Betrayed [Paperback]

Jeanette Windle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2008

This action-packed international thriller brings readers to Guatemala, where anthropologist Vicki Andrews discovers that her sister has been murdered. Guatemalan authorities dismiss her death as another of the country's frequent muggings or a kidnap-for-ransom, but Vicki refuses to accept their verdict. Vicki launches her own investigation and uncovers corruption buried so deep that crossing international lines may cost Vicki her life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Windle, author of the Christian suspense novels Firestorm and CrossFire, pens a flawed but engaging thriller with faith themes. Vicki Andrews, 25, is an inspector for Children at Risk, which funnels money to children's projects around the world. Her latest assignment takes her to Guatemala City to determine if a faith-based mission may be a model for future partnerships. There, Vicki's sister, Holly, a passionate environmentalist with Wildlife Rescue Center, is attacked and brutally murdered. In a scene that strains credibility, Vicki discovers her sister just as she is dying. When Vicki journeys to the Sierra de las Minas biosphere, it becomes a journey into her tragic past, which childhood trauma has prevented her from remembering. Her trip also holds the key to the secret of her parents' deaths and perhaps her sister's. Despite some slow pacing and too many suspensions of disbelief, Windle is timely in introducing readers to political rationalizations that cost innocent lives and ably paints the landscape of Guatemala. However, she portrays the tensions between environmental groups and children's mission groups unevenly; greater subtlety would have made her points more powerful. A gratifying twist toward the end will ensure that readers make it to the final pages. (Mar.)
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Review

Betrayed is not only a good mystery, but a good primer on the current state of much of Latin America and the legacy of our involvement there. -- Shelf Awareness, March 28, 2008

Betrayed is a sure-footed journey into suspense and fear illuminated by hope. -- Patricia Sprinkle, author bestselling Thoroughly Southern and Family Tree mystery series

Filled with adventure, suspense and political intrigue, Windle's novel . . . is not to be missed! -- Romantic Times, February 2008

Jeanette Windle is not only a great writer, she knows Latin America. I highly recommend this action-packed novel. -- Dr. Ron Blue, Spanish Dr. of Ministry, Dallas Theological Seminary.

Jeanette Windle spins her tale as only one can who has herself lived and worked in this exciting and often contradictory subculture of the American Empire. -- William K. Smith, Special Agent (retired) US Drug Enforcement Administration

Windle's engrossing story . . . will attract readers who enjoy international suspense thrillers. Recommended for suspense collections. -- Library Journal, February 1, 2008

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 365 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414314744
• ISBN-13: 978-1414314747
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Curently based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty. She has more than fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best seller CrossFire and 2010 CBA Award finalist and Christy Award finalist Veiled Freedom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this intriguing tale, March 8, 2008

By 

Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betrayed (Paperback)

Sisters, Vicki and Holly Andrews couldn't be more different in personality, life choices and career. Vicki champions underprivileged children all over the world while the glamorous Holly advocates for animals and the environment.

When Vicki's latest assignment sees the sisters reconnect in Guatemala, a tragedy reminiscent of their fractured childhood occurs, leaving Vicki alone and afraid yet determined to uncover the evil lurking in the jungle and find justice for her sister.

I devoured Jeanette Windle's engrossing thrillers set in South America, Crossfire, Firestorm and The DMZ so eagerly anticipated the release of Betrayed from Tyndale House. I was not disappointed.

Jeanette again returns to South America, a world she knows so well from her childhood and later as a missionary. Guatemala comes alive as Jeanette's skilful hand describes the pitiful "garbage people", the immense beauty of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere and the political minefields that plague this developing nation. The characters are diverse and well developed, complex in both personality and motivation. Intrigue, danger and a subtle and unexpected romance are seamlessly interwoven with a message of God's love and faithfulness in the face of unimaginable human suffering.

Betrayed has confirmed I will read any book with J. M. Windle written on the spine!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Betrayed is a well-written, vivid, timely thriller with a rich spiritual message expertly woven into the story., March 25, 2008

By 

Susan Sleeman "Host of The Christian Suspense... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Betrayed (Paperback)

Working as an inspector for Children At Risk, a foundation that provides operating funds to children's projects throughout the world, Vicki Andrews travels to Guatemala City on what she thinks is another routine assignment. This assignment takes her to the slums of the city where she will stay at Casa de Esperanza to evaluate their program and determine if they are worthy to receive funding from Children At Risk. Before long Vicki is surprised to learn that she has a personal connection with the place. A connection that helps, Vicki, who was adopted as a young child, to discover her real identity.

But Vicki is not the only foreigner hard at work in the civil war torn nation. Her sister Holly, an environmentalist with the Wildlife Rescue Center, meets with Vicki on her first day in the city and begs her to help investigate the theft of exotic animals from the Rescue Center. Vicki, while downplaying the thefts, refuses to help, and the next time she sees her sister it is too late to change her mind. Vicki finds Holly taking her last breaths in a large black garbage bag in the city's garbage dump. Warning, this scene is vivid and will stay with long after you put down the book. It's not gratuitous gore, but a disturbing and graphic scene that helps the reader realize that the country no more values many of their people than they do their garbage.

The investigation into Holly's death is short lived, soon labeled a simple street crime by the local authorities and is prematurely closed, leaving Vicki determined to investigate and discover the real person responsible for Holly's murder. This is where the thrilling ride begins as Vicki sets off on a trail that leads to powerful people who want their identity kept hidden at all costs. Even if it costs Vicki her very life. If this is not enough of a plot to satisfy the reader, Windle ties the current day events to the death of Vicki's parents when she was but a child.


Betrayed is a well-written, vivid, timely thriller with a rich spiritual message expertly woven into the story. The thoroughly researched details of the struggles in Guatemala draw you into the story from page one of the book, enlightening the reader on the country's current strife and the selfless individuals working to better the situation. Windle's intimate knowledge of the region brings the culture, the scenery, and the suffering to life for the reader.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If only the heroine had common sense....., July 18, 2009

By 

world reader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Betrayed (Paperback)

Having lived for many years in South America, I always appreciate Windle's making the country "come alive". Her vivid descriptions and attention to detail truly make her books exciting and fun to read.

This one is no different. While you read about how the CIA and other American agencies have "covered" up a few of their blunders, you also see that they are not all bad and some of them even think they really are doing it for the good of the United States.

Others have told enough about the story that I don't need to elaborate, only to suggest that as in most of Windle's books (all of which are well written) you have the naive female who just doesn't seem to want to listen to anyone else and just keeps blundering along getting herself and others into trouble until she is "saved". Kind of like what God is doing with each of his children, but it does make you want to rush through to the end and hope that someone finally shakes some sense into her head.

Other than that--great book and it does make South America come alive.