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DEADLY CHARM - Claudia Muir Burney Urban Books/Christian March 2009 |
SYNOPSIS: When disgraced playboy preacher Ezekiel Thunder and his seductive first lady's their toddler, Baby Zeekie, is found dead from an accidental drowning, forensic psychologist Amanda Bell suspects foul play, especially after the mama in mourning flirts with Bell's estranged husband, Jazz. Bell is sickened by the woman's behavior and the thought of someone murdering an innocent child -- or is it morning sickness that's plaguing her? Between babies and bodies, she pushes past the limits to discover the deadly truth.
INSPIRATIONAL FICTION (Mystery) |4| La-Tessa Montgomery
REVIEW:
DEADLY CHARM,
the third installment in the Amanda Bell Brown Mystery series, is full of the
same slightly dark, yet humorous spirit as its predecessors. This time around,
Amanda and her estranged husband, sexy police detective Jazz Brown, are dealing
with the pressures and problems surrounding their marriage, Bell’s health
issues, and the fall out from a murder Bell just can’t help insinuating herself
in the middle of.
When Bell’s best friend Rocky asks her to accompany him to pastor Ezekiel
Thunder’s crusade, she accepts begrudgingly; mostly because she’s missed
him—they didn’t part on the best of terms the last time they spoke. Bell
believes disgraced televangelist Ezekiel Thunder to be the lowest of the low.
She considers him a fraud, with his public fall from grace solidifying her
opinion. While she wasn’t happy to be in his presence, or that of his very young
wife, she instantly fell in love with his toddler little Zeekie. When baby Zeke
is found dead and it’s ruled an accidental drowning, something just doesn’t feel
right to Bell. So against everyone’s wishes, including her husband’s, she puts
on her sleuthing hat. Bell is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery,
all the while keeping her eye firmly on Mrs. Thunder—who’s not acting like a
typical grieving mother.
Fans of this series will really enjoy this latest addition. It’s full of the
humor, love, danger, and real life conflict that I’ve come to expect of Amanda
Bell Brown story. I must commend Ms. Burney on her character development. She’s
created a cast of characters that I’ve come to know and love. She’s not afraid
to knock them around as they face past hurts and present shortcomings, all the
while continuing their spiritual and emotional journeys. This story is full of
raw emotion as the main characters deal with the death of an innocent child,
search to find the strength to place total faith and trust in God, and face
their greatest fears as they open their hearts to accept true love. I love how
Amanda, Rocky, Jazzy, and Reverend Thunder all had to go through these steps,
but each in their own unique ways.
DEADLY CHARM
is a true love story that showcases the real life struggles and pains the leads
are all experiencing in one form or another. While the characters want to be
with the one they love, they must all face their own personal demons and
reconcile their pasts with who they are today. The only weakness, for me, is
that the plot drags a bit in places, sometimes with dialogue that goes on a bit
too long, and at other times with a bit too much introspect and narration.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all who want a good story period. Ms.
Mair transcends genre, and anyone who enjoys inspirational fiction, romance, or
mysteries, will not be disappointed.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 5th April 2009