Into the Fire

Brandilyn Collins offers up her first stand alone novel since her 4-book Kanner Lake Series. If you’re unfamiliar with Brandilyn, she writes murder mysteries filled with suspense. In this latest novel she uses a rat-a-tat-tat, staccato brand of lean prose to keep the edginess in each new circumstance of plot development.

dark pursuit presents Kaitlan, a newly pregnant heroine dating a gorgeous cop who is also the son of the local police chief. Having just discovered her pregnancy, she leaves her hairdressing job early when nausea overwhelms her. Upon entering her small home she discovers her boyfriend’s pen on the floor and a few things amiss in her living room. Knowing he has a key, she’s not too concerned until she walks into her bedroom to the scent of perfume mixed with urine and a still warm female corpse on her bed. After the horror and the puking, she flees to the only other person in her life who might possibly be able to help her: her estranged grandfather, the 77 year old “King of Suspense”.

Darrell Brooke made his career the focus of his life, and it gained him fame and fortune. After his wife died, his daughter left for England abandoning her daughter Kaitlan to her neglectful novelist grandfather. His meanness drove Kaitlan away to a street life of drugs, eventually jail, but finally recovery and cosmetology school and a job.

With Darrell facing a form of writer’s block due to a car accident which happened two years prior, leaving him in a constant search for serious concentration, he takes on the dilemma of rescuing his granddaughter from this murderous cop boyfriend and in the process hopes for the solution to the novel he’s been unable to complete. Kaitlan fears his mental state inadequate and incapable of saving her and suspects he’s only interested in using the horrific experience for finishing his book—she suffers his wrath for her lack of faith.

If I had to highlight a specific feature of this novel, I’d probably point to the characterization of Darrell Brooke. We can see him, we can feel his anger, participate in his frustration, and doubt his ability to pull off his risky plan. Another insightful occurrence is the inclusion of humorous thoughts during the most fearful incidents. Oftentimes we feel like laughing at the most inappropriate moments, and Brandilyn captures a few of these perfectly. Also intriguing are the two WIPs written by Darrell and the killer. Reading them intermixed with the ongoing tension of the story adds an extra look at both Darrell’s and the killer’s minds, giving significance to a particular prop. Clever additions to the story.

Brandilyn, known for her copyrighted “Seatbelt Suspense” and tagline “Don’t forget to breathe”, creates an interesting story with compelling movement and a surefire twist at the end. She amps up the conflict with each new peril and plot revelation. The intensity magnifies as doubts in the plan escalate and chaos erupts.

For a quick read, an intense story written lean and mean, get involved in this dark pursuit.

Father, I pray for Brandilyn’s continued prowess as a mystery/suspense writer, that you would continue to supply her with stories and the time and opportunity to tell them. She desires to honor you in the process and I pray your blessing on her life because of it. Encourage her, Lord Jesus, as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.