“Threadgill plunges a detective from the San Antonio Property Crimes Division into a deep-laid plot involving murder, kidnapping, and myriad other crimes above her pay grade.”–Kirkus ReviewsThree years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara … police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she’s correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.
With time running out, Amara must convince others–and herself–that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy lives. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.
A fresh voice in suspense, Tom Threadgill will have you questioning everything as you fly through the pages of this enthralling story.
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I have never read anything by this author so I didn’t know what to expect. I will start off by saying over all the story was good, there is no romance in this book at all the author hints at it throughout but I just was not ever part of the storyline as a whole ever. I did however felt like the book was wordy and some things I could have gone without. I will say the story will keep you guessing and leave you wondering who else is involved. This author does keep this story a clean read so it would be suitable for all. There are some tough issues that may not be ok with some but over all a very suspenseful book. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a review.*
Collision Of Lies
By: Tom Threadgill
*REVIEW*
I usually don’t read any book that references tragedy involving children, and, in this case, a school bus. For some reason, though, I decided to read the first few pages of Collision Of Lies just for the sake of curiosity. That few turned into a few more and then the entire book. Don’t get me wrong. There is a horrible tragic event with kids, a school bus and a train, and I found it deeply disturbing. I kept reading because I immediately connected with the realistic relatable characters-the parents, Amara Alvarez, Starsky, etc-and I really wanted to know the outcome of this bizarre mystery. Did one of the children actually survive the accident? Three years have passed, and given the circumstances of the accident, there is no possible way that anyone walked away alive. Almara Alvarez, a detective with San Antonio, is a wonderful character. She is feisty, smart, witty and authentic, and I liked her a lot. Almara accidentally becomes involved in this mystery. She is unbelieving until a couple of odd maybe or maybe not coincidences happen. It’s just enough to make anyone, myself included, have enough doubt to earnestly reconsider the validity of the, alleged, truth. Is someone lying, hiding something or covering their tracks? I was totally attached could not put it down with this book. It’s so complicated, incomprehensible, crazy mysterious that I just needed the answers. I’m betting you will, too, once you begin this book. Collision Of Lies is a fantastic story, and I cannot recommend it enough!
I’ve enjoyed Tom Threadgill’s Jeremy Winters series very much. I didn’t want it to end. I want sure how I’d feel about a different series when I began reading Collision of Lies.
From the first page I was hooked! If anything, I think I like this new series even better!
Detective Amara Alvarez with the San Antonio PD is delightful! I was drawn into the story right away by the descriptive writing. I feel as if I could walk in the Breakfast Bodega and feel as if I’d been there numerous times before!
The story itself is fast paced and doesn’t drag at all. The suspension builds gradually without you realizing it, until finally you realize you’re holding your breath!
I’m excited to read the next in the series and hope we’r get to see a lot more of Detective Alvarez. For those of you who enjoyed Jeremy Winter, this is a must read, and there may be a surprise waiting in the pages of this book!
I was provided an advanced copy of this book to by the publisher.
This was the first book I have ever read by Tom Threadgill and it definitely will not be my last. This had many twists and turns throughout the book. I cried a lot while reading this story. I really loved the characters. Amara was great and I hope there might be more books featuring her. I love a good cop story and this was fantastic. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
And the award for best thriller so far this year goes to “Collision of Lies” by Tom Threadgill! I’ve recently read a few great suspense novels, but this one went above and beyond. It’s always a delight to find a new Christian suspense author because the secular market for this genre is so full of profanity and lewdness. Another perk for me was that there was not a romantic side plot. I prefer to focus on the suspense and not be distracted by romantic affairs. Like the train wreck that forms part of the plot, I could not look away once I started turning the pages.
Threadgill builds the plot carefully, piece by piece, rather than revealing it all at once, and this approach draws the reader inexorably into the burning mystery. Three years ago, a school bus full of children died in a devastating accident. Or was it? And is there a chance that one of the children, Benjamin Reyes, could inexplicably still be alive? San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez finds herself unintentionally drawn into investigating this closed case, with coincidence upon coincidence adding up to a shocking conclusion. Each step had me questioning how I would react or what I would do, and I felt empathetic toward Amara and the Reyes family, a sure sign of adept writing. Likewise, the camaraderie between the police officers warmed my heart; especially in times such as these, it is so refreshing to see those in blue working together in a coed environment and building one another up while doing their level best to serve the community.
Gaining insight into the inner workings of law enforcement, trying to puzzle together the truth of the 3-year-old collision and how it relates to current happenings, and even being entertained by Almara’s pet iguana all make “Collision of Lies” a must-read for suspense aficionados as well as for anyone who enjoys an intriguing, clean story that will have readers questioning everything.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
As a new-to-me author, I was not sure what to expect from Tom Threadgull. And I must say, he has a great talent for writing suspense! The plot was intriguing with a creative premise. I liked that the main character was tenacious in her hunt for truth. The action part of the story was definitely worth the read. I must say, however, that I was disappointed with the lack of Christian content. It is a clean book, just not heavy on Christian growth or development, which I like in my Christian fiction novels. Nonetheless, the plot is interesting and enjoyable! I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
After three long years, a mysterious text is sent to a grieving mother whose son supposedly died in a horrible bus/train crash. The mother reaches out to the police and is told it’s all a hoax, and her son is really dead. But one detective in Property Crimes is bored with her job and this case grabs her heart. As she begins to dig into the case, she finds inconsistencies that won’t leave her alone. She ends up blowing the case wide open and the whole alphabet soup of agencies come to help. The reason for the wreck isn’t immediately known. But the reader is soon given a hint of the cause, but that reason is soon debunked, and it turns into something more sinister. The ending isn’t totally all roses, but it does have its redeeming value.
Thirty seconds. If they were still arguing, she’d call the cops then. Let the professionals deal with them.
This sounds like the thoughts of most average citizens but Amara Alvarez actually IS a professional and she soon learns that this isn’t going to be her usual burglary case! A conversation overheard at the Breakfast Bodega diner introduces her to a distraught mother who believes that she has just received a text message from her young son who was killed three years earlier in a tragic accident. Marisa Reyes asks, NO, she begs Amara to help her and her husband find if their son could be alive. Amara’s initial reaction is to kindly let them down easy but her cop intuition tells her that there could be more. What follows is an exciting story of “what-ifs”, “no way”, and “how can this be?” and author Tom Threadgill has created some unique characters and some startling incidents to keep me immersed until the end. Has there been a mistake? Could Benjamin Reyes truly be alive? Can Amara reunite this family? Are there sinister forces still involved in this incident?
I absolutely love Amara Alvaraz and I’ve added her to my list of super heroines. I admire her for her strength, her kind and loving heart, and her determination to find out if Benjamin is alive. There are several other characters who add interest to this story but I was especially drawn to Ranger Sara Colby, Homicide Detective Starsky, and the ever-hopeful parents, Marisa and Enzo Reyes.
This is my first book by Tom Threadgill and I am now his fan! I’m hopeful that he will share many more adventures with Amara and I’m also rooting for Amara to be promoted to Homicide after working all of those burglary details. If you’re looking for non-stop action, mystery/suspense, and the reminder that hope and faith go hand-in-hand, you will want to read Collision of Lies.
I received a copy of this book from Revell. There was no obligation to post a positive review and I received no monetary compensation. These are my own thoughts.
A definite first for me by this author! I’ve never read anything by him before and I think I like him.
In fact, I know I do! This author will give you the ride of a lifetime along with mystery, twists and turns throughout the story.
I loved this action packed story and this is another one that you won’t want to put down until you finish and plus, you’ll be thinking about the characters long after the book is finished.
This story y’all! Just totally fantastic and a wowzers!
I spent the whole night just to finish it because it was just that good. Yes, I lost some sleep over it but it was well worth the read. Especially if you like suspense!
Amara is a cool detective. I really enjoyed “watching” her in action. I was rooting for her the whole time!
The supporting characters were awesome too!
I hope there’s a sequel because I feel that there is more to the story than the author is letting on!
I highly recommend this book because it’s just that exciting! There wasn’t nothing that I didn’t like about the book.
My thanks to Baker Publishing/Revell. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Tom Threadgill is a new author to me so I was not sure what to expect when I began reading Collision of Lies. I did anticipate that it would turn out to be a fairly good suspense story based on its description and the reputation of its publisher. The cover alone is enough to capture my interest and I was happy to find that the content inside held it until the end.
With a tenacious heroine, Amara Alvarez, as well as a contingent of various other interesting characters, the book progresses at a steady pace, detail by detail as it builds to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the characters, each with their own vibrant personality. It was fun to observe their interactions, some of which could be quite humorous. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Pritchard, the ME. And who could resist a detective with a pet iguana? Although not exactly the male protagonist, Starsky also grabbed my attention and I would not mind if a relationship developed between him and Amara in future installments.
The author fed his readers bits and pieces of facts slowly as what was assumed to be a monumental tragic accident became so much more. Attention to details helped me follow the different law enforcement officers as they painstakingly discovered clues to a diabolical crime. Even so I was often surprised at the twists the case took as it sometimes seemed like the team took two steps forward and one step back.
I thoroughly enjoyed Collision of Lies and plan to be on the lookout for future novels by Tom Threadgill. Fans of suspense and police procedure novels should enjoy this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill is a new author for me. Before Revell agreed to publish this story, I have never heard of him, but apparently, he has a number of other published books out there. I enjoy how the story follows a female heroine written by a male. This was an unexpected twist. The writing is fabulous. Threadgill really knows how to write a police policedural and make it interesting. I liked how he didn’t give Amara the Homicide position just yet. She was a procedural detective, so she did what suspense lovers would call the boring job at the police department. I enjoyed the authentic Spanish phrases thrown in to show the heroines background and community. The mystery was different, and I actually couldn’t wait to see how it ended. There lies my problem. The ending. I kept reading to see this climactic moment occur and the explanation for why, but it never came. Amara stands to the side and someone comes back to tell her the threat is over. Readers don’t see it or hear it. It happens off-side. I was majorly disappointed in this. Didn’t feel right to me. I read a suspense story to see justice served, not hear about it and see the aftermath. I also didn’t like that the explanation was guessed at by the officers in the police station, but readers never know for certain this is why this happened. Being an author who has been published in the secular market, I was curious if there were moments that were going to touch the line, but Threadgill never did. It is a clean read with no language or sexual scenes. There is a teaser at the end of the this novel for the next novel, so I’m curious about that story and probably will pick it up too. Overall, Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill was a timely and touching hunt for justice, but the ending fell completely flat for me. If readers are a fan of Janice Cantore or Susan Sleeman, I would recommend picking this novel up.
I received a complimentary copy of Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I loved this book!
This was my first time reading a book by Tom Threadgill and I don’t understand how I have missed reading his books before now! Collision of Lies was such a well-crafted story, laid out in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Detective Alvarez and her friends would do next. The plot was an interesting mix of intrigue, suspense, mystery, and a little romance (if you could call it that as it was a very minor detail). Detective Alvarez was a very vividly described character that I enjoyed getting to know; I think I would love to meet her in person. Tom Threadgill described Detective Alvarez’s thoughts and expressions in a way that was easy to follow and really pulled me in, the creative ideas she came up with about solving part of the mystery were thought-provoking. The side characters were also interesting people and I hope I get to know them better in the next book. Collision of Lies does have an actual ending and does not end on a cliff hanger. From the excerpt in the back of the book, we will get to see more of Detective Alvarez and her colleagues in the next book as well.
I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend reading it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars for the wonderful way in which Tom Threadgill pulls you into the story, the great character descriptions, and the great mystery story that he told. I can not wait to read the next book in the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
I have not read anything by Tom Threadgill until I got my hands-on Collision of Lies. Oh, my goodness, this book had me hooked from the page one. I could not put it down until I was finished with the very last page. It is an action-packed thrill of a ride. It is full of mystery and suspense with lots of twists that I did not see coming. I loved this book!
I am giving Collision of Lies five plus stars. I would love to catch up with the other books by Tom Threadgill in the future. Readers who enjoy a fast paced suspense filled book.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Wow! Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill is my kind of suspense story.
With a strong main protagonist and a fresh, unique plot, this one captured my interest from page one. It was like watching an excellent police procedural without the usual cursing and questionable private activities of the characters. But it did not lack in any aspect. It was gritty at times, intriguing and kept moving at a good clip. I didn’t want to put it down.
Amara Alvarez is a detective in Property Crimes but longs to transfer to Homicide. By chance, she discovers something interesting about a horrific accent from three years ago. Then, one by one, the clues surface and she can’t help but put them together. The story unfolded in a mesmerizing way and the characters were well developed. A nice contrast to the intensity was the banter in the squad room especially between Amara and her co-workers. The scenes with her pet Iguana were priceless.
A sneak peak into the next book in the series calls for more interesting cases with Detective Amara Alvarez on the job. I’ll be looking up more books by this amazing author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was not obligated to provide a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
It’s hard not to be intrigued by a police detective who has an Iguana as a pet. Right away we know Amara Alvarez is not going to be a stereotypical cop, and she isn’t. Then there’s Dr. Pritcchard, the ME, who eats Cheetos with chopsticks so he doesn’t get the orange powder all over his hands.
Added pleasure in reading the book was the descriptions that captured a moment perfectly. As Amara is watching video from a security camera, she notes that people “scurried to and fro like ants that had stumbled into a puddle of an energy drink.”
In addition to the wonderful cast of characters, I appreciated that the author didn’t spend a lot of time setting each one up and giving tons of backstory in one big info dump. We learn what we need to know as the story progresses, and some mysteries in the backstory help to hold the reader’s attention. For instance, an ongoing tease in the story is why the homicide detective is called Starsky. Amara is as intrigued by that secret as much as she is about the man himself.
The mystery plays out in an intricate plot centered on a train accident in the town of Cotulla in which a busload of children were killed. But were they? That’s the question that haunts Amara after a mother of one of the children comes in to the station to report that they have received a text message from their son. From that simple beginning, comes a tale of conspiracy and an extensive cover up of what really happened and why.
I highly recommend this book to those who love a good, complicated mystery with a wonderful protagonist.
Whew, that was one heck of a ride! Collision of lies gripped me from the very first chapter and didn’t let me go until I’d reached the conclusion. The need for answers kept the pages essentially turning themselves. This was my first time read by Tom Threadgill but I’m sure it won’t be my last!
I got quite a chuckle out of some of the witty humor tossed back and forth between Amara and her coworkers. It added a fun layer of depth to the characters that made them come more to life for me. It added a lightness to the atmosphere to counteract some of the heaver content held within. I had no issue with it but there was some “Spanglish” sprinkled throughout that wasn’t often translated. Someone who often uses it myself though, I enjoyed it.
While I really liked how some of the puzzle pieces ended up fitting together, there were also places that I felt that they’d been discovered too easily. The intricate details of the crime were quite masterful to say the least, but the characters needed to experience more failure in order for things to feel more realistic. This did improve as the story progressed and some of the action scenes started to take over, but I think it needed to be more present throughout the investigation.
While the story fit perfectly in a suspense category, I failed to see where it fit within the realm of Christian fiction. I understand that it can be difficult to be successfully woven into this genre, but it should still have some level of presence if it’s being marketed as such.
Overall I still really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more from the author in the future. If he sticks with a Christian publisher I hope that he makes more of an effort to make sure faith is present. Even though I needed to see the detectives struggle a little more, the intricate details of the crimes were quite masterful and the investigation was able to keep my heart racing and the pages turning. I’m curious to see what he comes up with next.
*I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
I was reeled in by the opening scene and fully gripped from the shocking end of the first chapter. I struggled to put this book down. Detective Amara Alvarez is enjoying a quiet breakfast until an argument pulls her into a family drama and leads her to one of the most horrific accidents in Texas history. Unless it wasn’t an accident.
Tom Threadgill’s Collision of Lies is a masterclass in quietly upping the stakes and the tension until he drops you over the cliff of satisfying conclusion. With vivid characters and two plot twists that made my jaw drop, I’d highly recommend this book.
An intriguing story of suspense by a new to me author! Amara Alvarez is a brave police detective who suspects children were kidnapped rather than killed in a collision between a freight train and a school bus three years ago and is willing to risk her life to find out the truth! You will wonder if there is corruption in the San Antonio police department! Can the FBI be trusted? I enjoyed Amara’s relationship with her coworkers which was looked at a little unusual since the book is written by a male and most books I read are written by females! I recommend this clean suspense novel to anyone who enjoys suspense! I received a complimentary book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion.
“Power and money. Everybody wants them. But if you’ve already got them, there’s something far more important.”
Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill will keep you on the edge of your seat, reading at a breakneck speed and hungry for more. The author has certainly mastered the ability of duality in this high-tense drama. Collision of Lies is humorous and serious, slow and fast, expertly mixing the mundane with the thrilling until everything swirls together into a story that is both haunting and exciting. Local cop drama plus international intrigue equals one incredible story.
Detective Amara Alvarez, with the San Antonio Police Department, Property Crimes Division, is ready to transfer to homicide, and the waiting is excruciating. A chance encounter at her favorite diner one morning sets off a chain of events that will test her detective abilities and her resolve to do whatever necessary to unearth the truth on a case that was solved and closed with absolutely no hint at anything more sinister than a suicidal bus driver. Nothing about Collision of Lies is ordinary or stale. The plot is unique, the characters are painted with an extremely colorful brush (including a pet iguana named Larry), and the twists and surprises will keep you riveted. No dramatic irony here because the reader finds out everything bit by bit right along with the main characters.
Even though the clues take their sweet time drifting in, the plot remains thoroughly engaging and fast paced, with a sense of urgency and bewilderment building to a fever pitch. What exactly happened on that fateful day three years ago in Cotulla, Texas, when a freight train slammed into a school bus full of children?
Tom Threadgill delivers a story so outlandish and so intricate that you can’t help but fall headlong into it and come up believing that it could all really happen, and on an international stage no less. If that sounds cryptic, then good. Racing through the pages to discover the truth alongside Detective Alvarez and all the others must be experienced and fully appreciated firsthand. The entertainment level is off the charts in Collision of Lies, and great news! This is just book one.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
This year is churning out remarkable reading experiences, and this latest read is by far one of my favorites!
With an opening chapter that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go until its very contemplative ending, this book will take you on a ride unlike any other. It’s hard for me to believe that my reflections on this story will adequately give it the justice it so deeply deserves. There is so much to unpack, but as with any thriller or mystery, it’s best to go into it with as little information as possible in order to feel the complete impact this book has to offer. However, with every ounce of bias I have, let’s just say that I was blown away!
“I feel like this whole thing is right there on the fringes. Like some great conspiracy that’s got just enough semi-facts to make it plausible, but not enough to make it believable.”
Masterfully told, this intricate plot posits the idea that perhaps the most tragic accident the town of Cotulla ever experienced may have in fact been a lie. Three years after those catastrophic events, a victim’s family receives an unknown text simply stating “Help me, Mom.” What initially begins as a quiet, internal examination into a potentially bad prank gradually unleashes a torrent of law enforcement expertise to unveil an extensive cover up. With immense compassion and the right amount of curiosity, detective Amara Alvarez solidifies her footprint among other great female investigators in the suspense genre. This story is smart, perceptive, riveting, fast paced, and incredibly hard to put down. Short, suspense filled chapters keep the pace moving at breakneck speed and the pages flying!
Readers follow Amara in this spectacular view of the criminal investigation as well as bearing witness in her pursuit towards becoming a homicide detective, a vastly different line of work than her current assignment in property crimes. All along the way, we see how committed she is to her profession and the proficiency she displays that will continue to make her successful. This opportunity to watch the case unfold alongside Amara is captivating to read and will tug at every emotion. There is a sneak peek into the next book of the series, which I CANNOT wait for now! Especially to see more of the ME, Dr. Pritchard, an eccentric individual with an affinity for explaining idioms and developing creative methods to enjoy annoyingly messy snacks. Every character has a personality, and it will be hard not to enjoy every minute of their company.
Though the book is published by a Christian fiction publisher, the story will have you reevaluating any preconceived notions you might have had about that label. In an author interview for a previous post on the blog tour, which you can check out HERE, the author states that while his faith dictates how he will write, it doesn’t include a heavy dose of religion: “I’m writing to entertain, not convert, and trying to be true to what I believe.” In his hands, the author’s deft storytelling has crafted a narrative to rival the more mainstream bestsellers without graphic language, sex, or violence.
This book delivers thrilling suspense and action that keeps coming to the very end and should not be missed!
Many thanks to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing me with a free copy of the book. This is my honest and thoughtful exchange.