The Mountains Bow Down

Jul 15, 2011 Gail Welborn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

The Mountains Bow Down, (a Raleigh Harmon Mystery), by Sibello Giorello, Thomas Nelson, 2011, 384 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1595545350, $14.99

When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon, forensic minerals and geology specialist, heard the Captain announce a “situation” required the Alaskan cruise ships immediate return to sea, instead of docking in Ketchikan, she “sensed her [working] vacation was officially over.” Outside of ship security she was the only law enforcement on board.

She also knew only one maritime l...more

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May 05, 2011 Edna Tollison rated it 5 of 5 stars

When FBI agent Raleigh Harmon decides to go on vacation alone with her mom, her aunt and her aunt's friend she never thought that it would end up with her having to work. They took a cruise to Alaska but when there was a murder/suicide the ship had to turn around and not go into port. The crew was trying to keep this a secret but on the ship the gossip flies. Raleigh found herself right in the middle of it as they tried to find out what happened.

There was a movie crew on board trying to shot a m...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Pat W. Kirk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Raleigh plans to vacation in Alaska with her mother, aunt, and an irritating clairvoyant, to think about her engagement and her ambivalence about it. However, plans change when a woman disappears and then is discovered hanging off the side of the cruise ship.

As an FBI agent, Raleigh realizes that the vacation is over. Additionally, when she asks her office for help, a handsome agent she remembers as a down-putting thorn-in-her-side volunteers to join her. She can’t forget the trouble he caused...more

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Mar 29, 2011 Nora St Laurent rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was so thankful to receive a review copy of such an exciting, fun, suspenseful, and heartfelt novel. I enjoyed reading about Raleigh, a female FBI agent, who specializes in fore4nsic geology and is good at what she does. Sibella went to school to be a geologist so its fascinating to read how geology helps Raleigh uncover clues she never would have discovered with out it.

I liked how Sibella had Raleigh sty true to her calling in life no matter how the male FBI Agents treated her. I also liked R...more

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Mar 17, 2011 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Mountains Bow Down (A Raleigh Harmon Novel)

Raleigh Harmon, a forensic geologist turned FBI special agent, is on an Alaskan cruise vacation when murder on board forces her to put her vacation on hold in The Mountains Bow Down. While investigating the death of a movie star's wife, Raleigh tries to keep her mother's fragile sanity from breaking. She is helped in her case by rugged and handsome Special Agent Jack Stephanson. His presence only adds to her confusion about her engagement to her high school sweetheart back home in Richmond, VA....more

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Mar 13, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Title: THE MOUNTAINS BOW DOWN
Author: Sibella Giorello
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
March 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59554-535-0
Genre: Inspirational/suspense

FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon needs a vacation. So, she boards a cruise ship to Alaska with her mother, her aunt, and her aunt’s friend, Claire the Clairvoyant. The backdrop of the Last Frontier is a dream destination for Raleigh as she’s hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and a romance that seems to be dying.

But when the ship calls for a Man O...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Joelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .

That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.

My thoughts and Review

Wow! Just happened to pick this book up at the library because the cover and Bio intrigued me and glad I did.This s...more Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .

That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.

My thoughts and Review

Wow! Just happened to pick this book up at the library because the cover and Bio intrigued me and glad I did.This story was a go getter from the beginning.Raleigh is on a cruise to Alaska as she is supposed to be getting some relaxation when she is not working with a picture company filming there.Her vacation plans are blown to hell right from the beginning as she walks upon a dead body hanging over the ship that seems like a suicide but, upon further investigations it looks to be foul play.Being a FBI agent she dives right in the investigation. She calls her boss at home and he sends an agent to assist her.Her assistant seems to be a distraction for he a bit as they seem to have have had past encounters which your are not quite certain were good or bad.Raleigh being a FBI agent is also a gemologist which will help in solving this crime along the way.

You could not help but love Raleigh's character she was a take charge kind of gall.There was so much going on in this story you had to pay attention because, things happened rather quickly.I can say that at any point in this story I did not had a clear suspicious thought about who the killer was.In this story there were so many twists and turns that one clue or clues never really pointed to anyone in particular at any given moment which kept me turning the pages to find out what happen next.

Book was very intriguing as Raleigh took you with her on her journey to solve this crime. I have to say it was a surprise ending for me learning at the tail end of the story to learn who dun-it the suspense was killing me. Totally enjoyable read for me a good mystery to pass the time to. I will be looking into Sibella's past novels to read for sure...

A Recommend read for all....

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May 14, 2011 Valerie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received this book through a Goodreads givaway.

As a big fan of NCIS I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Mountains Bow Down had it all- mystery, a hint of romance, a great setting, well developed characters, and even a few things that NCIS doesn't have, like the mention of God. The Christian theme was what made me intially want to read this book. God wasn't an overwhelming force, but you could sense his presence here and there in the story. Truthfully, I'd say I began the book hoping for God, b...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Giovanni Gelati rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is hump day, Wednesday, for those of us not keeping count. The end of the week for me is just 5 short days away. Wait, then a new week starts again. I need a vacation! Our main character in the novel tried that and her work followed her. Does that mean when I get to take a few days off, some novels, digital short stories and graphic novels are going to follow me? I hope so! The beach wouldn’t be the same without them. Fortunately when work follows me on vacation, I love it and get to share it...more It is hump day, Wednesday, for those of us not keeping count. The end of the week for me is just 5 short days away. Wait, then a new week starts again. I need a vacation! Our main character in the novel tried that and her work followed her. Does that mean when I get to take a few days off, some novels, digital short stories and graphic novels are going to follow me? I hope so! The beach wouldn’t be the same without them. Fortunately when work follows me on vacation, I love it and get to share it with you. Today’s featured author, Sibella Giorella, will be with us in The G-ZONE on April 8th. Here is what is in between the covers on this one:
“Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance. But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion; somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free. Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis-handsome Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack-who might not be as arrogant as she originally thought. And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family. Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a mystery so daunting that even the mountains might bow down before it. “
This novel is billed as a Christian mystery fiction. I have news for you, this genre of novel rocks. Giorella puts together a first rate thriller here. I haven’t read her work before and I have to admit I am bummed by that. I am definitely going to back track to the other novels she has written. The character development was intense, her descriptive ability amazing, and the plotline was engaging and hard to pull away from. Going to Alaska and on a cruise is on Mrs.Gelati and my to do list, but after reading this I may not have to do it, Siabella Giorello made me feel like I had been there. Her descriptive ability made me see, feel and experience all the things that her main character was seeing; I really like that. The romance and the family subplots were nice and kept things a bit tense and helped offer a nice reprieve from the murder and the investigation of it.
Murder doesn’t follow everyone on vacation, but books sometimes do. I suggest not only taking this one with you to wherever your vacation destination is this year, but why not read all her work. After all good is good and fun is fun. Give Siabello Giorella a shot and have The Mountains Bow Down in front of you.
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Mar 22, 2011 Kaity-Jane Culbertson rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read The Clouds Roll Away last month when my friend, Katy, let me borrow it. I enjoyed the story and while it didn't make it onto my favorites list it was good enough to where I got the next book - The Mountains Bow Down. WOW! What an AMAZING book that was! I couldn't put it down - the mystery was so great and I absolutely loved joining Raleigh on her investigations. I enjoy how Giorello doesn't simply incorporate the mystery, but also Raleigh's own life. It gives the book a little more person...more I read The Clouds Roll Away last month when my friend, Katy, let me borrow it. I enjoyed the story and while it didn't make it onto my favorites list it was good enough to where I got the next book - The Mountains Bow Down. WOW! What an AMAZING book that was! I couldn't put it down - the mystery was so great and I absolutely loved joining Raleigh on her investigations. I enjoy how Giorello doesn't simply incorporate the mystery, but also Raleigh's own life. It gives the book a little more personal feel. I usually don't like books narrated from the first person's view point, but Giorello did an excellent job pulling it off and I loved reading this book from Raleigh's perspective.

Raleigh was awesome. I loved her in The Clouds Roll Away and even more in The Mountains Bow Down. She loves her job and does it to the best of her ability, often sacrificing her own relax time to do her job, which she actually loved. Few people could understand Raleigh's willingness to do her job even during her vacation in the book, but I sure did! If I had a job as enticing as Raleigh's, I wouldn't want to rest - resting could mean that someone guilty was on the loose! :-)
Raleigh was a very realistic character. She loved her job and desired strongly to get to the bottom of each case. Her mother, who is unstable, is under the assumption that Raleigh is a geologist and Raleigh feels bad about not telling her mother she is an FBI agent and deceiving her. I know I would feel the exact same way! Raleigh thinks that this is the best way to protect her mother and learns some great lessons in the book. I loved her kind and caring nature, and felt as if I were there with her as she endured hardships.

In The Clouds Roll Away I met Demott, who is now Raleigh's fiancée. I'll be honest and say I never really liked Demott. I don't know why really, but I just didn't like him that much at all. Something didn't settle right with me about the guy. In The Mountains Bow Down...I won't lie and say that after the first chapter the voice inside of my head wasn't going "Yes yes YES!". LOL. I'm not sure where the whole Demott thing is going, but suffice to say, I wasn't disappointed at all by the end of the book.

Jack Stephanson. If I was to use one word to describe him it would probably be...SUPERB. ;) Oh my, as soon as Jack walked onto the scene I knew he was going to be my favorite character. He was very funny and annoying and everything awesome. I loved his personality and couldn't help but smile every time he entered the story. His and Raleigh's relationship was so funny and I found myself chuckling at some of the conversations they have. Jack is impossible to not like!

There are a few things to point out as to the content: Porn is involved in a mild amount. There is nothing descriptive in the least - they just find some pictures that it says disgust Raleigh and some of the bad guys are pornographers. Nothing is described at all - but it is something to be pointed out. Also, there is a man who commits adultery with a bunch of women and when his wife finds out she takes him to a therapist to help with sexual addiction. It is just mentioned briefly and it doesn't go into any further.
The last think I have to mention is there are a few alcoholics and a man who is always drunk. Nothing bad happens, and it didn't bother me, but I thought I'd point it out.

All in all, this was an amazing book that I highly recommend you pick up. While I do suggest you read the previous books in the series first for a little background, it is not necessary and you could read these as stand alones if you desired. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great mystery! (less)

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Mar 21, 2011 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-favorites

Sometimes it’s the silliest things that make me want to read a particular book, often having little or nothing to do with the actual story. I find this quirk of mine to be an asset most of the time, particularly with this book. The story did not sound especially interesting to me, but what did interest me was the setting. I was very interested in reading a book set in Alaska, as I always am. Frankly, this book could have taken place in Cleveland and I still would have enjoyed it. I have not read...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-books, mysteries

One beef I have with Christian fiction is that it rarely offers good mystery novels, so when Book Sneeze offered free copies of The Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello to bloggers, I ordered one. I was pleasantly surprised. As a mystery, it’s not bad: Raleigh Harmon, a geologist with the FBI, is on an Alaskan cruise when she is the first to recognize that the suicide of an on-board movie star’s wife is not actually suicide. The book took a bit too long to hook me, and a few plot details didn’...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: LitFuse

Shelves: book-review

This is a FANTASTIC addition to the Raleigh Harmon novels. Sibella Giorello's talent shines through her works of fiction as she creates yet another suspenseful mystery for her readers. Her work is masterful, as she adds bits and pieces of humor to keep the reader hooked, lots of tense moments to keep the reader on the edge of their seats and guessing what's next.

Newly engaged FBI Agent Raleigh Harmon needs to get away to make sure things will be all right, and she's making the right choice. But...more

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Feb 28, 2011 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2011

An Alaskan cruise vacation puts Raleigh Harmon in the middle of a murder. As an FBI agent, her skills and observations tell her that this is not a suicide, as others think, and she embarks on an investigation to prove it. What is standing in her way? Time - she has five days; Geert - a Dutch policeman who works for the cruise line; Milo Carpenter - actor and husband of the dead woman; consulting on an actual movie; and Jack Stephanson - FBI agent assigned to help her, and someone with whom she h...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Michelle Padrelanan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have featured The Mountains Bow Down (A Raleigh Harmon Novel) by Sibella Giorello in my previous post before. After reading the summary, I was quite excited to finally receive this book and read it.

Raleigh Harmon is an FBI Special Agent and forensic geologist who is off on a cruise to Alaska. Acting as a consultant for a movie being filmed on board, she hopes to have time to explore the beauties of the mountains of Alaska. She is joined on this cruise by her mother, who has a mental condition,...more I have featured The Mountains Bow Down (A Raleigh Harmon Novel) by Sibella Giorello in my previous post before. After reading the summary, I was quite excited to finally receive this book and read it.

Raleigh Harmon is an FBI Special Agent and forensic geologist who is off on a cruise to Alaska. Acting as a consultant for a movie being filmed on board, she hopes to have time to explore the beauties of the mountains of Alaska. She is joined on this cruise by her mother, who has a mental condition, and her aunt who is a specialist in crystals. She also saw this cruise as a time to get away from her fiancee.

Little did she know that even on this fantastic Alaskan cruise, her skills as a forensic geologist will be put to use. The wife of the movie actor that she is consulting for dies on the cruise. The ship’s chief of security is quick to rule it a suicide, but she believes it’s a murder. Not wanting to let a murderer go free, her planned vacation has now turned to work for her.

MY THOUGHTS
Sibella Giorello writes beautifully. She has a gift for writing beautiful descriptions of the scenic places in Alaska that feels like you are actually experiencing it yourself. Her character, Raleigh Harmon, is highly skilled in her profession as an FBI agent but she is made real with her struggles with her family, her fiancee and the other FBI agent who was sent to assist her. I feel that I really got to know this character very well.

I also liked the way she developed the mystery in this book. It was very interesting to follow every clue with Raleigh. This book has components of mystery, thriller, love story and the complications of family relationships that makes this a worthwhile read.

There are only a couple of things that I was disappointed with. I felt that the ending was just too complicated and came at me so fast. I mean, after slowly solving the mystery through the book and following it with excitement, suddenly there was this ending that had such a complicated story with it.

The other thing that I found to be a negative was the way the Filipino crew on the ship was portrayed. Being a Filipino myself, I find it hard to believe that Filipinos on cruise ships answer in one-word English as was portrayed in the book. Although, she was ably assisted by a Filipino-American bartender towards the end of the story, this FilAm bartender says that he is American, not Filipino.

The Mountains Bow Down is her 3rd book in A Raleigh Harmon novel. Check out other reviews in this Litfuse Blog Tour.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for a review.(less)

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Feb 20, 2011 Laverne Ombadykow rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book written by Sibella Giorello that I have read and I couldn't put it down. In the book, Raleigh Harmon,who is an FBI agent, has gone on a cruise with her mother, aunt, and a friend of her aunt's. A murder occurs at the beginning of the story, so instead of enjoying an Alaskan vacation Raleigh spends all of her time working. There is a movie being filmed on the ship and lots of intrigue regarding rare gems. Raleigh happens to know a lot about gems and can even examine them to...more

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Mar 27, 2011 Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, mysteries

Not only did the latest installment of my favorite mystery series teach me what a phillumenist is (I'll wait while you look it up), it also spurred me to rearrange my destination wish list (for all those "someday" trips) by bumping an Alaskan cruise up to 4th place. Plus the story provided a grand adventure with an exciting climax!

However, when I first read that beleaguered FBI Specialist Raleigh Harmon would be working her latest case with handsome nemesis Jack Stephanson while fiance DeMott Fi...more Not only did the latest installment of my favorite mystery series teach me what a phillumenist is (I'll wait while you look it up), it also spurred me to rearrange my destination wish list (for all those "someday" trips) by bumping an Alaskan cruise up to 4th place. Plus the story provided a grand adventure with an exciting climax!

However, when I first read that beleaguered FBI Specialist Raleigh Harmon would be working her latest case with handsome nemesis Jack Stephanson while fiance DeMott Fielding stayed home, I thought the author was stringing me along. A main character torn between two men entices readers to keep turning pages and begging for sequels.

In this case, Jack Stephanson was exactly what Raleigh Harmon needed. He added humor and a sizzle of romance to the story. But even more than that, for the first time I felt that Raleigh had found someone who truly understood her---which proved to be a powerful development in the life of this beloved character. (I shouldn't have doubted you, Sibella!)

With Jack at her side, Raleigh is able to navigate the colorful cast of characters (the Dutchman, the Ninja, Claire the Clairvoyant) and strip away the Hollywood glitz to discern between what's an illusion and what's real. Which for geologist Raleigh, always comes back to earth's bedrock.

And I loved the scene where she pondered her father's words that there was something--or Someone--even more sure than the earth's constants . . .

"My dad felt compelled to remind me that it would all disappear. Every rock, every hill, each stitch of order. One day the oceans would rise and the mountains bow down, and every last speck of cherished earth would be forced to recognize true power and true majesty . . .

Pulling the blanket over my head, I realized the most stunning part of all. The same God who created these breathtaking landscapes listened to me now."

What a timely reminder that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46)

This book was a real treat. I almost wish I hadn't finished it in one day! (less)

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Feb 28, 2011 Barbara Brink rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read all of the Raleigh Harmon novels and in my opinion they just get better and better. This fourth one in the series was so good I didn’t want it to end, but although it is the longest book so far, I knew that Raleigh had to eventually solve the case and get off that cruise ship.
Raleigh and her mother are along for the ride on a cruise with her Aunt Charlotte and Charlotte’s crazy psychic friend, who just happens to grate on Raleigh’s last nerve every time she’s in the room. Raleigh ha...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Mmtimes4 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better...That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule t...more

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Apr 20, 2011 Tracy rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Mystery and suspense fans who like a strong, flawed heroine.

Shelves: thriller-suspense, first-reads

Solid Suspense in a Phenomenal Setting
FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon needed this vacation, but she sure didn't need to get stuck on a ship with 2,000 other people invading her personal space. She's nearly desperate to get into the Alaskan port of Ketchikan and take a hike in the most beautiful landscape she will likely ever see, finding rocks and minerals to add to her collection in this geologist's paradise. Then a trio of deep, bellowing sounds shatters the air and further wrecks her already...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Mishel Zabala rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

My Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Raleigh Harmon is on a much needed vacation on a cruise to Alaska. The company may not be ideal but the break from work is certainly welcomed. Her eccentric aunt has arranged Raleigh to be a consultant for a movie being filmed on the cruise. The lead actor is supposed to be an FBI agent in the movie but his acting skills might get in the way of the movie actually being good. But when the actor’s wife is found hanging off the side of the giant ship Raleigh’s vacation become...more My Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Raleigh Harmon is on a much needed vacation on a cruise to Alaska. The company may not be ideal but the break from work is certainly welcomed. Her eccentric aunt has arranged Raleigh to be a consultant for a movie being filmed on the cruise. The lead actor is supposed to be an FBI agent in the movie but his acting skills might get in the way of the movie actually being good. But when the actor’s wife is found hanging off the side of the giant ship Raleigh’s vacation becomes no more. Although most believe the woman’s death is a suicide Raleigh finds more and more evidence that a killer is loose on the ship.

To make matters more difficult, Special Agent Jack Stephanson is called in to help Raleigh with the murder case. Raleigh simply doesn’t have time to pick apart her complicated feelings for Jack. She’s got a limited amount of time to solve the murder, find the killer, and keep her mother from completely falling apart.

Raleigh is such a great character. I really liked her in Giorello’s previous novel and she didn’t disappoint this time around either. I definitely don’t envy Raleigh’s life although parts of it are so fascinating. Raleigh is a forensic geologist and The Mountains Bow Down was full of really interesting facts and details that brought in Giorello’s knowledge of geology. The information added a lot of credibility to Raleigh’s character and I really enjoyed reading it.

Not only does Raleigh have to solve a murder but she has to battle her feelings for Jack. Now I don’t honestly remember much of Jack from the previous novel or much of Raleigh’s fiance’ DeMott. I’ll probably have to go back and re-read. However, I was still able to feel the tension between Jack and Raleigh although I couldn’t really remember what had happened between them. Honestly Jack won me over. He’s cute, quick-witted, and funny but can be very protective, loyal, and caring as well. He must have been a jerk to poor Raleigh for her to feel so conflicted towards him. There were times when I wish she would have given in but she’s got some major will-power.

Also on Raleigh’s mind is her mother. Again, I’m getting peeved at myself for not recalling any previous knowledge of Giorello’s prior novel. Apparently Raleigh’s mother is extremely fragile. Her state of mind borders on the line of breaking and Raleigh takes great care to keep her mother calm. This cruise definitely takes their relationship and her mother’s mind for a roller coaster ride. It’s both heart-breaking and scary to see and I’m interested to see what happens for both Raleigh and her mother in Giorello’s next installment.

The Mountains Bow Down is an excellent novel. It’s so easy to get lost in Giorello’s writing. Although there are previous novels in the series, I still think The Mountains Bow Down can be read as a stand-alone.(less)

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Mar 24, 2011 Jodie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, litfuse, net-galley

After being transferred back and forth between Virginia and Washington several times, Raleigh Harmon decides it's time for a vacation to sort things out. When her aunt has a connection for a cruise to Alaska, Raleigh sets sail for a much needed rest. However, on the first night things are turned upside down when a woman is found dead on board the ship. And not just any woman, the wife of a Hollywood actor. Having to switch gears from vacation to work, Raleigh asks for help so they can solve the...more

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Mar 18, 2011 Amber French rated it 4 of 5 stars

Raleigh Harmon needs a vacation. She goes on a cruise to Alaska with her mother, aunt and her aunt’s friend, needing some time away from her fiancé and the life they’ll soon share. It’s not long before her vacation takes a deadly turn when a body is found hanging on the side of the ship. Raleigh quickly determines the woman was murdered – not the suicide everyone wants to believe. She has until the cruise ends to find out who’s responsible. While solving this case, she must also figure out her f...more

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Aug 24, 2011 K.B. Hallman rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 21st-century, completed-2011, mystery, strong-female-lead, library-book

I enjoyed the story very much. And I really liked that Giorello didn't waste my time describing Raleigh's looks. That is so refreshing. For some reason, the physical descriptions of female leads are usually given ad infinitum. (Who really cares about the character's height, weight, cup size, and hair and eye color?) Here's an author with a story to tell, and she does a marvelous job telling it. Raleigh's personal situation with her mother is as fascinating as the murder mystery Raleigh is workin...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Raleigh is an FBI agent on an Alaskan Cruise. She is supposed to be vacationing/consulting for a movie being film aboard. Instead of a relaxing voyage, she gets caught up in a murder and the theft of valuable jewels. The pressure is on to solve these crimes before the cruise ends and the passengers (and possibly the culprit) disperse. Also thrown into the mix is her mother's nervous breakdown.

The story is fast moving and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Diana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 21, 2012 Catherine Leggitt rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love Sibella Giorello's characters and the other books in the Raleigh Harmon series were page-turners. This one took me a while to get finished and frankly, I skipped quite a few paragraphs. Maybe I wasn't totally in the mood. I don't know what the problem was exactly. The plot was harder to follow than usual. Maybe too many extraneous characters. Maybe the rocks she trailed seemed not important enough for someone to kill over. I kept waiting to learn what the murder was really about. Anyway,...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Joelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .

That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.

But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rul...more

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May 23, 2011 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had the privilege of interviewing Sibella Giorello, on our radio show "Kingdom Highlights", for her new book, "The Mountains Bow Down" Book Four in the Raleigh Harmon series published by Thomas Nelson.

Raleigh Harmon, FBI Special Agent and Forensic Geologist, is on a cruise to Alaska with her mother, Aunt and her aunt's friend. This is a free cruise as Raleigh is technically, a consultant for a movie company filing on board ship, which is how she received the free tickets. Everything is going f...more I had the privilege of interviewing Sibella Giorello, on our radio show "Kingdom Highlights", for her new book, "The Mountains Bow Down" Book Four in the Raleigh Harmon series published by Thomas Nelson.

Raleigh Harmon, FBI Special Agent and Forensic Geologist, is on a cruise to Alaska with her mother, Aunt and her aunt's friend. This is a free cruise as Raleigh is technically, a consultant for a movie company filing on board ship, which is how she received the free tickets. Everything is going fine until a woman's body is discovered hanging off the rear of the ship. Turns out the woman is the wife of the lead actor of the movie company and the ship's security officer thinks it is a suicide. Raleigh thinks it is murder but she has no authority to investigate.

Looking for help she receives Jack Stephanson, an agent she has worked with before that she doesn't particularly like. Now she has to deal with opposition from the ship's head of security, all manner of red herrings and other events that tie into the murder but do not actually lead anywhere and she has four days to discover who did it and why before the ship docks and all the passengers disembark.

I did not want to put down "The Mountains Bow Down". This book is like they used to write murder mysteries in the sixties, with all kinds of people who had lots of motive and twists and turns galore. There are a number of great themes in this book one of which is family. Raleigh loves her family in opposition to the phoniness of the movie people. Raleigh wants to know who killed the woman because no one else seems to even care that she is dead. Everyone needs a champion and Raleigh Harmon is a good one. Ms. Giorello has created a winner with this series. I started with this book and am no eager to go and read the others in this series. If you like a good mystery with twists and turns and some heart racing action then this is the book for you. I recommend this book highly and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

If you missed the interview for "The Mountains Bow Down" and would like to listen to it and/or other interviews as well please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.

To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”(less)

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Apr 01, 2011 LuAnn rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book by this author I’ve read. The first was “The Clouds Roll Away”
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First off, let me say I’m such a huge fan of Sibella Giorello. She is an excellent writer and her stories have such wonderful descriptions (see passages below for examples). She is a former journalist and I love reading books by those who are or have been in my chosen profession. In journalism classes, we learn how to capture the reader’s attention and keep it. Gone are the days of the “inverted pyramid.” Now...more

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The Mountains Bow Down (Raleigh Harmon Mystery #4)

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