Based loosely on author Lis Wiehl's FBI father and attending a civil rights march in 1965, she writes the story of an estranged father trying to save an innocent man scheduled for execution of a civil rights leader. He reaches out for help from his daughter, a successful federal prosecutor. Together, this formidable pair seeks answers as the execution approaches. One of the highlights of the book is the snapshot of the daughter at age 4 connecting with a 4-year old black girl. A goodly amount of race relations, especially in some of the afternotes. ( )

Lisa Waldren is a Federal prosecutor with a distant relationship with her retired FBI father. She agrees to help him investigate an old case where a shooting occurred during a civil rights demonstration in the 60s and the wrong man was sent to prison. Despite their awkwardness together, she and her father start to uncover information but find many people aren't telling them everything.

The storyline was interesting and the characters are likable but I didn't get drawn in or connected much with the characters. There was also a lack of suspense for me too. ( )

WOW! If I had to describe my favorite genre, and the perfect book—Lis Wiehl’s SNAPSHOT, would be it, wrapped in one unique package. I loved everything about this profound and captivating novel. A mix of a human interest story, family drama, historical mystery, suspense, and a thriller.

When reading the advanced reading copy of Lis’ A Deadly Business (6/10/14)— at the end of the novel, a teaser, for SNAPSHOT was included—I knew this book was for me! Immediately requested it through NetGalley and was delighted to be approved.

When I started reading SNAPSHOT it was late in the evening, on my e-reader, and was hooked immediately, as so intriguing—these two little girls (one black and one white), a shooting, a suicide, a civil right march, a FBI agent and his daughter. Bummer, had to travel for a six hour drive the next morning—this would not work—could not wait to see what would happen next.

So, did what we obsessed readers do—purchased the audiobook. It was perfect, as was able to finish it the next day, while driving (it made my day when I was stuck in traffic for three hours). Amazing read—intense! Then back to the e-book to bookmark all the wonderful references and dive into the tidbits at the end.

SNAPSHOT is like getting an inside look into the scandals of our leaders—secrets, lies, power, and deceit; a powerful history and best of all the personal twist, as you get a glimpse into the author’s life, her family relationship, and the inspiration for the book--which is special and unique.

Thank you, Lis for sharing this remarkable story! A story that had to be told. I hope you meet this girl/woman in real life one day, by writing this moving novel, as agree it is bigger than we know. One of the main attractions of SNAPSHOT was the parallels between the story and the author’s life. How incredible is this!

Everyone loves a good mystery, and especially combined with historical events and intrigues wrapped around our nation’s past. Mixed in, the family dynamics and relationship between former FBI agent, James and federal prosecutor, Lisa. At the heart of the novel these two little girls—and their connection to the real truth. Some powerful fathers—with strong daughters, here as well.

From flashbacks to 1965 in Fort Worth, Texas, where a FBI agent had spent countless hours and overtime investigating the JFK assignation and was assigned to the killer, the deceased Lee Harvey Oswald—his activities, friends, and his Russian wife, Marina Oswald; however, this day he was trying to blend in. Just another bystander, a normal guy who has his daughter with him to witness a historical event. A white dad who happened to have a revolver and FBI credentials. A special agent with the FBI was never off duty and his wife would be furious if she knew he had brought his four year old here. Things he would keep secret for decades, to protect this family.

In the blink of an eye, a photo was taken and at the same time a shot was fired, and a man (a civil rights activist) was killed. However, the wrong man was charged and has been in prison for more than five decades—now he is nearing execution. The wrongful charged man sends this retired FBI agent a message to ask for help before he is executed.

The events which happen next takes us from present day back to Texas in 1965 and to New York in 1971, to Washington, DC when a series of secrets and lies are uncovered layer by layer as one man and his daughter work together to solve a mystery which changed the course of history, with a photo of two little girls which may hold clues to secrets of the past.

Having lived through the sixties, personally— was in the sixth grade when President Kennedy was shot, seems like yesterday. From the racial tensions, Martin Luther King, Jr. Robert Kennedy, The Vietnam War, nuclear water threats, and the hippie generation—some tough times.

As Lis mentions in her book, we live a different life today in America, yet 1965 was not so long ago, and is should not be forgotten. We have not eradicated hatred over skin color, over birthplace, or over differences in beliefs, race, and culture. Some Americans will never know such prejudice, while other Americans live it on a constant basis, even today.

Richard L. Wiehl served as an FBI agent, Federal Prosecutor, and Lawyers from 1960-2003. He is also the father to Lis Wiehl, the author. His word became part of the famous Warren Commission that reported to the President and the world what happened that tragic November day in 1963 after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Readers will love the interview at the end of SNAPSHOT, also an Essay from Juan Williams, former NPR News Consultant and Author of Eyes on the Prize: American’s Civil Rights Years 1954-1965, and an Interview with Bill O’Riley, Television Host regarding his own experiences reporting during the American Civil Rights Movement.

This was the age in which two little girls, one black and one white, sat together with all the promise of friendship. Highly recommend this entertaining, and highly-moving complex novel and look forward to reading more from this talented author!

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/907888/snapshot

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Lis Wiehl has become a favorite author of my book club, By The Book. We love suspense, so we chose Snapshot for our November selection. Inspired by Wiehl’s father and a real-life snapshot of Wiehl as a child, this novel has all the elements for those who love suspense –fast-paced plot, smart and savvy characters, and conspiracies galore. It also has a tie to real events in our nation’s history. Perfect for history buffs and mystery/suspense fans.

Federal prosecutor Lisa Waldren has had a strained relationship with her ex-FBI agent dad for years. When he calls with a plea to help him uncover the real killer of a Civil Rights activist from the 1960s, she is persuaded to join the case not just to bring justice to a man on death row, but to build some bridges. With the help of her father’s unconventional PI girlfriend, Lisa’s friend Drew and Molly the now grown up little girl from the long ago snapshot, the team uncovers long kept secrets and unearths the truth surrounding long lost friends.

I imagine that my book club will have lots to talk about when we meet at the end of the week. Snapshot is inspired by real events in Wiehl and her father’s past. There should be good discussion on the current state of race relations in the U.S. as well as what has or hasn’t changed from the mid-196os. We have a large age span in our group (from 30s to 90+), so it should be interesting to hear everyone’s insights. The plot of this novel should also satisfy those of us who like a good mystery. Although the bad actors are disclosed early on in the book, the reader is left guessing motivations. There are also a number of shadow characters that come to light at the end of the book. There are only brief references to faith in Snapshot. Only one character seems to really life her life for God and she is a minister. Her influence is big at the end and should elicit good discussion as well.

All in all, I liked Snapshot. In fact, it is probably my favorite by Wiehl to date. Have you read this one? We would love to hear your thoughts.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults ( )

Title: Snapshot
Author: Lis Wiehl
Pages: 274
Year: 2014
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Lisa Waldren is a middle-age, widowed federal prosecutor living in Boston. She has been estranged from her father for many years. He is now retired from the FBI and calls her out of the blue to help him with an old case. The man convicted of killing a civil rights proponent is on death row in a Texas prison and has been given an execution date. Her father is convinced that the man is not guilty. Why has her father kept silent for almost 50 years? Why try to do anything for this man at this late date? Lisa hasn’t had much of a relationship with her father after her high school years and even then he was done a lot with his FBI job. Now she has a chance to reconnect with her father maybe, but does she really want that? He has never been there for her when she needed him, so why should she have hope that this will amount to a renewed relationship? He is her father and she decides to help him.
Lisa flies to Texas to go over the case with her father. She soon realizes that indeed the wrong man has been convicted, but who is the real murderer and how can they find proof after almost 50 years? She and her dad begin investigating and ruffle the wrong person’s feathers. They realize they are being followed. Lisa has her hotel room searched and her home in Boston broken in to. The past reaches out to tell the future, and a mystery is solved. At what cost? Should the past remain in the past?
This is just a fascinating look back at a small portion of an event during the civil rights movement in 1965. Although fictitious, there are several factual names and events included in the story, which makes it all the more interesting. There is a relationship between a man and woman who aren’t married and spending the night together is mentioned, which I didn’t really think added anything to the story. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot. The addition of Stanley Blackstone and the missing key from JFK’s desk while in the oval office added a great deal of intrigue and tension that kept the story moving right along. There were so many good intentions without action or with the wrong action that led to much unhappiness. Everyone seemed intent on protecting someone, which only caused more heartache. There also is a very interesting interview included with the author’s father, who really was an FBI agent and worked on the Warren Commission, investigating JFK’s assassination. I think it is cool that the picture on the cover is an actual picture of the author at a civil rights march. I think that this story will entertain and engage readers just as it did me.
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )