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Del Shannon #1
Nazareth Child
A new mystery series featuring young female investigator Del Shannon
As a smart and determined field operative for Desert Sands Covert in Tucson, Arizona, Del Shannon has earned a reputation for being nearly invincible at tracking down missing persons. Ironically, the only person Del has never been able to locate is the mother she's never known.
Meanwhile, the Feds are investigating a compound run by religious leader Silas Rule in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The first undercover agent sent to the clannish community has gone missing, and Del is recruited when the FBI discovers that her father owns an abandoned property in the area. She partners with ATFE agent Frank Falconet, a New Yorker who's battling his own demons. As she and Frank go undercover, Del has a second agenda: discover if Silas Rule and the secretive Nazareth Church he commands hold the key to her mother's past.
As a smart and determined field operative for Desert Sands Covert in Tucson, Arizona, Del Shannon has earned a reputation for being nearly invincible at tracking down missing persons. Ironically, the only person Del has never been able to locate is the mother she's never known.
Meanwhile, the Feds are investigating a compound run by religious leader Silas Rule in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The first undercover agent sent to the clannish community has gone missing, and Del is recruited when the FBI discovers that her father owns an abandoned property in the area. She partners with ATFE agent Frank Falconet, a New Yorker who's battling his own demons. As she and Frank go undercover, Del has a second agenda: discover if Silas Rule and the secretive Nazareth Church he commands hold the key to her mother's past.
360 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Darrell James
22 books29 followersDarrell James is a crime-fiction writer who splits his time between Pasadena, CA and Tucson, AZ. His short stories have appeared in numerous mystery magazines such as Hardboiled, Futures Mysterious Anthologies magazine and many others. His stories also appear in book anthologies: LAndmarked For Murder, Politics Noir and Deadly Ink 2007, Scoundrels, and Vengeance edited by Lee Child.
His first novel, Nazareth Child, is the winner of the Left Coast Crime Eureka Award for Best First Novel, and features a young female investigator, Del Shannon, who finds and recovers missing persons. Sonora Crossing, book two in the series, is scheduled for release in September 2012.
His first novel, Nazareth Child, is the winner of the Left Coast Crime Eureka Award for Best First Novel, and features a young female investigator, Del Shannon, who finds and recovers missing persons. Sonora Crossing, book two in the series, is scheduled for release in September 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 30, 2013
Del Shannon is a field operative for a P.I. firm in Tucson, Arizona, and her specialty is tracking missing persons. But as good as she might be at digging out the details of other peoples' lives, there's a lot she doesn't know about her own. She has never known her mother. She has no idea if the woman is even still alive and if so, where she might be. Her father, who drinks a great deal, keeps her at arm's length and refuses to tell her much about her past.
It turns out that federal agencies like the F.B.I. and the A.T.F.E. know more about Del than she knows about herself and, at a critical turning point in her life, the Feds see a chance to use her for their own purposes. They recruit Del, pair her with and A.T.F.E. agent named Frank Falconet, and send her undercover to investigate the activities of an alleged faith healer named Silas Rule.
Rule has gathered his flock into a compound that he calls Nazareth Church, which is hidden away in the remote, forbidding hills of Kentucky. And when Del and Frank attempt to infiltrate the community, a lot of people, Del included, are in for some very potent surprises.
It would not be fair to say much more about the plot, but this is a well-written, entertaining debut novel, and Del Shannon makes a very interesting protagonist. This is a book that should capture and hold the interest of anyone who likes a good page-turner.
It turns out that federal agencies like the F.B.I. and the A.T.F.E. know more about Del than she knows about herself and, at a critical turning point in her life, the Feds see a chance to use her for their own purposes. They recruit Del, pair her with and A.T.F.E. agent named Frank Falconet, and send her undercover to investigate the activities of an alleged faith healer named Silas Rule.
Rule has gathered his flock into a compound that he calls Nazareth Church, which is hidden away in the remote, forbidding hills of Kentucky. And when Del and Frank attempt to infiltrate the community, a lot of people, Del included, are in for some very potent surprises.
It would not be fair to say much more about the plot, but this is a well-written, entertaining debut novel, and Del Shannon makes a very interesting protagonist. This is a book that should capture and hold the interest of anyone who likes a good page-turner.
December 31, 2013
I wanted more depth to the characters, especially bad guys and victims. Things were not special or different enough.
I really liked Del. She was a private investigator who always got her target. She was tough and smart. The first few chapters were excellent, setting up the mystery, showing how Del got her first PI job, her interaction with her father, and the mystery about her mother. The end where Del shows her stuff in the final conflict was good.
But the middle and most of the book felt ordinary, things I’ve heard before. Silas is the preacher-leader. His son Cullen is the spoiled rich kid doing nothing impressive and beating up others. Nigel the dwarf-yes-man carrying out Silas’ orders. All three of these characters left me with questions. It would have been better to see inside them, to see flaws, strengths, push, pull, and conflicts within. Instead they just do predictably bad things to others. It felt like TV show quality - ok but not special.
Frank Falconet is a government agent assigned to go undercover to investigate the religious group. Del is asked to be his pretend wife since her parents had a connection to the group. There is a romantic pull between Del and Falconet. Not much is done with that. I would have liked more interesting development between them.
There are a few sex scenes in this book. They are vaguely referred to or described without much detail.
I really enjoyed this author’s short story “Even a Blind Man” which appeared in Mystery Writers of America Presents Vengeance. And I’ve been waiting for him to do a full length novel. I believe Nazareth Child is his first.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 350 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: about four. Setting: 1981 and 2011 Kentucky and Arizona. Copyright: 2011. Genre: mystery suspense.
I really liked Del. She was a private investigator who always got her target. She was tough and smart. The first few chapters were excellent, setting up the mystery, showing how Del got her first PI job, her interaction with her father, and the mystery about her mother. The end where Del shows her stuff in the final conflict was good.
But the middle and most of the book felt ordinary, things I’ve heard before. Silas is the preacher-leader. His son Cullen is the spoiled rich kid doing nothing impressive and beating up others. Nigel the dwarf-yes-man carrying out Silas’ orders. All three of these characters left me with questions. It would have been better to see inside them, to see flaws, strengths, push, pull, and conflicts within. Instead they just do predictably bad things to others. It felt like TV show quality - ok but not special.
Frank Falconet is a government agent assigned to go undercover to investigate the religious group. Del is asked to be his pretend wife since her parents had a connection to the group. There is a romantic pull between Del and Falconet. Not much is done with that. I would have liked more interesting development between them.
There are a few sex scenes in this book. They are vaguely referred to or described without much detail.
I really enjoyed this author’s short story “Even a Blind Man” which appeared in Mystery Writers of America Presents Vengeance. And I’ve been waiting for him to do a full length novel. I believe Nazareth Child is his first.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 350 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: about four. Setting: 1981 and 2011 Kentucky and Arizona. Copyright: 2011. Genre: mystery suspense.
January 18, 2015
I chose to read this book because a lot of it takes place in Arizona. Del Shannon is a Missing Persons Finder (my words) who has had great success in finding those who are lost .. either by chance or by choice. Her only failure is her own mother. Del has been raised by her controlling, mean, bitter father who will not tell her anything about her mother.
Del is recruited by the FBI to help infiltrate a religious cult in Kentucky led by faith healer Silas Rule ... just so happens that her father was once a member and owns a house in that particular community.
I like Del Shannon as a character ..... she's smart and feisty and can take care of herself. She's a little flawed when it comes to maintaining relationships but it doesn't seem to bother her. ATFE Special Agent Frank Falconet may be her salvation ... or not. He has his own demons to come to terms with. Silas Rule is a terrific faith healer. The author has done his homework and it shows.
There is plenty of action and several secondary characters to keep an eye on ... they are all fascinating in their own ways.
This is the first in a series with Del Shannon. I look forward to reading them. 5 Stars for keeping me entertained and wondering through the entire book.
Del is recruited by the FBI to help infiltrate a religious cult in Kentucky led by faith healer Silas Rule ... just so happens that her father was once a member and owns a house in that particular community.
I like Del Shannon as a character ..... she's smart and feisty and can take care of herself. She's a little flawed when it comes to maintaining relationships but it doesn't seem to bother her. ATFE Special Agent Frank Falconet may be her salvation ... or not. He has his own demons to come to terms with. Silas Rule is a terrific faith healer. The author has done his homework and it shows.
There is plenty of action and several secondary characters to keep an eye on ... they are all fascinating in their own ways.
This is the first in a series with Del Shannon. I look forward to reading them. 5 Stars for keeping me entertained and wondering through the entire book.
February 22, 2012
As soon as I learned the plot of NAZARETH CHILD, I knew I wanted to read it, and it definitely did not disappoint. Del Shannon is an Arizona field operative who tracks down missing persons. She's enlisted by the Feds to help investigate Nazareth Church, an isolated religious compound in the Appalachian hills of Kentucky led by faith healer Silas Rule. But Del, whose father owns an abandoned house in Nazareth Church, is motivated by something far deeper--she's searching for the mother she's never known.
NAZARETH CHILD is a deftly told story, with many intriguing elements wonderfully woven together. It's a thriller, but also the story of a daughter who just wants to know what happened to her mother--a simple but compelling need we can all relate to. I'm looking forward to reading the next Del Shannon novel, for she is a heroine I can root for.
NAZARETH CHILD is a deftly told story, with many intriguing elements wonderfully woven together. It's a thriller, but also the story of a daughter who just wants to know what happened to her mother--a simple but compelling need we can all relate to. I'm looking forward to reading the next Del Shannon novel, for she is a heroine I can root for.
July 13, 2013
Love this book. I couldn't put it down. A very fast paced novel about a young female investigator in Tucson, Arizona who when asked to join in an investigation of a religious cult in Nazareth Church, Kentucky can't imagine why, until she learns that she was born there. The mystery of her true identity and attraction to a fellow uncover agent and descriptions of the group's evil faith healer and his misdirected flock propel this story forward with a page-turning fever that will keep the reader involved until the very last sentence.
Nazareth Child is an excellently written novel by Darrell James. I can't wait to read his next book.
Nazareth Child is an excellently written novel by Darrell James. I can't wait to read his next book.
November 30, 2011
I recently read another nonfiction book about Jonestown and the late Jim Jones, and while reading NAZARETH CHILD, I was struck by the strength of the portrait of the charismatic evangelist in this mystery. This is the story of Del Shannon, who is recruited by the FBI to go undercover within the evangelist's cultish comunity, but whose personal quest is to find the mother who has been missing for most of her life, whom she was told abandoned her. Recommended.
July 24, 2011
Great first novel (and first in a promising series) from short-story wizard Darrell James. It's got a kick-butt heroine and a charismatic cult leader--a great combination. Can't wait for the next Del Shannon book!
May 21, 2012
I chose this book as it was suggested through Amazon.com (Kindle).
I decided to purchase it because all of the reviews (14 or 15) gave it 5 stars, some saying that it was the best book they'd read in a long time.
It was alright...just average. Quick, easy read.
I decided to purchase it because all of the reviews (14 or 15) gave it 5 stars, some saying that it was the best book they'd read in a long time.
It was alright...just average. Quick, easy read.
May 21, 2012
Darrel James seems to believe that coarse language, much beyond what is heard on the streets and aboard Navy ships, is needed to authenticate his characters. It gets annoying and worn very quickly. What could be a good book becomes trashy and insulting to the reader.
August 2, 2012
Formulaic and not very interesting. The challenge in this genre is to distinguish the crime and the gumshoe and make me care about them...this doesn't. First and last of this "series" for me.
June 24, 2018
I grew up with Dell Shannon---paperbacks galore with gaudy covers which my father tried to read when the kids were in bed or otherwise not around. Shannon and A.A. Fair and J.D. Carr and a dozen or two more. Eventually, I read a few of them before he did a dastardly deed and gave away hundreds of his pulp paperbacks. Ah! At least he left the good literature around, salted with such thrillers as the three-volume "Letters of James Joyce" or "Gil Blas"---the sort of stuff one might expect from someone who earned a Masters in American Literature before embarking on a career in medicine.
So when I saw the present volume advertised as a 'Del Shannon' novel my attention was grabbed. A re-issue? Well, son enough I found it was an ARC of a book by Darrell James which was to be the start of a series about a female character named 'Del Shannon'. Certainly, a proud tradition to be embroiled in. This was one of the ARCs I have read which clearly needed some help, from poor syntax to references to 'AR-14' assault rifles (which could possibly be intended, but I see no reason and no justification), repeated 'first-time' instances and so forth. None affected the worth of the story, which was mildly entertaining and spawned another two in the series.
I have Dell Shannon on my shelves, three volumes written by Elizabeth Linington, who was the writer of the 40+ titles attributed to Dell Shannon 'back in the day'. Del and Dell will co-exist okay.
So when I saw the present volume advertised as a 'Del Shannon' novel my attention was grabbed. A re-issue? Well, son enough I found it was an ARC of a book by Darrell James which was to be the start of a series about a female character named 'Del Shannon'. Certainly, a proud tradition to be embroiled in. This was one of the ARCs I have read which clearly needed some help, from poor syntax to references to 'AR-14' assault rifles (which could possibly be intended, but I see no reason and no justification), repeated 'first-time' instances and so forth. None affected the worth of the story, which was mildly entertaining and spawned another two in the series.
I have Dell Shannon on my shelves, three volumes written by Elizabeth Linington, who was the writer of the 40+ titles attributed to Dell Shannon 'back in the day'. Del and Dell will co-exist okay.
May 13, 2017
Boy, oh, boy, what a commentary on cult religion! This was a good read.
Did Not Finish
March 4, 2017I didn't finish this one. It's just too dark for me. The writing was engaging, the subject matter was just going to be more than I can handle.
January 9, 2012
As a trained investigator, Del Shannon tracked down one missing person after another, yet one proved more elusive than most, her mother. Having been taken from her Kentucky home as toddler by her father, Del
had never been able to put together enough information to discover her missing past, but with the death of her reclusive and alcoholic parent she has been given a chance to find out her heritage.
Turns out that the FBI are investigating the flamboyant cult leader Silas Rule back in Del’s home town of Nazareth Church and she is offered the opportunity to go in under cover to help the government discover if Rule is a blow-hard preacher or a Jim Jones figure leading his flock to eternal damnation, not to mention the last undercover agent they sent in has not been heard from for six weeks. Since Del has inherited the house in the community after her father’s passing, she has a legitimate reason to be in town to claim her property.
With ATFE agent Frank Falcone masquerading as her husband, the pair go into the lion’s den bent on discovering if the missing FBI agent is dead, or if Rule converted him to his right-wing zealot religion, and
for Del, a chance to ask the people of the area if they know her mother. Armed with an old photograph and a nine-millimeter Baby Eagle, Del heads out looking for her lost mother and runs into more trouble than can be expected.
Locked in the windowless church with all the preachers, other faithful followers, and with the dam at the top of the valley about to blow and flood the plains, will she ever get the chance she so desperately wanted or will the town be obliterated from Kentucky’s blue grass existence? James takes us on a wild chase to love life and redemption proving there is nothing to compare to a mother’s love. A great debut novel that will hold you spellbound to its dynamite conclusion.
had never been able to put together enough information to discover her missing past, but with the death of her reclusive and alcoholic parent she has been given a chance to find out her heritage.
Turns out that the FBI are investigating the flamboyant cult leader Silas Rule back in Del’s home town of Nazareth Church and she is offered the opportunity to go in under cover to help the government discover if Rule is a blow-hard preacher or a Jim Jones figure leading his flock to eternal damnation, not to mention the last undercover agent they sent in has not been heard from for six weeks. Since Del has inherited the house in the community after her father’s passing, she has a legitimate reason to be in town to claim her property.
With ATFE agent Frank Falcone masquerading as her husband, the pair go into the lion’s den bent on discovering if the missing FBI agent is dead, or if Rule converted him to his right-wing zealot religion, and
for Del, a chance to ask the people of the area if they know her mother. Armed with an old photograph and a nine-millimeter Baby Eagle, Del heads out looking for her lost mother and runs into more trouble than can be expected.
Locked in the windowless church with all the preachers, other faithful followers, and with the dam at the top of the valley about to blow and flood the plains, will she ever get the chance she so desperately wanted or will the town be obliterated from Kentucky’s blue grass existence? James takes us on a wild chase to love life and redemption proving there is nothing to compare to a mother’s love. A great debut novel that will hold you spellbound to its dynamite conclusion.
May 14, 2012
In some ways this book was rather cliched. There was the very flawed, probably actually evil, charismatic leader of a sequestered Christian compound and of course, his sheep like followers. It was sort of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians fictionalized. It was, however, a good page-turner. The main characters, besides Silas Rule, the zealot, were Frank Falconet, a 30 something FBI agent and Del Shannon, a 29 year old private investigator. They wind up becoming a team to investigate Silas and his compound, Nazareth Child. It's Frank's assignment and the FBI recruits Del knowing that her father has a small house and a little land on Nazareth Child. Their cover is to pose as husband and wife and move into the house. Del's interest is in finding her mother, whom her father has always said had abandoned both of them when Del was a baby. Even though I did feel the premise was rather cliched, I gave this novel 4 stars because the plot did unfold interestingly and it definitely kept me wanting to keep reading.
September 11, 2012
4.5 Stars. This book is nominated for an Anthony Award for best first novel. I really enjoyed the book. Del Shannon is a young woman who lives with her alcoholic father. She walks into a PI/bail bond business in Arizona wanting a job. She's spent most of her life up to this point trying to find her mother. She gets hired and becomes quite skilled at the job. In walks the FBI/ATF, wanting her to go to Nazareth Church, Kentucky, where her father owns property. Nazareth Church is a cult like religious community. Del goes there under the guise of being married to the ATF agent. This is a highly entertaining book. The characters are real and the story engaging. It is a real page-turner. I'm looking forward to reading more Del Shannon books.
August 7, 2012
Totally out of the realm of stuff I usually read. The story had me hooked and I had a hard time putting the book down to go to sleep at night, but there are definitely things I didn't enjoy, like the horrible language. It seemed so...not necessary. I thought the characters were well developed and believable, I found myself HATING that evil, no-good Silas Rule, as I know I was supposed to. Like it, but I don't think this book has set me on a mission to read more mysteries and I don't think I'll even check out subsequent books in this series because the violent parts were just a little too graphic for me. The subject matter of the second book sounds like it may be even more so!
July 30, 2012
I would like to have given this a 3 but I don't like when an author mixes suspense novel with cheesy romance novel.The suspense part was Ok, the romance parts not so much....
would also like to add that I had trouble with the main character's name..Del Shannon....Del Shannon was a rock 'N roll singer and I had a hard time picturing anyone but a guy.Maybe with today's internet author's should always google their characters names just to make sure they are not using one that is famous.
would also like to add that I had trouble with the main character's name..Del Shannon....Del Shannon was a rock 'N roll singer and I had a hard time picturing anyone but a guy.Maybe with today's internet author's should always google their characters names just to make sure they are not using one that is famous.
August 19, 2012
After hearing Darrell James read a passage from this book, I knew his character, Del Shannon, was someone I wanted to read about. NAZARETH CHILD lived up to my expectations. It was an easy read because I liked where the characters started out and wanted to see how they'd grow over the story. I read thrillers occasionally, not every day, but I'll definitely pick up the next in the series to see what's next for Del Shannon.
May 22, 2013
When you sit down to read this book, leave enough time to finish it because you won't want to put it down. Del Shannon is a female field operative in Tucson, who tracks down missing persons. This book takes her to Nazareth Church, an isolated religious compound in Kentucky where she tries to track down her own mother. Characters are well developed (maybe not likable, but well-developed); plot also well-developed and nicely paced. I look forward to more Del Shannon stories.
August 1, 2015
This was another Kindle Daily Deal and I really like the protagonist, Dee Shannon. A tough cop sent on assignment with and FBI agent to find out what happened to another agent they sent to infiltrate a cult town. Not a terribly original concept with fanatical charismatic faith healer with something to hide. Still a good story as Dell also looks for the mother who she thinks abandoned her and her father when she was a small child. Definitely kept me turning pages.
September 18, 2011
Del Shannon is a strong, stubborn, attractive private investigator. She is asked to work with the FBI and ATFE (explosives) because of her personal connection in rural KY. A connection she did not know anything about. There is plenty of action to keep you up at night reading. It was an enjoyable read and recommend for mystery lovers to give it a try.
October 13, 2011
A terrific debut thriller, set mostly in the Kentucky Appalachians. Darrell James has given us a gutsy, smart protagonist in private investigator Del Shannon, vividly drawn, believable supporting characters, and an excellent villain in the cult leader Silas Rule. I'll be eagerly watching for further adventures of Del Shannon.
January 3, 2012
Goodreads gift. The story plot and characters were intriguing and interesting. This had the potential to be a great book, but was only good. The story was choppily told, missing key transition pieces to make it smooth. Its bittersweet ending was a fit way to end this story. I look forward to reading more of James' work, hoping that with practice his "goods" become "greats."
February 22, 2012
I was able to go to Darrell James book talk/signing last week. It was wonderful to meet him and hear him talk about the process of his writing.
I enjoyed reading his first novel. I admire the way he developed his characters in Nazareth Child. This is differentially an adult themed novel.
Thanks to Darrell for a wonderful thought provoking novel. Can't wait for the next one.
I enjoyed reading his first novel. I admire the way he developed his characters in Nazareth Child. This is differentially an adult themed novel.
Thanks to Darrell for a wonderful thought provoking novel. Can't wait for the next one.
October 10, 2011
A wonderful debut, with tight, spare prose. Del Shannon is no runaway but rather a street-smart field operative, trying to investigate a religious compound and locate her long-lost mother. Del is a force to be reckoned with.
January 31, 2012
Fantastic Debut Thriller for Darrell James. I hope this book is the first in a long series of books retaining the characters in new adventures. I hope to read another Dell Shannon novel. Everything is in place to begin a great series of novels.
May 14, 2012
A crazy cult and a power hungry minister leading the church and the town. The FBI starts investigating with the help of a PI searching for her mom in the town. I still can't figure how anyone listens to these so-called "messengers from God!"
August 4, 2012
Not very good, the author really needs to understand some of the terminology of firearms. Completely stupid descriptions of AR-14s (AR15 it should be) and the lead federal agent carrying a revolver. 10 minutes of research could have fixed this, plus a lot of incorrect words.
August 20, 2012
Picture your stereotypical religious cult, led by a cold-blooded, greedy, sex-crazed, psycho-nut-job. Enter Del, our heroine, and her temporary FBI partner. Put it all in the mountains--isolated, wooded. You can imagine how it will play out. That's ok, though, because it's well done--a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews