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Liked It “Brandilyn Collins writes Christian suspense novels with the tag-line “Don’t forget to breathe.” Her novel, Dark Pursuit, certainly merits the warning. It’s a story that starts with a quick trip home and just the odd thing out of place, then rushes into murder and mayhem, leaving...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Brandilyn Collins writes Christian suspense novels with the tag-line “Don’t forget to breathe.” Her novel, Dark Pursuit, certainly merits the warning. It’s a story that starts with a quick trip home and just the odd thing out of place, then rushes into murder and mayhem, leaving twenty-two-year-old Kaitlan unsure who to trust. The boyfriend might be a murderer. The novelist grandfather wants nothing to do with her, nor she with him. And the police are more concerned with her past than her security.
Sheila Deeth wrote this review Wednesday, November 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Of course, the grandfather’s not just any old novelist. He’s a suspense novelist, with a penchant for setting up scary situations and resolving them. But it’s been a while and the words and the plots won’t come, so it’s with mixed motives that he sets out to help Kaitlan, and with mixed results.
Surprising twists lie in the final scenes. Even if you’ve guessed some of them you probably won’t have predicted everything. I certainly hadn’t.
The dialog creates clearly recognizable characters and relationships, and the story will have you pondering the motivations behind your own pursuits, dark or light, long after it’s finished. I recommend it as an exciting, intriguing read, but don’t forget to breathe.
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“Storyline: Darell Brooke, an author who was involved in an accident, used to live for his title of the King of Suspense. Now, he lives for the time he can write that coveted hundredth book. But his mind, damaged by the accident, doesn’t want to cooperate.
Heather wrote this review Thursday, September 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Kaitlan Sering is his 22-year-old granddaughter. After four years of estrangement, brought on because she tried to steal from him to support her drug habit, Kaitlan runs back to him with a problem. A dead body just showed up in her apartment—and she thinks the killer is her boyfriend, policeman Craig Barlow. Worse yet, she’s pregnant—with a murderer’s child.
My Thoughts: Even though Kaitlan thinks she knows the killer, the entire plot is super suspenseful and frightening. Once again, Brandilyn Collins has done an excellent job of describing her characters and pulling the reader completely into their world.
Kaitlan, though a lapsed Christian, resolutely stands up to Darell when he wants her to get an abortion. I very much appreciated that she didn’t even have the slightest doubt about wanting to give birth to the baby.
Darell provided a major insight to me as the book spoke of his putting career of family, and the ensuing anger when he can no longer write. Of course, there were other characters—Margaret, Darell’s caretaker/editor, who’s Christian encouragement was a source of light throughout the book. Craig, an incredible jerk who protects his secrets at all costs. Hallie, his too bubbly and outgoing sister; his father, the chief of police who doesn’t seem to be doing his job.
The creepiest part of the book were the chapters labeled “Obsession”—written in first person from the killer’s pov.
This was indeed worthy of the title Dark Pursuit. The book was dark, and because of that I can’t truly say I “enjoyed” it—more like I was dragged along and was glad to surface into the light of God’s truth. This is a classic case of, “Showing the darkness more darkly so the light can shine more brightly.” (Ted Dekker.) However, it was a fascinating read, mostly because of Darell’s schemes to catch the killer, and because of the blinding, turn-the-story-on-it’s-head twist that occurs within the book’s last 20 pages.
I almost screamed out loud when the twist happened, by the way.
Personally, I think I’m done with Brandilyn Collins for a while. Too much suspense can’t be good for your heart! :0)
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“Very good”
Debbie S wrote this review Tuesday, May 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This one was good . . . really good. Once I got into this novel and understood what was happening, I had a hard time putting this one down. Collins has done it again. The plot was riveting, and just when I thought I knew who was doing the murders, I was in for a big surprise. Great twist at the end. Believable characters. Real-life conflicts. A flawed protagonist who sees her need for God. A creepy killer who must be stopped before he goes after Kaitlan. What's not to like? I've read several by Collins, but I think this one is definitely one of her best. Don't miss this one.”
Adam Blumer wrote this review Saturday, January 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Could it be another first in a series by Brandilyn Collins? I certainly hope so! “Dark Pursuit” is the suspenseful tale of an author who wants to resume his career after an accident pulled him off-track. He’s brought into a web of intrigue by his estranged granddaughter. I love these characters and the short, gripping chapters. They kept me on the edge of my seat. Brandilyn’s signature of using different typefaces to differentiate between the main storyline, the villain’s thoughts and the author’s manuscript is a wonderful feature of her books.”
Stacey D wrote this review Saturday, December 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When Brandilyn Collins trademarked her books Seatbelt Suspense, she set a high standard for herself. For those who wear their seatbelts out reading Brandilyn's books, Dark Pursuit, her most recent novel, will not disappoint.
Chandra Lynn S wrote this review Wednesday, December 10 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Kaitlan Sering is twenty- years old, has reformed from a life of drug abuse and rebuilt herself. She has her own successful hair salon business, a great boyfriend, her own house, and a dead woman in her bed. Kaitlan must make a difficult decision. She returns to her estranged grandfather's house. He is the grandfather she stole from to support her drug habit, and who is known the world over for his great suspense novels. When Kaitlan discovers evidence that her charming boyfriend is the murderer of the woman in her house and two other women in town, she knows she must trust her angry, memory- challenged grandfather with her life and that of her unborn child.
With finesse and skill Brandilyn Collins lures her readers into a sense of comfort knowing the grandfather will come through with the perfect pan for capturing the killer while keeping Kaitlan safe. Then she completely throws all previously perceived solutions to the wind testing to be sure the readers' seatbelts are securely fastened. From the opening page until the end the reader travels a journey with Kaitlan that will frighten and challenge. Go ahead, buy the book, open the first page . . . but first, be sure your calendar is clear, your lights are on, and your seatbelt is tight.
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“Dark Pursuit was a fast paced read with plenty of twists and turns to make the reader dizzy. I had a hard time putting the book down because it kept building and the tension increased with every chapter. But that is how good suspenses are supposed to be. Brandilyn certainly knows how to raise the reader's anxiety level. The spiritual thread seemed naturally woven in to the storyline and I enjoyed every page. The only thing is that at the end I didn't totally buy how things turned out. Call me a skeptic but the foundation for the end didn't seem strong enough to me. Up until that point I was hooked. Now don't get me wrong. It was an amazing read, but short of divulging a spoiler I can't really say what I mean. Nine out of ten people will be fine with the final chapters but it didn't work that way for me. But I tend to be a skeptic anyway and suspense isn't my favorite genre. I think the problem is also that I loved Crimson Eve so much that none of Brandilyn's other stories can top it. :) As far as suspense novelists go, however, Brandilyn is clearly one of the best there is.
MichelleSutton wrote this review Friday, December 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins is the newest thriller by Christian fiction's Queen of Suspense. Darell Brooke was the King of Suspense for over twenty years, until a car accident robbed him of his ability to focus and remember. After a fight with his granddaughter, Kaitlan, he kicked her out of his house and his life, but when her life is in danger from her boyfriend, Darell may be the only one who can save her, if he can keep his wits about him for long enough to outsmart a ruthless killer. I don't know where Collins comes up with her ideas, but sometimes I worry about her ability to get inside of the head of a killer with such chilling accuracy and detail. Collins is famous for writing "Seatbelt Suspense", and it is a title well earned! From the opening page to the final word, I couldn't put this book down, and the pages simply flew by! Collins writes with a great talent for creating likable, believable characters and mind-boggling circumstances. She's created another thrilling winner!
clockstein wrote this review Wednesday, December 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“This is my kind of thriller! I began reading it as soon as it came into my home, and I became frustrated as my busy schedule forced me to put it down to attend to other things--like LIFE! I wanted to read non-stop!
SmilingSally wrote this review Saturday, January 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's written in third person voice, and it's interspersed with the chapters of the killer written in first person. Different fonts are used to further enhance the killer's thoughts. (*shudder*) There's a touch of romance, plenty of drama, and tons of suspense. I loved it!
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