Harry Kraus

Dr. David Connors is on the path of fulfilling his lifetime dreams. He is a successful doctor, within days of being made a partner in the practice he works for, his patients love him, his marriage seems good, and his daughter is the light of his life. When David’s daughter, Rachel, disappears, he discovers he is capable of things he never thought possible. His intense need to find his daughter, no matter what, is a threat to his career, his marriage, his integrity and ethics, and to his show more soul. If Rachel is dead, can any parent find the way to forgive someone for this horrendous crime? If Rachel is still alive, can her determined father discover he in time to save her? How far would we go to get our child back? In Salty Like Blood by Harry Kraus, M.D. that question is left for each of us to answer for ourselves.

Harry Kraus is an author unfamiliar to me. When I began reading Salty Like Blood, I was reminded of another “missing child” story I read about a year ago, Stuart O’Nan’s Songs for the Missing. Kraus, like O’Nan, spends time building a sense of “what would you do?” We see everyone’s reaction to the loss of Rachel. Her mother, who suffered greatly from postpartum depression after Rachel’s birth is poised to return to the depths of despair. Her father, typical of all fathers, I believe, is a “fixer” and a “doer” and he is certain that he can succeed where the police have failed. This book succeeds because David is just so much like we imagine ourselves in the same situation. It’s easy to see how the loss of our child could turn us into obsessed searchers, and we empathize with his choices and his losses. Throughout the book, David is forced to face the worst parts of him, he searches for compassion he knows he should have, questions the faith of those around him, and sees exactly what he is capable of. But he never gives up hope. And even though the subject matter seems so hopeless, Kraus manages to infuse it with hope that we readers can share as well. show less

This is the second book in the Claire McCall Series and it picks up where book one leaves off. Could you read it as a stand alone? Yes, but you will enjoy the story so much more and understand the characters better if you read book one first (it was really good too). Is there romance? Yes, but it isn't the focal point of the story. Is there mystery and suspense? You bet! There is also some very brutal treatment of ladies, but handled very well in this story. This is written from a medical show more profession prespective and you get a real feel for what happens when you are a small town doctor.

I like the description I read of this book because in a few words it describes it well: "A disabled parent, a rekindled relationship, an on-hold engagement, and a brutal attack-all weigh heavily on Dr. Claire McCall's mind. But her greatest worry is the pending results of medical tests to see if, like her father she carries the fatal gene for Huntington's Desease. Can she keep trusting God for her safekeeping?"

This story also handled some very tough questions about suffering and commitment and love. A few of my favorite phrases, "A commitment to Christ doesn't give us an exemption from pains", "God reveals some things to us in his timing for our good. We would never choose hardship, but it is the trials that bring the sweetest character," and "fear is alot like faith except with a different object of focus". There were just alot of thought provoking lessons to be learned as I read this story and I really appreciate how this author writes; very real to life, with a solid message behind the story. I will say this isn't a story I recommend you read at night if you are home alone. There were parts in the story that got a little intense and frightening for me, it got the old heart pumping at times.

Looking forward to reading the 3rd book in this series, "All I'll Ever Need"! show less

Kraus could have easily made this book the typical mystery, whodunnit type novel. He had all of the elements: a missing child, a father bent on finding her, mysterious circumstances and questionable characters. But, instead, Kraus took the typical mystery novel to a higher level. The characters were complex, just when you think you understand them, a new layer is added. By the end of the novel, I wasn't expecting any type of resolution and then, out of the blue, I was given one. At times, show more the novel seemed to drag, but the subtle twists and turns made the ending even more dramatic. I would recommend the novel to anyone who is tired of the typical mystery novel and ready for more. show less

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical of this book at first. I don't normally read Christian fiction. I was pleasantly surprised though. It had an interesting plot and wasn't "preachy" liked I feared it might be. It is a fast paced story and that kind of hurts it in the beginning. I thought things got a bit glossed over. But the second half is much better.
The biggest thing I disliked about this book was the storyline with the next door neighbor, Amina. You find out hints about her, show more but her development doesn't really go beyond that. It seemed like she is just there to be a temptation for David. A pretty Muslim woman tempting a good Christian man. That didn't sit right with me and is the main reason I gave the book an overall rating of 3 stars.
This book could have been better but it was worth reading. show less