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Poison Town

(The Crittendon Files #2)

Creston Mapes (Goodreads Author)

4.20 · Rating details · 553 ratings · 116 reviews

There’s More Than One Kind of Poison in This Town

People are sick and dying. Rumors are swirling. Some claim chemicals leaking from a manufacturing plant are causing the cancer that’s crippling people on the poor side of Trenton City, Ohio. Yet nothing at the plant appears amiss. The problem remains a mystery until reporter Jack Crittendon’s long-time mechanic falls ill an ...more

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Paperback, 368 pages

Published February 1st 2014 by David C. Cook

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· 553 ratings · 116 reviews

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May 20, 2019 June rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, mystery-thriller

The title is so apt. The author shows the effects of a poison in this small Ohio City. The linchpin of this story is the physical poison affecting the poorer portion of a community. There is a nearby factory and the residents have been experiencing similar symptoms of dizziness, difficulties in breathing, fatigue and higher levels of lymphoma. But there are other poison affecting the lives of the Critterdon family and friends.

This was a fast paced read at times and the tension was well written. ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Rebekah Tooley rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, my-real-bookshelf

This was a great book, filled with such real emotion and feeling. Jacks struggles were very real and I could not fault him for it. Pam was a great aid to Jack and was very sweet and loving yet giving him tough love when he needed it.

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Dec 12, 2018 Shari Hamble rated it it was amazing

This is sooooo good! I had to choose when I would I would pick the book up because I'd have a hard time putting it down! And at the end i was riveted to my chair! And Pam even tho fearful keeps going on. And in her continued courage she helps her mom find strength and Jack to realize his need to forgive. But WOW the getting there! You don't want to miss this! ...more

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Jun 09, 2015 C.B. Cook rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-books

I really enjoyed this book!!! My dad was reading it out loud to me, so we only read one or two chapters a night... WHICH NEARLY KILLED ME. I can definitely feel the stakes upping the farther into the series we get.

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Jan 29, 2014 Amie's Book Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

POISON TOWN REVIEW

I was lucky enough to receive a paperback copy of POISON TOWN by Creston Mapes through the Goodreads Giveaway program.

I highly recommend entering for a chance to win copies of books that interest you at www.goodreads.com/giveaways
It is a great way to find out about new books and new authors. All that is asked of you in return is that once you complete the book, that you post a fair and honest review.

Prior to reading POISON TOWN, I had no previous knowledge of this author. Know ...more

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Feb 09, 2014 Tom rated it it was amazing

I couldn't wait to read what Creston Mapes had in store for his readers in Poison Town. I must say I enjoyed every chapter of his novel. Obviously I am a fan of Creston Mapes stories. This one didn't disappoint me.

The story is one of myterious circumstances, surrounding a corporation called Demler-Vargus. People near the plant complain that the company is spewing cancer-causing pollutants in the air, land, and water.

Jack Crittendon, reporter for the local newspaper, learns his car mechanic of m ...more

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Apr 14, 2014 Sherri Johnson rated it it was amazing

Poison Town by Creston Mapes is as addicting as Fear has a Name, the first book in this series about Jack Crittendon, local reporter. Yes, there's suspicion that a manufacturing plant is manufacturing an illegal product and that it's poisoning the townsfolk who live nearby. But "there's more than one kind of poison in this town!" (as it says on the back cover). I don't quite know how to put into words the type of stories Creston Mapes weaves together. From the first page, the characters are enga ...more

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Sep 16, 2013 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013-read

The extent to which you forgive others, that is the extent to which you will be forgiven. My favorite quote from this book. This is a Christian fiction novel and I enjoyed the reminder of what anger and bitterness can do to a person.

Jack Crittendon is back in Poison Town carrying around a lot of anger and unforgiveness toward the man who tried to harm his wife in the first book of this series. You see Jack and his wife struggling with his hatred and unforgiveness through out the book.

On top of ...more

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Mar 17, 2014 Andi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: empty-shelf-2014

Creston Maples creates a story full of mystery and suspense. He grabs you on page one and you are hanging on for a wild ride! Jack Crittendon is a man on a mission and he won't let anyone get in his way. Watching Jack and his wife extend forgiveness beyond their human abilities reminded me of how I learned to extend forgiveness toward my former husband and his mistress. A lesson we all have to learn at some point that to the extent we forgive, that is the extent our Father will forgive us. Highl ...more

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May 13, 2017 Nellie rated it it was amazing

This book is a real page turner. If I did not have other obligations, I would have stayed up all night to finish it!

The story continues where book 1, Fear Has A Name, ends. Granger's trial ends with a conviction. Pastor Evan meets with Granger after his release from prison. He is released back to Trenton City. Pam has been able to forgive while Jack harbours unforgiveness.

The local factory might be polluting the city. His mechanic is poisoned while in the hospital! As Jack begins to investigate ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Justin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: novels, ebook

3.5 Very good, but compared to part one, not as enjoyable for me. Some of the corny dialog took me out of the story a bit. But the characters were so well written and enjoyable to read. It was a much different story this time, but still worth reading.

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Dec 17, 2019 Pat Whitworth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

For positive excitement in a mystery novel you can't beat this one!!

Jack and Pamela thought the were finished with the whole Granger deal and found them selves in the middle of a crooked manufacturing company. ...more

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Feb 10, 2020 Billie Rayborn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent Book

Jack finds out his mechanics and friends, the Randalls, have suspicions that the largest employer in the area, Demler-Vargas, is releasing chemicals into the air that are making the Randalls and their neighbors ill. Jack and his best friend Derrick agree to investigate. People begin disappearing and dying under mysterious circumstances. Then...I definitely recommend this book!

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Aug 26, 2017 M.K. Aneal rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-need

I had a hard time getting into this book, as the writing style seemed simple, and wasn't my preferred style. There were many things I felt was written without much thought. Though, while the writing seemed bland, the story was grand, and I'm glad I didn't give up on it. The story was carefully woven, with detailed characters illustrating a terrific plot line. I was found a few times going, "No, no, no!" making those around me think I was insane (I'm the good kind of insane).

While Christian them ...more

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May 12, 2020 Scott aka Prison Preacher rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: author-christian, genre-christian-fiction, author-creston-mapes, series-crittendon-files, authors-following

2nd book of a series series I’m enjoying

I’m thankful I came across the Crittendon Files series. With COCID-19 lockdown I was wondering if I would find a clean series to continue my shelter in place. Author Creston Mapes delivers. The fact it is Christian is a big plus but it isn’t cheesy Christian either. I plan to check out other books by Mapes outside of the Crittendon File series.

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Feb 17, 2014 Jeanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

‘Poison Town’ by Creston Mapes is the fast-paced second novel in The Crittendon Files series. As quickly and brilliantly as lightning flashes across the sky is the intensity of this novel about the possible cover-up of cancer-causing emissions being released from a local fiberglass manufacturing plant. This plant provides much of the employment in Trenton City, Ohio. Unfortunately, there is no traceable evidence that the carcinogen resulting in sickness and death comes from the plant.
Jack Critte ‘Poison Town’ by Creston Mapes is the fast-paced second novel in The Crittendon Files series. As quickly and brilliantly as lightning flashes across the sky is the intensity of this novel about the possible cover-up of cancer-causing emissions being released from a local fiberglass manufacturing plant. This plant provides much of the employment in Trenton City, Ohio. Unfortunately, there is no traceable evidence that the carcinogen resulting in sickness and death comes from the plant.
Jack Crittendon and his team of reporters work at the Trenton City Dispatch, where he had recently written about Trenton City’s Man of the Year, Leonard Bendickson III, CEO of Demler Vargas – the plant where the fiberglass is manufactured and deadly emissions suspected. When Jack presented the concerns of the residents to his editor, the editor discouraged him from following up. After all, if this company that claimed to use green technology in their manufacturing had any skeletons, wouldn’t Jack have found them when he wrote the article?
Jack, always on the trail for truth, was convinced of suspicious activity by his friends and long-time mechanics, and talked to his close friend on staff, Derrick. They discussed what they could do to investigate the concerns. This was especially critical after someone had sneaked into the senior Mr. Randall’s room at the hospital and injected a poison into his IV line. Had Galen’s son Travis not been going to visit him and saw someone slip from his room, Galen would have died.
Jack was having his own crises, as well. The man convicted of kidnapping his wife was released from prison early. Jack felt he failed to be home to protect his wife from Granger Meade and changed his reliance from the Lord to the gun he had secretly purchased. What was more challenging – not only had Jack slowly and steadily turned away from the Lord in recent months, but his wife, Pamela, had actually forgiven Meade for his actions and didn’t understand why Jack could not. And Pamela’s mother, newly widowed, was living with them.
The tension coils as we see Jack following up with the Randall’s and others who were ill and lived near Demler-Vargas. He juggled this along with keeping track of the whereabouts of Granger Meade, and his need to protect his wife and children. We see Jack and Derrick making contact with various people, including a former reporter for the Dispatch who attempted to investigate Demler-Vargas in the past. The former reporter and former employees started over in different towns with huge sums of money – payoffs? The former employees died under suspicious causes, and the former reporter was living in fear. It seems that a cover-up is far reaching among community members.
The Randall family is holing up with assorted firearms and Jack has a showdown with Leonard Bendickson III that results in a death threat. A snowstorm is coming in … Pamela, their children and her mother are involved in a holdup at the home store … could Jack at least live long enough to rescue them?
Creston Mapes, a former reporter, is adept at pulling readers in and keeping them in. His characters are so well-defined that one quickly feels as if they have lived around and known these folks for years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a top-notch thriller written by a Christian who does not preach, but demonstrates faith through the actions and words of the book’s characters.
I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
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Aug 30, 2014 Nora St Laurent rated it it was amazing

I’m thankful for the review copy that allowed me to read the sequel to Fear Has a Name. I was quickly pulled into this story through the believable, quirky and endearing cast of characters and their deadly situation!

One of my favorite characters is Travis Randall, he works at his family owned and operated garage. Jack, Crittendon investigative reporter for the Trenton city Dispatch drops his car off at Travis’ shop for repairs.

Jack asks him about Demler-Vargus Corporation, the company his mom an ...more

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May 01, 2017 Heidi Matheson rated it it was amazing

Excellent read! Exciting sequel to 'Fear Has a Name'. Fast-paced & interesting. ...more

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Feb 25, 2014 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-fiction, contemporary-fiction, christian-action-adventure, christian-suspense-fiction, mystery-fiction

Jack Crittendon has a new mission, as an investigative reporter for The Dispatch, he is turning the tables on the man he just interviewed Leonard Bendickson III, CEO of Demler-Vargas, the fiberglass manufacturer in Trenton City. Since taking the helm as CEO thirteen years ago, Bendickson has steered the Fortune 500 company to unfathomable heights. The $7.9 billion corporation has consistently surpassed Wall Streets expectations on its way to becoming one of the world's most prolific manufacturer Jack Crittendon has a new mission, as an investigative reporter for The Dispatch, he is turning the tables on the man he just interviewed Leonard Bendickson III, CEO of Demler-Vargas, the fiberglass manufacturer in Trenton City. Since taking the helm as CEO thirteen years ago, Bendickson has steered the Fortune 500 company to unfathomable heights. The $7.9 billion corporation has consistently surpassed Wall Streets expectations on its way to becoming one of the world's most prolific manufacturers of fiberglass - all kinds of fiberglass. Although Demler-Vargas has been the subject of complaints about air pollution from Trenton City neighbors over the years, Bendickson insists the company has worked diligently to comply with OSHA and the EPA.

But there is something sinister and unsettling when Jack discovers that those around him that he knows are dying from similar symptoms. He wondered just what the truth was. Were pollutants from Demler-Vargas hurting employees and neighbors? Were they what killed Travis Randall's mother and made his father, Galen sick? But if Demler-Vargas was hiding something, wouldn't OSHA and the EPA caught on and stopped them? Was Bendickson lying, or was he running a clean shop as he claims?

The more Jack tries to uncover the truth, the more it seems that someone is out to make sure those secrets stay buried. When it gets personal however, and his wife and mother-in-law become victims of a random car accident, Jack begins to dig deeper into the truth. He is aided by Derrick Whittaker, on of Jack's best friends who has been assigned that beat and together they slowly begin to uncover things that don't make sense, especially when their editor, Cecil Barton, will only allow them to spend no more than a hour a day working on this investigation. He seems to think that in the past, Amy Sheets has tried to do much the same thing, but now has moved away to be closer to her aging parents and discovered nothing. But is that really the reason why she is no longer working at the office?

I received Poison Town by Creston Mapes compliments of David C. Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. This could be any real company today as chemicals continue to surface in our food sources and water supplies that are being linked to certain types of cancer and illness that seem to multiply the closer people come to living next to these manufacturing plants. In this case, it is more than just the poisons from the fiberglass plant that are infecting people, it's also greed and justice that are tearing families and businesses apart. But will Jack's now dormant faith come to light in time to save them all or will he fall victim to the same fate as everyone else? You'll have to pick this one up to find out. This is the second novel in the Crittendon Files and I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars. The first novel in the series is Fear Has No Name in which the reader gains insight into the back story of the issues between Jack and his wife. ...more

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Feb 09, 2014 Lisa Johnson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Title: Poison Town a Novel (The Crittendon Files Book #2)
Author: Creston Mapes
Pages: 368
Year: 2014
Publisher: David C. Cook
When I first started reading the novel, I wasn’t quite sure how the engaging plot slowly morphed into something entertaining nor was I prepared for the many twists and turns brought about through suspense. The major male protagonist is Jack Crittendon who is a journalist first introduced in Fear has a Name, now he about to unknowingly become involved in a major life threateni Title: Poison Town a Novel (The Crittendon Files Book #2)
Author: Creston Mapes
Pages: 368
Year: 2014
Publisher: David C. Cook
When I first started reading the novel, I wasn’t quite sure how the engaging plot slowly morphed into something entertaining nor was I prepared for the many twists and turns brought about through suspense. The major male protagonist is Jack Crittendon who is a journalist first introduced in Fear has a Name, now he about to unknowingly become involved in a major life threatening situation.
l started slowly for me because there didn’t seem to be a growing climax or danger or an enemy Jack has to outwit. How wrong I was because when I got to one point in the story, all of a sudden…wham! The suspense kicks into to high gear, making my heart race. Jack is unknowingly walking into what might turn out to be a mammoth story concerning a manufacturing plant and release of toxins. As Jack tries to pursue what he feels is a Goliath and David story, his editor keeps shutting down all his attempts to bring the truth to light.
Now Jack along with a fellow reporter dig around for the truth. No one, not even Jack’s family, is safe from a monster that will go to any lengths to save his company. I couldn’t put the novel down when the action kicked into high gear along with the antagonist from the first book appearing in this book. Yet, something about the antagonist is different, and Jack’s wife has been learning to trust God instead of allowing fear to rule her life.
Sometimes as I was reading I thought the plot would reveal who all the enemies were, but like peeling an orange the author slowly shows readers who is involved in the plot. With a touch of danger, bombs exploding and car chases during winter storms, the heart-pumping action doesn’t stop until the very last page. Above all, Jack is confronted with the condition of his heart and he must decide how he is going to be reconciled to God with whom he once had a close relationship. I couldn’t tell if the author was putting before the audience the idea of being legally armed is or isn’t a reflection of a person’s faith and trust in God. What I can tell you is I am looking forward to his next novel coming out and plan on reading the book. Until then, read both Fear has a Name then the next in the series Poison Town, both great tales that will keep you reading until the wee hours of the night!
My rating is 5 stars.
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 it on my blog. Regardless, 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.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo... . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson...
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Jan 21, 2020 Beth Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Good thriller

There is constant movement as Jack, the protagonist from the first book, returns to his home & attempts to live a normal life after the events of the first book. He finds this difficult because his wife's kidnapper/former classmate has been released on parole & is now living & working in the same town. Jack buys a gun & an ankle holster, determined to protect his family. Pam wants him to forgive her kidnapper, but he can't get past what happened & is frankly baffled & hurt/angered b ...more

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Oct 22, 2013 Kathryn Svendsen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, thriller, christian-fiction

Poison Town is the second book in the Crittendon Files series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Jack Crittendon is the main character. He is a journalist with the daily paper in Trenton City. A friend of his falls ill and rumors abound that the cause of the illness and the illness of many on that side of town is from the chemical emissions from the fiberglass plant on that side of town. Jack wants to do an investigative piece for the paper, but his editor is resistant. But Jack is like a d Poison Town is the second book in the Crittendon Files series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Jack Crittendon is the main character. He is a journalist with the daily paper in Trenton City. A friend of his falls ill and rumors abound that the cause of the illness and the illness of many on that side of town is from the chemical emissions from the fiberglass plant on that side of town. Jack wants to do an investigative piece for the paper, but his editor is resistant. But Jack is like a dog with a bone and won’t let it go, and begins investigating one his own.

This was a very good book from the start. It is current in its theme and relevant to society today. Creston Mapes has a beautiful way of intertwining two stories together to develop his characters and help us understand and empathize with them. In this book, Granger Meade returns to town after being released from prison for kidnapping Pam, Jack’s wife. Jack is angry, fearful and wants revenge. Pam has come to terms with what has happened. The interpersonal relationship between Jack and his wife is realistic and adds to the stress of the situation of the main story.

I really enjoyed the plot of this novel. There were characters who were involved in things that were totally unexpected, yet not totally out of character. I really enjoyed that Mr. Mapes wrote his book in such a way that I could totally agree with Jack that something fishy was going on and when Jack was trying to convince someone else who wouldn’t believe him, I would get frustrated with that character just as Jack did.

Jack’s character was believable. Most Christians go through periods of doubt, or backsliding or times when they are just far away from God. The same is true of Jack Crittendon. Due to the kidnapping situation his wife was in previously, Jack had drifted away from God and that was part of the reason he and his wife were not in sync with one another. I really appreciated that this novel was able to demonstrate what happens when a person gets themselves right with God. The rest of his/her life falls back into place. And while it’s true that not all things work out perfectly every time, fortunately for Jack, everything turned out well this time.

Poison Town moved along at a good pace. It was an exciting book to read – another one of those books that keeps you up all night because you can’t put it down. There will be a third book to the Crittendon Files and I look forward to it being released in the fall!

Another reason to give kudos to the author: there was no foul language in the book and no scenes with sexual content.

I gave this book 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publishers , David C. Cook for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own. ...more

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Aug 22, 2013 Rick rated it it was amazing

Jack Crittendon is back in the second book in the Crittendon Files. And if reading this book doesn’t whet your appetite, the third book in the series, “Sky Zone” is already out as well. Some great Summer reading is coming your way. These books are meant to be stand-alone books and the author does a good job of including history and back story to give the story a more steamlined feel. But why not just buy them all!

Fresh off of “Fear Has A Name”, Jack Crittendon is back in this new thriller. Jack Jack Crittendon is back in the second book in the Crittendon Files. And if reading this book doesn’t whet your appetite, the third book in the series, “Sky Zone” is already out as well. Some great Summer reading is coming your way. These books are meant to be stand-alone books and the author does a good job of including history and back story to give the story a more steamlined feel. But why not just buy them all!

Fresh off of “Fear Has A Name”, Jack Crittendon is back in this new thriller. Jack is still drifting away from God due to the circumstances he and his family faced in the first book (no, I won’t tell you so that you can buy that book, too!) His work is suffering as he struggles along. A friend of his becomes ill and Jack attaches onto the illness as a much needed shot in the arm as an investigation. As he continues to dig, he finds more mysterious illnesses that seem to be connected to the manufacturing plant on the poor side of town. There’s a lot at stake as the investigation exposes greed and corruption concerning some several big players in the area. Is there a correlation between this plant and the cancer in the town? Does Jack’s friend recover from the illness? How far will Jack go to get to the bottom of this conspiracy? Can Jack finally forgive himself for what happened to his family? Put down the newspaper and go BUY THIS BOOK!!!

I love picking up a book that is filled with solid writing and with plot pacing that carries it smoothly from the start to finish. Creston Mapes beautifully blends Christian themes with a great investigative novel that isn’t preachy, but is a page-turner which shows every day Christian struggles with faith and family issues. When you mix in characters that grapple with very real issues such as forgiveness you get a book that is very powerful. Once you start this book, you won't want to put it down until you've turned the last page. As a disclaimer, the author is not responsible for the other areas of your life that you neglect while you read this book. So chose a nice weekend to begin to read because this book will have you hanging on right to the end.

Is this a "guy's book"? This book, in my opinion, is the essential book that every Christian man needs to read. Yes, yes, I know that there is a great plot and subplot involved too, but it always spreads the message that even as Christian men we struggle with things daily. Our weakness isn’t in asking someone else to help us as we struggle through these times, but our weakness is in not asking for help.

I received this book in partnership between the publisher and the Book Fun Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest opinion. ...more

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Sep 01, 2013 Kelly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle

Hold onto your hat and watch your back! Poison Town is a story fueled with even more tension than the first novel in this series "Fear Has A Name," and THAT is saying something! Jack Crittendon is hot on the heels of a story that seems almost too bad to be true and he is dealing with a far larger problem than one or two mere men. The high profile Demler Corporation has provided jobs for decades in the city of Trenton, but at what cost?

Somehow Jack and his co-worker Derrick have a story on their Hold onto your hat and watch your back! Poison Town is a story fueled with even more tension than the first novel in this series "Fear Has A Name," and THAT is saying something! Jack Crittendon is hot on the heels of a story that seems almost too bad to be true and he is dealing with a far larger problem than one or two mere men. The high profile Demler Corporation has provided jobs for decades in the city of Trenton, but at what cost?

Somehow Jack and his co-worker Derrick have a story on their hands that is so big, they have to split time trying to put all the pieces together. Something terribly wrong is going on in the small community surrounding the Demler Corporation's fiberglass plant, and people Jack cares about are suffering in more ways than one. For Derrick this story could mean big things for his career as a journalist, for Jack the story could cause him to lose much more than time with his family. Both are learning quickly that nothing is as it would seem.

"Poison Town" is the second book in the Crittendon Files series, and I loved that things did not wrap up in a nice neat little bow after the first story. First of all, that would be kind of boring. It is also totally fake. Sure, as much as I would like to see life going smoothly again, the reality is not everyone heals or forgives the same way at the same time. There is residual. Some of us move on swiftly where others can take months or even decades to recover from life's tragedies.

The minor characters in "Poison Town" are equally engaging. I found myself rooting for the Randall family, and enjoying the time spent with them in the book. They made me smile and hope. They also made me quite nervous. There were even a few times where I felt like I would smack someone silly if anything happened to the elder of the family.

This thriller will keep you guessing and quite literally on the edge of your seat. The characters will engage you and enrage you, but you will be glad for it. There is even a bit of slow and easy romance without being over the top. This is a story of faith in action in many forms.

All in all, I actually enjoyed the book so much, I had a hard time putting it down. Then I got to the point that I knew it would end soon, and I just HAD to put it down. I just didn't want to disconnect with the characters. "Poison Town" is an exceptional follow up to the first book in the series "Fear Has A Name." If the third book in the series "Sky Zone" follows suit, I just may have to start adding past five stars.

I received this book for free in eBook format from the author and the publisher as a kindness and to facilitate my review. This had no impact on my review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own. ...more

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Jan 14, 2014 Lori L (She Treads Softly) rated it really liked it

Poison Town by Creston Mapes is a highly recommended thriller.

Set in Trenton City, Ohio, Poison Town by Creston Mapes follows reporter Jack Crittendon. Jack is married to Pam and they have two young daughters. Jack and Pam are both still recovering from Pam's kidnapping in the first book in this series, Fear Has a Name. While Pam is able to forgive her kidnapper, Granger Meade, and is slowly recovering, Jack is unable to forgive him and is sinking into anger and bitterness. Jack has also bought Poison Town by Creston Mapes is a highly recommended thriller.

Set in Trenton City, Ohio, Poison Town by Creston Mapes follows reporter Jack Crittendon. Jack is married to Pam and they have two young daughters. Jack and Pam are both still recovering from Pam's kidnapping in the first book in this series, Fear Has a Name. While Pam is able to forgive her kidnapper, Granger Meade, and is slowly recovering, Jack is unable to forgive him and is sinking into anger and bitterness. Jack has also bought a gun and is hiding that fact from Pam.

During this same time Jack learns from their mechanics and friends that local fiberglass manufacturer, Demler-Vargus, is likely emitting hazardous pollutants that are slowly killing those who live near the plant. It appears that no one is holding them responsible, perhaps because they employ half the town and may be buying their way out of complaints. As a features editor at the local paper, Jack plans to enlist the help of his co-worker Derrick and with his help start researching what is really happening at Demler-Vargus.

Then things start to get dangerous and lives are threatened in several different ways. More is going on than it appears on the surface, which leaves more than one character scrambling.

In Poison Town, Mapes has written a Christian thriller that follows two different storylines that eventually merge at the end. Since this is a faith-based thriller that characters also learn some important life lessons of forgiveness, trust, and faith. While some things seem to be settled too easily or the reform of the character is too quick and too pat, I appreciated the sentiment behind the actions and the message. (For example, if Pam's mom has been drinking every day since college it's hard to believe that she would just suddenly want to stop after Pam has a rather lightweight talk with her.) Working for a print newspaper actually makes it feel a little dated today, but it could easily be set in the recent past.

Even though I hadn't read the first novel in the series, enough background information was written into the narrative for me to understand what happened in the past while the story continues in the present. All in all, this was a very engaging, suspenseful, and enjoyable novel without the swearing that might be found in other novels. I enjoyed it quite a bit and would look for another book in this series.

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of David C. Cook via Netgalley for review purposes.
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Feb 03, 2014 Kc rated it really liked it

Jack Crittendon, a Trenton City, Ohio reporter, stumbles upon the biggest story of his career when his mechanic Galen Randall becomes ill in a similar manner as his late wife. Galen believes the local fiberglass plant's spewing of toxic pollution is to blame for both of their maladies. But Demler-Vargus is a huge company with far-reaching tentacles of power. What is the truth, and does Jack stand a chance of getting that truth out?

Meanwhile, Jack struggles both inwardly and outwardly with forgiv Jack Crittendon, a Trenton City, Ohio reporter, stumbles upon the biggest story of his career when his mechanic Galen Randall becomes ill in a similar manner as his late wife. Galen believes the local fiberglass plant's spewing of toxic pollution is to blame for both of their maladies. But Demler-Vargus is a huge company with far-reaching tentacles of power. What is the truth, and does Jack stand a chance of getting that truth out?

Meanwhile, Jack struggles both inwardly and outwardly with forgiving Granger Meade, the man who had recently kidnapped his wife Pamela. Though Meade claims to have found God in prison and wants to apologize to Jack and Pam, Jack will have no part of it. Pamela has forgiven and begs Jack to do the same, but apparently to no avail.

As Jack finds out more and more about the Demler-Vargus cover-up, he relies on co-worker and friend Derrick to help him further uncover the story, unwittingly getting them both into great personal peril in the process. What they find is more than they imagined and enough to get them both killed.

Engaging and easy to read, this story delivers on several levels. Solid writing and plot pacing carries it smoothly, along with interesting and varied characters. The idea of poison's effects—from the Demler-Vargus plant, and from the unforgiving heart of Jack—is clever, and fleshed out very clearly. If I had to complain a tiny bit, I'd say maybe Mapes is guilty of overkill on that part. The reader is smart enough to pick up on all of that without it being drilled repeatedly. But point taken.

Two of my favorite characters are Claire, Travis' girlfriend, and Derrick. Both of them help out their friends in time of need regardless of danger to themselves. They don't give up when things seem too difficult, either. Nice friends to have.

I highly recommend all of Mapes' works, especially Poison Town. To me, it's better than the first in the series, Fear Has a Name. Readers who want suspense melded with strong faith elements need look no further.
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Mar 02, 2014 Illuminating rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Whenever I pick up a novel by Creston Mapes, I know I am in for a wild joy ride; one I never want to finish.

Mapes has outdone himself with Poison Town, the second book in The Crittendon Files series. In the first book, Fear Has A Name, report Jack Crittendon faced the kidnapping of his wife by an obsessed ex-school friend of hers. In Poison Town, Jack must come to terms with the fact that the kidnapper is now out on parole, and living in the same town as them.

As Jack battles his unforgiveness a ...more

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Sep 03, 2018 Betty Johnson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An exciting, can't put down book. Very well written. It shows how we as Christians react to circumstances when we feel they are out of control. The father who had been the "model" christian their whole married life, can't forgive the man that has hurt his family. Finally the unforgiven man is the man that saves the mother-in-law and his wife and two children. If you only read one series this year, this is a good one. ...more

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Sep 06, 2018 Tj Walker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It will keep you up reading.

This book was riveting! So hard to put down. It was intense and so good. I highly recommend it. I could not put it down.

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Dec 31, 2013 ChrisGA rated it it was amazing

Shelves: z-read-2014

This is the second in the Crittendon Files series. It continues the story of an investigative reporter, Jack, and his wife, Pam, and their two little girls. Although it could be a stand-alone, I strongly recommend reading the first, FEAR HAS A NAME, to really appreciate the impact of Jack and Pam’s history with Evan and Granger. That history has had long-turn effects on Jack’s faith and marriage. Added to dealing with Evan and Granger reappearing in his family’s life, Jack plunges into a dangero ...more

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About Creston Mapes

Creston Mapes

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Creston Mapes grew up in northeast Ohio, where he has fond memories of living with his family of five in the upstairs’ portion of his dad’s early American furniture store - The Weathervane Shop. Creston was not a good student, but the one natural talent he possessed was writing.

He set type by hand and cranked out his own neighborhood newspaper as a kid, then went on to graduate with a degree in j ...more