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 Christian Fiction: Contemporary Mystery/Suspense

The Dead Saint by Marilyn Brown Oden This is a fast moving, well written and enjoyable novel of international intrigue and murder that begins on the streets of New Orleans and ends in the Oval office at the White House. The story starts with an apparent random shooting of a New Orleans Saints football player, continues through the tortuous realms of Balkan politics until with the assassination of a head of state it moves to the very heart of the American political system. Bishop Lynn Peterson becomes increasingly embroiled in a plot involving a mysterious Balkan secret society and deception at the highest level, and the lives of her husband and she herself are at risk as she wrestles with questions of trust, mental and physical pressure and most important of all, the spiritual dimension of her experience. Visit the author's website >> Review by George Taylor  (24/11/11)

I Shall Not Want - The Psalm 23 Mysteries by Debbie Viguié I didn’t read the first of these mysteries – I wish I had! Cindy Preston has scarcely recovered from the traumas she encountered in the first book, before she is plunged into another mystery involving several of the characters from The Lord is My Shepherd and introducing others. The back of the book gives an excellent pr&éacute;cis - It’s Thanksgiving and Joseph Tyler, one of the members of Cindy’s church, has organized a new charity that provides homeless people with rescue dogs to love and care for. But one by one, the homeless recipients are being murdered and their dogs stolen. Could an overly competitive millionaire with his prize-winning pooches and a grudge be behind the crimes? Or could it be someone much closer to Joseph who has something sinister to hide? Cindy and Jeremiah must rush to find a killer before he strikes again. I couldn’t have put it better. A book to sit down and keep reading till you reach the end – enjoy! Review by Mary Bartholomew  (05/11/11)

Diagnosis Death - Prescription for Trouble series by Richard L. Mabry This is another book from The Prescription for Trouble Series, and again full of suspense with a little romance thrown in. Still set in a medical environment but that would be expected due to the author’s profession and the series format. Mabry has not over jargonised the book nor made the story unrealistic. This is the second book by Mabry I have read and it has left me guessing all the way through which I like. As the previous book I reviewed in this series, Medical Error this book was quick to read although 302 pages long. The chapters were broken up by scene breaks which I find handy especially if I’m really tired or short on time and I can’t indulge in a full chapter. There are references in this book to racial prejudices towards the lead character for being Hispanic and her colleague who is black which I find sad that this is still a part of the American society especially in Texas and Mabry is using the book to illustrate that racism still exists in the US. Maybe a topic for prayer. If this book was to be read in a book club there are some interesting discussion questions at the end. Again a good read and I would definitely read more of Mabry’s stuff. Review by Zoë Stevenson  (05/11/11)

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)

The Bishop - Patrick Bowers Thriller Book 4 by Steven James Fourth in the chess-themed series featuring RBI agent, Pat Bowers, The Bishop continues the author’s exploration of evil, morality and what it means to be human. Slightly less gory than its predecessors, this episode fleshes out the characters of some of the supporting cast, making them less stereotypical and more interesting. It also manages to consider deep issues while still maintaining the requisite pace and action. It is not absolutely necessary to have read the preceding three; the book stands alone and will appeal to any devotees of the genre. The villains are still appallingly fiendish and unnaturally clever, the maverick cop is still hampered by his antagonistic superiors and distracted by his personal life, and things are never quite resolved at the end – leading the reader neatly into the next sequel. This reader found the abrupt changes of viewpoint shifting from the first to the third person irritating, but others consider it inspired! Well-written, intelligent, but not for the faint-hearted. Review by Diane Morrison  (23/04/11)

The Last Word - Sophie Trace Trilogy Book 2 by Kathy Herman 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. Review by Sarah Broady  (26/03/11)

The Real Enemy - Sophie Trace Trilogy Book 1 by Kathy Herman
ISBN: 978-1-434-76786-8 Price: £9.99	Published: 01 April 2009
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Nightmare by Robin Parrish
ISBN: 978-0-764-20607-8 Price: £8.99	Published: 01 October 2010
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Medical Error - Prescription for Trouble series by Richard L. Mabry M.D.
ISBN: 978-1-426-71000-1 Price: £8.99	Published: August 2010
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Back On Murder - Roland March Mysteries by J. Mark Bertrand
ISBN: 978-0-764-20637-5 Price: £8.99	Published: 01 October 2010
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The Constantine Conspiracy by Gary E. Parker
ISBN: 978-0-800-73327-8 Price: £8.99	Published: August 2010
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The Right Call - Sophie Trace Trilogy - Book Three by Kathy Herman
ISBN: 978-1-434-76784-4 Price: £9.99	Published: April 2010
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The Reluctant Detective - A Faith Morgan Mystery - Book One by Martha Ockley
ISBN: 978-1-854-24985-2 Price: £8.99	Published: October 2010
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Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady
ISBN: 978-0-764-20596-5 Price: £8.99	Published: 2010
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Code Blue - Prescription for Trouble Book One by Richard L. Mabry
ISBN: 978-1-426-70236-5 Price: £8.99	Published: April 2010
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