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Ollie Chandler #3
Deception
“Messin’ with me’s like wearin’ cheese underwear down rat alley.”
-Ollie Chandler
Homicide detective Ollie Chandler has seen it all. Done more than he cares to admit. But when he’s called to investigate the murder of a Portland State University professor, he finds himself going places he’s never gone before.
Places he never wanted to go.
Because all the evidence is pointing to one horrific conclusion: The murderer is someone in his own department. That’s not the worst of it, though. Ollie has nagging doubts…about himself. Where was he during the time of the murder?
Joined by journalist Clarence Abernathy and their friend Jake Woods, Ollie pushes the investigation forward. Soon all three are drawn deep into corruption and political tensions that threaten to destroy them–and anyone who tries to help. But they’re in too deep to quit. They’ve got no choice. They have to follow the evidence to the truth…
No matter how ugly–or dangerous–it gets.
A gripping story of murder and spiritual struggle, Deception proves, as never before, the truth of Ollie’s first law: “Things are often not what they appear.”
-Ollie Chandler
Homicide detective Ollie Chandler has seen it all. Done more than he cares to admit. But when he’s called to investigate the murder of a Portland State University professor, he finds himself going places he’s never gone before.
Places he never wanted to go.
Because all the evidence is pointing to one horrific conclusion: The murderer is someone in his own department. That’s not the worst of it, though. Ollie has nagging doubts…about himself. Where was he during the time of the murder?
Joined by journalist Clarence Abernathy and their friend Jake Woods, Ollie pushes the investigation forward. Soon all three are drawn deep into corruption and political tensions that threaten to destroy them–and anyone who tries to help. But they’re in too deep to quit. They’ve got no choice. They have to follow the evidence to the truth…
No matter how ugly–or dangerous–it gets.
A gripping story of murder and spiritual struggle, Deception proves, as never before, the truth of Ollie’s first law: “Things are often not what they appear.”
490 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
78 people are currently reading
1581 people want to read
About the author
Randy Alcorn
223 books1,603 followersRandy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 21, 2018
I can’t remember the last time I was this surprised by a book. It’s a book that I started in the past, but I never got through the first chapter. At the time, I had this weird by vibrant hatred for any and all books written in the first person. I have since lost that weird distaste, but at the time I first picked up this book, I was immediately turned off. The first two books in the trilogy were in third person, and for the life of me I could not understand Alcorn’s decision to swap to the first person. After actually reading more than the first ten pages, I both completely understand and applaud his decision. Ollie’s story could never have work this well if told in the third person. His voice and inner monologue are the best features of the book.
Oliver Justice Chandler might’ve been born in the wrong era of crimefighting. He’s a gumshoe in a world trench coats and fedoras are antiquated. I enjoyed him way more than I thought I would. Ollie is a great detective, possibly even a genius at his job, but he’s a hard man to work with. Ollie will do anything to solve a case, including bending the laws he is supposed to be upholding. He’ll lie right to your face if he thinks doing so will help him gain justice for the victims he represents. I always wondered why this trilogy was called the Ollie Chandler trilogy, when he serves as a side character in the first two books. Having now (finally) read the entire series, I get it. Ollie is the glue of the plot, in a way, binding together all three stories. Jake and Clarence, the main characters from preceding books, are now Ollie’s friends. He has seen their lives radically changed by devastating loss, as he was the investigating officer in both cases. He as also seen lives radically changed by Jesus, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
The spiritual element that made the other books so moving to me was not nearly as pronounced in this story. It was still there, but it played second fiddle to the mystery aspect of the plot. I have to applaud Alcorn for writing such an engaging mystery. I never guessed the answers before Ollie found them himself, which made the book far more addicting to read than I expected. I was really impressed at how intricate the mystery was, and how close to the chest the author held his cards. There was also more humor in this book than in the first two, and a lightheartedness despite the darkness of the crimes committed. Actually, while I was reading Ollie’s character kept reminding me of Bill Hodges from Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, except I found Ollie far more likable and his story more enjoyable than that of Bill Hodges. Since I usually love King, I think this is pretty high praise.
Ollie’s story was a joy to read, and I would have absolutely no qualms recommending it to anyone of any age. It was clean, unpredictable, and fun. It did not feel preachy in any way, though the Christian element was definitely present and unapologetic. I also think it can stand just fine on its own, apart from the other two novels. If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery with surprising depth, for a main character that will make you roll your eyes and laugh, or for a story that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you.
Oliver Justice Chandler might’ve been born in the wrong era of crimefighting. He’s a gumshoe in a world trench coats and fedoras are antiquated. I enjoyed him way more than I thought I would. Ollie is a great detective, possibly even a genius at his job, but he’s a hard man to work with. Ollie will do anything to solve a case, including bending the laws he is supposed to be upholding. He’ll lie right to your face if he thinks doing so will help him gain justice for the victims he represents. I always wondered why this trilogy was called the Ollie Chandler trilogy, when he serves as a side character in the first two books. Having now (finally) read the entire series, I get it. Ollie is the glue of the plot, in a way, binding together all three stories. Jake and Clarence, the main characters from preceding books, are now Ollie’s friends. He has seen their lives radically changed by devastating loss, as he was the investigating officer in both cases. He as also seen lives radically changed by Jesus, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
The spiritual element that made the other books so moving to me was not nearly as pronounced in this story. It was still there, but it played second fiddle to the mystery aspect of the plot. I have to applaud Alcorn for writing such an engaging mystery. I never guessed the answers before Ollie found them himself, which made the book far more addicting to read than I expected. I was really impressed at how intricate the mystery was, and how close to the chest the author held his cards. There was also more humor in this book than in the first two, and a lightheartedness despite the darkness of the crimes committed. Actually, while I was reading Ollie’s character kept reminding me of Bill Hodges from Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, except I found Ollie far more likable and his story more enjoyable than that of Bill Hodges. Since I usually love King, I think this is pretty high praise.
Ollie’s story was a joy to read, and I would have absolutely no qualms recommending it to anyone of any age. It was clean, unpredictable, and fun. It did not feel preachy in any way, though the Christian element was definitely present and unapologetic. I also think it can stand just fine on its own, apart from the other two novels. If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery with surprising depth, for a main character that will make you roll your eyes and laugh, or for a story that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you.
September 12, 2024
4⭐️
I chuckled OUT LOUD so often in this book. Considering it’s a crime novel and that I don’t laugh out loud often in books, proves this had some entertaining dry/sarcastic humour and I loved that!
I didn’t care for the Heaven perspective and would’ve rated it higher without that. I am very selective when it comes to fiction written from Heaven or God himself….
——
The story:
Detective Oliver chandler is called to investigate the murder of a womanizing professor.
I chuckled OUT LOUD so often in this book. Considering it’s a crime novel and that I don’t laugh out loud often in books, proves this had some entertaining dry/sarcastic humour and I loved that!
I didn’t care for the Heaven perspective and would’ve rated it higher without that. I am very selective when it comes to fiction written from Heaven or God himself….
——
The story:
Detective Oliver chandler is called to investigate the murder of a womanizing professor.
June 18, 2015
Awesome book, 5 stars easily. I haven't read a book in a long time where I laughed every 5 minutes. This is unusual, given that the genre is a suspense/detective story. This book builds on the previous two in the same genre by Mr. Alcorn, which includes Deadline and Dominion, told from a first person vantage of two of the characters that are also in Deception. Both book 1 and 2 are good, but Deception is the best in the series and could be read independently. There are references to previous characters that a new reader wouldn't get, but it works.
Randy also works apoligetics into his storyline and glimpses of the world by characters from the previous stories that are now in heaven. I am also a big fan of whodunits that actually have you guessing until the very end!
Eric
Randy also works apoligetics into his storyline and glimpses of the world by characters from the previous stories that are now in heaven. I am also a big fan of whodunits that actually have you guessing until the very end!
Eric
December 23, 2010
10 star book! LOVED it! Randy Alcorn did an amazing job! :D This is exactly what I would like to see in a novel. Humor, action, suspense and a wee little bit of romance. Not many books can make me laugh out loud, but this one did that countess times! I fell in love with the main character, Ollie Chandler. I loved how this book was from Ollies point of view! And the ending was awesome.
Words cannot express how much I love this book! You need to read this book. Soon. I promise, you won't be disappointed!
Words cannot express how much I love this book! You need to read this book. Soon. I promise, you won't be disappointed!
February 5, 2011
Not nearly as good as the first one. Needs a bit more character development - Ollie and Clarance were getting on just fine in Dominion, and suddenly they hate each other's guts? Confusing. Still, an entertaining read.
September 14, 2022
Vakantiethriller van de kringloop. Ik had op de achterflap even gemist dat de auteur nogal evangelisch christelijk is. Nou kun je alle (vele) passages over God moeiteloos overslaan, die voegen helemaal niets toe aan de plot, maar dan nog ligt het er allemaal vrij dik bovenop. De hoofdpersoon is ook aan de stereotype kant: dwarse politieinspecteur, weduwnaar met moeizame relatie met superieuren en dochters, alcoholist die alleen junkfood eet, alle cliches zien erin. De plot is nog wel aardig, maar omdat ik me zo ergerde aan allerlei kleine dingen en de wat jolige schrijfstijl kon hij me uiteindelijk toch niet overtuigen. Het is dat ik maar weinig boeken bij me had op vakantie...
February 15, 2015
It was 9p.m. on a Saturday night. I was exhausted and wondering how early I needed to get up in order to be ready for church on time in the morning.
Daddy handed me a book and asked, "How about this for the church library?"
I glanced at the title, knew all my family loves these books, and commented, "You know, I haven't read it yet."
It was 3:30a.m. on a Sunday morning. I turned the last page, closed the book, and staggered my room.
I've read (and not really liked) Alcorn's Lord Foulgrin's Letters and Courageous, and I have not read the two preceding books in the trilogy (my sister was shocked).
Be that as it may, Alcorn is definitely best on his own turf. I laughed a lot (he gave Ollie a great voice), skimmed a little, and dropped the book in shock a couple of times.
For a book that is outside my usual style, I really enjoyed it.
Daddy handed me a book and asked, "How about this for the church library?"
I glanced at the title, knew all my family loves these books, and commented, "You know, I haven't read it yet."
It was 3:30a.m. on a Sunday morning. I turned the last page, closed the book, and staggered my room.
I've read (and not really liked) Alcorn's Lord Foulgrin's Letters and Courageous, and I have not read the two preceding books in the trilogy (my sister was shocked).
Be that as it may, Alcorn is definitely best on his own turf. I laughed a lot (he gave Ollie a great voice), skimmed a little, and dropped the book in shock a couple of times.
For a book that is outside my usual style, I really enjoyed it.
December 29, 2012
The first two books in this series were spectacular, so maybe my expectations were too high going into this one. Detective Chandler is lovingly bumbling, but so is Randy Alcorn in his writing. Each talk with his friends about Christianity is ridiculously forced, every twist that could happen in a case happens in this one, and Ollie is so stereotypically a detective - loves greasy diner food, loves Oldies, loves his wife, and gets the case solved no matter the consequences - that it's just not even fun when you figure out the ending.
It was nice to catch up with these characters and see them solve another case, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I think my sentimentality and my curiosity about these characters kept me reading.
It was nice to catch up with these characters and see them solve another case, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I think my sentimentality and my curiosity about these characters kept me reading.
March 3, 2019
I have always been a police/crime show fan. And that is exactly what this book is... but with a deep, theological perspective and with apologetics playing a role in some of the personal conversations. The humor is witty and sometimes dry, which made me burst out laughing many times. It’s a great read!
January 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this (especially since it was hardcover and stayed open in my lap so I could knit and read at the same time... pure happiness, I tell you!). Parentheticals aside, I was unsure of the first person when I first started Deception, as Deadline and Dominion had been written in third person, but I quickly adapted.
A Christienian (Agathian?) plot twist, and a lot of good Christian depth.
While Deadline and Dominion dove, respectively, into abortion/premarital sex and racism/gang issues, Deception's focus is much more subtle. It focuses on the murder but just under the surface... the question: is God real? If He is, where am I going when I die? This is ironic, since the Heaven scenes, predominant in Deadline and almost as much so in Dominion, are quite muted in Deception.
I really loved how Randy Alcorn grew throughout the series as a writer. You don't really see that a lot, but you can in this series.
I would recommend!
A Christienian (Agathian?) plot twist, and a lot of good Christian depth.
While Deadline and Dominion dove, respectively, into abortion/premarital sex and racism/gang issues, Deception's focus is much more subtle. It focuses on the murder but just under the surface... the question: is God real? If He is, where am I going when I die? This is ironic, since the Heaven scenes, predominant in Deadline and almost as much so in Dominion, are quite muted in Deception.
I really loved how Randy Alcorn grew throughout the series as a writer. You don't really see that a lot, but you can in this series.
I would recommend!
July 26, 2024
Man! Yet again an incredible book by Randy Alcorn. I think this was my favourite of the Ollie Chandler series, as my cousin suspected it would be. It was written incredibly well, and I couldn’t set it down.
November 2, 2021
10/10. Love this book
November 21, 2022
Such a good book. Maybe not quite as profound or thought provoking as the first two, but this book also has a great message and an amazing storyline.
December 31, 2024
Mid. Definitely made me laugh and has a good plot that was fairly unpredictable. It was definitely a bit cheesy at times, but that was also part of the charm of the book.
January 17, 2022
This is volume three of the Deadline series and I believe the best of the three. I finished it a few days ago, however, my computer crashed and I wasn't able to write this report. Now my computer is fixed and able now to continue with my reports.
October 9, 2007
Such a good read! I love mysteries, and this comes from a good strong storyteller, Randy Alcorn.
The premise of the book is that the main character is having trouble with his private life, i.e. he's becoming and alcoholic and suffers from blackouts on occasion. He's also a fine detective who has been called to work a homicide investigation that has way too many pieces of evidence, too many suspects and evidence that points to his presence at the murder scene.
It's a great read, in that all along the mystery there is a counterpoint story of the detective's life observed from heaven and the friends that he has who come alongside to encourage him. He presents arguments to the faith, and his friends help him to see the alternative view of things.
You won't predict the ending, I guarantee it!
It reminds me of the strength of "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti.
The premise of the book is that the main character is having trouble with his private life, i.e. he's becoming and alcoholic and suffers from blackouts on occasion. He's also a fine detective who has been called to work a homicide investigation that has way too many pieces of evidence, too many suspects and evidence that points to his presence at the murder scene.
It's a great read, in that all along the mystery there is a counterpoint story of the detective's life observed from heaven and the friends that he has who come alongside to encourage him. He presents arguments to the faith, and his friends help him to see the alternative view of things.
You won't predict the ending, I guarantee it!
It reminds me of the strength of "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti.
June 15, 2009
(novel, audiobook)
a. “Deception” is the 3rd in this series, the first being “Deadline” and then “Dominion.” I’ve read all three. All are brilliantly done and all three star Detective Ollie Chandler.
b. Ollie is ordered to include Clarence Abernathy, a newspaper reporter and acquaintance of Ollie and mutual friend Jake in this investigation. This one focuses around a murdered professor. Ollie has seen this professor before. How did he really die? Did Ollie murder him in a drunken stupor? After all, a wrapper of a certain unpopular gum – one that Ollie was known to chew, was found at the scene and Ollie was having blackouts after some drinking sprees. Then there is other evidence that points to Ollie as well. Perhaps it was someone else from the police force. 5 STARS
a. “Deception” is the 3rd in this series, the first being “Deadline” and then “Dominion.” I’ve read all three. All are brilliantly done and all three star Detective Ollie Chandler.
b. Ollie is ordered to include Clarence Abernathy, a newspaper reporter and acquaintance of Ollie and mutual friend Jake in this investigation. This one focuses around a murdered professor. Ollie has seen this professor before. How did he really die? Did Ollie murder him in a drunken stupor? After all, a wrapper of a certain unpopular gum – one that Ollie was known to chew, was found at the scene and Ollie was having blackouts after some drinking sprees. Then there is other evidence that points to Ollie as well. Perhaps it was someone else from the police force. 5 STARS
February 12, 2009
My first Randy Alcorn read and as a devourer of action/mystery fiction, I enjoyed it more than most of my other favorite authors. It is a well written police detective genre with undercurrent Christian themes. The detective (Ollie Chandler) is a typical cynical hardbitten cop with very negative views of Christians and the Church who is forced into close association with a Christian journalist who unapologetically shares his faith with Ollie. The Christian theme is clear in the story, but I liked Alcorn's treatment of Ollie's character. Unlike many Christian novels with sappy story lines, Ollie's response to the witness of his Christian friends is realistic - it is having an impact on his attitudes and thinking, but no miracle conversion occurs (but maybe in the next story).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2009
Wow! I just got blown away by another Randy Alcorn novel. Every one I've read has kept me up at night and prevented me from doing any housework. This is the third in the series featuring Jake, Clarence, and Ollie. Ollie, a police detective, is in the spotlight here with a murder that appears to have been committed by one of the detectives themselves. Besides the suspense story, there is a Christian back story as Jake and Clarence try to get agnostic/atheist Ollie to investigate the claims of Jesus Christ as vigorously as he investigates crime. This book is not to be missed! And after you read it, be sure to read Deadline and Dominion, the first two in the series.
January 22, 2009
This book was a little different than the others in the series and I think it changed for the better. Instead of the more narrative view of the first two, this one was more like a diary entry of the main character. This sounds boring, but this character is so funny, and the writing is written in his way of thinking (the jokes and similes and analogies are all corny in the way of him). It was very clever and another can't-put-down!
June 2, 2012
You know a author is good when you find yourself caring about the characters as you would a real person.That being said this book can be safely said is one of them.I found myself always hoping for Ollie Chandler's safety when I wasn't reading.This book was totally endearing and I will and have recommend it to all of my friends.
October 22, 2012
The funniest of the trilogy, this book was my favorite out of the three. Alcorn paints an outstanding picture of both heaven and hell in these three books, and really gets you thinking not only of how things are in both heaven and hell, but also how the people on earth are affected. His characters and situations are very realistic and enjoyable. I highly suggest the trilogy.
July 8, 2009
Alcorn is a great fiction writer. This is a book that made me laugh out loud and made me tear up, too. It has suspense and truth and hope. I'm recommending it to many. While reading I discovered it's book 3 of a trilogy - yet the books all stand alone. I will read the first two.
December 13, 2012
My wife and I both thought this book was amazing and hope the author will continue with writing about Ollie Chandler. Humor plus twist and turns in the plot kept us entertained. The book was also clean so I feel free to recommend it to anyone.
June 8, 2009
This is a Christian book, also a mystery. Just when you think you know who the killer is, the plot twists, and you have to think again.
And again, and again.
Very good.
And again, and again.
Very good.
July 13, 2009
I think the best of all three books
July 28, 2009
I am so excited about this book! It fit me to a T! Mystery/religion/humor.....I can't wait to read more from this author!
February 3, 2010
Excellent book! I had a hard time putting it down.
May 17, 2011
Another knock out by Alcomrn!
July 28, 2011
Another great read by Randy Alcorn. I liked Deadline better, but it was fun getting reacquainted with the characters from Deadline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews