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jaredwsaltz's review against another edition
4.0
Very strong. It's nice to see a modern book that realizes a good story doesn't the language and sex that some other authors feel is mandatory. Bertrand has put together a strong character in Roland March--a detective past his prime and punching out, following the demise of his daughter. Haunted by guilt and in the middle of an existential crisis, March has lost his partner, and is only holding onto his position in homicide by riding the wave of good detective work he put in the past when a new case intrigues him. This case brings him out of the bout of depression he's in and he begins to return to who he was. The plot was strong, the characters intriguing, but it was the emotional and psychological issues that are able to be worked into the plot that really cause Bertrand's work to shine. He's able to discuss concepts of loss, repentance, forgiveness, revenge, and justice coming from various angles, many through the lens of Christians (who March just can't quit accept). If you're looking for a solid murder mystery, a solid look at the influence of loss on lives without having to wade through dross to find it, then here's a great place to start.
scottwcoleman's review against another edition
4.0
Good read. Well-written, strong plot and enough detail to make it a legitimate read. The only thing that bugged me, like with so many e-books these days, is that the final edit missed quite a few errors (mostly capitalization). But other than that, I enjoyed it.
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: I am not really a fan of Christian fiction. But I also read very little Christian fiction. I finally got around to reading this after several people I know recommend it as a book for people that don't like Christian fiction. I started on the audiobook, which is a bit scholocky. The narrator was just the wrong choice for the character. It is not that he did a bad job, he was just the wrong choice.
I ended up finishing the book on kindle and it was a much better option. Roland March is a Houston police homicide detective who has seen better days. After an event (that isn't disclosed until near the end of the book) March lost his mojo. He is kept around mostly because he used to be a great detective. After getting bounced around from assignment to assignment he realized that these different cases were actually all related and that revelation, and his desire to get back in the real game, got him working.
In the end the crime is solved and March finds some healing. This is the first of a trilogy and I will probably pick up the later books soon. In the end this is still a Christian novel, but it is not a hit you over the head with the gospel novel or an 'all things work out good for those that follow the Lord' novel. It is a more complicated and realistic story than that. There are still some point I would change (so 4 rather than 5 stars) but it is worth reading.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/back-on-murder/
I ended up finishing the book on kindle and it was a much better option. Roland March is a Houston police homicide detective who has seen better days. After an event (that isn't disclosed until near the end of the book) March lost his mojo. He is kept around mostly because he used to be a great detective. After getting bounced around from assignment to assignment he realized that these different cases were actually all related and that revelation, and his desire to get back in the real game, got him working.
In the end the crime is solved and March finds some healing. This is the first of a trilogy and I will probably pick up the later books soon. In the end this is still a Christian novel, but it is not a hit you over the head with the gospel novel or an 'all things work out good for those that follow the Lord' novel. It is a more complicated and realistic story than that. There are still some point I would change (so 4 rather than 5 stars) but it is worth reading.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/back-on-murder/
ashleyfuhr's review
4.0
This book took a while to get into. It wasn't written in a tone that I normally read, so it threw me off a bit in the beginning. I started off hating Roland March and his piss poor attitude. I almost thought about putting this book down, but suddenly I was captivated. I think it was probably more by the progression of the story than the character, but as time passed I found myself understanding March and even enjoying his character. I think Bertrand did an excellent job of developing March. He was 100% real. Real thoughts, real struggles, real wounds. When I put the book down I felt like I knew March better than he knew himself, and I can't wait to read the next 2 installments of this series. The story line was gripping and kept you wanting to find out more. As pieces began to unfold you knew the final outcome, but had no idea how it was possibly going to get there. Chapter 1, I thought I would have an awful review for this book, if I finished it at all. Fast forward to Chapter 30, and I am excited to pick up Pattern of Wounds!
ronilynnreads's review against another edition
4.0
A few general thoughts: This book was a satisfying read. I didn't get bored like I thought I would and I didn't dislike the main character despite his faults. And I didn't know this book was considered or listed as "Christian fiction" until after I finished the book and read some of the other reviews.
Roland March is a homicide detective who, several years ago, was at the top of his game and very well-respected among his peers. But over the years his skills diminished and he seemed to do 'just enough'. He was tired of getting the grunt work assignments and only wanted to be 'back on murder'. It was obvious early on that something tragic happened to him and his wife but we don't learn exactly what that was until at least 3/4 of the way through the book. However, one could guess what it was after several chapters and a few keenly placed thoughts.
Det. March sets out on a plan to gain back his rep and get back to doing what he did best. He was able to jump in on a murder case of a local drug guy. But March was directed to play second fiddle to a younger up and comer. After a young teenage daughter of a popular mega-church minister goes missing, March think the drug murder and the missing teenager was connected. Everyone thought he was crazy and while trying to connect the cases and solve them he inadvertently uncovers a few dirty cops who set out to make his life hell. Following the dirty cop storyline was a bit tiresome in some places, but Betrand figured out how to get back on track eventually.
I thought that I would tire of March's whining and string of bad decisions. But Bertrand somehow made me care about him and feel bad for him all while cussing him out for doing stupid stuff. Although there were a LOT of characters to keep up with and they seemed to be randomly placed, eventually their roles connected, minus one or two stray detectives and cops.
There was one particular event that wasn't clearly explained and that event was a major turning point. That was the only loose end. Otherwise, Betrand did an excellent job of answering all of the questions and solving the cases in a tidy manner. The end was a minor letdown but we at least know who did what and why. And maybe I was sad to see the story end. It didnt move fast and there weren't a lot of surprises, nor was it a quick page-turner, but I was interested and was never bored except for a few places where he meandered (mainly about geography of the city). Good first effort and I actually care enough about March to want to continue reading more books in the series.
One more random thought...I liked the fact that Betrand wrote March in such a way that you couldn't tell his race...you can assume, but he never comes right out and says it. To me, it doesn't matter and I like that Betrand didn't feel the need to tell us. If he did tell us, I missed it and that's a good thing.
Roland March is a homicide detective who, several years ago, was at the top of his game and very well-respected among his peers. But over the years his skills diminished and he seemed to do 'just enough'. He was tired of getting the grunt work assignments and only wanted to be 'back on murder'. It was obvious early on that something tragic happened to him and his wife but we don't learn exactly what that was until at least 3/4 of the way through the book. However, one could guess what it was after several chapters and a few keenly placed thoughts.
Det. March sets out on a plan to gain back his rep and get back to doing what he did best. He was able to jump in on a murder case of a local drug guy. But March was directed to play second fiddle to a younger up and comer. After a young teenage daughter of a popular mega-church minister goes missing, March think the drug murder and the missing teenager was connected. Everyone thought he was crazy and while trying to connect the cases and solve them he inadvertently uncovers a few dirty cops who set out to make his life hell. Following the dirty cop storyline was a bit tiresome in some places, but Betrand figured out how to get back on track eventually.
I thought that I would tire of March's whining and string of bad decisions. But Bertrand somehow made me care about him and feel bad for him all while cussing him out for doing stupid stuff. Although there were a LOT of characters to keep up with and they seemed to be randomly placed, eventually their roles connected, minus one or two stray detectives and cops.
There was one particular event that wasn't clearly explained and that event was a major turning point. That was the only loose end. Otherwise, Betrand did an excellent job of answering all of the questions and solving the cases in a tidy manner. The end was a minor letdown but we at least know who did what and why. And maybe I was sad to see the story end. It didnt move fast and there weren't a lot of surprises, nor was it a quick page-turner, but I was interested and was never bored except for a few places where he meandered (mainly about geography of the city). Good first effort and I actually care enough about March to want to continue reading more books in the series.
One more random thought...I liked the fact that Betrand wrote March in such a way that you couldn't tell his race...you can assume, but he never comes right out and says it. To me, it doesn't matter and I like that Betrand didn't feel the need to tell us. If he did tell us, I missed it and that's a good thing.
hiphipmurray97's review
4.0
3.75 stars. A good weekend read; suspenseful but not heart-crushing, gruesome and realistic but neither haunting nor excessive. The author does a great job at keeping the plot twists and milestones generally unpredictable and the dialogue engaging. There are sections in the beginning and middle that read like pulp procedurals and the list of names stacks up, but the latter is definitely realistic - slimming the cast would detract from the realism.
jtrigger's review against another edition
3.0
Good... not great. There were moments of great promise that this might turn out to be an excellent book in disguise but it was not to be. It certainly isn't a "bad" book; merely average. Maybe some day I will read further in the series; perhaps not.
lisaeirene's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because it was free for kindle. I'd never heard of the author and really didn't know much about the book. I realize half way through that it was categorized as "christian fiction" and that was kind of a turn off as I'm not religious. However, there wasn't TOO much preaching in the book. It seemed to be part of the characters and story line as opposed to obnoxious soap box preaching.
That being said, I'm glad I kept reading because I enjoyed the book. I disagree with the other reviewers that say the main character was unlikable. I felt like he was likable and relatable.
That being said, I'm glad I kept reading because I enjoyed the book. I disagree with the other reviewers that say the main character was unlikable. I felt like he was likable and relatable.
felinity's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It was a refreshing change to read a crime/mystery book that was free from bad language, extra-marital sex, and hordes of alcoholic or drug-addicted officers, and Roland's backstory was definitely more unusual than most - enough so that it felt more realistic. I just didn't feel a gripping compulsion to keep reading, or a strong connection with any of the characters. I'd be willing to give book 2 a try though, to see if the series continues to strengthen.
It was a refreshing change to read a crime/mystery book that was free from bad language, extra-marital sex, and hordes of alcoholic or drug-addicted officers, and Roland's backstory was definitely more unusual than most - enough so that it felt more realistic. I just didn't feel a gripping compulsion to keep reading, or a strong connection with any of the characters. I'd be willing to give book 2 a try though, to see if the series continues to strengthen.
shortthoughts's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not a big fan of crime fiction and reading this book reminded me of why. I'm not saying it's a bad book at all. It's a good book. Bertrand is a good writer and the story was suspenseful and rewarding, just as a mystery book should be. It's just not my shelf. I know, why read it? I have my reasons.
I first encountered J. Mark Bertrand on his Bible Design Blog. I also recently discovered I had his 2007, Crossway-published "Rethinking Worldview" on my shelf. I have also read a couple of his essays on Christians and art. In one particular essay, Bertrand applied theological thinking to the noir genre and put up some defense. That essay is what brought me to this book. I wanted to see how he practiced what he preached. I think he did it well.
If you like murder mysteries, then I would recommend this book to you. If you like mysteries but want some a little less grim, then read Sherlock Holmes.
I first encountered J. Mark Bertrand on his Bible Design Blog. I also recently discovered I had his 2007, Crossway-published "Rethinking Worldview" on my shelf. I have also read a couple of his essays on Christians and art. In one particular essay, Bertrand applied theological thinking to the noir genre and put up some defense. That essay is what brought me to this book. I wanted to see how he practiced what he preached. I think he did it well.
If you like murder mysteries, then I would recommend this book to you. If you like mysteries but want some a little less grim, then read Sherlock Holmes.