'the Confession', what a book!
589469
I thought that this book was a real chiller, smack down to my core! As i am a big fan of R.L.Stine's famous Fear Streets, and have read most of them, this one is one of my favourites. I liked the extraordionary language he has used and the way he makes it so very interestion for the reader. This book is like a magnet. You have to keep reading it, because every chapter is written in such a way, that it is linked to the next.
The book describes a perfect plan of a murder, with suprises right till the last word. And just when you think that, that person is the murder 'BAM', this person gets killed!
If i had to compare this story to any of his other books, i would say that this one does not only stand out for it's 'roller-blading kill scnene', but is also one book which you can read all over again, and not get bored!
I recoment this book to all the people who love a good horror story and a sleep-less nights of thinking about this ficton-story!
1406032
When the author of this book, Patrick Mahr contacted me about reading his newly published book, Candid Confessions, I was hesitant but decided to read it, from the moment I received the book, I was unable to put it down, reading it in two sitting. The book is a diary of a man who has many internal conflicts and often leads a questionable lifestyle. The book is fast paced, ever changing, and shocking at points, which makes it a truly enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this book, it is one of the best I have read in a long time.
1475898
I bought this book to read on my Kindle, and it grabbed me from the first page. It took me on a terrifying, informative, amazing journey. So well written! The author's style of writing a chapter about Vacher ("The Killer of Little Shephards") and then about LaCassagne, the brilliant French Physician who helped usher in the age of Forensic Science; and how the Police were able to work with Physicians and more to help solve some "unsovlable" crimes.
This is before fingerprinting, before....ANYTHING! People who may have been innocent were sent to the Guillotine, especially if they were poor, or not well liked. However, in some cases, in the smaller villages in France, people who had some kind of wealth or property were accused of crimes because poorer people resented them! And when they got it into their minds that someone did something, they did NOT change their minds.
What a very scary time to live, or die in..........
Villages far from Paris or Lyon were still thinking witchcraft and the like when some horrible crimes (like Vacher's ghastly murders) were commited!
I loved the way the author made me think about whether or not Vacher was insane and was not culpable, or if he was just incredibly strange, with definite personality disorders, but knew exactly what he was doing.
Vacher's murder trial had me on the edge of my seat.
So many new things happened during this time, it was truly the beginning of a new era in solving crimes by using scientific evidence. I also enjoyed reading about other crimes that were solved using LaCassagne's techniques; what patience that man had, and he also had dedicated students and other physicians who admired him so much, and rightfully so.
I highly recommend this book. As a Criminology student, I found it almost impossible to put down. It is not gratuitous, it tells what we need to know and not more. I don't like true crime books that go into WAY more detail than they need to.
Read this book. You won't be sorry!
2803447
I couldn't put the book down.  A wonderful, detailed story of redemption.  I really love the part of the priest in the hospital!  Some guy from the church came in my hospital room once and scared the crap out of me, waking me up with his blessing!  And that was in English!  Great read.
4506025
Once I began this book, I simply could not put it down, and literally read it in a day and a half. The story begins by introducing us to Sierra, its teenage point of view character, but we are quickly introduced to several other characters whose stories intertwine with one another. Each of the main characters is wounded in various ways, spiritually, emotionally, physically, psychologically, and the author weaves a beautiful story about how these individuals struggle, survive and, eventually, even begin to thrive despite their painful pasts. From an inner city classroom in Houston to faraway Romania, the settings change as rapidly as the plot develops, and the mysteries in this story inexorably beckon us in. The pain of loss, the power of forgiveness, the risks of love, the rewards of friendship, the freedom of truth, and the promises of God's Word . . . these are the themes interwoven in this complex, intriguing, sensitive study of relationships. Thanks, Rachel, for a wonderful book, and I look forward to many more!
3401025
I found myself waiting in a doctor's office with nothing but sports magazines to read. So, I popped open my Kindle, saw this book and was intrigued by the cover.

It had been quite a while since I undertook reading a mystery and I was not disappointed!

A very well told story with twists that one did not expect, with more than one powerful message enclosed within its pages. The most powerful one for me was one of judging others. I'm not going to give the story away, but I will tell you that I feel this book should be read by all who love a good mystery and love Jesus with all their hearts!
639518
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cana Mystery.  I am rather fatigued right now because I have hardly been able to sleep for the past three days -- I couldn't put the book down to go to work!  So, please forgive me for any typos.  :-) This book is very well-written -- it's very exciting with lots of suspense and twists.  A true thriller!  What's more, it's full of fascinating information and historical references, so I'm thrilled to have my daughters read it.  (It's hard to believe that such a terrific book also has educational elements to it.  If only school was this interesting -- they'd get A's in every History class they'd ever take!!)

As a Catholic woman, I appreciate that this book was very tastefully done.  I greatly appreciate that there isn't explicit sexual content.  There is some violence, but and I liked that the author doesn't dwell on it.  I tire of books that tell you someone is really bad but never give me reason to believe it.  This book uses violence periodically to advance the story or demonstrate convincingly that the bad guys really are bad.  That made it much more believable that the villians would actually go through with their devious plan.  That said, the book never dwells on the gory aftermath of the violence the way that some authors do.  It mentions it and then moves on.

I really liked the way that the author anticipated (and answered!) many of the questions that popped into my head.  A few times I thought: "Hmm ... I wonder if that could actually work?" or "How would that person have known that?"  Inevitably, in a page or two, the author would put my doubts to rest.  It really was like he was reading my mind!  I've never seen a writer do that so well!  That said, the author doesn't spoonfeed the audience.  When I re-read the book, I realized that there were lots of connections that the author had embedded in the text.  Although I didn't catch all of those connections the first time I read it, it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book.  But the SECOND time I read it, I was blown away by how much more there was to the book than what I saw the first time.  Now THAT is a well-written story!!

I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a fun, exciting read who wants to think and doesn't like to read about explicit sex or gory violence.
20059
Two honest and good people suffer with guilt, not knowing how to confess to each other, and how they try to make things go right.  A very good and so believeable. You're sure to love this book!
94309
This book sat in my to be read pile for months, and I decided to read it!  What a wonderful surprise!!  The book was about how organ donations can be a blessing, but the author used a backdrop of spiritual warfare to bring the story to life!  What an awesome way to tell the story!  This is a must read!
2732431
I thoroughly enjoyed this book- what a great discovery!
2554160
I would recommend this book to anyone reading the Confession.  It is essential that you have Ryan's book.  He opens up the thoughts and emotions of the Confession writers, respecting the age they lived in.  He makes modest and fitting applications, like a good Reformed pastor would.
  I highly recommend this book.  It should be read more than once.
4907425
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Elizabeth Stalcup writes in a personable and heartfelt way that brought me to prayer, confession, and understanding. I was drawn to the book in a search to understand someone in my life who is making similar choices as Elizabeth's story shares and I was deeply blessed through her transparency. I haven't found any other book quite like it in the way her story shares her journey of promiscuous living to redemption in Christ. I only wish it were in regular print so I could send it to my friend who is searching and doesn't have a kindle!
3393215
Wow! I absolutely loved this book.  Honestly, I found it to be such a compelling read that I couldn't put it down. I now need to go back and read it more slowly so that I can savor the truths within it.  Christians have absolutely given Jesus such a black eye because we are so ungracious and critical of each other. The pages of this book pointed me to the Jesus of the Bible (not the one created by the church)who is the incarnation of grace and love.  The gospel is not about what I "do" but what Christ has done for me!  It is very freeing to be reminded that Jesus will never love me less, or even more, but He loves me perfectly right now.  I know that some of the chapters will be criticized by "the church," but they were probably my favorite ones.  I wanted to stand up and clap after reading the chapter on creation...it was brilliant! The chapter on the homosexual population was beautifully written, and full of grace.  The church has wounded many and shot itself in the foot by choosing this particular sin as a favorite to judge so harshly. If only we could be more like Jesus!
Overall, I found this book to be full of truth, encouragement, and it was packed with scripture.  There are some things that I will need to ponder for a while, but Steve presents a good case for all the things that he wants the reader to "just consider." Without a doubt this author has experienced the deep reach of amazing grace personally, and he is just too excited not to share it with the rest of us.  Thank you, Steve!
3448613
I ordered "No Turning Back" because of the compelling nature of the subject matter:  the conversion to Catholicism (and ultimately, the answering of the call to the priesthood!) of a young man deeply caught up in the classic "sex, drugs and rock and roll," and then some!  The book surpassed my expectations!  Father Calloway writes as if he's telling you his story face to face and in a way that is both fearless and humble, funny and, at times, horrifying!  When I finished the book, I could not stop thinking about Father Calloway's real and profound experience with Our Lady's motherly love and Our Lord's Divine Mercy.  This is not just a conversion story, but a love story, and one that could quite possibly bring the reader to meditation and prayer (as it did me)!  Not to mention HOPE -- a message much needed for our culture today.  I cannot recommend this book enough, and not just to people who have no belief in God or question their faith, but also, to people who fully practice their faith, but could always enter into a deeper relationship with Our Lord (and a deeper love and appreciation for Our Blessed Mother) -- and to never lose hope.
2507935
When our book club chose this 600+ page book, I wasn't going to read it!  "Too long," I thought.  But I downloaded it on my Kindle, and once I started reading, I could hardly stop!  Fast-moving as well as thought-provoking, this book was really an easy read, despite the length.  I highly recommend it.
407292
This is a very good book.  Buy it and you won't be sorry.  This is a mystery, love story, quest for finding the truth, suspense, thriller, drama and even a touch of comedy.  I would LOVE for there to be a follow-up to this.  It would be great.  I hated it when I came to the end, because it was so good.  This is an excellent book!  And believe me I know one when I read one!  I am an avid reader and have a library of over 1,000 books.  I am very pleased to be adding this Book to my collection -- even though it is Kindle and not a hard copy  :)
1526890
I don't know why I took so long to read The Husband's Secret, because it is a great story. Well, I think I do know why...the author's intense, painfully honest exploration of grief, guilt, and what-ifs made me uncomfortable and sad, so much so that I had to put it aside until I was ready. It's been a long time since I've had to put a book in the freezer.

Secrets is the theme, that and choices, and the big what-could-have-beens that hinge on our every decision. The characters broke my heart, their story arcs were all fascinating and very well-told. The big secret was a doozy, the way it all shook out was brilliant.

I can't help but compare this book to the only other Moriarty book I've read, Big Little Lies. Both are great reads; I'd have to say The Husband's Secret is even better.