Nothing
is quite as it seems in Terri Blackstock’s Truth Stained Lies. Cathy Cramer
makes a living pointing out her opinion on high profile crimes, often revealing
information that makes the defendant look all the more guilty. But when things
take a turn and her brother ends up on the other side of the law, everything
changes. Now, she is working quickly to find the truth while another life hangs
in the balance.
While
it took a while to get into the book and become interested in the characters,
once I understood where things were going, I was hooked. Blackstock works hard
to weave together several different situations to make for a web that readers
will enjoy unraveling. I love the idea of sister working together despite their
different lives and responsibilities to help their brother.
There
are just enough characters to keep track of and of course, become attached to.
Smaller situations are going on in addition to the criminal case that each
person is involved in. I will be the first to say that I would love to continue
the story of the sisters, Cathy, Juliet and Holly, as well as their private
detective friend Michael.
The
themes of the book include the struggle with trusting in God when the
surrounding circumstances continue to decline, something that most people can
relate to. This is not a story of a family with perfect faith. Instead, it is a
story of trusting and believing despite all of the challenges.
This
is a book for anyone looking for an easy read that is engaging with just the
right level of complexity. Blackstock has written several other books and I
plan to check out at least one or two and give you my take on those as well.
Thomas
Nelson Publishing provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my
honest review.
