From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Series #2) [Paperback]

Mark Mynheir (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2006

Caught in a Cult

People associated with him have been killed, but Dr. Walter Simmons is a successful man. His books and tapes incorporate psychological principles with New Age, feel-good spiritualism and are a hit on college campuses. But when his top students join him for an intensive “training” program, they are actually joining a dangerous cult. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Tim Porter’s daughter, Ruby, is lured in like the rest, the heights of a dream plummeting her to the depths of a living nightmare. Tim and his ex-wife are driven to their knees for their daughter. But what about Ruby? To what lengths can they go to rescue her from Dr. Simmons’s clutches? Complicating matters is an FBI investigation, a corrupt chief of police, and a mounting spiritual battle. How much time do they really have?

The Truth Chasers Book Two

A desperate escape into the South Florida marshes ends in murder.



But the true terror is just beginning…

Dr. Walter Simmons is a successful man. His books and tapes blend psychological principles with New Age, feel-good spiritualism and are a hit on college campuses. But when his top students join him for an intensive “training” program, they have no idea what awaits them. Not even the most insightful student of them all--Ruby Porter.

Tim Porter, an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, knows his daughter is into something strange. He and his ex-wife grow increasingly concerned, but nothing they do or say helps. Then a young man is murdered, and the FDLE are assigned to the case. As Tim grapples for the truth, one fact becomes crystal clear: Ruby is in terrible danger. But can he do what it will take to rescue his daughter from a man she now trusts more than anyone else?

Faced with an FBI investigation, a corrupt chief of police, and a mounting spiritual battle, Tim hits obstacles at every turn. As each day goes by, he can’t escape the terrifying truth--His daughter’s time is running out…

Join the agents of the FDLE as they seek the truth behind the crime and wrestle with Truth in their personal lives. Dealing with depravity all day, every day, it doesn’t always seem like God is in control. Which just makes victory that much sweeter when it comes.

{INSERT ENDORSEMENTS TO COME}

READER’S GUIDE INCLUDED

Story Behind the Book

“One day, while driving with my family, I caught a glimpse of my children’s faces in the rearview mirror. I was struck by their innocence and unawareness of anything evil in the world. As a police officer, I was intimately acquainted with evil and wanted to keep my children far from such knowledge. But I knew someday they would leave the comfort and security of our home. And I wondered, Was I equipping them with the spiritual training they would need to face the world ahead of them? Was I truly raising my children in the ways of the Lord? What would I do if one of my children were in the clutches of the evil one? And how far would I go to get them back?”

— Mark Mynheir

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Mynheir is a police officer whose law enforcement career has included positions as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective. A former U.S. marine, Mark authors articles for Focus on the Family’s Breakaway magazine for Christian teen boys. Married for thirteen years, he and his wife are blessed with three children, ages thirteen, eleven, and seven. They live in central Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (May 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590523997
• ISBN-13: 978-1590523995
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark is a former Marine who's worked in law enforcement over twenty years. He began his career with the Cocoa Beach Police Department and shortly after that moved to the Palm Bay Police Department, where he currently works as a homicide / violent crimes detective. In his career, Mark has worked as a Patrol Officer, an Undercover Narcotics Agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, as well as a Homicide Detective.

Mark has parlayed his police experiences into a successful speaking and writing career. He has written articles for Focus on the Family's Breakaway magazine and Lookout magazine and is the also the author of four novels: Rolling Thunder, From the Belly of the Dragon, The Void, and the Christy nominated The Night Watchman. He and his family currently live in central Florida. You can visit Mark's website at www.copwriter.com or his Facebook account.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Simple plot, heavy handed preaching detract from compelling plot, August 28, 2009

By 

Bill Garrison (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Series #2) (Paperback)

From the Belly of the Dragon is the second book in the series that features John Russell and Tim Porter, officers for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In this sequel, Tim's daughter, Ruby, is still upset with her parents' divorce and trying to fit in at Florida State University. There, she joins a group in love with the teachings of self-help guru Dr. Walter Simmons. After an on-campus visit, Simmons invites Ruby and her friend Byron to come to Simmons' own Higher Learning Campus.

Meanwhile, Russell and Porter are asked to investigate the case of a missing boy who was last seen as a student at the campus. They get nowhere and are stonewallled by the local police and Dr. Simmons himself. Tim finally confronts Ruby and asks her to leave with him, and she refuses. Tim and John decide to investigate Dr. Simmons and the campus, to find out what is really going on at this "cult."

By glancing at the other reviews, I see that I'm in the minority, but I really didn't like this book. I found the plot to be simplistic and predictable, lacking any real twists or turns. Its simple really, a girl is trapped in a cult and her dad tries to get her out. The author has an extensive background in police and SWAT, but fails to bring any of that knowledge to the pages of the novel in a way that makes it stand out.

I haven't read all Christian thriller writers by any means, but I've read enough to compare to this book and found that Mynhier includes a lot of religion and preaching in his books compared to most. While I found the religious aspects to be preachy at times, others may not mind. I feel that the spiritual parts of the novel took away from the actual police techniques and investigations, which took away from the realism of the novel.

Mynheir does excel in creating a family in conflict with the Porters and does a good job of portraying the love a father has for his daughter. But, overall, this is a book that I felt got bogged down by its heavy-handed message and predictable plot. Please read the other reviews to see opinions opposite of mine.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch edge-of-your-seat suspense, February 24, 2007

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Series #2) (Paperback)

This is one of those books that I wish hadn't been lost in my stack. It was edge-of-your-seat fabulous! I love stories about people sucked into cults and the great lengths that have to occur to pull people out. That Dr. Simmons was a real nut case, but the author did a terrific job putting you in his head so you could see how twisted he was in the way he saw himself and the world. I loved it! Also, the close bond between the detectives and their camaraderie was endearing. I enjoyed reading about how they'd put their careers and even their very lives on the line to help a friend whose daughter was trapped in a cult. The father--for obvious reasons--was driven to get Ruby out before it was too late.

This story was fast paced and very, very interesting. The plot was well done and the scenery so vivid I felt like I was part of the group. Scary. Also, the spiritual warfare and truths that were brought into the light within the context of this story were compelling. Not preachy at all. And the way the people who were angry with God came to realize that they needed His help to succeed was done in a very convincing manner and did not feel contrived. I love fiction with such a realistic feel to it. Plus, this author used a variety of points of view, but it was done so seamlessly that I'm impressed with his technique. It wasn't at all obvious that there were multiple points of view. Every one of them seemed necessary to move the story along. Well done!

Also, one unique aspect of this riveting novel was the close relations and interdependency between people from different ethnic backgrounds. Byron and Ruby were so close in their relationship that I forgot he was white. In fact, I had to look back and double check because he was so easily accepted into the family once he helped Ruby. But that also made sense because Ruby mentioned growing up in all white schools most of her life, so it wouldn't seem like a big deal to her. At any rate, I was enthralled with this story and the romance between Ruby and Byron as well. I hope they get married someday. Maybe in the next book (if there is one?) Highly recommended!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book!, August 23, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Series #2) (Paperback)

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is hot on the trail of Dr. Walter Simmons, a New-Age, free-thinking guru with a few skeletons in his closet. His bestselling books and new educational center would lead the public to think otherwise.

However, Agent Tim Porter has a personal stake in the case, because his daughter Ruby is one of Dr. Simmons' students in the leadership program. And he has the sinking feeling that his daughter is in grave danger.

With an unsolved murder, a missing person, and mysterious goings-on in the small town of Highpoint, this novel grabs the reader's attention right away and doesn't let go until the book is closed. The theme of spiritual warfare is not pushed upon the reader, but instead it is introduced gradually.

I have to say that at first, I was VERY put off by this book's cover. But I read it anyway, and I'm so glad I did! I was glued to it all day. I finished this book in one day, because the plot was so compelling and fast-paced, and the characters were very engaging, I couldn't put it down! I would never have chosen such a book because of the dark, sinister cover art, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The author, Mark Mynheir, is a police officer with experience in narcotics, SWAT team, and detective work. His law enforcement characters seem real without being stereotypical, and I found myself sympathizing with their dilemmas.

All in all, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this book for its fast-paced contemporary storyline and engaging and sympathetic characters.

Armchair Interviews says: Don't let the sinister cover art put you off from reading this good book.