Deception

When Darkness Falls #2

by Barbara Warren

Their parents paid the ransom - the kidnappers released one child. Haunted by the pleading eyes of her younger sister, Rhona Howard has spent the last twenty-four years searching for Tess. Reunited at last, the pair are thrust into a deadly world of deception where the bond of shared secrets threatens to choke the light of truth. Blood is thicker than water, but a heart of darkness exacts revenge, not love.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Christian, Fiction, Suspense, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

199 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2013

Reviews

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was too godly and religious for me and I found I didn't agree with how the dialogue was written-to me people just don't speak like that so I got bored and gave up at 14% into it.
Something else I noticed was when she said they carried her to the car and left Rhona behind and it was the last time she saw her, yet in the beginning her and Rhona were in the car together. So that didn't make sense and annoyed me. As did a person giving a description of someone. They applauded her for giving such a great description but she didn't give the age of the person she described which to me was a great big omission !!
One minute Tess was wanting Neil's help then not and it all seemed pretty juvenile the way she behaved and him too. He'd hardly know what she thought or she was acting out of character after seeing her for the first time only a few hours before !! All a bit silly and none too believable.
However, I gave this an extra star because I didn't spot a single spelling mistake or error before I gave up on it which is impressive.

[Randy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was completely into this book and had a difficult time putting it down. However, I was so disappointed in the ending. It's like the author ran out of time, imagination or desire to finish the book. The ending is rushed, unbelievable and abrupt. It's a shame really because it really was pretty good.

[J. Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess and her sister Rhonda were kidnapped as small children. The ransom was paid but only Tess was returned. Even though their parents have both passed away Tess remains looking for her sister.

Fast forward 24 years. She has someone trying to kill her so she hires Neil, a Private Investigator, to help her.

A woman shows up in town claiming to be Rhonda, even though she calls herself Erin.
Will she be who she says, or is she an imposter?
Will Tess find her sister or will she forever be without her.
Come join Tess and Neil figure out the clues.

This is a good book. I only wish it would have had one more chapter to really finish it. It could have used a little more details at the end.
Other than that, I really enjoyed it

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing in this book and found myself wanting to caution Tess on several occasions. Her confusion and angst come through beautifully as she has to decide who some new people in her life actually are. The story lines for what was happening in other character lives interwove beautifully and the touch of romance was lovely.

The characters were well developed and true to form. I truly enjoyed a clean read without punctuating profanity. Well done, Ms. Warren! Thank you!

I would recommend this book. It will keep you reading until the last page and then wanting more.

[Catspirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Mystery

I enjoyed this book very much and read it in one day. It is about two sisters kidnapped as children but after the ransom was paid only one sister was returned. Tess, the sister that was returned spent her life wondering what happened to her older sister. At a certain point someone tries to kill Tess but she had no idea who or why. That is where the mystery begins. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good mystery.

[Edwina Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-Packed Suspense

A great suspense novel keeps the reader on edge to the very end. Even when the reader knows that there will be a HEA (Happy ever after) ending, it’s hard to put the book down. Such is the case with “Deception: Missing...Presumed Dead.” The action and suspense start on page one and doesn’t stop until the end of the book. Yes, there is romance, but it takes a back seat to the drama. This is a book that suspense lovers will thoroughly enjoy!

[Patricia Anne Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kidnapped aged 4 and 6 Sisters

This story is about Tess Howard looking for her sister after 24 years since the girls were kidnapped. Lots of suspense, intrigue and deception. Good read I have given it a 5 star review

[Billie Rayborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written amazing mystery.

Characters are three dimensional! Plot moves rapidly with surprises and misdirection. Test has missed her sister, Rhona forc24 years. Now she's living a nightmare! Someone wants her dead! I definitely recommend this book!

[Jjean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book & read it in one day - plot moves rapidly with twist & turns - the characters are well written and some of them really hold surprises for the reader.... a very interesting mystery.

[Nancy Phy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

This is a great mystery that keeps you guessing all the way to the end. If you're a mystery lover I would recommend this book.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I agree that the end was a little abrupt and an epilogue would have been good but it was very satisfying anyway.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good clean romance

It was a quick read and it held my interest, but it was very predictable and would have liked the ending to have been expanded.

[BRENDA CRESPO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

the book had it intense moment. It was written simply and enjoyable. It felt like a friend was telling me a story .

[Bonnie Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting, a page-turner from the beginning to the end. Looking forward to the next book!

[Tami Grzybowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Tess kept saying was proving the sister by DNA. How many times were they together eating/drinking and she could have grabbed the “sisters” fork/cup whatever and get the DNA tested?!?

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book. It was a decent read and I would recommend to others who like a decent suspense.

Tess and her sister Rhona were kidnapped when they were just little girls. At ages four and six, respectively, it was quite a traumatic event. When their parents paid the ransom so that they could reunite with both girls, it was Tess alone that had been returned.

Tess grew up without Rhona, but her family had never stopped looking for her. When Tess' parents passed away, Tess continued the search which often lead to dead ends or tricksters who just wanted money.

One such meeting would prove dangerous and change her life forever. She collided with Neil, a private investigator, whom had also been led to that very spot. He feels he should protect her but Tess is leery of accepting his aid.

The two develop a burgeoning relationship that both are trying to deny. While trying to figure out why the two were brought together at the meeting place, their investigation leads them along a dangerous path. Their lives are threatened by the numerous attempts to kill them.

Tess' lawyer calls her one day and swears that he has found her sister. Without showing evidence of why he feels it is her, he insists that the two meet. When Tess can't fully accept that this girl is her long lost sister, the lawyer decides he will make the announcement to the media, regardless of her wishes.

Later Tess is reunited with her real sister when she is again kidnapped by the same people who had taken her as a child.

Together with the police, Neil and his friend Bob are able to figure the entire scenario out.

Unfortunately, I had figured out who the sister was almost as soon as she was introduced. And although the relationship between Neil and Tess grew quickly, the ending bothered me. I felt it was rushed, that their relationship hadn't truly had a chance to develop.

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery was baffling, but the resolution was rushed and a little disappointing.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deception is one of those books that you just can't put down. You get a clear picture of each character and some of the just give you a "feeling"- you may not know exactly why you don't trust a particular character, but just just "know". Don't start this book just before bed unless you plan on staying up all night. Those "feelings" will keep you reading to see if you are right, and not all of your feelings are going to be spot on. Two girls are kidnapped and only one is returned, and the one that was returned is being stalked and targeted for murder. But the new PI in town that is trying to help her out is also being targeted- what is their issue with him? You'll have to read the book to find out why. Wonderfully put together, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and a good, clean read. Just don't expect to get anything else done- or sleep- until you have finished the book. I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book and wanted to know how it wound up, but like others, the ending was rushed and no ultimate resolution was given for the kidnapping or all the attempted killings. What happened to all the antagonists? The protagonists fall in love too neatly. The various attempts on Tess's life were haphazard, and the police seemed incompetent. Why kill some people at all and leave others alone? Why not interrogate the man in prison? Why were relationships between antagonists not found earlier? And what client would accept such evasive answers from a lawyer or possible sister? I liked Tess. I liked Maxine...though the first scene with her and the author's not so subtle foreshadowing meant no surprises in the end. Predictable with too many unanswered questions. The Christian slant comes suddenly.....the prayerful focus did not bother me, but why wasn't it there from the beginning. There is a lot just unresolved. I did enjoy reading it, but it was bittersweet as far as mysteries go.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess and Rona Howard were sisters that were both kidnapped, but only Tess was returned after the family paid the ransom. More than 20 years later, someone claiming to be her long lost sister comes back into Tess's life. With the help of PI Neil, Tess is determined to vet this woman's claims. There are multiple attacks and attempts on Tess' life. Is this connected to the return of the woman claiming to be Rona? This was a rather predictable mystery. The Christian input involved the use of several prayers during stressful scenes. The story's ending with another abduction and final confrontation with the original kidnapper and accomplices with Tess and Rona seemed odd.

I received a free Audible copy of this book from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in exchange for an honest review.

[Joyce Maina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

Awesome read... enjoyed it immensely! Anyone who loves mystery and suspense novels...this is a page turner! God bless! Keep up the good work!

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two children are kidnapped. The ransom is paid for both, but only one is returned. . . Even after her parents's deaths, Tess continues to search for her older sister, but it's been years without any information turning up. Suddenly, her lawyer seems to have a woman claiming to be Rhona that he is vetting . . . but he refuses to provide any information to Tess or to the foundation that could assist in the vetting.

Tess meets a PI by chance and though she's reluctant to trust anyone, she soon develops a sort of friendship with him and comes to rely on him and those he trusts.

The sister is found--but you'll have to read the book to find out if she is the woman who contacted the lawyer or another character.

[Marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why is it that every Christian author takes liberty at lack of literary content? Not only was this book completely silly, but I felt aggravated at the time spent reading it. The premise started off like it might be okay; but then as usual in a Christian book, there's love, and it's ALWAYS love before really knowing a person. And then the premise just drops off and every character is like something from a dumb blonde joke. Seriously. The Private Detective who can't detect even the simplest of clues, the police who are just as clueless. DON'T READ THIS!

[Fire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidnapped sisters, both were ransomed, only one was returned. Years later, the search for the missing sister continues, will she ever be found?

Twenty pass when someone claiming to be her long lost sister comes into Tess's life. Despite the detailed memories this woman shares with Tess, something seems off. Tess can't be sure if this is her sister. Meanwhile her life is in danger, someone is after her and has tried to kill her more than once.

Deception is a great story that will keep you reading and guessing as you go. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the story that shows how two people who have people who want them dead.the keep looking for a missing person who was kidnapped as a child

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess and her sister Rhona were abducted at a very young age. Tess was returned but Rhona was never heard from again. Tess is on a mission to find her sister, but someone is out to put an end to her. This is a great read filled with mystery, suspense, the power of God and a touch of romance. I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end. But overall this is a great read that does include a sprinkling of spiritual guidance. WaAR

[Northern Light · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tess is seeking her sister who has been missing since they were both children. When she gets a phone call telling her to bring money and her sister will be free. However things don't go according to plan when shots are fired.

This is a pleasant, if predictable read which isn't too taxing. Although marketed as Christian, the only input are several arrow prayers at difficult times.

The end was very rushed and seemed to be done just to finish the book

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story showed a lot of promise from the beginning pages. It kept my interest we'll enough, so that I read the whole thing in one day. A good story with decent suspense and intrigue...however, the ending felt as though someone else had slapped it on, just to get the book finished. It fell flat. It's not often I find myself invested in a book enough to read the whole thing in a day, so to come to an uninspired ending was a let down to say the least.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were interesting and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, although I did figure out part of the mystery. (Grade: "B")

P.S. This book bore a few similarities to the last book I read, Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt. I have a slight preference for Home Before Dark because I personally connected to the main character, but I enjoyed and would re-read both books.

[Karlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do suspense authors insist on predictable romance stories in their plots? I was looking for a Christian fiction that wasn't. the typical schmaltzy romance stories most are. This wasn't too far of an exception. The suspense part was predictable too. Disappointed but I did read to the end to see if it wasn't as predictable as I thought but sadly was. Good idea for a plot however.