From Publishers Weekly
The quality of Collins's writing slips in this evangelical Christian thriller follow-up to Eyes of Elisha, but she still spins an interesting tale with plenty of suspense. Californian Chelsea Adams has the supernatural gift of visions that show her events others are unable to perceive. She's dismayed to be selected as a juror at the murder trial of Darren Welk, whose wife, Shawna, has disappeared. Chelsea's visiting niece Kerra Fraye attends the trial and strikes up a romance with a man whose innocence is increasingly under scrutiny. Chelsea and Kerra's lives are about to intersect with that of 20-year-old Rogelio Sanchez, the birth father of a baby girl whom he signed away for adoption-a decision he now regrets. The story is compelling, but the prose is not up to Collins's usual standards. She overdetails physical movements ("air puffed from Erika's offended mouth"); characters repeatedly blink and their throats, stomachs, guts and mouths do peculiar things ("Rogelio's stomach gelled"). There are odd, lengthy descriptions ("The jury pulled at his eyes, but he focused on the judge as she positioned her computer keyboard just so and generally settled herself like a hen over eggs"). Collins inserts plenty of intrigue and false trails, although the novel's ending fails to take into account one character who is notable by her omission. Evangelical Christian readers will applaud the character of Chelsea as an example of how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to accomplish his objectives, but Collins fans may be wondering why her strong writing skills are not showcased here.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Fans of Collins's Eyes of Elisha will cheer the return of psychic Chelsea Adams, although this time out, she's not the one in danger. A juror on a sensational murder trial, Chelsea has promised the judge and attorneys to be guided only by the evidence and not by her supernatural visions. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Darren Walk killed his wife in the dark waters off a California beach, but Chelsea senses that there may be other possibilities. When Chelsea becomes the holdout during deliberations, her fellow jurors belittle her faith. "But the Lord is with me like a dread champion; therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail." These words, taken from Jeremiah 20:11, support her against their anger and assuage the horrific visions she's having of her niece, whose attraction to Walk's son puts her in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. A riveting mystery and courtroom drama will engage the attention of readers who hope to see more of Chelsea's visions. Recommended for most collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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