Into the Fire

It's been too long since I read a good book. That's why I want to rave about Sibella Giorello's latest the mountains bow down published by Thomas Nelson. The fourth book in the Raleigh Harmon Novel Series, the mountains bow down is a terrific story which captures the intricacies of FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon's personal torment over her mentally troubled mother, her suffocating fiancé, a fellow FBI Agent, and her aunt's ditzy and insensitive friend Clair the Clairvoyant. She’s dealing with all of this on a free cruise to Alaska acting as FBI consultant for a movie being filmed onboard an elegant ship with a washed up alcoholic movie star, while Raleigh is supposed to be gaining perspective from being apart from wealthy high school sweetheart DeMott Fielding and taking in the majesty of mountains, hiking, and her specialty of geological examination.

With exquisite, intelligent, and comedic writing this story has it all. Quality, searing emotion, UST, drama, hilarity, and action, the mountains bow down takes you on – in Raleigh's own words – "the cruise from hell". When it's assumed the wife of the film's "star" commits suicide by hanging herself over the aft portion of the ship, it doesn't take but a few short minutes for Raleigh to diagnose foul play. Especially when she views the corpse, spotting obvious telltale indicators. This sets Raleigh on an impossible task of convincing the Dutch curmudgeon security chief that there's a murderer loose on the ship when they both know her authority to investigate is limited. When his obvious scorn turns more in her favor, his assistance proves invaluable. However, with the timeframe of the cruise, the huge population of vacationers, and a plethora of suspicious movie people, she calls her old boss in Seattle for some assistance, and her old nemesis Jack Stephanson volunteers to fly up to help which only complicates the experience for Raleigh.

Much to Raleigh’s dismay, Jack also proves to be an invaluable asset to the investigation and a real comfort when her mother’s fragile mental state fractures. The pursuit of the murderer is convoluted, frustrating, full of suspects, and ends up depending on the analysis of the stones in a bracelet found at the scene of the hanging. Racing against the timeline for the ship’s return to Seattle, Jack and Raleigh work furiously to attempt to nail the killer.

As if Raleigh’s pain and guilt over her mother’s condition isn’t enough, she compromises her standards to gain insight into the case, risking her job if she’s unable to right her wrong.

Raleigh Harmon is a complex character who carries guilt as if it’s an assigned duty. Each novel reveals more of who she is at a soul level, and what a treasure it is to know her. She invokes admiration, respect, sympathy, and the urge to make the burden she carries lighter. Though she depends on God, at times her guilt keeps her just outside His grace.

The canvas of characters painted in this story shines brilliantly, brazen and bold. If it’s been a while since you’ve read truly wonderful writing where you can invest in the words as well as the story, the mountains bow down by Sibella Giorello is an exceptional novel which will tap into most of your emotional wiring. My new favorite in the series. 

Father, what a gift you’ve given Sibella. I pray for many more stories for her to tell, and I ask that you would continue to lead her every step. May she continue to honor you in all she does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.