T. L. Hines
Waking Lazarus (2006)
Author: T. L. Hines
Genre: Thriller (Supernatural/Christian)
Plot Summary:
Jude Allman had died and come back to life three times. To escape the fame, he changed his name to Ron Gress and made a new life in Montana. He has a son, Nathan, with a woman named Rachel, but is unable to truly be part of their lives because of the paranoia that keeps him from functioning normally. Everything changes for Jude when a stranger named Kristina show up at his door trying to show him his true purpose in life. Jude begins to have visions, which lead him into the search for a serial child murderer. When Jude's own son is kidnapped, it becomes more important than ever that Jude accept his purpose in life and stop the killer. SPOILER: Kristina is actually an angel, not a person. The killer is hinted to be Jude's coworker, Frank, but this is a false lead. The real killer turns out to be the police chief, Odum.
Geographical Setting: Montana
Time Period: 2006
Appeal Characteristics:
This was a very compelling story. The pace was fast, though forays into Jude's past both slowed things down a bit but also made you want to read more. The time frame of the story is short--the main action occurs over the course of a few days, with flashbacks referring to Jude's past. There are multiple points of view, but it mostly focuses on Jude. He is often a reactive character, but becomes more active by the end. The characters were carefully and fully revealed over the course of the story. Other points of view come from the killer, as well as secondary characters such as Rachel, Jude's co-worker, and Jude's father. The reader is meant to relate to Jude and Rachel, especially, as they try to understand their relationship with God. Rachel is an interesting and memorable secondary character. The storyline emphasizes the people--the action is a vehicle for their change and growth. There is both interior and exterior action going on. The theme of the book is Christian, and focuses on accepting God, doing his work, as well as the traditional theme of good vs. evil. The prose was well-written and smooth.
Read-alikes: The Dead Whisper On by T. L. Hines. This is Hines second novel. It's a supernatural thriller about Candace MacHugh, a miner turned garbage collector who hears the voice of her dead father, which tells her she must save the world. Like Hines' first novel, this book features a character that is running away from her past and is embroiled in a mystery, has supernatural elements, and features the theme of good vs. evil. Expiration Date by Eric Wilson. Clay Ryker returns to his home town to start over, but he has a secret--by touching someone, he can see the exact day of their death. Again, we have the main character trying to start a new life but hampered by a supernatural secret. Like Hines' novel, this book is well-written, fast-paced, has an unpredictable plot, and misleading clues leading in opposite directions. In The Watchers by Mark Andrew Olsen, Abby Sherman is targeted for assassination after she posts her visions of heaven on her blog, but her assassin finds himself drawn to protect Abby rather than kill her. This is another supernatural thriller with religious themes of good vs. evil. It is also fast paced and compelling with well-drawn characters. In Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo, FBI agent Alicia Wagner investigates a series of murders connected to ancient prophesies. This book features themes of good vs. evil. It has an interesting and unique main character. It is written with a smooth prose style, and has a complex plot. Relentless by Robin Parrish. Grant Borrow's life changes when he is "Shifted"--his mind moved to someone else's body, and someone else into his, which ends up making him a central figure in a 7,000 year old prophesy and a web of intrigue. This book is fast paced, with a complex plot, plenty of mystery, and believable characters. This book leans more towards being science fiction than Hines' book, however. It is the first of a trilogy.Finally, in When the Day of Evil Comes by Melanie Wells, Psychology professor Dylan Foster is being stalked by a creepy man, and when he is around, strange things happen. The story is compelling, it has a mysterious plot, an intriguing main character, and the theme of good vs. evil. It is the first book of a series.
Red Flags: There is some violence and murder, but it is not graphic. Jude and Rachel have a child out of wedlock, which may offend more conservative readers.
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