Customer Reviews

Daniel's Den

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Following on the success of his Colton Parker Series, Brandt Dodson has hit another home run with DANIEL'S DEN.
Daniel Borden is a successful stock analyst at the prestigious Capshaw-Crane group. Working hard and playing by the rules of decency, Daniel has made a comfortable living for himself. Stinging from the hurt of a broken engagement, he decides his career is his future and puts all his energies into further himself at Capshaw-Crane. That is until he discovers one of his co-workers has been laundering money, a co-worker that has died in a freak car accident. Reporting what he has discovered to his boss, Daniel feels relieved that his involvement with Mr. Fontaine's accounts is over - or so he thinks.
Laura Traynor has had enough loss in her life. With the loss of her parents and her husband, she struggles to maintain the Valley Mill, the bed and breakfast she and her husband had worked so hard to renovate. Along with her son, Andy, Laura is barely making ends meet. When Anton Farkas offers to buy her out, she refuses. But she soon finds out that Farkas, and those he works for are not willing to take no for an answer.
When Daniel is framed for Fontaine's death, he runs, looking for answers regarding the mysterious companies outlined in Fontaine's portfolio. When his path crosses Laura's, they soon find themselves on the run from men that want to make them both disappear-for good.
Amidst the terrifying realization that they may never be able to prove their innocence, both Daniel and Laura's developing feelings for each other surface. Daniel realizes what he had found in Laura and Andy is what has been missing from his life. But has he made this discovery too late?
Brandt Dodson has once again written a book with characters you are instantly attracted to and a plot that keeps you guessing. With crisp writing and fast action, the pages quickly slip through your fingers as you root for Daniel to clear his name. This is my favorite novel from Brandt to date. Where his Colton Parker series only alluded to the possibility of Colton finding romance, DANIEL'S DEN takes the next step and allows the readers to see a true relationship develop between Daniel and Laura. But male readers needn't fear. The subtlety of their relationship is done without sacrificing the action and intrigue Brandt is known for. Good job, Brandt! You've done it again.

If I hadn't enjoyed Dodson's previous books, it's likely I would have by-passed this one. I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this cover said, "Warning!! Typical Christian fiction fluff." While it was a little sappy, it still had the strong suspense elements I've come to look for and love about Dodson's books.

Daniel Borden's life is near perfect. He has everything money can buy--nice home, secure employment and a faithful dog. As the opening line states, he's a happy man. Laura Traynor's life, on the other hand, is not perfect. Still haunted by the death of her mom, dad, husband, and dreams, her search for peace seems endless and futile. Both of their worlds are turned upside when Borden finds himself entangled in a well connected money laundering scheme. The search to find the truth brings them together to fight against some powerful foes.

Daniel's Den is a little different than Dodson's other books. It's ¾ thriller and ¼ mystery. It's a nice blend that works well for the story. Most of Dodson's books keep me guessing, but this one revealed most of the mystery as the plot unfolded. Not bad, but I'm a fan of mystery more than thriller. However, there is no shortage of suspense and action. Dodson establishes early in the book this is going to be a fast paced adventure and he keeps it moving pretty much from beginning to end.

Unlike the last couple of books, Dodson does dive deeper into the spiritual aspect in this novel. It's a bit more like his earlier books where the message is clearly on the surface and a little forced. It didn't flow as well as his some of later books. Though it's a little heavier handed than I like, Dodson does make some good points. For those who have struggled with God and anger towards God, this is a great book. Laura's life is a walking testament to trials and her character is developed in a way that draws the reader to her. There is adequate sympathy, without becoming annoyed at her.

It does get sappy and a bit bogged down at the end. While the elements of the plot are explained, it's not as cohesive or make quite as much sense as I would have liked for it too. In the end, it seemed like major characters only had minor parts in the grand scheme. Over all, though, it's an enjoyable book.

The chase is on! Daniel is out for his morning run and notices a van he has never seen before. When he comes back down the next street moments later and sees the van again he knows his life is about to change. "Daniel's Den" is a fast paced thriller similar to any John Grisham book. The author, Brandt Dodson, keeps the story moving quickly and has the reader guessing as to what might happen next.

Daniel has been asked by his boss to audit the accounts of a recently deceased co-worker. During his audit he notices that one very big account belongs to a company that does not really exist. The money that has passed through the account has been used to buy property in Virginia. Daniel wrestles over telling his boss but when he does, the trouble begins. He finds himself being watched and threatened. He decides to find out for himself what is going on in Virginia. You feel the tension as you read of him being followed. You find yourself cheering for him as he runs for his life.

While he is in Virginia he meets a women and her son who have been threatened by the property buyers because she does not want to sell. It is heartwarming to watch him become attached to this mother and son. Part of why you find yourself cheering so hard for him as he runs is that he has to take them with him. His character changes from a self absorbed single man to a loving protective man.

The story moves along quickly and yet you feel like you have a good sense of the characters and why they do what they do. The author brings the story together at the end in a believable way. This book could easily be made into a movie of the week. Good, fast, easy read!

I was given this book by [...] to review

I haven't read this book but no joke, that's my close friend on the cover and they never got his permission to do that... Not cool mr. publisher.

When I pick up a Brandt Dodson novel I expect to be intrigued by mystery, impressed by his police and FBI expertise, drawn into the suspense, compelled by his characters, and touched by some nice romance. Daniel's Den was all of that and more.
In Daniel's Den we meet Laura Traynor, widow, mother of Andy, struggling to keep the dream of a successful bed and breakfast in Northern Virginia alive. When a stranger shows up on her doorstep threatening harm to them if she doesn't sell her property, she knows something is wrong in the peaceful Shenandoah Valley. Daniel Borden is a wealthy stock analyst in New Orleans. He and his black Labrador, Elvis, lead a successful life. When one of his coworkers dies, Daniel finds himself implicated in a murder investigation. His research leads him to a small bed and breakfast in Virginia where he and Laura find themselves both targets of a group of hit men. They are join forces to seek and destroy whoever is plotting to ruin them.
This book is an action packed fast read. Readers will not know who to trust, or how Laura and Daniel could possibly come out of things better for their trials. Will they succeed? Will romance and faith have a chance? Read the book and find out. You won't be disappointed. Brandt Dodson delivers.

I enjoy books that take me along for the ride. By that I mean books where the reader isn't left behind, they get swept up in the action. Brandt Dodson's books are always like that and his latest work is no exception. Daniel and Laura are characters that engage the reader and make you feel for them. You really get to see into their lives and see the struggles that they make. The two are living separate lives until they get thrown together and have to join forces to survive. The book is filled with action, suspense, mystery and romance. It's really quite the thrill ride that I enjoy so much. The chemistry between the two leads is great and Laura's relationship with her son is touching. There are times when she does act a little overbearing but it's totally understandable. The action is intense but not overly violent. The story is not graphic but it's told in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

While this book was fun to read, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Dodson's previous series, the Colton Parker mysteries. It may be due to the fact this is a single standalone title where as the others are a four book series. Characters didn't get to fully develop and grow over a long period of time. Also this book felt a little bit more preachier and less edgier than past books. However this was a really page turner and hard to put down. I read this book during the 24 Hour Readathon and this book flew by for me. As I've said before if you are trying to get a male in your life to read, give him one of Brandt's books. This is another gem to recommend for a good guy read.

I enjoyed this look into the world of finances. The main characters were people you want to root for and hope they triumph in the end. Daniel Borden is caught up in a situation that tears apart his comfortable world and forces him to run for his life. Laura Traynor discovers what happens when evil comes to her front door. These two pair up to solve a mystery that their lives hang on. Daniel's Den is fast paced, well-researched with interesting characters that keep you turning the pages.

I've read one of Dodson's Colton Parker series, and I found that to be immensely more enjoyable than this movie-of-the-week suspense novel. The Daniel of the title is a privileged attorney living with a shelter dog named Elvis. When asked to audit the accounts of a recently deceased coworker, Daniel finds evidence of embezzlement and illegal activities, which then puts him in the hot seat. He flees to a small town where a divorced single mother, Laura Sky, is running a bed and breakfast.

The plot is fairly intricate, as Daniel realizes that threats made against Laura are somehow connected to Daniel's office's activities. I can honestly say that I've read better suspense novels (check out George Pelecanos sometime) but this was an engaging read.

This was a fun, engaging read that kept me wondering what was going to happen to Daniel and Laura when the cards were stacked against them. I kept wondering how Daniel was going to get out of his circumstances, and this tension made for compelling reading. Though I detected early on that Daniel and Laura were going to get together by the end, I had no idea how they were going to survive the hit men who were going after them. Add in Daniel's analytical nature, Laura's sensitive side (she's still grieving her husband's death), and her son's diabetic condition, and you have a fine blend of characters and complications to take readers along for a suspenseful ride. Elvis, the Lab, was also a nice touch and not just inserted for color; he contributes to the story. I particularly enjoyed the high-tech aspects of the hit men's surveillance techniques. Dodson obviously did some homework to make their technology accurate and believable.

The most enjoyable part, the ending, really kept me glued. I loved the idea of them hiding out at a cabin in the woods. When one of the hit men was able to tap into Laura's phone calls, I knew I couldn't put the book down. I had to find out what was going to happen, and I wasn't disappointed. Dodson is a master at juggling complications and pacing. The shifting points of view were handled deftly and believably. I especially liked the faith struggle both Daniel and Laura experienced during the course of the story. By the end of the novel, I thought Dodson had hit a home run with the spiritual message. Add to that a pulse-pounding ride, and Daniel's Den is a suspenseful Christian novel you won't want to miss.

First of all, let me say that this review was delayed somewhat due to my mother's visit on the day the book arrived. She took it home and read it, and although she's not the reviewing type, I have her assurance that she enjoyed it very much. I believe she called it a page-turner. Anyway, last week I got it back and read it myself at last!

This is a very well executed and suspenseful novel. We are introduced to two different protagonists who face increasingly impossible odds before a common enemy throws them together. Then comes a series of life-and-death chess moves as they dodge the strategies plotted against them.

If you like romance with your suspense, you'll find both aplenty here along with a trail of corpses, financial intrigue, a personal look at diabetes, and interesting insights into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and its effects on New Orleans.

It's a nice touch that novel-writing also features in the plot, with a cunning twist of the unexpected. Think road-movie plus on-the-run plus a boy and a dog and villainous framing, and that's a pretty good impression of this book. The suspense factors increase as the story goes on, so that the sense of danger is never absent.

Not for the faint of heart!