The book begins with a shot that misses the target and plummets into a story of similes. The comparison starts as entertaining and quickly fall into a haze deeper than noire fiction. I enjoyed, for a while, the resemblance to the writing of Raymond Chandler, but the English setting hindered this reproduction. Frank Bale, like a battered Don Quixote, goes in search of truth and justice, but instead finds walls and detours. Not every hero rides a magnificent stead and win every battle, but this antihero needs more character. ( )

Deutzer Bruke

The immediate plot is the unsolved mystery of the death of a high school girl who is found dead in a locked closet. Decades have passed and Mona (central character) takes it upon herself to see that justice is done. Other subplots include her getting in touch with her Native American roots by spending the Summer with her grandfather, expressing her love for music by singing and playing her guitar and two boys who are competing for her affections. I would assume the book is geared toward young adults but my copy doesn't indicate that. A promising start to a new trilogy. ( )

This book reminded me of the other book that Beverly and her husband wrote together. I believe the man in that book also worked in flying. The tone of both books is pleasant and has that healing aspect that all of Beverly's books impart. However, while I enjoyed the book, I didn't find the characters as absorbing as they are normally in her novels. Somehow they were a bit flat--they lacked something. I didn't feel, as I usually do, that I was in it with them, struggling alongside them through everything. It felt like the novel had no real center, but that it was split between Jack and Kelly.
That said, I still enjoyed the story. I like the way she completes stories--in a way that gives satisfaction and hope. She reminds me very much of Janette Oke in this. Just as in life there are ups and downs and her characters weather everything, trudging through no matter what--running the race. I admire this and it gives the reader hope, peace, and encouragement. ( )