Friday, June 16, 2017

Threads of Suspicion | Review and First Line Friday


This was my first Dee Henderson book to read. Given that I enjoy a taste of suspense, I thought I might like it and I was right. There was the perfect balance of “regular life” with the suspense of Evie being a detective on a cold case. The entire plot of Jenna had me intrigued. I was kept guessing as to what the answer to her disappearance was. I felt like I journeyed along the quest with Evie and David.


I really appreciated the spiritual content. David had a simplistic earnestness about him, and his testimony was realistic and Biblical. Evie’s prayers were sometimes a little too familiar (like calling God “Dad” and chatting with Him something like, “I don’t have time to talk right now, but I’ll catch up later, okay?”). Yes, God is not just a “great judge sitting up in heaven,” but we are to reverence Him. That seemed to be a little lacking. There was one character that was debating the question of salvation. I’m unclear as to whether or not she actually accepted Christ. It appeared that she just took a step that direction (which I don’t have a problem with; it just wasn't 100% clear to me).

The romance was very little in this book. Evie and David were co-workers, yet were not love interests. I was afraid a love triangle might happen (which I don’t like), but it didn’t. Evie and Rob were a great pair and David and Maggie a great pair. I actually appreciated Evie’s struggle with her relationship with Rob (as in, she didn’t have relationship problems; she just had to decide why she was hesitant to say a hearty “yes!” to him). It was very realistic—not all of the “romance is nothing but rosy” viewpoint. There were some kisses mentioned as well as hugs, but they were all casual. I don’t recall any of the feelings explored. So, in short, I liked the romance aspect in this book (shockers!).

Now…the writer in me…this was a dialogue-driven book. If I were to give a guesstimate, it appeared that about 80% of the book was dialogue. Given that they were talking through a case, it was interesting. The downfall was that I didn’t really feel that I was “in” the characters. I didn’t really know them. I realize that this is my critique as a writer, so it would be injustice to knock a star for that. I did enjoy the read. I just had to shut off my writer’s brain for the narrative.

Overall, this leaves me waiting to get my hands on another Dee Henderson novel.

*I received this book from Bethany house and happily provided my review*

You may order the book here.

NOW FOR THE FIRST LINE...



"As Governor Bliss came to the podium, Lieutenant Evie Blackwell 
dug her hands into her coat pockets, grateful the January cold would 
keep this press announcement on schedule and limited to twenty minutes." 
(Threads of Suspicion by Dee Henderson)

Have you read any Dee Henderson books?
What is your favorite of hers?
Or are you not a reader of suspense?

~*~*~
Also, be sure to hop along to all of these other blogs and see what First Lines they have to share!
Please note that I may not fully endorse all of the books that these bloggers read or the content in these blogs.

Rachel - Bookworm Mama
Lauraine - Lauraine's Notes
Andi - Radiant Light
Robin - Robin's Nest
Kathleen - Kathleen Denly
Trisha – Joy of Reading
Jeanette – CJane Read

12 comments:

Paula Shreckhise said...

Newton and Polly by Jody Hedlund: ” I fear that our wassailing has become a nuisance.”
I have read a lot of books ny Dee Henderson. She is a favorite. I like the O'Malley series. But my favorite is Undetected about a Sbmarine Captain in the Pacific Northwest! Unforgettable story!

Becky said...

I have Dee Henderson's Missing in Sins of the Past, but haven't read it yet.
Happy Friday! My first line is from Karen Kirst's new LIH book The Engagement Charade, coming out July 1st (and it's REALLY good!): "Alexander Copeland's one goal in life was to be left alone."

Trisha said...

I'm currently reading (and loving) All Of You by Sarah Monzon. "Lieutenant Michael "Finch" Carrington pulled up the zipper of his green flight suit and stared at the mass on the opposite rack."

Caryl Kane said...

I haven't read Dee Henderson's books in a long time.

Prologue

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 1864

Silvery moonlight slanted through the closed shutters, faintly illuminating Caroline Fletcher's bedroom.

Candle in the Darkness (Refiner's Fire Book 1) by Lynn Austin

Happy Friday and Happy Reading!

Andi said...

I read the Dee Henderson's first series a long time ago. Sounds really interesting.

JaneReads said...

I can't pick just one favourite Dee Henderson book, but instead I would recommend checking out The O'Malley's series or the Uncommon Heroes series.

Unknown said...

Dee Henderson has been on my list for ages, but I haven't read any yet. I like small doses of suspense, but I prefer romance.


I recently started Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg. "Seven years shouldn't feel like such a gaping span of time."

Jessica Baker said...

I enjoy Dee Henderson books, although this one wasn't my favorite. She write a great story!!

englishmysteriesblog said...

I have never read anything by Dee Henderson, but I do like suspense books. My favorite genre is mysteries though. Probably the last suspense book I read was Missing by Lisa Harris. Happy Saturday!

Beth Erin said...

I enjoy suspense but I've not read any of Dee's books yet (although I'd like to!)

Unless you get one of those miracles they're always talking about in church, I don't see how you'll be able to keep the business open into spring.
Weaver's Needle by Robin Carroll

Unknown said...

I have this somewhere on my shelf! One of these days I will get around to reading it. Hehe.

My first line is from Healing Love by Jennifer Slattery.

"I've spent over $100,000 and two of grad school for this?"

Amanda Tero said...

@ Paula - I'm hoping to check into more of Dee's books. Maybe I'll get to Undetected!

@ Becky - I have one other Dee Henderson book on my shelf that I've not read yet either--it's book six in the O'Malley series I think? My older sister says I absolutely must read them in order. ;)

@ Trisha - great first line! Thanks for commenting!

@ Caryl - I just finished that book and LOVED it!!! :)

@ Andie - thanks for stopping by!

@ Dinh - ooh, intriguing first line!

@ Jane - I hope to read the O'Malley series someday!! :)

@ C.J. - ah, then you may not like this one. The suspense was small dosage, but so was the romance. ;)

@ Jessica - I've heard a few say that this one was "calmer" than her others. :)

@ English Mysteries - Lisa Harris is on my list to read someday. ;)

@ Beth - Haha! I so know about that "someday I'll get around to reading it." I think that's one reason I get review books. It "forces" me to read. :) Otherwise I'd likely not make time for it.

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