Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This book is written by a Christian dealing with the problem of cults. To some people, this goes overboard on the faith angle (I'd recommend you look at Bill Garrison's excellent two-star review of this book for an opposing view). For me, it's a plus; it also is a key element of the story.

Mark Mynheir's "From the Belly of the Dragon" is the second of a three part series. I haven't read either of the other installments, but have read the first book of Mynheir's Ray Quinn series. I like this one better; my opinion. The reason I selected this book is because I'm writing a novel which has a cult sub-plot and wanted to see how it's handled. It didn't disappoint at all.

One other comment. There is a grittiness to both books, but this one is more straight forward in its Christianity. Also, "The Night Watchman" by Mynheir is more of a mystery; this is more of a police drama/suspense story.

Writing wise, it grabs your attention. The plot keeps you at the edge of the seat. The characters could be a little stronger but they're not two-dimensional either.

I highly recommend this book.

I love Mark Mynheir's true-to-life police writing mixed with his love of family and God. His characters' weaknesses and strengths bring real life conflict into the stories. I told my husband they were written by a real law enforcement officer; and he asked to read them. He read both Rolling Thunder and From the Belly of the Dragon in about ten days--this from a man who reads one book every five years! He just asked me to download the next one.

I read the first line: "I hope this knucklehead doesn't get himself killed before we move in." Well with a first line like that what mystry/suspense lover wouldn't keep reading? Not me. I kept reading and found this a page turner. Wished I hadn't lost it in my TBR (to be read) pile for so long.

This book is proof you don't have to use a bunch of bad language to write a good thriller.

I gotta take more writing lessons from this guy.

"From the Belly of the Beast" is a excellent novel. It involves a team of police officers investigating a case. The case is a missing student and it leads to a compound in Florida where a pop psychologist has set up a campus.

I do not want to say more details, as it might spoil a great read. The characters are realistic, the steeings believable, and the action is well done.

I highly recommend this book.

In Rolling Thunder, we got to know FDLE agent John Russell and watch him as he struggled to resolve his past. We also met Tim Porter and Robbie Sanchez, his partners in crime, er, law enforcement. With this second installment of the Truth Chasers series, From The Belly of the Beast, by lawman turned novelist Mark Mynheir we get the opportunity to know Tim Porter and his estranged family better as he deals with the potential loss of his college aged daughter Ruby to a cult. At every turn Porter is stopped in his attempts to rescue his daughter from what he comes to believe is certain destruction. Then a young man who was under the tutelage of the mysterious Dr. Walter Simmons is murdered and the case falls into the laps of Tim and his follow FDLE friends.

Mark Mynheir continues with this novel to build his reputation for writing solid stories that are at once suspenseful, engaging and timely. Everyone knows that college campuses can be places of great learning and maturing for young adults. We also know it can be a breeding ground for less than desirable ideologies that sound good on the surface, but lack substance and hides darkness. It's evident that Mynheir has done his homework. Maybe even worked similar cases in his day job as an officer of the law in Florida. The suspense is palpable. The characters are real. In the case of Simmons, maybe too real. Scary to think people like him exist. I couldn't help but think of some of the so-called self-help gurus on the info-mericals at 3 am and the bookshelves everywhere.

Tim Porter is yet another character that Mynheir's deft hand is able to endear us to as we watch him strive to keep what little bit of family relationships he has with his wife and daughter. The courageous Ruby is a wonderful hero woven into the fabric of the story as she makes her way through this situation she found herself in. And one will cheer as Tim, Ruby and Gloria meet each other half way to try and make things work.

Though part of a series, this story does stand alone on it's own merit. If you're interested, check out my review of book one, Rolling Thunder, here on Amazon.

Well, we open up the 2nd installment from Mark Myheir with great anticipation! This was impressive, and coming from a cop's perspective, it was very real. Lots of good action, lots of chills, and it just gets crazy at times. Mark basically takes charge, what we normally call taking the bull by the horns. But this time maybe, just maybe, he's taking the DRAGON by the horns!

In "Rolling Thunder" we were introduced to John Russell. Well, we'll see more of Russell, and a lot more of his partner, Tim Porter this time. He's big, he's bad, he's mean, he's mad! I like Tim a lot, because he's like me. You don't be messin' with his baby! Which is exactly what Dr. Walter Simmons has done. Who is this so-called "Great doctor" anyway? He doesn't seem so harmless. He'll even show you around his facility, maybe even give you a CD or 2 to show you why he's the greatest. As you may have guessed, he isn't the greatest. Tim Porter picks up on that pretty quickly. This is his daughter that's being messed with. The question is, how do you get her? It seems like she might not want out.

So, consider this a team effort. Remember that God is in control. Might I add that this was a darn good read! With first hand experience as a cop, Mark Mynheir really pumped up the pace, and the fury! So what's my advice? Enter this dragon's belly yourself, and see if you need some antacid afterwards. Great stuff!

I met Mark Mynheir at the Florida Christina Writers Conference several years ago and am captivated by his writing. His experiences on the streets as a cop and detective give him credibility as an author who has lived his scenes and, more importantly, his characters. From the Belly of the Dragon held my interest from the beginning to the end. As I read, I knew the characters and what motivated them. I could also identify with the struggles that each character encountered. I found myself going back into the story several times to double check seemingly minor bits of information - that were now important as the story moved forward. I like this attention to detail. Everything in this story is connected and moves the reader forward at a good pace. Important too is how Mark weaves the ending into one you will never guess.

John Vonhof, author of Fixing Your Feet