Book Review for Criss-Cross by C.C.Warrens
Criss-Cross, by C.C. Warrens, is a Christian thriller about remembering what evil had taken away, and knowing that, in the end, you’ve always a home you can go back to.
Detective Richard Marx is investigating the death of two men, both of whom are connected to the attempted assault of a young woman named Holly Smith. Now, with a sadistic stalker on the loose, Richard must protect Holly with everything he has, even if it means giving up his own life. Holly, meanwhile, is a freelance photographer who can’t remember anything from her childhood. When a card shows up at her door, asking her to come home, she dismisses it. However, after a series of frightening events, Holly finally realizes that she is in more danger than she realizes, and that the only thing she can do to save herself is remember. C.C. Warrens shows that, though the demons from a nightmare may be lurking in the shadows, having courage and faith can light even the darkest of places.
There’s no doubt that Holly is haunted by forgotten memories. To be honest, I’m amazed Holly can still function as well as she does. Not only that, but when she does finally stop running, it’s clear that she will do whatever it takes to protect her friends and survive. Her practice of writing down one thing she’s thankful for to God helped keep her sanity as well, preventing her from drifting off into despair. Her faith also stemmed from the most unlikeliest of places; a ruined childhood, a stolen Bible, and a refusal to give up on life. I loved this part of her character, because it illustrates that while Holly knows that she’s suffering, but she endeavors to endure, if only to reclaim her life.
This brings me to the concept of having faith in God, even in the most troubled of times. Holly was innocent in all of this; the only survivor of her family’s massacre, and with only fragments of her memories left to her, she managed to pull herself together to try and live her. She was trampled on, abused, drifting from foster home to foster home, but she still pulled through. In God, she was strong, and for that I commend her.
As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.3 out of 5 stars. With each memory returned, the story slowly begins to piece itself together, if only for the sake of a sorrowful truth. Readers will enjoy the gripping plot twists and evocative narrative. Those who love thrillers in general will also love this book.
