Only by Death

Ozark Mountain Trilogy #2

by Kathy Herman

Is Liam Berne a loving son—or a murderer? The second book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy, Only by Death is a thought-provoking suspense story of a man who loses everything and learns he must die to find life.

After much agonizing, Liam Berne takes his mother, who has Alzheimer’s, to the Sure Foot River and drowns her. A mercy killing, he tells himself, to spare her years in a nursing home. And getting his inheritance early isn’t a bad thing either.

Dixie Berne’s body is recovered and the coroner cannot find any sign of foul play, though Liam’s sister isn’t convinced. Then Liam hears rumors that a twelve-year-old boy has witnessed the drowning. Terrified that he will be discovered, Liam sets out to intimidate the boy into silence. Little does Liam know that someone else suspects him—someone who intends to make him pay.

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

430 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Best-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written twenty novels—including the Secrets or Roux River Bayou Series, Sophie Trace Series, the Seaport Suspense Series, and the Phantom Hollow Series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her late husband Paul have a blended family of three grown children. Kathy lives in the Northwest.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little concerned, o.k. quite a bit concerned, about the time span from the first book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy and the second one. The first book was published in 2013 and I read it in 2014. Thankfully, the characters were memorable and I remembered quite a bit about them.

In this suspense novel, the main character is 12 year old Jesse. In some ways he is like so many other tweens: friend struggles, school drama, always hungry, etc., but what he has that not all tweens have is a love for Christ. Wow. This young man absolutely shines the light of Christ through his actions. Jesse is not perfect by any stretch, but his character was stellar. I absolutely loved how the author showed the love of Christ through Jesse.

My gratitude to publisher David Cook for a complimentary copy of the novel that was won through a Goodreads giveaway. I was not required to publish a review and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Readers have been waiting five years for the second book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy, and they will not be disappointed with this exciting installment. Although this novel can stand alone, the romantic and family relationships are more meaningful if the series is read in order. The killer is known from the beginning, but that doesn't make it less intense or suspenseful. The faith message is a bit heavy handed, and although Jesse is an endearing character, his dialogue seems much older than what a twelve-year-old boy would be able to communicate. There is a twist toward the end that seems quite contrived and unrealistic with a brand new character thrown in out of the blue. Overall, the romance between Kate and Elliot is so beautifully (and achingly authentically) developed that it makes up for the novel's shortcomings.

Liam Berne is heartbroken that his mother is suffering from Alzheimer's and is mentally slipping away every day. He decides the best thing would be to help her die peacefully by drowning, so that she doesn't suffer a prolonged (and expensive) death. He can take the inheritance and start a new life. However, even though he takes precautions, he's witnessed by a young boy. When Liam's mother's body surfaces, the boy realizes what he saw might be significant and goes to the police. Things snowball out of control, and soon Liam is trying to cover his tracks, placing the boy in danger.
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[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story features a down right frightening situation and the length that some are willing to undertake in the face of a loved one suffering. A lot of reviewers judged Liam pretty harshly but you can’t help but put yourself in his shoes. You will never truly know what you might do, or consider doing until it hits you in the face. I won’t judge him until I have “walked a mile in his shoes.” I understand this is a book that has been 5 years since the first one. I haven’t read the first one and I don’t believe I will…but this one was a half-way decent mystery although I found the 12 year old a bit unbelievable.

[Tamie Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a Christian but I read a lot of Christian fiction however this book was so steeped in it that I had to skip whole pages of it that had nothing to do with the story or plot line at all. I slogged through the book so that I could see how it ended however the book and plot was lacking suspense and intrigue and depth in my opinion. I’ve never read any other of the authors books and maybe this is how her other books are. I might be in the minority here and that’s ok. I will probably stay away from any of her other books in the future.

[Molly Jaber (Audiobooks And Sweet Tea) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It's been a long, long time since I've read a Kathy Herman novel. She was one my mom and I would read together and then talk about. We loved her writing style, the intenseness of her stories, the inspiring messages she would weave into the pages. Picking up this second book in her Ozark Mountain Trilogy was like meeting up with a long lost friend! I was instantly hooked, kept a part of the story as each page turned, and at the end, I wasn't ready for the results! I want more!

Ms. Herman has once again created wonderfully chiseled, heart capturing characters. She has created an intriguing plot line of twists, turns, ups and downs with Liam's story. Just when I thought I had Liam and his reasonings for doing things, Ms. Herman threw us another twist and really made the story play out like a movie. Losing my own mother unexpectedly 4 years, and my grandfather from Alzheimer's 8 years ago, this story just completely enveloped me and didn't let me go.

This is definitely one of the better murder mystery stories I've read in a long while. Ms. Herman knows how to throw the words out there and make them play out like a movie on the big screen. I have not read book one in this series but I was definitely not confused, and am looking forward to going back to book 1 and catching up on the other characters. This is most definitely a 5 star worthy novel. The suspense, the murder, the rollercoaster ride that you're taken on in this story of hope, mercy and intrigue is absolutely jaw dropping. Hats off to you, Ms. Herman! Can't wait for book 3!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It started out kinda slow and a little bit boring but it got better the more I got into the book though.

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Mercy killing...murder...witness...kidnapping and suspense...the cost of moral compromise***

Kathy Herman, best-selling Pacific Northwest suspense novelist, writes captivating, hard-to-put-down murder mysteries of moral compromise and life-transforming faith. After a writing pause due to her late husband’s failing health she now returns with book two of the long-anticipated “Ozark Mountain” series, “Only by Death.” Which she says “…might be the most powerful story I’ve written.”

Due to the contemporary issue of “mercy killing” versus murder and the multi-layered character development of Liam Berne, a man of compromising choices and twelve-year-old Jesse Cummings, a charming and unsuspecting witness to murder, I must agree with her.

The intriguing story is set in the rustic Ozark mountains where we first meet Liam
driving his elderly mother Dixie to what he thought was “a secluded bank of the Sure Foot river.”

He had agonized over what he was about to do for weeks. He knew it wasn’t legal but wasn’t it more kind and humane than vile and immoral? He had convinced himself what he was about to do would help his mother out of a terrible situation and insure he and his sister, Colleen got their parents inheritance instead of the Alzheimer hospital like he knew his mother would want.

Still Liam struggled with these thoughts as he parked the car, walked to the passenger side, took his “mother’s fragile, bony hand and gently pulled her to her feet.” He held her close for a moment and then walked into the lightly flowing river and forcefully pushed her head under the water. Then he held her tight against his chest and whispered brokenly, “Mom, don’t fight it…please just let it happen…I’m really doing this for you.”

Thus, begins a powerful story of love, trust and deceit with a story based on Romans 8:13 about living according to the flesh or the spirit. All of which makes this so much more than a murder mystery.

Kathy’s masterful, multi-layered characterizations of all characters, enhanced by surprising story twists-and-turns, result in murder, kidnapping and suspense that reveals the dangers and costs of moral compromise. “Only by Death” releases April 1 with book three scheduled for release August 2018.

‘Only by Death,’ book 2 “Ozark Mountain series,” by Kathy Herman, David C. Cook, April 1, 2018, 432 pages, 978-1434704764, $14.99


“Gail’s Bookshelf” Midwest Book Reviews: "April 2018"
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[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy Herman has been one of my favorite authors since I read her first novel, Tested by Fire, 17 years ago. It has been 5 years since I read a new book by Kathy Herman, which was Not by Sight, #1 in this series. The author had a lot going on, so it was 5 years between the release of the two books. I have been looking forward to this book for 5 years, so I bought it and read it as soon as I could........after re-reading book one.



I have enjoyed all of Kathy's books, and the characters in those books.... but I really like the people in this series. Part of that is the first two books center on kids....a 16 year old girl in book 1, and a 12 year old boy in book 2. For some reason, kids in books really draw me in and tug at my heart strings....if a guy can admit such a thing.



Book two takes up two years after the first book, and centers on the youngest boy in the Cummings family.....Jesse. Book one was really good, but this one was even better. It was an emotional book, and the issue of faith was at the center of the story. Although the story and Jesse were fictional, I was convicted by the faith and willingness to die of a 12 year old. Including myself, too many of us don't live the way this fictional 12 year old lived......yet it is exactly how we are supposed to live. Kathy has never been afraid to put Christian content in her books, and a theme or message that goes beyond just entertaining.



I did read the book in one evening, and could not put it down. It was suspenseful, encouraging, and convicting. The book definitely gets 5 stars from me, and I was sorry to see it end, though I loved the ending.



Thankfully, book 3 is not 5 years away, but is slated to release in August of this year..... and I can't wait to read the final book in this trilogy, the story of the oldest boy in this great fictional family...... Hawk.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back Kathy Herman. Have missed your writing/books. I know you've been through a lot and even made a big move to Oregon from TX. Kathy writes riveting romantic suspense with characters that are flawed but overcome through faith. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Only by Death started a little slow for a Kathy Herman book but after a few pages it picked up and didn't slow down. Liam takes his mother to the river (she suffers from Alzheimer's) and a young boy sees him as he leads her into the water. The 12 yr old boy is fishing about 50 yards away. He tells himself that drowning his mother is a mercy killing but he does have ulterior motives. The police tell Jesse not to tell anyone that he might have seen his teacher's mother being drowned. Jesse being a typical kid tells his best friend, who tells his fellow football team so they will think his friend is a hero. Then Liam receives a note demanding money for what they saw. Liam think's Jesse told someone who is now blackmailing him now. Jesse is very mature for a 12 yr old Christian and when he is running for his life he remembers the story of the Good Samaritan and tries to apply it to his life.

I've been reading Kathy Herman's books for several years and I've never been let down by her books. If you read the first book in the series then you can tell where Jesse's mother is coming from in her faith. She's been through a lot and it took awhile for her to be able to give it all to God and take her hands off. She's a strong woman who likes to be in control. Makes it harder to give everything to God.

I pre order all of Kathy's books through a local indy bookstore and no one asked me to leave a book review. Neither the author nor the publisher knew I was leaving a book review and all opinions are my own.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

This is the second book from Herman's Ozark Mountain Trilogy. This book is similar to the first in that it takes a look at a Christian family and how they individually react to stress and bad things that happen in this world we live in.

Jesse is a 12 year old boy enjoying fishing when he sees two people wading in the water of the river. He doesn't pay much more attention because the fish are biting. What Jesse didn't know was that the two people were Liam and his mother who has Alzheimer's. Liam is taking his mother into the river to drown her. Is this a mercy killing or was Liam really doing it to get his inheritance that was about to be tapped into by the care home his mother was going to be sent to to help with her care?

Liam finds out that someone saw him with his mother that day and he will stop at nothing to prevent the truth from coming out. This includes roughing up and threatening Jesse.

Herman weaves in a Christian message of trusting God throughout the book. She does this through Bible verses and the actions of the various characters. Good story about faith and love.

This is book 2 of the trilogy and it would be helpful to read the books in order but not mandatory. Both tales happen to the same family and Herman fills you in on what previously took place.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only by Death by Kathy Herman is the second in a trilogy, but great as a stand-alone. If you're reading my review, you've likely read others that have explained the plot. What I appreciated most was bringing attention to Alzheimer's. After caring for my mother for 8 years in our home, I was (and still am) shocked at how common it was for people to treat her as though she was not there, or (they actually voiced this!) that it was pointless to talk to her, visit her, or take her anywhere. Liam's stance with his mother was the most real thing in this entire book (not that other things weren't 'real', just his thought process was spot on from what I discovered). Jesse, a 12 year old boy whose mindset was surrounded by his faith to the point of sacrificing his own life, was unlike any 12 year old that I have ever known. I wish that was more 'real' in today's world. Lots of little mini sermons within the book, but a great job of story telling. I would love to read the other two books in the trilogy!

[DennisBrigett Huebshman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith of a child

No matter what, the Father decides when our time is over, and euthanasia is wrong. Especially with how casually it's being applied today. Miss Kathy covers this extremely well, and the storyline follows God's will to the letter. Jesse has a faith that most adults pray for. The Heavenly Father took good care of him, even if there were some hard moments. He used the Great Commission to help save the soul of one who had tried to hurt him. His pure forgiveness saved a soul from hell. We can all learn a lesson from Miss Kathy's book. She has always been an inspirational author in my eyes!

[Susan Krich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me through Goodreads.
This is the second book of a trilogy.
It doesn't overly refer to the first book but just enough to fill in some background.
This is a wonderful story of redemption.
As you are reading the words, it is almost as if you can see and hear the action take place, as when Jesse runs into the room calling for his mama.
The chapters and sub-chapters are just the right length for pauses if you don't have a lot of time to keep reading.
Just when you think the end is clear, there is a twist.
I look forward to reading the last book "A Treacherous Mix".

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only by Death written by Kathy Herman is a great book. This book is a quick read and a page turner. I couldn't stop reading this book. The plot was well developed and had me wondering what would happen. Between the suspense, the killer and the mysterious ending, this book will have you gripped and wondering what would you do? The family aspect to this book was so interesting. Alzheimer's was a theme is a book. I won't say much more or I will spoil this book. I give this book 4.5 / 5 stars. A favorable review was not required for this review copy. All opinions expressed here are my own.

[Michael Ann Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished the second book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy, Only by Death. What a great inspirational story. God tells us to have faith like a child. The faith of twelve year old Jesse is inspiring. He risked his life to go back to help someone who wants to kill him. During their time together he leads Liam to find God. His statment to Jesse, "I will see you again" made me cry. To quote Virgil, "Jesse is one tough kid with enough faith to make an apostle jealous". I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. I recommend this book to everyone.

[BRUCE SANTURE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

A great story that will keep you turning the pages! So many Biblical lessons as well about forgiveness, being a Good Samaritan and dying to self! Highly recommend this book! So sorry that Kathy lost her husband but grateful to have her back writing and sharing her faith with us!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian novel about a family already devastated be the murder of a husband and kidnapping of a young child years ago. The child was found after 5 years. Cut to today, when another child of this family sees something at a creek that puts him and his family into potential harms way. Stresses faith heavily in the last 1/4 of the plot. In the end, justice prevails.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read by Kathy Herman. This book made me feel all the feels. Young Jesse's faith is remarkable for someone so young. He sets an example that we can all strive for. This book had several scenes that were quite unexpected and enhanced the mystery of the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of romance.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable suspense with a few twists I didn't see coming. I liked the young boy and his deep faith and how he used it during circumstances he was placed in. This is book 2 in a series. I didn't read book one. This can be read as a stand alone, although, I would recommend reading the first as I would have liked to see how that story played out before reading the end result in this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a long hiatus, author Kathy Herman is writing again!
One of my favorite writers, Herman writes suspense novels set in the Ozarks.
Crimes are solved and relationships begun.

If Kathy Herman’s name is on the cover, I want to read what is inside!

[Heather G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy Herman is one of my favorite authors. She has such great character development and gives suspense to her stories without completely frightening the reader. She has turns to the stories that I don't expect and brings resolution in a comfortable way (it doesn't feel rushed and sudden).

[Sharon Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, I enjoyed it. I did not like the part she felt she had to put in with Slick. By that time I was more than ready for Jesse to be found. He could have done his witnessing to Liam when he went back to be the Good Samaritan.

[H.S. Kylian]

Stopped at Page 178. I might end up picking it up again, but I don't know. It's a bummer, because I've been waiting for this book for about 4 years. But also in those 4 years, I've started gravitating more towards indie fiction.

Maybe I'll just try this again another time.

[Martha Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only by Death, the second book in the Ozark Mountain Trilogy, was just as suspenseful as the first book in this series. But the real take-away from this book was the 12 year old Jesse's simple faith and complete trust in Jesus, which he proved by dying to self and living for Christ. A great story!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! That's a lot. Liam is a very complex character. He doesn't seem evil or bad. Slightly selfish for sure, but I almost felt sorry for him. It was odd.

I really like Jesse. He's a good kid and I admire his faith. The depth and purity of it and how he tries so hard to live it out even when he doesn't want to do what he feels God telling him to do.

I'm glad Abby and Jay are together and that Kate and Elliot got married.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue of this book had me gasping. After that, the rest of the book was a must-read. If you have a family member or friend with Alzheimer's, this book will make you think about a number of things. Don't want to give away the plot.

[Elise Basiletti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second Kathy Herman book I've read. It was a pretty easy read and pleasant. It wasn't as thrilling as "Not By Sight" and I believe she dragged out the plot a little longer than necessary. But I appreciated the development of the antagonist's character

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choices, good and bad mold us. Forgiveness forms us to become more like Jesus. Being loved and forgiven by Christ gives us an eternity with Him.

[Sandra Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!!

Another one of Herman's books you can't put down. I love the way she weaves her book with the gospel. Was very good and gives you a lot to think about.

[Louise Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books, when you can’t put the book down, you know you have a winner.