Customer Reviews

The Lies of Saints (Nick Barrett Mystery Series #3)

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As to be expected in the Nick Barrett mysteries, Brouwer offers up another atmospheric tale with tight plotting, intriguing characters, and a surprise or two or three.

Nick is now the guardian of two girls, still a friend of two quirky and downright funny elderly women, and a man of mystery. His own past has been put to rest--not many personal struggles in this book--but the past of Charleston and its secret societies has reared its ugly head. When bodies are discovered beneath an old Freemason lodge, questions are asked. Soon, Nick is chasing after the story of one man in particular--a man who lost his life in a hazing incident at the Citadel. The chase leads him to Nevada and Illinois, but the primary story revolves around Charleston itself.

I've heard some complain that these books start too slow, but this installment provides a great hook in the prologue to help get us going. Whereas some authors promise the world, then fail to deliver in the end, Brouwer winds his stories tighter and tighter so that the ending surpasses your expectations of early on.

If you love well told mysteries (Christian or otherwise), then this is one series that should be required.

In Charleston, Nick Barnett grew up as an outsider in a wealthy family. His father died in Viet Nam while his mother gave birth to him long after nine months had passed since her husband left for Southeast Asia. When he was ten his mother deserted him. Years later he learned who his biological father was and inherited a fortune.

His friend, private investigator Kellie Mixson lies in a hospital recovering from a nasty car accident. A Chicago client subcontracted sleuthing work to her, but wants to end the deal since she is out of commission. However, Kellie says her partner Nick will find out what happened twenty-five years ago to Victoria Sebastian, who vanished along with her infant daughter. Nick, who just became Kellie's partner, finds a link to the "suicide" of first year Citadel student Anson Affron who killed himself several years ago.

THE LIES OF SAINTS is a strong investigative thriller that conspiracy buffs will fully appreciate. The story line employs three subplots that ultimately tie together through Nick's investigation into incidents that are a couple of decades old. His precocious two young wards enable the reader to see deep inside the core essence of Nick as much as his historical asides into his past does. The involvement of the kids keep the plot moving unlike Nick's muses that disrupt the flow. Of interest is the reason why Anson took his life as he refused to bow down to anyone showing the courage of his convictions in the Savior. Sigmund Brouwer provides a powerful tale that will send readers looking for previous appearances by Nick and company.

Harriet Klausner

A serious car accident lands Nick Barretts private detective friend in hospital so she enlists him to help dig up the truth behind the disappearance of a beauty queen years before for a mystery client. Bodies are discovered beneath the Charleston Freemason Lodge and the local police aren't talking about it. A military academy students suicide is a closed case, or is it?
Once again Nick is sent on a wild, dangerous ride as a somewhat reluctant private eye/hero. The pace never wavers in this page-turner. I love this series, every single book is worth the read

This was an excellent book! Though it's part of a series of Nick Barrett mysteries I had no experience with the author's previous work and jumped right in with no problems. It's a good story, with plenty of surprises and a very good plot. I choose the novel because I was looking for an engaging and well written Christian book. This completely fits that description. It's a Christian novel without being preachy and stereotypical. Readers looking for a religious tone or just a really good mystery will enjoy this one.

Sigmund Brouwer knows how to write a great mystery, and his Nick Barrett novels have always kept my attention. "Out of the Shadows" had to be my favorite out of all three of these, and "The Lies of Saints" came pretty close. Brouwer starts this out at a slow pace, yet clod-hopping along just enough to keep the reader's attention to keep going. The pay-off is worth it in the end.

For the third time we are reunited with Nick Barrett. And this time it has to do with a former beauty queen. But as Nick begins to dig, he realizes he has to go a little deeper, which is no surprise when dealing with Nick Barrett. Soon we are introduced to an incident at the legendary Citadel, where hazing leads to suicide. With a journal, Nick takes his quest, and puts his life on the line.

This was really good, and Brouwer stuck with his faith in an everlasting God. It is always refreshing that he puts things in perspective, while telling a great story. This can almost be a lesson in learning how to die. Sounds scary, huh? Well, not if your soul is secured with a faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. So, despite a slow beginning, Brouwer reminds me why I appreciate him so much! And with authors like him telling it like it is, I'm going to be back for more. Guaranteed!

When PI Kellie Mixson is involved in a serious car crash, she asks her friend Nick Barrett to help her close out a case. She's currently investigating the 25 year old disappearance of Victoria Sebastian, a former beauty queen who vanished with her infant daughter one night. The police had given up the search years earlier, and the only fresh clue is a phone call that says Victoria's disappearance is linked to some bodies recently found in a crawl space.

The bodies are interesting. The few who have been identified had also vanished without a trace. But some of the bones are 100 years old, some are 25 years old, and some are in between. Yet all appear to have died in an identical manner.

So what is the connection between these bodies and Victoria? Is she one of them? And will Nick uncover what put Kellie in the hospital?

This being a Sigmund Brouwer book, I went in with high expectations. And they were met. The plot pealed back like an onion, with each layer only leaving me with more questions. Nick is a very real character, and his musings on life and death are just as interesting as the story unfolding for us. Not that they slow things down at all. Angel and Maddie, two characters from the last book, are back as well, and they provide some much needed light in the dark story.

Every time I read one of Sigmund's books, I am reminded just how great a storyteller he is. If you enjoy a good yarn, pick up this series.