THE RIGHT CALL is the third and final book in the Sophie Trace Trilogy. Police Chief, Brill Jessup, has had her struggles both personally and professiTHE RIGHT CALL is the third and final book in the Sophie Trace Trilogy. Police Chief, Brill Jessup, has had her struggles both personally and professionally. But, with her marriage back on track, her college age daughter at home with her infant son, and the town of Sophie Trace regaining its small town charm, all seems well. Unfortunately, the peace is shattered by a string of shootings.
Ethan Langley returns to Sophie Trace anxious to explore his relationship with Vanessa Jessup and her son, Carter. But when his cousin is shot in a string of random killings, his world begins to spiral out of control. When he finds out information about the shootings his life and the life of Vanessa and Carter are threatened. He struggles with doing what is right or what is safe.
Though I didn’t read the first book in the Sophie Trace Trilogy, I have thoroughly enjoyed book two, THE LAST WORD, and THE RIGHT CALL. The Jessup family is not without their flaws, but familiar and inviting. The characters that work with Chief Jessup in the Sophie Trace precinct are rich as well. But, the characters that gather at the local coffee shop though quaint, become a bit bothersome after a while. I found myself breezing over the sections containing their dialogue because I felt it slowed the story down.
Kathy Herman is a talent storyteller that knows how to keep her readers interest. ...more
TESTED BY FIRE is the first in the Baxter Series released in 2001. Yes, I know this is older but that's what happens when you have over 200 books in yTESTED BY FIRE is the first in the Baxter Series released in 2001. Yes, I know this is older but that's what happens when you have over 200 books in your library that you've yet to have time to read. In the next few weeks, I will be reviewing the entire Baxter Series.
After a devastating explosion takes the life of a local family and rocks the small town of Baxter, the police hunt down their only suspect, Mike McConnell, husband and father to the victims. Jed Wilson, Mike’s best friend refuses to believe his friend could’ve done something so heinous. He sets out in search of his friend who is evading the police. Along the way, Jed finds some answers to his own emptiness.
TESTED BY FIRE is an intriguing story. As a reader, you find yourself feeling compassion for Mike McConnell even though he might be a calculated murderer. Kathy does a good job of creating characters you want to pull for, and slap up the side of the head when their stubbornness gets the better of them. But as the characters grow, you feel an attachment to them.
I won’t give away the ending, other to say it was both satisfying and bittersweet....more
DAY OF RECKONING is the second novel in The Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. When the Logan Textile plant closed five years ago, it was upsetting to theDAY OF RECKONING is the second novel in The Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. When the Logan Textile plant closed five years ago, it was upsetting to the community and its workers. Feeling betrayed by the young G.R. Logan, who closed the plant so he could using cheaper labor in Costa Rica and raise his revenue, someone decides he should be punished. When G.R.’s daughter and her best friend are kidnapped, the town is shocked. When they find out it’s payback for the plant closure, a mixture of feelings surface. But in all, the small town of Baxter is horrified to think these two girls are going to pay for the sins of the father.
DAY OF RECKONING has an interesting premise. Just how deep can resentment and hate go before it yields bitterness that leads to destruction? I enjoyed DAY OF RECKONING though at times I feel the dialog was a bit stilted. Sherry Kinnsington came across as a teenage super Christian. At times I felt it was a bit distracting, but in the end, I saw the purpose it served. Overall, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the characters of the small town of Baxter and will continue on to VITALS SIGNS, the third book in the series....more
VITAL SIGNS is the third book in The Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. A deadly epidemic has come to Baxter, threatening the lives of those who’ve come iVITAL SIGNS is the third book in The Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. A deadly epidemic has come to Baxter, threatening the lives of those who’ve come in contact with a visiting missionary couple. Jennifer has just delivered twin boys and struggles with the thought of adoption. When the babies are taken away due to the risk of the virus, she realizes being separated from them is more than she can handle. While the local hospital takes every precaution to insure the unknown virus does not infect others, an extremist group decides to take matters into their own hands, causing the National Guard to be called in to restore order. The interesting storyline of VITAL SIGNS explores how people react to a situation that could prove to be deadly. My favorite part of the story was watching the change in Dennis (Jennifer’s non-committal boyfriend) as he struggles with the idea of being a father. Your non-attachment for this character in the past is quickly put aside as you pull for him to make right decisions. VITAL SIGNS in an enjoyable read. With two more books to go in the series, I feel as if I have a stool reserved for me at Monty’s Diner as I pick up HIGH STAKES, the fourth book in the series....more
HIGH STAKES, the fourth book in The Baxter Series, quickly became my favorite. The introduction of Angie Marks, a young, free-spirited, teenager brougHIGH STAKES, the fourth book in The Baxter Series, quickly became my favorite. The introduction of Angie Marks, a young, free-spirited, teenager brought a youthful energy to the book. Angie has come to Baxter for a reason, not just by chance. And her spiky black hair, tattoos, and piercings, draws stares and standoff attitudes from the town’s people. Will she follow through with her plan? And what will she do when people suspect her in a crime just because she looks different?
Though I was surprised with the drastic change in the character of Patrick Bailey, I loved the interaction between him and Angie. The takeaway message of HIGH STAKES is, How do we treat others when they are different from ourselves? I’ve enjoyed the way all the characters overlap in this series. Though I continue to be surprised at how quickly some of the characters have gone from hardnosed, critical - to born again, virtuous, it has not been enough to sway me from reading further. I am now off to the final book of the series, A FINE LINE....more
A FINE LINE is the fifth and final book in the Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. After reading all five, I would have to say HIGH STAKES and A FINE LINE A FINE LINE is the fifth and final book in the Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. After reading all five, I would have to say HIGH STAKES and A FINE LINE were my favorites. I enjoyed the way these stories were built around real everyday issues. In A FINE LINE, Charlie Kirby deals with the temptation that could ruin his marriage. When Shelia Paxton, Thompson Tire Co.’s persuasive lawyer, dies suddenly in a drive by shooting, rumors fly regarding Charlie’s relationship with her. He vehemently denies any involvement with her, though he knows he is far from innocent. And as Ellen Jones, Baxter’s newspaper editor, sees an even deeper story in Shelia’s sudden death, she has no idea the dangerous Pandora’s box she has opened when she decided to investigate.
A FINE LINE swings from Charlie’s agonizing guilt over his unfaithfulness to Ellen’s realization that she is in over her head in her investigation of Sheila Paxton’s death. I enjoyed the suspense and the honesty in dealing with sin and forgiveness. I recommend the series as a whole....more
THE LAST WORD by Kathy Herman is not only suspenseful, but deals with family issues as well.
Brill Jessup is the Chief of Police in the small town of STHE LAST WORD by Kathy Herman is not only suspenseful, but deals with family issues as well.
Brill Jessup is the Chief of Police in the small town of Sophie Trace. Her quiet community is about to be turned upside down by a stalker/murderer who has set his sights on her. He's taunting her with attacks on her fellow officers, all the while letting her know she is his ultimate target. If that's not enough, her college-age daughter comes home for the summer with a surprise of her own.
Vanessa Jessup has to explain to her parents how it is she has cast aside her Christian upbringing, fallen in love with her physiology professor, and done the unthinkable. Now seven months pregnant, and abandoned by said professor, Vanessa struggles with the decision of keeping the baby of giving it up for adoption. Her parents are disappointed and less than enthused about her pregnancy and the impact it will have on her future.
As Brill looks for a killer and tries to talk rationally with her daughter, she feels the scrutiny of the mayor, city council, and the townspeople of Sophie Trace. Will she be able to keep her family safe, her city safe, find the killer, and help her daughter make a life-changing decision?
I thoroughly enjoyed THE LAST WORD, as I have other Kathy Herman books. I'm sad that I didn't read THE REAL ENEMY, but look forward to the third book in the trilogy....more
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