The Soul Reader: A Novel of Suspense

by Gerard D. Webster

The Soul Reader is the exciting sequel to Gerard Websters award-winning debut novel, In-Sight.The two people Ward McNulty most wished he could forget were the woman he once loved and the man he still hated. He succeeded sometimes by smothering their memory under mounds of activityhis physical rehabilitation, looking for a job, and staving off foreclosure. But try as he might, it was always therejust under the surface, like smoldering embers embedded in layers of ash, needing only a breath of oxygen to burst into flame. And thats exactly what happens one sunny Saturday afternoon, when Carrie Hope unexpectedly breezes back into his life.It is a year after his fathers murder when Carrie asks Ward to assist her in writing a book about the North Beach Project, the money-laundering scheme that led to his fathers death. Ward initially turns her down. He knows that reopening the investigation would be dangerous for three reasons. First, it could cost them their livesthe identity of the man behind the scheme remains a mystery, and he would do almost anything to keep it that way. Secondly, it may cost Ward his very soul if he gets sucked back into the vortex of hatred and revenge that he has just escaped. And finally, Ward does not know if he or Carrie could survive falling in love and hurting each other yet again.But when Carrie decides to pursue the investigation without him, Ward is faced with a difficult he can allow her to go it alone and possibly get killed or he can join her in hopes of being able to protect her. Wards uncanny insight might give him an edgeand allow him to see the evil coiled in the jumbled foliage of the North Beach Project before it has a chance to strike. He decides to collaborate with her on the book, but on his terms, and thereby launches a series of events that span the globefrom Colombia to Romeand make Ward and Carrie the target of the most dangerous assassin in the western hemisphere, a man known only as Culebra. It is in seeking justice that Ward discovers mercyand loveonce again.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2011

Reviews

[Tannia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soul Reader is the long-awaited sequel of the award winning book, In-Sight, from extraordinary Catholic author Gerard Webster.

In the first book, Mr. Webster introduces three main characters: Ward McNulty, a prominent syndicated political columnist; Carrie Hope, an outstanding reporter and news anchor; and Chet Garner, Democrat State Senator and aspiring Congressman. Ward and Carrie agreed to help Senator Garner to gather support for the development of the North Beach Project, a luxurious beach resort in Timuqua Island. As the story unfolds, however, their affiliation with Senator Garner would emperils both their lives and careers. In the climax of the book, Ward experiences a tragic car accident after which he is shocked to discover his new In-Sight ability.

In The Soul Reader, Carrie Hope signs a contract with a major publishing house to write a book about the untold truth behind the “North Beach Project.”She contacts Ward and asks for his assistance. At first, he is extremely reluctant due to the potential danger of this multifarious investigation. However after some soul searching, he agrees to help her.

Mr. Webster takes Carrie, Ward, and the reader on an intriguing international manhunt in search of clues regarding a series of unfortunate events associated with some investors of the North Beach Project. The investigation leads them to Mr. David Schoenhauer, a powerful and resourceful German investor and the extremely dangerous hit man Culebra, known for his ability to kill quickly, cleanly, and unnoticed. Culebra has valuable information that could compromise now-Congressman Garner, Mr. Schoenhauer, and other worldwide investors.

As a reviewer, I enjoy reading sequels. And I appraise them with a more critical eye. I expect a more elaborated story, better developed characters, and unexpected twists and turns leading to a climatic end. Mr. Webster exceeded my expectations.

Even readers who have not read the first installment, In-Sight, will be able to follow the story and understand each character's motives and actions.

The end gives reassurance that everything is possible for those who believe and trust the Master's plan.

I highly recommend this book to mystery readers searching for a suspense story intertwined with trust, love, forgiveness, Catholicism's teachings, and expiation.

Copyrighted, January 2012 – Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés – All Rights Reserved

[Barbara Brink · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Soul Reader is the second in a series, but although I would have liked to know exactly what went on in the first book and slowly get to know the characters better, it wasn’t necessary. The author did a good job of giving glimpses of the past without bogging down the storyline with a lot of explanation.
Ward McNulty has a gift. He can look into someone’s eyes and see the condition of their soul. In this sequel, Ward has lost pretty much everything. He is crippled from a car accident, his father was murdered, he’s lost his job and his girl and he’s left with this gift that he really doesn’t want.
His ex-girlfriend asks him to work on a book with her, exposing the very people who caused his downfall. He agrees, only because she won’t drop it, and he’s afraid she will get hurt too. Their investigation inevitably stirs up old secrets that important people wish never to come to light and once again a professional killer is sent to shut them up.
The Soul Reader is a quick moving story with enough suspense to keep you turning pages and wondering just what will happen next. It takes you on a journey with Ward as he struggles with the darkness of his own soul, unable to forgive the man who murdered his father, but knowing it is the only way to truly live in freedom. The characters are well drawn out and believable in most of their actions. It’s a good book for some light reading on your day off.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you on the search for a Christian thriller to read ? Have you read In-Sight by Gerard Webster ? I recieved The Soul Reader through Booksneeze as it looked like and sounded like an exciting reader . I was a tad disappointed as I struggled to read through it , I did however wonder that if I had read the first book In-Sight I may have enjoyed it more. The Soul reader takes off one year later where the first book finished and we discover that the main character Ward's father was involved in some dirty financial business including money laundering. It seems that Ward has dropped off the map from the women he once spent time with . In The Soul Reader , Ward recieves a blast from the past - Carrie as I gathered from the book , Carrie and Ward were an item as their is some signs of tension and unrequited love. Carrie is a writer who wants to write a book on Ward's father's activities. By doing this the case is re-opened and investigations begin all over again. As the novel goes along we discover that Ward and Carrie are over their heads in trouble and that danger is waiting for them just around the corner. As the novel comes to this part, the pace does pick up and it becomes more the thrilling read I was expecting. Can Ward and Carrie get out alive and Carrie publish her book ?
Find out in the Soul Reader by Gerard Webster , a book that I do advise reading the first one first - InSight.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Ward McNulty wishes he could forget two people, the woman he fell in love with and the man he still hated. He sometimes succeeds this by smothering himself into rehabilitation, looking for work, and trying to stay clear of foreclosure, until one day Carrie Hope breezes back into his life, wanting him to help her write a book about the North Beach Project. He initially turns her down, but then thinks that he could help to keep her safe because he knows that when she starts digging, she may lose her life. So, he agrees and hopes that his "gift" will help them stay out of trouble.

My thoughts: Sadly, I didn't know this was a sequel until after I was halfway into the book, but that didn't matter, because it reads pretty easily without having to read the first book. The characters are amazing, loved them. The story was well thought out, and keeps your attention.

I really like the thought of Ward's gift. It would be pretty neat to have such gift and be able to read people without them knowing. I definitely will be reading the first book, because I want to know the beginning of this amazing story.

[Margaret Metz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was a sequel to In Sight when I started reading it. The author did a great job filtering in the necessary back story from the first book so I never felt lost - just intrigued enough that I still want to read it. :o)

The plot in the book kept me flipping pages to find out what was going to happen. It was exciting and tense. I loved all the twists and turns. The action felt realistic and intense at the same time.

I liked Carrie and Ward - and the romantic tension between them felt natural. The secondary characters were complex and interesting as well. I especially appreciated the villains. I wish some of the characters had been described a little better/sooner though. I went through about half the book without figuring out one of them was African American. He's described exiting a plane and I thought to myself that an established character should already have a description by then - because we've already made our own picture of all the players at that point.

That's one very small point in a great book. This book has a lot to offer. I want to thank the publisher for providing my copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is a sequel to Webster's first book, In-Sight, it stands alone. (I say that because I found I had forgotten many of the details and was able to read it just fine. I reviewed In-Sight last summer.) It's fast-moving and, even better, hard to figure out. It weaves some pretty incredible elements together and it did it without making me shake my head, roll my eyes, or give up on the story.

This book entertains and, in a way, also educates. It refrains from getting preachy (though there was a moment when I wondered if that's where it was going to go) and, instead, leaves the reader to decide.

I have a secret hope that I'll meet Ward McNulty again in a future book by Gerard Webster, but I guess we'll see about that...he left some unanswered questions at the end (and I am holding out hope for getting answers in a future book).

[Pavel · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, one thing that I need to mention here is that I’ve never read the previous book of this author. Anyway, it was not the problem for me to understand the necessary back story from the first book.

I can confirm that this is entertain and intense book. At the same time I remember that from time to time I was completely bored while reading this book.

So, if you are looking for a suspense story with some kind of mystery and love story – this book would be a good choice. However if you are aiming for religious thriller, I would not recommend “The soul reader”. There is not so much information about Catholicism, its teaching and rituals…at least in my sense!