Customer Reviews

Try Fear

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Another winner! A MUST read! This book kept me guessing and laughing throughout. I love the variety of characters and of course...Ty and Sister Mary. Hoping for book four...

What hope is there when you finally meet the one who makes love alive for you only to lose her in what officials call a tragic accident, but you come to believe is murder? Can such a heart find healing? Can that heart hope again? The three books in this series (Try Dying, Try Darkness, Try Fear) provide a search for a hopeful resolution. Losing love to catastrophic circumstances devastates. Healing, if it is possible at all, grows slowly in a dying soul. Ty Buchanan's loss, grief, and fight to survive voices the dark corners of our own hearts where we nurse our wounds and remember again receiving them. Ty reminds us that even when all seems lost, not all is lost. Healing takes overcoming death, darkness, and fear. Ty leaves us singing a song of commitment. It is not what has happened that is decisive; tt is what happens next.

This is Book 3 of the Ty Buchanan series - an excellent read. Main character Ty is a defense lawyer, practicing in California - you never know what's going to happen to him next. Bell is fabulous at mixing a serious subject (like nailing a murderer) with a touch of humor throughout the pages. I highly recommend this series.

Tyler Buchanan is a trial lawyer, a man still recovering from the loss of his beloved finance and a literary philosopher. He is well rounded and did his time in corporate law to have seen enough that nothing should shock him. But yes when he is asked to bail out Santa Claus in a G-String on Christmas Eve this charts new territory even for him. His client Carl Richess is determined to beat the conviction and right after Ty accomplishes that his client is found dead as a result of an apparent suicide. But everything is not as it seems and before the body is laid to rest Carl's brother Eric is arrested for the murder and the plot not only thickens it almost coagulates. Pleading his innocence and begging for Ty to take his case the problems start to arise as Eric is vague on his whereabouts during the time of the murder, he lies about witnesses and back tracks on facts - all things a lawyer do not want to work with but move on with the case is what Ty decides to do.

While trying to find the witness that could resolve all of Eric's issues should be uncomplicated it is not. Trying to find a high priced escort is not as easy as it appeared to be at first and then when she does magically show up to verify all of Eric's facts Ty is even more suspicious. Helping Ty out with all of this is his investigator and right hand person Sister Mary Veritas. How did Ty wind up with a Catholic nun as his sidekick and moral compass when he isn't even Catholic, doesn't believe in the church's basic doctrine and butts heads with the head nun Sr. Hildegarde - well that proves to be its on interesting story all on its own.

This case tests his legal mettle and emotional compass where Sr. Mary is concerned when a gunshot meant for him finds her instead. They have always danced around feelings that were best left unexplored but when she is hurt there is nothing he won't due to solve the case and work on what is best for both of them. But are his feelings for Sr. Mary clouding his judgment and affecting his ability to work the case, absolutely not. He will deal with everything including an eager Assistant DA that would love to have a "mentor".

When the case is concluded and everything falls into place Tyler has an epiphany that shakes every fiber of his being. How did he miss so much when he picked up everything or so he thought. Is it possible to be so right about the wrong man?

This book is a pleasant surprise to me because it is not one I would have considered reading because it falls under the inspirational category. Well shame on me because this is a wonderful read with a fresh set of perspectives on how two completely different people can work together and pull off a wonderful story and maintain diversity. The religious aspects do not impeded the story but enhance it from start to finish and while some may think a Catholic nun could bring nothing to the table - guess what you are wrong she brings so much just by being herself. Buy the entire set of these books as one is as great as the other.

Reviewed by Mary Gramlich ([...]) "The Reading Reviewer"

This time our hero Ty Buchanan finds himself defending a half-dressed Santa Claus on DUI charges. His client seems average enough, but when Santa is suddenly murdered his brother is the number one suspect. Now Ty is doing all he can to prove the brother's innocence. Ty recruits the help of his chief investigator, Sister Mary Veritas, but Sister Mary has problems of her own. Someone is sending her threatening emails. And Sister Mary's superior is getting tired of Sister Mary and Ty too. It may be time for Ty to move from his abbey trailer home, but first he has a trial to win.

Gah! I am so sad that this was the last Ty Buchanan book! Ty is such a fun character to read. Sarcastic and funny and smart. I absolutely loved all three books in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Let's go buy a million of these so Mr. Bell can write more, eh? *smile* If you love mystery/suspense/lawyer stories and haven't checked these out. Run. Or move that mouse, anyway.

There are many things I've liked about this series. The quirky characters. The gritty plot lines. The unlikely relationships. The no nonsense attitude. These books have been page turners for me, I've found myself unable to stop reading once I've started. In the final book of the series, Ty once again finds himself with an unusual case that most lawyers would totally avoid. What should have been a routine DUI case ends up turning into murder drama. Ty is also have to deal with a cyber stalker who's targeted Sister Mary for no apparent reason.

What's best about this book is the dialogue. I really like the one liners that Ty makes, they are more witty and funny than eye rolling. Even when they do fall in the "oh gosh I can't believe he said that" category, Sister Mary and Father Bob are there to bring Ty back to earth. In this book also we get to see another softer side to Ty, one that is finally starting to learn to let go of his past.

This was an excellent ending to the series. Everything I wanted to happen involving certain people happened and not in a fake, mushy way either. I was dreading a drawn out storyline or some overly dramatic romantic plot but luckily neither happened. I will say that if you have NOT read the other two books in the series, I highly recommend reading them before this book. While the main story lines are standalone, there are many things that tie the books together and there are relationships and character developments that will make more sense if you read the books in order.

Again, my one qualm with the book is the short chapters. I just feel like they break up the story too much and makes the plot feel very choppy. Other than this, I really enjoyed reading this book. I have been pleased with the whole series and have always been a fan of Bell's books. As I've said with the other two books in the series, these are great reads to give to reluctant male readers as it's filled with lots of action and suspense. Definitely one of my favorite law reads of the year.

I've loved the entire Ty Buchanon series, but this could be the best of the three. Mix a murder mystery, a family's struggles and a love story all together with a lot of surprising twists and you'll get to "Try Fear". I can't wait for the next book in the series. It's a keeper in my book collection.

Warning: This is Part 3 in a series. Read 1 & 2 before you read this!

This is a great conclusion to a great story. I was deeply ingrained in the story and loved how Bell built the characters, the suspense was great throughout the entire series, and the story was one that includes enough of "good" stuff & "bad" stuff to make it real - as in believable. This series was enough law, enough suspense, great relationships, and not over-the-top religion for me. I enjoyed it immensly, and honestly, I hated to see it end.

The first two books I really enjoyed though I read them out of order (stupid me!) but nonetheless it didn't take anything away from this book. My suggestion - read it!

There's always an element of risk when creating a series character as James Scott Bell has done in the Ty Buchanan books. If readers enjoy your hero they'll want him to come back for more. But modern fiction lovers also like protagonists who change and develop, even age, over time. The risk comes in finding balance. Grow your character too much and readers won't recognize him. Keep him the same and your main guy could become stagnant.

James Scott Bell has found that equilibrium in his third Ty Buchanan novel, Try Fear. Ty's overcome many of the inner demons he struggled to fend off in Try Dying. In Try Darkness he grew to care for the poor and downtrodden. Now he's a little more confident and even more determined to fight for justice.

Narrated in first person through Ty's perspective, the "Try" books read like the crime classics of yesteryear, but with modern settings and scenarios. You picture Ty with his heels up on his desk, puffing on a stogey, sipping strong coffee, telling us the story in his soaked with sarcasm, just-the-facts-ma'am style. There's grit on every page, but there's hope too. And that's the refreshing aspect of these novels. James Scott Bell's Christian faith comes through gently yet authentically through his Catholic characters, and in many ways Father Bob and Sister Mary live out their faith better than many garden variety Christians.

This time, what at first seems like a routine DUI case quickly spirals into something much deeper, even deadly. Ty needs to keep every shred of his wits about him, but that's hard to do when he's finding himself attracted to his investigator and brilliant assistant--who just so happens to be a nun. Sister Mary Veritas is dealing with her own demons in Try Fear. A cyber stalker has her in his sights, and Ty's determined to bring the stalker down.

Bell has hit his stride with the Ty Buchanan series, like these were the books he was meant to write. His staccato dialogue has always been crisp, but here it's even sharper and wittier. Especially during the lively banter between Ty and Sister Mary. There's not much time to catch a breathe or delve too deeply into the characters either, as Bell throws several of his savory, trademark twists. Which is exactly the way we like it. Each successive book in Ty's series has been better than the last. Try Fear is the cream of the crop.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

TRY FEAR is James Scott Bell's third novel to feature lawyer Ty Buchannon and his basketball playing nun friend Sister Mary. This is a fun, character driven suspense series and this novel is the best in the series. You don't have to, but you should really read the first two books before you try this one.

Ty is still practicing law out of a coffee shop when he is asked to represent Carl Richess on a drunk driving complete. He does so, and gets Carl off, and also meets the beautiful DA Kimberly Pincus. The head nun is out to get Sister Mary, and apparently so is a stalker. She is getting threatening emails from an unknown source. When Carl is murdered and his brother is arrested for the crime, Ty decides to represent Eric. Sister Mary is with him every step of the way as they investigate what could have possibly happened to Carl.

While the plot delves into roadside kook religions, city politics and the Holllywood night life, the plot is really secondary. The strength of this novel is the characters. You can tell it is a character driven novel when Carl's murder doesn't happen until page 50. Bell keeps the pages turning with short chapters full of witty dialogue and lots of internal conflict. Ty is torn between his feelings for Sister Mary and his respect for her choice to be a none. His life also receives a breath of fresh air in Kimberly Pincus, who is captivated by his charms.

Bell, who up until the Ty Buchannon series, has written novels for the Inspirational market, really doesn't change much with this book. With Sister Mary and Father Bob, there is plenty of religious discussion. This is a good, clean book, with no bad language, sex or excessive violence. There are plenty of twists, and Bell's background as a trial lawyer really comes through in the trial of Eric Richess.

In a book driven by witty dialogue, some readers might be turned off by all the one liners. If a few bits of dialogue fail, then it'll really make the book drag. The religious discussions are more amusing than preachy, and I don't think they'll offend even the most agnostic readers.

This is the best book of the series. It brings the characters full circle. It'll be fun to see where the series goes from here or if this book is the fnal chapter in Ty and Sister Mary's life.