Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Suspenseful Thriller, May 23, 2009
This review is from: Blood Bayou: A Novel (Paperback)
This is my first book review in response to Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. I would like to first of all express my appreciation to the publishers (Simon and Schuster/Howard Books) for having sent me this book in exchange for a review. It has been a rewarding experience. I have not previously read a Karen Young novel, and am grateful for this opportunity to be introduced to her.
Blood Bayou was truly enjoyable. I was actually a bit surprised to discover how much I liked it. I had been a bit skeptical as I started reading the book, for a number of reasons. I don't often read murder mysteries, I had not read any works by Karen Young previously, and I just about never read a book categorized under the "Christian Fiction" genre; as it sounds entirely too religious in theme.
The story grabbed my interest from the start, however; and had me in its grip until the very end. That's not always easy to do, even by a work from one of my favorite tried-and-true authors. The characters are well defined and the story masterfully crafted. Karen Young is an excellent writer; which is all too much of a rarity these days. Time and again, I will start a "bestseller" and end up in frustration and disappointment from a poor and clunky writing style. I have found a new author to add to my "good" list!
The Christian theme of the story was not too overpowering to take away any of the enjoyment of reading it and, in fact, added a great deal of depth to the storyline. The plot was suspenseful and believable. I am really looking forward to delving into more Karen Young novels soon and would definitely recommend Blood Bayou.
RESPONSE FROM AUTHOR KAREN YOUNG:
Hello, Shirley, Thank you for your positive review of my book, Blood Bayou. I'm glad my publisher selected you from a number of reviewers to receive the book. I'm glad you liked it and hope you'll look for other releases in the future. As you will see on my web site, I have written many books, but Blood Bayou is my first effort at writing Christian fiction. I was nervous at first, but words of encouragement such as you've written in your review go a long way to assuaging my anxieties. Again, thank you. Best wishes, Karen
[...]
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karen Young is back and better than ever!, May 3, 2009
This review is from: Blood Bayou: A Novel (Paperback)
After several years without a new release, Karen Young is back and better than ever.
BLOOD BAYOU is her first Christian fiction novel, but the genre designation is the only thing that has changed. Karen delivers a spell-binding suspense that starts with murder and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
Camille St. James believes in justice and the law. A professor at Talbot College she heads The Truth Project, an organization dedicated to the exoneration of innocent individuals who have been wrongly convicted and sentenced to death row. Their work on behalf of Chester Pelham is successful, but within hours of his release from prison another woman is dead and Chester is found wearing bloodstained clothes. His arrest lands Chester in the hospital in a coma. The Truth Project is suspended and Camille is forced to take a month's vacation.
Camille is devastated to learn that the murdered woman is her ex-husband's sister. A former attorney and recovering alcoholic, Jack spent several years in prison after a tragic drunk driving accident. During his incarceration, Jack found his true calling and his salvation in the word of God. Jack and Camille have been divorced for seven years and he is now a minister.
Camille knows that his sister's death will devastate Jack and is certain he will blame Camille and The Truth Project. Still, she feels obligated to tell him how sorry she is for his loss and drives to Blood Bayou so she can do so in person. It won't be easy to face him after all these years, but it is the right thing to do. Camille is surprised by the changes in her ex-husband and uncomfortable with his religious calling.
As evidence mounts against Chester, Camille is the only person who believes him innocent. She launches her own investigation, forcing her to stay in Blood Bayou and thus remain close to Jack. But someone doesn't want Camille nosing into things and several attempts are made to chase her out of town, which quickly escalate to attempted murder. Jack has never stopped loving Camille and is determined to keep her safe.
Can this star-crossed couple rekindle their love, even as she works to free the man accused of killing his sister? Can she accept and ever be comfortable with the changes religion has brought into his life? Will her blood be the next to pollute the waters of Blood Bayou?
Don't miss this who-done-it that offers all the clues, and still delivers a surprise ending!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational romantic suspense at its best, May 20, 2009
This review is from: Blood Bayou: A Novel (Paperback)
Camille St. James has worked tirelessly to gain funding and respect for the Truth Project, a college-supported program to free wrongfully convicted prisoners. After several years of nose-to-the-grindstone investigative work, her most newsworthy success has freed Chester Pelham from his incarceration on death row, where he awaited execution by lethal injection for a murder he did not commit. But even before the press conference announcing his release is over, Chester is accused of yet another vicious murder with the same exact MO. Camille is shocked to find the victim is her ex-husband's younger sister.
Seven years before, Jack Vermillion's obsessive behavior and alcoholism destroyed his and Camille's marriage, his career, and the lives of others around him. Camille hasn't spoken to him since their divorce. Only after he lost everything did Jack find salvation. Now he's a minister and serves God by serving others.
He has never stopped loving Camille, but she doesn't trust Jack's newfound piety. Jack's faith makes her uncomfortable because her own spiritual journey is not yet complete.
When Camille refuses to allow Chester to be railroaded for yet another crime he didn't commit, her questions irritate the wrong people, putting Camille in jeopardy time and again. Jack teams up with her to protect her and to find his sister's true killer. In his heart, he prays that Camille can find a way to forgive him for their past. But the chilling events that follow might send this couple to their heavenly reward before their love is renewed.
I stayed up entirely too late to finish this book. I think that is the greatest compliment one can give an author. I've enjoyed Karen Young's novels for years. Ms. Young delves into the darkest secrets of her characters, and compels her readers to join them in their journey to redemption. By adding an inspirational element to her already riveting romantic suspense, her storytelling has reached a new depth of richness, which leads to a very satisfying ending.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
