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there may be some spoiler information in my reviews.

Faithful Place by Tana French

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Short Summary:

The course of Frank Mackey’s life was set by one defining moment when he was nineteen. The moment his girlfriend, Rosie Daly, failed to turn up for their rendezvous in Faithful Place, failed to run away with him to London as they had planned. Frank never heard from her again. Twenty years on, Frank is still in Dublin, working as an undercover cop. He’s cut all ties with his dysfunctional family. Until his sister calls to say that Rosie’s suitcase has been found. Frank embarks on a journey into his past that demands he reevaluate everything he believes to be true.

My Review:

I used to be a big fan of the big name suspense/mystery writers. I’d anxiously wait for the next Patterson or Stuart Woods book and then gobble it up as soon as I walked in the door with it.

But I’ve fallen out a love a bit with the genre and, were it not for Tana French, could quite possibly be happy without reading it much at all.

Then I discovered IN THE WOODS about a year ago – and it angered me as much as captured me – the strange ending, the weird twists and turns. I picked up THE LIKENESS and all anger I’d still felt just melted away and, once again, I was sucked into a story that was absolutely amazing.

FAITHFUL PLACE was no different. We visit Frank Mackey from IN THE WOODS fame and discover more about him, his divorce, his daughter and his hugely dysfunctional family.

This book put the mystery second place though, I think. It was the first time I was actually able to figure out “who done it” and I kept expecting another twist. Instead what I got was some really gritty, very real looks at the hardships caused by class difference and family background.

For the first time in a Tana French novel I put the book down and felt a spark of hope for the main character which was strange because, out of the three, this one was probably the darkest.

Tana’s writing is improving, her storytelling ability is gripping and I will anxiously be awaiting her next book with the same enthusiasm I’ve had in the past for authors who just can’t compare anymore.

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Indivisible: A Novel by Kristen Heitzmann

Buy on Waterbrook Multnomah’s site

This was the first book I’ve read by Kristen Heitzmann. I wasn’t sure what to expect and there were some aspects that pleasantly surprised me, but also a few things that disappointed me.

The biggest issue I had in reading this book was that I spent about 65% of it completely confused. The characters (especially the women) were so similar in personality I kept mixing them up with each other and had to go back and remind myself who was who a few times. Once I got them straightened out though things started to fall into place.

The book is full of suspense, a bit gruesome at times, but interesting and (this is important for Christian-lit), I didn’t feel as if it was trying to shove the gospel down my throat. Instead there were nice little reminders here and there of the importance of faith and how it works in peoples lives.

If you are a mystery fan and looking for something that combines some intrigue, romance and is clean, good fun I’d recommend checking this book out.

Don’t stop reading!

I was provided two copies of this book – one for my personal library and one to giveaway!  To enter this giveaway, simply enter your information into the form below.  This contest is open for USA only and will end on May 20, 2010 so get your entries in now!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Book Review Blogger program. 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.”