Mystery Books - Page 5

The Oath

Frank Peretti

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 311 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Peretti weaves a dark story with a bright message 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

After a camping trip gone wrong in Hyde River, Cliff Benson's body is found savagely mutilated. Cliff's wife, Evelyn, escapes but has no recollection of what killed her husband. It's declared a bear attack but Cliff's brother, Steve, feels there's more than what is being told. Steve sets out on his own expedition to find out what exactly killed his brother in Hyde River. But, as Steve ventures further into the town he meets the local characters, Harold Bly, Doug Ellis, Sheriff Collins and a cooky mechanic named Levi Cobb. Steve soon discovers that there is a dark Oath of secrecy protecting the town's deepest and darkest secret.

Sounding more like a Stephen King novel, then a piece of Christian fiction Frank Peretti keeps you on the edge of your seat with his wonderfully dark story of sin in it's truest form. The character's are all believable and everyone seems to play a role in the keeping the secret of the Oath. It's one of those books that you say that after one more page you'll stop reading but the suspense is so intriguing that you can't. Word of warning to anyone who is expecting a happy go-lucky story written by a Christian author: the story is VERY dark. Please don't start this book late at night either. You'll lose some sleep.

Editorial Review:

Under cover of darkness, something evil is at work in Hyde River, an old mining town deep in the mountains. Its latest victim, nature photographer Cliff Benson, was brutally killed while camping -- and his wife Evelyn has been driven nearly mad by what she saw, but she can't remember what it was. The sheriff thinks a rogue bear killed Cliff. But townspeople whisper -- and Cliff's death is just the latest in a long string of bizarre "accidents." Cliff's brother Steve is determined to find out the truth about what's concealed in the old caverns near Hyde River, a mystery that the local folk legends only hint at.

A Penny for Your Thoughts (The Million Dollar Mysteries, Book 1)

Mindy Starns Clark

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Start to a Promising New Series 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.

Callie Webber is looking forward to a week's rest as soon as she drops off one last check for her boss Tom. But when Wendell Smythe says that it's only a loan to Feed the Need and not a gift, Callie finds herself with an hour's paperwork to do. Returning to his office with the proper forms all filled out, she finds Wendell dead. The police quickly rule it a murder and ask Callie to stay in town as a material witness. Then Tom asks Callie to investigate. And how can she turn her boss down?

Staying with the Smythes gives Callie easy access to her prime suspects. But beneath the surface of a seemingly happy family lurks some sinister secrets. Who is leaving threatening messages for Sidra? What drove Sidra and Derek apart? What was going on at the company? And does this have anything to do with the murder?

Meanwhile, Callie is finding her own emotions hard to deal with. Being around this much sadness and death is reminding her too much of the death of her own husband. Can God help her deal with her own renewed emotions and solve the case?

The titles of this series really intrigued me, so I decided to give the first a try. It was certainly worth it. Callie was a very human character and I found myself chocking up on more then one occasion with the hurt she was going through. She's also strong and fun to hang out with. While the story started a little slow, it gained speed quickly. The twists came so fast in the final 100 pages I stayed up much later then was wise to finish. I never saw the ending coming, either.

If the rest of the series is this good, I can't wait to read it. The author has won herself a new fan.

Editorial Review:

Callie’s latest assignment—go to Philadelphia and present an old family friend of Tom’s (her employer) with a check for $250,000. Wendell Smythe heads a relief organization and needs immediate funds. When Callie goes to his office, check in hand, she discovers him dead on the floor. At Tom’s request, Callie moves into Smythe’s home and begins a murder investigation. But it’s a dangerous place to be, for the family has secrets they would rather not have uncovered.

Callie’s only hope is that God will help her use her investigative skills to discover the murderer and escape the web of deceit that surrounds her.

This fast–paced, inspirational mystery series will delight readers with its hint of romance and strong heroine 

The Divine Appointment

Jerome Teel

Amazon Price: $10.40 List Price: $13.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Howard Books Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $7.59

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Book Review of The Divine Appointment 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. The writer has a great insight and talent. I did not want to lay the book down.

Divine Appointment ~Reviewed 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It was an interesting story but kind of confusing, as Teel went into detail about the inner workings of the Presidency: his assistant and the security team that handles different things for the President. Teel also went through the whole election process of a Judge and the detailed workings of that process.

I found myself checking back to see who was the assistant to the President and who was the Assistant to the Majority speaker. It has many characters and a couple of court room dramas, playing out at the same time along with a couple people getting killed in their investigations. It has a good ending and in parts it was suspenseful.

But you don't leave the book thinking, "Wow - that was good." He has some really good points to make in the book about politics and religion; one being a lawyer who is faced with getting real with Jesus in all areas of his life.

Reviewed by Nora St. Laurent

Editorial Review:

"They aren't hiding just one something, but a bunch of somethings..."

Jessica Caldwell hates the day she met him, and she hates him even more. But now the two of them will be connected forever...

Eli Faulkner is one of the best trial lawyers in Tennessee. It's what he lives for -- righting injustices. When he's called upon to defend Tag Grissom, an arrogant cardiologist accused of murder, he fi nds himself wondering, could this be more than just a case?

Holland Fletcher has always wanted to be a true investigative journalist, but he's never really stepped up to the plate. That is, until he receives an anonymous tip and is plunged into a dangerous realm of intrigue and murder that involves not only the Supreme Court, but the entire nation.

The Guardian (The O'Malley Series #2)

Dee Henderson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 45 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

NOT MY CUP OF TEA 2 out of 5 stars.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful.

I am aware that this novel falls into the Christian literature classification, however the spiritual conflict as well as the romantic aspect of the story falls short and the family dynamic is improbable. As for the "she saw the killer and now she's at risk, so let's send in Mr. Wonderful to protect her", the story has been done to death.

This could, however, be a perfect vehicle for the WE (women's entertainment) cable network to purchase and produce. (All of their shows seem to be of this caliber). The story is sugary, Marcus O'Malley comes across as a combination of Clint Eastwood and Robert Young, and the women in the story are generally portrayed as helpless, in need of a man's love and protection in order to survive. All in all, there isn't a really believable character in the book. (1 1/2 stars)

Editorial Review:

A federal judge has been murdered. There is only one witness, and an assassin wants her dead. U.S. Marshall Marcus O'Malley thought he knew the risks of the assignment . . . but he was wrong.

Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.

By Reason of Insanity

Randy Singer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

After a series of kidnappings and murders in Virginia Beach, newspaper reporter Catherine O'Rourke experiences disturbing dreams that detail each crime. In an effort to aid the investigation, she shares them with her confidential source--a detective working on the case. Catherine's intimate knowledge of the crimes immediately makes her a prime suspect. When scientific evidence corroborates her guilt, she's arrested and charged with murder. As she begins to doubt her own innocence, Catherine turns to Las Vegas lawyer Quinn Newberg, a high-priced specialist in the insanity defense. Quinn believes in justice, Vegas-style. But he doesn't believe in the supernatural, or that Catherine's dreams are anything other than the result of a fractured personality disorder. Who can understand the human mind? Quinn knows that insanity cases are unpredictable, but nothing had prepared him for this! To win, or even survive, Quinn will need more than his famed legal maneuvering and biting skepticism. On this case, he needs a miracle.

Directed Verdict

Randy D. Singer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the face of injustice, one person committed to a holy cause can make a difference. This is the story of how one lawyer, confronted with the martyrdom of a Christian missionary, stands up to injustice despite seemingly insurmountable odds.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, two American missionaries are targeted by the infamous religious police–the Muttawa. The man is tortured and killed; his wife arrested on trumped-up charges before being deported to the U.S.

Compelled by the injustice of her plight, young attorney Brad Carson files an unprecedented civil rights suit against Saudi Arabia and the ruthless head of the Muttawa. But the suit unleashes powerful forces that will stop at nothing to vindicate the Arabian kingdom. Witnesses are intimidated and some disappear, jurors are bribed, and a member of Brad’s own team may be attempting to sabotage the case.

As Brad navigates a maze of treachery and deception, he must gamble his case, his career, and the lives of those he loves–including brilliant co-counsel Leslie Conners–on the ability of his team to bring justice to one family, challenge the religious intolerance of a nation, and alter the course of international law.

Ever Present Danger (Phantom Hollow Series #1)

Kathy Herman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Can You Ever Escape Your Past?

At eighteen, popular Ivy Griffith likes nothing better than getting stoned with her boyfriend, Pete, and his basketball buddies–until one afternoon when a nightmare unfolds. Ivy watches in horror as her boyfriend and his friends murder a teammate and bury his body in a remote location. The four friends make a pact to keep the killing quiet, and Ivy flees her parents’ Colorado home for college and never looks back.

Now, after ten years of numbing her guilt with drugs, she’s finally clean. The single mom of a seven-year-old son, Montana, Ivy returns home to the tiny town of Jacob’s Ear, hoping for courage to reveal the shocking truth of her past and be rid of this baggage forever.

But when disaster strikes at her high school reunion, she’s the only one left alive who witnessed that fateful night so long ago…Or is she? Who else could’ve known about the pact and who would want Pete and his co-conspirators dead? As the investigation heats up and the death toll rises, Ivy is forced to decide if confessing the truth is really worth risking her own life.

When Did We Lose Harriet?

Patricia Sprinkle

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Patricia Sprinkle is a very convincing writer 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book a couple of years ago. I didn't know who Patricia Sprinkle was at the time. I loved the book, and I loved the way each character is brought to life by Ms. Sprinkle. They all seem so real, like someone you've met, or known before. I also like the way that she put a list of each character's name, and the role that they each play in the story in the front of the novel. That was very convenient. I didn't have to wonder who was who, and who did what. It would be great if all writers would do that in their books.

Editorial Review:

A teenage girl has been missing from her Montgomery, Alabama, home for six weeks. What’s amazing is other people’s lack of concern. Just one person cares that she’s gone: a spunky amateur sleuth on the sunset end of sixty. Armed with razor-sharp insight, a salty wit, and tenacious faith, MacLaren Yarbrough follows a trail of clues -- a wisp of a hint, a shadow of a lie -- in search of answers to questions that come hot and fast and that grow increasingly alarming.

Shadow of Doubt (Newpointe 911 Series #2)

Terri Blackstock

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Predictable 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.

After reading the 1st book in the series and knowing "whodunit" throughout most of the book, I thought I would give this series another shot. About 50 pages into the book I knew who the criminal was. I never finished this series. However, I have enjoyed other books by Terri Blackstock.

A wonderful Story 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The story begins in Celia and Stan Shepherd's house on Mill Street in a small city named Newpointe. The day had gone along just as every other day except for the fact that during the night Stan had a horrible stomach ache and was terribly dizzy.
The doctor's do lab work on Stan's blood and they see that he has been poisoned by arsenic. Celia is traumatized and becomes very quiet. When questioned it comes to the front that her previous husband was poisoned the same way and he died. However, she had been the one who had been tried and came very close to being convicted. Fortunately the charges were dropped when one of the lawyers went a little too far and started to sound biased.
Throughout this whole story Celia is trying to put her life back together and she is trying to keep her world from falling down. Her friends and even some of her closest family members turn their backs on her. It seems to her as if someone is trying to sabotage her and trying to make her look very much like the killer. The police officers are convinced that she is the murderer and so are many readers. Throughout the whole story different things are happening and it seems as if every minute something new is happening. As different people are introduced into the story it seems as if the suspects change so you never really know who did it.
The ending is extremely surprising and many other readers agree with me.

Editorial Review:

Book two in the Newpointe 911 series in which Celia Shepherd is arrested for the attempted murder of her husband, Stan.

Amber Morn (Kanner Lake Series #4)

Brandilyn Collins

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Fitting Finale 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is probably Brandilyn's best novel to date, and I've read them all, from her Bradleyville Series (women's fiction), to her Chelsea Adams and Hidden Faces Series', and finally the Kanner Lake Series. Before I read Amber Morn, I had stated unequivocally that Crimson Eve, the third book in the Kanner Lake set was the best. I was wrong. Amber Morn is a masterpiece of page-turning suspense with a cast of dozens. How Brandilyn managed to keep everyone straight is beyond me. Something I could never imagine attempting myself. And her mastery of plot twists and surprises hold true to form - and then some.

This one's a bit different because you know who the bad guys are. They're right there 'in your face.' You just don't know what' they're going to do next.

It is tricky to review a book of Brandilyn's without giving away any plot twists or spoilers of any sort, so I'll stop right here.

I can say this. Don't read this book out of sequence. Matter of fact, I highly recommend--if you haven't already--start with book one, Violet Dawn, then Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, and finally Amber Morn. At the very least, read Crimson Eve before you read Amber Morn. If you like suspense, you'll LOVE this series.

Editorial Review:

In book four of the Kanner Lake Series, a Saturday morning celebration at Java Joint coffee shop for the “Scenes and Beans” bloggers turns into terror when three gunmen burst into the coffee shop, shoot one person, and hold the rest hostage. Their demand: the world’s attention. The stakes: the lives of over a dozen Kanner Lake citizens.