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Taken And Afraid: A Blake Moran Novel
A nice family living in Florida is rocked to their core when their precious twelve-year-old daughter, Skylar, is abducted. Her father, Dr. Jack De La Croix, learns of the quirky private investigator from Phoenix named Blake Moran. Dr. Jack is able to get past Blake’s less than stellar tagline, “We Find Stuff” and hires him to help find his daughter. The perpetrator is smart and careful, but Blake is tenacious and has a new FBI sidekick named Winston! Blake will use every skill he has to find Skylar, but will he succeed before her time runs out? Along the way, Blake is faced with some of life's biggest questions, and he is slowly realizing the answers can only come from God.
About the Author
Davie Mac (aka David McAllister) is Pastor of a multi-location church and resident of Tucson, Arizona, and has always been a big fan of the “who-done-it” genre. He combines the suspense and humor he so enjoys and weaves in answers to some of the biggest question our society has about God, Jesus, and the Bible. David has already completed the third book in this series and is working on the fourth and the audio books. Professionally, David founded and has pastored the Bridge Christian Church for over 30 years. He is also a song writer, having written over 50 songs to date, he plays the drums in a band, and is an avid weightlifter. David and his wife Kimberly have seven children and twelve grandchildren.
For more information about the author www.daviemacbooks.com
About the Author
Davie Mac (aka David McAllister) is Pastor of a multi-location church and resident of Tucson, Arizona, and has always been a big fan of the “who-done-it” genre. He combines the suspense and humor he so enjoys and weaves in answers to some of the biggest question our society has about God, Jesus, and the Bible. David has already completed the third book in this series and is working on the fourth and the audio books. Professionally, David founded and has pastored the Bridge Christian Church for over 30 years. He is also a song writer, having written over 50 songs to date, he plays the drums in a band, and is an avid weightlifter. David and his wife Kimberly have seven children and twelve grandchildren.
For more information about the author www.daviemacbooks.com
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2022
136 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2024
Blake Moran, Private Investigator is back and can't believe that this 2nd is even better then the 1st. Both are 5 stars. In this one, Blake is involved in finding a twelve year old girl, Skylar, that has been kidnapped. She has been missing for 12 days now and her father, a well respected doctor, has contacted Blake and asked for his help.
This time Blake is going to Florida. Doing the investigation, this time Blake meets up with a new FBI sidekick, Winston. You gotta love him. But, you also have to love the interaction that Blake is having with Pastor Bryan and his family. Blake is struggling with all the bad things that happen to others and why God allows it.
This is just a great book and I can't wait to read the next one!!! Keep them up, any-who!
This time Blake is going to Florida. Doing the investigation, this time Blake meets up with a new FBI sidekick, Winston. You gotta love him. But, you also have to love the interaction that Blake is having with Pastor Bryan and his family. Blake is struggling with all the bad things that happen to others and why God allows it.
This is just a great book and I can't wait to read the next one!!! Keep them up, any-who!
June 29, 2023
Love love love this!
I discovered that this is the 2nd book in this series, and just had to purchased Ebook 1 and 3 - before I even finished this! Love the suspense, humor, spiritual insights and encouragement (including the excellent discussions on Calvinism and Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, which I plan on watching the seminar on YouTube). The details (great researchers you have there! Unless it’s all done by Mr. Mac), the humanity - on all levels, and definitely the characters.
So glad I discovered this author. By the way, I discovered it on Facebook. Imagine that!
I discovered that this is the 2nd book in this series, and just had to purchased Ebook 1 and 3 - before I even finished this! Love the suspense, humor, spiritual insights and encouragement (including the excellent discussions on Calvinism and Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, which I plan on watching the seminar on YouTube). The details (great researchers you have there! Unless it’s all done by Mr. Mac), the humanity - on all levels, and definitely the characters.
So glad I discovered this author. By the way, I discovered it on Facebook. Imagine that!
January 20, 2023
Funny and intense at the same time
This is my second Davie Mac book and I kinda liked it better than the first. One review I read of that one called it wordy and maybe I’ve just adapted to that but I think he toned down the asides. He still preaches once in a while but as a fellow Christian, I don’t mind that. Loved the suspense of trying to find a missing girl and the family’s and Blake’s emotion. Good book I would,and will, recommend.
This is my second Davie Mac book and I kinda liked it better than the first. One review I read of that one called it wordy and maybe I’ve just adapted to that but I think he toned down the asides. He still preaches once in a while but as a fellow Christian, I don’t mind that. Loved the suspense of trying to find a missing girl and the family’s and Blake’s emotion. Good book I would,and will, recommend.
May 8, 2025
I loved the detective work laid out in this book. It held my attention and made me want to read more. But the main character got a little too quirky for me at times, his inner monologue got drawn out often. I also saw his pastor conversations to be on the salesy side. I had a feeling the seminar advertised multiple times in the book was a real seminar he offered. Wasn't shocked a single bit when I saw it at the end of the book. I may try another of his books though.
September 20, 2023
best of the best
First book I’ve read that held me so tightly to the story line. Loved the humor, the suspense, and the way in which the story is told. David Mac this was the bestest!!!!
First book I’ve read that held me so tightly to the story line. Loved the humor, the suspense, and the way in which the story is told. David Mac this was the bestest!!!!
October 20, 2023
A Great Page Turner
The main character is engaging, funny, and real. I had a hard time putting this one down. Lots of great elements: crime, Christianity, humor, and suspense. You want to read this book!
The main character is engaging, funny, and real. I had a hard time putting this one down. Lots of great elements: crime, Christianity, humor, and suspense. You want to read this book!
May 6, 2024
Recommend Read
Moran at his best. Great story to read. I recommend fans of procedural law enforcement/ mystery stories to try this book. The first Moran book was interesting but this was even better. Get it.
Moran at his best. Great story to read. I recommend fans of procedural law enforcement/ mystery stories to try this book. The first Moran book was interesting but this was even better. Get it.
January 10, 2026
Great book
The book was easy to read but kept me thinking. I enjoyed the technical sleuthing details, how it all worked together. I also enjoyed the author's conversational writing style.
The book was easy to read but kept me thinking. I enjoyed the technical sleuthing details, how it all worked together. I also enjoyed the author's conversational writing style.
September 14, 2022
Terrific crime novel
Loved all the problem solving with FBI computer guy. Lots of thinking outside the box. Can't wait for next book.
Loved all the problem solving with FBI computer guy. Lots of thinking outside the box. Can't wait for next book.
February 4, 2023
Good Story...Excessive side notes
It is a gripping book but I was not a fan of the "side notes." Just write the story without the commentary
It is a gripping book but I was not a fan of the "side notes." Just write the story without the commentary
November 29, 2023
Enjoyable
Bad things happen to good people, and sometimes a great story like this helps to shed some light on the true enemy.
Bad things happen to good people, and sometimes a great story like this helps to shed some light on the true enemy.
May 31, 2024
Poorly written Nar bad
November 1, 2024
Loved it.
November 16, 2024
Loved this book and could hardly wait for the resolution! Good Christian base and Blake Moran is a hoot!
February 17, 2025
Awesome book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me on these of my seat and I couldn't put it down. I read past my bedtime! It had a good beginning and an awesome endin.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me on these of my seat and I couldn't put it down. I read past my bedtime! It had a good beginning and an awesome endin.
March 16, 2025
wonderful story
Such a pleasure to read a series that doesn’t rely on gratuitous sex and language to keep your attention. Great read!
Such a pleasure to read a series that doesn’t rely on gratuitous sex and language to keep your attention. Great read!
April 24, 2025
Full of suspense! Loved it!
Great book! I loved it. So many different emotions experienced while reading it!
Can't wait to start the third book in the series - NOW!
Great book! I loved it. So many different emotions experienced while reading it!
Can't wait to start the third book in the series - NOW!
July 29, 2025
suspenseful
Kept you interested all the way to the end. I enjoy when an author writes series. I like when the character’s story continues.
Kept you interested all the way to the end. I enjoy when an author writes series. I like when the character’s story continues.
September 25, 2025
It got 2 stars because there was no profanity, graphic sex or violence, etc. Did not finish, though - way too much description of every single thing and situation. Barely a plot when I stopped.
February 25, 2025
I really like Blake Moran as a character despite some of his quirky mannerisms. This story was a very intriguing mystery. I still find it a bit farfetched that Blake is able to uncover the details of the case using very common methods that the police and FBI surely would have tried out. The way he solves the case makes the normal police seem very incompetent but the journey is still very entertaining. I also really enjoy the Christian teachings that are shown in this book.
April 8, 2024
This book was even better than the first, and even funnier. Great plot and characters, and of course Blake was at his best.
As with the first book, Blake had some interesting conversations with Pastor Brian - as did the parents of the missing girl. The author did a great job of addressing the issue of God allowing evil and not stopping it.
As good as the book was, the editing was very poor on this one. There were some instances where the author went from first person to third person with Blake, in the same chapter - and vice versa. It was confusing and annoying.
But it was still a great read and I am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
As with the first book, Blake had some interesting conversations with Pastor Brian - as did the parents of the missing girl. The author did a great job of addressing the issue of God allowing evil and not stopping it.
As good as the book was, the editing was very poor on this one. There were some instances where the author went from first person to third person with Blake, in the same chapter - and vice versa. It was confusing and annoying.
But it was still a great read and I am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews