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Signs of Life #4
Charm Artist
Octavius Refined & Talented Artist—or Something Much More Sinister?After surviving the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Portland, grappling with the kidnapping of their daughter, and narrowly escaping a life-threatening domestic violence case, Portland Police Investigator Wayne Deetz and his wife Joanie yearn for respite. Seeking solace, they embark on a long-overdue vacation in the enchanting landscapes of Sedona, Arizona, hoping to make crucial career decisions and rebuild their shattered lives. However, their peaceful retreat takes a chilling turn when Joanie's childhood friend, Suzanne, displays an unsettling combination of euphoria and distance. Suspicion mounts as Deetz and Joanie become suspicious of Suzanne's mysterious boyfriend, the charismatic millionaire artist Octavius Hunt. The more Deetz and Joanie dig into Octavius’s corrupt and scandalous past—and his shady partnership with Mayor Marsden Maddox and entrepreneur Timmy Kondore—the darker and more twisted Suzanne’s reality becomes. When Wayne and Joanie dare to venture one step too far into Octavius’s sinister world of drugs and pleasure to find answers, they find themselves square in the madman’s crosshairs. Brace yourself for a heart-pounding journey into the shadows of intrigue, where danger lurks behind every picturesque facade in Charm Artist, the latest thriller from Creston Mapes.
With tension on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Creston Mapes demonstrates why he is a "Top Pick" among mystery, fiction and thriller lovers. Fans of Terri Blackstock, Charles Martin, Christy Barritt, Robert Whitlow, Karen Kingsbury, and Francine Rivers will love this thriller from award-winning and bestselling author Creston Mapes.Reader Praise for Charm Artist★★★★★ I love all of Creston Mapes books. They grab your attention from beginning to end. I finished it in one afternoon, because I was reading as fast as I could, to see what happened next.★★★★★ What a great story! I couldn’t tear myself away for long. What a small, scary glimpse into the reality of the evils of the world of drugs. And greed. And narcissism. This world needs Jesus SO BADLY and this book is a sobering reminder of that fact.★★★★★ My favorite Mapes' book was Nobod, but not anymore. This is a great book and now my favorite. The detective and his wife are interesting people and both are smart. He is cop smart. Highly recommended. If you haven't read a Mapes's books my recommendation is to start with his first.★★★★★ Once again Creston Mapes has authored a jewel. All of his books are spellbinding and hard to put down. I read this book in two days. It is a great book and I highly recommend it and ALL of his books.★★★★★ It was like riding a rollercoaster in the library! The characters were brilliantly born in Creston’s heart. Looking forward to more thrill rides.
With tension on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Creston Mapes demonstrates why he is a "Top Pick" among mystery, fiction and thriller lovers. Fans of Terri Blackstock, Charles Martin, Christy Barritt, Robert Whitlow, Karen Kingsbury, and Francine Rivers will love this thriller from award-winning and bestselling author Creston Mapes.Reader Praise for Charm Artist★★★★★ I love all of Creston Mapes books. They grab your attention from beginning to end. I finished it in one afternoon, because I was reading as fast as I could, to see what happened next.★★★★★ What a great story! I couldn’t tear myself away for long. What a small, scary glimpse into the reality of the evils of the world of drugs. And greed. And narcissism. This world needs Jesus SO BADLY and this book is a sobering reminder of that fact.★★★★★ My favorite Mapes' book was Nobod, but not anymore. This is a great book and now my favorite. The detective and his wife are interesting people and both are smart. He is cop smart. Highly recommended. If you haven't read a Mapes's books my recommendation is to start with his first.★★★★★ Once again Creston Mapes has authored a jewel. All of his books are spellbinding and hard to put down. I read this book in two days. It is a great book and I highly recommend it and ALL of his books.★★★★★ It was like riding a rollercoaster in the library! The characters were brilliantly born in Creston’s heart. Looking forward to more thrill rides.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
291 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Creston Mapes
40 books510 followersCreston Mapes is a bestselling author of Christian fiction, widely known for his contemporary Christian suspense and faith-based thrillers that weave spiritual warfare, redemption, and moral tension into gripping, high-stakes narratives. His novels boldly explore current-day themes, culture, and social hot buttons, making his work especially appealing for fans of Christian fiction, mysteries, and suspense.
Creston grew up in northeast Ohio, where he has fond memories of living with his family of five in the upstairs portion of his father’s early American furniture store, The Weathervane Shop. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University and began his career as a newspaper reporter and photographer in Ohio and Florida before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, to work as a creative copywriter.
After serving as a creative director at Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Creston realized his calling was not management, but storytelling. He became a freelance writer in 1991 and, over the next 30+ years, worked with brands and organizations including Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, The Weather Channel, Oracle, ABC-TV, TNT Sports, colleges and universities, and national ad agencies.
Creston has written numerous contemporary Christian suspense novels and Christian thrillers, achieved Amazon Bestseller status multiple times, and had one of his novels (Nobody) optioned as a major motion picture. He has also ghostwritten more than ten nonfiction books.
His faith-based fiction consistently blends fast-paced suspense with biblical themes, ethical struggles, and hope, earning him a devoted readership.
He married his fourth-grade sweetheart, Patty, and together they have four adult children. When not writing, Creston enjoys his part-time job as an usher at local venues, where he gets to see concerts and sporting events. His interests include pickleball, fishing, reading, thrifting, bocce, painting, bowling, spending time with family, and dating his wife.
STAND-ALONE CHRISTIAN SUSPENSE NOVELS
Sapphire Island
Celebrity Pastor
I Am In Here
Nobody
SIGNS OF LIFE SERIES
Signs of Life
Let My Daughter Go
I Pick You
Charm Artist
Son & Shield
Secrets in Shadows
Who Is My Neighbor?
THE CRITTENDON FILES
Fear Has a Name
Poison Town
Sky Zone
ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol
Full Tilt
To receive updates on new releases, giveaways, and special offers, visit crestonmapes.com/contact.
For eBooks, audiobooks, paperbacks, and hardbacks: amazon.com/author/crestonmapes
Creston grew up in northeast Ohio, where he has fond memories of living with his family of five in the upstairs portion of his father’s early American furniture store, The Weathervane Shop. He graduated with a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University and began his career as a newspaper reporter and photographer in Ohio and Florida before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, to work as a creative copywriter.
After serving as a creative director at Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Creston realized his calling was not management, but storytelling. He became a freelance writer in 1991 and, over the next 30+ years, worked with brands and organizations including Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, The Weather Channel, Oracle, ABC-TV, TNT Sports, colleges and universities, and national ad agencies.
Creston has written numerous contemporary Christian suspense novels and Christian thrillers, achieved Amazon Bestseller status multiple times, and had one of his novels (Nobody) optioned as a major motion picture. He has also ghostwritten more than ten nonfiction books.
His faith-based fiction consistently blends fast-paced suspense with biblical themes, ethical struggles, and hope, earning him a devoted readership.
He married his fourth-grade sweetheart, Patty, and together they have four adult children. When not writing, Creston enjoys his part-time job as an usher at local venues, where he gets to see concerts and sporting events. His interests include pickleball, fishing, reading, thrifting, bocce, painting, bowling, spending time with family, and dating his wife.
STAND-ALONE CHRISTIAN SUSPENSE NOVELS
Sapphire Island
Celebrity Pastor
I Am In Here
Nobody
SIGNS OF LIFE SERIES
Signs of Life
Let My Daughter Go
I Pick You
Charm Artist
Son & Shield
Secrets in Shadows
Who Is My Neighbor?
THE CRITTENDON FILES
Fear Has a Name
Poison Town
Sky Zone
ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol
Full Tilt
To receive updates on new releases, giveaways, and special offers, visit crestonmapes.com/contact.
For eBooks, audiobooks, paperbacks, and hardbacks: amazon.com/author/crestonmapes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 13, 2021
Everything But The Cussing
An excellent, exciting thriller without all the language. Which just goes to show that some Christians can and do lead amazing lives. Jesus doesn't call us to boredom. We are to live life and abundantly. I would say Wayne Deetz does exactly that. Four great stories with believable plots and characters who are alive. (My favorite is Leena.) No sappy believers here. If you're a believer who likes action, suspense, devious criminals, all without nasty language, read this series. You will not regret it.
An excellent, exciting thriller without all the language. Which just goes to show that some Christians can and do lead amazing lives. Jesus doesn't call us to boredom. We are to live life and abundantly. I would say Wayne Deetz does exactly that. Four great stories with believable plots and characters who are alive. (My favorite is Leena.) No sappy believers here. If you're a believer who likes action, suspense, devious criminals, all without nasty language, read this series. You will not regret it.
July 11, 2021
Sedona suspense
Wayne Deetz & wife Joanie take a vacation to visit Joanie's lifelong friend, Suzanne & to meet her hunky artist boyfriend. But they find the boyfriend to be over the top weird & Suzanna acts like she's stoned. Then she disappears. The suspense builds as Octavious and his pal the Mayor act increasingly paranoid and start to unravel. Deetz helps find Suzanne, but we won't know until the next book in the series whether he takes early retirement or works his final year for the full benefits package. This book won't turn you loose until you finish it. Excellent, suspense-filled, and a pleasure to read.
Wayne Deetz & wife Joanie take a vacation to visit Joanie's lifelong friend, Suzanne & to meet her hunky artist boyfriend. But they find the boyfriend to be over the top weird & Suzanna acts like she's stoned. Then she disappears. The suspense builds as Octavious and his pal the Mayor act increasingly paranoid and start to unravel. Deetz helps find Suzanne, but we won't know until the next book in the series whether he takes early retirement or works his final year for the full benefits package. This book won't turn you loose until you finish it. Excellent, suspense-filled, and a pleasure to read.
July 2, 2021
There’s a reason Creston Mapes is an Amazon #1 Best-selling author; he’s an absolute genius when it comes to writing suspense. In this new installment of Signs of Life series, Detective Wayne Deetz and his wife Joanie are on a well-deserved vacation in Sedona, Arizona. But Deetz quickly finds himself pulling back the curtain on the dark and seedy world of opioid addiction in all its ugliest glory. So much for a quiet vacation with the wife … Once again Mapes takes us on a wild ride, and leaves us breathless to the very last page.
July 8, 2021
Another great book!
Talk about determination. This couple are such a great team. They were bound and determined to help their friend. Even if it messed up their vacation. Once a cop always a cop. Wayne had great instincts and spotted things mist of us would miss. With Joanie's determination and his skills they solved the entire case. A case they didn't even realize they were working on. Love the characters and loved their faith.
Talk about determination. This couple are such a great team. They were bound and determined to help their friend. Even if it messed up their vacation. Once a cop always a cop. Wayne had great instincts and spotted things mist of us would miss. With Joanie's determination and his skills they solved the entire case. A case they didn't even realize they were working on. Love the characters and loved their faith.
July 18, 2021
Everything and everyone are not what they appear to be. Hold on as this book takes turn after turn deeper into suspense! Wonderful read that I could not put down until done, reading long after everyone was fast asleep! Our hero, detective Deetz and his wife are amazing! I wish they were my neighbors and friends!
July 3, 2021
Charm Artist
I love all of Creston Mapes books. They grab your attention from beginning to end. I finished it in one afternoon, because I was reading as fast as I could, to see what happened next.
I love all of Creston Mapes books. They grab your attention from beginning to end. I finished it in one afternoon, because I was reading as fast as I could, to see what happened next.
February 1, 2022
This series is one of my favorites! The suspense and action will keep you turning pages late into the night. Detective Deetz is trying to have a vacation to think about is retirement, but he can't turn away from crime. I recommend this book. -- Ginger Aster
February 9, 2022
Charm Artist (book4 ) Signs of Life series
Once again I really, really enjoyed this Christian thriller. It has so much action that you can't put it down until you're done with the whole thing. This series is non-stop and I recommend it to be read.
Once again I really, really enjoyed this Christian thriller. It has so much action that you can't put it down until you're done with the whole thing. This series is non-stop and I recommend it to be read.
February 11, 2022
Good mystery and suspense book!
This book was full of old secrets, scandals and suspense. Parts of it was a little slow but the ending was very suspenseful. I love Deetz and Joanie and all the books with them and their family.
This book was full of old secrets, scandals and suspense. Parts of it was a little slow but the ending was very suspenseful. I love Deetz and Joanie and all the books with them and their family.
July 8, 2021
Great book! Kept me wanting to get to the end to see the final twist!
January 10, 2026
I really enjoyed the role reversal on this one. I think the wife may now understand why hubby misses so many family events for a life & death situation.
July 13, 2021
Detective Deetz sets out to enjoy a long-awaited vacation with his wife to Sedona knowing they'll briefly visit her friend, Suzanne, who lives in the area. But that short visit turns into a time-consuming mission to help Suzanne. Deetz must abandon his relaxation plans to exercise his detective skills. Kudos to the author for addressing hard topics. I also love the character development of the warped villain, Octavius Hunt. It's not necessary to read the other books in the series to read this one.
March 1, 2022
Excellent book!
This book is awesome, A real page turner. Full of suspense with great action at the end. This has been a wonderful series!
This book is awesome, A real page turner. Full of suspense with great action at the end. This has been a wonderful series!
July 14, 2021
I love these books, this one is no exception, however I couldn’t do 5 stars because the story seemed to be on steroids suddenly, and things wrapped up with incredible mind blogging speed.
September 11, 2022
I am currently "binge reading" books by Creston Mapes. They deal with some sensitive subjects, but aren't quite a scary because they are Christian fiction. I am loving this "signs of life" series even though it is quite deep and deals with some tough subjects.
January 29, 2024
A triangle of greed.
When Deetz & Joanie go on vacation they plan on seeing Joanies friend too. They are best friends from high school. Suzanne is a talker, for sure. Wait till you meet her creepy boyfriend. He immediately flirts with Joanie. In front of Deetz & Suzanne. While talking in the kitchen Suzanne slips & says something she's not supposed to & Octavian, creepy boyfriend, asks to speak with her in another room. Then he takes her downstairs to a hidden room . He locks her in. Oh, I forgot he drugged her too so she wouldn't make any noise. He spend the rest of the night entertaining them. It's very awkward. Octavian enjoyed taking Joanie to his sculpture. He's so narcissistic. Showing off his expensive paintings. Each painting has value in it. It's like he's giving the cops the finger. Octavian is caught in a few lies. Which further draw Joanie in. She is the one insisting that they dig into Octavian's life on social media. Deetz wanted to rest. They did manage to go for several hikes & bike rides. And then there was the rushed expensive restaurant they went on a date too. Again it was Joanie fault that they cut it short. I think Deetz & Joanie work good together they should open up a private investigator business. This book like his others follow along with hot topics affecting everyone.
When Deetz & Joanie go on vacation they plan on seeing Joanies friend too. They are best friends from high school. Suzanne is a talker, for sure. Wait till you meet her creepy boyfriend. He immediately flirts with Joanie. In front of Deetz & Suzanne. While talking in the kitchen Suzanne slips & says something she's not supposed to & Octavian, creepy boyfriend, asks to speak with her in another room. Then he takes her downstairs to a hidden room . He locks her in. Oh, I forgot he drugged her too so she wouldn't make any noise. He spend the rest of the night entertaining them. It's very awkward. Octavian enjoyed taking Joanie to his sculpture. He's so narcissistic. Showing off his expensive paintings. Each painting has value in it. It's like he's giving the cops the finger. Octavian is caught in a few lies. Which further draw Joanie in. She is the one insisting that they dig into Octavian's life on social media. Deetz wanted to rest. They did manage to go for several hikes & bike rides. And then there was the rushed expensive restaurant they went on a date too. Again it was Joanie fault that they cut it short. I think Deetz & Joanie work good together they should open up a private investigator business. This book like his others follow along with hot topics affecting everyone.
August 25, 2021
Timely
Wayne and Joanie Deetz go on vacation to beautiful Sedona, but instead of relaxation, they find a friend who is in trouble with a dangerous man.
To those who think sex trafficking isn’t a real thing in America, think again. A story similar to this one could be and probably is happening closer to you than you think.
Well written as always, Mapes’ latest made me think and also made me read really fast so I could make sure everything turned out okay at the end!
Wayne and Joanie Deetz go on vacation to beautiful Sedona, but instead of relaxation, they find a friend who is in trouble with a dangerous man.
To those who think sex trafficking isn’t a real thing in America, think again. A story similar to this one could be and probably is happening closer to you than you think.
Well written as always, Mapes’ latest made me think and also made me read really fast so I could make sure everything turned out okay at the end!
July 7, 2022
so good
Charming is often a dangerous thing to seek. It lures the unsuspecting into its clutches, leaving no or little room for possible escape.
Charming is often a dangerous thing to seek. It lures the unsuspecting into its clutches, leaving no or little room for possible escape.
Read
April 8, 2022Could not put it down...
Read his reviews & thought maybe.... Read the 1st sample & was hooked! Nail bitter at time this one was! Loved that it was Christian based, too! Looking for my next book by Creston Mapes now!
Read his reviews & thought maybe.... Read the 1st sample & was hooked! Nail bitter at time this one was! Loved that it was Christian based, too! Looking for my next book by Creston Mapes now!
January 12, 2023
Stone Spellbinding
I really liked this one. The series is redeemed with this installment. The Deetzs were the perfect degree of separation from the major danger to be refreshing yet connected enough to keep me invested. It was a thriller.
I really liked this one. The series is redeemed with this installment. The Deetzs were the perfect degree of separation from the major danger to be refreshing yet connected enough to keep me invested. It was a thriller.
February 1, 2023
Creston makes novels makes one real they are actually living in the story
The Christian angle is like a bible study. Really draws you in. I absolutely enjoy reading his novels. So rivoting, I can't put them down.
The Christian angle is like a bible study. Really draws you in. I absolutely enjoy reading his novels. So rivoting, I can't put them down.
August 17, 2021
Excellent! Couldn't put it down. A must read!
October 18, 2021
REally great. Like a movie! It should be a movie!
March 26, 2022
Another great story!
This series is so good! I am looking forward to getting into the next book in this series. Creston Mapes does it again!
This series is so good! I am looking forward to getting into the next book in this series. Creston Mapes does it again!
June 13, 2022
Charm Artist-
More like a snake charmer! What a vicious man, despicable man! I couldn’t believe the vile, evil things this guy was capable of!
More like a snake charmer! What a vicious man, despicable man! I couldn’t believe the vile, evil things this guy was capable of!
July 3, 2022
Good!
Creston Mapes writes a story filled with grit, humor, danger, and
a big dose of faith mixed in. A good police procedural too.
Creston Mapes writes a story filled with grit, humor, danger, and
a big dose of faith mixed in. A good police procedural too.
September 26, 2022
Awesome read... this whole series is amazing!!!
August 30, 2023
Excellent! Thrilling and riveting!
July 18, 2023
I love that he tackled this relevant issue so well.
September 21, 2023
Good read. Good plot. Didn’t enjoy quite as much as a couple of his previous books. I think because I really didn’t like the main character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews