Reviewed by Symon: 8.5 out of 10.

Rob Shields has just lost his wife and son. Battling depression, denial, and an irrational fear of darkness, Rob travels to the small town of Mayfield, MD to check out a house he has inherited from his great aunt Wilda, a woman he has never even met. There in Mayfield strange things begin to happen that lead Rob to believe his son, Jimmy, is not really dead. After a restless night and eerie dream, Rob is convinced the answer to the mystery surrounding Jimmy’s disappearance and alleged death is to be found in a village called Darlington, a town found on no map.

Teaming up with a quirky local waitress who insists she has been there, Shields begins his quest to find the truth about the town—and his son. In Darlington, Rob and Juli come face to face with the town’s secret, creatures called Darklings inhabit the night and instill paralyzing fear in Darlington’s citizens. Their search for Jimmy leads them into the woods surrounding Darlington where, once in, there seems to be no way out.

I sat down on the sofa this afternoon and read the last half of the book in a couple of hours – I didn’t even get distracted by the kids, the TV, or my boisterous parrot, which can only mean one thing: Darlington Woods is good…. real good.

This is Mike Dellosso’s third published novel and his best yet.  If you want to get an idea of the tone of this book, think ‘I am Legend’ meets ‘The Gremlins’ in a creepy forest.

Dellosso has a very unique style of weaving faith themes through his books – not preachy, clinched or familiar, but still punchy and profound.  Darlington Woods’ grand theme is about facing and overcoming fear and it achieves it’s message on a number of levels.  Not an obvious allegory, but the more I think about it  - a very powerful, and personal one.

Darling Woods would have earned Hall Of Fame status if it was longer, character development was deeper, and it was: ‘I Am Legend’ meets ‘Blair Witch’.

In conclusion Darlington Woods is fast and furious, never boring, original, and for once I didn’t see the twist coming.  Very clever Mike!  (I’m looking forward with intense anticipation to your next villain .)

Light The Darkness

Reviewed by Symon: 7.5 out of 10.

This is the third time I have read Spiritually Correct Bedtime Stories by Chris Fabry. This is a delightful little book and will be thoroughly enjoyed by any Christian who has a sense of humour and is not afraid to laugh at him/herself and some of the here-today-gone-tomorrow fads of Christendom.

Chris Fabry has taken twelve of the world’s classic fairy tales and has re-written them as satirical allegories of faith and life. Often sarcastic, brutally honest, though  always hilarious, this collection of short stories often hits the mark with the perfect balance of humor and much-needed teaching.

Here is an excerpt from my favorite story in the book: Beauty and the Mark Of The Beast, which pokes fun at how we often jump on the bandwagon of the latest and greatest ‘new’ Christian teaching:

“Beast” said Beauty, “Ive’ been down to the Christian bookstore and have purchased several titles about relationships. Don’t you think we need to improve our communication?”
“What do you mean?” said the beast.
“Well, you’re a microwave and I’m a crock-pot. You think visually and I think with my emotions…
Let me understand what you are saying,” the Beast learned to say.  And then he would state his version of what she had said.

Spiritually Correct Bedtime Stories is a short read at just 91 pages, with the length of each story being around 7-8 pages.  Therein lies the book’s flaw.  Often the stories finish abruptly leaving the reader disappointed with the anti-climax.

Most of the stories were great but sadly some felt like page-fillers.  Still a much-needed and rewarding break from my favourite genre of suspense/chiller.

One last comment, any book that makes the reader laugh out loud multiple times is a winner in my opinion.

Reviewed by Symon: 9 out of 10.

I’ve just finished Ted Dekker’s latest offering, The Bride Collector and again I’m delighted to say he does not disappoint.  Three words come to mind…

Thriller.  Romance.  Genius.

I always marvel  at how Dekker deceives us “I’d-eat-road-kill-before-I’d-read-a-romance-novel” guys into doing just that… albeit a gruesome one.

He loves them because they are beautiful. He kills them because he loves them.

A virtuoso killer is carving a path of death across the west, intent on killing only the most beautiful women, all in the name of love. He has claimed six victims and slipped through the FBI’s fingers, each time leaving behind a handwritten note and a bridal veil.

Now, with the help from an unlikely group of four, special agent Brad Raines must enter the killer’s deadly game. But the Bride Collector is supremely gifted and he has a distinct advantage over them all: this is his game.

My favourite lines of the book, spoken by the serial killer himself (which is brilliant in itself)…

“You see, everyone is God’s favourite, even the mentally ill, which is most people…They are God’s favourite, too, all of them.  This is only possible because God is infinite and can therefore have more than one favourite without violating the meaning of the term.  He can have multiple favourites and each is truly a favourite, receiving the greatest God has to offer, which is infinite. Follow?”

The messages of the book are profound.  Truths which Dekker makes loud and clear, without being off-putting or clichéd…

1. We are all God’s favorite.

2. Are the mentally ill really different from us sane folk?

Great themes to ponder, when my mind isn’t imagining dead brides, drained of blood, glued to walls (thanks Ted).

Highlights for me were (during the course of the story), how four mentally ill patients converse, interact and relate with each other.  If there was a spiritual gift of story-making, he definitely has it (and I haven’t even started the Circle Series yet .  I also didn’t predict the ending – which was a breath of fresh air for me (who is growing cynical of the genre lately).

Not a Hall Of Fame, but essential reading for all fans of the genre.  9.5 says it all.

Reviewed by Symon: 8 out of 10.

While talking to his friend on the phone, Mark Stone is startled by a cacophony of otherworldly screams. Seconds later, a tragic accident claims his friend’s life. When this happens several more times—screams followed by an untimely death—he is compelled to act. Battling his failure as a husband and struggling with his own damaged faith, Mark embarks on a mission to find the meaning behind the screams and hopefully stop death from calling on its next victim. When his estranged wife is kidnapped and he again hears the screams as she calls from her cell phone, his search becomes much more personal and much more urgent.

Scream is Mike Dellosso’s second published novel (the first being The Hunted reviewed here), and as the back-cover blurb divulges, Scream has a refreshingly original plot and extremely important message which swirls in and out of the reader’s thoughts long after the book is finished – a very good thing indeed.

That’s what I really appreciate about Dellosso’s stories.  Firmly rooted in the Christian thriller/chiller genre, while containing strong faith-based morals/teaching – leaving the reader satisfied by the ride and exhorted by the message.

As I expressed in my last review, Peretti and Dekker have raised the bar very high when it comes to Christian thriller/chillers, and I imagine every author of the same genre must dread the inevitable comparison to them.

I’m happy to say I agree with C.J. Darlington when he wrote:

Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti – if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted.

One last thought, and its not a criticism of Scream, but a hole I have dug myself.  Regarding the genre, I find myself anticipating the twist/surprise-ending in many of these stories which kinda dooms me to being disappointed every time with the familiar “I didn’t see that coming… not” response.  Can anyone else relate?

I am super keen for Dellosso’s Darlington Woods.

Reviewed by Symon: 7 out of 10.

The Night Watchman (Ray Quinn Series, Book 1) by Mark Mynheir.

Eleven months ago, Ray Quinn was a tough, quick-witted Orlando homicide detective at the top of his game-until a barrage of bullets ended his career, and his partner’s life. Now medically retired with a painful handicap, Ray battles the haunting guilt for his partner’s death. Numbing the pain with alcohol and attitude, Ray takes a job as a night watchman at a swanky Orlando condo. But when a pastor and an exotic dancer are found dead in one of the condos in an apparent murder-suicide, Ray can no longer linger in the shadows.

I semi-enjoyed this book and read it relatively quickly.  I must say it felt like a made-for-TV-crime-scene mystery, rather than an original big-screen-blockbuster  (and aren’t we all a little over the crime-scene mysteries these days).

This book is an anomaly in the genre of Christian crime fiction however, as the protagonist is a fairly anti-God, self-centered, bitter alcoholic who doesn’t find God at the book’s conclusion.  Also surprising, is the minimal violence which may (or may not) encourage more readers.

Author Mark Mynheir, is a real-life detective and therefore this story is highly realistic. The plot, characters, and crime-solving techniques are all highly believable.  Realism  may be the book’s Achilles Heel though, as it does make for a somewhat predictable, ‘no-surprises-there’ read.

The Night Watchman is receiving rave reviews and has been nominated for a Christy award.  Avid Christian crime-fiction/mystery fiction buffs will enjoy. For me, it was goodish but definitely not great – Maybe I’m getting harder to please in my old age, or perhaps Ted Dekker has raised the bar too high for most.

Reviewed by Stephen: 9 out of 10.

The stakes are higher, the battles are longer, the scale is larger; and Infidel, the second story in The Lost Books, doesn’t waste a page getting there with most of the book being one big heart-pounding adventure.

The reader is given a chapter of recap (the final chapter in Chosen) before being thrust headfirst into another adventure. Johnis learns that his mother is alive and has been taken captive as a member of the Horde, and sets out on a daring rescue-mission to attempt to save her. What follows is one of the most intense plot lines I’ve read in a very long time. A welcome relief, indeed!

After finishing two books of The Lost Books series, I’m still hard pressed to find a flaw. The pacing was perfect, the suspense authentic, and the characters resoundingly genuine. Unlike some Dekker stories where the endings feel rushed in the final two chapters, Infidel leaves itself plenty of headroom at the end of the book for a satisfying ending which still sets you up for the sequel.

The connections between the redemptive nature of the gospel and Infidel are incredibly moving. We are introduced to a new character in Infidel who stands between Johnis and his mother, and she is apart of the Horde—a Scab. Under normal circumstances the Forest Guard are sworn to kill any Horde member instantaneously, but Johnis finds his heart moved toward her in compassion in the same way Jesus’ heart was moved in compassion for us.

Like I said, I’m struggling to fault Infidel. I do like to read other authors between Dekker as his style can get quite familiar if you read too much of it, but I can guarantee it would be the same for any author writing such a big story. Regardless, The Lost Books are fast on their way to my all-time favourite books list. Here’s to hoping the next four books are even better.

Reviewed by Kristy: 8.5 out of 10.

Maggie, sequel to The Dead Don’t Dance, is one of the most moving, heartfelt books I have read in a long long time – but also very suspenseful and full of action!

“I watched her—the way her shoulders moved with the tilt of her head, how her smile lit up the six people around her, how her hair, tucked behind her ears, framed her face like baby’s breath. I thought about how the sound of her heart beating sounded the rhythm for our dance atop the magnolia floor. I wanted to tell her all this, but didn’t know how. Just because something is broken doesn’t mean it’s no good. Doesn’t mean you throw it away. It just means it’s broken, and broken is okay. I wanted to tell her that broken is still beautiful, still works, still wakes me in the morning, and at the end of every day past and those to come, I can love broken.”

After having been through the traumatic time of losing his baby and having his wife comatose for what seems like forever, Dylan seems to have another miracle chance at starting life again together with his wife Maggie… but you can hardly believe what is up ahead for them both after what they have already been through.

I cannot let you in on anymore of this story for fear of giving too much away, but believe me… it’s a must read.

Charles Martin took me by surprise with this book – I was just starting to get used to his writing style, which some would call heartfelt, thoughtful and moving with a dash of action here and there… when all of a sudden I thought I was reading a Ted Dekker novel.  Well, maybe not quite that far, but very suspenseful and full of action to say the least.  I thought I had the plot all worked out, but then found I didn’t (don’t you just love that ).

Charles Martin has outdone himself in this book, with great plot-twists and excellent character development (including a naked bagpipe player).  I really don’t know how he can capture the depth of life in his writing like he does.

A highly recommended book (two part series) for lovers of any genre.  High class authorship with significant depth, romance, action, humour (yep – that naked bagpipe player helps in this area) and thought-provoking content.

Maggie must be read in succession to The Dead Don’t Dance, but please don’t be put off by the name or cover of this book – you will love it, I promise.

Click here to visit Charles Martin’s website.

Reviewed by Rachel: 8.5 out of 10.

Becky Taylor lies in a secluded recovery room of an abortion clinic when she hears a man’s angry voice, then gunshots amid cries of terror. Lying still behind the curtain, she holds her breath in fear. But the silence that follows reveals the icy truth: She’s the only one left alive…

If you’re a wee bit squeamish on abortion details then I wouldn’t recommend reading this book. However, if you’re after a wonderful portrayal of the truth, then I would read this masterpiece cover to cover a few times over. In saying that, it’s probably not ‘bloke’s book’ (whatever that stereotype is) so if you’re a male then it may not appeal to you. For most females for whom the whole area of pregnancy and motherhood can often be quite an important part of their lives, then go ahead, pick it up and start your journey.

Tears In A Bottle describes the anguish of a young girl with somebody else’s morals forced upon her, the gradual hardening of a doctor’s heart towards women, the heartache of a middle-aged woman who will never be able to bear children, through to the path of a lost soul bent on revenge at all costs. A story of unconditional love battling merciless evil. A tale of peer pressure and living up to unrealistic expectations. Justice, freedom, value and worth. Things you cannot put a price-tag on.

For those who have struggled with the guilt of having an abortion, those who are contemplating it as an option, or even those who simply want to find out more about the issue, then I highly recommend this book.

Click here to visit Sylvia Bambola’s site.

Reviewed by Rachel: 8 out of 10.

When Anna decides it’s time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn’t know where to turn. Rob has completely won over her parents and the entire community, with his good looks and smooth charm. Only Anne has seen his dark side.

Desperate, she runs to the only place she’s ever felt completely safe – the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. The family welcomes her in and with few questions asked allows her to stay, dressed in Plain clothing, and help around the inn.

Katie’s older brother Henry is the only one who doesn’t take too kindly to the intrusion. He tries to ignore Anna, knowing no good would ever come from caring for an Englisher like her. But as he gets to know Anna, he discovers her good heart and is surprised with her readiness to accept their lifestyle.

The more time Anna spends with the Amish, the more she feels like she’s found a true home. But how can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man from her past?

I saw this book in our local library, took one look at the cover and thought, “Oh yeah that’ll be a typical romance novel…”, but decided to give it a try anyway. What followed was indeed so much more than just a soppy love story.

It gave insight into violent men and how hard it can be to get out of an abusive relationship. How even men who look so charming on the outside and say all the right things to people can be like a volcano waiting to erupt given the right (or wrong) conditions. How anger and the need to control, left unchecked can often lead to violence.

It offered a beautiful look at the Amish people and the way they do things so differently from Western society. Nothing is rushed, their relationships with God are so real and personal, and they don’t rely on modern technology to get things done. A rewarding lifestyle.

It covered how true-love transcends race, culture, differences of background and how, if you are willing to work hard at a relationship, it really doesn’t matter if you have any of those things in common or not. It’s the same with God, a relationship with him is indifferent to race, culture, gender, what our past has been like.

The author has written this book in such a way that I was gripped right from the start and came away at the end with a feeling of satisfaction that even with all the cunning twists and turns in the plot-line, it turned out just right and didn’t leave me disappointed.

Hidden is book one in the Sisters of the Heart series.

Reviewed by Rachel: 6 out of 10.

Firefighting burns in Aidan O’Neill’s blood, but his innate gift for reading flames has made him overconfident and sometimes puts lives in danger. When one call goes horribly wrong and a rookie is hurt, Aidan ends up suspended and finds himself questioning everything.

An arsonist is targeting Reno, leaving a scorched path of destruction. The department needs Aidan back, but his return is troubled. The gift he relied on for so long has gone silent . . . and it’s as though the fires are coming for him, hunting him down. Teaming with a beguiling fire investigator who may know more than she’s saying, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the flames burn ever closer.

This book had the potential to be really really good. Unfortunately, it seemed to lack something and filed to grab me right from the start. Usually I love books about fighting fires, but I wasn’t so impressed with Through the Fire.

The twists and turns, instead of leaving me wanting more, left me more confused.  I loved the ending, but felt it needed to be a bit longer and perhaps in other parts shorter to keep interest high and concentration levels from waning.

In spite of my disappointments though, I did enjoy this book.  If you are in for a light thriller/mystery, with a little bit of ‘life’ drama and romance thrown in, then this book is for you.