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Betrayed
This action-packed international thriller brings readers to Guatemala, where anthropologist Vicki Andrews discovers that her sister has been murdered. Guatemalan authorities dismiss her death as another of the country's frequent muggings or a kidnap-for-ransom, but Vicki refuses to accept their verdict. Vicki launches her own investigation and uncovers corruption buried so deep that crossing international lines may cost Vicki her life.
365 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
77 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Windle
38 books69 followersAs the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Curently based in Lancaster, PA, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than twenty. She has more than a dozen books in print, including the political/suspense best seller "CrossFire" and the Parker Twins juvenile mystery series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 17, 2013
The more I read Jeanette Windle, the more of a fan I become. Betrayed did not disappoint. The novel began with a bang and ended with a satisfying romantic conclusion. I love the suspense, but hey, I'm all about the happily-ever-after, too. Loved the international setting. Windle portrayed exotic Guatemala's cloud forest in all of its splendor. And she didn't shy away from the brutality of life that is the majority of the world's existence as depicted in Guatemala City.
Thought-provoking. Full of the beauty of God's creation. The ugliness, evil and suffering man has wrought. Yet Betrayed resounds with hope, how despite the pain and loss, God is in control.
Her research is flawless and current political crises are handled with varying points of view and given historical context. It may change how you look at world events—past and present.
Thought-provoking. Full of the beauty of God's creation. The ugliness, evil and suffering man has wrought. Yet Betrayed resounds with hope, how despite the pain and loss, God is in control.
Her research is flawless and current political crises are handled with varying points of view and given historical context. It may change how you look at world events—past and present.
February 24, 2013
The best part about this book is that its over. I haven't read anything else on my Kindle because I felt I had to finish this book first. The ending was satisfactory, but she spent so much time in the middle on stupid stuff and people I didn't care about --and if I hear, "do not doubt, do not fear" or whatever the reference was ONE MORE TIME I was going to throw my Kindle. Way way way over done. I wouldn't recommend it and I won't read another of her books. But it was clean.
February 2, 2013
I visited Guatemala on a missions trip several years ago. I was immediately drawn into familiar pictures as Windle described the beauty of the country and its people, the colorful clothing, and even such details as The Union Church, where I visited and the pastor we were going with had served for eighteen years. While Windle had me changing my thoughts throughout the story on "who" was responsible for the murder of Holly Andrews, the sister of our heroine, Vicki, I continued to be distracted by a couple of things: the alphabet soup that was the many acronyms Windle used to identify a complex assortment of characters and their many relationships as well as the heavy use of Spanish terms and phrases. Some of the acronyms I knew: CIA, DEA, UN - while others were unfamiliar to me and I had to constantly flip back a few pages, trying to remind myself what those meant. With limited knowledge of Spanish (a fact I was painfully aware of when I was on that missions trip), I had to stop in my reading to ferret out what I thought might be the root word of the foreign terms used. I'm not sure any of the Spanish terms really added that much to Windle's manuscript, and for the sake of the reader, the English equivalent could have been used without sacrificing anything, and the reader might have been grateful for it. It was extremely obvious that Windle had done her homework in regards to the country, the people, and historical facts. She crafted a complex story with the "who-dun-it" question still being debated right down to the last pages of the book. This one took me longer to read than others recently for a variety of reasons, the aforementioned distractions being one of them. However, it's still a good read and one that is well worth my four star rating.
September 2, 2012
I thought this book was okay. As an obvious "people hugger" with a strain of "tree hugger" in me, I was originally fascinated by this dichotomy at the beginning of the book, as foreigners were in Guatemala with their own intentions of saving the world. As we entered into the plot, I was intrigued to know what happened to her sister, but found there wasn't quite enough foreshadowing for me to start making those predictions myself. By the time the story unraveled, I have to admit I was confused by it all a bit - between the different branches of government, all the acronyms, and the fact that the author apparently thought I should know how it all functioned, it was a bit of a downer to not fully "get" it all. Had the book been 100 pages shorter (which it easily could have been), I would not have thought I had quite the investment in it that I did. Not one of my top picks, but it was enjoyable to read at times.
March 5, 2016
Holly has discovered something while working as a vet with an environmentalist group in Guatemala, but before she can uncover the truth she is murdered.
Now it's up to Vicki to uncover the truth...and in a foreign land.
Who is behind the corruption?
What is going on in the biosphere?
Who betrayed her sister?
And does all this link to her past, or just some ironic coincidence?
I loved this book, and it has earned my first 5* for this year! Jeanette Windle has woven an intriguing suspense set in Guatemala. She is a new author to me, but I'll be adding more of her books to my wish list now!
The scenery was amazing. From the municipal city dump to the fresh green of the cloud forests I felt I was there as the various sights and smells came to life through the story. I do love it when an author can bring to life a setting and make it a vital part of the story.
I also loved how the hymn This is My Father's World was woven throughout the story. It was nicely done and the contrasts of the dump and the cloud forest, good and evil was shown well as well as struggles with her faith and that hymn.
The verse about Sarah's daughters in 1 Peter 3 was another nice touch and fitted so well into the story as Vicki struggled about what she should do and how hard she should push for the truth.
I thought Vicki's challenge at the funeral ill-advised, but for the most part as she blundered on trying to find out the truth, I felt fitted with the character trying to deal with corrupt officials in a foreign land and thinking no one believed her. And as for that last mess she got herself into, I wanted to shake a certain someone for not telling her who he was. I know for the most part he couldn't, but there was a scene near the end where he could have revealed to her and avoided a whole lot of problems.
A story that I enjoyed while reading, wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on, and then was sad when it was over ~ a sign of a very good book! I recommend this story to those who enjoy Christian Suspense.
Apparently the author's research has been so good she has been questioned by officials to see where she got her information! That is scary, that what went on in this book is close to what has actually happened. Makes me wonder what my own country is doing in its networking for the supposed "greater good"!
Now it's up to Vicki to uncover the truth...and in a foreign land.
Who is behind the corruption?
What is going on in the biosphere?
Who betrayed her sister?
And does all this link to her past, or just some ironic coincidence?
I loved this book, and it has earned my first 5* for this year! Jeanette Windle has woven an intriguing suspense set in Guatemala. She is a new author to me, but I'll be adding more of her books to my wish list now!
The scenery was amazing. From the municipal city dump to the fresh green of the cloud forests I felt I was there as the various sights and smells came to life through the story. I do love it when an author can bring to life a setting and make it a vital part of the story.
I also loved how the hymn This is My Father's World was woven throughout the story. It was nicely done and the contrasts of the dump and the cloud forest, good and evil was shown well as well as struggles with her faith and that hymn.
The verse about Sarah's daughters in 1 Peter 3 was another nice touch and fitted so well into the story as Vicki struggled about what she should do and how hard she should push for the truth.
I thought Vicki's challenge at the funeral ill-advised, but for the most part as she blundered on trying to find out the truth, I felt fitted with the character trying to deal with corrupt officials in a foreign land and thinking no one believed her. And as for that last mess she got herself into, I wanted to shake a certain someone for not telling her who he was. I know for the most part he couldn't, but there was a scene near the end where he could have revealed to her and avoided a whole lot of problems.
A story that I enjoyed while reading, wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on, and then was sad when it was over ~ a sign of a very good book! I recommend this story to those who enjoy Christian Suspense.
Apparently the author's research has been so good she has been questioned by officials to see where she got her information! That is scary, that what went on in this book is close to what has actually happened. Makes me wonder what my own country is doing in its networking for the supposed "greater good"!
July 10, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. There was conservation, humanitarian aspects, mystery, action and intrigue wonderfully woven into a story I found I could not set down. I am not religious, consider myself more spiritual so I don't read the Bible anymore. However, the faith based aspects of this story supported the entire basis so well and provided more philosophy than preaching. I really can't say enough how much I liked this. It did keep me on my toes and guessing until the end.
December 18, 2008
Betrayed
by J. M. Windle
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
To be released March 2008
Find your favorite reading place and settle in, because once you start this book you won't want to
quit reading until you've finished it.
Anthropologist Vicki Andrews is reviewing Casa de Esperanza's work aiding the poor and destitute of Guatemala to determine it's eligibility for funding. While there, a sense of familiarity keeps coming over her that she tries to sweep aside as being the familiarity of all third world countries. Instead she learns the history of her real family and a past she'd all but forgotten.
As the puzzle pieces began to fit together, she realizes she is in the thick of uncovering greed-fueled corruption...not only within the Guatemalan government, but also possibly within her own American government.
Who can she trust to help her complete
the puzzle and get her out of the mess alive? Who are her friends and who are her enemies? Who will right the wrongs?
From breathtaking glimpses of the cloud/rain forests to the smoldering dumps of Guatemala; from the elite zone 10 to the extreme poverty of the "garbage people"; from loss of faith to renewed faith, J. M. Windle takes you to a place so real, so researched, so heart-wrenching and yet so heart- lifting, that you won't leave unchanged.
This book has rightfully taken it's place in my favorites list. My husband and son are waiting in line
to read it after I finish this review. Friends are waiting to buy this or borrow this (depending on which source is available first). Add this to your must-read list...watch for it's release in March...you won't be disappointed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
(Edited to add: From the print out by Glass Road Publications)
A daughter of American missionaries, Jeanette Windle grew up in the jungles and small towns of Columbia, now guerrilla hot zones. In 1981, Jeanette graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biblical Studies and Theology from Prairie Bible college in Three Hills, Alberta. In 1985, Jeanette and her husband Martin moved to Bolivia to work with a nondenominational Christian mission organization. While her husband served as director, Jeanette worked with women and children at risk in various regions of Bolivia.
Jeanette began her publishing/writing career producing Spanish-language educational and inspirational material for women and children at risk as well as writing articles for a variety of international publications. this was followed over the next years by eight children's books, including the six books of the Parker Twins Adventure Series, a young adult mystery/suspense series set in a multi-cultural background. Her first major reliease, CrossFire, a 630-page political/suspense novel set in the counter-narcotics war in Bolivia, was released in July 2000. A teen novel, Jana's Journal, and a second adult political/suspense novel, The DMZ, set in the guerrilla warfare in Columbia were released in spring of 2002. FireStorm, an exploration of Islamic terrors ties in Latin America, was released, July , 2004. Her most recent suspense novel, Betrayed, is scheduled for release by Tyndale House Publishers in March, 2008, in both English and Spanish. Tyndale has also recently published The DMZ in Spanish as Zona de Despeje.
by J. M. Windle
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
To be released March 2008
Find your favorite reading place and settle in, because once you start this book you won't want to
quit reading until you've finished it.
Anthropologist Vicki Andrews is reviewing Casa de Esperanza's work aiding the poor and destitute of Guatemala to determine it's eligibility for funding. While there, a sense of familiarity keeps coming over her that she tries to sweep aside as being the familiarity of all third world countries. Instead she learns the history of her real family and a past she'd all but forgotten.
As the puzzle pieces began to fit together, she realizes she is in the thick of uncovering greed-fueled corruption...not only within the Guatemalan government, but also possibly within her own American government.
Who can she trust to help her complete
the puzzle and get her out of the mess alive? Who are her friends and who are her enemies? Who will right the wrongs?
From breathtaking glimpses of the cloud/rain forests to the smoldering dumps of Guatemala; from the elite zone 10 to the extreme poverty of the "garbage people"; from loss of faith to renewed faith, J. M. Windle takes you to a place so real, so researched, so heart-wrenching and yet so heart- lifting, that you won't leave unchanged.
This book has rightfully taken it's place in my favorites list. My husband and son are waiting in line
to read it after I finish this review. Friends are waiting to buy this or borrow this (depending on which source is available first). Add this to your must-read list...watch for it's release in March...you won't be disappointed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
(Edited to add: From the print out by Glass Road Publications)
A daughter of American missionaries, Jeanette Windle grew up in the jungles and small towns of Columbia, now guerrilla hot zones. In 1981, Jeanette graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biblical Studies and Theology from Prairie Bible college in Three Hills, Alberta. In 1985, Jeanette and her husband Martin moved to Bolivia to work with a nondenominational Christian mission organization. While her husband served as director, Jeanette worked with women and children at risk in various regions of Bolivia.
Jeanette began her publishing/writing career producing Spanish-language educational and inspirational material for women and children at risk as well as writing articles for a variety of international publications. this was followed over the next years by eight children's books, including the six books of the Parker Twins Adventure Series, a young adult mystery/suspense series set in a multi-cultural background. Her first major reliease, CrossFire, a 630-page political/suspense novel set in the counter-narcotics war in Bolivia, was released in July 2000. A teen novel, Jana's Journal, and a second adult political/suspense novel, The DMZ, set in the guerrilla warfare in Columbia were released in spring of 2002. FireStorm, an exploration of Islamic terrors ties in Latin America, was released, July , 2004. Her most recent suspense novel, Betrayed, is scheduled for release by Tyndale House Publishers in March, 2008, in both English and Spanish. Tyndale has also recently published The DMZ in Spanish as Zona de Despeje.
July 9, 2015
Jeanette gives you quite an insightful view of Guatemala City’s internal government structure and how life works for them over there. She weaves quite a suspenseful story that involves many big players such as the CIA, Guatemalan police and the American Embassy to name just a few. Who are the good guys? Is there a bad guy? If so who? Who killed Vicki’s sister Holly? Where? Why? Vicki needed the answers to these questions.
Vicki didn’t know who to trust – she suspects everyone is corrupt – the rules are so different in Guatemala City. Vicki soon realizes that being an “American Citizen” means nothing in Guatemala. The longer Vicki stays in this country she sees firsthand how no one has any rights, villages are raided, people tortured and killed no police are called to help the victims, nothing is done about any of these events it’s just chalked up to “street crime”. Vicki soon discovers that she is in the heart of a Guerilla warfare area and there is a secret about the Sierra de las Mines Biosphere!! What was it? And why was this a area restricted?
Vicki couldn’t stand it any longer she had to do something. This was just not right. Her sister along with others had been murdered. She would get to the bottom of this matter or die trying. Who can she turn to? She wants justice for all; but How???
In the middle of her dilemma Vicki comes to the realization that this life isn’t our real destination or real home. “In fact, it’s just the start. More like boot camp, you might say from the point of view of eternity…After all, we were never called to save the whole world, just our part!”. I say Amen to that!!
I also loved it when Vicki says this prayer in the middle of craziness that went like this “God, I can’t run your universe or fix it all. Forgive me for being arrogant enough to even think it’s my job. All you call me to do is my part… Do what is right and do not give way to fear.” It’s a powerful message – a powerful book!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Vicki didn’t know who to trust – she suspects everyone is corrupt – the rules are so different in Guatemala City. Vicki soon realizes that being an “American Citizen” means nothing in Guatemala. The longer Vicki stays in this country she sees firsthand how no one has any rights, villages are raided, people tortured and killed no police are called to help the victims, nothing is done about any of these events it’s just chalked up to “street crime”. Vicki soon discovers that she is in the heart of a Guerilla warfare area and there is a secret about the Sierra de las Mines Biosphere!! What was it? And why was this a area restricted?
Vicki couldn’t stand it any longer she had to do something. This was just not right. Her sister along with others had been murdered. She would get to the bottom of this matter or die trying. Who can she turn to? She wants justice for all; but How???
In the middle of her dilemma Vicki comes to the realization that this life isn’t our real destination or real home. “In fact, it’s just the start. More like boot camp, you might say from the point of view of eternity…After all, we were never called to save the whole world, just our part!”. I say Amen to that!!
I also loved it when Vicki says this prayer in the middle of craziness that went like this “God, I can’t run your universe or fix it all. Forgive me for being arrogant enough to even think it’s my job. All you call me to do is my part… Do what is right and do not give way to fear.” It’s a powerful message – a powerful book!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
January 30, 2013
A review from my old blog...
I absolutely love Jeanette Windle's books. I eagerly anticipate the next book never knowing when she'll come out with another one. I didn't even know that this book had been published until I found some reviews of it while I was on a book purchasing spree.
Windle utilizes her background as a missionary kid growing up in Latin America as an excellent base for her novels. I have such a heart for Latin America that I took to her books as soon as I read Firestorm I knew nothing about her when I picked up that book from the shelf but the cover looked great and the synopsis on the back set my mouth to watering.
I held my breath, figuratively, while I read this book because one of the reviews of Betrayed stated that the book was good even if it had a few plot turns that stretch the imagination... or believability. I kept on the look out for them and even though I found a couple things that seem like really big coincidences nothing that Windle used in this book seemed unusual for her style. I kind of like those seeming implausibilities and for Windle they certainly seem to work.
I have to admit that read the last page and kept wondering how things would work out to achieve that ending (which I wanted of course) and found myself very pleased with the way things unfolded. I hope that Windle uses the opening she created to write a sequel of some sort for this one. I like the characters and would like to see a little more romance between the Vicki and her man which shall remain nameless for those who want to read the book. (Giving away his name kind of ruins the plot twist... granted, it didn't for me but...)
I highly recommend this book. Two thumbs up!
I absolutely love Jeanette Windle's books. I eagerly anticipate the next book never knowing when she'll come out with another one. I didn't even know that this book had been published until I found some reviews of it while I was on a book purchasing spree.
Windle utilizes her background as a missionary kid growing up in Latin America as an excellent base for her novels. I have such a heart for Latin America that I took to her books as soon as I read Firestorm I knew nothing about her when I picked up that book from the shelf but the cover looked great and the synopsis on the back set my mouth to watering.
I held my breath, figuratively, while I read this book because one of the reviews of Betrayed stated that the book was good even if it had a few plot turns that stretch the imagination... or believability. I kept on the look out for them and even though I found a couple things that seem like really big coincidences nothing that Windle used in this book seemed unusual for her style. I kind of like those seeming implausibilities and for Windle they certainly seem to work.
I have to admit that read the last page and kept wondering how things would work out to achieve that ending (which I wanted of course) and found myself very pleased with the way things unfolded. I hope that Windle uses the opening she created to write a sequel of some sort for this one. I like the characters and would like to see a little more romance between the Vicki and her man which shall remain nameless for those who want to read the book. (Giving away his name kind of ruins the plot twist... granted, it didn't for me but...)
I highly recommend this book. Two thumbs up!
November 17, 2015
First off, I love the cover! I love the greenness of the cover. (and the fact that SOMEONE IS FALLING FROM A HELICOPTER!!) Ahem. Anyways, I was going through the huge collection of Kindle books my mom and sister have collected, and thought: Murder? Christian? Someone on the cover falling out of a helicopter into a jungle?! So of course I began to read it.
Anyways, this book was pretty good. After my initial reaction to the book (yeah…) I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, because it was a Christian Missionary book (which I don’t read a lot of), but it was pretty good! Different from what I was expecting, but good nonetheless!
I was also really happy, because Jeanette Windle knew her stuff and that definitely shone through in her work.
I liked Holly. She and Vicki reminded me a lot of the relationship between me and my sister, with a few things switched.
It kinda bothers me when authors go for a ‘mysterious’ kind of thing by just using he and she and the like instead of using names. Jeanette did that at the beginning (though may I say, I guessed who all three kids were :) ), and in small sections throughout the book (again, guessed it!). It gets a little confusing.
There is mention (and shown, though not in a gory way) of two villages being massacred. There is also drugs, though no one actually uses any. And there is talk of all the Guatemalan crime and animal smuggling.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! If you like missionary/mystery kinda books, I’d definitely recommend this!
Anyways, this book was pretty good. After my initial reaction to the book (yeah…) I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, because it was a Christian Missionary book (which I don’t read a lot of), but it was pretty good! Different from what I was expecting, but good nonetheless!
I was also really happy, because Jeanette Windle knew her stuff and that definitely shone through in her work.
I liked Holly. She and Vicki reminded me a lot of the relationship between me and my sister, with a few things switched.
It kinda bothers me when authors go for a ‘mysterious’ kind of thing by just using he and she and the like instead of using names. Jeanette did that at the beginning (though may I say, I guessed who all three kids were :) ), and in small sections throughout the book (again, guessed it!). It gets a little confusing.
There is mention (and shown, though not in a gory way) of two villages being massacred. There is also drugs, though no one actually uses any. And there is talk of all the Guatemalan crime and animal smuggling.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! If you like missionary/mystery kinda books, I’d definitely recommend this!
February 10, 2013
This was on of those wonderful free titles on Kindle and so with it's intriguing cover, I couldn't wait to get into it. In fact one of the best covers I've seen on a free title for a long time, but one mustn't judge a book by it's cover.
With an intriguing premise, Betrayed kicked off with a pretty climatic start, throwing you right into the action. I was immediately taken by the exotic location and the dynamic plot.
Sadly for me I didn't find the story continued with the same level of drama and failed to sustain the excitment that I was expecting. I found the story a little wordy and I struggled to connect with the heroine. This could just be one of those books that I personally didn't find wowing and other's may enjoy it a whole lot better.
I may well return to the story at a later date and see if my first impressions are incorrect but just something didn't do it for me and I really truly wanted to love it.
With an intriguing premise, Betrayed kicked off with a pretty climatic start, throwing you right into the action. I was immediately taken by the exotic location and the dynamic plot.
Sadly for me I didn't find the story continued with the same level of drama and failed to sustain the excitment that I was expecting. I found the story a little wordy and I struggled to connect with the heroine. This could just be one of those books that I personally didn't find wowing and other's may enjoy it a whole lot better.
I may well return to the story at a later date and see if my first impressions are incorrect but just something didn't do it for me and I really truly wanted to love it.
March 4, 2011
Vicki Andrew's thought she was just taking a routine business trip to Guatemala. But things start getting complicated from the moment she meets with her sister Holly at the airport. It seems that Holly was investigating some suspicious activity near the nature preserve where she was working--and she may have been on to something considering that she turns up dead in a garbage dump several days later. Now Vicki doesn't want to leave Guatemala until she gets some answers--but who can she trust, and where will she find the faith to see this quest through to the end?[return]I liked the exotic setting and fast past of this novel, and Vicki quickly gained my sympathy as she kept wondering who she could trust. Through the twists and turns I often guessed where the story was heading, but that was part of the fun for me. Fans of Christian suspense stories will like this one.
February 2, 2013
Windle, author of the Christian suspense novels Firestorm and CrossFire, pens an engaging thriller with faith themes. Vicki Andrews, 25, is an inspector for Children at Risk, which funnels money to children's projects around the world. Her latest assignment takes her to Guatemala City to determine if a faith-based mission may be a model for future partnerships. There, Vicki's sister, Holly, a passionate environmentalist with Wildlife Rescue Center, is attacked and brutally murdered. Vicki discovers her sister just as she is dying. When Vicki journeys to the biosphere, it becomes a journey into her tragic past, which childhood trauma has prevented her from remembering. Her trip also holds the key to the secret of her parents' deaths and perhaps her sister's. Windle introduces readers to political rationalizations that cost innocent lives and ably paints the landscape of Guatemala.
August 8, 2013
This is a courageous book written by a person who knows what international corruption looks like (i.e., a missionary, like myself). The plot is complex and the turns unpredictable; you're really not sure who the good guys are until the end! I loved the evocative descriptions of the lovely Guatemalan Cloud Forest and the horrifying city dumps, where hundreds of the poorest eke out a living. She brings in environmental and humanitarian issues without becoming polemic. My one criticism would be that the characters were just a little thin; with the exception of the lead character's sister who was fascinating and annoying with lots of issues.... like real people you actually know; the rest were a tad facile and I never really bonded with the lead character, Vicki. However, I feel the book has enough going with plot and atmosphere to be a great read. It may also be a major eye-opener.
February 13, 2013
"A great book leaves you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading." –William Styron I just read this quote as I finished "Betrayed" and decided to write a short review. This book did that for me. I have read Jeanette's first book as well as DMZ. Each story is unique; the author brings tremendous energy and creativity to each plot. I have visited Guatemala, as well as other Latin countries, and really felt drawn back to familiar locations accompanied by fascinating characters. This is a great book in which to lose yourself and yet come away a better person who will not be satisfied to live with fear and as a result end up doing what is wrong.
September 27, 2017
Okay, I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well researched, well thought out, and the characters were all believable. On the flip side, it felt too long, the motives and connections of the bad guys were were fuzzy and I really didn't get some of it. Also I felt that the faith message was poorly done. It felt like the story had been written and then faith element added as an after thought.
The climax was dramatic, believable, and heart pounding. There was a bit of romance at the end, but that was about it. While Vicki has some interest in guys, I liked that it didn't dominate the story.
All in all, I have very mixed thoughts about this book.
Warnings: violence (sometimes leaning to the graphic side) and drug use (mentioned more then showed).
The climax was dramatic, believable, and heart pounding. There was a bit of romance at the end, but that was about it. While Vicki has some interest in guys, I liked that it didn't dominate the story.
All in all, I have very mixed thoughts about this book.
Warnings: violence (sometimes leaning to the graphic side) and drug use (mentioned more then showed).
May 4, 2013
Great action set in the rich, complex detail of the culture. As we follow Vicki in her search to find out who murdered her sister, we get a heart-rending look at the harsh realities faced by many Guatemalans. And a new appreciation for the legal system of this country.
Vicki must find her way through a world filled with government corruption, illegal drug production, and a collection of characters who may not be what they seem. Yet through it all, the strength of those who care, and who do what is right even in the face of danger help Vicki succeed (in was she would never have suspected)
Fast-paced, fascinating and thought-provoking.
Vicki must find her way through a world filled with government corruption, illegal drug production, and a collection of characters who may not be what they seem. Yet through it all, the strength of those who care, and who do what is right even in the face of danger help Vicki succeed (in was she would never have suspected)
Fast-paced, fascinating and thought-provoking.
January 14, 2013
This is my first book by Jeanette Windle but it will not be my last. She surly does know how pack a whopper. This has been one of the hardest books to read. The emotions she brought out, grief, hurt, anger, hope, faith, love the list could go on. There were times I had to put the book down and come back later because I was so emotional. A great read but be warned it will draw you in and take you in on the adventure of a lifetime. If I took anything from this book it is this, "Do what is right and do not give way to fear." Now if only I could live my life by this example.
November 30, 2017
Ms. Windle writes with authenticity and excellent narrative skill which keeps me engaged every time I read her novels no matter how many times I have read them before. Her skill with the narrative enables the reader to suspend disbelief just a little bit more which enhances the experience for the reader. Although Betrayed is my least favorite of the four novels of Ms. Windle's that I own and have read, I still much prefer it over many other novels. This book definitely survived round two of the purge from my personal collection.
December 2, 2016
Always a fan of Windle's books, however this is my second time reading this one, and though the plot is as intricate as ever, I found it rather flat. I did remember a bit of a twist at the end, which I couldn't remember how it all panned out from my first time reading. It's a good book to wake you up to some of the issues in Guatemala, for both people huggers and tree hungers. But it's not one of my favourites of hers.
January 30, 2013
This was an action who-done-it based in Guatemala. One sister was an anthropologist and the other worked for a children's organization. One of the sisters gets murdered and the other wants to investigate. There is a lot of corruption and funny things going on.
The book is good for the most part, but drags on and on.
It was the first time I had read any of Ms. Windle's books.
The book is good for the most part, but drags on and on.
It was the first time I had read any of Ms. Windle's books.
January 8, 2013
thank you Jeanette for writing this story... I sponsor 2 Guatemalan girls through World Vision and this story makes me emotional just reading the state of government n people. USA n its handling of matters in the past, haven't really seen good things happening generally for people majority. Just have to pray for the girls future n hope.
October 13, 2013
The book never grabbed me. I can't figure out why. The story was interesting enough, but something was missing. It was almost a chore to read. So many other books I've read this year have grabbed me and I became "stuck" in the book, not wanting it to end.
Maybe a tighter edit? Or more depth to the characters? I'm not sure.
Maybe a tighter edit? Or more depth to the characters? I'm not sure.
October 20, 2015
Intriguing Story Line
This would've been a five star book if it weren't for a few areas where description and back story took over the narrative. Some of that backstory was told in an awkward out of sequence order. Overall, the book was interesting and captivating. Good characterization.
This would've been a five star book if it weren't for a few areas where description and back story took over the narrative. Some of that backstory was told in an awkward out of sequence order. Overall, the book was interesting and captivating. Good characterization.
December 31, 2016
Gripping
I have loved every book from Ms. Windle. I thoroughly enjoyed "Betrayed". I wasn't able to put it down. I do think there are some similarities in the story line to other books as far as who is hiding what secrets, but for me that was minor. It didn't detract from this story at all. Read it. You won't be sorry!
I have loved every book from Ms. Windle. I thoroughly enjoyed "Betrayed". I wasn't able to put it down. I do think there are some similarities in the story line to other books as far as who is hiding what secrets, but for me that was minor. It didn't detract from this story at all. Read it. You won't be sorry!
July 8, 2017
Quite an interesting book. The action scenes at the end was very much "can't put it down". I *think* I suspected the initial "bad guy" before the reveal, but I can't promise that I wasn't taken by surprise. Fun book, and I liked that it had a great plot and action AND included an evangelistic message too. Would definitely recommend.
April 27, 2008
A consistent read and met with the expected flavor of previous works from Janette. I read with eager anticipation all the same, but I worry that I may not enjoy future books as the story is pretty much the same as previous.
October 3, 2008
Iive started reading a lot of Christian fiction just because I know it will be clean. This book falls into that category. Most of the time any of the religious narrative goes right along with what I believe anyway. This isn't my favorite book by any means but I did enjoy reading it.
August 14, 2009
Loved this book! Oh wow! What an awesome story. You really felt like you were there in jungles with the characters. Windle's characters are real and lovable. I will definitely read more book written by her!!
October 4, 2011
It was a pretty good book. I think Windle went a bit too far on the detail, especially at the end. For the most part, detail is good, but when you feel like you have to wade through it to get to the story line, it can be a negative.
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