Into the Fire

                            
Carrie Stuart Parks has written the third Gwen Marcey novel and it's a good one. When Death Draws Near takes forensic artist Gwen to a small town in Kentucky where a serial rapist is on the loose. A surviving witness disappears as have others before her. The sheriff of the small town doesn't want Gwen there but is tolerating her presence, and Gwen doesn't trust the sheriff.

Gwen, who has survived breast cancer, receives a frightening phone call from her doctor's office, has her assigned dwelling broken into, and her ex-husband calls and demands she take their daughter with his customary threats and insults after Gwen is transferred to the mansion of close friends of the sheriff's. His "friend" the Congressman has captivating looks and charm with a matching beautiful wife and plans to run for president in the next election.

While at the mansion, she's asked/hired to infiltrate a Pentecostal church group of snake handlers (I can assure you most Pentecostals do not handle snakes in their services) because of some snakebite deaths rumored to be due to this "cult's" practices. This is a pet project and passion of the Congressman's wife who wants to take down this group. They choose Gwen for the job because the pastor and his wife who lead this church have lost their son and Gwen sketched his portrait for them.

What Gwen doesn't know is how everything is connected, but when her death draws near, she puts the total information together and realizes who is responsible for all the deaths. Her harrowing efforts to save herself and her daughter require her ultimate faith and prayer. Finally with the assistance of a swoon-worthy man who initially suspects her of exactly what she's doing, Gwen experiences genuine redemption.

This is an intriguing novel with some laugh out loud internal dialogue from Gwen, complex plot developments, a truly sympathetic heroine, plenty of suspense, and a satisfying ending. I recommend all of Carrie Stuart Parks' novels in this series. If you want the full picture, begin with the first one A Cry from the Dust and continue from there.  

Father, you know every need of Carrie's, every hope, every dream. I pray you would see to all of them for her and continue to bless her life and writing. Please keep her safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.