Deception

Definitely the best of the series in terms of Ollie Chandler solving a mystery and grappling with personal issues and the meaning of life. This time he is front and centre. The mystery and the solving of it are core to the story and the God/Heaven/suffering/sin issues are tucked in around it, rather than loaded down with specific themes (racial discrimination, gangs, personal ambition vs God's will, abortion, homosexuality) as in previous books.

I'm glad Ollie really gets a go this time. Although he is going through lots of personal struggles, he wants to get the job done. Clarence and Jake are his sounding boards and they have opportunity to reflect Jesus to him. The biggest catch is that the clues are mounting up against him and point show more to him as the murderer....and he isn't sure of himself. show less

Although billed as a sequel, this felt more like a spin-off novel – the main characters from Alcorn’s previous novels featured heavily in the plot, the main focus here is on Detective Ollie Chandler (who appeared in the previous novels) and it works very well as a stand-alone novel that, if you haven’t already read them, will quite probably make the reader want to go back and read the others too as it’s so very good!

This harks back to the style of the old detective novels featuring such famous sleuths as Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, and references them throughout, as well as sticking to the ideals of those heroes. There is very little in the way of “bad language”, as you might expect from a Christian show more author, but despite the modern setting, this all seems very natural as Ollie Chandler (although most definitely not believer himself) is a man of principle and honour.

There are frequent bible and religious references from Chandler’s very Christian friends, but they don’t intrude on the story – quite the opposite, the actually enhance it and the frantic pace builds as the mystery and danger deepens.

All the characters have very human flaws, making them very easy to identify and sympathise with them from start to finish, the plot is sufficiently winding and intriguing to keep the reader hooked, yet still gives just the right amount of clues to keep those “little grey cells” ticking, and the writing is tight. It has everything you could possibly want from crime fiction and more.

(Includes reading group questions at the end of the book.) show less

This is the best book in the series!! I cannot say enough great things about this book. It has the same elements and characters from the first two books, but Ollie and his dog is the main character this time. This book is filled with over the top quips and humor. I found myself laughing out loud many times. I couldn't not figure out the ending, which is rare. It had a great plot and unforgettable characters. You won't be sorry you read this one.

Good update to the series he started years ago. Always been an Alcorn fan, both of his fiction and non-fiction.

Very good mystery; occasionally preachy

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