Rating: 
Summary: Move over Mary Higgins Clark!
Review: A Christian version of suspense queen Mary Higgins Clark? Terri Blackstock's skill at writing suspense fiction reminded me much of the mystery queen. "Evidence of Mercy" (available as a separate novel, or as one of four best-selling Blackstock novels in the "Suncoast Chronicles" anthology) is a humdinger of a suspense story, revolving around the lives of three main characters. The main protagonist, Lynda, is a Christian lawyer whose life is threatened by an unknown killer. The second central character is the atheist Jake, who becomes a paraplegic after crashing on Lynda's sabotaged plane while test-flying it as a prospective buyer. The third main character is one of Lynda's clients, Paige, a single parent trying to avoid her abusive ex-husband. Suspense mounts as the mystery killer and his motive remain unidentified in the first half of the story. The first story in this collection, "Evidence of Mercy", is a terrific and captivating story that draws you in, and at the same time gives you much to think about, because the characters not only battle a mysterious killer, but also their own personalities and weaknesses. Much Christian fiction falls into the trap of featuring an artificial conversion story. Terri Blackstock shows that writers can craft a mouth-watering Christian story without artificially sprinkling it with an obvious theological twist of this kind, and yet retain a deeper spiritual significance. In the afterword, Blackstock explains that the idea of her book came after a personal struggle with her faith, and the growing awareness that faith needs to be put into action. "I thought I believed, I said I believed - but I did nothing to put the belief into action. I was neither hot nor cold, but luke-warm, and absolutely fruitless." The title "Evidence of Mercy" describes this important spiritual theme that Blackstock wants to convey. The struggles of the three characters mirror Blackstock's own struggles, as she explains: "the characters interested me because their own spiritual battles were so much like my own: Lynda, a lukewarm Christian who would let someone die without witnessing to him; Jake, an agnostic who couldn't give up the pilot's seat in his life until it was taken from him; and Paige, a spiritual infant on the verge of belief, who lacked the faith to make the final plunge." For instance, Lynda comes to conclude "she'd made a god of an airplane, an altar of her job, and an idol of her ego" (p.38), and Jake realizes the folly of relying on his good looks: "If I'd known I was going to be left with just my character, I'd have worked harder at building some." (p.135) Without taking on an preaching tone that many Christian writers unwittingly do, Blackstock brings out these important spiritual truths by showing them in the lives of her characters in a convincing and persuasive manner. The other three stories in this anthology are equally good. In fact, I find them to be on a higher level than Dee Henderson's popular books. Terri Blackstock's novels are a welcome addition to the ranks of Christian fiction. The genre has been dominated especially by the historical romance, much of it inferior to secular fictions on most levels. With her successful efforts in suspense fiction genre, Terri Blackstock shows that it doesn't have to be that way (aside from an unnecessary kiss in the last pages), and that Christian writers can successfully take on new genres, and do so with style. As a fan of suspense fiction, I'm grateful to see Christian writers provide exciting alternatives to secular novels in the genre. Move over Mary Higgins Clark!
Rating:
Summary: Move over Mary Higgins Clark!
Review: A Christian version of suspense queen Mary Higgins Clark? Terri Blackstock's skill at writing suspense fiction reminded me much of the mystery queen. "Evidence of Mercy" (available as a separate novel, or as one of four best-selling Blackstock novels in the "Suncoast Chronicles" anthology) is a humdinger of a suspense story, revolving around the lives of three main characters. The main protagonist, Lynda, is a Christian lawyer whose life is threatened by an unknown killer. The second central character is the atheist Jake, who becomes a paraplegic after crashing on Lynda's sabotaged plane while test-flying it as a prospective buyer. The third main character is one of Lynda's clients, Paige, a single parent trying to avoid her abusive ex-husband. Suspense mounts as the mystery killer and his motive remain unidentified in the first half of the story. The first story in this collection, "Evidence of Mercy", is a terrific and captivating story that draws you in, and at the same time gives you much to think about, because the characters not only battle a mysterious killer, but also their own personalities and weaknesses. Much Christian fiction falls into the trap of featuring an artificial conversion story. Terri Blackstock shows that writers can craft a mouth-watering Christian story without artificially sprinkling it with an obvious theological twist of this kind, and yet retain a deeper spiritual significance. In the afterword, Blackstock explains that the idea of her book came after a personal struggle with her faith, and the growing awareness that faith needs to be put into action. "I thought I believed, I said I believed - but I did nothing to put the belief into action. I was neither hot nor cold, but luke-warm, and absolutely fruitless." The title "Evidence of Mercy" describes this important spiritual theme that Blackstock wants to convey. The struggles of the three characters mirror Blackstock's own struggles, as she explains: "the characters interested me because their own spiritual battles were so much like my own: Lynda, a lukewarm Christian who would let someone die without witnessing to him; Jake, an agnostic who couldn't give up the pilot's seat in his life until it was taken from him; and Paige, a spiritual infant on the verge of belief, who lacked the faith to make the final plunge." For instance, Lynda comes to conclude "she'd made a god of an airplane, an altar of her job, and an idol of her ego" (p.38), and Jake realizes the folly of relying on his good looks: "If I'd known I was going to be left with just my character, I'd have worked harder at building some." (p.135) Without taking on an preaching tone that many Christian writers unwittingly do, Blackstock brings out these important spiritual truths by showing them in the lives of her characters in a convincing and persuasive manner. The other three stories in this anthology are equally good. In fact, I find them to be on a higher level than Dee Henderson's popular books. Terri Blackstock's novels are a welcome addition to the ranks of Christian fiction. The genre has been dominated especially by the historical romance, much of it inferior to secular fictions on most levels. With her successful efforts in suspense fiction genre, Terri Blackstock shows that it doesn't have to be that way (aside from an unnecessary kiss in the last pages), and that Christian writers can successfully take on new genres, and do so with style. As a fan of suspense fiction, I'm grateful to see Christian writers provide exciting alternatives to secular novels in the genre. Move over Mary Higgins Clark!
Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery and Suspense
Review: I am Grisham fan and love murder mysteries. I found these books to be very good reading. The books were fast moving and had believable plots. The characters were realistic, both likable and human. It took me only a few days to read the series- it was so good that I spent all my spare time, and some not-so-spare time reading it. I had never heard of Terri Blackstock before I received the Suncoast book as a gift. I will be reading more by Terri Blackstock once I get all the stuff I neglected while reading Suncoast caught up!
Rating: 
Summary: The Sun Coast Chronicles
Review: I am Grisham fan and love murder mysteries. I found these books to be very good reading. The books were fast moving and had believable plots. The characters were realistic, both likable and human. It took me only a few days to read the series- it was so good that I spent all my spare time, and some not-so-spare time reading it. I had never heard of Terri Blackstock before I received the Suncoast book as a gift. I will be reading more by Terri Blackstock once I get all the stuff I neglected while reading Suncoast caught up!
Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery and Suspense
Review: I finished this book in two days, I was so caught up in it. It is much better than the Newpointe 911 I started with. I would encourage anyone who likes suspense and mystery to read it. Although I have figured out the killer rather quickly it still kept my interest.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating! Keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Review: I just finished reading the fourth book in the series - Presumption of Guilt. I now intend to read the other three. I began reading the book yesterday afternoon and finished it this morning. It was so good I didn't want to put it down. It always kept you wondering what was going to happen next. You will not be disappointed by it!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic series at a fantastic price!
Review: I read the Sun Coast Chronicles series almost a year ago and can't say enough about Terri Blackstock's ability to weave suspense, mystery, romance and inspiration in such an entertaining package. In the Sun Coast Chronicles, there are four stories with interrelated characters in the same town in California. Each hero/heroine is forced to deal with something outside themselves, usually a bad character and at the same time, something inside themselves, their faith in God. Terri Blackstock is one of the premier Christian writers, and I highly recommend this series. And to get all four of them together in such a great price, it makes me wish I hadn't read them yet!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic series at a fantastic price!
Review: I read the Sun Coast Chronicles series almost a year ago and can't say enough about Terri Blackstock's ability to weave suspense, mystery, romance and inspiration in such an entertaining package. In the Sun Coast Chronicles, there are four stories with interrelated characters in the same town in California. Each hero/heroine is forced to deal with something outside themselves, usually a bad character and at the same time, something inside themselves, their faith in God. Terri Blackstock is one of the premier Christian writers, and I highly recommend this series. And to get all four of them together in such a great price, it makes me wish I hadn't read them yet!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reading
Review: I've been a reader of mystery/romance novels for about 20 years now. Unfortunately, many authors have turned to "trash" to sell. This series of books takes the reader into characters' lives, showing realistic examples of today's people searching for meaning in life... complete with the battle of turning lose of self desires for the greater good and an even bigger God. Great find!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Reading
Review: I've been a reader of mystery/romance novels for about 20 years now. Unfortunately, many authors have turned to "trash" to sell. This series of books takes the reader into characters' lives, showing realistic examples of today's people searching for meaning in life... complete with the battle of turning lose of self desires for the greater good and an even bigger God. Great find!
|
