Here are some of the books I read recently and what I thought of them.  They include a contemplative tale of the supernatural. a legal thrller, a historical mytery/tale of survival, and an excellent self-help book.

Winter Haven by Athol Dickson

Like Vera, the main character of this book, I was completely taken in by it’s mysterious supernatural occurences and couldn’t put it down until the truth had been uncovered. Vera is startled out of her workaholic existance by a phone call from an islander off the coast of Maine saying that they have found the body of her brother—the brother that disappeared when Vera was just a child. Vera goes on a quest to claim his body and bring it home—but becomes immersed in the mystery of the island where he died, and strange facts surrounding his death—such as the fact that he hasn’t aged at all since the day he left home, 13 years ago. Dickson weaves a skillful tale that shows our perceptions may not always lead us to a true vision of reality. I definitely recommend this one for when you are in the mood to savor a intricately told story. 

By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer

Catherine O’Rourke is just as suprised as everyone else in her life when she starts having visions that reveal details about a series of serial kidnappings/murders. Catherine is no stranger to police investigations, having even gone to jail to protect the identitiy of her inside police source. But her ties with the police can’t keep her out trouble when the cops decide that the only way she could know these details about the killings is that she is the serial killer herself. Soon is seems the only one who can save her—besides God himself—is Quinn Newburg, her high profile attorney known for using the insanity defense.
I loved listening to this book, I could hardly wait to get into my car each day and see how the author was going to get Catherine out of the deep hole of incrimanating evidence against her. The twists and turns were fantastic and the narrator does a marvelous job of capturing the right voice and inflection for each character. Fans of legal or other thrillers should pick this one up—don’t be put off by it being from a Christian publisher, the faith content is not preachy at all but is woven into the story in a believable way. Two thumbs up for this one. 

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

Murder investigations can be hard enough, but imagine trying to investigate a murder in a society where that very action could put you in danger of your life. Such is life in communist Russia, and such is the predicament that Leo Demidov the investigator of this novel finds himself in. It takes a good while for this premise to become apparent, and I spent the first CD of this book wondering what all these grim details about life in the Soviet Union had to do with anything. But as the plotlines began to run together I began to see the appeal of this book—part survival story, part murder investigation. Smith certainly creates vivid scenes with his writing (the squeamish should be warned), details that force the reader to confront the horrors that the people living in the Soviet Union faced and that illustrate the resilancy of our human nature to survive under the most brutal conditions. Fans of history, those who want a book to make them think, and those who don’t mind a slow set-up to a intriguing story would enjoy this one. It is also an excellent choice for book discussion groups. 

Loving People: How to Love and Be Loved by Dr. John Townsend

This is an excellent book on what love is and what it takes to accept love from other and to give it in return. The aspects of love that it deals are connecting, truth telling, healing, letting go, and romancing.
This is a book that for me is one that I will want to get and refer to again and again as I seek to grow in the many areas it covers. The authors advice and explanations all made excellent sense to me. It has a Christian persective but that is not overstated I think anyone would benefit from the basic principles it covers. Anyone who feels like they could benefit from forming deeper connections with other people should read this book.