Faster Pastor

St. Dale #3

by Adam Edwards

When a NY Times bestselling author and a NASCAR driver team up to write a novel, the result is a triumph of racing and faith. Camber Berkley, a young stock car driver, wrecks
his car on a winding mountain road, landing in the midst of the funeral of an elderly NASCAR fan. As punishment for his spectacular car wreck, the local authorities of the small Tennessee town of Judas Grove give him a serve months in jail for reckless driving, or spend two weeks teaching the local ministers to drive stock cars, so that they can compete in a race whose prize is the $2 million legacy left by that deceased NASCAR fan.
Will the best man win. Only God knows.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Adam Edwards is a journalist with regular columns in the Daily Telegraph and Finaincial Times. He is a former New York correspondent for The Times and features editor of the London Evening Standard. In 1996 he was voted the British Society of Magazine Editors' editor of the year. His A Short History of the Wellington Boot was published by Hodder & Stoughton in October 2006.

Reviews

[Judith Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fastor Pastor has everything fans have come to expect from a Sharyn McCrumb novel and more.
As always, the characters are people we come to know, portrayed with a wry but sensitive ironic humor. The breathtaking excitement of the action sequences must owe a lot to the hand of co-author NASCAR/ARCA driver Adam Edwards but their voices blend seamlessly.
The “pastors” racing for a million-dollar purse in this race, funded by the will of a life-long racing fan, have motives as varied as any batch of humans anywhere, and even the “angel lady” gets her due.
Contribute $5 to Children’s Shelter of the Upstate in South Carolina by ordering the book from Sharyn McCrumb’s website and putting “Children’s Home” in the special instructions box.
www.sharynmccrumb.com

[Sarah Erlewine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sharyn's books and this one was not bad, just not my favorite of hers. Personally I like her stories that take place long ago and dont care much forncar racing so this one didnt really suit me. Still well written though.

[Sandra Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Story

This book is entertaining because it combines humor, racing, and Sharyn McCrumb's inimitable style of writing. Loved the characters and description.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not at all your typical Sharyn McCrumb novel. I'd read a little, put it down, read a little, put it down. Glad I finished it, but will not read it again or keep the book. *sigh*

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine light read: likeable characters, informative in an entertaining way about NASCAR and stock car racing. The edition I read was badly in need of further editing and proofreading.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh aloud funny. The most light hearted of the trilogy. Each book can stand alone

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be the quirkiest series of books ever, but I love them all. An easy read, with not much of a mystery at all. But the characters -- oh McCrumb is expert at showing the depth and breadth of folks, especially those easy to see as shallow stereotypes.

[Susheel John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faster,Pastor was an unexpectedly entertaining book to read. Christians often get poorly portrayed in the media so I was a bit auctions at first. But when we are introduced to the different racers, I was glad to see that this was not another Church-bashing book. Being a pastor myself, I could identify with some of the sentiments expressed and this helped make it more entertaining. Camber's unlikely predicament makes for good reading for anyone wanting something to put a smile on their face. And what a great mix - pastors and NASCAR!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it took me forever, due to personal reasons, to read this book, I did like it. I am not a racing fan, so the author's racing books are not at the top of her list for me. My favorite characteristics of the author were in evidence in this book. The dry wit and growth of the main character are two such items. Even though Camber was still somewhat selfish at the end, he did experience growth. I had hoped Camber's cousin would get his comeuppance, but that did not happen. Overall, I recommend this book.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for my husband, as it seemed to be a funny guy-type story. He liked it so much that he thought I should read it. The NASCAR technical details lost my interest, but the plot was funny, with the different pastors training for a car race to benefit their churches/ministries. The way that the race instructor was un-framed was also funny. I must also say that these pastors and their congregations are "unusual," not typically what one would find in attending a church.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the first two in this series, but this story stands alone. A bit too much NASCAR and stock car racing detail for me, and the premise is totally unbelievable -- a racing fan dies and leaves his immense collection to be auctioned off and the proceeds given to the local minister who wins a race against his peers. There's a likable protagonist and a lot of enjoyable characters, so one must finish the story. Again, I like the Appalachian setting details.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved most of Sharyn's work, from the funny sci-fi parodies to the Ballad novels and everything in between, except for her racing novels. I've never been able to get into those. I thought I'd try again with this one, and I'm so glad I did. This novel was funny and well-written - a good collaboration between Sharyn and a race car driver.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. I enjoy Sharon McCrumb's stories and felt it would be good simply for that reason. The book is cute and interesting about circumstances that leave us wondering why,and faith that we can make it through the worst of them. Very good story. Even if I am not a NASCAR fan!

[David Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very breezy novel about pastors who are forced into a NASCAR-style race to win an inheritance worth millions of a dearly departed racing enthusiast. A even-handed assessment of snake handling from a snake handling pastor is included as well as a heavy handed humorous (and accurate) glimpse into the megachurches.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Sharyn McCrumb's writing, but didn't care for this story. I care nothing about racing. Some problems with copyediting during the final chapters of the book. Book didn't go into the paths I'd expected. Will pick up more of her books ... just not ones about racing.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great literature, but I do love Sharyn McCrumb! All I know about NASCAR I learned from her book St. Dale and now this one! I started reading her with the Rosewood Casket and now I read everything she writes.

[Nancy Holloman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author annoyed me by talking down. I didn't need to be reminded every single time that one of the nine racers had previous experience. Not being a racing fan I found Racing in the Rain a much better tale with the same setting. This story was innocuous but it had no heart.

[Debi Levins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book, the only reason I didn't give it "amazing" status is because I'm just not that into NASCAR (Sorry Sharyn).

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, I enjoyed it very much. Can't wait for her latest to come out.

[Bill Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know nothing about NASCAR racing this is the book to learn the basics. Plot is amusing and inventive. Funny throughout. A really good read.

[Terry Lund knuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read this because My husband were on a trip to NC with my (former ) pastor and his wife, when we spotted this on a table at a local winery. Not a great book, but I did enjoy it....

[Bill Finley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lacks the complexity found in her earlier stories.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable summer read; believable plot; great descriptions