Book Recommendation - Network of Deceit

 

A newer voice in clean/Christian suspense is Tom Threadgill. His upcoming release, Network of Deceit, is the second book in the Amara Alvarez series. You don't need to read Collision of Lies (book 1) first, but the case from that book is alluded to in this one. This book is an excellent continuation of the series. It sucked me in from the very beginning and didn't let go at all! This was a thoroughly enjoyable ride that I finished in under a day (and a workday at that)! 

Here's the blurb from the back cover of the book:

After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she’s worked for: a transfer to San Antonio’s Homicide Division. Reality sets in quickly, though, as her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, brings chaos to her personal life.

As the investigation moves forward and she increases the pressure on the suspects, Amara finds herself under attack by cybercriminals. Her every move is being potentially watched online, and she’s forced to resort to unconventional methods to find the killer. With few leads, she fights to keep her first murder investigation from ending up in the cold case files.

As I was preparing to make this blog post, the author posted an interview with Southern Writers, which included several of the same questions I would have asked. With his permission, I'm sharing some of those here:

Where did you get the idea for your new book, Network of Deceit?

I’ve had the setting of the crime in my mind for years. While on a road trip with my wife, we drove past an abandoned water park in the middle of winter. Her first thought was how spooky it looked. Mine was what a great place that would be to hide bodies. I suppose that’s the difference between fiction writers and normal folks? The rest of the plot came together as I wrote. The main character, Amara, must figure out what happened to a teenage boy and why, if he was murdered, anyone would choose to commit the crime in the middle of a sweltering hot day at a crowded location like a water park. Along the way, things get worse when her personal electronic devices are used against her. That plays into my belief that none of us truly understand the privacy we’ve given away to companies who profit from that information.


What was the easiest and most difficult part writing your new book?

The easiest part is writing the first chapter. I almost always have a good idea of how I want the opening to go and what the hook will be. That doesn’t mean there’s not a slew of revisions that take place after that, but I’ll tweak the writing until it’s where I want it. That first chapter sets the tone for the rest of the story and starts asking questions that the main character – and the reader – have to answer. The most difficult part of the story is turning it over to the editor/publisher. Not because I don’t think it’s ready, but because it’s the first time the book will be seen by others. Every writer knows the feeling of letting their baby out into the world for the first time. The trepidation, fear, hope, and relief of finally being done.

What do you love most about reading suspense novels and writing them yourself?

For me, it’s all about the surprises. When a character does something unexpected but remains true to themselves. Nothing worse than when the story doesn’t feel real, like the detective who continually makes stupid decisions or the huge coincidence that saves the day. I’ll usually quit reading when that happens since I’m pulled out of the imaginary world.

Did anything surprise you as you were writing this story?

I’m always surprised when I write a novel. Usually it’s by something a character does that I didn’t see coming. That’s one reason I don’t plot. It allows me to have more of a flow to the story and let the characters tell me what they’re going to do. Yeah, I know that might sound odd, but it’s what happens. Kudos to those writers who can plot out their story from start to finish, but I’m not one of them.

  

What do you hope readers will gain from Network of Deceit?

Mostly, an escape from reality for a little while. I write to entertain. Nothing makes me happier than getting an email from a reader telling me they couldn’t put down my story.

This book releases February 2, 2021. Be sure to grab a copy from your favorite book retailer! Here are some links with some additional information:

Tom Threadgill's website: https://tomthreadgill.com/Tom/ 

Tom Threadgill's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TomThreadgill.author

The Southern Writers blog post from which I pulled my Q&A:  https://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/01/effects-on-writing-during-pandemic.html?fbclid=IwAR3hkXLLInSVyqFGRjbmu8U_kIYoEvwSEoLnqWDyxKt4iuev9HQ1nErg0mw

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3438786494 

Book Recommendation - Shadows of the White City

 Jocelyn Green is well known in the Christian historical fiction field as one who writes intriguing stories with wonderful characters and fascinating places in history. This one took place during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. I learned a great deal about the time period, the World's fair in general and enjoyed a great story with well-rounded, likable and relatable characters, a subtle romance and a strong thread of family and belonging. In preparing for this book, I've also enjoyed the youtube videos the author has included on her Facebook page (link below) showing pictures of the set-up at the World's Fair in 1893 and giving "virtual tours" of the fairgrounds so to speak. That really helped me to visualize and has made me interested in knowing more about the Fair and that timeframe. 

Here's a bit about the book:

The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's world unravels.

Brushed off by the authorities, Sylvie turns to her boarder, Kristof Bartok, for help. He is Rose's violin instructor and the concertmaster for the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, and his language skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant communities where their search leads.

From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong? 

This book releases on February 2, 2021. For more information, check out the following links:

Jocelyn Green's website: https://www.jocelyngreen.com/ 

Jocelyn Green's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jocelyngreenauthor

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3396887688