Releasing Today: the next Triple Threat Club murder mystery

This time, it's one of their own.

Eyes of Justice, a Triple Threat Novel

By Lis Wiehl, with April Henry

Inspirational Suspense

Thomas Nelson

c. 2012

ISBN: 9781404163537

ISBN: 9781595547088 - hardcover

$14.84

Stepping into the fourth title of this series is like meeting old friends and being utterly shocked by the turn of events. I am torn about reading the first books.

An FBI agent, a federal prosecutor, and a local Portland Oregon television news crime reporter have a special relationship, and together they call themselves the “Triple Threat Club.” There are lines not to cross, sources and resources to share, family problems and faith, and deep commitment to justice amongst them—and now, someone is out to seek revenge on all of them.

Cassidy Shaw is a bundle of energy, seesawing through an exciting life of revolving boyfriends, recognition as a local celebrity, the high stakes of investigating and reporting on criminal activity. To her friends Nicole Hedges, a single mother, and Allison Pierce, she’s the former cheerleader who loves an audience as much as putting a sleazebag behind bars. When Cassidy is super-late to dinner, the girls are shocked to their core at the reason.

The balance of this novel is a challenging investigation involving Nicole pushing the limits of her new boss in the local FBI field office and her career as she forces and fast-talks her way into the middle of an investigation which is clearly not hers. The fact that the local cops may have reason not to be as cautious as Nicole might be only fuels her determination to find justice. Allison is in similar hot water in her office when her boss, who is considering seeking higher elected office, receives a complaint from the police for meddling in police business. But how can they ignore evidence, especially when it appears they’re next? Tragic murder, a framed cop, a stalker, a stripper, and an emotionally detached skip tracer all provide pieces of the puzzle that make up the Eyes of Justice.

Fully developed characters that feel familiar, excellent without being overwhelming detail and breath-taking action will keep the reader turning pages. Told in the viewpoints of Nicole and Allison, the authors occasionally introduce other point of view characters beginning half-way into the story which aren’t entirely necessary to advance the story, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. Those who enjoy Lynette Eason and Vickie Hinz and other female crime investigator novels will love the Triple Threat novels.

An electronic copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.

Book Review: The Final Hour

 

The Final Hour

By Andrew Klavan

Thomas Nelson publishers

ISBN: 9781595547156

$14.99

General Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure

“You’re not alone. You’re never alone.”

The Final Hour completes the four-pack of Charlie West’s adventures with the Homelanders. Charlie is a high school student, perfectly normal in studies, a black belt in karate, a young man of great faith, with loving parents and a sister. His biggest problem is that he woke up one day with no memory. Accused and convicted of murdering one of his closest friends over a girl, he’s been on the run ever since.

This last novel begins with Charlie imprisoned in a federal petitionary with hardened criminals and guards who are only a little lower on the social scale. Sent to his knees on occasion with flashes of memory detailing the last several months, Charlie realizes that he’s been on an undercover mission for the US government to infiltrate a terrorist group who call themselves the Homelanders. But like an Impossible Mission gone wholly wrong, he’s been disavowed and his one living contact to the truth, Detective Rose, has no way to convince his superiors to clear Charlie now that the terrorist cell has been broken up.

When Rose reveals to Charlie that the leader of the cell has not been caught and Charlie must remain in prison where his treatment is less than fine, Charlie connects with his former karate master and friend, Sensei Mike.

In a desperate plan to thwart the terrorists final act of mass murder, the detective, the karate master, and the imprisoned high school student work together to get past not just the remaining zealous Homelanders, but the US government officials who refuse to believe in the danger.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and fingernail-biting action kept me reading the story until the last page. Klavan manages to make me hang on Charlie’s every decision, to root for him, groan in pain and despair with him, and pray with him when nothing else can possibly make a difference. If Charlie makes it in the Air Force, I bet he’ll be cooler than Jack Ryan. Recommended for junior high and up readers.

A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher.