Valley of Deception

Jake Mathews Series #1

by T.H. Michael

. ****Newly edited Version Now uploaded****** "This is the first of the Jake Matthews series and it's a winner. Jake is a strong, believable character and someone you want on your side if you're in the right. If you're the bad guy, you'd really like him to forget all about you. The story line is like something ripped out of the headlines and, so the more chilling. I was compelled to keep reading, as I just had to know how the plot developed and how it would be resolved." Peggy (Goodreads) "I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next Jake Mathews adventure. ” Deb Buntz 4 reviewers made a similar statement " "Once started you just have to keep reading until the end. ” Patsy Christianson Modern Day United States Marshal Jake Mathews is devastated after two of his partners are gunned down. Fleeing to his farm, in Northeast Iowa, he wants nothing more than a little peace and quiet. Tucked away in the woods of Northeast Iowa, Zebadiah Caldwell's family has led a community of followers for the past 100 years. Their communal way of life has led to many stories and speculation over the years. Marshal Mathews has stumbled onto a secret that could destroy their way of life. How far is Zebadiah willing to go to preserve his community. When their two worlds collide something has to give. Each fights for what he believes in, but will either make it out of this adventure alive when a tormented local sheriff gets thrown into the mix. The first in a series of U.S. Marshal Jake Mathews adventures.

Genres: Suspense, Fiction, Drama, Mystery, Action

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2013

About the author

As a child, growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I always knew that I wanted to be a cop from a very young age. While in college, majoring in Political Science and Law Enforcement, I was asked if I wanted to take the test to be a Deputy U.S. Marshal. (Most of us hired had never heard of the Marshal's, except on television's Gun Smoke. A common joke at the academy was, 'I didn't know how to spell it, now I is one.' It's funny because most of us spelled Marshal, as Marshall, until hired. And yes, the grammatical error is on purpose) I was hired, to be a Deputy U.S. Marshal, in June of 1984 and was posted to my home town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (extremely unusual and rare. A deputy had just been fired days before I was to be hired). During my 27 years I have hauled hundreds, if not thousands, of prisoners to penal institutions. I have seized everything from race horse to million dollar farms and jets. I have protected Judges at every level, including Supreme Court Justices. I have protect some of the most famous and notorious witnesses in the U.S., all without incident. And, finally, have arrested hundreds of fugitives over the course of my career. The idea for the main character came to me one day as I was walking into the local county jail to pick a prisoner up. The name, Jake Mathews, popped into my head and stayed there for twenty years, until I finally wrote it down on paper, and created this Novel. I've had a blast with this first novel and hope to write many more in this series. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the Jake Matthews series and it's a winner. Jake is a strong, believable character and someone you want on your side if you're in the right. If you're the bad guy, you'd really like him to forget all about you. The story line is like something ripped out of the headlines and, so the more chilling. I was compelled to keep reading, as I just had to know how the plot developed and how it would be resolved. Jake is married with two adult sons who are also in law enforcement, so I can see this being a real family affair. If you like a thriller, this is a book for you.

This was a Goodreads givaway.

[Raghuram · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gets off to good start. The story covers the cult type communities with accurate and disturbing detail, but then it falters somewhat and you're half way through before the pace picks up again which eventually leads to a reasonable, but slightly disjointed ending.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Review of the Audiobook

Published by Tobin H Michael in February of 2016
Read by Tom Lennon
Duration: 8 hours, 33 minutes
Unabridged

Valley of Deception is a thriller featuring Jake Matthews, an experienced U.S. Marshal who lives and works in Iowa.

The book starts out with a lot of action as Jake Matthews and his team are out to execute an arrest warrant in a small town in Iowa, accompanied by an inexperienced local deputy who is serving as the local guide. The arrest goes poorly and most of the team gets shot.

Jake takes some much-needed time off with his wife to recover emotionally in his vacation home in Iowa. It is a farmhouse where Matthews can play at farming a bit and go hunting. But, this time for rest and relaxation is not going well - Matthews is experiencing panic attacks and having a hard time sleeping at night.

One day, he decides to go on a walk along his property line when he smells the all-too-familiar smell (in his line of work) of a meth lab. He crosses onto a neighboring piece of property and soon finds the new, well-maintained meth lab. Plus, he sees the physically intimidating leader of a very private and mysterious local religious sect, Zebadiah Caldwell, walking away from the lab.

Matthews still does not feel steady enough yet to step in and arrest Caldwell so he decides to tell the local sheriff about the lab the next time that he goes to town. And, that's when things start to fall apart...

Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good, nail-biting suspense. Some of it seems contrived and somewhat unlikely, but all is plausible and it makes for a very exciting listen. Not all characters are likable, of course, but they are all well-drawn and believable.

Unfortunately, Tom Lennon's performance leaves something to be desired. Technically it's ok, but his delivery just doesn't suit the story.

This is a promising beginning to a series wirth watching.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Mule Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

Once I started i couldn't stop. A good beginning to what I hope is going to be a long series. A very good storyline with characters I'm looking forward to getting to know better.