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Beckon
Some things weren’t meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin’s disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town’s ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive?
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2012
30 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Tom Pawlik
10 books67 followersJUMP IN. HANG ON.
Tom Pawlik award-winning author of the The Quantum Chronicles a series of rip-roaring space adventures featuring his half-alien hero, Johnny Quantum. He has also written Vanish, Valley of the Shadow, Beckon, The Way Back, Son of Man and Recollection from the 7 Hours anthology. His thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrillers are infused with nonstop suspense that grabs you on the first page and won't let go until the last. He lives in Ohio with his wife, six children and one large dog. He currently works as a novelist, educator and freelance writer. He’s also an accomplished public speaker and loves to address almost any group to talk about writing, story, art and culture or just about any other topic he thinks he knows everything about.
Tom Pawlik award-winning author of the The Quantum Chronicles a series of rip-roaring space adventures featuring his half-alien hero, Johnny Quantum. He has also written Vanish, Valley of the Shadow, Beckon, The Way Back, Son of Man and Recollection from the 7 Hours anthology. His thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrillers are infused with nonstop suspense that grabs you on the first page and won't let go until the last. He lives in Ohio with his wife, six children and one large dog. He currently works as a novelist, educator and freelance writer. He’s also an accomplished public speaker and loves to address almost any group to talk about writing, story, art and culture or just about any other topic he thinks he knows everything about.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 30, 2012
First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.
Oh. My Word.
Okay, this book officially freaked me out!
Before I say anything else about this book, be forewarned that if you are squeamish about creepy-crawlies (like me!) then this book is going to have an even bigger impact on you! Not in a bad way, mind you…only that you’re probably going to pretty jumpy during the reading of Beckon. I know I sure was! (There is a hilarious story about my run-in with a fly while reading this book…but I’ll forgo telling you, since this IS a review. :-)
I had no clue what I was getting into when I picked up Beckon. The synopsis was very vague and, really, all I knew was that it was a suspense (which is why I decided to give it a try). Boy, is it a suspense alright! It only took a few chapters for the plot to get very suspenseful, and the intense action only continues to mount throughout this 400 page book.
Tom Pawlik has really done a fabulous job on this story plot. A few times the writing felt more like ‘telling’ then ‘showing’, but with all that action and suspense I barely noticed it. I will be honest and say I had my doubts about Beckon. I'd never read anything by Pawlik before and wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong!
While Beckon does require you to stretch your imagination a little, I don’t think it is totally far-fetched. I mean, aren’t scientists discovering knew animals/species still today?? So, as I said, it’s not a very big stretch. Reminded me a bit of Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti’s books. I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more books by Pawlik in the future. This author has my attention!
Oh. My Word.
Okay, this book officially freaked me out!
Before I say anything else about this book, be forewarned that if you are squeamish about creepy-crawlies (like me!) then this book is going to have an even bigger impact on you! Not in a bad way, mind you…only that you’re probably going to pretty jumpy during the reading of Beckon. I know I sure was! (There is a hilarious story about my run-in with a fly while reading this book…but I’ll forgo telling you, since this IS a review. :-)
I had no clue what I was getting into when I picked up Beckon. The synopsis was very vague and, really, all I knew was that it was a suspense (which is why I decided to give it a try). Boy, is it a suspense alright! It only took a few chapters for the plot to get very suspenseful, and the intense action only continues to mount throughout this 400 page book.
Tom Pawlik has really done a fabulous job on this story plot. A few times the writing felt more like ‘telling’ then ‘showing’, but with all that action and suspense I barely noticed it. I will be honest and say I had my doubts about Beckon. I'd never read anything by Pawlik before and wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong!
While Beckon does require you to stretch your imagination a little, I don’t think it is totally far-fetched. I mean, aren’t scientists discovering knew animals/species still today?? So, as I said, it’s not a very big stretch. Reminded me a bit of Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti’s books. I will certainly be keeping my eye out for more books by Pawlik in the future. This author has my attention!
April 6, 2012
BECKON by Tom Pawlik
List Price: 12.99
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3873-6
Binding: Softcover
Release: April 2012
People are missing. Jack Kendrick, a 21-year old anthropologist, is searching for his father. Elina Gutierrez, on administrative leave from LAPD, is searching for her cousin. But missing persons are only the tip of the iceberg in this suspenseful tale of supernatural evil.
Jack Kendrick's last memory of his father was when he was nine years old. His father, an anthropologist at the University of Chicago, was leaving to go out West to research a legend of an ancient subterranean civilization. His father never returned. Upon graduating with a degree in anthropology, Jack enlists the help of his friend Rudy to go out West to look for answers regarding his father's disappearance. Elina Gutierrez, on leave from LAPD for shooting an innocent man while chasing a suspect, has come to Wyoming to search for her missing cousin. Javier was last seen entering a white van whose driver promised work in Las Vegas. Elina has tracked the van to Beckon, Wyoming. George has brought his wife Miriam to Beckon, hoping for a medical miracle. Their paths converge in a place of unspeakable horror.
Because I don't believe in ruining books for other readers with "spoiler alerts", I won't discuss the plot any further. Suffice it to say that is a gripping horror story that will hold the reader's interest right up until the last page. Having been an avid reader my entire life, I am admittedly a picky reviewer. I do not give compliments lightly. But after reading this novel, I can truthfully say that Tom Pawlik is on the level of Ted Dekker and Stephen King. Authors such as Pawlik and Dekker are giving long overdue credibility to the genre of Christian fiction.
If using the familiar 1-5 star rating, this novel would definitely deserve at least a 7.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blogger Network book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
List Price: 12.99
ISBN: 978-1-4143-3873-6
Binding: Softcover
Release: April 2012
People are missing. Jack Kendrick, a 21-year old anthropologist, is searching for his father. Elina Gutierrez, on administrative leave from LAPD, is searching for her cousin. But missing persons are only the tip of the iceberg in this suspenseful tale of supernatural evil.
Jack Kendrick's last memory of his father was when he was nine years old. His father, an anthropologist at the University of Chicago, was leaving to go out West to research a legend of an ancient subterranean civilization. His father never returned. Upon graduating with a degree in anthropology, Jack enlists the help of his friend Rudy to go out West to look for answers regarding his father's disappearance. Elina Gutierrez, on leave from LAPD for shooting an innocent man while chasing a suspect, has come to Wyoming to search for her missing cousin. Javier was last seen entering a white van whose driver promised work in Las Vegas. Elina has tracked the van to Beckon, Wyoming. George has brought his wife Miriam to Beckon, hoping for a medical miracle. Their paths converge in a place of unspeakable horror.
Because I don't believe in ruining books for other readers with "spoiler alerts", I won't discuss the plot any further. Suffice it to say that is a gripping horror story that will hold the reader's interest right up until the last page. Having been an avid reader my entire life, I am admittedly a picky reviewer. I do not give compliments lightly. But after reading this novel, I can truthfully say that Tom Pawlik is on the level of Ted Dekker and Stephen King. Authors such as Pawlik and Dekker are giving long overdue credibility to the genre of Christian fiction.
If using the familiar 1-5 star rating, this novel would definitely deserve at least a 7.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale Blogger Network book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 22, 2012
A chilling tale that asks the question, "If you could live virtually forever, would you? And at what cost?"
Jack, Elina, George, and Miriam all find themselves in Beckon, Wyoming. Chilling events and mysterious rituals are plentiful, but are they just a cover for an unspeakable evil?
Beckon was a bit of a slow for me, and at first I worried that maybe this wasn't my type of book, but I was soon proved wrong. No sooner had the thought run through my head then the book really took off! And after that I was turning pages with lightning speed, hanging on each page trying to figure out what would happen next. Because I had to know!
If I was trying to describe this tale I would say that it was like an Indiana Jones tale, with a Dorian Grey twist. Compelling adventure, that will send your heart pounding and the gears of your brain spinning. An adventure that will satisfy even the most hard to please. I think what I like most was how it subtly asked deep questions about life, and living, and how nothing can compare to eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Overall a thrilling, wild ride of a read. There were scenes that were in my mind quite violent, but Mr. Pawlik described them in a way that gave me the complete picture yet at the same time weren't terribly explicit.
This is a book that I would highly recommend to suspense readers. Thank you!
I received this book from the publisher through CSFF in exchange for an honest review.
Jack, Elina, George, and Miriam all find themselves in Beckon, Wyoming. Chilling events and mysterious rituals are plentiful, but are they just a cover for an unspeakable evil?
Beckon was a bit of a slow for me, and at first I worried that maybe this wasn't my type of book, but I was soon proved wrong. No sooner had the thought run through my head then the book really took off! And after that I was turning pages with lightning speed, hanging on each page trying to figure out what would happen next. Because I had to know!
If I was trying to describe this tale I would say that it was like an Indiana Jones tale, with a Dorian Grey twist. Compelling adventure, that will send your heart pounding and the gears of your brain spinning. An adventure that will satisfy even the most hard to please. I think what I like most was how it subtly asked deep questions about life, and living, and how nothing can compare to eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Overall a thrilling, wild ride of a read. There were scenes that were in my mind quite violent, but Mr. Pawlik described them in a way that gave me the complete picture yet at the same time weren't terribly explicit.
This is a book that I would highly recommend to suspense readers. Thank you!
I received this book from the publisher through CSFF in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2017
Pawlik is definitely one of the Kings of Weird. This was an engrossing read. I'm a nighttime reader, and this book was quite the nightly bedtime story.
April 9, 2012
The lives of three people collide in the town of Beckon, each drawn there for a different but life changing reason.
The story opens with Jack, a young anthropologist who wants to find what happened to his father who disappeared when Jack was just nine. Teamed with his best friend and a Native American guide, they begin a search in the caves near Beckon, Wyoming.
Elina—an ex-cop—is searching for her missing cousin, and finds much more than she bargained for. But it’s her renewed and steadfast faith in God that brings things to a head in the end.
George arrives in Beckon on the lure of a cure for his beloved wife’s Alzheimer’s. At seventy-three, he still has plenty of life left in him to handle the truth of what really goes on with the “cure.”
This book is a page turner, one of those that kept me up past my fairly set bedtime. I’m not a huge sci-fi reader, but this book felt normal enough to have me contemplating how this could actually happen.
Real characters, real drama, real action, real danger—Tom Pawlik combined all these things to make an excellent read. As a disclaimer for milder readers such as myself: There’s a bit of goriness which I generally avoid in reading or movies, but nothing I couldn’t skim over if I didn’t want to imagine the images too vividly.
Overall, a great thriller with themes of faith, family, and the realities of immortality.
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book
The story opens with Jack, a young anthropologist who wants to find what happened to his father who disappeared when Jack was just nine. Teamed with his best friend and a Native American guide, they begin a search in the caves near Beckon, Wyoming.
Elina—an ex-cop—is searching for her missing cousin, and finds much more than she bargained for. But it’s her renewed and steadfast faith in God that brings things to a head in the end.
George arrives in Beckon on the lure of a cure for his beloved wife’s Alzheimer’s. At seventy-three, he still has plenty of life left in him to handle the truth of what really goes on with the “cure.”
This book is a page turner, one of those that kept me up past my fairly set bedtime. I’m not a huge sci-fi reader, but this book felt normal enough to have me contemplating how this could actually happen.
Real characters, real drama, real action, real danger—Tom Pawlik combined all these things to make an excellent read. As a disclaimer for milder readers such as myself: There’s a bit of goriness which I generally avoid in reading or movies, but nothing I couldn’t skim over if I didn’t want to imagine the images too vividly.
Overall, a great thriller with themes of faith, family, and the realities of immortality.
For Him,
Sarah Elisabeth
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book
March 5, 2017
Overall a good read. Unpredictable and quite creative. It seemed like a mix between a Ted Dekker, James Rollins, and Dean Koontz novel. Action, mystery, darkness, with a little bit of inspiration. With a smattering of Christian overtones, but not too much to be cheesy. Pawlik does a very good job of interjecting a Christian message of love and hope without the silly Bible thumping that comes in "Christian" novels. I was really enjoying how the story started out as an adventure into a cave and tunnels, complete with mysterious creatures and all. But it took a different turn after a 1/4 way through (no spoiler) and it seemed the storyline changed quite a bit. And, from that point on my interest waned a bit, but not enough to stop reading, though with less enthusiasm. It had a good ending. I've really enjoyed Pawlik's writings and look forward to reading more.
April 10, 2012
I’ve never read any books by Tom Pawlik, but now have another favorite author. This book Beckon is just incredible and bizarre that I will read all books I can get my hands on from Tom Pawlik.
Beckon is the name of a town that not very many people know about. In this book three people either stumble or are invited into Beckon. What they find there is so weird you won‘t believe it, but won‘t be able to stop reading this fantastic book.
Tom Pawlik has such an imagination and the plot to this book is just incredible. You won’t be bored for a moment reading this book. The twists and turns will keep you glued to your seat and up late into the night reading Beckon, but I don’t know if you want to read this book at night.
If you like Ted Dekker or Stephen King you will love books by Tom Pawlik. This book is a psychological thriller. After reading you won’t want to be alone in the dark and the sunlight never looked so good.
Highly recommended for all of you readers of thrilling suspense.
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
Beckon is the name of a town that not very many people know about. In this book three people either stumble or are invited into Beckon. What they find there is so weird you won‘t believe it, but won‘t be able to stop reading this fantastic book.
Tom Pawlik has such an imagination and the plot to this book is just incredible. You won’t be bored for a moment reading this book. The twists and turns will keep you glued to your seat and up late into the night reading Beckon, but I don’t know if you want to read this book at night.
If you like Ted Dekker or Stephen King you will love books by Tom Pawlik. This book is a psychological thriller. After reading you won’t want to be alone in the dark and the sunlight never looked so good.
Highly recommended for all of you readers of thrilling suspense.
Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
Read
May 2, 2012Come. And live forever.
Sound interesting? I picked up this book, and literally couldn't put it down for two days. This thriller is written by Tom Pawlik, who won the Christy Award for his earlier book Vanish. Beckon tells a story from three different viewpoints. The first is from the standpoint of a young, eager archaeologist that comes to the town of Beckon in search of his father, who disappeared years ago. The second is a former Los Angeles cop named Elina who comes to Beckon when his cousin goes missing. The third is an elderly entreprenuer who plans to use his vast fortune to cure his wife's illness. All three of these characters get much more than they bargained for in the little town of Beckon, which is nothing like it seems. This book was interesting because while it was exciting and action-packed, it also explored deep concepts like human life and immortality. If you don't like bugs, don't read this book. There are plenty of those. I thought this book was expertly written and it definately held my attention until the very last page. If you're up for a heavy dose of suspense, danger, and adventure, give Beckon a shot. You will not be disappointed.
--Caleb
Sound interesting? I picked up this book, and literally couldn't put it down for two days. This thriller is written by Tom Pawlik, who won the Christy Award for his earlier book Vanish. Beckon tells a story from three different viewpoints. The first is from the standpoint of a young, eager archaeologist that comes to the town of Beckon in search of his father, who disappeared years ago. The second is a former Los Angeles cop named Elina who comes to Beckon when his cousin goes missing. The third is an elderly entreprenuer who plans to use his vast fortune to cure his wife's illness. All three of these characters get much more than they bargained for in the little town of Beckon, which is nothing like it seems. This book was interesting because while it was exciting and action-packed, it also explored deep concepts like human life and immortality. If you don't like bugs, don't read this book. There are plenty of those. I thought this book was expertly written and it definately held my attention until the very last page. If you're up for a heavy dose of suspense, danger, and adventure, give Beckon a shot. You will not be disappointed.
--Caleb
April 13, 2012
Jack Kendrick father disappeared twelve years ago, and yet he searches. Elina Gutierrez, a police officer, is also searching. A cousin went to Beckon for a job prospect and disappeared. Then there is George Wilcox. He goes to Beckon for a different reason - he was told the cure for his wife's alzheimer's could be found there.
Three different people, three strangers, all in the small town of Beckon where the suspense and chills don't stop. Those that come to Beckon don't leave, at least not alive. As the three of them get pulled deeper and deeper into the the town's secrets, they learn of a great evil. But who of them will survive to tell the tale?
Beckon is a taut, suspense driven novel that will have you up late burning the midnight oil, gripped in the story. With excellent writing, creating a world you can envision, complex and likable characters and a darkness that will give you chills, Beckon is a must read for any suspense fan!!
Three different people, three strangers, all in the small town of Beckon where the suspense and chills don't stop. Those that come to Beckon don't leave, at least not alive. As the three of them get pulled deeper and deeper into the the town's secrets, they learn of a great evil. But who of them will survive to tell the tale?
Beckon is a taut, suspense driven novel that will have you up late burning the midnight oil, gripped in the story. With excellent writing, creating a world you can envision, complex and likable characters and a darkness that will give you chills, Beckon is a must read for any suspense fan!!
July 6, 2012
The idea for the story was good, but became rather dull and predictable.
October 10, 2012
Perhaps the worst book I've ever read
August 23, 2016
3.5 Stars... Good story, but lots of unanswered questions... Limited character development when trying to understand the dynamics between two lead characters...
July 13, 2019
Okay, this book was just weird. The writing seemed a bit amateurish, the characters redundant, the plot, though freakish, too transparent.
January 15, 2023
This was a CrAzY ride!
It began with a Journey to the Center of the Earth vibe . . . until the giant spiders ate people! What doesn't make sense in that encounter is learned/understood later. I laughed out loud at the first sentence the antagonist spoke to the main female character. I love it when characters say something unexpected. The way the story unwound and then ended was very satisfying. I had no idea what to expect next.
This story has you asking: What is the value of a human life? Is one person more valuable than another? What are you willing to do to save a loved one? (Kinda like the Green Goblin in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man)
I like that the characters aren't plastic, there is no head-hopping, no swearing, and the only s3x is "off screen" and between a married couple. Lots of gore and un-aliving. The author does use filter words, but so do "best-selling authors" who also write the opposite of things I like. So, the story is written very well. My favorite character was Miriam.
I'm definitely looking for more titles by this same author. In the meantime, I'm going to deposit this book in my neighborhood Little Free Library so others can enjoy it.
It began with a Journey to the Center of the Earth vibe . . . until the giant spiders ate people! What doesn't make sense in that encounter is learned/understood later. I laughed out loud at the first sentence the antagonist spoke to the main female character. I love it when characters say something unexpected. The way the story unwound and then ended was very satisfying. I had no idea what to expect next.
This story has you asking: What is the value of a human life? Is one person more valuable than another? What are you willing to do to save a loved one? (Kinda like the Green Goblin in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man)
I like that the characters aren't plastic, there is no head-hopping, no swearing, and the only s3x is "off screen" and between a married couple. Lots of gore and un-aliving. The author does use filter words, but so do "best-selling authors" who also write the opposite of things I like. So, the story is written very well. My favorite character was Miriam.
I'm definitely looking for more titles by this same author. In the meantime, I'm going to deposit this book in my neighborhood Little Free Library so others can enjoy it.
November 14, 2018
This is probably my most favorite out of the books that I've read. It was a page turner indeed and i liked how the author wrote this book. It's not a slow story but wasn't fast either and i liked it. So far I recommend this book if u haven't read it yet.
July 21, 2020
Great read
Tom Pawlik is the only author whose book I’ve read as an adult and then had to sleep with the lights on. He has another great horror/mystery book in “Beckon.” Great character development and the pacing was good.
Tom Pawlik is the only author whose book I’ve read as an adult and then had to sleep with the lights on. He has another great horror/mystery book in “Beckon.” Great character development and the pacing was good.
September 2, 2020
This author’s books always start out with me thinking do I really want to read this. But then a quarter of the way through I’m sucked in and I can’t stop reading. This book was so weird and shocking but so good at the same time.
July 3, 2017
Not sure what I was expecting, but it did not disappoint. Did I mention that I like short chapters?
May 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this tale - an old fashioned adventure! My sister will love it. A couple of best friends, a mission, a quest and strange, eerie creatures waiting at the end.
April 29, 2022
I'm surprised this book isn't more popular. It was creepy, scary and just plain crazy. There is hardly anything about God in the book, so non Christian people will not feel that it's too much.
May 31, 2023
If this is ever made into a movie, it will scare the bravest! Suspenseful to the end.
March 14, 2017
Overall a good read. Unpredictable and quite creative. It seemed like a mix between a Ted Dekker, James Rollins, and Dean Koontz novel. Action, mystery, darkness, with a little bit of inspiration. With a smattering of Christian overtones, but not too much to be cheesy. Pawlik does a very good job of interjecting a Christian message of love and hope without the silly Bible thumping that comes in "Christian" novels. I was really enjoying how the story started out as an adventure into a cave and tunnels, complete with mysterious creatures and all. But it took a different turn after a 1/4 way through (no spoiler) and it seemed the storyline changed quite a bit. And, from that point on my interest waned a bit, but not enough to stop reading, though with less enthusiasm. It had a good ending. I've really enjoyed Pawlik's writings and look forward to reading more.
May 26, 2012
The Story. Jack Kendrick wants to find out what happened to his missing archaeologist father so that he can rehabilitate his legacy. He finds a clue pointing to his dad’s last known destination, an Indian reservation in Wyoming. He talks his best friend Rudy into a road trip and heads west. They learn helpful information from an Indian legend and follow a guide into a cave that leads to a system of tunnels where they encounter horror and death.
Elina Gutierrez is a suspended LAPD cop. When she learns that her cousin is missing, she determines to do whatever it takes to find him. She knows she shouldn’t, but she sets up a one-officer stakeout and follows a van transporting immigrant workers to supposed out-of-state jobs. But rather than going to Nevada as they’d been told, the van leads her into Wyoming.
George Wilcox is at his wit’s end because his beloved wife is dying a horrible death–first losing her memories and her very personality. When he’s contacted by someone in Wyoming promising him a cure, he eagerly–though not without some skepticism–packs Miriam into the car and drives north. To the town of Beckon.
Yes, all three of these story threads weave together in the little backwater town whose nearest neighbors are the N’watu, the people of legend. Something deadly is going on in Beckon. Or is it something miraculous?
Strengths. Author Tom Pawlik is an outstanding writer. His descriptions are vivid, his story concept unique. He’s organized the book into four distinct sections, from three different points of view and in reverse chronological order. It’s not your everyday kind of book!
Mr. Pawlik has also created believable characters, each with a specific need that drives them to act. This in turn creates tension and pushes the story forward. Add in danger and suspense and the story becomes gripping.
The story raises significant questions–ones I believe to be key in our present-day culture. Central is the matter of the value of life. Are there any “throw away” people?
In my mind, this issue of necessity includes life in the womb. Are these little lives less important than the big lives of those outside the womb? Is it moral to sacrifice those little lives for the betterment of big lives?
Mr. Pawlik doesn’t just raise questions–he gives faces, and storylines, to people on both sides. Suddenly the clear-cut answers seem a little murkier.
At this point one of the characters who is a Christian steps up and does something that gives some answers for anyone thinking about the issues. Note, this character does not preach a sermon or even argue the points. She simply does something consistent with the Bible without saying that’s what she’s doing.
Which actually brings me to the next part of the review.
Weaknesses. In many ways, the act of nobility I referred to in the last section would have been perfect as part of the climax. But the story continued for some time after this pivotal event. From my perspective, the big question was answered–whose worldview would win out? The events after that point, then, didn’t carry the same significance, I didn’t think. They were a bit of fluff, if you can call horrific events “fluff.”
The other area of weakness is one I share as a writer–not presenting characters in a way that allows readers to connect with them. Of course Beckon is not a character-driven novel, and readers were pulled along by the tension, the suspense, the conflict between good and evil even if they didn’t feel particularly attached to the characters. It was a thrill ride, an adventure. At times all you could do was hold on tight and see where you ended up.
But …
Part of me thinks the story would be that much stronger if the reader cared more deeply for these people. They seemed believable, surely. They had real wants, serious dilemmas, emotional and spiritual crises to go along with the physical disasters they faced. Readers should have loved them, cheered them on, cared deeply about their choices. If we had, this book would have raced to the top of the Best Book lists, I’m fairly confident.
Recommendation. I’m not inclined to read thriller type books, but after having read Vanish, Mr. Pawlik’s Christy Award winning debut novel, I knew I would read whatever he wrote. Beckon did not dissuade me from that position. Yes, there were horrific events, but there was also hope and help and sacrifice.
I highly recommend Beckon to adults who love the creepy, the bone-chilling, the fear-inspiring, and to readers who want to consider the issues of life and immortality. It’s a good story filled with tension and intrigue and packaged in a unique structure that enhances the reading experience.
Elina Gutierrez is a suspended LAPD cop. When she learns that her cousin is missing, she determines to do whatever it takes to find him. She knows she shouldn’t, but she sets up a one-officer stakeout and follows a van transporting immigrant workers to supposed out-of-state jobs. But rather than going to Nevada as they’d been told, the van leads her into Wyoming.
George Wilcox is at his wit’s end because his beloved wife is dying a horrible death–first losing her memories and her very personality. When he’s contacted by someone in Wyoming promising him a cure, he eagerly–though not without some skepticism–packs Miriam into the car and drives north. To the town of Beckon.
Yes, all three of these story threads weave together in the little backwater town whose nearest neighbors are the N’watu, the people of legend. Something deadly is going on in Beckon. Or is it something miraculous?
Strengths. Author Tom Pawlik is an outstanding writer. His descriptions are vivid, his story concept unique. He’s organized the book into four distinct sections, from three different points of view and in reverse chronological order. It’s not your everyday kind of book!
Mr. Pawlik has also created believable characters, each with a specific need that drives them to act. This in turn creates tension and pushes the story forward. Add in danger and suspense and the story becomes gripping.
The story raises significant questions–ones I believe to be key in our present-day culture. Central is the matter of the value of life. Are there any “throw away” people?
In my mind, this issue of necessity includes life in the womb. Are these little lives less important than the big lives of those outside the womb? Is it moral to sacrifice those little lives for the betterment of big lives?
Mr. Pawlik doesn’t just raise questions–he gives faces, and storylines, to people on both sides. Suddenly the clear-cut answers seem a little murkier.
At this point one of the characters who is a Christian steps up and does something that gives some answers for anyone thinking about the issues. Note, this character does not preach a sermon or even argue the points. She simply does something consistent with the Bible without saying that’s what she’s doing.
Which actually brings me to the next part of the review.
Weaknesses. In many ways, the act of nobility I referred to in the last section would have been perfect as part of the climax. But the story continued for some time after this pivotal event. From my perspective, the big question was answered–whose worldview would win out? The events after that point, then, didn’t carry the same significance, I didn’t think. They were a bit of fluff, if you can call horrific events “fluff.”
The other area of weakness is one I share as a writer–not presenting characters in a way that allows readers to connect with them. Of course Beckon is not a character-driven novel, and readers were pulled along by the tension, the suspense, the conflict between good and evil even if they didn’t feel particularly attached to the characters. It was a thrill ride, an adventure. At times all you could do was hold on tight and see where you ended up.
But …
Part of me thinks the story would be that much stronger if the reader cared more deeply for these people. They seemed believable, surely. They had real wants, serious dilemmas, emotional and spiritual crises to go along with the physical disasters they faced. Readers should have loved them, cheered them on, cared deeply about their choices. If we had, this book would have raced to the top of the Best Book lists, I’m fairly confident.
Recommendation. I’m not inclined to read thriller type books, but after having read Vanish, Mr. Pawlik’s Christy Award winning debut novel, I knew I would read whatever he wrote. Beckon did not dissuade me from that position. Yes, there were horrific events, but there was also hope and help and sacrifice.
I highly recommend Beckon to adults who love the creepy, the bone-chilling, the fear-inspiring, and to readers who want to consider the issues of life and immortality. It’s a good story filled with tension and intrigue and packaged in a unique structure that enhances the reading experience.
August 21, 2017
Due to the gruesome descriptions and subject matter, I found this book to be a bit unsettling. The plot was good and the story line strong but I found it to be a bit dark. I also did not understand where or how the "things" came to be where they were.
May 22, 2012
Welcome to Beckon. You're not here by chance.
Just what would you give to live forever? Money? Security? Your loved ones?
In the town of Beckon, no one ever leaves of their own free will. There is a dark, sinister secret hidden in the mountains and caves. One that has existed since the beginning of time. One that seeks to devour any that wind up in the belly of the mountain.
Ancient legends called them Shadow People, other people call them murderers and killers and still others worship them and what they can provide.
In the latest supernatural Christian suspense thriller, Beckon takes the reader into a four part journey in this novel by Tom Pawlik through the eyes of three characters, Jack, Elina, and George who happen upon the town of Beckon for very different reasons but each will meet at a unique crossroads.
Jack is going in search of his father, an anthropologist named David who went missing and has never come home. While searching through his father's desk, Jack locates a brown envelope that may provide the clues no one has been able to uncover in the hills of Wyoming. He takes along an Indian guide and US Army Ranger, Ben Graywolf along with his best friend Rudy to search for the missing ancient civilization of the Caieche Indians. He receives a warning from an old man named Running Bear that they seek to tell them about the Caieche Indians and the Shadow People, that "If you go...death will find you there." Death does in fact find them there in the darkness.
Elina Gutierrez is an LA County police officer who is on leave and searching for her cousin Javier, who has disappeared. A mysterious white van roaming the neighborhoods and streets in Las Vegas promising jobs to the illegals that gather on the street corners in search of work and money. Only when Javier didn't return, Elina believes that there is something going on with this roaming van. When she follows it one day, it takes her into the hills of Wyoming and what she finds there in the dark woods will call upon more than just her police training if she expects to survive.
George Wilcox is about to lose his best friend and wife to Alzheimer's. There still remains no cure and George struggles to find a way to reunite his wife to her former life. When an offer from Thomas Vale arrives promising him the ultimate cure, he immediately wastes no time in driving them both to Beckon, Wyoming. What he learns is that this miracle drug does more than just heal whatever ails you, and the price is worth almost anything George has to offer.
I received Beckon by Tom Pawlik compliments of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Tours for my honest review. There is something to be said for things that go bump and click in the dark. I didn't see this one coming but it truly is a must read for anyone that LOVES a great suspense thriller with a Sci-Fi twist to it. I love how the author wove these three different but intricate story lines together to keep the plot moving along and to see where it culminates is worth reading every single page. This book alone will make me second guess ever going into a dark cave again. Well written, the characters are believable and have you rooting for them in the end. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I personally feel his books rate right up there with Travis Thrasher and Mike Dellosso and can't wait to read more!
Just what would you give to live forever? Money? Security? Your loved ones?
In the town of Beckon, no one ever leaves of their own free will. There is a dark, sinister secret hidden in the mountains and caves. One that has existed since the beginning of time. One that seeks to devour any that wind up in the belly of the mountain.
Ancient legends called them Shadow People, other people call them murderers and killers and still others worship them and what they can provide.
In the latest supernatural Christian suspense thriller, Beckon takes the reader into a four part journey in this novel by Tom Pawlik through the eyes of three characters, Jack, Elina, and George who happen upon the town of Beckon for very different reasons but each will meet at a unique crossroads.
Jack is going in search of his father, an anthropologist named David who went missing and has never come home. While searching through his father's desk, Jack locates a brown envelope that may provide the clues no one has been able to uncover in the hills of Wyoming. He takes along an Indian guide and US Army Ranger, Ben Graywolf along with his best friend Rudy to search for the missing ancient civilization of the Caieche Indians. He receives a warning from an old man named Running Bear that they seek to tell them about the Caieche Indians and the Shadow People, that "If you go...death will find you there." Death does in fact find them there in the darkness.
Elina Gutierrez is an LA County police officer who is on leave and searching for her cousin Javier, who has disappeared. A mysterious white van roaming the neighborhoods and streets in Las Vegas promising jobs to the illegals that gather on the street corners in search of work and money. Only when Javier didn't return, Elina believes that there is something going on with this roaming van. When she follows it one day, it takes her into the hills of Wyoming and what she finds there in the dark woods will call upon more than just her police training if she expects to survive.
George Wilcox is about to lose his best friend and wife to Alzheimer's. There still remains no cure and George struggles to find a way to reunite his wife to her former life. When an offer from Thomas Vale arrives promising him the ultimate cure, he immediately wastes no time in driving them both to Beckon, Wyoming. What he learns is that this miracle drug does more than just heal whatever ails you, and the price is worth almost anything George has to offer.
I received Beckon by Tom Pawlik compliments of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Tours for my honest review. There is something to be said for things that go bump and click in the dark. I didn't see this one coming but it truly is a must read for anyone that LOVES a great suspense thriller with a Sci-Fi twist to it. I love how the author wove these three different but intricate story lines together to keep the plot moving along and to see where it culminates is worth reading every single page. This book alone will make me second guess ever going into a dark cave again. Well written, the characters are believable and have you rooting for them in the end. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I personally feel his books rate right up there with Travis Thrasher and Mike Dellosso and can't wait to read more!
December 28, 2013
Beckon is a mind-bending tale of a small, hidden, and out of the way Wyoming town that boasts either a wondrous miracle that could truly benefit all of mankind a thousand times over or holds a truly malevolent evil that would destroy all of mankind. The true and complete answer to this question comes in a three dimensional view of the secret that this small town is hiding. The meticulous and thorough method in which Tom Pawlik intricately weaves three distinct perspectives and views of the same story into one fluid journey is downright beautiful and showcases his finely-tuned talent.
This three part journey which ends in the complete unveiling of this town’s secret involves the convergence of an anthropologist, an LA cop, and a wealthy engineer and this wife to this remote Wyoming town. Each person is searching from their own very unique path for a critical answer to a burning question that involves the life of a close family member. In the end each of their journeys are just as important and equally essential in piecing this mystery together. No one person is less important than another, and they each must work together in the end in order to set things right.
The characters that we meet and walk along side during this story have their flaws and their driving obsessions, but in their core they are running scared searching for something beyond the immediate desperately desired answer to the question that they have come to this town in search of. In the midst of each of their struggles, they figure out what it is that they are missing and gain strength and encouragement from it that helps them along the way.
As the story progresses we see that their hearts are in the right place, but they are nonetheless guided by a deep-seated selfishness that they have to see and overcome by themselves. Once this selfishness is identified and removed, only then are they truly able to work together in order to help each other in the moment of their greatest need.
The struggles that they battled through while based on events from the imaginative mind of an amazing storyteller mimic what we face in our lives every day. We have to face numerous problems that no matter the cause have to be dealt with. We find that time after time, we can’t fight them all on our own. We need the encouragement, the assistance, and the steadfast confidence that we are strong enough to make it through this from each other. Above all, however; we need our faith to ultimately get us through each of our trials. While family and friends are a strong base that we need to keep around us, our foundation has to be built on the most solid thing that we have - our faith in God.
I was wonderfully surprised by the depth of detail and limitless imagination flowing within the pages of Beckon. I am very intrigued by the style and method of how Pawlik’s writing doesn’t just capture your attention, but he also captures your heart even when you don’t realize what’s happening. He quietly and stealthily brings you into the story and begins to pull on and then own your heart strings in the process. His tender and sensitive attention to the human condition is considerable, and it will have readers of all levels coming back for more. I was immediately swept away into this heart-pounding thriller, and I am eager to immerse myself into the other stories that this author has written.
This three part journey which ends in the complete unveiling of this town’s secret involves the convergence of an anthropologist, an LA cop, and a wealthy engineer and this wife to this remote Wyoming town. Each person is searching from their own very unique path for a critical answer to a burning question that involves the life of a close family member. In the end each of their journeys are just as important and equally essential in piecing this mystery together. No one person is less important than another, and they each must work together in the end in order to set things right.
The characters that we meet and walk along side during this story have their flaws and their driving obsessions, but in their core they are running scared searching for something beyond the immediate desperately desired answer to the question that they have come to this town in search of. In the midst of each of their struggles, they figure out what it is that they are missing and gain strength and encouragement from it that helps them along the way.
As the story progresses we see that their hearts are in the right place, but they are nonetheless guided by a deep-seated selfishness that they have to see and overcome by themselves. Once this selfishness is identified and removed, only then are they truly able to work together in order to help each other in the moment of their greatest need.
The struggles that they battled through while based on events from the imaginative mind of an amazing storyteller mimic what we face in our lives every day. We have to face numerous problems that no matter the cause have to be dealt with. We find that time after time, we can’t fight them all on our own. We need the encouragement, the assistance, and the steadfast confidence that we are strong enough to make it through this from each other. Above all, however; we need our faith to ultimately get us through each of our trials. While family and friends are a strong base that we need to keep around us, our foundation has to be built on the most solid thing that we have - our faith in God.
I was wonderfully surprised by the depth of detail and limitless imagination flowing within the pages of Beckon. I am very intrigued by the style and method of how Pawlik’s writing doesn’t just capture your attention, but he also captures your heart even when you don’t realize what’s happening. He quietly and stealthily brings you into the story and begins to pull on and then own your heart strings in the process. His tender and sensitive attention to the human condition is considerable, and it will have readers of all levels coming back for more. I was immediately swept away into this heart-pounding thriller, and I am eager to immerse myself into the other stories that this author has written.
May 22, 2012
"Aw, darn!" I thought when I looked up the description of this book, featured on the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour. "It's one of those suspense/thriller books we have to read since there is not enough Christian sci-fi available." And that and the too-high Kindle price were almost enough to put me off from buying the book. But since I wanted something new to read and the upcoming Charlaine Harris book wasn't out yet, I bought it anyway.
And was I ever glad! Forget what you've been told. 'Beckon' is sci-fi. It's very much like classic Earth-based sci-fi in the old pulps (I've been reading some of those in free ebook form from manybooks.net). The creepy caves in the early part of the story could well have been caves on another planet.
The idea of a method to prolong human life indefinitely, and the consequences of it, are also sci-fi fare. Pawlik handles the theme well.
The Christian bits are not intrusive or preachy. There are characters that happen to be Christians and act like it. Others turn to God and prayer in reaction to some of the threats they are facing. Readers who don't share the Christian faith won't find the Christian material extensive enough to be off-putting.
Pawlik takes certain risks in his storytelling. He starts us off with one character, the Indiana Jones-like Jack Kendrick (who is a black man). He leaves Jack in great peril to take up with a new viewpoint character, Elina Gutierrez, a cop looking for her missing cousin. He then leaves her in peril, and we get a third viewpoint character, George Wilcox. After a bit of following George, the three stories come together.
The risk in this is that the reader will not follow the new characters. I've read a book or two that shifts back and forth between two characters, in which I did not care for the second character and his story and, on re-reads, I simply skip those chapters. Pawlik leaves his initial character be for a lot longer than one chapter, and yet the adventure is so compelling I kept on going through the stories of Elina and George.
Catholic concerns: As this is a fast-paced adventure story there is not a lot of time for theological issues to be raised, and so there are no doctrines put forth that, from a Catholic point of view, would be considered in error.
There is also no specific mention of Catholics, and so no chance that something might be said to which Catholics might take exception. The Latina character, Elina, has a father who is said to be a 'Christian'. In this case, we might read 'Christian' as 'possibly Catholic'.
Please don't take this 'Catholic concerns' section as a recommendation that Catholics ought read no fiction that contains other than pure Catholic doctrine. I myself read fiction by Evangelicals, LDS Christians, Lutherans, Jews, Pagans and secularists. I give this just as points of information for the curious reader.
And was I ever glad! Forget what you've been told. 'Beckon' is sci-fi. It's very much like classic Earth-based sci-fi in the old pulps (I've been reading some of those in free ebook form from manybooks.net). The creepy caves in the early part of the story could well have been caves on another planet.
The idea of a method to prolong human life indefinitely, and the consequences of it, are also sci-fi fare. Pawlik handles the theme well.
The Christian bits are not intrusive or preachy. There are characters that happen to be Christians and act like it. Others turn to God and prayer in reaction to some of the threats they are facing. Readers who don't share the Christian faith won't find the Christian material extensive enough to be off-putting.
Pawlik takes certain risks in his storytelling. He starts us off with one character, the Indiana Jones-like Jack Kendrick (who is a black man). He leaves Jack in great peril to take up with a new viewpoint character, Elina Gutierrez, a cop looking for her missing cousin. He then leaves her in peril, and we get a third viewpoint character, George Wilcox. After a bit of following George, the three stories come together.
The risk in this is that the reader will not follow the new characters. I've read a book or two that shifts back and forth between two characters, in which I did not care for the second character and his story and, on re-reads, I simply skip those chapters. Pawlik leaves his initial character be for a lot longer than one chapter, and yet the adventure is so compelling I kept on going through the stories of Elina and George.
Catholic concerns: As this is a fast-paced adventure story there is not a lot of time for theological issues to be raised, and so there are no doctrines put forth that, from a Catholic point of view, would be considered in error.
There is also no specific mention of Catholics, and so no chance that something might be said to which Catholics might take exception. The Latina character, Elina, has a father who is said to be a 'Christian'. In this case, we might read 'Christian' as 'possibly Catholic'.
Please don't take this 'Catholic concerns' section as a recommendation that Catholics ought read no fiction that contains other than pure Catholic doctrine. I myself read fiction by Evangelicals, LDS Christians, Lutherans, Jews, Pagans and secularists. I give this just as points of information for the curious reader.
April 10, 2012
Sometimes in reviewing books, you find some really good ones. And then other times you run into a book that is just somewhat different. It is still good and a well written thriller, but the story is just out there. That is the case with this book here, Beckon, by Tom Pawlik. I normally do not read fantasy or sci-fi type stories. I hadn't even realized this was somewhat like that until I got partway into the story. I finished the book and it was well written, but I just want to warn you, this is a very different book.
MY REVIEW-Tom Pawlik is an author I had never heard of before. But when I saw the plot I thought it sounded interesting. I love a good mystery or suspense story and this one sounded like it would be neat. So I plunged into the book. It opens just fine and I got ready for a good mystery story about where the young mans father disappeared to, etc. But after that, it got kind of strange. These two young men find a guide to take them searching for the Soul Eater. A legend among the indians that they think might be true.
In this book you have people who have lived thousands of years without being discovered, people who drink a liquid from a spider that makes them live hundreds of years, giant spiders, death, murder, and tons of mystery. Now don't get me wrong, it is interesting. I read it through in one day. But I couldn't get past all the amazing things. I felt like I had stepped into Journey to the Center of the Earth. For anyone who has read that book, remember the giant creatures, huge mushrooms, etc? That is what this somewhat felt like, except it was in a dark manner. Several people die throughout the book and not in a nice way.
So, if you like a book that has mystery but not realistic, check this one out. I enjoyed reading it, just so long as I remembered it wasn't true. Highly interesting novel though!
I received a copy of this book for review through the Tyndale Blog Network. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
MY REVIEW-Tom Pawlik is an author I had never heard of before. But when I saw the plot I thought it sounded interesting. I love a good mystery or suspense story and this one sounded like it would be neat. So I plunged into the book. It opens just fine and I got ready for a good mystery story about where the young mans father disappeared to, etc. But after that, it got kind of strange. These two young men find a guide to take them searching for the Soul Eater. A legend among the indians that they think might be true.
In this book you have people who have lived thousands of years without being discovered, people who drink a liquid from a spider that makes them live hundreds of years, giant spiders, death, murder, and tons of mystery. Now don't get me wrong, it is interesting. I read it through in one day. But I couldn't get past all the amazing things. I felt like I had stepped into Journey to the Center of the Earth. For anyone who has read that book, remember the giant creatures, huge mushrooms, etc? That is what this somewhat felt like, except it was in a dark manner. Several people die throughout the book and not in a nice way.
So, if you like a book that has mystery but not realistic, check this one out. I enjoyed reading it, just so long as I remembered it wasn't true. Highly interesting novel though!
I received a copy of this book for review through the Tyndale Blog Network. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
July 21, 2012
I'm really at a loss for words when it comes to describing this new release by Tom Pawlik. I mean this the best way possible because this book is just...amazing!!
First, the reader meets Jack, an anthropologist, on a journey to find out what happened to his dad twelve years ago. After his death, Jack was going through his father's belongings and found journals of his research about an ancient Indian tribe. Why didn't his dad ever come back? Jack sets out to find out what might have happened.
Elina Gutierrez is looking for her cousin who disappeared a few weeks ago. She is a former police officer who is searching for her cousin, wondering why he never wrote to report about the new job he acquired.
George Wilcox is searching for a cure for his wife Miriam's illness.
What lengths would you go to find and/or save the one you love?
This book is full of mystery, adventure, gruesome spider like creatures, and an interesting tribe of people. Imagine being lost in a cave that is illuminated by some form of algae to find yourself being confronted by spiders larger then Humvees and tribal people out to kill everything they see moving. Not only that, you witness a very peculiar and grotesque ceremony that these tribal members carry out.
I don't normally get scared or even have chills running through my body when watching "scary" movies or reading books. However, this one kept me up at night! Tom Pawlik has a very interesting way with his characters and I'm pleased to say that he finally got to me! :) I've been looking for a book like this for quite some time...now it just needs to be made into a movie. I would recommend Alan Rickman to play Thomas Vale for added creepiness! :)
Read this book today...but beware, it will stick with you...possibly for eternity!
Many thanks to Tyndale for providing this book for review.
First, the reader meets Jack, an anthropologist, on a journey to find out what happened to his dad twelve years ago. After his death, Jack was going through his father's belongings and found journals of his research about an ancient Indian tribe. Why didn't his dad ever come back? Jack sets out to find out what might have happened.
Elina Gutierrez is looking for her cousin who disappeared a few weeks ago. She is a former police officer who is searching for her cousin, wondering why he never wrote to report about the new job he acquired.
George Wilcox is searching for a cure for his wife Miriam's illness.
What lengths would you go to find and/or save the one you love?
This book is full of mystery, adventure, gruesome spider like creatures, and an interesting tribe of people. Imagine being lost in a cave that is illuminated by some form of algae to find yourself being confronted by spiders larger then Humvees and tribal people out to kill everything they see moving. Not only that, you witness a very peculiar and grotesque ceremony that these tribal members carry out.
I don't normally get scared or even have chills running through my body when watching "scary" movies or reading books. However, this one kept me up at night! Tom Pawlik has a very interesting way with his characters and I'm pleased to say that he finally got to me! :) I've been looking for a book like this for quite some time...now it just needs to be made into a movie. I would recommend Alan Rickman to play Thomas Vale for added creepiness! :)
Read this book today...but beware, it will stick with you...possibly for eternity!
Many thanks to Tyndale for providing this book for review.
May 11, 2012
From the back cover:
Some things weren't meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin’s disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town’s ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive?
My Thoughts:
I don't usually read thrillers. To be honest, this book didn't draw me into it immediately. But as I read, I was quickly engrossed in it. Jack, Elina, and George all find their way to Beckon in search of answers. What they find is a horror that none of them could have imagined. As the story unfolds, I was able to put the different pieces together and found myself hoping that these three would figure out a way to survive. Some elements of the book reminded me of Frank Peretti's The Oath, a book that I first read in college and one that gave me nightmares. Because this book was a thriller and I know my tendency to dwell on things, I had to kep my reading of it limited to my lunch breaks at work. That would give me plenty of time to allow other things to filter into my mind and I wouldn't dwell on the book. Other elements reminded me of one of the Stargate Atlantis episodes that involved the Wraith enzyme and the retro-virus. I will say that this book actually makes you look at your own life and to see the sin that clutters it.
I would recommend this book to the thrill seeker, Frank Peretti fan, people who enjoy thrillers, or someone who wants to read a griping novel. I received this book for free from Tyndale House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating - 4 stars
Some things weren't meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin’s disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town’s ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive?
My Thoughts:
I don't usually read thrillers. To be honest, this book didn't draw me into it immediately. But as I read, I was quickly engrossed in it. Jack, Elina, and George all find their way to Beckon in search of answers. What they find is a horror that none of them could have imagined. As the story unfolds, I was able to put the different pieces together and found myself hoping that these three would figure out a way to survive. Some elements of the book reminded me of Frank Peretti's The Oath, a book that I first read in college and one that gave me nightmares. Because this book was a thriller and I know my tendency to dwell on things, I had to kep my reading of it limited to my lunch breaks at work. That would give me plenty of time to allow other things to filter into my mind and I wouldn't dwell on the book. Other elements reminded me of one of the Stargate Atlantis episodes that involved the Wraith enzyme and the retro-virus. I will say that this book actually makes you look at your own life and to see the sin that clutters it.
I would recommend this book to the thrill seeker, Frank Peretti fan, people who enjoy thrillers, or someone who wants to read a griping novel. I received this book for free from Tyndale House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating - 4 stars
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