Customer Reviews

Hand of Fate (Triple Threat Series #2)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

You know, sometimes the scariest books are not the horror books. They are books like Hand of Fate. Things that can really happen. Things that do happen.

I started this book yesterday and couldn't put it down. What a thriller! In the times that we are living in, when terrorist plots using biochemicals are a very real threat, where left and right wing extremists exist and cause harm, the events in this book are not too hard to imagine happening.

The book is fast paced, action packed, not one boring moment where you want to put it down and go find something else to do for a bit. The 3 friends in the book, Cassidy, Allison, and Nic are believable and your heart feels for them when they each go through their own personal trials apart from trying to figure out who killed Jim Fate.

I would love to go through the motive of the killer, why this person did what they did (and that ended up being a real twist!), but I would ruin the ending of the book for you. I will say the motive they had, what they were angry about, that is something very real, something that is happening in our society today.

Just another one of the issues that our government fights about, but doesn't really take serious action on.

I'm not for big government, I tend to believe that the more the government steps in and tries to "fix" things, the more they mess things up. The whole "too many cooks in the kitchen" analogy. But, I also think without them peering over the shoulder of certain businesses, that some people will take short cuts, they will risk the public for the almighty dollar.

See how this book makes you think?

I had to laugh because at the end of the book there are letters from radio hosts, from Bill O'Reilly to Mark Levin, saying, awesome book! Thanks for basing Jim Fate on me. I love talk radio myself. I tend to be more middle of the road, leaning towards the right, but I listen to whatever is on here, usually Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Jan Mikelson (local), Bradshaw (local), etc. When you hear some of the people who call in, the hate that is in their voice, you can see why this might actually be a viable threat to them.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves current events, anyone who loves a great mystery, an awesome thriller, anyone who loves to read period. Lis Wiehl is a new author to me and I really liked her style.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers &(...) for providing me with a copy of Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel). EXCELLENT book!

I just finished reading the 2nd installment in the Triple Threat series, Hand of Fate. This is the 2nd book in the series, after Face of Betrayal.

I had really high hopes for this book. I was so excited after reading the first one last year, I didn't know how I would be able to wait so long for the next installment!

So, the book finally came and I eagerly started reading it. I am very disappointed to report that for me, the book did not have even half of the appeal the first one had for me.

The dialogue of the three main characters, Cassidy Shaw, crime reporter, Nicole Hedges, an FBI agent, and Allison Pierce, a Federal Prosecutor, seemed stilted and did not flow. Their back stories and motivation for most of their actions seemed unbelievable and far-fetched. The action jumped back and forth, and was very confusing in the beginning of the book. There were a few action packed events, but they fizzled out before they could pack a punch.

I kept hoping it would get better, but it just didn't.

I think that the authors have a great premise in this series, but it just wasn't executed as well as the first book.

As far as this book being categorized as a "christian, spiritual book", I noticed a lot of "Thank God's" and "let us pray" thrown in, but I didn't hear the music at all. It seemed a bit fake and seemed to be used as an after thought.

Would I buy the next book in the series? Probably, since I really hope that the next one gets back to the same flow and entertainment value of the first one.

When a padded envelope from a publisher arrives on talk-radio superstar Jim Fate's desk, he thinks nothing of it, until he opens it and a small canister of gas is sprayed directly into his face . . . and so begins an engaging race to understand why, how, and if this is just the beginning of a widespread attack on Portland.

Leading the investigation from several different vantage points, are three friends, also known as Triple Threat, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They each share different perspectives on the date of the actual attack from their vantage points in Portland and likewise to the twists and turns of the investigation that follows. At times, there are revealing insights into each of the women's history and family lives, but at times just when you are digging deeper and beginning to get to know them better, the topic switches. Since this is a series, it might just be that they are building and trying to give you bits and pieces, but at times, I wanted just a little bit more.

The story line was certainly interesting and kept my attention and the end was satisfying and surprising, but I repeatedly had a nagging feeling that I had read a book just like this before. After some digging, I finally figured out why. James Patterson has a series that has a similar feel to it- the Women's Murder Club series. There are certainly differences between the books and a slight religious undertone to the Lis Wiehl and April Henry series that is refreshing and both series are still a fun read.

I am looking forward to the third book in the series and am planning to go back and read the first one too. Good book for a light summer read!

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Thomas Nelson sent me a copy of the newest book from Fox News legal correspondent Lis Wiehl, Hand of Fate. She once again teams up with veteran mystery novelist, April Henry, to bring us the second book in their Triple Threat series. Just reading the back cover I knew this book was right up my alley, full of adventure, mystery, danger, suspense, crime, and law enforcement.

I was a little leery at first reading this book for two reasons: First, Thomas Nelson is a Christian publisher and this was not a Christian book. But when I started reading, I noticed right away how clean and fantastic this book was. It had none of the Christian messages that usually fill Thomas Nelson books, but it also had absolutely no sex or language. A squeaky clean mystery for those that love the mystery but don't care for the language and smut. That's me!

Second, I have not read the first book in the Triple Threat series, and I wasn't sure how important that would be. In the first chapters, I was a little lost, just trying to figure out who was who and how they all fit in with each other. It didn't take long, though, to get it all straight, getting to know the characters. I really loved that this crime solving team was all female!

It's a true to life crime novel, and it's one of those books that you can't stay away from! Maybe it's because I've been watching way too much 48 Hours Mystery and Dateline lately, but I thought this book was fabulous!

Lis Wiehl's connection with working in a major news network has given her great insight to writing a really good suspense novel. The story is very well written with a plot that is pretty much straight from today's news. News radio DJs carry a lot of influence in what they say and have the power to make the public mad or agree with their views. Jim Fate is one of those DJs and his reputation has build up a loyal audience of those who love and those who hate him. I was really amazed at the hatred that came out of the listeners. It's amazing how much hatred there can be in a person enough to cause harm to someone.

I really liked the book and didn't have any complaints with the story. It's edgy in that it keeps with reality and shows what really happens in the world. The story doesn't shy away from the hard life that is out there and doesn't sugarcoat things to make a happy ending. The characters in this book are flawed because they are human beings. They might do things that others don't approve of but in no way does it detract from the story. There's no talk about faith at all until the very end, and it feels like it was tacked on to show that this is indeed a book published by a Christian publisher. I just didn't feel that vibe from any of the characters throughout the book so it did feel a little fake at the end for it to randomly show up.

Actually the only really big qualm I had was with the endorsements. I totally understand that Lis Wiehl work on Fox News, hence all the endorsements from fellow co-workers, but I totally didn't get the Michael Bolton endorsement? I'm just saying, it would have been nice to have seen some from other authors or readers and not just people that you are friends with. Also this sounds very snarky of me, but I'm curious as to what April Henry's role as co-writer. I just wonder how much of the book she wrote, and how much Wiehl contributed. Other than this, I really liked the book and I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series.

Lis Wiehl's book, "Hand of Fate" is just as good as her first crime thriller, "Face of Betrayal". "Hand of Fate", just like Wiehl's previous book, centers on 3 close friends. A crime reporter, a Federal Prosecutor, and an FBI agent as they jointly work together to solve the death of radio talk show host, Jim Fate after he receives a package containing poisonous gas. His mysterious death provoked terror in the city of Portland, Oregon as many immediately thought it was an act of terrorism. The many twists and turns of the story will keep you reading for hours; especially the surprise ending. I would definitely recommend this book.

. . . I liked this very much.

NO SPOILERS!!! THIS IS A MYSTERY!!! NO SPOILERS!!!

I enjoyed this book very much. Like the first book, while certainly not rising to the level of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, or Agatha Christie, "Hand of Fate" is certainly the equal (at least) of much of the popular mystery genre today.

The setting: "The Triple Threat" -- Three professional women in their early thirties; friends since high school are living and working in Portland. One is a prosecuting attorney, one is an FBI Special Agent, one is a popular reporter/newscaster. All three have "issues" in their past -- and all three must confront tragedy and/or personal issues during the course of the book.

The crime: A controversial radio talk-show host is murdered by poison gas -- while on the air. Is it an act of terror?

The TRIPLE THREAT must find out!

Although, as previously stated, this does not qualify as "high literature", this was an entertaining book, and I'm glad I read it. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Recommended.

I absolutely love a great mystery or suspense novel, so when I noticed Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel) (by Lis Wiehl & April Henry) offered on Booksneeze I jumped at the chance to read and review this "pulse-pounding" book. It most certainly held true to the rave reviews given it by todays talk show hosts, celebrities, and news anchors. Jim Fate, an outspoken, say what he wants, talk show host, is suddenly murdered by a poisonous gas released upon opening a package. In investigating and eventually solving the case the story line takes so many twists and turns that even the most seasoned thriller/suspense/CSI afficiondo would have a difficult time figuring out the ending. I'm sure too that those that sit behind the camera and/or the microphone in their daily lives would also wonder if this story were patterned after them selves.

I don't want to spoil this great book by saying anymore but I most certainly would recommend it for those that love suspense and mystery! But, you may not want to pick it up before heading to bed. It's way too hard to put down and it just may have you trying to solve the murder in your sleep!

I've been a fan of mystery and suspense books since I was young, so when I discovered that a number of Christian authors have started writing in these genres I was excited. What better way to see faith in action than to see great characters fight against the evil of this world!

Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl with April Henry is an excellent example! Taking us into the world of radio, Lis Wiehl, a popular commentator for Fox News and other radio shows, including, with Bill O'Reilly, provides a realistic whodunit for us to solve. I failed this one, but that's okay, because that just means that the storyline was intense and deep enough so that I was more involved, and less able to track the killer myself! Great!

Besides, there were so many possible suspects!

Jim Fate was a talk show host. One of those that either you love or hate. My guess is that I would have hated him. He was controversial, opinionated, rude, antagonistic... need I go on? He even chose the "Nut of the Day" That nasty award was for the best email that insulted him--and then he proceeded to tear the sender's message apart!

His co-host, Victoria, had to be considered one of the lead suspects--he would not only take up most of the time, but often pushed the button to stop her input whenever he wanted to... Besides, she had stayed behind, to be with Jim as he died! Didn't that mean she knew what had poisoned him?

And Victoria had given him the envelope from which the powder burst forth, claiming that the envelope had been mistakenly placed in her mailbox.

Everybody in the radio station immediately thought the powder could be sarin, and a city-wide emergency was declared, with panic ruling the streets.

One important issue I've left out so far! This Novel is A Triple Threat Novel! Think James Patterson's "The Women's Murder Club" and you'll get the idea. If you love those books as I do, then you'll understand that "A Triple Threat" will be fun too! Especially when one of the three women had been friendly with Jim!

This group of women includes FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, and Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce. Two of them are quite unhappy that one has held back her personal involvement with the case! But not to worry, they still work together to solve the crime.

This mystery was one I didn't solve. Let me know if you succeeded where I didn't...Better yet, let me know if you enjoyed the book as much as I did and whether you, too, recommend it highly to other readers!

G. A. Bixler

I have to agree with other reviewers in that this book seemed like a not very well done copy of the Women's Mystery Club by Patterson. But then I felt as if most of the main characters in the book were all copied from other TV personalities to a great extent (a number of them from Fox). A lot of the situations seemed to be copied from real life occurences as well.

There is nothing original or exciting or thrilling or mysterious in his book. The plot was not exciting, the characters were not well developed, this was a formulaic book that is depending on the authors visibility to sell.

I'd say save your money and look for something else to read as this was boring and a waste of time.