The Case of the Invisible Dog - A Review

The Case of the Invisible Dog

by

Diane Stingly

A Review

A well-written, but disappointing, mystery.

The characters are fascinating – I cannot determine who is crazier: Shirley Homes or her new protege, Tammy Norman. The writing is suburb, yet the plot feels more like a TV soap opera in which the reader is forced to watch (I.e. read) the next episode.

Shirley Homes's claim to fame is being the great, great, grand-daughter of the brilliant Sherlock Holmes. The question of Sherlock's actual existence remains unanswered – since the whole world knows of him as a fictional character, while Shirley claims to have proof that of his historical existence. Perhaps she is crazy, perhaps not.

Tammy Norman's relationship history has many missteps. Among those are her ex-husband and that with her new employer, Shirley Homes. Perhaps she should have listened to her gut, and … well it is too late now.

What draws them together is Shirley Homes' first case – a young man who cannot sleep through the night because of a noisy dog that no one has seen or heard. His murder makes increases the necessity of following the leads laid before them.

The story does hold the reader's attention, but it ends with no resolution. I will look forward to reading the next book in the series, perhaps it will answer the unanswered question raised by The Case of the Invisible Dog.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Art of Being Broken - A Review

The Art of Being Broken

by

Aaron Mark Reimer

A Review

“The Art of Being Broken” is a bit of a misnomer.  Since we are all broken, it takes no talent, no artistic ability, to be broken.  It comes with the territory as a part of the human race.  Our brokenness only becomes art when taken into the hands of God and reshaped and remolded into His image.  And that is what the author does in his 200-page guide to living with our brokenness - however that brokenness manifests itself in our individual lives.

I loved the book - it picked up themes of my own life.  Themes that I discovered and lived through 20 years ago (and in reality, I still do), but themes I had to understand if my own family was going to survive.  It was a joy to relive lessons that I learned as my wife and I rebuilt our marriage from the broken pieces we brought into it. Did we ever reach perfection?  No.  But we have learned to appreciate the broken pieces that have become the mosaic that is our marriage (chapter 12).  The book provides 14 views of the brokenness that defines a human’s existence and demonstrates how God takes that brokenness and uses it for his purposes.

Though written as a monograph, the book is better read as a devotional - not a chapter per day, but a section or two per day.  Reading it like a book, with chapters, one will not have the time needed for the lessons that it contains to enter the heart.  Taking the time to read a section or two each day, and meditating on those details, allows the reader’s heart, mind, and soul, to be touched by the author’s insight.

Though I was provided an electronic copy of the book, I could easily have used two paper copies - to be cut and pasted into my illustration file.  Even as I read, I found myself recommending the book as I borrowed illustrations included therein.  One of those, was the “mosaic” referenced above; the other is a test of what we worship - check out what we are sacrificing for and to. Not every sacrifice is worthy of worship, but at the very least it serves as a caution light that calls us to ask “what might I be worshipping with this sacrifice.” (Chapter 11)  Those are two examples (there are more) - the book is full of practical and theoretical examples that will serve to help any broken Christian (hey, that is all of us) grow in his or her faith.

The book should be required collateral reading for the college or seminary course in pastoral counseling. The book would be a wonderful tool for any believer walking alongside others. Whether working the youth or the adult, whether working with singles or families, whether working with newlyweds or the elderly, the book offers valuable insight into the broken souls we all bring to the cross. The Art of Being Broken” comes with a strong recommendation.

The preparation of a small group discussion guide would add additional value to the book - whether those questions were to be used by an individual or a small group. A website hosting an online discussion is available, though this may be too public for some people. However, the website might serve as a useful way to distribute a discussion guide.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the author for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.
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Further correspondence with the author indicates that he will make a study guide available prior to the official launch date in June. I will look forward to seeing it in the near future.

Double Mint - A Review

Double Mint

by

Gretchen Archer

A Review

Counterfeit Bills, stolen platinum, a poorly designed kitchen, a murder, a bank heist, and a crazy cat all contribute to the mystery that currently falls into Davis Way’s lap. With a new husband who also serves as her boss standing in the way, she remains committed to getting to the bottom of the crime(s).  With the assistance of the other members of her undercover crew, she is determined to understand the facing her.

As they have in the past, Gretchen Archer and Henery Press have put together a winning combination of people, places, and plot.  The book kept me up - I had to finish it, even before two other books I had started reading.  The reader will not be disappointed.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Imposters of Patriotism - A Review

Imposters of Patriotism

by

Ted Richardson

A Review

Historical fiction is really two different genres.  There are those books which are set in a former time period but which are purely fiction and have no connection to truly historical events.  Historical fiction also includes a group of books that are woven from one or more significant events in history - those events not only form the backdrop for the story, but become an integral part of the story.  "Imposters of Patriotism" is a part of this second sub-genre.

The year is 1778.  George Washington and much of the Continental Army is stranded at Valley Forge waiting out a devastating winter.  Watching his men suffer and die with inadequate provisions, deadly illnesses, and increasingly more difficult odds of defeating the British forces being led by General William Howe.  General Washington, seeking what is best for his men and for the country, writes a letter to General Howe offering to negotiate a surrender.  Due to circumstances beyond his control, General Washington's letter is never delivered.  As unlikely as it seemed at the time, the Americans proceed to win the war and gain the independence they desired.  The letter is all but forgotten.

Moving between the past and the present time, we follow the letter and its discovery, as well as collaborating documents, by an antiques dealer living in Savannah, GA.  In the weeks following the letter's discovery, the lives of Matt Hawkins, the antiques dealer, and his friends are threatened by a number of individuals who have put their own interests above those of their country.  "Imposters of    Patriotism" follows the letter, through flashbacks, to its discovery and disclosure to the American public.  In the process, it weaves a great deal of well-known history that adds considerable credibility to this exciting story.

The weaving of fiction and history works well - except for one small flaw.  One major character is described as "the most direct descendant of George Washington."  The problem is that George Washington had no known children of his own. He raised two of Martha's (a widow) children from her previous marriage and two of Martha's grandchildren, but with no children of his own, he had no "direct descendants".  The author may have been better off describing this man as Washington's "closest living relative" and the problem would be solved.

The book was an exciting read - whether the history from the 18th century, glimpses of known events from the early 19th century, or following the lives of Matt Hawkins and his friends as they follow the evidence and their hearts. The book forced me to examine history that I had not previously known, I was introduced to places and people that gave me a deeper appreciation for the men and women who sacrificed for the freedom we still enjoy today. Along with a good mystery, this book should hold many a reader's attention.  And get started soon, as the author has another volume arriving later this year.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Seven Men - A Review

Seven Men:

And The Secret of Their Greatness

by

Eric Metaxas

A Review

I first encountered Eric Metaxas last year as I read his abridged autobiography of Dietrich
Bonhoeffer.  I was pleased to have the opportunity to review another of his recent books.  I have not been disappointed.

After nicely presented “Introduction”, the book focuses on short biographical essays on seven men who have influenced western culture:

1. George Washington
2. William Wilberforce
3. Eric Liddell
4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
5. Jackie Robinson
6. Pope John Paul II
7. Charles W. Colson

Eric Metaxas claims that each of these men had character traits that allowed them to stand out in their in own lifetimes and to world in the years (and, in some cases, centuries) following their death.  

Using the biographies penned by the author, I would agree with his choices except for that of George Washington - a slave owner, a poor military leader for much of his life, and misleading statements made about his own life all contribute to my concerns.  He had traits that made him stand out (humility and leadership skills); but, given the picture of his life portrayed by Metaxas, George Washington does not compare to the other six  men examined in the book.  It is possible that Metaxas missed discussing the faults of the other six, but given the emphasis he gives to the faults of George Washington, his name does not belong with the other six.

My other concern is that the list of names is decidedly Western and European.  Given the international nature of the church, there must be African, Asian, and South American representatives that will have stood the test of time.  The author hints that more books may be coming in this series - perhaps they will cross the cultural boundaries avoided in this current book.

Despite these two concerns, the book was well worth the time I spent reading it over the past week.  The character traits represented by these seven men make each of them stand out in their own time and for all time.  The traits exhibited by these seven are well worth emulating by the men being raised to lead the next generation, as well as our own.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Hidden Agenda - A Review

Hidden Agenda

by

Lisa Harris

A Review

Undercover cop meets son and daughter of cartel boss - that sums up this book.  Oh, did I mention that they have to run, literally, for their lives.  

The book is another Christian thriller with a hint of romance that kept this reader guessing and on the edge of his seat from page one to the very end. I was fairly easy to trust Olivia as she and undercover cop Michael Hunt get to the bottom of the drug trade that transpired across most of the Southeastern seaboard of the United States.  On the other hand, Olivia’s brother Ivan was more difficult to decipher.  The occasional times he slipped away, the phone calls, the leaks to the cartel - I often thought he might be responsible.

The “cartel” was not well-defined.  Since this was the third book in a series, it is possible that reading earlier volumes would clear up that mystery - I had not.  That one missing piece of information provided the only hole in an otherwise excellent story. It was not clear, either from the story or from the book’s front matter, whether reading earlier books would have helped in understanding some of this story’s background.  The missing books did not distract from the storyline - except for the possible definition of the “cartel”.  

The book provides a winter diversion as we wait for Spring to settle in with its warmth.  Whether on a break from work or a late night read before heading to bed, Lisa Harris has provided an exciting read with lots of excitement.  I’m ready for more.,

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.