Roy Maynard

I rate this book a smidgen higher than I otherwise would have. Here's why: You'd find it ordinarily shelved under "Christian Fiction", and as a rule, books in that category tend to, shall we say, have a high pablum content. This book doesn't. There are no long digressions into the interpretation of Biblical passages; there's no "Hero makes convert of atheist" subplot. All you have is a pretty good detective story, narrated nicely in first-person with an ironic and interesting voice, by a show more newspaper reporter who happens to be a Christian. He meets up with some thugs; he goes to church. He confronts the big boss; he teaches Sunday school. There's a romantic interest, and rather than hopping into bed, they go sailing.

The religious aspects are woven as neatly into the story as in any book I can think of, and it all comes together into a story that can stand solidly on its own without having to rely on readers who only go to the Christian section of the bookstore. Nicely done. show less

This series should have done better sales- wise. I really liked the self- effacing, sarcastic narration of these books. The way Emerson interacts with his favorite detective, best friend, girlfriend, pastor, coworkers and various other characters is both realistic and highly entertaining. And he solves the mysteries too.

The plot was too tidy for a mystery, hence the 2-star rating.

The only reason I am rating it as a 2-star read is because it's a little on the tame side for me, as far as action goes. Nothing against the story, just a personal preference.