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 Christian Fiction: Contemporary Mystery/Suspense

Archive - Book Titles reviewed - W

The Witness by Dee Henderson I should have guessed that this was a book that ‘grabbed’ you, and that you had to read through to the end as quickly as possible. Satisfyingly exciting, with romantic and ‘who dunnit’ interest, the story is set in an un-named town in the USA, it starts with a multiple murder, and you wonder where it can possibly go from there! The intrigue and excitement mount, right through to the bitter sweet ending. Highly recommended. Review by Mary Bartholomew  (21/12/06)

When the Devil Whistles by Rick Acker An enjoyable thriller with well-rounded characters set in the shadowy world of the professional whistle-blower. Allie inserts herself into various companies as a ‘temp.’ accountant to collect evidence of fraud and corruption involving government money; Connor, a Christian lawyer, handles the legal side and the company that hides her identity. Her high success rate, however, attracts the unwelcome attentions of the unscrupulous. Her cover is blown and blackmail and betrayal follow. The author works for the California Department of Justice and his loving detailing of legal procedures is, on occasion, slightly overdone. Also, the sub-plot involving Koreans on a salvage boat comes across as almost an entirely separate story that only connects with the rest in the final few chapters. Overall, though, the quality of the writing and characterisation overrides these quibbles. “You find out who you are when the devil whistles” is the theme: Connor’s struggles to define and remain true to his ethical principles in the face of much pressure, and Allie’s painful process of self-discovery when her world implodes, make fascinating reading. Review by Diane Morrison  (28/05/11)

Winds Cove by Rebecca J Hammond Jackie is a teenager who doesn’t fit in at school. She lives with her sister and her sister’s husband, and life should be happy, but it isn’t, and she spends many hours daydreaming on a nearby shore. Her Mother has died, and Father is nowhere around. Gradually as new people move into her life, things change. She solves the local mystery, meets her Father, makes a friend, and comes to realise that God is there through all her ups and downs. A story set in New England, that I thoroughly enjoyed. The setting could have been anywhere similar; I was well able to give my imagination full rein. Review by Mary Bartholomew  (28/07/05)

Winter Haven by Athol Dickson Siggy is or rather was, an autistic savant, dearly loved by his Mother and sister Vera, but misunderstood by his healer/preacher Father who cannot cope with the fact that he cannot heal his own wife or son. Siggy runs away and Vera is left alone with her Father traumatised by events. Thirteen years later, Siggy’s body is found on a remote island off the coast off Maine, looking exactly as when he disappeared. The Father is now in a home suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, so there is nothing for it but for Vera to set off alone to identify the body. The island seems to be a scary place with people not as they first seem, and I stayed up late into the night to reach the end. I was very glad I did as the happy ending is not at all what you would expect. Review by Mary Bartholomew  (06/07/09)

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