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The Shadow Carver by Nadine Matheson

Jan6

Gripping

The Shadow Carver by Nadine Matheson is a gripping contemporary psychological murder suspense that I just couldn’t put down. It is the fourth book in the Inspector Anjelica Henley series and can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, recommend reading the books in numerical order for character and storyline progression. Though each book deals with a new crime, there is one storyline that is running throughout the books. As this book ended, we are perfectly poised to pick up the thread in book five – and I cannot wait!

Once more we join inspector Anjelica Henley and her team as they chase a very gruesome serial killer or killers. It appears to be vigilante justice but who is the mastermind? Is there a mastermind?

The law enforcement team are relentless in their pursuit. We also witness personal relationships and office politics. There are personality clashes and jealousy over friendships. We see the back stories and families of some.

Family is important. Not just personal family but the police family too. They have each other’s backs. When one of their own is hurt, everyone picks up a piece of guilt.

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The Ghost House by Andie Newton

Oct30

Protecting The Innocent

The Ghost House by Andie Newton is a powerful historical supernatural suspense that has its’ roots in facts, interwoven with fiction.

The book is set in occupied France in 1944. Much of the action surrounds the forbidden forest that has grown up around the site of the Battle of Verdun in 1916. There is a mythical feel to it as the stories abound to do with bodies buried, live mines and cannisters of poison gas. What everyone can agree on is, it is not safe.

The Nazis were pre-occupied with the occult. Within the tale, sinister forces are used in order to try to break the innocent.

The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, mirroring the action which has sinister twists and turns.

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Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Oct29

Arising From The Ashes

Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful dual timeline Christian novel that consumed me from the start.

The tale is set in 1921 and present day as we view the action through alternating chapters with the two lead characters.

The leading ladies have parallel lives – both are alone as their parents have died. Both had mothers who struggled in life – one through addiction, the other with a genetic mental illness. And both leading ladies have good hearts, despite their upbringing.

Mental illness is an ongoing theme in both time periods. Today there is a lot of help. Back in 1921 characters were shut away from the world if there was any glimpse of mental illness.

We also meet a character who is physically disabled, having lost a leg during a battle in World War I. He fears that others may see him as ‘less than’ he was but he is still the same kind-hearted person. “I’m no less a man now than I was when I went to France.”

There is much to fear in the novel. We learn that “It is alright to be afraid… It’s what we do with that fear that’s important.” Fear may still exist even though we have faith. “I choose faith… even though I’m still… afraid.” When we have faith, we can look to God and our fears will diminish.

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Mercie’s Secret by Michael Garrett

Sep16

Evil Walks Amongst Us

Mercie’s Secret by Michael Garrett is an exciting and chilling Christian suspense. It is a book that will consume you. And not one to be read alone and in the dark!

Michael Garret explores the theme of evil walking amongst us. Evil is not always readily recognised. Sometimes a smiling face hides a black heart. Evil can take many forms. It walks silently amongst us, waiting to devour its next innocent victim.

How do we defeat evil? By faith. Shine the light of God and watch the darkness flee. “The light doesn’t fear darkness – it exposes it.”

God ‘speaks’ to His children. We would be foolish to ignore Him. She “ignored the still, small voice of her heavenly Father, who had whispered warnings into her conscience that she was drifting too far, too fast.” We need to be rooted in Christ, and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Him.

When we mess up, we need to tell our heavenly Father. “Mercie wanted to tell her father everything… but fear kept her silent.” Just as her earthly father would want to help Mercie, how much more would her heavenly Father want to? We mustn’t let fear stop us from seeking help. No matter how far down the wrong path we have travelled, it is never too late to make a U-turn.

Fear and faith cannot co-exist. “I let fear overtake my faith.” When we look at sin and not at our Saviour, we are in trouble.

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