Waking Lazarus

by T.L. Hines

Jude Allman is hiding. Hiding from the world and hiding from God. Because when you come back from the dead three times, the world wants a piece of you... and it becomes clear that God may have something in mind for you, too. When a terrible danger threatens the people that matter most to Jude, he realizes his days of hiding are over. Does he have enough faith in God's faith in him to truly risk living for the first time in years?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fantasy

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

TL Hines writes "Noir Bizarre" stories, mixing mysteries with oddities in books such as Waking Lazarus, The Dead Whisper On, and The Unseen, Faces in the Fire, and The Falling Away.

Currently, he’s writing and directing a feature film adaptation of his first novel, Waking Lazarus, with a Kickstarter campaign currently active at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Reviews

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My.

Just that.

Oh. My.

I'm going to try to stay away from spoilers and not give a brief synopsis.

I don't even know where to start with this book. First off, I screamed through it in 2 sittings and clocking in just under 24 hours (the only 2 breaks being a) when it was already well past my bedtime and b) when I had that work-thing-so-I-can-support-my-book-habit to go do). And secondly, I didn't even know they made books like this -- a totally bizarre blend of Christian suspense/thriller/with a touch of Dionne Warwick thrown in for good measure. Maybe I need to take this as my sign to get out more or to expand my reading horizons a bit.

This book blew me away. While I find myself trying to collect my thoughts, go an grab yourself a copy. Then you'll know what I'm talking about.

So highly recommended, I can barely stand it.

Victoria

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I hate my internet connection. After posting my review (or trying to) it was all lost. So lacking its former glory, here we go...again...

I've got to be honest here. I picked up three of Hines' novels during my last browse through the library and didn't know he was a Christian fiction novelist. If I had know that, I probably wouldn't have read this. Don't get me wrong, I AM a Christian, but not the kind who normally enjoys reading Christian fiction. This is because I find most of it somewhat judgmental, heavy-handed, and most of the characters are being punished by God for living less than perfect (otherwise referred to as HUMAN) lives. And they are usually just plain not very well written.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It was much darker than I expected it to be. I started it with a little bit of dread, after coming off of some really great reads and after getting a little ways in, I really didn't want to put it down. I found the characters to be pretty well-developed, and I liked that Jude was kind of an atypical protagonist, being deceitful to the mother of his child and not living up to potential, yadda yadda. That is trademark though for a non-traditional (i.e. fire and brimstone) type of Christian novel. I particularly liked that Hines was able to write Jude's abnormal and amazing spiritual experiences while maintaining a real believability with everything else going on. The book reminded me a lot of M. Night Shyamalan's SIGNS, sharing themes of faith and the loss of faith, our purpose on this Earth, and the interconnected of people and their actions. The way that Kristina developed in the story probably is the best example of the way Hines ties everything together in a cool and faithful way.

I was also impressed that, in Hines' debut mystery novel, he was able to keep me in suspense and led me to blindly follow along until the end without guessing that Odum was the child killer. I really bought that it was Frank and followed like the lamb that I am. :) I also loved that Rachel's best friend's name was Nicole...:)Haha.

I will definitely read the other two Hines books I picked up and feel that he was able to inject his Christian beliefs in a smart, well-explained and rational way. I can recommend this book to my non-Christian friends, without feeling like its casting me in an overzealous and hard to believe type of light. Thank you, Mr. Hines and well done.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely amazing book! I came across this book at a discount book store and something about the cover intrigued me. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, but letting a cover entice you to open the book and read the description on the inside cover isn't a bad thing......in fact, I think that's the point. From the description alone, I was intrigued even further. The premise, "Jude Allman has died three times", was enough to hook me. From the first word on the first page to the last word on the last page I remained hooked. After dying three times, can Jude finally learn how to live and save the lives of others in the process? From what I understand, this was a debut novel.....I assure you that you would never know it! T.L. Hines does an incredible job of developing these characters and telling their story. He writes with the imagery and flow of a seasoned author you would swear has been cranking out wonderful novels for years. "Waking Lazarus" is a masterful work that gives you characters to root for, enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and a story that will stick with you for a long time. Bravo to Mr. Hines for this amazing achievement. If the rest of his works are half as good as "Waking Lazarus", he has definitely found a new fan!

[Georgann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary. Creepy. Puzzling. Exciting. I read it in two sitting as I couldn't put it down. Just when I thought I figured it out - no. I usually stay far away from stories involving kidnapped children, so if that's trigger for you, skip this one. But for some reason, I read this one anyway. It's marketed as Christian, and while the characters do pray, it is not pushy at all.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting supernaturally-themed thriller.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The first time Jude Allman died he was 8 years old". Isn't that a great opening line? From the intrigue generated by this statement the story continues, as the reader learns bits and pieces about Jude's bizarre brushes with death--three so far--and also about his current life as a paranoid janitor in hiding. Jude has tried to escape the media and the curious by changing his name to Ron and taking a low profile position as a school janitor. But a mysterious visitor shows up at his doorstep one day, right around the time that some bizarre things start to happen to him. He starts to have wierd visions, and he starts to break out of his paranioa. But even more troubling is that several children in the area have disappeared--and likely been murdered--and Jude's visions may be able to lead him to the killer.[return]T.L. Hines has crafted a real pageturner, full of plot twists that had me fooled as to who the real killer was going to be. He reminds me of Ted Dekker for his ability to combine heart racing suspense with religious themes. I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

[Sherron Wahrheit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: I really loved this back when I was a believer. I felt a great synergy between the author’s thoughtful and well-plotted storytelling and Tom Stechschulte’s warm and caringly earnest narration.

I reread it as a nonbeliever, but I just couldn’t get into it; however, I’m leaving my initial rating. I’m not sure why the story didn’t satisfy the second time around but I don’t think it was because I had been underly critical the first time. It’s extremely likely that I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief even just the tiniest bit, and it also could have been spoiled by my knowing the plot. Some books are best experienced tabla rosa.

Regardless of my views on the existence of a deity, I would definitely try more by works by this author; I enjoyed his storytelling.

===================================

I'm so annoyed. I had written a long review about religious novels and fiction, and I was checking it in "Preview" mode. I clicked a hypertext link to see if it functioned, and ... I lost the entire review. I should have hit "Save" first. Lol. Have you been "Saved?" My document hadn't been, and unlike Lazarus, there will be no resurrecting it! ;)

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell asleep at the beginning of reading this book..and quite some time passed before I picked it back up. However, today I started reading it and didn't stop until I had devoured the rest of it. I was quite surprised at who turned out to be The Hunter/The Normal. The author pointed me down the road of another man.

Jude, a 32 year old paranoid man, has been declared clinically dead three times. It seems to happen in a pattern of every eight years. All the fame has made him retreat and take on another identity, that of a school janitor. Rachel, a woman he had a one night stand with, is mother to his son Nathan. Jude somehow knows things in advance, things he shouldn't logically have any knowledge of.

[Nicolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be one that I will recommend to my friends and family. I really enjoyed this book. I felt the author carried all the characters through the entire story. I also felt all of the characters were equally strong and did not lose their place as the story evolved. I actually saw the ending coming and guessed but then the author went and changed it on me. When you read the book you will understand what I mean by the comment above. I do not like to write *spoilers* in my reviews. Just trust me you will enjoy this book. I will be looking into other books written by T.L.Hines.

[Zacksmom Okon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot think of another book that brought a waterfall of tears in closing the cover. The main character was quirky and unusual, but I warmed up to him right away and shared the struggles of mental anguish and rejoiced in his humanity in learning to embrace love. The author guides the reader down incorrect paths of assumption throughout the entire novel. I can usually figure out the "mystery" in most stories -- NOT this one. Superb story!

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another WOW book! This book kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing all the way to the end! If you like suspenseful, Christian fiction, this supernatural thriller will certainly satisfy the escape you are looking for! I'm looking forward to reading more of Hines books, in fact I think I will start "The Dead Whisper On" next! Well Done Mr. Hines!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love "out there" books that make me think and set me on edge. This one does that for sure! It was a good book and moved me to read the rest of this T.L. Hines' books.

[Dock Hoilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book. If I see another T. L. Hines book, I will definitely pick it up.

[Becca]

This book was one of the best I EVER read. It had a fascinating plot and riveting plot twists. A MUST READ!

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

RICK ““SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “THREE RESURRECTIONS AND ONE NEW AUTHOR, ALL FROM ONE BOOK!”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jude Allman had died, and been resurrected, three separate times by the age of thirty-one. The first time, he fell through the ice in a lake fishing when he was eight, the second time, he was hit by lightning in a field while hiking when he was sixteen, and the third time, he was driving in the ice and snow and skidded into a ditch when he was twenty-four. Jude wrote a book that he wished he hadn’t, and combined with the notoriety from his “resurrection tri-fecta”, he was very dispirited when he became immensely famous. He tried to hide from his unwanted fame by leaving town and using the name Ron Gress as an alias. As Jude/Ron disengages himself from the world, he becomes so paranoid, that he covers the inside of all the windows in his house with Sheetrock and installs a complex security system as well. Jude/Ron takes a job as a janitor at a school in a small town in Montana, and slides into a shrinking, introverted, paranoid, personality, that develops a natural aversion to human contact. He even has to sleep in a reclining chair because he’s afraid to lay down in a bed.

As children start disappearing in towns in Montana, Jude/Ron starts getting strange copper tastes in his mouth, and visions, as a warning of impending danger to come, or as clues to save people already in trouble.

This first time author deftly juggles multiple scenarios and plots simultaneously, like a seasoned writer. Some of the descriptive phrases he pulls from his writer’s tool box are pretty enjoyable: “Streams poured from Jude’s clothing as if he were a sunken treasure lifted to the surface after centuries in the murky depths.” “A sweaty bald man with a paunch crawled into Jude’s circle on his hands and knees. The lottery numbers, he hissed. Gimme the lottery numbers.” “His father was talking about things that made no sense to him, scary things that crawled up and down his spine on icy legs.” “An icy block of dread began to settle in his stomach.” His lungs felt as if they were filled with spun fiberglass.” “She felt a cold sliver of ice starting to wedge its way into her spine.”


This story will keep you anxiously reading till the last page. This is a thriller that combines spirituality along with horrific modern crimes. I can only hope that this is the first of many more terrific books by this author.

[Stephen Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book in the library the blurb looked quite interesting and I was in a hurry so I grabbed it. When I got home and began to read it, I began to have misgivings. A "Christian" book about abducted children from an evangelical publisher... was it going to be a re-run of The Shack. To my relief, it wasn't. I found The Shack utterly twee and cringeworthy, a novel, ostensibly for adults, written in the style of Enid Blyton.

But it turned out to be quite readable, with some nice plot twists, a whodunit that keep the reader guessing, and with some strong elements of fantasy, and not too preachy. .

[Feralia Kumbri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazarus merupakan tokoh dalam Alkitab yang mati dan dibangkitkan oleh Yesus. Boleh dikatakan, dalam hidup Lazarus, berdasarkan catatan yang ada, ia mengalami kematian dua kali. Kematian kedua tidak membuat ia dibangkitkan lagi. Tapi Jude Allman,  karakter utama novel Waking Lazarus, telah mati tiga kali.

Bahasanya cukup berat sehingga membutuhkan waktu lumayan lama untuk menamatkan buku pertama yangs selesai di tahun 2021 ini. Tapi cukup membuat Bii penasaran dengan karya Hines yang lain yaitu novel The Dead Whisper On dan Unseen.

Dengan cekatan Hines menggiring Bii mengikuti kehidupan setiap karakter yang ada. Kemudian dengan berulang memperkenalkan kepada si penculik dan membuat pertanyaan silih berganti, siapa sih orang ini?

Hines juga menggunakan formula novel-novel thriller penculikan dan pembunuhan, sang penjahat begitu dekat ada di depan mata, tapi ia tak kentara.

[John M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kind of Christian detective/thriller that works really well apart from a couple of clunky references to the Big Man upstairs. I enjoyed this one a lot - the main character is well drawn and highly believable in spite of his Lazarus-like ability to cheat death (no spoilers from me). The sense of place was well depicted and I found myself "seeing" the towns, roads, woods and homes very clearly even though I don't live in the US - a little bit like Stephen King depicts small town Maine. My only gripe is that the relationship between Jude and his father was left hanging at the end which was a little unsatisfactory given how essential it was to Jude's sense of self and his place in the world. Give this one a chance - well worth it.

[Dodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I found on my want to read list from 2013, but for some reason I thought it was a zombie book (it's not).
After a few chapters, I realized I've read this book years ago, and most likely I checked it out from the library before I had my kindle.
Overall, it's a good Christian book, but there are so many loose ends, and things that go unanswered.

It wasn't that hard to figure out who the killer was, though the author tried hard to steer suspension to a different character.
I wish there was a sequel showing Jude in his Prophet duties, but alas the writer didn't go there.

[Bettyb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not call this Christian fiction really. It is more thriller/suspense with a Christian element. It is never preachy or in-your-face about religion but there are characters who are believers. Actually, for me, the characters were the best part of this book. Jude and Rachel are interesting and I really wanted to know why Jude died three times. The bad guy, however, was not particularly original and not too hard to figure out. The time spent inside his head was the weakest part of the book in my opinion. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was very good.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one was unexpected. I enjoyed this story immensely, and it actually caught me by surprise several times. Jude was a fantastic character, well fleshed out and so real in his thoughts and emotions. I will have to go to my Bible and commentaries to more fully understand the significance of the number "8," but it was used quite often in the story. I hope that this book gets more people intrigued by God and having a relationship with him, and I can't wait to check out more by T.L. Hines!

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Accidentally found this book at a local bazaar, it wasn't very attractive from the cover but there is something with the premise that Hines presented: about Jude Allman who has died three times, every eight years. This book touches on spirituality, psychology, and a slight of awkward humor who keep you assembling puzzles after puzzles in each chapter. Didn't expect the story to end like that, an interesting reading experience.

[Tim Peeples · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair to good read

[Ursula Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book on my kindle for at least 3 years....why, oh why did I wait so long to read it?! Brilliant book definite recommendation 📚👍

[Carolyn Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude came back from dead three times. Took on another identity to hide from people. Mystery of missing children. In the end, found his purpose and life again.

[Vermouth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great! I didn't saw the twist coming🤣

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting concept that dragged on a bit, but as more and more revealed itself, this typical mystery with a twist turned into a great surprise and sweet ending.

[w gall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but God's involvement in life's quandaries rarely involves miracles. They sure make a story exciting, but great Christian novels reflect life's struggles more realistically.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twist was not incredibly shocking.

[Melissa Herman]

Excellent Read!!