Into the Fire

If it has Carrie Stuart Parks' name on it, I'm reading it. It should be noted this is not a Gwen Marcey novel but a new mystery with forensic overtones featuring what starts out to be an unusual heroine who is banking on her Formula of Deception to get her mission accomplished. However, she isn't alone in developing deceptions and some of them have been in existence for decades.

Murphy Anderson is on Kodiak Island trying to find her twin sister's body who she believes was a victim of the serial killer who left a scar across Murphy's eyebrow and down her face. Murphy hires herself out as a forensic artist and is invited to accompany the Kodiak police Detective Elin Olsson when she visits a dying Russian who spotted dead bodies on Ruuwaq Island where he went to hunt. Murphy can certainly draw, but her first deception occurs with stating her forensic abilities. She's desperate for money after having her purse stolen. She stumbles her way through the interview, as an unlikely looking priest translates for the man, collecting the data she'll need to come up with a composite sketch of one of the dead men. Next she's on her way with the detective on a flight to the island to map the positions of the dead men and determine the identities of the victims. There's some cliff climbing involved, but what they can't find when they get to the sight is the puzzling part.

Detective Olsson wants to send Murphy back to the island with her forensic specialist "Bertie" so a flight is arranged for them and their necessary equipment. The pilot is concerned about bad weather approaching and warns them to respond when he radios them to return to the plane. When they discover something unexpected and acquire some photos, they get an emergency call to return to the plane. That's only the first emergency.

Murphy finds herself in deep when danger slaps at those around her and tragedies begin to occur. Her nightmares won't allow peaceful sleep and haunt her waking hours. All kinds of connections to the past and present residents of this island make everything seem off kilter. Add to that some terrifying news and only one person she truly trusts, Murphy must rely on her judgment and instincts but nothing feels safe or right. 

Carrie has written a complex story around historical data and a suffering heroine who listens to the voice of her dead sister for advice while she's doing everything she can to piece together the multi-faceted mysteries surrounding her and her search. When the surprising ending slowly reveals what Murphy's experienced, the reader and the heroine get some much needed answers.

Carrie Stuart Parks tells readers why her publisher suggested she give Gwen Marcey a rest from her harrowing near-death experiences, but those of us who are big Gwen Marcey fans will be anxiously waiting for that next book with Gwen.  

Father, please continue to bless Carrie with all that she needs to create amazing stories. Encourage her, uplift her, and keep her safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.