a deadly disease and his inner turmoil threatens to hamper his ability to contribute an answer to a raging epidemic of Ebola in Gabon, Africa. In Gabon, a lone teenage boy runs for his life from the horrors he witnessed in his family’s religious compound not realizing he is a carrier of the disease. And, an American general has issued a kill on site order to stop the boy not realizing the target is his own grandson.

Throw into the mix, a village in England with a graveyard full of black-death victims from the 1600’s and a local legend named the Blue Monk, and you have the makings of a great story. While one boy in Africa may unwittingly threaten death to millions, the body of a long dead monk in England may hold the key to the cure. The authors have revealed another in this series will appear in the near future following the exploits of the Time Scene Investigators to Siberia as they seek to thwart the madness of the Return to Earth eco-terrorists. That is good news. At least we can all sleep soundly until then.

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: August 1^st, 2008

Reviewed by Jake Chism

FBI Agent Patrick Bowers is baffled by his latest case in San Diego. An arsonist has been wreaking havoc on the city leaving no clues as to motive or identity. Meanwhile, a shark researcher from a local aquarium has been kidnapped by a sadistic madman who has only given Bowers a few hours to save her. The only clue left behind is a shocking video clip that reveals the torture the victim is enduring. Patrick races against time to not only save an innocent life, but also to apprehend the monster responsible.

Meanwhile, both cases take a startling turn when a top secret research facility is burned down at a nearby naval base. When the culprit is apprehended, more connections to both cases are brought to light. Soon Bowers discovers a device that was stolen from the naval base, and is shocked when its purpose is revealed. As more and more answers surface Patrick realizes he is in the middle of a grand conspiracy with far reaching implications. He must find the truth at all costs and try to stop the mastermind behind it all, the ever elusive Shade.

Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn. Now in this explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away. The Rook is thriller writing at its highest level. James is a top-notch storyteller that knows exactly how to hook readers with complex storylines, unexpected plot twists, and engaging characters. While reading The Rook, I was reminded of the works of Michael Connelly, James Patterson, and Harlan Coben among others. Yes, this guy is that good!

Patrick Bowers is now becoming one of my favorite literary characters and James does a masterful job of portraying a man who is both a genius in his profession and a novice as a father. Patrick’s relationship with his step-daughter, Tessa, is emotional and real, bringing a welcome dose of family values and heart to the story. While Patrick and Tessa both struggle with their faith, their search for meaning and hope is heartfelt and inspiring.

Steven James is continuing to prove what an amazing talent he is. This one is not to be missed!

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: October 2008

Reviewed by Tim George

After years of producing a number of excellent non-fiction works, Ace Collins has entered the world of fiction with style. His debut novel, Farraday Road, introduces us to Lije Evans and a cast of characters that are hard to forget. The story begins with Lije, a small town attorney, found shot on a dead-end road and his wife dead not far from him. Lije is offered little chance to grieve as his junior law partner is accused of the crime and the Arkansas Bureau of Investigation shows up intent on proving her guilt.

Farraday Road is a classic southern mystery. Lije lives in the biggest house in town and is wealthy from inherited “old money.” His murdered wife is loved by all and remembered as a great benefactor of charity. Each chapter of the book finds Lije drawn deeper and deeper into something that is far bigger than anything little Salem, Arkansas has ever experienced. But don’t be fooled; this is not a little story. The more Lije seeks to answer why someone would kill his wife the bigger the story gets. Everything from old Indian legends to the James Gang to German SS espionage blend together to make for a story with plenty of plot twists and surprises.

This is a story with rich characters and a mystery with incredible implications. I know it’s overused, but this is the kind of book that really is hard to put down. The story flows so seamlessly it is easy to get lost in its magic. The prose and plot are powerful reminding me of Athol Dickson’s first novels (Gar Reed Mysteries). The spiritual themes of the book are presented in the natural conversations of the characters and the setting of the Deep South. Nothing is forced or preachy but at the same time this is not just a clean story. There is a solid spiritual dimension to it.

A word of warning though; Farraday Road ends with the words, “to be continued.” The mystery is not resolved until Collin’s sequel, Swope’s Ridge, is released in October 2009. The good news is I have already read Swope’s Ridge and can guarantee you the story gets even bigger and the mystery is solved with final resolution. I could review Swope’s Ridge for you but I think I’ll let you guess for now. After all, this is a mystery.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: March 1, 2009

Reviewed by Frank Redman

James Scott Bell writes wonderful, character driven stories, consisting of characters that are believable and flawed. They are “everyday people” trying to get along in life. As we read about them, they draw us into their stories and cause us to cheer for them. We ride shotgun, living their life events as they do. Deceived is no exception.

When Liz Towne and her husband, Arty, stumble upon the body of a dead motorcyclist in a canyon, they find the discovery of a lifetime—diamonds. Lots of them. Priceless. And stolen. She argues with her husband on what they should do with the hot ice, and decides to take a path that leads her ever-deeper down a path of deceit, in which she must continuously make choices to keep up the deception, or jump off.

Arty’s sister, Rocky Towne, is an insurance fraud investigator and suspects foul play with Liz, but she’s unable to find proof. We also meet Mac MacDonald, whom Liz takes an interest to and to the church life that Mac now lives. But is her interest real, or part of the deception?

Liz lived through a traumatic childhood. Mac is a veteran suffering from Gulf War Syndrome. Rocky has a scarred face, damage caused after being mauled by a dog as a child, which has a negative impact on her self-esteem, in turn negatively affecting all she does. Bell has breathed depth into each character, bringing them to life on the page. They could be the guy mowing the lawn next door, or the lady putting gas in her car while you’re cleaning your windshield.

This story hit home for me, as my wife and I worked at a children’s home for a few years. Many of the kids suffered some form of abuse. In most of those cases, their parents had in turn suffered abuse, and so the cruelty climbs down the family tree. Love and hope can break the chain, but the effects can manifest in different ways. In Deceived, they lead to the absence of a filter in the mind that allows for the discernment of right and wrong.

There are multiple twists in the storyline and plausible tension throughout. What you expect to happen doesn’t. What does happen is another thought-provoking, wonderful story by James Scott Bell.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: May 2008

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Vera Gamble leads a quiet life as a CPA in Dallas. Haunted by her past, she hides behind the numbers to keep from facing the pain. A stranger calls out of the blue bearing news that forces Vera to remember things that she longs to forget. Her brother, Siggy, has been found dead washed up on the shores of Winter Haven, a small island community just off the coast of Maine. Reluctantly, Vera embarks on the long journey to claim the body of her older brother who has been missing for thirteen years.

Upon arrival at Winter Haven, Vera is instantly aware of how unique this place is. Trees of seemingly unnatural height tower overhead and the streets are lined with antiquated homes and buildings that look as if they have been untouched by time. The people are quite and keep to themselves and seem bothered by the presence of a stranger.

Vera is lead to the old shack where her brother’s body has been preserved. She is shocked to discover that that not only is the body indeed her brother, but he also hasn’t aged a day since he vanished thirteen years ago. Vera stets out on a quest for the truth behind this startling revelation and along the way learns the dark history of Winter Haven. Her search for truth will bring her face to face with her greatest fears and her troubled past. The truth that is uncovered will forever change Vera and the people of Winter Haven.

Athol Dickson is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Winter Haven is further proof of the depth of his talent and his storytelling ability. At its core this is a mystery novel, yet it is so much more. Dickson treats us to a wonderfully drawn story that includes suspense, chills, a hint of romance, and a search for spiritual truth that will resonate with the reader long after the last line.

Dickson’s strength is found in his ability to cause readers to slow down and savor every word. I often find myself flying through the pages of a book that I love, but this time I constantly found myself holding back to enjoy the rich imagery and the methodical character development. Dickson paints word pictures like no one else and he effortlessly drops us into the strange and beautiful world of Winter Haven. Even though we are presented with more and more questions as the story unfolds, Dickson cleverly ties up all the loose ends in a way I never anticipated.

This is Athol Dickson at his best and fans of unique mysteries and suspense will love this story. Clear your schedules, kick back, slow down, and prepare to enjoy every word of this rich, mesmerizing tale.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publisher: Mira

Publication date: June 26, 2007

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

This satisfactory debut novel from Jason Pinter features nearly nonstop action, mostly believable and sympathetic characters, a realistic plot conflict, and a likeable first-person narrator. Armed with a formidable list of endorsers, including James Patterson, Lee Child, and Joseph Finder, the book is well written enough to make this young author successful once he irons out some of the rough areas.

Henry Parker is a fresh-faced 24-year-old reporter for the New York Gazette. Though his personal life isn’t everything he once hoped it might be, he’s thrilled with the opportunity to live out his journalistic ambitions at one of the nation’s most respected institutions. Little does he know his first big assignment could spell not only the end of his career but the end of his life.

After narrowly escaping death at the hands of a crooked police officer while researching a story, Parker finds himself framed for the cop’s murder. Now the target of a nationwide manhunt, he struggles to escape New York while trying to track down leads pointing to the real murderer. Parker spends most of the book trying to stay one step ahead of both the cops and the real criminals as Pinter builds the suspense and mystery right to the climactic final scene.

A fast-paced, entertaining read, The Mark nevertheless suffers from some avoidable rookie bloopers. A few loose connections in the story aren’t quite sewn up, and unfortunate grammatical errors, improper word usage (e.g., confidence instead of conscience), and awkward phrasing serve as obstacles to the reader’s enjoyment as well. On the positive side, the action is intense, and the newspaper backdrop allows for some intelligence behind the intrigue and mystery. Pinter adds some texture by employing a mixed narrative, switching back and forth between first-person and third-person storytelling.

The story is unfortunately marred by foul language and crass humor, and the underlying worldview is one that takes sexuality very lightly, so caution is required. Sophomoric humor and some lame analogies (“my statement sunk in like a hypodermic needle”) betray the author’s inexperience as well. Still, this is a solid first effort from an author who will undoubtedly be entertaining mystery fans for a long time.

Genre: Suspense, Horror

Publisher: Realms

Publication Date: March 2009

Tim George’s Review:

Mike Dellosso stretches his writing wings in his sophomore tale of suspense, Scream. Offering the same intensity and smart pacing as his debut novel, The Hunted, Mike offers even better character studies in both his hero, Mark Stone and Stone’s protagonist, aptly named Judge.

Mark Stone is a hero with problems. His marriage is on the rocks and it’s his fault. What went wrong is doled out in little slices along the way but the hope of seeing things made right seems futile almost from the beginning. As though that isn’t enough to distract a man, Stone has even bigger problems. On several occasions he is talking to various people on the phone only to have the conversation interrupted by unworldly, you guessed it, screams. When he finds those he was talking with dead, our hero knows he is being plunged into a world he had believed to be behind him.

In spite of his disillusionment with the church, Mark Stone is left with nowhere to turn for answers for the hellish screams and resulting deaths except ministers. His conversations with these “men of God” reveal how little some who claim to believe in the spiritual actually do. While Stone is tempted to discount one minister’s explanation, the stakes are raised when a conversation with his estranged wife is interrupted by similar nightmarish sounds. This sets the stage for his ultimate confrontation with the reality of evil and grace.

Dellosso does an excellent job of painting the portrait of the man we know as Judge. This is no two-dimensional villain but rather a complicated man that has experienced deep tragedy in his own life. His misdirected thirst for justice has prompted him to open the door of his heart to a darkness that offers only one horrible option to satisfy that thirst. Time is taken to thoroughly develop the nature of Judge before he and Mark Stone are brought together.

In typical Dellosso style, the story begins fast and races toward its dramatic conclusion from one chapter to the next. In spite of its weighty subject matter it does it with style and suspense. It’s one scream of a ride.

Jake Chism’s Review:

Mark Stone never thought one phone call would turn his world upside down. While driving home one night he receives a call from his friend that is interrupted by a series of horrendous and piercing screams. Immediately after the screams his friend dies in a horrible car accident. As Mark searches for answers, he unwittingly finds himself involved in more similar incidents that lead to more horrible deaths. Things become even more personal when his wife is kidnapped by a madman and the same eerie screams are heard over her desperate phone call for help. Now Mark is in a race against time and evil as he desperately tries to find his wife before he loses her once and for all.

Mike Dellosso has once again brought us an engaging thriller full of gut-wrenching suspense and strong spiritual truth. In his impressive debut, The Hunted, Dellosso stormed onto the scene proving he has what it takes to scare the wits out of his audience while at the same time delivering a challenging and relevant message. Scream ups the ante on all levels bringing us even more terror, more suspense, and ultimately more heart.

Mark Stone is a fallible, yet endearing character that you can’t help but pull for from the opening chapter. His resilient search for truth and meaning provides the perfect backdrop for this incredibly creepy premise. Mark’s struggles as a husband are also effectively explored throughout and help to bring more depth to this intense thrill ride.

There is much controversy surrounding the mix of the horror genre with inspirational fiction. I’m thrilled to see that authors like Mike Dellosso are consistently churning out novels that prove how powerful this type of storytelling can be. Indeed, Scream will have you breathlessly flying through the pages and closely examining your heart at the same time. Mike Dellosso is a bright new talent that demands to be noticed.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Realms

Publication Date: June 2008

Reviewed by Tim George

The Hunted has everything needed for a good suspense novel. A hero that has to learn how to be heroic, a small town (Dark Valley) with a mix bagged of characters for residents, a demented villain driven by forces beyond his control, unseen monsters that lurk in the darkness, and a twist ending that hits you out of right field just when you thought all the loose ends had been tied up.

When Joe Saunders’ nephew turns up missing Joe is drawn back to a place he would just as soon forget. Called by his sister-in-law, Joe returns to the site of a personal failure that has haunted him for years and the love he walked away from without looking back. To complicate matters, that love is now the Chief of Police. Whether Maggie Gill is friend or foe is a large part of the story. She is fourth generation law enforcement and part of a family that has carried a burden for nearly a hundred years known only as “the Secret.”

Something is prowling the woods and back roads of Dark Valley leaving a path of death in its wake. Something that will force Joe Saunders to use every bit of strength and courage he has and then appeal to God for what he does not have. That too is a challenge since Joe hasn’t exactly been on speaking terms with God for some time.

Mike Dellosso breaks all the rules in current Christian fiction: his stories are classic horror, he ignores the current rule of intricate pre-plotting before writing, and he is unapologetic is his direct presentation of overt spiritual themes. I can only hope others will follow his example.

Genre: Suspense, Supernatural

Publisher: NavPress

Publication Date: May 18th, 2007

Frank Redman’s Review:

I have to admit thrillers are my favorite genre. I love the action and the pacing. But even with thrillers, it’s rare when I get so lost in a novel that I’m not mindful of the page numbers as I’m turning pages. Despite the fact Tosca Lee’s DEMON: A MEMOIR is not a thriller and not action oriented, the story is so wonderfully engrossing it literally captured my imagination. I was amazed when, finally cognizant of the act of turning pages, I’d look at the current page number and realize twenty pages just flew by. The story—the writing—is mesmerizing.

The story begins as we join Clay wandering aimlessly in an earthly purgatory. He’s recently divorced, a recovering alcoholic, a failure as a writer, and in a dead-end job. Life has no meaning. Enter Lucian, a mysterious fallen angel who desires to tell his version of biblical history. “I’m going to tell you my story, and you’re going to write it down and publish it.”

DEMON was in my queue to read, but I was in the middle of another book for review. Succumbing to the temptation to look at DEMON, one night I opened it and perused through the first few pages. Just a peek. I soon found myself obsessed with finishing it.

I admired the melodic feel to the words and phrasing. The dialog is also “voiced” well. There were no instances in which I was removed from a scene because of disjointed or boring dialog. The settings are enjoyable with sufficient description to effectively imagine the background, but not so much that it impedes the flow of the story.

Never before have I read a novel that made me really think about my lifelong perceptions of religion, angels, demons, and culturally defined happiness. I gained insight into things I had previously taken for granted—new perspectives. Unfortunately, I cannot provide examples here as they would spoil the impact of the discovery for yourself as you’re engaged with the story. Just as Clay (and I) had to experience these things firsthand, you will have to as well. But let me say traveling through time with Lucian is absolutely worth the trip.

Clay is propelled face-first through spiritual realms while he desperately tries to grasp all that is happening, as best as humanly possible. Lee kills our complacency as we read, constantly changing the character manifestations of Lucian and his demeanor. This does not detract from the enjoyment of the story, but adds to it. We don’t know when or where Lucian is going to appear and we never really know what’s going to happen next. Just when you think you might have something figured out, you’re wrong.

The writing is captivating, the story is riveting, and the themes are enlightening. Lee makes you evaluate what we believe regarding grief, grace, and spiritual beings. I’m thankful I read DEMON. It has jumped high onto the list of my all-time favorite novels.

Kaci Hill’s Review:

I said in my Havah review I’ve been looking forward to reading Tosca Lee’s books since I first started hearing rumors about this demon lurking in Bosnian cafes. Well, Demon: A Memoir was hiding from me but was at last apprehended. And I have to say, again, I’m far from disappointed.  Okay, so the recently-divorced fiction editor, Clay, receives a summons from a demon named Lucian, who has a story to tell that begins one way and ends another.

Demon begins with a tone dark and tense, full of conflict, with the story of a man in transit with his life. Honestly, the demon is compelling, and I was a little unnerved at my own appreciation for his storytelling presence. This command is, in fact, Lee’s ability to combine intensity and beauty manifesting itself once again. It’s the subtle attention to detail that, once more, is full of surprises. Even Clay’s name has a purpose.

There are two stories going: Lucian’s narrative, and Clay’s life as it’s further affected by the conflict imposed on him by his personal demon, and the two quickly become one.  Unfortunately a great deal of what I would like to say is too wrapped up in spoilers. The end is definitely not what I was expecting, almost a challenge.

Once again, Lee covers an extensive amount of ground and subject matter: creation, the Fall, the nature of man, the nature of God, how they related to one another, sin and redemption, spiritual warfare – honestly, it’s all in there.  Oh, yes, and the temptation of the angels. I almost wish I’d read Demon first and Havah second, even though the order doesn’t actually matter because they’re stand-alone titles, if only because the thought of reading Lucian’s account before Havah’s is intriguing to me personally.  I’m definitely looking forward to whatever comes next.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Center Street/Hachette Book Group

Publication Date: April 14^th, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Ryan Evans has served his country well as an intelligence officer for the navy. On the other hand his role as a husband and a father has been lacking at best. When a mission goes wrong near Fallujah, Ryan comes face to face with a horrific reality causing him to reflect on his own personal failures. After a narrow escape Ryan vows to return home a better man for his wife and his daughter, Bethany.

Meanwhile in Austin, TX, new evidence has come to light regarding the capture of the serial killer known as Boneman. Two years ago Boneman went on a rampage capturing young girls and then torturing them by breaking all of their bones without breaking their skin. Boneman was finally captured, but the new evidence suggests they have the wrong man. Their suspicions are confirmed when the real Boneman captures Bethany Evans soon after her father returns from Iraq. Ryan will now stop at nothing to save his daughter from this monster. Unfortunately for Ryan, the FBI is convinced that he is Boneman.

Ted Dekker has sold more than three million copies of his titles and Boneman’s Daughters shows us why. With an astonishing twenty-three novels in nine years, Dekker has done what many authors fail to do after time: he only continues to get better.  This latest installment easily showcases the best writing of his short, yet illustrious career.

This well crafted plot is packed with tension and suspense. Dekker gives just the right amount of information to keep us hooked, but never enough to spoil the ride or reveal the final destination. Each of the main characters are wondrously brought to life, and the twisted glimpses into Boneman’s world are terrifying and disturbing. Dekker has crafted his share of memorable villains, but Boneman may be his darkest creation yet.

While I was effortlessly drawn in by the mystery and relentless pacing of this story, my favorite aspect was the personal struggle of Ryan Evans. This is a brilliant, yet flawed character that has completely made a mess of his life. Ryan’s resolve to make things right is the driving force that fuels this story along. In the end we are left with perfect closure and a fitting message of redemption that resonates loud and clear.

Boneman’s Daughters is Ted Dekker’s first book not published by Thomas Nelson. While that relationship continues, it’s great to see a publisher like Center Street/Hachette making an effort to get this story out to the masses. I hope this move will introduce Dekker and his writing to a whole new host of fans who have truly been missing out on some of the best storytelling around.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Face of Betrayal co-authored by Fox News Legal Analyst Lis Wiehl and April Henry, is the first in a promised series of four called the Triple Threat Novels. And, with acknowledgments from the likes of Bill O’Riley, Sean Hannity, and Nancy Grace there is no doubt a lot of people will read this book. The question is will they find a great story once they open the cover?

There high school classmates find a common bond in their ten year reunion and a chocolate desert called, the Triple Threat. One is a Federal Prosecutor, another FBI special agent, and the third a TV reporter. As the story begins, it is apparent they have shared their resources in the past to solve various cases. When a 17 year old US Senate page disappears, the three find themselves in the center of her apparent kidnapping.

There is much to like about Wiehl’s first outing in Christian fiction. The pace is fast without sacrificing character development making for a quick and interesting read. Wiehl brings a wealth of knowledge from her experience with the Washington inside to an otherwise oft-told story: wealthy family involved in a kidnapping, powerful politician obstructing justice, etc … What brings real life to Face of Betrayal is its description of justice and journalistic procedures without becoming bogged down bogged down in needless detail.

While an excellent freshman effort, this suspense novel has a few distracting drawbacks. Most notable is the hurried up feel of the ending. Too much is introduced too late in the story and then lose ends are tied up in ways that feel more forced than necessary. The end result is a mixed bag. Perhaps by the time the sequel arrives the writing will have been tightened up. I hope so.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: May 26^th, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Jack McEvoy made headlines when he helped track down a deadly serial killer early in his career. These days he is being forced out of the Los Angeles Times because of budget cuts. It seems the world has forgotten about the hero reporter who avenged his brother’s death. Just as Jack is ready to throw in the towel, he catches wind of a story that might just allow him to go out with a bang. As Jack digs deeper he soon discovers that the newspaper may be done with him, but a deadly new killer is certainly not.

We first met Jack McEvoy in Michael Connelly’s highly acclaimed novel, The Poet. Many consider that first introduction of the character to be Connelly’s finest work, surpassing even the dearly loved Harry Bosch novels. Thankfully, Connelly decided to prove to us all that Jack McEvoy is anything but a one hit wonder.

The Scarecrow is the perfect blend of vintage Connelly with a welcome dose of tech savvy thriller. While The Poet dealt much more with the daily life of a beat reporter, this time around we get more action layered with the perfect amount of detail. One of Connelly’s trademarks is his thoroughness, giving the audience an all access pass into the lives of his characters. While that element is still strong throughout here, it almost feels like Connelly holds back just enough to let the characters tell the story. The Scarecrow has a much tighter, fast paced feel that makes for an even better read than The Poet.

Rachel Walling is of course back and Connelly does a masterful job of portraying the ache of old flames and the hope of what might be. Jack and Rachel have both matured in different ways, yet they can’t deny the spark that never died. Their relationship feels like a natural overflow of the story and even helps carry the tension along as the plot unfolds.

The Scarecrow himself is a deeply disturbing villain whose weapon is the one thing that makes us all vulnerable: technology. This is a whole new frightening breed of serial killer, and Connelly wondrously brings this character to life through some riveting third person narrative.

What sets The Scarecrow apart from the rest is the character of Jack McEvoy. Michael Connelly nails every aspect of this veteran reporter with an unyielding sense of justice. The use of the first person is second to none here and the switching from first to third person throughout works as a clever storytelling device.

Millions of Michael Connelly fans wait with bated breath for the next Harry Bosch novel, and rightly so. I, however, can’t help but hope that we haven’t seen the last of Jack McEvoy.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bantam Books

Publication Date: November 25th, 2008

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Ryan Perry made a fortune after he created the internet’s largest social networking website. Only thirty-four years old, Ryan is one of the wealthiest men in the country and has everything a man could want. Even his love life is better than he could have hoped, and he has no doubt Samantha is the one he will spend the rest of his life with.

One fateful day while Ryan is surfing he feels an intense pain in his chest, scaring him enough to visit the doctor. His worst fears are confirmed when he discovers he needs a heart transplant to live. As Ryan waits for a donor his world is torn apart by strange events and suspicions that he has no answer for. He begins to believe that those who are closest to him may be responsible for his medical condition. His search for the truth will lead him down a dark road that could destroy him in ways he never imagined.

Your Heart Belongs to Me might be one of the most unique novels of Koontz’s career. Depending on your perspective, that can be good or bad. It’s hard to fit this story into one clear cut genre. While there are terrifying moments, this is not a horror novel. Much of the story is full of drama, emotion, and romance, yet this is not a typical love story. This novel is very suspenseful, but driven at a much slower pace than Koontz’s previous works.

Much of Koontz’s early career was highlighted by suspenseful stories with both supernatural and horror elements. Many of his die hard fans still want that from him, and subsequently are quick to turn on his later works that are full of powerful explorations of light overcoming the darkness. While I enjoy many of the vintage Koontz novels, I have also thoroughly enjoyed his more recent approach to storytelling. This latest offering is certainly no exception.

In my book, no one equals Koontz when it comes to prose and dialogue. Those strengths shine here, but what carries this story is the character of Ryan Perry. His journey is full of struggle, hope, torment, and redemption. Koontz gives us a rich guy that has everything, and he still makes us care for and hurt alongside him at every turn. We’re able to see through the riches and security Ryan has built up around him and look into the heart of a person who is frightened by the realities of life and death. As we’re drawn deeper into the story, we are effectively drawn deeper into Ryan’s life, making this a more profound, heartfelt tale.

While the pacing of this story is slower than we’ve come to expect from Koontz, in no way does it take away from the suspense. Ryan’s paranoia about his situation and his search for truth amidst a world of confusion makes for a very addictive read. This is also one of the most spiritual themed novels Koontz has written and maybe one of the most poignant. In the end, Koontz delivers a great little twist that is both powerful and sobering. Even if you are aching for some classic Koontz give this one a chance and enjoy yet another wondrously crafted tale from the master.

Genre: Horror, Suspense

Publisher: Faithwords

Publication Date: May 28th, 2009

Frank Redman’s Review:

Dennis Shore is a successful horror novelist but has suffered one of life’s greatest tragedies in the past year, the death of his wife. “When stricken by a paralyzing case of writer’s block and a looming deadline, Dennis becomes desperate.” He plagiarizes an unstable fan’s manuscript, setting off a chain of events and the pursuit of violent revenge that threatens his sanity and the lives of his daughter and friends.

This was a difficult review for me to write. I’m a fan of the horror genre, but loathe the excessive profanity, sexual content, and gratuitous gore that so many writers in the genre depend on to make an impact with the reader. I had not previously read a Travis Thrasher novel, so I was excited to see what he had to offer.

It would be an injustice to the readers of this review, to myself, and ultimately to the author if I merely stated “This book is great—read it,” and was negligent in revealing some disappointment. The fan in me loved this story. The critic in me found some minor negatives.

I was concerned a few pages in whether I would truly enjoy it. The story took a while to develop and incidents occurred that seemed disjointed from the plot. The dialog felt forced. There are some editing errors, for example, the wrong pronoun used (p.17 “Did you threaten you?” The first “you” should be “she.”). To the author’s defense, it is tricky starting a novel, establishing the plot and characters, and simultaneously hooking the reader. If you stop reading this book because of these flaws, you’ll miss out on what simply can be defined as an extraordinarily good story. I’m incredibly grateful I stuck with it.

Yet there was still one more thing that frustrated me—I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! This… was a good feeling. For thrill-seekers, GHOSTWRITER is very much like the beginning of a monster rollercoaster. After climbing that first big hill (having time to look around, check your watch, shift around in your seat…), the rest flies at you in an eye-watering rush and your focus is dominated by what’s coming in the next stage of the ride. Kudos, Mr. Thrasher.

When you read a scary story and you’re not really sure what’s going on, but just when you think you’ve nailed it, something unexpected happens and your perception is shattered, that is the outline of a great horror story. That’s a great story, period. That is what GHOSTWRITER is.

It’s easy to develop compassion for Dennis Shore and identify with his grief, lack of faith, and his struggles with what’s real and what’s not. While it’s a remarkably frightening story, it is also an emotional love story. The reader feels Shore’s nightmarish fears and also his gut-wrenching sorrow.

Shore bounces in and out of lucidity so the reader cannot always discern what is real and what is the product of his poor mental health. This element can be difficult to pull off while mitigating reader confusion, but Thrasher makes good use of the technique, effectively keeping the reader guessing.

While this may sound like just a scary love story, do not be deceived. It is a full-on horror novel. Unspeakable supernatural evil tries to destroy the very essence of Shore’s life with an unhealthy serving of shocking violence.

GHOSTWRITER is an emotionally intricate masterwork of how evil can destroy us and love can redeem us.  Thrasher has proved to me to be an exceptional storyteller.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Jake Chism’s Review:

Dennis Shore has made quite a name for himself as a bestselling horror novelist. Every year his rabid fans anxiously anticipate the release of his new and terrifying creation. What his fans don’t know is that this year things aren’t what they seem with his new book. Sure it’s scary and addicting, some would even say his best work yet. Although his name may be on the cover, Dennis Shore didn’t write this book. Unfortunately for Dennis, the man who did write it is out to get him. And Dennis Shore will pay.

Like the fictional Dennis Shore, Travis Thrasher himself has begun to make quite a name for himself in the horror genre. Isolation proved that Thrasher has what it takes to scare the wits out of his audience while challenging them at the same time. Ghostwriter takes Thrasher’s writing to a whole new level of terror and heart.

From the opening lines we are effortlessly drawn in with Thrasher’s delectable prose and revealing insight into the mind of a novelist. Dennis Shore is an endearing character that demands our compassion because of the struggles life has thrown him. Yet on the other hand the more we get to know Dennis our compassion only grows as we realize how fallible he is.

The horror elements are very strong throughout as Dennis goes head to head with a madman that will stop at nothing to see him suffer. Ghostwriter truly offers some of Thrasher’s most disturbing scenes to date. Time after time I wanted to look away, but the quality of Thrasher’s writing made it impossible to do so. As the story progresses and truth is brought to life we are treated with a wondrous display of light in the midst of the deepest darkness.

Travis Thrasher only continues to astonish me with not only the quality of his writing, but his ability to tell powerful stories. It’s rare to find an author who can take us to places we don’t want to go in order to bring us to a place we long to be. Ghostwriter is the kind of gem that comes along far too seldom; displaying the kind of writing that deserves to be devoured by the masses.