Deadly Echoes

Finding Sanctuary #2

by Nancy Mehl

After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller's life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah's joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn't know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As she learns more about Hannah's death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents' murder. Sarah enlists Paul's help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul's concern encourages Sarah's growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide--even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

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

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2015

About the author

Nancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.

Reviews

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting mystery. I liked my return visit to Sanctuary and meeting Sarah and her niece. Looking forward to the finale!

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically enjoy Nancy's books --- I enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one was not as enjoyable. The writing was off. The dialog between characters was unnatural. Forced. I didn't feel a connection with the characters. It was JUST a story. There were random things that would pop up out of nowhere - reference to a favorite TV show that had nothing to do with the screen or storyline - there was more happening off screen than on screen. I figured out the bad guy early in the book. There was no suspense; no romance. Paul tells Sarah that she's pretty; Sarah is suddenly in love with Paul.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the disclaimer. "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own." That done, DEADLY ECHOES is the second book in Ms. Mehl's Finding Sanctuary series, but it easily stands alone. I read the first book in the series Gathering Shadows when it first came out, and I am reading Rising Darkness next, which is the third and final book in the series.

The story is in first person, but not in deep point of view. The flow of the story is interrupted a lot to tell the reader details which could've come out naturally in conversation or showing. As it was, it felt forced.

I did feel sorry for Sarah, still struggling from nightmares regarding the murders of her parents almost twenty years prior when her only sister is murdered shortly after they are reunited after being separated in foster care. The deaths seem to be related but the city police don't seem to be interested in hearing Mennonite opinions on the case.

The romance factor is weak. I would've loved to see some zing in it, but it is a quiet romance, slow moving, with a hint of the possibility of things to come. I do love how Ms. Mehl works the faith message in seamlessly. It feels natural and a part of the story.

If you like Amish, Mennonite, and other "Plain sect" stories, then DEADLY ECHOES is good to pick up. The suspense part is quiet, unintrusive, though a dark shadow lurking in the background. I knew it was going to become active, but it took a slow pace to get there. I was anxious to figure out how the cases were related, and who did it.

[DianFlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nail-Biting Mennonite Suspense!





In Deadly Echoes, we return once again to the quaint, predominantly Mennonite community of Sanctuary -- with its small town charm, old-timey cafes, and friendly, helpful townsfolk. Many come to Sanctuary for a simpler lifestyle; still others as a refuge from their past. But under the guise of this seemingly idyllic little town lays something invisible...sinister...and deadly.





Sarah Miller has finally found contentment and a semblance of peace from the echoes of her past, with the exception of reoccurring nightmares of her parents' murder when she was six years old. She loves teaching the local school in Sanctuary, and is filled with joy when reunited with her sister, Hannah, whom she had become separated from when her parents died. Her happiness is short lived, however, when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs her that Hannah has been killed. When Sarah starts discovering circumstances of her sister's death that are bizarrely similar to her parents' murder, she enlists Paul's aid to help her dig deeper into finding her family's killer. As her attraction to Paul grows, so does her obsession in finding the truth. Will it be Sarah's undoing and also bring danger to those she loves?...as someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth from surfacing...perhaps even kill again.





This novel is an absolute suspense lover's dream with just a smidgeon of romance! I love whodunits, but it took this amateur sleuth quite awhile to compile enough evidence to figure this one out and I trusted no one except for Sarah's best friend, Janet. ;) Kudos to the author for having an imperfect heroine who battles self-esteem issues as a result of her childhood, and her subsequent healing---both emotionally and spiritually. This message will resonate with many readers who struggle with an inferiority complex as a result of their past. Ms. Mehl's use of descriptive imagery and the mysterious aura of the cozy, small town setting of Sanctuary draw the reader in and won't let go...even after that last satisfying page is turned. And believe me, you will be madly flipping those pages and burning the midnight oil trying to help Sarah figure it all out! Nancy Mehl has set the bar high for 2015 contemporary suspense!




I was given a copy of this novel by Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Iola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eighteen years ago, six-year-old Sarah Miller hid in a closet with her older sister, Hannah, while their parents were murdered. The killers were never found, and the murders written off as a burglary gone wrong. Now, Hannah has been murdered and there are disturbing links between the two sets of murders, links the police don’t seem interested in investigating.

Sanctuary, the setting for Deadly Echoes, has a large Conservative Mennonite population. This gives the town a particular Christian feel and allows the author to have more of a Christian focus than many Christian novels, something she manages to integrate naturally into the plot without it seeming preachy, and without over-spiritualising any of the characters or turning them into Christian caricatures. This seamless integration of Christianity was a strength of the novel, and I especially liked seeing Sarah’s growing realisation of her value in Christ.

The other strength was around Sarah and her ten-year-old niece, Cicely (although I did think some of Cicely’s dialogue seemed too old for a ten-year-old). Sarah and Cicely were both orphaned by murder, and both find the bodies, so Sarah has a unique—if tragic—understanding of what Cicely is going through. I liked the way this was dealt with.

What wasn’t so strong, to my mind, was the romantic suspense plot. I found parts of it somewhat cliché (which took away from the suspense), and the romance was perhaps too understated. That’s not to say it’s not a good book—it’s just that it was missing that ‘zing’ factor that would have made it excellent.

Deadly Echoes is the second book in the Finding Sanctuary series, following Gathering Shadows. The two books have the same setting and share some minor characters, but Deadly Echoes is a stand-alone novel.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this book but, as happened with the first in this series, I was just never able to really connect with the story or the characters, mostly due to the singular first-person point-of-view which severely limited the author's ability to really SHOW me the story instead of telling me. The dialogue felt unnatural as it was necessarily forced to convey story information instead of reveal character, and too much of the action was forced "off camera" by only have the one POV character.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing with my goal to clear old books off my kindle and I was in the mood for a bit of suspense after reading a few romance novels, I decided to read Nancy Mehl's Deadly Echoes as I am a fan of her edgy Christian fiction novels. Also, I had before reading this the memory of Fire Storm by Nancy Mehl - a book that I had read last year and enjoyed. Deadly Echoes starts with a similar theme to a book I have read this year called Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh where the two main characters suffered as children when both of their parents were murdered. Sarah and Hannah hid under the steps and heard the killers. Both girls went into foster care and were separated as Hannah was adopted and Sarah wasn't. Now years later the girls have found each other and Sarah met her lovely niece Cicely. Their dreams of a long reunion are cut short though when Hannah is murdered. Sarah is contacted where she has been living since she was 18 - in the small Mennonite community of Sanctuary. She is the local school-teacher. Now Sarah must take custody of her niece Cicely and prove to the sheriff's and police that Hannah's death is related to her parents' murder as Hannah before she died had found proof that the killer of her parents had never been found and the guy arrested was innocent. Is Hannah's murder connected and is someone now after Sarah and Cicely as they are trying to tie up loose ends to that fateful night when Sarah was a child? I do have to admit when the killer was revealed at the end, I was a little disappointed as it seemed like weak reasoning to kill Hannah as it was back then - their parents and another couple as it turns out they had also murdered - all to keep a dark secret. However, readers if you love edgy Christian fiction and Christian Romantic Suspense, then check out Nancy Mehl's series Finding Sanctuary.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery. My favorite out of the 3 books.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐️

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Mehl in her new book “Deadly Echoes” Book Two in the Finding Sanctuary series published by Bethany House Publishers takes us into the life of Sarah Miller.

From the back cover: After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller’s life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah’s joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn’t know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed.

As she learns more about Hannah’s death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents’ murder. Sarah enlists Paul’s help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul’s concern encourages Sarah’s growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide–even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

Things can go out of control fairly quickly and, I guess, there is no way you can be prepared for the events that happen to Sarah. She has just been reunited with her sister and, suddenly, she is informed that her sister has been murdered. Now the old wounds from twenty years ago resurface with the possibility that this is the same murderer. But why the twenty year gap? This is an intense mystery as there are multiple stories that need to be solved. Ms. Mehl has crafted a fine thriller in that Sarah is in deadly danger from practically page one. I could not figure out who the murderer was and was surprised when this person was revealed. Get ready for a real page turner that will keep you guessing until the end. I liked “Deadly Echoes” and look forward to the next book in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. 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.”

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A six year old hides in the closet with her sister while her parents are murdered. This is just the beginning of the tension and suspense. It just never stops. There were always several possibilities for “villains” and the book really kept me guessing as to which one would be the real villain in the end. I found myself wanting to counsel Sarah many times throughout the book, “Don’t do that! Don’t trust him.” Sometimes I would have been right, others wrong. I like it when you have to read to the end to really figure things out.

Like many of us, Sarah hides her feelings and struggles with forgiveness for past hurts. Even more she struggles with comparing herself negatively to others. This is so easy to do. This woman can do this better than I can. She has nicer _____ than I do. God made each of us just as He wanted us to be and gave each of us our own special gifts and abilities. As Wynter says, “When we judge ourselves against someone else, isn’t it saying that God didn’t do a good job in creating us? Isn’t it degrading His handiwork?” Perhaps some of us may have to think through this just as Sarah did. This issue is well developed and very insightful comments are made.

This book differed from the first in the series in that the main action or story line didn’t have to do with a native to Sanctuary, Missouri. The first book made it seem like the people of Sanctuary have so many secrets. I expected each book to reveal one of those. Even though it didn’t, per se, the twists and turns and surprises were all very satisfying, sometimes creepy, and very mysterious. I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

Finding Sanctuary Book one: Gathering Shadows

Finding Sanctuary Book two: Deadly Echoes

[Kay Defreese · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book ten stars I would but I can only give five. I knew from the get go it would be packed full of suspense. You can just about always count on a book by Nancy Mehl to be. She is that talented in writing suspense.

Deadly Echoes is book 2 in the Finding Sanctuary series. Sarah Miller grew up as an orphan most of her life. Both of her parents were murdered when she was but 6 years old. Both her and her sister's lives were spared because they hid in a closet while the parents were being murdered. Her sister was the prettier one and was adopted but Sarah was never adopted. She bounced from foster home to foster home but she eventually did find peace in a little town called Sanctuary. Eventually she was re-united with her sister but then tragedy struck and Sarah was left with the care of her ten-year old niece, Cecily.

Sarah wants to find out what happened to her parents and her sister Hannah. She thinks the two are related but has no proof. She starts asking questions but she may be talking to the wrong people stirring things up putting herself and her niece in danger. Who can she trust? Is she trusting the wrong people?

One thing that I like about the book was that I could never figure out who responsible for all these murders. I did not know until nearly the end. I like an author who writes where I cannot figure out who it is. So many of the authors that I read I can usually figure it out. Not with Nancy Mehl. There were twists and turns all along the way. I can't wait until the next book in the series is released.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me an ebook of Deadly Echoes to review. This book is due to be released January 27, 2015.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Echoes is a very nice addition to the Finding Sanctuary series. It is a stand alone novel. If you have read the first book, you will see a few returning characters, however, it is not necessary to have read Gathering Shadows to enjoy Deadly Echoes.

I found Deadly Echoes to be a very enjoyable, suspenseful novel. It has a light romance running throughout, however, the growing attraction between the two main characters is not the focus of the book. Instead, the storyline focuses on Sarah’s work to uncover what truly happened to her recently murdered older sister. I enjoyed watching Sarah uncover the clues and similarities between her sister’s murder and the murder of their parents that occurred when the girls were just children.

Sarah was a likeable character. She is strong and determined, yet struggles with a low self-image. She has overcome many sad and hurtful things in her life, yet stays focused on God and is determined to help her young niece know that she is loved. I also liked Paul Gleason. He is a returning character from the first book in the series and I was glad to see him again. He is strong, dependable, and willing to help Sarah however she needs.

Although I must admit that I did have a pretty good idea early on about the identity of the villain in the story, it was still a truly enjoyable suspense from the first page to the last. And I still had quite a bit to discover as to why these murders happened at all. This was a very good suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Janet Marie Dowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy never disappoints! I love the town of Sanctuary! It is a very quiet and slow paced. Everybody knows everybody....Sometimes that is good and sometimes not so good! People move here to run away from secrets and problems but if you dig a little deeper in the quaint town you will find its own secrets and problems.

Janet is like a mother hen....She loves taking care of people she loves. She is very determined and works very hard! She is a gentle soul who is not afraid to share her faith or stand up for what she believes in! Janet opens her heart and door to anyone who needs a helping hand!

Sarah is a very troubled young lady who witnessed a violent crime when she was a child....She never got passed it! She and her sister was orphaned as children and her sister was adopted, but she wasn't. Sarah resented her sister and thought she never measured up. She is always comparing herself to others. Sarah is searching for answers.

Paul is a deputy sheriff who genuinely cares about people. He is also very interested in solving as many crimes as he can. He is very quiet and reserved but passionate about the things he believes in. Paul becomes sweet on Sarah, but she doesn't want to let him in!

To find out if Sarah finds her answers and if she lets Paul in, you are going to have to read the book! Happy Reading!

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I’m really enjoying this series. Deadly Echoes is the 2nd book in the Finding Sanctuary Series preceded by Gathering Storms. Deadly Echoes stands alone quite well, but I honestly believe you are missing out if you don’t read Gathering Storms first. Because I read the first book, I was already familiar with and attached to the town of Sanctuary and the people living there. I really enjoy this author’s development of her characters and can hardly wait to meet the stars of the next book.

So far, both books in the series have been 1st person point of views, which I love. The story flows easily and the mystery is captivating. And… the mystery is multi-faceted, making for a book that is difficult to put down. If you enjoy a good mystery suspense thriller laced with a touch of romance, you will love this book. I highly recommend both books in this series and am anxiously awaiting book 3.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteries are one of my favorite genres to read and I pride myself on being pretty good at figuring out "who done it", but not this time! I had a few suspicions but never completely figured it out. I started reading and couldn't wait to get back to the book each time I had to quit for a bit to attend to details of life. This book will leave you on the very edge of your seat!
I fell in love with the characters of the little town of Sanctuary in the first book in the Finding Sanctuary series and it was such fun to get to spend time with some of those characters in this book. Faith plays an important role in the Old Order Mennonite town and I felt that the aspects of faith included in the book were very well done and added to the story.
I rate this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest book I read is Deadly Echoes. The second in a series from Nancy Mehl. As I enjoyed the first one, I took a chance on the second one. I was not disappointed. This was a great mystery. It kept you guessing until the end. As I don't read very many books set in contemporary times, I am always surprised when I take a chance on one and I totally enjoy it. The girl in the story is very likeable. She really comes to know and appreciate herself in this story and learns not to compare herself with others. That she is unique and God made her who she is. Therefore she should not criticize herself or think others are better than her. I connected with that part of the story. The mystery is intriguing and very entangled. I really did enjoy this book and look forward to others from this author. I got the book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. Honestly? Its great!

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally Miller is finally in a better place in her life. She has started to teach and is happy. She has been able to meet with her sister and has met her daughter. Then her world is shattered when she learns that her sister has been killed. The awful thing is that it is just like when her parents were killed years before. Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason has been trying to help her find out who did this horrible thing. They are at a loss to figure out what has happened. Maybe they can figure out who the murderer is before someone else gets hurt. I really liked this book and I give it a 4/5. I was given this book for a review and all opinions are mine.

[Debbie Shawver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a book I couldn't put down. Because I wanted to answers as much as Sarah did. I really felt the pain of her loss. Nancy did an amazing job with writing this one.

[Tina Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deadly Echoes" by Nancy Mehl was wonderful. I loved seeing the familiar faces from book one "Gathering Shadows". Nancy knows how to write mysteries because there's always something that totally takes you by surprise.

After Sarah has settled her past of tragedy and upheaval, she calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school. Her joyful reunion with her sister Hannah and a niece -she didn't know about- is cut short when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason tells Sarah that her sister has been killed.
Will Deputy Sheriff Paul help Sarah find her sister's killer?
Who did kill Hannah?
The answers to these questions and more are in the book; I highly recommend read it.

I received this book through Net Galley and I was not required to give a positive review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can she trust? As Sarah reels from the news that her sister was murdered, the tragedy brings back memories of her parents' murder--a case that was never solved. But as she mourns the sister she loved not long after they became reunited, she must care for Cicely, her niece who's now left orphaned. After meeting with the Kansas City police and as Sarah is about to pick up her niece to take her to their new home in Sanctuary, her sister's house in burned. Coincidence? How can it be? And why are the police moving so slowly? Sarah befriends Paul in Sanctuary who helps her to try to solve her sister's murder. As they investigate the facts, that become all to similar to Sarah's parents murder, who can they trust? And then another murder occurs--bodies are piling up with no answers. I also love the relationship Janet has with both Sarah and Cicely--creating a nurturing family. And will Paul and Sarah delve deeper into their feelings for one another? A great mystery with plenty of twists and turns!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What brutal murders. As the story progressed and Sarah and Paul uncovered more evidence that the murders were connected, I figured that one of the police guys that came to help them with the case was a dirty cop. Lots of emotions in this book. Losing a mother and father, a sister and a mom are never easy but Sarah and Cicely were making great strides in having a good life. Sarah always compared herself to her sister Hannah and thought she was not as good as. Paul and Janet helped her see that God made her special just the way she was. Sarah depended on her peaceful feeling when she was in the thick of things at the mine. She didn't know how things would turn out but she had the feeling that God was with her. God is always there with us wherever we go. That's a great message to take away from this book.

[Tara | Mercyandgracereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadly Echoes is Book 2 in the Finding Sanctuary series by Nancy Mehl. Prevous characters make an appearance, but this book focuses on side characters from the first book. One room school teacher, Sarah Miller, has finally found peace and a place she belongsy in Sanctuary when news of her sister’s murder shakes everything she has fought to gain. The mystery is compelling even if the culprit seemed obvious to me, but the motive was hard to pinpoint. The storyline did cycle through the same issues multiple times and felt like filler. However, I enjoyed how the author navigates the need of redemption from negative self-talk and comparison.

[Teresa Kinberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have given Nancy Mehl a 5 star on all the books I have read thus far from her. However this book was just so slow and not as well written. I knew the bad guy very early in the book ( normally in her series I can’t tell until almost at the end). She gives you details about a parking lot being slick from ice, but absolutely no details about a budding romance. I’m sorry, but I just did not like this story at all. ☹️

[Alex Arne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Echoes was such a gripping read! From the very first page, I was drawn into the suspense and the mystery surrounding the small-town secrets and the dangerous events unfolding. The tension builds steadily, keeping you guessing who might be behind everything.

The characters are relatable and realistic—their struggles make the story even more compelling. The twists kept me on edge, and the pacing was just right to keep me turning pages late into the night.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents were brutally killed when Hannah and Sarah were young. The last visit with Hannah, said she had uncovered information. about their parents. Now she too has been killed, leaving a niece Cecily to raise at age ten.
Sheriff in Sanctuary got a report of her sister death,there was white orchids around her, same as their parents, now twenty years later. Sheriff Paul is willing to look into it. Calls for information end abruptly , then 2 show up. She wanted answers a closure for Cecily. Instead someone wanted permanent closure of anyone that looked into it. He was a killer among them. A page turner and the best in the series.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series, and this one was okay. Sarah really struggles with comparing herself to others and coming up short, which I found annoying. I also figured out who the "bad guy" was fairly early, which is why I gave this book 3/5 stars. I felt it was more predictable than the first one.

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best murder mystery books I've ever read. My opinion stayed the same throughout the entirety of the trilogy. I could read these books over and over without getting bored. I felt like I was there the whole time. I did kind of miss the fact that the series isn't a continuation of the same girl from the first book; but it was amazing all the same.

[Dorothy Vandezande · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. What is with the ten year old who acts like she's 16? Please.
Also Old Order Mennonites are not going to "see the light" and start using musical instruments in church services lol. The author doesn't have a great understanding of plain people at all. 😂

The mystery was decent and kept me interested, but I did figure out the bad guy about 30% of the way in. Super obvious.

[Kim English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mystery to hit Sanctuary.
Loved the line "Before dinner, I'd only noticed how tired I looked. Now I saw something different. A woman loved by God. If God wasn't looking at my imperfections, why was I?"
The character arc, the suspense, the compassion--all interweve for a stay up all night story worth reading