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Moonlighters #1
Truth Stained Lies
When truth doesn’t make sense, will lies prevail?
Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.
Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.
Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening note warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog, Cathy writes it off as mischief . . . until her brother’s wife is murdered and all the “facts” point to him. The killer has staged the crime to make the truth too far-fetched to believe. Working to solve the murder and clear her brother’s name, Cathy and her two sisters, Holly and Juliet, moonlight as part-time private investigators. Juliet, a stay-at-home mom of two boys, and Holly, a scattered ne’er-do-well who drives a taxi, put aside their fear to hunt down the real killer.
Stakes rise when their brother’s grieving five-year-old son is kidnapped. As police focus on the wrong set of clues, the three sisters and their battered detective friend are the only hope for solving this bizarre crime, saving the child, and freeing their brother.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2013
737 people are currently reading
3467 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
90 books5,550 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 561 reviews
May 19, 2017
Not quite five stars because I spotted whodunnit almost right off the bat, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story of three sisters—lawyer-turned-blogger, housewife, and taxi driver—who become PIs to help prove their brother didn't kill his wife. I also really appreciated that the story is ultra low on the romantic side! Barely any at all.
Note: looking back on yesterday's reaction... I liked that Christianity is spoken of a lot...but, in retrospect, it makes me uncomfortable how many times the characters questioned God with questions such as "Why is God doing this to me?" and "What did I do to deserve this?" Both questions never got a solid, Biblical answer. Questions such as this are misleading as to the meaning of the Christian life and experience. Obviously, people are going to ask, but the fact is that we live in a fallen, sinful world, and some of the consequences to others may easily snarl us up in bad occurrences. It's much too self-focused to assume that because someone gets accused of crime, God is tormenting that person. Instead of assuming all "bad" happenings are a form of punishment, Christians should also look for the blessings in each situation, and also understand that the situation may not be about them at all, but may be about someone else's actions and choices...
Note: looking back on yesterday's reaction... I liked that Christianity is spoken of a lot...but, in retrospect, it makes me uncomfortable how many times the characters questioned God with questions such as "Why is God doing this to me?" and "What did I do to deserve this?" Both questions never got a solid, Biblical answer. Questions such as this are misleading as to the meaning of the Christian life and experience. Obviously, people are going to ask, but the fact is that we live in a fallen, sinful world, and some of the consequences to others may easily snarl us up in bad occurrences. It's much too self-focused to assume that because someone gets accused of crime, God is tormenting that person. Instead of assuming all "bad" happenings are a form of punishment, Christians should also look for the blessings in each situation, and also understand that the situation may not be about them at all, but may be about someone else's actions and choices...
March 11, 2023
Excellent. But everything my Terri Blackstock is excellent. 3 sisters and a pi try to free their bother for am murder he didn't commit. I love how Terri puts faith in her books. Esp when the sisters struggle with their face during this time of trouble. I love the sister who become PI so they can help catch the real killer. I have not read one Terri Blackstock book I haven't liked. If you are looking for high suspense and faith I highly recommend it!!
December 18, 2020
This was so good!!! Terri Blackstock can write a good story! And for having so many characters I still cared about each one! I can’t wait to read the next one!
November 6, 2025
3 ½ stars
the mystery kept me reading, but there were too many POVs and I didn't care about any of the characters
the mystery kept me reading, but there were too many POVs and I didn't care about any of the characters
March 22, 2013
Truth Stained Lies offers up a wonderful blend of nail-biting suspense and strong characterization, making for a thoroughly entertaining read! I literally read through the novel in one sitting because I couldn't wait to see how everything would resolve. Would Jay's innocence be proven? Would his son Jackson be reunited with him? Would Cathy, Holly, and Juliet be able to find the killer? Terri Blackstock did a fantastic job of leading me from scene to scene, unfolding the truth one step at a time, all while causing me to fall in love with a family of characters I hope to meet again in future books! The characters are complex and realistic, with much to admire while still being completely human, people every reader can relate with. I also loved the overarching themes of the book, that God has a plan for our lives, that good triumphs evil, that forgiveness deals bitterness a blow, and that we are destined to do great things for God. Elements of faith are woven into the book in an utterly natural way without coming across as preachy, something that isn't always easy to do.
Terri Blackstock is at the top of her game, and Truth Stained Lies is not only a masterfully told suspense story, but beautifully showcases deeper themes of life as well. It is quite a ride, and I know you are going to love it! So grab a copy and dive in - but be prepared to lose sleep before you can finally put the book down! I highly recommend this book, and award it 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of publicist Ashleigh Martin from HarperCollins, Canada. Available at your favourite bookseller from Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins.
Terri Blackstock is at the top of her game, and Truth Stained Lies is not only a masterfully told suspense story, but beautifully showcases deeper themes of life as well. It is quite a ride, and I know you are going to love it! So grab a copy and dive in - but be prepared to lose sleep before you can finally put the book down! I highly recommend this book, and award it 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of publicist Ashleigh Martin from HarperCollins, Canada. Available at your favourite bookseller from Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins.
March 25, 2018
Truth Stained Lies is the first book in Terri Blackstock's Moonlighters series and released back in 2013. I've had this on my TBR basically since its release and have no excuse for not reading it sooner, but I'm so glad that I finally got around to it.
The story deals with a man being set up for his wife's murder. He saw a clown leave the house right before finding her body, but when he tells the cops this they basically think he made it all up and that he is the culprit. This is just the beginning of the story!
I loved the cast of characters and I can't wait to continue the series to see what happens next with them. I think my favorite character was Holly, but I really liked all three sisters a lot.
All in all, Truth Stained Lies was a thrilling suspense. Even though I guessed who the true killer was early on, that didn't stop me from loving the mystery. I definitely recommend this book if you like Christian suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
The story deals with a man being set up for his wife's murder. He saw a clown leave the house right before finding her body, but when he tells the cops this they basically think he made it all up and that he is the culprit. This is just the beginning of the story!
I loved the cast of characters and I can't wait to continue the series to see what happens next with them. I think my favorite character was Holly, but I really liked all three sisters a lot.
All in all, Truth Stained Lies was a thrilling suspense. Even though I guessed who the true killer was early on, that didn't stop me from loving the mystery. I definitely recommend this book if you like Christian suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
November 10, 2018
Exciting and gripping! Can't wait to read the sequel!
May 8, 2022
Terri Blackstock does it again! Another enjoyable Christian Suspense Mystery! :)
Cathy is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on homicides. She finds a threatening note on her car but doesn't seem very concerned....until her brother's wife is murdered and all eyes point to him. Jay and his wife Annalee are going through a custody battle for their son Jackson but he receives an email from his wife saying to come over and discuss things....he comes over but finds a man dressed as a clown leaving the house. When he walks in the house, he finds his wife has been murdered. He calls the police but his story is so unbelievable, they think he is the one who did it. Jay's siblings work together to try and clear his name. Everything takes off from there...
This was such a great Christian Suspense read! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and the writing style Terri Blackstock has always keeps you interested to find out what happened. This is part of a series but this story is thankfully wrapped up by the end and doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
I enjoyed the faith content in this story and the characters. Overall, 4 stars for me! :)
Cathy is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on homicides. She finds a threatening note on her car but doesn't seem very concerned....until her brother's wife is murdered and all eyes point to him. Jay and his wife Annalee are going through a custody battle for their son Jackson but he receives an email from his wife saying to come over and discuss things....he comes over but finds a man dressed as a clown leaving the house. When he walks in the house, he finds his wife has been murdered. He calls the police but his story is so unbelievable, they think he is the one who did it. Jay's siblings work together to try and clear his name. Everything takes off from there...
This was such a great Christian Suspense read! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and the writing style Terri Blackstock has always keeps you interested to find out what happened. This is part of a series but this story is thankfully wrapped up by the end and doesn't end on a cliffhanger.
I enjoyed the faith content in this story and the characters. Overall, 4 stars for me! :)
April 3, 2017
Three sisters Cathy, Juliet and Holly, just find out their sister-in-law was shot and killed, and their brother, Jay (estranged husband to murder victim) is the prime suspect.
Cathy's fiancé, Joe, was killed not long ago. Joe's brother, Michael, who was a cop at the time, is now her friend and go-to person. She received a threatening note, which instantly had Michael at her side, along with her sisters, but their brother being arrested threw them all in a tail spin of action to find out who was the true murderer, because there's no way it was Jay.
This was a good book! For a while I've been reading books that were categorized Christian fiction, but often had nothing particularly Christian about them, other than maybe someone prayed under their breath, or some folks went to church.
This book almost made up for the others. Christ was evident often even though some character's lives were falling apart. Of course you have several people wondering what on earth God was doing when He allowed the tragedies to happen around them, but the author's way of dealing with this near the end was so refreshing and well told.
It was a legitimate who-done-it, and surprisingly I didn't know who the murderer was until the end. Loved that.
Cathy's fiancé, Joe, was killed not long ago. Joe's brother, Michael, who was a cop at the time, is now her friend and go-to person. She received a threatening note, which instantly had Michael at her side, along with her sisters, but their brother being arrested threw them all in a tail spin of action to find out who was the true murderer, because there's no way it was Jay.
This was a good book! For a while I've been reading books that were categorized Christian fiction, but often had nothing particularly Christian about them, other than maybe someone prayed under their breath, or some folks went to church.
This book almost made up for the others. Christ was evident often even though some character's lives were falling apart. Of course you have several people wondering what on earth God was doing when He allowed the tragedies to happen around them, but the author's way of dealing with this near the end was so refreshing and well told.
It was a legitimate who-done-it, and surprisingly I didn't know who the murderer was until the end. Loved that.
March 11, 2025
Great fast paced mystery! I am unfortunately the reader who has a hard time with mysteries or crime books that are not realistic or just do not seem likely, but this one was well written and really seemed like something that could happen! I also enjoyed all of the characters (except the villain of course), and the dynamics between the characters. It was fast paced with things changing quickly from one minute to the next, but it was nicely balanced with a slower pace in parts that allowed for strong character development. There wasn't as much faith based content as I had expected, but there was enough written into this book to build on in the rest of the series so we'll see. Looking forward to the next series in the book, and am happy to see the next one focuses on Juliet because she was my favorite character in the book!
Last note, I listened to this on audio book and enjoyed the narrator.
Last note, I listened to this on audio book and enjoyed the narrator.
February 10, 2021
Characters: For some reason, I enjoyed reading Juliet's and Holly's perspectives more than I enjoyed Michael's, Cathy's, and Jay's. Maybe because Juliet and Holly had more unique personalities? I'm not sure. But I liked that all the characters had flaws, and I enjoyed how the siblings (Juliet, Cathy, Holly, and Jay) were all close to each other.
Language: Clean. A mention of a character using a certain word, but the word in question wasn't written out.
Moral: This book had a lot of morals. I'll try to remember them all. :) One of the morals was that God is still sovereign even when things aren't going well in our lives and we can't understand His plan. Another moral was bitterness isn't a good thing. Also, I appreciated the pro-life moral.
Plot: The author kept the plot moving! Although I'd read this book a few years ago, I didn't remember most of it, and the plot kept me entertained.
Romance: Clean. Just a couple kisses at the end. I appreciated that romance wasn't a major plot in this book. Quite refreshing!
Writing: I liked how the author's writing style was easy to read. She didn't get tied up in needless description. I do wish she'd gone into the characters' emotions a little more instead of just saying they were mad or upset or happy.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and suspense. Also, I really liked the author's note at the end. In a lot of Christian fiction, the authors seem to be afraid to make their books actually Christian. Terri Blackstock isn't like that, and I could tell she really put a lot of time into writing her author's note.
Language: Clean. A mention of a character using a certain word, but the word in question wasn't written out.
Moral: This book had a lot of morals. I'll try to remember them all. :) One of the morals was that God is still sovereign even when things aren't going well in our lives and we can't understand His plan. Another moral was bitterness isn't a good thing. Also, I appreciated the pro-life moral.
Plot: The author kept the plot moving! Although I'd read this book a few years ago, I didn't remember most of it, and the plot kept me entertained.
Romance: Clean. Just a couple kisses at the end. I appreciated that romance wasn't a major plot in this book. Quite refreshing!
Writing: I liked how the author's writing style was easy to read. She didn't get tied up in needless description. I do wish she'd gone into the characters' emotions a little more instead of just saying they were mad or upset or happy.
Overall: I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and suspense. Also, I really liked the author's note at the end. In a lot of Christian fiction, the authors seem to be afraid to make their books actually Christian. Terri Blackstock isn't like that, and I could tell she really put a lot of time into writing her author's note.
March 7, 2013
This description captivated my attention. I was really looking forward to this read – what I thought to be a good crime fiction, a riveting read. I was wrong.
I found the plot formulaic, the characters weak and predicable and worst of all I guessed the villain quite early on in the piece. I was very disappointed, more so because my expectations were so high. I took the synopsis provided by the publisher at face value, I read comments other readers made about the author on the web, they said things like “ how her books kept me awake at night”, how “I could not put them down”. I did not bargain on getting a religious fiction either. I feel I have been misled. I actually I feel stronger than that, I feel I have been conned – there are so many others book that I might have enjoyed, that I could have read instead of this one. I wasted precious reading time on a book that was wasted on me.
Now not wanting to be totally negative – I do see how this type of narrative could /should be branded as crime and religion meets Mills and Boon (no offence intended to Mills and Boon readers, romance does have its own place in fiction). I tried hard to enjoy this book but failed.
I found the plot formulaic, the characters weak and predicable and worst of all I guessed the villain quite early on in the piece. I was very disappointed, more so because my expectations were so high. I took the synopsis provided by the publisher at face value, I read comments other readers made about the author on the web, they said things like “ how her books kept me awake at night”, how “I could not put them down”. I did not bargain on getting a religious fiction either. I feel I have been misled. I actually I feel stronger than that, I feel I have been conned – there are so many others book that I might have enjoyed, that I could have read instead of this one. I wasted precious reading time on a book that was wasted on me.
Now not wanting to be totally negative – I do see how this type of narrative could /should be branded as crime and religion meets Mills and Boon (no offence intended to Mills and Boon readers, romance does have its own place in fiction). I tried hard to enjoy this book but failed.
October 21, 2019
Intense. And I mean stomach-in-knots, heart-exploding-out-of-chest, edge-of-your-seat intense. Terri Blackstock knows how to keep me delightfully uncomfortable and I enjoy every shivery minute! :-)
Multidimensional characters with complex lives and a deeply rooted faith thread enrich the heart-pounding suspense. This is the first book in Blackstock's Moonlighters series and I'm amazed at how quickly I got to know these three sisters and their family dynamics -- even in the midst of all the tension and strife.
I listened to the audible version, narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir and she did an excellent job of drawing out the suspense and amping up my panic-stricken state. Honestly, I don't think my heart rate evened out until well after it was all over. Whew -- what an adrenaline rush of a ride!
Multidimensional characters with complex lives and a deeply rooted faith thread enrich the heart-pounding suspense. This is the first book in Blackstock's Moonlighters series and I'm amazed at how quickly I got to know these three sisters and their family dynamics -- even in the midst of all the tension and strife.
I listened to the audible version, narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir and she did an excellent job of drawing out the suspense and amping up my panic-stricken state. Honestly, I don't think my heart rate evened out until well after it was all over. Whew -- what an adrenaline rush of a ride!
April 22, 2021
I thought that I would like this book - plus with so many good reviews.... well - I hate to give 2 stars for a book - so , once again - read the reviews and judge for yourself. Sorry, that is the best I can do.
November 4, 2013
This was a really fast read and very enjoyable. Truth Stained Lies is the first book in Terri Blackstock's new Moonlighters series, and she gets things going with a bang ... or rather, a murder.
The reader very quickly becomes involved in the Cramer family's drama when a veiled threat is left for ex-lawyer turned crime blogger Cathy Cramer at almost exactly the same time as her brother, Jay, is about to walk into his worst nightmare. From that point on, the family (Juliet, Cathy, Jay and Holly) come together to uncover the truth and see justice is done--before another murder happens.
Throughout their sleuthing, the three sisters (who are all dramatically different and at different stages in their spiritual lives) are assisted by the ex-detective (now private investigator) brother of Cathy's deceased fiance. (Don't worry ... the relationships aren't as hard to follow as I'm probably making them sound.)
Terri does add a bit of misdirection to throw readers off the trail; however, anyone tuned in will probably suspect the culprit fairly quickly after they appear on the scene. Even so, picking the murderer won't spoil the enjoyment of the story because this murderer is not satisfied with only one victim.
Although the murder is, obviously, the foundation for Truth Stained Lies, the central focus is, most definitely family, faith and forgiveness. That is the heartbeat of this book, which is why the story continues on for a little longer than normal once the murderer has been revealed. All the loose ends in the family were tied up and relationships restored.
Although I am a Christian, I sometimes feel Christian authors feel obligated to tie things up with some type of Gospel message, even if communicated through the characters' own revelations, repentance and growth. Terri did a quite good job at keeping it believable (she didn't resort to altar calls and the sinner's prayer, as some authors do), but even so, it still felt a tiny bit obvious in those final pages. Having said that, I thought Truth Stained Lies was brought to a really satisfying, uplifting conclusion.
If you are looking for a drawn out thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page, this won't do it for you. However, if you like some thrills combined with a good, clean, family story, then Truth Stained Lies should suit you perfectly. I finished it in a day (thanks to voice over on my iPhone--perfect for listening to Kindle books while doing housework or driving) and enjoyed it very much. I immediately pre-ordered book 2 in the series--Distortion--which is due for release in March 2014. Looking forward to the next installment.
The reader very quickly becomes involved in the Cramer family's drama when a veiled threat is left for ex-lawyer turned crime blogger Cathy Cramer at almost exactly the same time as her brother, Jay, is about to walk into his worst nightmare. From that point on, the family (Juliet, Cathy, Jay and Holly) come together to uncover the truth and see justice is done--before another murder happens.
Throughout their sleuthing, the three sisters (who are all dramatically different and at different stages in their spiritual lives) are assisted by the ex-detective (now private investigator) brother of Cathy's deceased fiance. (Don't worry ... the relationships aren't as hard to follow as I'm probably making them sound.)
Terri does add a bit of misdirection to throw readers off the trail; however, anyone tuned in will probably suspect the culprit fairly quickly after they appear on the scene. Even so, picking the murderer won't spoil the enjoyment of the story because this murderer is not satisfied with only one victim.
Although the murder is, obviously, the foundation for Truth Stained Lies, the central focus is, most definitely family, faith and forgiveness. That is the heartbeat of this book, which is why the story continues on for a little longer than normal once the murderer has been revealed. All the loose ends in the family were tied up and relationships restored.
Although I am a Christian, I sometimes feel Christian authors feel obligated to tie things up with some type of Gospel message, even if communicated through the characters' own revelations, repentance and growth. Terri did a quite good job at keeping it believable (she didn't resort to altar calls and the sinner's prayer, as some authors do), but even so, it still felt a tiny bit obvious in those final pages. Having said that, I thought Truth Stained Lies was brought to a really satisfying, uplifting conclusion.
If you are looking for a drawn out thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page, this won't do it for you. However, if you like some thrills combined with a good, clean, family story, then Truth Stained Lies should suit you perfectly. I finished it in a day (thanks to voice over on my iPhone--perfect for listening to Kindle books while doing housework or driving) and enjoyed it very much. I immediately pre-ordered book 2 in the series--Distortion--which is due for release in March 2014. Looking forward to the next installment.
May 31, 2025
This book felt like a really fast read, I couldn't put it down. When the book first opens, you fell like you are started in the middle of the story, as it starts talking about events of the past without really explaining what happened. But this didn't deter me, as the suspense was just beginning. Who was the murderer and why was Joe being framed? As the 3 sisters and a friend try to get to the bottom of this the mystery continues to grow and the perpetrator is slowly revealed. At a certain point I was sure I knew who it was but couldn't figure out why they would have done it or what they had to gain. As the story moved along and more details were revealed, I was happy to find out I was correct. My favourite part was the stand-off scene. It was tense and I was really beginning to wonder if the good guys would all get out and survive. The scene was described perfectly and I felt like I was watching it play out on tv. There were a couple characters I was really drawn to and was pleased with the way the book ended for them. There was one character that really bothered me, but there wasn't much focus around him, so I didn't get to explore this feeling. I hope more is revealed about him in the next book and I can understand why I had this feeling about him. I look forward to spending more time with this family in the next books.
November 21, 2022
Another great series start. I had to place a hold on the next book so of course, I am going to move on to another of Blackstock's series. I can tell you I really did enjoy this book. It was a little sad and happy and touched on some real issues. It was well written and honestly, gives you something to ponder. I mean many hurt Christians struggle with real issues like Holly has in this book. I love how Blackstock shows how actions can wound and even destroy another's walk, BUT God is always there to help us find our meaning, worth and way back home! Well written and exciting to read!
June 21, 2013
Haven’t read a cosy mystery in a long time and this book was a nice one to start with after my break.
This story is one of the simplest mysteries I’ve ever read. It wasn’t so much about the twist and turns, and the complexities attributed to a typical mystery weren’t present. This however didn’t stop the story from being engaging and interesting to follow.
The character with the strongest and best developed personality was Holly. Her brokenness and need for redemption was so well illustrated it wasn’t so hard to relate to her and understand her as you would a real person.
By the end of the story, I still couldn’t figure out what Max’s problem was with his brother, Michael. All that kept going in my head was, “Hey, what gives?” It was quite clear it was a case of an unhealthy mix of pride, insecurity, anger and jealousy. That made me disappointed with his character—yes, didn’t like him much.
Juliet was strong, and I wish her family issues—specifically the ones between her and her husband were brought more to light, since the author went ahead to hint that there could be something there.
At the end of the day, after gathering everything that the story has to offer about Cathy, the one word that I can ascribe to her character is, determined. Nothing more. There were other hints as to what more her character could be, but not much.
Michael had the tendency to be sweet. One thing he definitely was—dependable.
There was back-story in the lives of each character that affected their present issues. I only wish it were more explicit. Enough however was laid out to understand each character’s point of view and where they were coming from. For instance, it was stated what led to Michael’s problem with his family but not why they chose to believe and act the way they did towards him. A little peek into Max’s head would have probably solved that problem. I can’t help but be curious about it. It just seems absurd to me. Some mistakes can clearly be seen as what they are—a mistake. Simple. Didn’t make me like that family much.
Also, the romance in this story is the lightest I’ve ever seen. It was only stated and referenced to in not more than three scenarios, which left me disappointed. I get that it’s a cosy mystery, but it should have been more. The main characters, Cathy and Michael were introduced and presented in a manner that would cause a reader to anticipate so much more than what was offered.
The end was not dissatisfying per say, but it could have been worked on more, unless of course Cathy’s and Michael’s story continue in the series.
Overall, it was a good book. Not over the top, but enjoyable and engaging. I can’t say I’m disappointed.
This story is one of the simplest mysteries I’ve ever read. It wasn’t so much about the twist and turns, and the complexities attributed to a typical mystery weren’t present. This however didn’t stop the story from being engaging and interesting to follow.
The character with the strongest and best developed personality was Holly. Her brokenness and need for redemption was so well illustrated it wasn’t so hard to relate to her and understand her as you would a real person.
By the end of the story, I still couldn’t figure out what Max’s problem was with his brother, Michael. All that kept going in my head was, “Hey, what gives?” It was quite clear it was a case of an unhealthy mix of pride, insecurity, anger and jealousy. That made me disappointed with his character—yes, didn’t like him much.
Juliet was strong, and I wish her family issues—specifically the ones between her and her husband were brought more to light, since the author went ahead to hint that there could be something there.
At the end of the day, after gathering everything that the story has to offer about Cathy, the one word that I can ascribe to her character is, determined. Nothing more. There were other hints as to what more her character could be, but not much.
Michael had the tendency to be sweet. One thing he definitely was—dependable.
There was back-story in the lives of each character that affected their present issues. I only wish it were more explicit. Enough however was laid out to understand each character’s point of view and where they were coming from. For instance, it was stated what led to Michael’s problem with his family but not why they chose to believe and act the way they did towards him. A little peek into Max’s head would have probably solved that problem. I can’t help but be curious about it. It just seems absurd to me. Some mistakes can clearly be seen as what they are—a mistake. Simple. Didn’t make me like that family much.
Also, the romance in this story is the lightest I’ve ever seen. It was only stated and referenced to in not more than three scenarios, which left me disappointed. I get that it’s a cosy mystery, but it should have been more. The main characters, Cathy and Michael were introduced and presented in a manner that would cause a reader to anticipate so much more than what was offered.
The end was not dissatisfying per say, but it could have been worked on more, unless of course Cathy’s and Michael’s story continue in the series.
Overall, it was a good book. Not over the top, but enjoyable and engaging. I can’t say I’m disappointed.
October 20, 2013
The novel got off to a start in such a way that I thought I had missed a previous one. Finally, on page 168 the back story is told and the rest of the novel was a pleasure to read. Having that information at the beginning of the novel certainly would have made reading the first half of the book more enjoyable. There is lots of action and the suspense intensifies as we get near the end. This is not Blackstock's best but it is still a pretty good novel. See my full review at http://bit.ly/17alvFa.
January 25, 2021
Terri Blackstock is such a talented writer! I listened to this whole book in about a day and a half. I was definitely on the edge of my seat for most of it.
This one was definitely more predictable that other books of hers but still good. My favorite thing is that she weaves Christianity throughout it.
I recommend for ages 14 and up. Contains discussions of death, murder, cruelty, and contemplated abortion.
This one was definitely more predictable that other books of hers but still good. My favorite thing is that she weaves Christianity throughout it.
I recommend for ages 14 and up. Contains discussions of death, murder, cruelty, and contemplated abortion.
May 30, 2019
I have a plan. Read all the books that I don't want to keep forever, but want to read/re-read before booting them out the door. The list is fairly long... Off to a good start with a Blackstock! Not sure I buy the "moonlighter" premise -- these DIY PIs pull off waaay too much. But it's good for a page-turner that I knocked out in a day.
July 9, 2021
When you're in the mood for a non-blood-and-guts, uplifting mystery, try Terri Blackstock. She is one of my (many) favorite Christian authors as she keeps romance to a minimum and develops believable, likable characters. It wasn't hard to guess the who or why but I think this novel was more about setting up the story arc for the rest of the series, which I hope to read.
November 20, 2017
Een beetje te weinig spanning en sterk christelijk gericht. Toch op naar deel 2
June 18, 2021
I love that this series is about sisters, and I enjoyed the mystery and suspense, although this book is not as complex as some. I did know who the bad guy was from the moment he appeared, which made it a little less fun for me, but still an enjoyable read.
November 22, 2022
A good mystery with family drama. I loved the opening and it's what kept me listening (audio book). I thought the clown ploy was genius. There were so many characters, but Blackstock did a nice job having them all interact well. Because they were all somehow related, it was a bit confusing. Once I got them straight, I enjoyed each role and their involvement in the developing plot. I'm still not quite sure who the main character was, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. A good, fast-paced suspenseful tale.
May 17, 2014
When a man is framed for killing his estranged wife, his three sisters and a friend join forces to find the real killer before it is too late. This book has many of the trademark elements of a Terri Blackstock book, including characters you care about, some good action and suspense, and a little romance (though not as much romance as some of her other books). There are also some ethical dilemmas as lead character Cathy Cramer starts to wonder whether she has put her family in danger by pointing the finger at criminals in her popular blog.
However, I felt there was a little bit too much "tell" rather than "show" in this novel, which is uncharacteristic for Terri Blackstock. I think one of the problems is that she tries to establish five main characters in a relatively short space and so there is a bit too much information dumping at times. The killer is also revealed about two-thirds of the way through the book, which isn't a problem in itself. However, if you like to work through all the clues and have the killer revealed in the climax, it's not that type of book.
Even though the killer is already known, the last 100 pages were still page turners as the group tries to avert a serious scenario involving the brother's young son. The conclusion was satisfying. This is Book 1 in The Moonlighter's Series and there was enough appeal that I'll be tuning in for Book 2. It was just a shame that the writing wasn't quite as good as some of her other books.
However, I felt there was a little bit too much "tell" rather than "show" in this novel, which is uncharacteristic for Terri Blackstock. I think one of the problems is that she tries to establish five main characters in a relatively short space and so there is a bit too much information dumping at times. The killer is also revealed about two-thirds of the way through the book, which isn't a problem in itself. However, if you like to work through all the clues and have the killer revealed in the climax, it's not that type of book.
Even though the killer is already known, the last 100 pages were still page turners as the group tries to avert a serious scenario involving the brother's young son. The conclusion was satisfying. This is Book 1 in The Moonlighter's Series and there was enough appeal that I'll be tuning in for Book 2. It was just a shame that the writing wasn't quite as good as some of her other books.
December 17, 2013
I felt the resolution was a little far-fetched.
It also felt like we were dropped in the middle of a story that had started a book earlier than what Terri was actually writing. There were many details about characters and their (prior to this book) relationships that Terri alluded to, with the tone that made the reader feel like we should have known about it. I didn't like that.
It also felt like we were dropped in the middle of a story that had started a book earlier than what Terri was actually writing. There were many details about characters and their (prior to this book) relationships that Terri alluded to, with the tone that made the reader feel like we should have known about it. I didn't like that.
May 15, 2015
Great read. Good suspense and mystery. Keeps me on the edge of my seats. More detail reviews at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
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January 1, 2025The audiobook was bad, the story itself was okay, but only just okay. I wasn't extremely impressed.
March 9, 2018
Nice easy reading mystery with morals & Christian values. I enjoyed this one; will try more of her books
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