Customer Reviews

GRIPPED BY FEAR

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

 

 

"Gripped by Fear" by John M. Wills is a crime novel and, at first glance, reminded me of a Mary Higgins Clark book. The back cover of the book says that the author "spent 35 years in law enforcement," and the novel's story, for the most part, rings very true to life.

Pete Shannon and Marilyn Benson are two detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit of the Chicago Police Force. They are working together to find the rapist who is targeting "women who labor as office cleaners in downtown Chicago, sexually assaulting them as they travel to and from their jobs." In the midst of it all, they are relatively new in the department and must deal charitably with others who are jealous and envious of their positions.

The most entertaining part of "Gripped by Fear" is the story. It is engaging and the characters are interesting and easy to like. This novel has something for everyone: "gripping" story line, romance, action and some theology thrown in for good measure.

I write religious fiction and I usually enjoy when the characters are evangelizing or are speaking to others about their faith. I like the fact that some of the characters attend Mass. However, the main character, Pete Shannon, is a bit over the top with regard to his faith and the question "How has God treated you today?" which he asks just about every other character in the book. This is the only part which came across as unbelievable and forced.

The chapters from the villain's perspective were especially engaging. Those sections kept me reading and quickly turning the pages.

I particularly enjoyed the romance between David and Susan (a widow with four sons) as well as the relationship between Marilyn and her boyfriend, Joe, and I would've liked to see more of those plot lines. Good morals are illustrated throughout the book, not only in situations but in attitudes. There is no graphic sexuality or violence although there are a few swear words when the villain is speaking or thinking.

The author is a talented storyteller and he has created some interesting characters. His law enforcement background makes this novel true-to-life with compelling situations and plot lines.

Ellen Gable Hrkach
award-winning author
In Name Only

Once again John Wills hits it out of the park...a grand slam story just in time for Christmas! Gripped by Fear will leave you gripped by faith. John needs to issue a box of Kleenex with each book he writes. The characters are so moving, the sense of genuine evil in the world is so palpable, and the heroes will make you cheer not just for them, but for the loving God who guides them.

Mike Angley
Award-winning Author of the Child Finder Trilogy
[...]

The public would be very surprised to learn that many police officers are deeply religious people. I know it as a police chaplain, and now John Wills makes it known to the public. When you face what these officers face every day you can become hard and cold, or you can interpret the job through Christian faith which provides answers and supreme comfort for stricken souls. People who like this genre will enjoy the book, and every police officer who reads it will benefit as well. It will confirm that what he believes is shared by many others, and will teach him how such faith can strengthen and consol him in his God-given vocation. The story line stands on its own, but the book will also give the public a new insight to these otherwise very private people.

Finally, books about police officers who are also Christians. They have not been mainstream since Chesterton's Father Brown..

But don't think they're unrealistic or G rated. Mr. Wills has developed characters that are inspirational in a down and dirty world. Nothing is sugarcoated or glorified. The spirituality fits nicely in these stories without being preachy.

This is the second book of Mr. Wills Chicago Warriors series. In the first he really just set the scene and introduced the characters. This one really picks up the pace and takes it's place among other suspenseful police procedurals. Nothing is concealed from the reader as concerns the identity of the perpetrator but there is also no easing up on the suspense level. A good read.

On a personal level I am acquainted with many members of the Chicago Police Department and am thrilled the majority of the CPD are described in Mr. Wills books as the top notch people they are.

Once again John Wills captures the reader's attention in his second novel in the Chicago Warriors Thriller Series, Gripped by Fear. Wills illustrates the daily struggles officers face while trying to keep the peace in a world of good and evil. He addresses crime, relationships, and life threatening illness, as well as the difficult choices today's law enforcement officers must make. His unique spiritual warfare approach to crime and life on the streets cannot help but touch and change the lives of those who read it.