Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A Book Review:: Cleansed by Fire by James R. Callan

Highly recommending this book! Callan is an author to watch. 

Cleansed by Fire by James R. Callancleansed by fire
Blurb:                                                                             Arsonists have torched two churches in a small Texas town, plunging its residents into a state of fear. Father Frank DeLuca, pastor of Prince of Peace Church, is thrust into an impossible dilemma when he hears that another church will be burned. The disturbing information comes to him via the confessional, and church law forbids him from telling anyone—even the police. Still, he can’t sit idly by, and no law prevents him from looking into the matter himself.
The crimes have set the town’s residents on edge, fraying the bonds of trust. Is the mysterious newcomer with ties to the local drug scene involved? What about the man who says maybe the churches deserved to burn? Or the school drop-out who threatens the priest with a knife. Father Frank digs deeper into the town’s secrets when a man is murdered. His investigation leads him dangerously close to the drug scene and he discovers the danger has come to him. Can he save his own church? Can he save his own life? Cleansed by Fire is the first of the Father Frank Mysteries.  

My Review:                                                                                                                                             One of my fastest growing favorite mystery authors! I love the conflict between the local police and Father Frank. Loved the developing plot when a young boy confesses to knowing who is burning down Southern Baptist Churches. Add to that the romance Callan embedded in the story, the teen activities getting a good start, and Frank's own ambitions in solving the crime, and you have a fast-paced, suspenseful novel that keeps you on your toes trying to solve the mystery as quickly as Father Frank does.
I enjoy unusual twists to novels, and using a priest that is likable and believable is the key to this book. Callan has created a protagonist even the staunchest evangelical christian can root for. Excellent writing, intriguing plot, and interesting characters. Well done, Callan. Recommended!
Buy the Book here:                                                                                                                                 Amazon


About James:
After a successful career in mathematics and computer science, receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and being listed in Who’s Who in Computer Science and Two Thousand Notable Americans, James R. Callan turned to his first love—writing. He has had four non-fiction books published. He now concentrates on his favorite genre, mystery/suspense.

Connect with James here:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6964903
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-r-callan-68841921
www.jamesrcallan.com/

Don't miss out. Grab your copy today!
Happy Reading!

1 comment:

James R. Callan said...

Thank you, Carole, for your review. After reading your review, I think I'm going to read Cleansed by Fire again - for the twentieth time! This was the first Father Frank Mystery. Over My Dead Body is the second in the series. And thanks for this wonderful exposure you have given my book.

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