Farraday Road

Lije Evans Mysteries #1

by Ace Collins

A quiet evening ends in murder on a muddy mountain road. Local attorney Lije Evans and his beautiful wife, Kaitlyn, are gunned down. But the killers don’t expect one of their victims to live. After burying Kaitlyn, Lije is on a mission to find her killer―and solve a mystery that has more twists and turns than an Ozark-mountain back road. When the trail of evidence goes cold, complicated by the disappearance of the deputy who found Kaitlyn’s body at the scene of the crime, Lije is driven to find out why he and his wife were hunted down and left for dead along Farraday Road. He begins his dangerous investigation with no clues and little help from the police. As he struggles to uncover evidence, will he learn the truth before the killers strike again?

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a television special, been featured on every network morning TV show and does college basketball play-by-play. He is married to Kathy Collins, Chair of the Education Department at Ouachita Baptist University, and the couple has two grown sons. Collins lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Reviews

[Hali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad mystery/thriller. Set in the genteel south the book opens with a deputy sheriff checking on the local bridges during a bad storm as she approaches the last one, an old bridge that holds many memories she finds a truck that went off the road, that of her old friend Lije Evans and his wife Kaitlin. As she approaches it she realizes that it isn't an accident but that it had been forced off the road and she soon finds the body of Kaitlin, she also finds Lije face down in a stream, shot, but with the help of medics they revive him. The book revolves around the mystery of why Kaitlin was killed. A secondary mystery is what happened to the deputy as she disappears that night as well. Add to that the fate of a man who might very well be innocent who is on death row soon to be executed. The book has good pacing and an intriguing mystery but some of it felt stilted the characters a bit cardboard. Despite this I am reading the sequel since this book ends on a cliff-hanger.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but nothing spectacular either. Not very memorable.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian audio book--I read book 2 of the series first and bought this one when ChristianAudio.com had their sale. If you read this one, you'll definitely want to read book 2 to find out what happens.

A quiet evening ends in murder on a muddy mountain road. Local attorney Lije Evans and his beautiful wife, Kaitlyn, are gunned down. But the killers don’t expect one of their victims to live. After burying Kaitlyn, Lije is on a mission to find her killer―and solve a mystery that has more twists and turns than an Ozark-mountain back road. When the trail of evidence goes cold, complicated by the disappearance of the deputy who found Kaitlyn’s body at the scene of the crime, Lije is driven to find out why he and his wife were hunted down and left for dead along Farraday Road. He begins his dangerous investigation with no clues and little help from the police. As he struggles to uncover evidence, will he learn the truth before the killers strike again?

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a pretty interesting mystery but there’s almost too much going on. Also… the ending is awful. It’s like the author realized they were going to have a 2000 page book ad decided to just abruptly stop in order to make it two. I think it’s cheating to call this a book when it doesn’t have an ending.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't bother....the book has no ending and you are forced to read book 2. It was a good book, but I have a real problem with not having an ending. I'll just have to read another book to take my mind off this one so I don't feel the need to read book 2.

[Keisha McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was perfect for a summer rainy day. I got sucked in on vacation and caught myself listening in my airpods as I hung out the rest of the day. I picked it up because of the author and setting in AR. but the story kept me going and quickly had to get the next one when I got home from vacation

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting, good writer, can't put it down.

[David Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ton of twists and turns in this one. Gets a little strange at the end, but overall pretty good.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent interesting book by Ace Collins

[Rakayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook. This book is a ride! So many mysteries! So much suspense. It's not even over. On to the next book.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like the book and the author. However, the ending was kind of a disappointment.

[Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't affect my rating, but I was surprised that not only did this "Christian" author never said anything explicitly Christian (other than praying/going to church), but that he also tacitly supported the occult practice of yoga in church. It's definitely a clean read, but I wouldn't call it a Christian one; maybe "inspirational"?

[Anne Callcut · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading anything from this author. I loved it!

[Amber Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got through this book to find it was a series. I can't figure out the next one

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I brought this book because of the author Ace Collins who is best known for his non-fiction books Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories Behind the Great traditions of Christmas etc. He has been around for a long time and has written many books I’ve enjoyed. I was curious to see what Ace had up his sleeves in reference to fiction writing. Wow! I was pleasantly surprised, but then again I wasn’t. What else would you expect from such a gifted writer?

Ace starts out this book like the TV show Murder She Wrote. The murder happens in the first chapter or two. I didn’t know where he would go from there. Was it going to be gruesome or not? I’m happy to report not!! Ace takes his time for you to get to know the town and it’s history, the victims, their lives, hopes and dreams. He does a great job of walking you down a path where clues are uncovered to only find out more questions come to mind because of something recently discovered. The mystery is far more than anyone of the characters or the reader could imagine.

This book is also a little like National Treasure the movie in the fact that there is a bit of history to be learned in the middle of all the action, mystery, and adventure. Ace is very creative and clever in the way he lets the story unfold. You discover all the clues along with the characters in the book. If you are looking for all things to be tied up in a bow at the end of this story you won’t find it here. Good news for you is Ace Collins’s new book, Swope’s Ridge, the sequel to this one, is out in book stores right now.

This is definitely a- who-done-it taken to a whole new level. I enjoyed Lije a local attorney whose wife is murdered. He has a whole new lease on life and will stop at nothing to solve his wife’s murder. I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Michelle Padrelanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farraday Road by Ace Collins is a story about Lije Evans whose wife, Kaitlyn, was gunned down while they were driving on their way home. Left for dead by the killers, Lije Evans survived but was extremely grieved over his wife’s death. He soon decides to investigate who and why somebody wanted them dead. As the story progresses, Lije Evans with the help of a few friends discovers a mystery connected to a property that his wife bought for him. He must act fast to solve this because the killers are still out there and are determined to kill him – again.

Farraday Road kept me glued to its pages for hours on end. From its starting pages, the thrill of a crime unsolved is already keeping me on the edge of my seat. It has several twists in the plot that has me guessing on and on for the whodunit. But there are also some parts that become too long or boring. I have to admit that towards the end there’s an unexpected twist that had me asking what that has to do with the entire story. The ending was very exciting. The writer was able to resolve the twist in the tale BUT it did not resolve the whole mystery of who wanted them killed and why.

Just when I thought I would finally find out, the words to be continued… at the very last page of the book has left me very unsatisfied and ultimately mad. I mean what kind of author would write a story that would have you at the edge of your seat and not finish it? I was doubly mad because I just received this book from Zondervan Publishing for review and I had no idea if they were sending me the continuation. I’m just not used to a book like this.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is generally good and the story intriguing though fairly straight-forward (in the "I wasn't surprised by any of the twists and turns" sort of way). There was one scene where I felt like a paragraph or two was missing: Lije reacts to something that is never actually said in the story, and I looked back to make sure I hadn't accidently skipped over the other fellow saying what Lije was reacting to.

I found one setting description confusing. By the end of this long section, the setting was clear, but I kept finding suspected logic errors in that scene because the author didn't bother to fully describe the physical set-up at the beginning. (It's a scene near the end, but I don't want to spoil the book by explaining this in more detail.)

Finally, what made me give the book only two stars instead of three: the book ends with a cliffhanger and a "to be continued." Nothing is resolved.

Yes, a mystery is solved, but it's not an important mystery. I bought this book thinking it was about Lije finding his wife's killer and bringing him or her to justice. Well, the person behind her killing (and several other killings) is free and firing bullets at Lije right before the "to be continued..." The reason why his wife was killed has not been revealed, though they just found a major "where to look for answers" clue right before the "to be continued..." Someone who has been abetting the murders by destroying evidence and who lets an innocent man die is still free at the end. NOTHING is resolved, and that's extremely annoying to me.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 5 starts if had not ended suddenly in the middle with "to be continued..." I did rate the sequel, SWOPE'S RIDGE 5 stars for drama, excitement and mystery

Good Review by Mara Kim:

Lije Evans and his wife are gunned down on Farraday Road. Detective Mikki Stuart stumbles upon the crash scene and signals for backup. When the backup arrives, she's gone. Disappeared.

Lije Evans is on a quest to find Kaitlyn's, his wife's killer. Heather Jameson, lawyer who works with Lije becomes a suspect. Lije doesn't believe it. The challenge is to convince Agent Diana Curtis that Heather is innocent.

The entire story is a true mystery. The mystery lies within Slope's Ridge. It's only after his wife, Kaitlyn has been gone, that Lije finds out her involvement in Slope's Ridge. What she meant to be a blessing turns into a curse.

The closer Lije gets to finding out some of the mysteries, the more he is used for target practice. The more he investigates, the more he fights to keep from being hit by bullets.

The novel ends up being quite a bit about history and hidden treasures. The back cover copy was misleading. I thought the book was going to be about the murder and finding out who did it. You are no closer to finding out the truth than at the beginning of the book. Nothing is resolved.

[Fiction Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story with rich characters and a mystery with incredible implications. I know it’s overused, but this is the kind of book that really is hard to put down. The story flows so seamlessly it is easy to get lost in its magic. The prose and plot are powerful reminding me of Athol Dickson’s first novels (Gar Reed Mysteries). The spiritual themes of the book are presented in the natural conversations of the characters and the setting of the Deep South. Nothing is forced or preachy but at the same time this is not just a clean story. There is a solid spiritual dimension to it.


A word of warning though; Farraday Road ends with the words, “to be continued.” The mystery is not resolved until Collin’s sequel, Swope’s Ridge, is released in October 2009. The good news is I have already read Swope’s Ridge and can guarantee you the story gets even bigger and the mystery is solved with final resolution. I could review Swope’s Ridge for you but I think I’ll let you guess for now. After all, this is a mystery.

[John Toffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of a two book series featuring Lije Evans.
The book borrows quite ashamedly from The Da Vinci Code in many ways. It starts when Lije and his wife are gunned down as they drive home. Lije, an attorney, survives but his wife does not and so he sets about trying to trace and capture her killer/s.
There are many twists and turns along the way, there's an old dilapidated train (or was it car) in there somewhere (I did read it 7 years ago). Anyway the book is fast paced, exiting and ends on a really terrific cliffhanger and makes you eager to get the follow on.
As long as you're willing to put the time in for a double book read I'd give it a go.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book from our teacher's lounge because I needed something to read while waiting in the doctor's office. I couldn't put it down. A faith-based story, we learn about a young couple who was attacked and left for the dead. The wife dies, but the man, when he recovers, wants to find out why they were attacked. He uncovers a secret gift from his wife, a missing train from a century ago, and a tale of lies and deception that transcend time. Solid writing, good story; can't wait for the sequel to come out this fall!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm getting the idea this author likes labels. He writes about the automobile - the Cord that was around during The Great Depression. That's what the main character Lije drives. Instead of saying "his car," throughout the book, the author says "The Cord" as in he "fired up his Cord." Instead of saying "He booted up his computer," the author says "his Mac."

That being said. There's a lot of mystery here. I'll not say more. Off to Swope's Ridge -- book 2 in the series.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...the writing was good, the characters engaging (most of the time)...the story just didn't "gel" some of the time. There were a lot of plot points that normally would have made me say, "Well! Isn't that conveeeeenient!" However, for whatever reason, I just mentally shrugged and went on with the story. There definitely are some interesting bits here and there. Warning: This is a "to be continued" ending!

[Michelle Shafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good, but it ended abruptly without you knowing what happened. It ended right in the middle of a shootout with "to be continued". I would suggest buying it and the sequel "Swope's Ridge" together so that you don't have to leave off in the middle of the story like I did. I need to find the sequel so I can finish it. Otherwise, it was a good book. I just don't like to be left hanging.

[Angel Parrish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saved $4 because I Snagged @ The Library

Good book! Not Collins' best, because it was his first novel. But definitely a great read. And a definite MUST before reading Swope's Ridge. Trust me on this. You HAVE to read this before you read the sequel. No question about it.

Trademark Collins: Always clean, full of action, full of twists, full of intrigue, full of fun historical stuff, and always some neat cars!

[Dixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this novel as a way to stimulate my brain while working out on the elliptical machine. However, I became sucked into the story and really enjoyed it. I did not even realize that there were religious undertones until I was more than halfway through. Fortunately, they did not deter from the story.

I plan to read the second book in the series very soon.

[Karynasmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book 3 stars becuase I felt like the twists and turns were predictable and a little far fetched. Also, the author uses the last name of most of the characters but switched to first names in some places. Confusing. I also bought a book expecting it to have an end, not a 'to be continued'. Come on?!

[Sue Klasing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, however I was disappointed when I got to the last page and saw in very small letters....to be continued. The next episode isn't coming out for 5 months!! Oh my gosh, I'll have to reread this one right before the other one comes out.
Reread this book Oct 2011, right before I read Swope's Ridge

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but am very frustrated that it was "to be continued". I'm going to have to figure out how to get the next book so I know what is going on. It was a good mystery with good characters.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be fun to read about details about another part of the country, even if they're made up - or not, I can't tell. But I am enjoying the drama, the intrigue, the mystery, the action and adventure!