Ricochet

by Christy Barritt

When Molly Hamilton returns to her beloved summer camp, she finds nothing but trouble. First she hits a dead body in the road before arriving. Then she discovers the camp director is missing. If that isn't stressful enough, Molly's new boss is none other than Nick White, the man who once broke her heart. Nick and Molly know there's something dangerous going on at Camp Hope Springs. But as the former teenage sweethearts try to uncover the mystery, they discover even more hidden secrets—about the camp and themselves. Saving the camp may not be safe, especially for their hearts.

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Romance, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Christian

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read! I loved the camp setting!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!! Really enjoyed this story and it kept me guessing. I didn't figure out who was behind everything until the big reveal.

I really like Molly and Nick. Molly was trying to deal with betrayal and biases while Nick dealt with trying to live in the shadow of expectations. Very real scenarios in life and seeing how Nick and Molly handled it was a great reminder.

Loved it!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: RICOCHET
Author: Christy Barritt
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
September 2012
ISBN: 978-0-373-44507-3
Genre: Romantic suspense

Molly Hamilton has been hired as a nurse for the summer at the camp where she spent her summers. She has fond memories of camp, and is looking forward to spending time there again. But on her way out to the camp, she hits a speed bump – one that turns out to be a man. Molly is stressed that she might’ve killed someone, and the responding officer seems to think Molly hit the man deliberately.

Nick White is back after his military stint, working as director at the camp when the original director, Gene, went missing. Gene hadn’t taken any of his personal effects, and hadn’t told anyone about hiring a nurse for the summer. Nick hires Molly after learning her training, but he warns her that the camp isn’t what it used to be.

When Nick and Molly arrive at the camp, someone shoots at them. Who? Why? What happened to Gene? The camp is shrouded in mystery, campers are arriving, and the camp isn’t safe for anyone. How will Nick and Molly keep the campers and their hearts safe?

RICOCHET is the latest book by talented author Christy Barritt. I love her cozy mysteries, and her romantic suspense are good, but with a different feel. The spookiness starts right away, making me almost afraid to read the book after dark in the national forest I live in.

Molly is a realistic character, running from false allegations that ruined her life and trying to find a fresh start at a place that once held pleasant memories. Nick is filling in for his flighty cousin, (Gene) and struggling to set a camp right that has gone downhill since his teen years. He is a sweet hero, kind, considerate, and strong. Readers of romantic suspense won’t want to miss this book. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.75. 215 pages.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ricochet by Christy Barritt took a long while to gel for me. I was past the half way point before the story started to make sense. Part of the problem for me had to do with an incomplete sense of the location of the story. Sometimes the camp seemed small (almost no staff) and at other times large (called a campus several times). Paths became trails only just cleared and then back again at different parts of the story. Nick actually drives from the cafeteria to the girls' cabins at one point. Elsewhere walking the distance is easy. It is supposed to be very rural and yet the EMT people arrive in minutes to save Nick's dad. Don't get me started on the time of day! For some reason Nick and Molly are enjoying fireflies before sundown. In daylight they just look like black beetles. Yup, the details kept me from fully enjoying the plot which got better as the pages were turned.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should absolutely be read fireside at a summer camp. After all, there's no better setting for a story with chainsaw wielding psychos on the loose!

Lots of running-from-bullets type suspense, I loved the sub-plot of Molly's ex-boyfriend muddying the waters and the conflict with Nick's parents. Christians don't have a monopoly on good behavior. Sometimes we mess up, and we say/do things that aren't godly. I loved Nick's struggle to become who God made him to be.
The revelation at the end, where we found out what the bad guys were after was a very unique answer. Only if Nick really did sell all the trees and not just some I think some tree-huggers might have a problem with that. But that's just me quibbling. (Maybe that could be the next book!)

Great story.

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought back memories of my own time spent on a Christian Youth Camp, first as a camper, then as a leader ~ minus the murder and threats though...oh, and the proposal! :)


Favourite Quote:
"They say working in ministry is a bit like living in a fishbowl. People are watching you all the time, picking apart every little thing you do. After a while, you learn how to go through all the motions that show people you’re living the right life. I realized I’d mastered going through the motions, but I want more than that for my life. I needed to focus on what’s on the inside.” ~ Nick White

[Kay Defreese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so suspenseful I read it in one setting.

[Viv Wilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my Gosh I loved this book. read it in 1 day. I couldn't put it down. I have loved all the books by Christy Barritt and plan to read more.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 solid stars for Ricochet


Thoughts and Plots

You know, I really wanted to like this book. I really did, despite having a bias opinion about books that involve old flings getting back together. Surely it was okay because they were in high school at the time....yeah. For once that wasn't so much the issue.

Molly Hamilton was hire to be a summer camp nurse at the old summer camp she spent most of her summers as a youth. But on the way there she runs something over....the body of a man.

Of course the police officer has to be one of the quick to judge types who 'thinks' she did it deliberately. Someone tell me how he made it to be a cop. How do you hit someone deliberately in the middle of nowhere, even if you did know him???

Enter Nick White, military man working as a camp director after the last one 'mysteriously' disappears leaving all his junk behind. Anyhow, as soon as Nick and Molly make it to camp, someone takes some pot shots at them. Who? What? Why? All the questions are asked.

all in all it sounds like a good time, but I just couldn't get into the story. I thought the mystery was a little...unlikely? The romance was lukewarm and all in all I was rather disappointed with the whole thing.

In conclusion

I won't be recommending this book to anyone. I probably won't even remember I read it after a few weeks. Good thing I decided to write all this down now before I completely forgot (I do tend to do that). Lukewarm fluff read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best week of Molly Hamilton's life was the week she spent at Camp Hope Springs as a teenager. It was the week that Jesus became very real in her life, it was also the week she fell in love with Nick White. However her life did not end up happy ever after. Nick broke up with her while he was in college, caving into the pressures from his parents. Molly went on to nursing school, working in a military hospital, however a toxic relationship has left her under suspicion of stealing drugs. All she wants is to find that peace she felt at Camp Hope Springs, so when she is hired to be the nurse for the summer, she is hopeful that peace will be found. What she does not expect is to see Nick White, nor does she expect to run over a man in the road. A man already dead, nor does she expect to be terrorized at the camp. No her expectations certainly did not include any of these things. She is not sure her heart can take working so close with Nick, she steels herself to not allow the attraction to distract her.

I love Christy Barritt's books, she just has the right amount of mystery and suspense with a bit of romance thrown in. A great afternoon read, you will not want to miss. 215 pages US $5.75 4 stars



This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review. Available September 2012

[Kathy Eberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up enjoying Bible camp. When I heard about the opportunity to review Ricochet by Christy Barritt I jumped at the chance. Ricochet isn't just a romance taking place at a Bible camp, it's one of the latest Love Inspired Suspense romances. Nurse Molly Hamilton is back at Camp Hope Springs to sort out her life and so is her high school sweetheart, Nick White; who happens to be the camp director. Things seem to go from bad to worse for Molly, who first hits a dead body on her way to camp and then learns the previous director has mysteriously disappeared. This was a book that I had difficulty putting down, but not only that; I kept speculating on who was causing all the havoc in the book. My guesses were wrong and I am usually pretty good at figuring those kind of things out.

I recommend reading this book to those who like a good mystery but also a good romance. Congratulations to Christy on a wonderful read!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Hamilton wants to return to her beloved Summer Camp (Camp Hope Springs). This is the where she found her place in this world. Ten years ago, it was here that she gave her life to God & servitude for Him. Not only that, she also found the unconditional love in Nick White that she was missing at home. Now, after all these years Molly chooses to return to this beloved place, a place where she once felt so much love & peace. Upon arriving, she senses danger - someone wants the Camp shut down - permanently. Molly & Nick are not going to let that happen & work relentlessly to save the Camp.

I relate well to both Nick & Molly. I want to serve God & mankind & make a difference in the life of others. Like all other novels in the 'LoveInspired' series, this was great read. I highly reccomend if you enjoy this series of novels.

[Judine Brey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Nick and Molly reconnecting at the Christian summer camp where they initially fell in love. Both of their doubts at restarting a relationship made sense, and their working together to try to figure out the series of "pranks" that occurred was a natural way to strengthen their connection. That said, the only part of the story that didn't ring true to me was how Nick's mother was concerned with the family image above all else. While I realize there are still people who view things this way, it felt a bit out of place in a modern pastor's wife.

[Ginger Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting romantic suspense. I was drawn into the story from the very first word. "Thump!" If you've ever been to camp, you probably have at least a few fond memories of your time there, or friends you made for the week. Ricochet will take you back to that moment in time, but also have you sitting on the edge waiting for what's going to happen next.

***I received this book free for the purpose of review. The above is my honest opinion.***

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book by Christy Barritt. How many things can go wrong? A lot! Molly Hamilton and Nick White seem to have trouble breathing between each disaster that occurs. At every turn something else is happening that keeps working at keeping these two apart from each other and finding closure to the relationship they had years before. The story kept my attention and moved along quickly. Couldn't put it down.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Love inspired book. Boy meets girl, break up, meets again years later, fall in love again, escape danger. Several things in the book made me want to rethink my faith. Am I acting like a Christian, but have many internal questions?

All of the books sort of follow the same outline, but are easy to read when you just want to read and enjoy.

[Doreen Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Christy Barritt thriller took me back to my childhood, when attending summer camp. We'd sit around the campfire and tell scary stories, mostly made up. I could picture my own summer camp as I read this story. The story grabbed me from the beginning as Molly ran into a mystery (literally) in the dark, before she ever got to the camp. The plot thickened and kept me interested to the very end.

[Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick and Molly

Suspense surrounds you from the first page. Nick and Molly have a history. They never thought they'd see each other again and certainly not under these circumstances. Will their relationship be restored?

[John Hanscom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3 1/2. Slightly better than average.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non stop action! I could not put this book down and read it in one evening :)

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love when books are written with two points of view. I could hardly put the book down. <3

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book

[Tonja Saylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book!

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

5/19/14-5/27/14

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hope could spring from even the direst of circumstances. All one had to have was a little faith.”

“Life sometimes turns out differently than what one might expect.”

“She wasn’t perfect. But she did strive to follow God with all of her heart, mind and soul.”

Another really good book from Christy Barritt. And like most Christy Barritt books, this one had most of her signature markings: heroine who’s been unlucky in love and finds herself in a bad situation; the good looking man she encounters who smells nice and is either affiliated with the military or law enforcement in some kind of way; someone wearing all black and a chase ensues; a great setting, though not the beach or mountains in this one! And of course, an ultimate message of hope and redemption.

I really liked the summer camp setting. From all the major and minor descriptions, it was obvious that Christy Barritt spent time at a Christian camp! It definitely reminded me of times I spent at a Christian camp, both as camper and counselor. At ours, we didn’t have a Chainsaw Charlie legend but instead someone named Elephantitis that roamed the woods and when you heard the dogs across the lake bark, you knew he was on the loose (the things kids believe!). So I thought that was a great angle.

And the book has great mystery elements, all starting when the main character, Molly, runs over an already dead body on the road! Other missing people and deaths ensue and I did enjoy the conclusion as it was one I did not see coming. Although I’m not a huge fan on the romance in her books, she always makes up for it with characters, setting, mystery, and faith.

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[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly runs over a bump while driving at night. She was on her way to Camp Hope Springs, where she would be working as a nurse for the summer. She got out of the car and looked underneath. What she assumed was an animal was actually a man. Molly called the sheriff, who determined the man was dead before she ran over him. When she told the sheriff where she was headed, she discovered the man who hired her was no longer at the Camp. In fact, he had disappeared. In the days that followed, there were numerous attacks on the staff, vandalism to the property, and scare tactics to keep campers away.
This was intense. I tried to determine who was behind all the attacks. There were several suspects I considered, but I never did figure it out. It was a good suspense book. I enjoyed it

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was able to squeeze one more book into my reading time frame before my trial Kindle Unlimited subscription ended. I chose a short book by Christy Barrett, Ricochet, which I believe might have been an earlier one of hers, or perhaps a short Love Inspired one. Still, I always enjoy books by Christy Barritt, and this was no exception. I never went to Christian summer camps or church camps growing up, so this one was a bit of a stretch for me, but a nice little cozy mystery nonetheless less. :)

[Beverly Brader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, Ricochet. If you have been to summer camp, have a love for the Lord, and love adventure, mystery and a happy ending, this is the story for you. The main characters, Molly and Nick, are two amazing people who have lived through some hardships which have led them both to return to the summer camp of their youth. All the happenings that occur during their time at camp are full of excitement, suspense and renewed faith.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Intriguing Romantic Suspense

This is another intriguing romantic suspense..
The storyline pulls you through the book with plenty of suspense,twists and turns.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romantic suspense.

[Linda Kay Orpet · Rating 5 out of 5]

e eTruth

One of the best non-series by Ms. Barrett that I've read. The issues worked out in Nick and Molly's lives are biblical truths we all struggle with. I appreciated the discussion questions as I plan to recommend "Ricochet" to my book group.