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Chasing Deception by Dave Milbrandt
In Chasing Deception, Dave Milbrandt's debut novel, investigative reporter Jim Mitchell and his colleague Melissa Jenkins examine a small strip-mall church and its charismatic pastor, Jeremiah Harmon. They soon learn Jeremiah’s not his real name and his past is invented as well. Now the con man is using the church as cover for a moneymaking scheme that may have fatal consequences. And in the midst of pursuing romance and the story of a lifetime, Jim wonders if he can heal from the pain buried deep in his own past.Joseph Bentz, author of A Son Comes Home, offers high praise for the story. "In Dave Milbrandt's compelling new novel, Chasing Deception, talented reporter Jim Mitchell faces every kind of challenge—professional, ethical, and romantic. Whether he's trying to nail down an evasive politician, track down the truth about a corrupt pastor, or figure out his own relationship with fellow reporter Melissa Jenkins, Mitchell is a character who is easy to root for. This book takes readers on a journey they won't want to miss."
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First published November 25, 2013
146 people want to read
About the author
Dave Milbrandt
6 books48 followersThe author of Fool's Luck and the Jim Mitchell series of novels (Chasing Deception, Undue Pressure and Running), Dave Milbrandt fell in love with writing in junior high and has been a storyteller ever since. A former staff writer for a daily newspaper, the Southern California native spent five years in journalism and public relations before becoming a teacher. Having worked at several area colleges, Dave has taught high school English and Social Studies classes since 2005 and fills his evenings sharing a passion for politics with his community college students. Dave and his wife, a fellow writer, have been married since 1997.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 14, 2015
Chasing Deception was a very good book. From the first chapter to the end it kept me intrigued for what was going to happen next. Dave's experience with the newspaper and teaching sure helped with the writing of this book. I am going to recommend it to all my friends and family. Yes it talks about religion but not in a preaching form. I am not christian but it really didn't bother me at all. Very good Dave and I can't wait till you have other works done.
January 8, 2014
Chasing Deception is a great read from first time author Dave Milbrandt. It was a roller coaster story that I could not put down until the end. It was easy to get invested into the characters and what was happening. I look forward to reading further novels from the author.
January 26, 2014
Read it in three days. It is a page turner.
June 2, 2021
Great first work.
I like Dave’s style of story telling. He gives great word pictures and vivid details but keeps the plot moving in the direction he wants it to go. Good first work! Looking forward to reading more by Dave
I like Dave’s style of story telling. He gives great word pictures and vivid details but keeps the plot moving in the direction he wants it to go. Good first work! Looking forward to reading more by Dave
November 29, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway for an honest review.
When I picked up the book and began reading I was totally taken back by the simplicity of the writing - something as a reader I was not used to, and found it very disappointing until I went back and read the Dave Milbrandt's bio. Dave was a reporter who turned high school English teacher. This was when my "ah-ha" moment happened. As both, you have to write on a simpler level so that the general public can read and understand. As I read through the book it made me wonder if the occurrences in the book stemmed from personal experience - is this why Dave went from reporting to classroom teaching? Is this a personal story?
Jim, a newspaper reporter gave his all to catch the story "above the fold" as you would term great reporting or great stories...ones that appear above the fold in the daily newspaper - the headline, to win the most desired reporter award, The Pulitzer. But what he had to give up to get the story crossed the boundaries of newspaper reporting. I found myself teary toward the end of the book when I found myself reflecting on my own career blunder, that unlike Jim, cost me my job. Unlike Jim I was forced to leave my home and my family to seek employment in another state as my employer had black balled me from ever getting a job in a predominate system throughout the territory.
Through Jim's trials and learning from his mistakes, Jim found himself leaning toward a Christian lifestyle, one that his beloved Aunt and Uncle had been trying to instill in Jim for many years. Again, I found myself knowing that I had the comfort of Jesus on my side throughout my trials. Through Jim's journalistic abilities and newfound Christian life, Jim found his Christian companion, Melissa, who is also a reporter.
Leaving the newspaper role for teacher, Jim has taken a more Christian approach to life, to teach our future community leaders while directing them in the path to success both personally and career wise...something he can do with a clear conscience. As far as missing what's going on in the newsroom, well, Melissa can still keep him up to date on that one.
The book was given four stars instead of three and a half because I didn't think it was a three and there are no options for the half. The four stars come from the simplicity of the story but the main aspect was the editing - something that for a reporter and teacher I would have though Dave would have been more on top of missing words in sentences - something that drives me absolutely nuts when reading.
When I picked up the book and began reading I was totally taken back by the simplicity of the writing - something as a reader I was not used to, and found it very disappointing until I went back and read the Dave Milbrandt's bio. Dave was a reporter who turned high school English teacher. This was when my "ah-ha" moment happened. As both, you have to write on a simpler level so that the general public can read and understand. As I read through the book it made me wonder if the occurrences in the book stemmed from personal experience - is this why Dave went from reporting to classroom teaching? Is this a personal story?
Jim, a newspaper reporter gave his all to catch the story "above the fold" as you would term great reporting or great stories...ones that appear above the fold in the daily newspaper - the headline, to win the most desired reporter award, The Pulitzer. But what he had to give up to get the story crossed the boundaries of newspaper reporting. I found myself teary toward the end of the book when I found myself reflecting on my own career blunder, that unlike Jim, cost me my job. Unlike Jim I was forced to leave my home and my family to seek employment in another state as my employer had black balled me from ever getting a job in a predominate system throughout the territory.
Through Jim's trials and learning from his mistakes, Jim found himself leaning toward a Christian lifestyle, one that his beloved Aunt and Uncle had been trying to instill in Jim for many years. Again, I found myself knowing that I had the comfort of Jesus on my side throughout my trials. Through Jim's journalistic abilities and newfound Christian life, Jim found his Christian companion, Melissa, who is also a reporter.
Leaving the newspaper role for teacher, Jim has taken a more Christian approach to life, to teach our future community leaders while directing them in the path to success both personally and career wise...something he can do with a clear conscience. As far as missing what's going on in the newsroom, well, Melissa can still keep him up to date on that one.
The book was given four stars instead of three and a half because I didn't think it was a three and there are no options for the half. The four stars come from the simplicity of the story but the main aspect was the editing - something that for a reporter and teacher I would have though Dave would have been more on top of missing words in sentences - something that drives me absolutely nuts when reading.
July 3, 2014
Finding a well rounded book with the perfect balance of mystery, religion and romance is pretty difficult and a challenging feat for any author. The fact that Dave Milbrandt accomplished this in his debut novel Chasing Deception is nothing short of spectacular.
Whenever I read a novel by a newer author, I expect it to be a little green. You can usually tell the difference between a seasoned author on their twentieth book and a first time author but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed to find myself completely immersed in this book in chapter one without a second thought to the author's experience.
Jim Mitchell is a reporter and a likable sort of fellow. He has a bit of an ego but it actually doesn't make him less attractive; after all, his reputation shows it is well deserved. He is a go getter reporter who goes above and beyond to investigate a story and break it before the other news channels are able to do so. Working closely with Melissa Jenkins to break open a story involving a religious cult proves to be a pleasant experience, despite her goody two shoes reputation.
Jeremiah Harmon is a "Pastor" or self proclaimed "Shepherd" to his flock but there is definitely more to him than meets the eye. When Jim and Melissa dig into his past, they aren't shocked at what they uncover. The question is, what to do about it. Jim has a deeply personal connection since his cousin is tied up in the cult and the political repercussions are huge since ties to certain elect go pretty high up. The lines become blurred between his familial obligations and his ethical ties to the paper. Which way will he go and how will it impact his job and relationships? A shocking twist blows it all apart.
Milbrandt expertly blends matters of the heart and faith into the story and uses Jim and Melissa to share Christianity, it's misconceptions and Biblical truths. Jim's hurt from the past put a road block up on the budding relationship between he and Melissa but she leaves the matters in God's hands as the two work together. Sadly it often takes a tragedy to open the eyes and the heart to the truth of the Word. Will Jim finally listen or will it just add to his hurt and anger towards God?
Chasing Deception was a thrilling read and a smashing success for author Dave Milbrandt's debut novel. You will find yourself drawn into some mystery, challenged by the message of faith and warmed by the romance. I am looking forward to seeing a lot more from Milbrandt.
Whenever I read a novel by a newer author, I expect it to be a little green. You can usually tell the difference between a seasoned author on their twentieth book and a first time author but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed to find myself completely immersed in this book in chapter one without a second thought to the author's experience.
Jim Mitchell is a reporter and a likable sort of fellow. He has a bit of an ego but it actually doesn't make him less attractive; after all, his reputation shows it is well deserved. He is a go getter reporter who goes above and beyond to investigate a story and break it before the other news channels are able to do so. Working closely with Melissa Jenkins to break open a story involving a religious cult proves to be a pleasant experience, despite her goody two shoes reputation.
Jeremiah Harmon is a "Pastor" or self proclaimed "Shepherd" to his flock but there is definitely more to him than meets the eye. When Jim and Melissa dig into his past, they aren't shocked at what they uncover. The question is, what to do about it. Jim has a deeply personal connection since his cousin is tied up in the cult and the political repercussions are huge since ties to certain elect go pretty high up. The lines become blurred between his familial obligations and his ethical ties to the paper. Which way will he go and how will it impact his job and relationships? A shocking twist blows it all apart.
Milbrandt expertly blends matters of the heart and faith into the story and uses Jim and Melissa to share Christianity, it's misconceptions and Biblical truths. Jim's hurt from the past put a road block up on the budding relationship between he and Melissa but she leaves the matters in God's hands as the two work together. Sadly it often takes a tragedy to open the eyes and the heart to the truth of the Word. Will Jim finally listen or will it just add to his hurt and anger towards God?
Chasing Deception was a thrilling read and a smashing success for author Dave Milbrandt's debut novel. You will find yourself drawn into some mystery, challenged by the message of faith and warmed by the romance. I am looking forward to seeing a lot more from Milbrandt.
August 20, 2014
I received this book from the author through the Goodreads Giveaways contest. In exchange, by the rules of the contest, I agreed to write an honest review. The novel ends on page 329 and I am on page 264 right now, but I think I will not finish the book. Still I hope I can write an honest review having read most of the book.
I think the writing itself is good except maybe an overabundance of unnecessary details. For example, why is it important to point out that so-and-so was sitting in a certain seat in a certain row at the church? Unless the details create a certain mood, emotion, response from a reader, or are clues to solving a mystery, or in any other way important, I think they are just words. But of course, that's a minor issue.
I did have a major issue with the book. The book is part description of a life of an investigative reporter and part a Christian track (you know, the little brochures, churches distribute to convert folks). Since I had been a fundamentalist Christian in the past, I know how many Christians (those who believe in inerrancy of the Bible) think. I respect their belief system, even though I think it is wrong on many an issue. But...
***I will quote from the book now, so spoiler alert***
on page 260, the main characters (Jim and Melissa) talk about people who died after being tricked by their cult leader into taking poison. Melissa says: "We talked to those people, Jim. Almost all of them used to go to church at one point or another. I'm not saying it's their fault entirely, but they wanted an easy religion. The Bible calls it having your ears tickled and says people will flock to it and ignore the truth..."
I found that part objectionable. Why? It is a self-righteous stance and a cruel one that Melissa takes. I believe that nobody's church has a perfectly correct doctrine, or can you say that you know the complete truth while being still here on earth? If you do, then why do you even need God, after all you can just follow commands from the Bible (if you can). But then why do you need a relationship with God? You have a set of rules, they sort of become your God(?) I do not believe in God punishing a person who is a seeker and who is tricked into taking a poison.
Other than me disagreeing with the teachings from which the book draws its moral conclusions, I would say that the book is OK. I would also say that it is written for fundamentalist Christians or in hopes that a person who reads it becomes one.
I think the writing itself is good except maybe an overabundance of unnecessary details. For example, why is it important to point out that so-and-so was sitting in a certain seat in a certain row at the church? Unless the details create a certain mood, emotion, response from a reader, or are clues to solving a mystery, or in any other way important, I think they are just words. But of course, that's a minor issue.
I did have a major issue with the book. The book is part description of a life of an investigative reporter and part a Christian track (you know, the little brochures, churches distribute to convert folks). Since I had been a fundamentalist Christian in the past, I know how many Christians (those who believe in inerrancy of the Bible) think. I respect their belief system, even though I think it is wrong on many an issue. But...
***I will quote from the book now, so spoiler alert***
on page 260, the main characters (Jim and Melissa) talk about people who died after being tricked by their cult leader into taking poison. Melissa says: "We talked to those people, Jim. Almost all of them used to go to church at one point or another. I'm not saying it's their fault entirely, but they wanted an easy religion. The Bible calls it having your ears tickled and says people will flock to it and ignore the truth..."
I found that part objectionable. Why? It is a self-righteous stance and a cruel one that Melissa takes. I believe that nobody's church has a perfectly correct doctrine, or can you say that you know the complete truth while being still here on earth? If you do, then why do you even need God, after all you can just follow commands from the Bible (if you can). But then why do you need a relationship with God? You have a set of rules, they sort of become your God(?) I do not believe in God punishing a person who is a seeker and who is tricked into taking a poison.
Other than me disagreeing with the teachings from which the book draws its moral conclusions, I would say that the book is OK. I would also say that it is written for fundamentalist Christians or in hopes that a person who reads it becomes one.
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