Customer Reviews

Fatal Deduction

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book in one afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. Libby Burton and her twin sister, Tori, don't have much in common. Libby has always thought of Tori as vivid, and of herself as bland. Most of the time they don't even like each other. Then their great-aunt Stella dies, and has left the sisters her Colonial row house in Philadelphia, with instructions that they have to live there--together-- in the same house-- for six months. Talk about having to earn your inheritance. The action really heats up when Libby stumbles over a dead body on the front stoop with a crossword puzzle addressed to Tori on his chest. Things go from bad to worse when Tori resorts to her usual game of competition, trying to win over Chloe, Libby's thirteen-year old daughter. Tori denies she knows anything about the murder, but more crossword puzzles arrive, and Drew Canfield, their handsome neighor complicates matters by being underfoot all the time. A fascinating mystery with a cast of characters I'd like living next to me. Well, all except Tori. A little of her would go a long way. Clever and well-written with an ending that will leave the reader smiling.

From start to finish there was suspense in this book. But, it was written well and kept the reader entranced. Enjoyed the interplay with the two young teenagers, the love interest, and the intrigue.

I started reading this book thinking that it would be just an average mystery, but boy was I wrong! This book is so much more than that, I ended up loving it!

When Libby's wealthy aunt dies, her will stipulates that Libby and her estranged twin sister Tori should live together in their aunts house for 6 months before they can receive their inheritance. They both agree, though Libby knows it won't be an easy 6 months as Tori is often critical of Libby's life and always has ulterior motives for everything she does. When a dead body shows up on their doorstep the first morning of their 6-month stay, along with a crossword puzzle, Libby starts to worry about who or what her sister has gotten involved with....

I loved the sweet blossoming friendship/romance between Libby and Drew, they are both so likable you just can't help but root for them! They both have baggage and pain from the past that rears it's ugly head in different ways, but it's encouraging to see how they handle it and encourage each other. Tori tries many times to come between Libby and her daughter, Chloe, basically trying to buy Chloe's affection with toys and gadgets, but Chloe has a good head on her shoulders and it was nice to see that at her impressionable age of 13 she could sort of see through what Tori was trying to do.

Fatal Deduction has just about everything: ex-cons, family dynamics, friendship, romance, mystery, crossword puzzles, and even some action and a big twist at the end! I very highly recommend this book!

One across...Three down...

The answer is in the puzzle.
The danger is in not solving it before time's up.

Libby Keaton longs to be close to her twin sister, Tori, but their lives have taken them in different directions. Forced to share Aunt Stella's old Philadelphia home in order to receive their inheritance, Libby hopes for a change, but it isn't looking good so far.

First, Tori tries to steal the affection and allegiance of Libby's thirteen-year-old daughter, Chloe. Then, when a crossword puzzle with a hidden warning shows up on their doorstep, Tori refuses to take it seriously--in spite of the dead man who delivers it.

Libby finds comfort in neighbor Drew Canfield, but he hesitates to trust her after his disastrous marriage. As Libby struggles to act faithfully in the midst of these confusing relationships, she must also deal with a stolen diamond and a botched kidnapping. The answer to her problems lies in the riddles of the crosswords, if only she can solve the puzzles before it's too late.

I decided to take a break from reviewing my favorite genre, Historical Fiction, and try a fiction/suspense novel. I'm glad I did as Fatal Deduction from veteran author Gayle Roper turned out to be one of the most unique pieces of Christian literature I have read yet.

The concept that individuals are kept from doing what is right out of a sense of fear is deeply explored through each emotional situation the main characters face. As Job once wrote in the Holy Bible, "Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward," yet the apostle Peter eternally reminds human beings to cast ALL of their anxiety to the Lord because he cares. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of the story Roper has given her audience. Every character essential to the plot is caught in an emotional upheaval--those who believe in the Lord with all their heart find their flaws coming to life while attempting to lead a Godly life in an ungodly world, particularly through the turmoil members of their family put them through. In this sense, Roper has presented reality. Fatal Deduction is a piece of contemporary Christian fiction, yet the reader doesn't experience the story through rose-colored lens. It's humanity at its highest and lowest points. Just as God has a purpose for each individual, our lives are all connected, in ways we cannot even begin to comprehend. We are destined to meet certain people...this destiny, an important gift in God's will, sometimes leads us to second chances in life.

Roper has also intertwined the concepts of murder, mental illness, forgiveness, peace, love, and mystery into each twist and turn in the plot. Readers interact with the characters as the actual crossword puzzles delivered to Tori are featured in the book, giving each audience member the chance to solve the puzzle.

From the moment readers pick up the novel, they will be intrigued to the other end, as they turn the pages very rapidly to discover which twist will unfold next. It is truly masterpieces, such as Gayle Roper's novels, that are forever changing the shape of Christian literature to appeal to a wide variety of audiences. What an incredible testament to an author who has written novels for more than thirty years with more than forty-five books to her name.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.*

Stories about sisters never seem to grow old especially with twins sisters who the polar opposite with each other. This book features that storyline but with an added twist of a corpse! It's not all happy times for twins Libby and Tori as they are forced to live in the same house in order to receive their inheritance. The two are as different as night and day and the distance throughout the years has made the gap between them almost uncrossable. I felt sorry for Libby throughout the entire book and the way her entire family treated her. I honestly wanted to smack her mother, grandmother and even her sister at times for being so mean to her. The way she took things in stride really amazed me. I was glad that her own daughter did not feel the same way as the rest of her family.

I was a bit worried at first that Libby and Drew's relationship would go in the way of the stereotypical Christian story that involves a divorce but was gladly mistaken. In fact Drew's whole relationship with his ex wife was really fairly refreshing. I'm glad that she was portrayed the way she was and that the whole situation was even discussed. Being bi-polar is something that is not mentioned very much in Christian fiction so how it was presented in this book was realistic and a good way for readers to be aware and knowledgeable of the subject.

There were two qualms I had with the book. The first was the use of the crossword puzzles themselves. The full unanswered puzzles are displayed in the book as how Libby might have seen them. Maybe I'm just weird or lazy, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to do the puzzle myself to figure out the clues. As it was, I skipped over them and just kept reading to see if anyone else figured them out. I'm not sure really what the purpose was of having them there. It's a unique concept but I was confused if it was supposed to be more interactive for the reader or just artistic design. The other qualm I had was Tori's character. This is mainly due to the fact that I felt her story is never fully resolved or really developed. The ending with her left me quite unsatisfied and unless there's another book involving her, I felt her character to be incomplete.

Other than this, I enjoyed the story. It has a good mystery and for fans of crossword puzzles, it is a unique way to bring about the clues. I've always been a fan of Gayle's other books so it was a delight to see her return to the mystery genre. Hopefully there will be more of these kinds of books in the future.

Plot twists galore, a wonderful historic setting in Philadelphia, family dramas including a pair of twin sisters who are different as they can be, a difficult-ex-wife and extended family issues and most of all, a God of second chances who truly does make all things new. What I loved most about this book was the way the Christian message was woven so neatly into the text, didn't feel like an afterthought, and never felt jarring and forced. And the mystery kept you guessing from the first moments when Tori finds a dead body on her doorstep all the way through to the last second. I can't wait to read more mysteries by Gayle Roper.

What the story has going for it: Gayle Roper is a great writer. Her writing style is wonderful, and I always enjoy reading her work. She manages to incorporate Christian references into her storylines without trying to beat you upside the head with her beliefs.

What the story was lacking: I couldn't connect with the two main characters, sisters Libby and Tori, no matter how hard I tried. Libby is a walking doormat, letting everyone (especially her sister), do and say what they want to her without voicing her opinions or concerns. Tori is a spoiled brat princess who I wanted to shake until she realized how obnoxious she was.

The mystery/suspense of the story read almost like an afterthought, rather than the main objective of the story. The crossword puzzles inserted into the book were nothing more than a waste of space, and even the reasoning behind the crimes seemed far-fetched.

Overall, I didn't mind spending time reading FATAL DEDUCTION, but I'm disappointed that I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

I enjoyed the story of two sisters who must share a small Brownstone for a few months in order to inherit their Aunt's estate. It was a fun afternoon's read, and I enjoyed not only the story, but the twists and turns along the way.

Libby Burton and her twin sister Tori, have been at odds all of their lives. They have gone their separate ways. Tori works in Atlantic City coordinating the travel of the big rollers. Libby remained in the small town where they grew up. She works in an antique business with the woman who brought her to faith, and Libby has a 13-year-old daughter, Chloe. The child's father turned his back on Libby when he found out she was expecting his child. This happened shortly after Libby's grandfather and father were sentenced for crimes committed while serving as police chief and police lieutenant.

Great-aunt Stella has died and left her home and estate to Libby and Tori, with only one catch involved with claiming the inheritance. Both Libby and Tori must move to Philadelphia and live in the house together for six months. Libby prays this will draw them closer together. Then a body is found on their doorstep with a crossword puzzle attached that's addressed to Tori. Also, Libby is not pleased with Tori's influence on Chloe. A dead body and threatening crossword puzzles are only the beginning of the adventure for the Burton twins.

Tori's love interest is in Atlantic City while Libby draws the attention of the man across the street. He is on sabbatical in Philadelphia to study Benjamin Franklin. Along with his daughter Jenna, they become friends with Libby and Chloe.

Throw into the mix some unexpected antique finds, old high school classmates, and a family secret kept for years-and the adventure becomes more complex. Surprises and revelations await you.

Armchair Interviews says: This Christian suspense has a reader's guide that presents many added insights.

The book was a fun read. There's a thread of romance, a trace of suspense, a twist of mystery. And there are a couple twists -- especially toward the end that I didn't anticipate. The interaction between the sisters made me laugh -- I could see it playing out in real life all too well. They may look alike, but their takes on life and how they act are miles apart. Drew Canfield and his daughter provide a nice layer to the plot as well. And the girls were more than secondary characters stuck in the plot to fill the obligatory child role. The rest of the cast of secondary characters develops into a full-fledged Greek chorus and added a depth to the story.