The Last Word
Sophie Trace Trilogy Book 2
by Kathy Herman
Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher:Xlibris distributed by Gardners
Published:29 May 2009
ISBN:978-1-434-76785-1
GoodBookStall Review:
Vanessa Jessup – daughter of Police Chief, Brill – takes centre stage in the second instalment of the Sophie Trace trilogy. As her existence was only alluded to in the first book, Vanessa’s character as the middle child is brought to life when she finds herself in a very precarious situation. After becoming romantically involved with her college professor, Vanessa discovers she is pregnant and is pressured by her commitment-phobic lover to get an abortion. While she recognises that this would in fact be the easiest option, her Christian upbringing and personal convictions about the sanctity of life convince her otherwise. When the father of her unborn child flees the scene, Vanessa is compelled to leave college and return to her parents’ home in Sophie Trace – despite fears of disappointing them.
The drama continues as Brill, not only having to come to terms with her daughter’s surprise pregnancy announcement, also faces a very real threat on her life. A convicted wife-beater and murderer, who Brill helped put behind bars, is released and is out to take revenge on those police offers involved in his arrest. Time and resources are running out as she fights to protect herself – and her colleagues – from the man who has sworn to kill her.
A vast improvement on the first book of the series, “The Last Word” is gripping, fast-paced and emotional. While some of the characters are still a little flat, and a few phrases have been over-used, the storyline is much more dynamic. More importantly, the gospel message is explained thoroughly and repeatedly in a number of different scenarios. The author deals with the pregnancy situation very sensitively, and conveys well the issues that a backslidden Christian would struggle with in our secular culture.
Reviewer: Sarah Broady (26/03/11)
Vanessa Jessup – daughter of Police Chief, Brill – takes centre stage in the second instalment of the Sophie Trace trilogy. As her existence was only alluded to in the first book, Vanessa’s character as the middle child is brought to life when she finds herself in a very precarious situation. After becoming romantically involved with her college professor, Vanessa discovers she is pregnant and is pressured by her commitment-phobic lover to get an abortion. While she recognises that this would in fact be the easiest option, her Christian upbringing and personal convictions about the sanctity of life convince her otherwise. When the father of her unborn child flees the scene, Vanessa is compelled to leave college and return to her parents’ home in Sophie Trace – despite fears of disappointing them.
The drama continues as Brill, not only having to come to terms with her daughter’s surprise pregnancy announcement, also faces a very real threat on her life. A convicted wife-beater and murderer, who Brill helped put behind bars, is released and is out to take revenge on those police offers involved in his arrest. Time and resources are running out as she fights to protect herself – and her colleagues – from the man who has sworn to kill her.
A vast improvement on the first book of the series, “The Last Word” is gripping, fast-paced and emotional. While some of the characters are still a little flat, and a few phrases have been over-used, the storyline is much more dynamic. More importantly, the gospel message is explained thoroughly and repeatedly in a number of different scenarios. The author deals with the pregnancy situation very sensitively, and conveys well the issues that a backslidden Christian would struggle with in our secular culture.
Reviewer: Sarah Broady (26/03/11)
