Into the Fire

Wanda L. Dyson’s latest novel Judgment Day, published by WaterBrook Press and featured in this week’s CFBA Tour, presents the unlikely but likable couple of 6’ 6” “working-class stiff” Marcus Crisp and blue-blooded, real moneyed Alexandria Fisher-Hawthorne as a team of private investigators who along with their computer wizard partner Razz take on an investigation involving Marcus’s ex-girlfriend from college, Suzanne Kidwell.

Marcus and “Alex” pretend they’re just friends and their smart, clipped verbal conversations and nuanced silent communications bring back memories of an old British television series The Avengers. Alex is a woman of faith and an independent gun-toting investigator who has no intention of returning home to take over the family mega-bucks business in spite of her father’s efforts to convince Marcus to make her do so—as if he could. When her mother needs a new heart, the pressure increases for Alex to go home.

Marcus appears to be a man of faith, understated, smart, careful, and willing to pass on the investigation involving the imprisonment of his college ex, but Alex overrules his hesitancy when she evaluates the information Suzanne presents. Other than that we learn little about Marcus.

Suzanne is the stereotypical, cut-throat, narcissistic reporter of the television tabloid news show “Judgment Day” where incriminating information is plentiful and sensational but backed up with few facts. Circumstances which are just too obvious to ignore ignite the desire in Alex to pursue why Suzanne is being framed for a murder she didn’t commit.

Razz reminds me of the geek in NCIS Los Angeles with a few extra baubles and piercings or Vince Flynn’s computer wizard in his stories. Razz himself is a great character, but the situation with his wife seems added on, unbelievable, and handled poorly. Granting that many very intelligent individuals seem to compartmentalize emotions and appear totally rational, his reaction and his partners’ reactions to the circumstances just don’t compute for me at all. Weak and unbelievable plot element that shouldn’t have been included in my opinion. (Remember: it’s just my opinion.) 

Since Judgment Day reminded me of a novel I read earlier in the year and of episodes of Criminal Minds, The Closer, and CSI, the plot seemed well-worn. The co-protagonists and their partner provided some enjoyment and a fresh combination and perspective to the P.I. genre, cleanly written with some good dialogue, and geared to those who enjoy a commercial quick read. 

 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074754  

Father, please continue to provide your fellowship and blessing to Wanda as  she works to give you the glory for all she does. Give her new insights and fill her with stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.