The Lost Sheep

A Colton Parker Mystery #4

by Brandt Dodson

Readers who loved the first three Colton Parker Mysteries will devour this latest entry in the fast–paced and highly recommended series. After closing a high profile case, Colton Parker’s life is beginning to turn around. His detective agency has money in the bank, a growing clientele, and the relationship between Colton and FBI agent Mary Christopher is beginning to blossom. Things are looking up...until his daughter, Callie, vanishes. The search for Callie will lead Colton into a world he has never seen. A world where everything is wrong—and wrong is right. A world where light is exchanged for darkness, and the truth is sacrificed for a lie. If Colton is to save Callie in time, he will need to confront evil where it dwells. A confrontation that will affect both father and daughter for all eternity.

Genres: Christian Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Brandt was born and raised on the west side of Indianapolis and comes from a long line of police officers. He was formerly employed by the Indianapolis Field Office of the FBI before serving as a Lt. in the United States Naval Reserve.

He is a graduate of Ben Davis High School and Indiana Central University (now known as the University of Indianapolis) and received his doctorate in Chicago, Illinois.

Brandt is the creator of the Indianapolis-based Colton Parker series, the Chicago-based Sons of Jude series, as well as several short stories and stand-alone novels. He has had his play adapted by a dinner theatre and it opened in March of 2013.

Brandt lives in southern Indiana where he is at work on his next novel.

Reviews

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book about missing daughter, guy going to find her. Not a huge amount of spiritual content, and ended rather abruptly.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth entry in Brandt Dodson's Colton Parker series finds the titular PI as he tries to build his clientele, bolster his always-lean finances, and most importantly, forge a relationship with his daughter Cassie while both are still grieving the death of his wife.

Colton learns that Cassie may have been associating with "Goths" and possibly Satanists. He scours Indianapolis looking for clues, and eventually travels to Las Vegas, where an unconventional preacher, Marty, helps him to navigate the city's red light district. Dodson's style is sparse and a welcome masucline voice in the mystery genre of inspirational fiction. Colton has his own vices--a tendency to get rough with the suspects and a lingering disregard for the rules, which is why he is no longer with the FBI.

Novelist Eric Wilson describes Parker: "Colton is one of the best current characters in mystery fiction, mixing the old-school traits of a Dashiell Hammett private eye with the modern sensibilities of a Jonathan Kellerman."

The book is Christian fiction, and readers of the previous novels know that Colton isn't a believer. He blames God for the death of his wife, asking repeatedly how God can exist and watch over all the evil in this world. A local pastor who has ties to both Las Vegas and to Marty helps Colton on his spiritual journey, and eventually Colton realizes that he needs to connect with Cassie not only literally and emotionally but also spiritually.

I like Colton Parker because deep down, he wants to do the right thing but sometimes he simply cannot. He believes that the ends justify the means and is deeply cynical about humanity in general. He is flawed and falliable (as are we all), but he is a good person who finds redemption. I hope there is another book in the series but even if there isn't, this is a terrific mystery series that deserves a wider readership.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last in the Colin Parker series. Really getting fond of Colin. He has had a rough time through this series. I think this may end up being the book that gives us hope for him.