Collision of Lies

Collision of Lies had me hooked from the first page. The suspense built throughout the book. No way was I putting the story down until I finished it. I loved Amara! Her relationships with her family, her pet iguana, and her co-workers add humor to the book. She genuinely cared about the victims of the crimes. Tom Threadgill’s writing is easy to read and understand which makes for a great reading experience. The plot is filled with twists and turns and moves at a good pace. I highly recommend this book, especially to those readers who prefer clean fiction and love suspense. I received a copy from the publisher.

Masterfully intriguing mystery…

I could not put this book down once I opened it. An excellent and spoiler-free plot summary is provided in the book blurb so I will not reduplicate that effort. What I will say is that Tom Threadgill has proven himself to be the maestro of mystery in this captivating and highly original story about the reinvestigation of what had supposedly been an open and shut case of murder-suicide on the part of a school bus driver in a small Texas town. Having read Mr. Threadgill’s previous books featuring Jeremy Winter, I was already familiar with the author’s ability to develop amazing characters who are not bullet-proof superhuman masters of spycraft but, rather, very likeable, highly relatable human beings complete with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, doubts and endearing quirks. I was delighted to find a brief nod to Jeremy Winter in this story and was thrilled that the author chose to introduce a woman, Detective Amara Alvarez, as the protagonist in this book. This gripping tale kept me completely engaged from start to finish. It is a clean, well-written, enthralling mystery with near-suffocating suspense that fueled my curiosity and kept me flipping pages late into the night. There is no graphic violence, no explicit sex, no offensive language, just edge-of-your-seat tension and enough twists and turns to shame the mightiest roller coaster. I only hope the author chooses to offer many more adventures for Amara, her friends and colleagues, and the incredibly lovable Larry (her iguana).

I was provided with an advance copy of this book by the publisher and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.

If you find this review helpful, I would appreciate you so indicating.

After reading his Winter series, I signed up for Tom Threadgill’s email and received this book free from the publisher for an honest review. I finished the book in one day, so that should provide some precursor to my opinion, but let me be a little more specific.

The writing. I have read a few early copies of books and most have serious need of editing, this was the exception. There were no extraneous errors, no plot inconsistencies, and no typographical or syntax errors to interfere with the book’s flow. I was immediately drawn to the character development. This is often problematic, but the introductions, background and personalities of the characters were impeccably developed and were spot-on, fleshing them out and resulting in my immediate connection with Amara, and ultimately with all of the primary characters in the book. There was enough time spent in personal details to flesh out not only Amara, but also the other persons in her orbit. I found myself caring for each of them and concerned with their well-being. Making her likable also was a positive, along with her obvious skill as a detective. The prose was very well written, and definitely reflected one of the better writers I have sampled recently.

The story line. From the first meeting with the parents until the conclusion, the story was tightly constructed and held my interest – enough so that I finished the book in one sitting. When Amara accidentally meets with grieving parents who believe they have just received a message from their son who was killed in an accident 3 years prior she reluctantly agrees to pursue the matter on her own, despite residing in the burglary division of the San Antonio PD. After a note of apology appears on another victim’s mother’s car, things start to create doubts about a catastrophic train accident that killed a number of children. Continuously pulling on the slim threads of the clues, Amara unearths evidence of a plot that includes deceit, murder and complicity in those with whom she works, and some characters who lurk in the shadows. Leaning on her deductive skills and engaging a Texas Ranger, a homicide detective and ultimately the highest levels of the PD and the FBI, she manages to put all the pieces together for a satisfying conclusion. Any more detail would amount to a huge spoiler for the reader, so I will stop here.

I can honestly say it was an excellent novel, and one I enjoyed immensely. Tom is a great writer and his ability to hold my interest so well means a long relationship as a reader.

Tom Threadgill has done it again!! This book is a must read if you like Christian Suspense. It brings you in on the first page and doesn’t let go until the last, if you have never read anything of his you don’t know what your missing. This is a whole new Cast of Characters with a leading Lady I can’t wait to see what happens next

“Collision of Lies” by Tom Threadgill was a great read! This was my first book written by this author. I am looking forward to reading more of his books. This book hooked me from the first page. There were some major twists.

I really enjoyed the characters, especially the main character, Amara. Amara is a police detective who discovers a clue on an “accident” that happened three yeas ago, involving a school bus full of children and a freight train. Amara teams up with some more detectives to find out what really happened three years ago.

I highly recommend this book. It kept my attention all the way through.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

First, this book was published by Revell so I expected it to be an actual Christian fiction. While it was a clean read, for the most part, I would not call it Christian in any way. In fact, there were 2 times when sexual activity was hinted at between unmarried people. This was sad and not needed. The other thing that made it not a Christian book in my eyes is that there was only reference to God in ways that anyone would say things like “Thank God”.

My overall opinion of the book though was it was interesting and held my interest throughout. The editing was very well done, especially considering I was given an ARC. I was disappointed that one thing was left unanswered but I cannot say what as it would give away too much of the story. Tom Threadgill did a nice job of introducing his characters and giving them life. They were very believable. He is also a good storyteller, building tensions and giving answers in a timely manner.

I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you like a good mystery, you will enjoy this book. LibraryThing gave me this book, but the review and opinions are totally mine and not required.

Did. not care for this book st all.

When I signed up to review this book I thought it would be sad, suspenseful, enjoyable, and maybe have a little romance.
From flipping through the last bit of the book trying to get into it I found out I was right … Do you hear the “but” yet? Because it is there.
BUT the lead lady, Amara, is divorced, now I know that for the reasons she’s divorced are okay according to the Bible, cheating and all, I just can’t read it. It is so cliche, and sickening. So, I am not going to finish the book since there are so so many suspense that I’d found lately where the main lady is divorced and it is quickly getting old.
Sad.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Thank you in advance to Revell Books (a division of Baker Books Publishing) for providing a complimentary review through their Revell Reviewers program. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.

Last year, during part of a “tour” with a publicity/review group, I was introduced to the genre of Christian Suspense. As I like suspense, this was an intriguing genre to me. I didn’t see how the two could co-exist. But, I quickly fell in love with it. And, it’s easily one of my favorite genres.

Tom Threadgill is a new author to Revell, and he knocks this genre out of the park with this novel.

Right off the cover is striking, and haunting, especially given the title – “Collision of Lies”.

Warning –> if kids in peril bothers you, then I would skip this book. However you do not see it depicted. By the time the book starts the accident is over three (3) years old. There are some vivid descriptions of the accident’s aftermath though.

With that said …

The story begins rather slowly with a chance encounter at a café between a grieving set of parents and Detective Amara Alvarez. Amara is a property crimes detective that wants to move into homicide.

Amara is doubtful about a text the parents have received that calls into question as to how their son, who died three years earlier, could send them a text. The mother is convinced that somehow her son survived, the father not so much.

Amara decides to only look into things to perhaps ease the mother’s feelings. And, she is working real cases that need to be solved. After all, several agencies investigated – the FBI, the local police, NTSB, the railroad authorities. Amara notes it’d be easier to name who wasn’t involved.

Like the tagline said – But it was an accident. Right?

That’s all she can find. There’s no evidence to the contrary. But, things just aren’t right. A seemingly unrelated double murder strikes the characters in this book wrongs. But, the people are unconnected. B

That is until a connection is found (a slight one), prompting Texas Ranger, Sara Colby, to be called in to “re-open” the Cotulla case. It is more an unofficial opening though, and it is to remain secretive.

I loved how Threadgill only threw out samples, like the supermarket samples – enough to get a taste, but nothing serious. Nothing to really bust the case wide open with the “ah-ha”, “here it is” moment.

The author, and forgive me for saying this, is sneaky. Up until halfway, he’s only throwing scraps at the characters and the readers. I had to keep reading to see where he was taking this story. The chapters were short, which made the pace of the novel almost non-stop. It was difficult to put down.

Due to the ME’s finding on some DNA, everything about the case becomes suspect. And, everyone involved becomes suspect as well – the police department, the ME’s office – nothing (and no one) is to be believed.

Eventually, the small pieces come together and the case is officially re-opened, causing the FBI to become involved.

Then the roller coaster ride begins. And, this isn’t a simple up/down, around type. This is the extreme – trip/upside down loops. Just when you think that you’ve got it figured out – nope. Nothing is to be believed and time begins crucial.

It is a “thrill a minute” type of read with some moments of levity that even made me laugh, which was courtesy of another character – Detective Jeremiah Peckham with the nickname of “Starsky”. As a fan of the TV series, Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) was my FAVORITE. I also liked how the author referenced the TV series in Amara’s search.

There are some romantic elements – an older detective, Wylie, with Amara’s mom; Sara and the Medical Examiner; Amara and Starsky. I’m really hoping that we can find out why he got the nickname (though I think I know – his character’s personality), and I want to see them two together. They truly complement each other. And, I’d love to see them work a complete case together.

Threadgill writes two solid female leads in this – Amara and Colby. They’re strong without diminishing the role of the men in the novel either. They’re balanced and work together.

While sold by a Christian fiction group – this book lacks Christian references. Those who worry it may be “preachy” will find it isn’t. Faith, if any, is kept to a bare, almost miniscule level. However it is a solid clean read without the use of vulgarity, graphic language, profane language, or sexual references. Threadgill proves that a story can work and be riveting without using them.

This is the first novel I’ve read by the author, and with the teaser at the end of this one, I doubt it is going to be the last.

I really enjoyed this story. Interesting characters. Nice tension throughout. Loved the ending, because in some ways it reminded me of my favorite (possibly the most heartbreaking) episode of Criminal Minds. I won’t say which since I don’t want to spoil it for you. Now, I want a pet iguana.
I received a free copy from the publisher, but my opinions are completely my own