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Kate's Case Files #1
Kate's Innocence
What would you do if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit?
Kate watched as her campus was torn apart by bombs and now is being accused of perpetrating the crime. As the evidence quickly stacks up against her, she begins to lose hope that the truth will come to light. Even though the handsome FBI Agent, Patrick, has taken up her cause, will they be able to prove her innocence? Will God, who she neglected for so long, listen to her prayers for help?
Patrick is an agent with a very special team of agents. He wants to help Kate prove she is innocent, but as each new piece of evidence is revealed, that goal seems harder. He wonders why he feels so compelled to help her and so sure she is innocent despite the evidence. Will he be willing to put his job on the line to help her? Can he trust in God to make sure the truth will come out in the end?
Kate watched as her campus was torn apart by bombs and now is being accused of perpetrating the crime. As the evidence quickly stacks up against her, she begins to lose hope that the truth will come to light. Even though the handsome FBI Agent, Patrick, has taken up her cause, will they be able to prove her innocence? Will God, who she neglected for so long, listen to her prayers for help?
Patrick is an agent with a very special team of agents. He wants to help Kate prove she is innocent, but as each new piece of evidence is revealed, that goal seems harder. He wonders why he feels so compelled to help her and so sure she is innocent despite the evidence. Will he be willing to put his job on the line to help her? Can he trust in God to make sure the truth will come out in the end?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2015
29 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Holman
46 books459 followersSarah Holman lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Scott. When not working on her next novel, she can usually be found hanging out with her family, reading, or hiking at state parks with her husband. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. You can find out more about her at her website, www.thedestinyofone.com.
To keep up to date on releases, join her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bitBIf
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 8, 2018
2018 Re-read
I had forgotten how much I love this book! It was so enjoyable to read (in paperback this time!), and I especially loved pinpointing the clues that lead up to the reveal since I knew the solution this time. Brilliantly done! Now I want to re-read the next book. :D
Original Review
This book literally started off with a bang. I galloped through the pages, enjoying every moment and racking my brains along with the characters about just whodunnit. I kept thinking I had everything figured out and then new information made my jaw drop and sent me flipping those pages even faster. ;) (!)
I liked everyone, except maybe Thomas, and it was easy to keep them straight with all their special little quirks. Logan is so endearing and annoying with her ball! :D Patrick was pretty awesome. I liked how his struggle was one of the more subtle ones we as Christians face--wanting to be in control so we can make everything turn out “just right”. I really related to him on that one. Kate was nice and realistic, and I’m very curious to know more about her past. (She's got some cool skills!) It also cracked me up way too much whenever she freaked them out by taking a run. ;) *laughs evilly*
My favorite parts were when Kate first helped someone medically (); they discover “a string of numbers” (EEEK!); and all the investigation work of gathering information, checking timelines, and interviewing suspects. *rubs hands together* Spy stuff!
Just a note that the concept of women in the military is portrayed and there is one description of .
Best quote: “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart,” he quoted. “God rarely forces His way into our lives. We have to invite Him into every situation and seek Him with our whole hearts.” Patrick spoke passionately, a touch of a smile on his lips and a glimmer in his eye.
Altogether… happy sigh. I read this entire book in one day, and I regret nothing. ;)
I had forgotten how much I love this book! It was so enjoyable to read (in paperback this time!), and I especially loved pinpointing the clues that lead up to the reveal since I knew the solution this time. Brilliantly done! Now I want to re-read the next book. :D
Original Review
This book literally started off with a bang. I galloped through the pages, enjoying every moment and racking my brains along with the characters about just whodunnit. I kept thinking I had everything figured out and then new information made my jaw drop and sent me flipping those pages even faster. ;) (!)
I liked everyone, except maybe Thomas, and it was easy to keep them straight with all their special little quirks. Logan is so endearing and annoying with her ball! :D Patrick was pretty awesome. I liked how his struggle was one of the more subtle ones we as Christians face--wanting to be in control so we can make everything turn out “just right”. I really related to him on that one. Kate was nice and realistic, and I’m very curious to know more about her past. (She's got some cool skills!) It also cracked me up way too much whenever she freaked them out by taking a run. ;) *laughs evilly*
My favorite parts were when Kate first helped someone medically (); they discover “a string of numbers” (EEEK!); and all the investigation work of gathering information, checking timelines, and interviewing suspects. *rubs hands together* Spy stuff!
Just a note that the concept of women in the military is portrayed and there is one description of .
Best quote: “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart,” he quoted. “God rarely forces His way into our lives. We have to invite Him into every situation and seek Him with our whole hearts.” Patrick spoke passionately, a touch of a smile on his lips and a glimmer in his eye.
Altogether… happy sigh. I read this entire book in one day, and I regret nothing. ;)
February 20, 2022
4.5 stars
Well, that was epic. xD I'm totally shipping Kate and Patrick, btw. Their ship name shall be Katrick.
Well, that was epic. xD I'm totally shipping Kate and Patrick, btw. Their ship name shall be Katrick.
May 20, 2017
Wow! This was actually way better than I expected!
The characters were all great; Kate was very realistic. Some would say she's too cynical and snarky, but it really fit her character and struggles. Patrick was very sweet, and his story arc was pretty good, but lacking at times, I found. I loved all of the FBI team! They were each so unique and great, and not at all cliche! There's Thomas, the cynical, cranky, sarcastic leader; Patrick, appropriately nicknamed "Saint Patty"; Brian, the peacemaker and comic relief (my second fav character); Logan, and adorable, bouncy redhead, definitely my favorite in the whole book! Then Kim, the quiet, steady rock.
Kate's storyline and her "salvation" story was very well done! Very realistic, and real life. Well done Sarah!
The writing was very good, although there were a few typos\grammatical errors that bugged me. Only a few though, and overall quite good.
I loved all the FBI actiony stuff! The action scenes were well-written, and not confusing, as they sometimes can be. I did predict the culprit pretty early in the book, so I could dock a star for predictability, but I won't as I tend to guess things like that. (And fairly often I am right!) ;)
All in all, a great action, FBI type story! I really enjoyed it and it is definitely something I would read again! Well done, Sarah Holman!
The characters were all great; Kate was very realistic. Some would say she's too cynical and snarky, but it really fit her character and struggles. Patrick was very sweet, and his story arc was pretty good, but lacking at times, I found. I loved all of the FBI team! They were each so unique and great, and not at all cliche! There's Thomas, the cynical, cranky, sarcastic leader; Patrick, appropriately nicknamed "Saint Patty"; Brian, the peacemaker and comic relief (my second fav character); Logan, and adorable, bouncy redhead, definitely my favorite in the whole book! Then Kim, the quiet, steady rock.
Kate's storyline and her "salvation" story was very well done! Very realistic, and real life. Well done Sarah!
The writing was very good, although there were a few typos\grammatical errors that bugged me. Only a few though, and overall quite good.
I loved all the FBI actiony stuff! The action scenes were well-written, and not confusing, as they sometimes can be. I did predict the culprit pretty early in the book, so I could dock a star for predictability, but I won't as I tend to guess things like that. (And fairly often I am right!) ;)
All in all, a great action, FBI type story! I really enjoyed it and it is definitely something I would read again! Well done, Sarah Holman!
November 9, 2015
Introduction:
When I first heard about this book, I wasn't sure what to think. Then I started reading it, just a little bit before bed. Over two hours later, I finished the book. Now I want the next book in the series. :D
Characters: 1/1
I thought the characters were all well-rounded. I would have liked maybe a little more backstory about Kate, but am hoping that will come forward in the next books.
Dialogue: 1/1
The Christianity, wit, and sarcasm of each character was well done. I loved how Scott kept challenging Patrick to go on God's strength rather than his own.
Plot/storyline: 1/1
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I had a suspicion who that criminal was, but it wasn't so obvious that I could know for sure.
Over-all writing quality: 1/1
Very well done. I can't even remember if there were any typos. The writing was engaging and kept me reading well past my bedtime.
Un-put-down-ability: 1/1
As I mentioned before, I couldn't stop reading and didn't until I finished the book.
Conclusion: 5/5
Even if you don't typically like suspenseful books, I think you'd like this one. Kate's Innocence also gives you a slightly different look into the FBI.
Note: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When I first heard about this book, I wasn't sure what to think. Then I started reading it, just a little bit before bed. Over two hours later, I finished the book. Now I want the next book in the series. :D
Characters: 1/1
I thought the characters were all well-rounded. I would have liked maybe a little more backstory about Kate, but am hoping that will come forward in the next books.
Dialogue: 1/1
The Christianity, wit, and sarcasm of each character was well done. I loved how Scott kept challenging Patrick to go on God's strength rather than his own.
Plot/storyline: 1/1
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I had a suspicion who that criminal was, but it wasn't so obvious that I could know for sure.
Over-all writing quality: 1/1
Very well done. I can't even remember if there were any typos. The writing was engaging and kept me reading well past my bedtime.
Un-put-down-ability: 1/1
As I mentioned before, I couldn't stop reading and didn't until I finished the book.
Conclusion: 5/5
Even if you don't typically like suspenseful books, I think you'd like this one. Kate's Innocence also gives you a slightly different look into the FBI.
Note: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2022
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is one of the best Christian Mystery/Suspense books I’ve ever read—excellent action mixed with a judicious amount of calm, and plenty of whodunnit but without dragging at all.
To start off, I enjoyed the rundown college + sleepy town setting. It’s not what I’d call to mind with a mystery book, so it was refreshingly unique. It all felt very contemporary, which I enjoyed. The writing style wasn’t exactly strong, but it was humorous and paired very well with the characters, whom I greatly enjoyed.
I honestly liked Kate. I related to her feelings of worthlessness & distrust, her struggle with being vulnerable, and her desire to be loved + accepted. Although she didn’t get very close to God here, it’s realistic, and I look forwards to seeing her draw nearer to Him—although I’d also like to actually hear about her conversion, or have her get saved, because all that is kind of misty. She was definitely a unique character and I’m so curious about her background!
Patrick I related to even more than Kate. His struggle with trusting was a totally different side of the coin than hers, yet spoke to me very much. It was cute how much he liked and admired her, but I loved how gentlemanly he was.
The rest of the team were all epic in their own way. Thomas is an awesome foil to Patrick, and Brian is the perfect peacemaker. Logan is wildly, delightfully unique and Kim is a sweetheart. As for the other characters, the suspects were perfect suspects and the villain well done.
The plot was my favourite part. I was just as confused as to who the criminal was by 70% as I had been at 10%, and I was almost as desperate as Kate was to know WHO ON EARTH IT WAS because it couldn’t be Kate but everything pointed TO her! I was very impressed by how clean and low-key everything was, yet with very high stakes and edge-of-the-seat grippingness, and how the romance was a mere thread (which I can’t wait to see develop, however!). Everything was wrapped up so well. And the humour and banter was seriously awesome. xD
The message of the book was almost as good as the plot, though. The different aspects of trusting God—both as someone who believed that they didn’t deserve His help and that everything was too hopeless for Him to work, and as someone who relied on their own strength because God wasn’t working fast or hard enough—were very well done. I admired how the author made her point so strong in only a few sentences! The afterword was really excellent.
Overall, this is a fantastic start to a great series and I am so eager to read the rest of the books!
Content: Patrick & Kate touching (hugs, holding her head, brushing her hair off her face, etc); Scripture isn’t KJV; an euphemism or two. Violence: a college is blown up but no one is hurt; someone attacks Kate from behind in a hotel room and it’s believed to be a man “truing to satisfy his sick desires”; someone is murdered (mention); Kate is again attacked in a hotel room.
A Favourite Quote: “Patrick, you are good at your job, one of the best. But face it, you’re not Spock, you’re human. There are times that each of us are led by emotion, not facts. You need to trust God and stop trying to do this all in your own strength.”
“I am trusting God.” ...
“No, you’re not. The fact that you are sitting worrying over this is proof you are not trusting in God, you are trusting in Patrick Connor and his abilities.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Brian tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. “He’s desperate to get someone who can disarm a bomb, as he nearly blew us sky high on a recent case.”
“But I didn’t,” Patrick reminded him.
“Only because it was a stink bomb,” Brian countered.
To start off, I enjoyed the rundown college + sleepy town setting. It’s not what I’d call to mind with a mystery book, so it was refreshingly unique. It all felt very contemporary, which I enjoyed. The writing style wasn’t exactly strong, but it was humorous and paired very well with the characters, whom I greatly enjoyed.
I honestly liked Kate. I related to her feelings of worthlessness & distrust, her struggle with being vulnerable, and her desire to be loved + accepted. Although she didn’t get very close to God here, it’s realistic, and I look forwards to seeing her draw nearer to Him—although I’d also like to actually hear about her conversion, or have her get saved, because all that is kind of misty. She was definitely a unique character and I’m so curious about her background!
Patrick I related to even more than Kate. His struggle with trusting was a totally different side of the coin than hers, yet spoke to me very much. It was cute how much he liked and admired her, but I loved how gentlemanly he was.
The rest of the team were all epic in their own way. Thomas is an awesome foil to Patrick, and Brian is the perfect peacemaker. Logan is wildly, delightfully unique and Kim is a sweetheart. As for the other characters, the suspects were perfect suspects and the villain well done.
The plot was my favourite part. I was just as confused as to who the criminal was by 70% as I had been at 10%, and I was almost as desperate as Kate was to know WHO ON EARTH IT WAS because it couldn’t be Kate but everything pointed TO her! I was very impressed by how clean and low-key everything was, yet with very high stakes and edge-of-the-seat grippingness, and how the romance was a mere thread (which I can’t wait to see develop, however!). Everything was wrapped up so well. And the humour and banter was seriously awesome. xD
The message of the book was almost as good as the plot, though. The different aspects of trusting God—both as someone who believed that they didn’t deserve His help and that everything was too hopeless for Him to work, and as someone who relied on their own strength because God wasn’t working fast or hard enough—were very well done. I admired how the author made her point so strong in only a few sentences! The afterword was really excellent.
Overall, this is a fantastic start to a great series and I am so eager to read the rest of the books!
Content: Patrick & Kate touching (hugs, holding her head, brushing her hair off her face, etc); Scripture isn’t KJV; an euphemism or two. Violence: a college is blown up but no one is hurt; someone attacks Kate from behind in a hotel room and it’s believed to be a man “truing to satisfy his sick desires”; someone is murdered (mention); Kate is again attacked in a hotel room.
A Favourite Quote: “Patrick, you are good at your job, one of the best. But face it, you’re not Spock, you’re human. There are times that each of us are led by emotion, not facts. You need to trust God and stop trying to do this all in your own strength.”
“I am trusting God.” ...
“No, you’re not. The fact that you are sitting worrying over this is proof you are not trusting in God, you are trusting in Patrick Connor and his abilities.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Brian tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. “He’s desperate to get someone who can disarm a bomb, as he nearly blew us sky high on a recent case.”
“But I didn’t,” Patrick reminded him.
“Only because it was a stink bomb,” Brian countered.
October 23, 2015
A brilliant college student who claims her project was to disarm bombs is now prime suspect for her college's bombing. Kate Mayfield finds herself in a sticky situation as she strives to prove her innocence with the FBI team who is investigating her. As evidence stacks up against her, can she prove her innocence? Will anyone believe in her?
Kate was a very unique MC--one that I honestly wasn't sure that I would like: A military kid turned soldier herself then brilliant college student and primary suspect with sass. As the story progressed, though, I got to enjoy Kate, then became attached to her. Since I read this story over a period of days (by schedule demands--not choice!), my thoughts often drifted to Kate and where I had last left her. This being the first book in the series, it gave a hint of how the trials she was facing led Kate to consider her relationship with God and how much she had neglected Him. I am interested in seeing how this spiritual plot progresses in upcoming books.
And then there's Patrick--about half of the story told from his perspective. He seemed a little bit "too good to be true" of a guy MC yet is a character that the reader is supposed to love.
The other agents on the FBI team were fun as well and all like-able in their different ways. I'll admit, I fell in love with all of them!
Though mystery in subject, this book was not suspenseful nor did it have any dark scenes (in my opinion). The only thing that would keep me from handing it to a young teen would be if they got scared about the thought of people hiding behind doors and in rooms to threaten them.
About romance...two hugs were mentioned, but nothing super romantic. One, the young man was encouraging Kate. The other, was a little more about their feelings for each other. I'm guessing there will be more romance between the two as the series progresses, but there is not much in this first book.
I will definitely be in line for reading future books in this series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review*
Kate was a very unique MC--one that I honestly wasn't sure that I would like: A military kid turned soldier herself then brilliant college student and primary suspect with sass. As the story progressed, though, I got to enjoy Kate, then became attached to her. Since I read this story over a period of days (by schedule demands--not choice!), my thoughts often drifted to Kate and where I had last left her. This being the first book in the series, it gave a hint of how the trials she was facing led Kate to consider her relationship with God and how much she had neglected Him. I am interested in seeing how this spiritual plot progresses in upcoming books.
And then there's Patrick--about half of the story told from his perspective. He seemed a little bit "too good to be true" of a guy MC yet is a character that the reader is supposed to love.
The other agents on the FBI team were fun as well and all like-able in their different ways. I'll admit, I fell in love with all of them!
Though mystery in subject, this book was not suspenseful nor did it have any dark scenes (in my opinion). The only thing that would keep me from handing it to a young teen would be if they got scared about the thought of people hiding behind doors and in rooms to threaten them.
About romance...two hugs were mentioned, but nothing super romantic. One, the young man was encouraging Kate. The other, was a little more about their feelings for each other. I'm guessing there will be more romance between the two as the series progresses, but there is not much in this first book.
I will definitely be in line for reading future books in this series!
*I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review*
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April 23, 2022Free 2/23/22-2/27/22
****
There is no book that I have felt the characters were so well-rounded, and yet no book has given me more trouble. This book has produced so many smiles, and frustrations. It is only the beginning of a series I think will not only be a lot of fun but will also be one of the best for showing the growth of the characters in their faith.
****
There is no book that I have felt the characters were so well-rounded, and yet no book has given me more trouble. This book has produced so many smiles, and frustrations. It is only the beginning of a series I think will not only be a lot of fun but will also be one of the best for showing the growth of the characters in their faith.
May 2, 2018
Since I also love "Sue Thomas F.B.Eye" this was a delightful book to read. Even if I did have the right suspect picked from the beginning, all the twists and turns kept me reading until the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 26, 2022
My first book by this author, and what a lovely first read Kate's Innocence was!
Characters: Let's start off with Kate herself. She was definitely an interesting character, and I still wanted to know more about her by the time the book ended! (Great job on the author's part, given this is a series.) I enjoyed the combination of college student and ex-military in her character - and the latter certainly came in handy in different parts of the plot. Then there was Patrick - what a great guy! He was so loyal and devoted to her even when he didn't have clear proof she was innocent. And the way he always comforted her with Scriptures? Yep, that's an amazing sort of guy. And the rest of the team ... I loved it! All the different personalities and the way they worked together were entertaining and encouraging. Brian was definitely a standout, but Kim's wisdom and gentleness was so sweet, too. And as for the villain ... I won't give any details for spoilers, but that was an interesting reveal. (I will say, for once in my life, I actually kind of figured out who the badguy was!)
Setting/Writing Style/Plot: Since Kate was a college student, parts of the book took place on a college campus, but a lot of it centered around the police station. Maybe that wasn't the most exciting place (especially for poor Kate), but there was a lot of thinking and questioning to be done to figure out the mystery! The writing style was very clean (the proofreader, editor, and author did an amazing job). I will say sometimes the reactions of the characters seemed a little lacking or just not as emotional as I would've imagined if I'd been in their places. As for the plot ... wow, very cool! I can tell the author did some research for the book, and the plot was quite tight and worked well. Really threw me for a loop at the ending! While it wasn't the most suspenseful book, the pacing wasn't slow, and there was plenty of intrigue and character development to keep things moving.
Theme/Moral: One big theme that stood out to me was trusting God in all things and in every moment of our life. Both Kate and Patrick struggled with different aspects of trusting the Lord, and it was a wonderful reminder to trust God in the hard times and the bad times. It was also so sweet that Kate realized that God had used the FBI team to show His love for her!
Overall, Kate's Innocence was a quick, easy read with a nice mystery and a wonderful cast of characters. Check this out if you're looking for a clean, FBI/law enforcement read!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Characters: Let's start off with Kate herself. She was definitely an interesting character, and I still wanted to know more about her by the time the book ended! (Great job on the author's part, given this is a series.) I enjoyed the combination of college student and ex-military in her character - and the latter certainly came in handy in different parts of the plot. Then there was Patrick - what a great guy! He was so loyal and devoted to her even when he didn't have clear proof she was innocent. And the way he always comforted her with Scriptures? Yep, that's an amazing sort of guy. And the rest of the team ... I loved it! All the different personalities and the way they worked together were entertaining and encouraging. Brian was definitely a standout, but Kim's wisdom and gentleness was so sweet, too. And as for the villain ... I won't give any details for spoilers, but that was an interesting reveal. (I will say, for once in my life, I actually kind of figured out who the badguy was!)
Setting/Writing Style/Plot: Since Kate was a college student, parts of the book took place on a college campus, but a lot of it centered around the police station. Maybe that wasn't the most exciting place (especially for poor Kate), but there was a lot of thinking and questioning to be done to figure out the mystery! The writing style was very clean (the proofreader, editor, and author did an amazing job). I will say sometimes the reactions of the characters seemed a little lacking or just not as emotional as I would've imagined if I'd been in their places. As for the plot ... wow, very cool! I can tell the author did some research for the book, and the plot was quite tight and worked well. Really threw me for a loop at the ending! While it wasn't the most suspenseful book, the pacing wasn't slow, and there was plenty of intrigue and character development to keep things moving.
Theme/Moral: One big theme that stood out to me was trusting God in all things and in every moment of our life. Both Kate and Patrick struggled with different aspects of trusting the Lord, and it was a wonderful reminder to trust God in the hard times and the bad times. It was also so sweet that Kate realized that God had used the FBI team to show His love for her!
Overall, Kate's Innocence was a quick, easy read with a nice mystery and a wonderful cast of characters. Check this out if you're looking for a clean, FBI/law enforcement read!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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February 26, 2021I don't know what I expected when I started reading this book, but I know what I thought when I finished. After reading about half and deciding I wanted to go to bed, I instead continued reading. But there was no way I would stop. It was too exciting.
While I may not agree with everything and the way everything was presented, it was a nice read and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
While I may not agree with everything and the way everything was presented, it was a nice read and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
September 22, 2024
Perfect balance of faith, intrigue and humor
Also by this author that I recommend: For My Good
The Cover: Automatic modern-day FBI/Detective vibes and I'm here for it! I've been dying to start this series for almost a year, and I finally got to prioritize it via a reading challenge.
The Writing: Very simple and made for easy, enjoyable reading. Good pacing.
The Characters: Characters make or break a book for me, and I really enjoyed this cast of diverse characters. The team was very distinct and easy to tell apart. Did not like TJ (yes, I did that on purpose) at first for obvious reasons. I found Kate to be extremely relatable.
The Plot: So good!! I wasn't fully invested until I got a few chapters in but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. There was a nice build-up and plenty of suspense. My second suspect turned out to be right. There was one loose end not quite resolved but I'm hoping it comes out in the later books.
The Themes/Messages: Wait on God's time and rely on His guidance instead of our own strength. There was one point that I didn't fully agree with. That being God not giving us too much to handle. I believe that He allows us to go through things that are too much for us to carry so that we recognize we can't do it alone and lean on Him instead.
The Romance: Squeaky clean and sweet.
Content Warnings: Some action violence (bomb explodes and one physical fight).
Overall: 5 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed this. It goes down as my favorite July read. I will certainly continue the series! Highly recommend it if you enjoy FBI stories and Christian fiction.
Also by this author that I recommend: For My Good
The Cover: Automatic modern-day FBI/Detective vibes and I'm here for it! I've been dying to start this series for almost a year, and I finally got to prioritize it via a reading challenge.
The Writing: Very simple and made for easy, enjoyable reading. Good pacing.
The Characters: Characters make or break a book for me, and I really enjoyed this cast of diverse characters. The team was very distinct and easy to tell apart. Did not like TJ (yes, I did that on purpose) at first for obvious reasons. I found Kate to be extremely relatable.
The Plot: So good!! I wasn't fully invested until I got a few chapters in but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. There was a nice build-up and plenty of suspense. My second suspect turned out to be right. There was one loose end not quite resolved but I'm hoping it comes out in the later books.
The Themes/Messages: Wait on God's time and rely on His guidance instead of our own strength. There was one point that I didn't fully agree with. That being God not giving us too much to handle. I believe that He allows us to go through things that are too much for us to carry so that we recognize we can't do it alone and lean on Him instead.
The Romance: Squeaky clean and sweet.
Content Warnings: Some action violence (bomb explodes and one physical fight).
Overall: 5 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed this. It goes down as my favorite July read. I will certainly continue the series! Highly recommend it if you enjoy FBI stories and Christian fiction.
February 20, 2016
Well, I must say that this book definitely did not disappoint. I was hooked from the very first chapter. Sarah Holman did an excellent job with this story.
What I Liked: From the first, I wasn't quite sure how much I was going to like the main character, Kate. But as the story moved forward, I found myself really liking her and was feeling for her through all of the circumstances that she went through. By the end of the book, I wanted more of Kate...and Patrick, Brian, Logan, Kim, and even Thomas!
From the first chapter, I was so very certain of who was guilty of committing the crime, but low and behold, there were a few surprising curveballs thrown in that made me think. I also loved all of the Scriptures in this book and the several strong Christians in this story who encouraged Kate. It was very refreshing!
What I Didn't Like: I can't think of anything specific that I didn't like. This story was very well done. I will say that I found several typos in this book, but it didn't really bother me and detract from the story any.
I give this book 5 stars for another thrilling story by Sarah Holman! Also, I appreciated the strong Christian character of several of the characters. Well done, Sarah! How soon is the next book going to be available? :-)
What I Liked: From the first, I wasn't quite sure how much I was going to like the main character, Kate. But as the story moved forward, I found myself really liking her and was feeling for her through all of the circumstances that she went through. By the end of the book, I wanted more of Kate...and Patrick, Brian, Logan, Kim, and even Thomas!
From the first chapter, I was so very certain of who was guilty of committing the crime, but low and behold, there were a few surprising curveballs thrown in that made me think. I also loved all of the Scriptures in this book and the several strong Christians in this story who encouraged Kate. It was very refreshing!
What I Didn't Like: I can't think of anything specific that I didn't like. This story was very well done. I will say that I found several typos in this book, but it didn't really bother me and detract from the story any.
I give this book 5 stars for another thrilling story by Sarah Holman! Also, I appreciated the strong Christian character of several of the characters. Well done, Sarah! How soon is the next book going to be available? :-)
June 15, 2023
Rating: 4.5 stars
This was a really gripping book to read! The suspense and the mystery made it very intriguing, and it kept me guessing. I loved Kate’s story and the mystery was very clever.
The FBI team was so amazing. Brian annoyed me just a little bit, but I really liked Thomas and I loved Logan. (Edit: Having read the rest of the series, my opinion on these points has vastly changed. This series definitely needs to be read as a whole, but it's fun to look back at my original impressions :D) Kim obviously didn’t appear very often but what I did get to see of her I liked. And of course, Patrick…
I especially liked the switching POV’s between Kate and Patrick. Personally, I generally like books written in this way as long as it doesn’t get annoying or too confusing, which Kate’s Innocence never did. Instead, it made it possible to see the story for two different angles, and increased my interest in it.
I admit I found the ending just a tiny bit improbable, but it still left me satisfied and really wanting to read the next book. The way the mystery was resolved is so well done, adding an element of suspense to all future books.
There was one tiny inconsistency I noticed in the mystery, and some things in the book that I would not agree with, but nothing very serious.
All in all, this was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I’m hooked now and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
This was a really gripping book to read! The suspense and the mystery made it very intriguing, and it kept me guessing. I loved Kate’s story and the mystery was very clever.
The FBI team was so amazing. Brian annoyed me just a little bit, but I really liked Thomas and I loved Logan. (Edit: Having read the rest of the series, my opinion on these points has vastly changed. This series definitely needs to be read as a whole, but it's fun to look back at my original impressions :D) Kim obviously didn’t appear very often but what I did get to see of her I liked. And of course, Patrick…
I especially liked the switching POV’s between Kate and Patrick. Personally, I generally like books written in this way as long as it doesn’t get annoying or too confusing, which Kate’s Innocence never did. Instead, it made it possible to see the story for two different angles, and increased my interest in it.
I admit I found the ending just a tiny bit improbable, but it still left me satisfied and really wanting to read the next book. The way the mystery was resolved is so well done, adding an element of suspense to all future books.
There was one tiny inconsistency I noticed in the mystery, and some things in the book that I would not agree with, but nothing very serious.
All in all, this was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I’m hooked now and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
May 18, 2017
(Review also posted on The Road of a Writer: https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com...)
I had been meaning to read this book for awhile, and was planning on getting to it soon... when the author asked if I'd like to be a reviewer for the audiobook version from Audible.com. I had never reviewed an audiobook before, or used Audible, but it sounded like fun, so I thought why not jump on this? I'm very glad I did!
The Story
I don't read a lot of contemporary, mystery sort of stories, and agent-y stories even less, but I found this one intriguing for the most part.
The book as a whole kept my attention the whole time and was rather gripping--I was on the edge of my seat more than once, and let me tell you, I was pretty worried about some of the characters there for awhile! The mystery was interesting and kept me reading. I will say I made one early guess as to whodunnit which was incorrect but quickly moved on to the one which turned out right, so I'm pleased on that account. ;)
It had some action and tension tossed together with some fun (always a plus!) and varied characters. Occasional things bothered me but overall it seemed very well researched, and it's quite clean. Also different since the heroine is at college and I don't feel like I read a lot of that...
I think it took me a little while to fully connect with the characters and get to know them at a deeper level, but by the end they kind of wormed their way into my heart and I was sort of inwardly squealing over the final scene. Cuties. ^_^ They're fun together. I always liked Patrick; Kate was all right and at least I was rooting for her; Kim wasn't there much but was nice, and the same with Brian; Logan was interesting (I love her gun and skirt). Thomas was a little annoying at times but that may have been the narration turning him into a bit more of an antagonist? But I really liked him by the end. Like I said, it took awhile, but by now I'm looking forward to more adventures with this team. :)
The Christian messages were well done. I liked how Patrick used Bible verses to comfort Kate--great scene--and I really liked the themes of trusting God instead of doing it on your own, and how He is still there for us even when we feel we've abandoned Him and can't imagine He would still want us--well, He does. Those were both good reminders. (It is the most Christian FBI team I've ever heard of; but there you go. ;)) Anyhow, I liked the message.
As far as downsides, a few things bugged me, including some things I can't quite put my finger on. Why didn't they think of security cameras way earlier on? Why was the murder hardly mentioned, as if a death was less serious than blown up buildings where no one was killed? Why were they so biased against Kate and then didn't bat an eye at the suspiciousness of someone obviously suspicious to me? (Okay, that may have been for the plot, but still. ;)) Kate didn't seem to always act like someone who had been in the military and a few of the attitudes of the characters felt narrow-minded or judgmental toward others.
Those are a few examples off the top of my head. But overall they were little things that didn't detract too much from the story -- I just absorbed and enjoyed it. :)
The Audio
The audiobook is narrated by Sheri Sheridan, and I really enjoyed getting to listen to it. She was a pleasant narrator and did some great voices and got some of the emotion and action down really well. Hearing it in audio form like this was almost like watching a movie or TV show! I was very immersed in the story and it was very fun. :)
My only problem with the audio version was that the "extras" (dedication, author's notes, acknowledgements, etc.) at the beginning and end seemed like they repeated? Which was kind of annoying. Unless it was my own total lack of knowledge regarding Audible audiobooks (which I'd never used before), which is entirely possible. *shrug*
I do wonder what I would have thought of some of it if I had read instead of heard it... I speculate that I may have liked Kate less and Thomas more if I didn't listen to the audio version. But that's just speculation, so I'm not sure.
Anyways, I definitely recommend picking up an audio copy if you want to give this adventure a try! I'm sure the book is enjoyable to read as well, but there's something special about absorbing it this way, and it was a nice way to pass the time while I was exercising or folding laundry. :)
Conclusion
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I loved going along for the adventure with this cast. If you like mysteries, agents, FBI, contemporary, Christian stories, with possibly a dash of hints at a maybe-someday-romance (Maybe? :D *wriggles eyebrows*), then be sure to give a go at reading Kate's Innocence! Or if you'd rather feel like you're watching a TV show, let Sheri Sheridan read it to you. ;) Either way, you're in for an enjoyable ride. :)
(I received a free audiobook edition of this book from Audible.com from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
I had been meaning to read this book for awhile, and was planning on getting to it soon... when the author asked if I'd like to be a reviewer for the audiobook version from Audible.com. I had never reviewed an audiobook before, or used Audible, but it sounded like fun, so I thought why not jump on this? I'm very glad I did!
The Story
I don't read a lot of contemporary, mystery sort of stories, and agent-y stories even less, but I found this one intriguing for the most part.
The book as a whole kept my attention the whole time and was rather gripping--I was on the edge of my seat more than once, and let me tell you, I was pretty worried about some of the characters there for awhile! The mystery was interesting and kept me reading. I will say I made one early guess as to whodunnit which was incorrect but quickly moved on to the one which turned out right, so I'm pleased on that account. ;)
It had some action and tension tossed together with some fun (always a plus!) and varied characters. Occasional things bothered me but overall it seemed very well researched, and it's quite clean. Also different since the heroine is at college and I don't feel like I read a lot of that...
I think it took me a little while to fully connect with the characters and get to know them at a deeper level, but by the end they kind of wormed their way into my heart and I was sort of inwardly squealing over the final scene. Cuties. ^_^ They're fun together. I always liked Patrick; Kate was all right and at least I was rooting for her; Kim wasn't there much but was nice, and the same with Brian; Logan was interesting (I love her gun and skirt). Thomas was a little annoying at times but that may have been the narration turning him into a bit more of an antagonist? But I really liked him by the end. Like I said, it took awhile, but by now I'm looking forward to more adventures with this team. :)
The Christian messages were well done. I liked how Patrick used Bible verses to comfort Kate--great scene--and I really liked the themes of trusting God instead of doing it on your own, and how He is still there for us even when we feel we've abandoned Him and can't imagine He would still want us--well, He does. Those were both good reminders. (It is the most Christian FBI team I've ever heard of; but there you go. ;)) Anyhow, I liked the message.
As far as downsides, a few things bugged me, including some things I can't quite put my finger on. Why didn't they think of security cameras way earlier on? Why was the murder hardly mentioned, as if a death was less serious than blown up buildings where no one was killed? Why were they so biased against Kate and then didn't bat an eye at the suspiciousness of someone obviously suspicious to me? (Okay, that may have been for the plot, but still. ;)) Kate didn't seem to always act like someone who had been in the military and a few of the attitudes of the characters felt narrow-minded or judgmental toward others.
Those are a few examples off the top of my head. But overall they were little things that didn't detract too much from the story -- I just absorbed and enjoyed it. :)
The Audio
The audiobook is narrated by Sheri Sheridan, and I really enjoyed getting to listen to it. She was a pleasant narrator and did some great voices and got some of the emotion and action down really well. Hearing it in audio form like this was almost like watching a movie or TV show! I was very immersed in the story and it was very fun. :)
My only problem with the audio version was that the "extras" (dedication, author's notes, acknowledgements, etc.) at the beginning and end seemed like they repeated? Which was kind of annoying. Unless it was my own total lack of knowledge regarding Audible audiobooks (which I'd never used before), which is entirely possible. *shrug*
I do wonder what I would have thought of some of it if I had read instead of heard it... I speculate that I may have liked Kate less and Thomas more if I didn't listen to the audio version. But that's just speculation, so I'm not sure.
Anyways, I definitely recommend picking up an audio copy if you want to give this adventure a try! I'm sure the book is enjoyable to read as well, but there's something special about absorbing it this way, and it was a nice way to pass the time while I was exercising or folding laundry. :)
Conclusion
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I loved going along for the adventure with this cast. If you like mysteries, agents, FBI, contemporary, Christian stories, with possibly a dash of hints at a maybe-someday-romance (Maybe? :D *wriggles eyebrows*), then be sure to give a go at reading Kate's Innocence! Or if you'd rather feel like you're watching a TV show, let Sheri Sheridan read it to you. ;) Either way, you're in for an enjoyable ride. :)
(I received a free audiobook edition of this book from Audible.com from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
October 4, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this. Of everything I read by this author, this would be my favorite. The length was just perfect, the writing style wasn't difficult to read, and the story was intriguing.
There were several interesting events that went on in this story. I can't say they shocked me to death nor I was surprised by the culprit in the end, but all in all I loved it. The FBI crew members were great. Logan is my favorite. Her little quirk of bouncing a ball added a neat effect.
Kate had much depth to her character. I would have loved to hear more about her time in the army and thought for a bit that it would play more into the plot. I felt really bad for her that she was framed up and was rooting for her all the way. It was slightly funny to me that Patrick thought she was innocent...he didn't have much of a reason to think that except to trust her word :)
I didn't expect the last chapter, and I'm still a little incredulous about it. I also would have loved to see her family in this book.
Spiritually, there was some great lessons in this. The characters never go to church in the book, but the book only spans a few days (and on the Sunday there was ton of stuff going on!). There was hints of romance, but nothing that made me uncomfortable. I think I would have been mad if Kate and Patrick had been together at the end!
I'm looking forward to reading book two :)
There were several interesting events that went on in this story. I can't say they shocked me to death nor I was surprised by the culprit in the end, but all in all I loved it. The FBI crew members were great. Logan is my favorite. Her little quirk of bouncing a ball added a neat effect.
Kate had much depth to her character. I would have loved to hear more about her time in the army and thought for a bit that it would play more into the plot. I felt really bad for her that she was framed up and was rooting for her all the way. It was slightly funny to me that Patrick thought she was innocent...he didn't have much of a reason to think that except to trust her word :)
I didn't expect the last chapter, and I'm still a little incredulous about it. I also would have loved to see her family in this book.
Spiritually, there was some great lessons in this. The characters never go to church in the book, but the book only spans a few days (and on the Sunday there was ton of stuff going on!). There was hints of romance, but nothing that made me uncomfortable. I think I would have been mad if Kate and Patrick had been together at the end!
I'm looking forward to reading book two :)
May 21, 2018
Genre: Fiction.
My Rating: 5 Stars.
Recommendation: Anyone over 13 because of slight violence.
My favorite character/s: Patrick Connor is a pretty stubborn guy; I like how he is determined to prove that Kate is innocent.
My Verse for Patrick is Psalm 21:13
Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. King James Version.
Kate is a hurting young woman and yet she is strong and I hope she keeps growing in her faith and walk with God as the series goes on.
My Verse for Kate is Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. King James Version.
My thoughts: I have read all but I think, maybe, two of Sarah Holman's books and I have liked each one of them. Her characters are believable, realistic and it's almost like you could see them when you read her books! And they have problems! (I know that sounds bad but it's not!) I've read a few books like Kate's Case Files and the characters are PERFECT! and when I'm reading I like to see characters grow. In their faith, attitude, walk with God, and even grow up, and Sarah Holman does just that with her books without making them perfect.
This review will be on my blog tomorrow and I will be posting my reviews for the second and third books sometime this month on my blog!
My Rating: 5 Stars.
Recommendation: Anyone over 13 because of slight violence.
My favorite character/s: Patrick Connor is a pretty stubborn guy; I like how he is determined to prove that Kate is innocent.
My Verse for Patrick is Psalm 21:13
Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. King James Version.
Kate is a hurting young woman and yet she is strong and I hope she keeps growing in her faith and walk with God as the series goes on.
My Verse for Kate is Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. King James Version.
My thoughts: I have read all but I think, maybe, two of Sarah Holman's books and I have liked each one of them. Her characters are believable, realistic and it's almost like you could see them when you read her books! And they have problems! (I know that sounds bad but it's not!) I've read a few books like Kate's Case Files and the characters are PERFECT! and when I'm reading I like to see characters grow. In their faith, attitude, walk with God, and even grow up, and Sarah Holman does just that with her books without making them perfect.
This review will be on my blog tomorrow and I will be posting my reviews for the second and third books sometime this month on my blog!
June 2, 2022
The story was intriguing. The characters were well-defined. The plot was riveting. All in all, I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to.
There were a few continuity issues, and a few pieces of the puzzle I felt weren't fully explained, or weren't justified well enough. It seemed to me several times that things were being pinned on Kate just because she was convenient, not because there was reasonably convincing evidence. Had other people been scrutinized as thoroughly as she was, it would have been more believable.
I appreciated that neither the characters nor the plot were cliche. I loved how the spiritual lives of the characters were of foremost importance. All in all, I look forward to reading sequels, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an action-filled Christian mystery.
There were a few continuity issues, and a few pieces of the puzzle I felt weren't fully explained, or weren't justified well enough. It seemed to me several times that things were being pinned on Kate just because she was convenient, not because there was reasonably convincing evidence. Had other people been scrutinized as thoroughly as she was, it would have been more believable.
I appreciated that neither the characters nor the plot were cliche. I loved how the spiritual lives of the characters were of foremost importance. All in all, I look forward to reading sequels, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves an action-filled Christian mystery.
December 20, 2022
I simply could not put this book down, and read it all in a few hours... I loved it so much, and can't wait to read the rest of the series!!❤️😀
May 9, 2016
Kate's Innocence is the first book in the brand new series from Sarah Holman, the Kate's Case Files series.
In this book, we find a young woman, Kate Mayfield, in an increasingly tough situation. Her college is bombed. Explosions rock the campus on the night that her life turns on her. Once the FBI intervene, the detective work gets going, and the fingers point towards Kate.
Life after high school in a military family meant going through a tour-of-duty in Africa and the Middle East for Kate. Now she's back in Minnesota getting a chemical engineering degree. It's what you do when you're going to become an explosives expert for the army. At a college where the students are all either political or military families, there are so many potential reasons why a bomb was placed on campus. What Kate can't figure out is who really was behind the damage -- but she seriously needs to get the FBI off her back. Pushing for her own innocence in the bombing incident is tricky, especially when even Kate herself can't deny the incriminating evidence.
I have a new fictional character to add to my favorites list. Logan, a young FBI agent, a girly-girl who knows how to kick criminals to the curb. In a skirt. This book may be about Kate's story, but Logan (along with the other FBI agents) play a big part in the plot and dialogue too. Patrick is another of the agents, and he's a keeper too. He tries to believe Kate when she says that she's not guilty -- even if it is hard to clear away all the compromising elements.
"It's my job to put the bad guys away and make sure innocent people don't get hurt. And with God's help, I am going to prove you are innocent." (Sarah Holman, Kate's Innocence)
This book upholds strong Christian morals... as ALL of Sarah Holman's stories do. I believe it is written for an adult audience, but it's a completely clean read. There is talk of dating, and perhaps the desire for a relationship between some characters. Still, it's appropriate for teens of any age to be interested in.
Kate's Innocence is a terrific adventure into the world of the FBI!
Immediately, I'm hooked on this first book, and anticipate the rest of the series. Apparently there will be 11 books!
In this book, we find a young woman, Kate Mayfield, in an increasingly tough situation. Her college is bombed. Explosions rock the campus on the night that her life turns on her. Once the FBI intervene, the detective work gets going, and the fingers point towards Kate.
Life after high school in a military family meant going through a tour-of-duty in Africa and the Middle East for Kate. Now she's back in Minnesota getting a chemical engineering degree. It's what you do when you're going to become an explosives expert for the army. At a college where the students are all either political or military families, there are so many potential reasons why a bomb was placed on campus. What Kate can't figure out is who really was behind the damage -- but she seriously needs to get the FBI off her back. Pushing for her own innocence in the bombing incident is tricky, especially when even Kate herself can't deny the incriminating evidence.
I have a new fictional character to add to my favorites list. Logan, a young FBI agent, a girly-girl who knows how to kick criminals to the curb. In a skirt. This book may be about Kate's story, but Logan (along with the other FBI agents) play a big part in the plot and dialogue too. Patrick is another of the agents, and he's a keeper too. He tries to believe Kate when she says that she's not guilty -- even if it is hard to clear away all the compromising elements.
"It's my job to put the bad guys away and make sure innocent people don't get hurt. And with God's help, I am going to prove you are innocent." (Sarah Holman, Kate's Innocence)
This book upholds strong Christian morals... as ALL of Sarah Holman's stories do. I believe it is written for an adult audience, but it's a completely clean read. There is talk of dating, and perhaps the desire for a relationship between some characters. Still, it's appropriate for teens of any age to be interested in.
Kate's Innocence is a terrific adventure into the world of the FBI!
Immediately, I'm hooked on this first book, and anticipate the rest of the series. Apparently there will be 11 books!
June 23, 2016
This was a very interesting and exciting book. I really liked the characters, all of them are so different and real, and I found Logan highly entertaining with her tireless bounciness and ever-present ball! Kate and Patrick were both very real and likable too, in different ways.
The only thing that bothered me about this book was that Kate had served a period in the Army, as that isn’t a fit calling for a girl claiming to be a Christian, even though she had been brought up in a military family. However, I can see why this was essential to the plot, and how it could easily make Kate look even more suspicious. Also, how the memories of war and suffering had etched themselves onto her mind, causing her to become silent and unsociable.
The plot itself is brilliant. Full of unexpected twists and dead-ends, leads and hints, it’s one of the best I’ve ever read, and very fast-moving and easy to follow. All along you know it can’t be Kate, even though all the evidence seems to point to her and no one else, and yet towards the last third of the book you can’t help begin to wonder whether it maybe was her after all, crazy as that sounds! And there are several people that it could have been, and you are never quite sure which one is the right one until the very end.
The ending too, is very satisfactory. I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
The only thing that bothered me about this book was that Kate had served a period in the Army, as that isn’t a fit calling for a girl claiming to be a Christian, even though she had been brought up in a military family. However, I can see why this was essential to the plot, and how it could easily make Kate look even more suspicious. Also, how the memories of war and suffering had etched themselves onto her mind, causing her to become silent and unsociable.
The plot itself is brilliant. Full of unexpected twists and dead-ends, leads and hints, it’s one of the best I’ve ever read, and very fast-moving and easy to follow. All along you know it can’t be Kate, even though all the evidence seems to point to her and no one else, and yet towards the last third of the book you can’t help begin to wonder whether it maybe was her after all, crazy as that sounds! And there are several people that it could have been, and you are never quite sure which one is the right one until the very end.
The ending too, is very satisfactory. I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
November 9, 2015
This was a very intriguing FBI read to be sure! I enjoyed it. I try to stay open to various genres, but I don’t deny that I am usually not interested in contemporary fiction; however, “Kate’s Innocence” proved to be very exciting, and didn’t feel like it dragged at all, which is what I often find in some contemporary fiction pieces.
This book was exciting, and you were guessing as to ‘who dunnit’. And you were of course rooting for Kate. :) At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d think of main character Kate Mayfield…she was pretty rude at the beginning when being questioned by the police. But she did grow on me. :) And I really liked Logan, and Brian, and of course, Patrick. I also found Kim to be a good character, and even Thomas became endearing. :D
I think the faith strand was good – it opened up to more possibilities of healing in the future of this series. It could’ve been a tad bit stronger in the end, but I’m hoping that the series will continue it. :)
This is a book I would readily recommend – it’s clean, and thoroughly enjoyable! I’m glad for the chance to have read it and am looking forward to more!
This book was exciting, and you were guessing as to ‘who dunnit’. And you were of course rooting for Kate. :) At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d think of main character Kate Mayfield…she was pretty rude at the beginning when being questioned by the police. But she did grow on me. :) And I really liked Logan, and Brian, and of course, Patrick. I also found Kim to be a good character, and even Thomas became endearing. :D
I think the faith strand was good – it opened up to more possibilities of healing in the future of this series. It could’ve been a tad bit stronger in the end, but I’m hoping that the series will continue it. :)
This is a book I would readily recommend – it’s clean, and thoroughly enjoyable! I’m glad for the chance to have read it and am looking forward to more!
June 23, 2023
Apparently, I’ve put this one off for too long—Don’t make the same mistake!
With nods to Sue Thomas FBI (IYKYK), solid Christian content, suspense, and an amazing cast of characters, Kate’s Innocence is an exception read.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
A Fav Quote: “‘Maybe it’s time you realized that He has a better plan than you ever could have. That He’s not a truth but the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and you’re only a man.’”
With nods to Sue Thomas FBI (IYKYK), solid Christian content, suspense, and an amazing cast of characters, Kate’s Innocence is an exception read.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
A Fav Quote: “‘Maybe it’s time you realized that He has a better plan than you ever could have. That He’s not a truth but the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and you’re only a man.’”
August 6, 2021
I just re-read this book after less than a year! That means I REALLY like it!
Yes, I know that's not a review, really. But I gotta go to bed because I stayed up late reading it... again! Let's just say I love this first book of the series!
Yes, I know that's not a review, really. But I gotta go to bed because I stayed up late reading it... again! Let's just say I love this first book of the series!
August 6, 2018
So, as soon as I finished the first chapter of Kate's Innocence, I knew I had made two major mistakes. One, I had let it linger on my owned-but-unread shelf for way too long. Two, I had started it in the five minutes remaining before I had to get up and ready for work.
This book sucked me in so hard from the very beginning, and it was so difficult to put down! The plot was one of those where you think you've put everything together and are just waiting for the characters to figure it out--and then everything gets turned on its head, and you find out that all the stuff you thought you knew is out the window, and you have to start again from scratch. Seriously, exploding the theory that I had been congratulating the author for working out so neatly and plausibly; it's genius!
And the characters--wow, I really, really love this cast! Everyone felt so real and vibrant and distinct, with pretty much no stereotypes. That is, the personality types may have been more or less standard--the tough, cynical team lead, the talkative girly-girl, the wisecracking best friend--but the addition of various carefully placed habits, quirks, and mannerisms made them feel anything but cliche. I loved seeing so many characters with the same strong faith despite their different personalities. And Kate had so much depth--more than enough to get a satisfying character arc in this story and still leave the door wide open for a whole lot more.
I will admit that I had flashbacks to Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye while reading this (trust me, that's a serious compliment), and I often caught myself imagining the book characters with the faces from the TV show, even if the physical descriptions didn't match at all. Then I got to the end of the book and found out that it was actually inspired by the TV show! So fun! And since the heart of the show for me was the camaraderie between the team members, I would say Sarah absolutely nailed it. :D
There were a smattering of editing errors, and the dialogue could have used a few more contractions in places, but those issues didn't bother me as much as they sometimes do because I was so invested in the story and the characters.
Now that I've finished, I'm faced with one more major problem--the hopeless mess that is my TBR list trying to deal with the onslaught of rest of the series, which is demanding to be shoved in immediately, if not sooner. :)
Edit: Not two days later, and I'm changing my rating--because there's no way I can keep this off my favorites shelf, which automatically makes it at least a 4.5. :D
Content--descriptions of bombings; mentions of terrorism; discussion of a murder (not graphic); violence, injuries, and sickness (not graphic); mentions of drug use and stalkers; people threatened
This book sucked me in so hard from the very beginning, and it was so difficult to put down! The plot was one of those where you think you've put everything together and are just waiting for the characters to figure it out--and then everything gets turned on its head, and you find out that all the stuff you thought you knew is out the window, and you have to start again from scratch. Seriously, exploding the theory that I had been congratulating the author for working out so neatly and plausibly; it's genius!
And the characters--wow, I really, really love this cast! Everyone felt so real and vibrant and distinct, with pretty much no stereotypes. That is, the personality types may have been more or less standard--the tough, cynical team lead, the talkative girly-girl, the wisecracking best friend--but the addition of various carefully placed habits, quirks, and mannerisms made them feel anything but cliche. I loved seeing so many characters with the same strong faith despite their different personalities. And Kate had so much depth--more than enough to get a satisfying character arc in this story and still leave the door wide open for a whole lot more.
I will admit that I had flashbacks to Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye while reading this (trust me, that's a serious compliment), and I often caught myself imagining the book characters with the faces from the TV show, even if the physical descriptions didn't match at all. Then I got to the end of the book and found out that it was actually inspired by the TV show! So fun! And since the heart of the show for me was the camaraderie between the team members, I would say Sarah absolutely nailed it. :D
There were a smattering of editing errors, and the dialogue could have used a few more contractions in places, but those issues didn't bother me as much as they sometimes do because I was so invested in the story and the characters.
Now that I've finished, I'm faced with one more major problem--the hopeless mess that is my TBR list trying to deal with the onslaught of rest of the series, which is demanding to be shoved in immediately, if not sooner. :)
Edit: Not two days later, and I'm changing my rating--because there's no way I can keep this off my favorites shelf, which automatically makes it at least a 4.5. :D
Content--descriptions of bombings; mentions of terrorism; discussion of a murder (not graphic); violence, injuries, and sickness (not graphic); mentions of drug use and stalkers; people threatened
April 16, 2016
The book is as intriguing as it sounds! I love a good mystery, and Kate’s Innocence really delivered—it kept me guessing until the very end, and I do mean the very end (as in the last page or two!). The ending was one of my favorite parts, actually, because of the brilliant manner in which it opened the way for more books.
But I’m getting ahead of myself (obviously, because I’m already talking about the ending!). What captured my attention even more than the mystery were the characters. The whole FBI team was made up of well-drawn and interesting people. No-nonsense head agent Thomas, humorous Brian, quirky Logan, steady Kim, and chivalrous Patrick were all young, energetic, fun (well, Thomas could use a little help in that department!), and very serious about their job. Patrick had a good character arc (as the second paragraph of the synopsis explains).
Kate, though, was probably my favorite character. Though she was rude and tough at times, it was realistic given how much pressure she was under and the kind of background she had. She intrigued me, because segments of her life are actually left a mystery to us for now. I felt sorry for what she was going through, yet I did identify with her commitment to neatness, healthy eating, and staying in shape, and I also appreciated the struggle she went through about wondering where God is, and her guilt over neglecting Him. That, too, is very realistic, and I look forward to seeing where Kate goes next with the lessons she’s learning.
Believe it or not, another of my favorite parts was the note from the author at the end. It gives quite a bit to chew on!
In the end (speaking of endings), I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series. There aren’t a whole lot of clean, Christian crime-fighting books out there that young people can get into. Ms. Holman has done an excellent job coming up with this storyline, with adventures that Kate and the FBI agents go through and the way they have to rely on God!
I was provided a free e-copy for my unbiased review.
But I’m getting ahead of myself (obviously, because I’m already talking about the ending!). What captured my attention even more than the mystery were the characters. The whole FBI team was made up of well-drawn and interesting people. No-nonsense head agent Thomas, humorous Brian, quirky Logan, steady Kim, and chivalrous Patrick were all young, energetic, fun (well, Thomas could use a little help in that department!), and very serious about their job. Patrick had a good character arc (as the second paragraph of the synopsis explains).
Kate, though, was probably my favorite character. Though she was rude and tough at times, it was realistic given how much pressure she was under and the kind of background she had. She intrigued me, because segments of her life are actually left a mystery to us for now. I felt sorry for what she was going through, yet I did identify with her commitment to neatness, healthy eating, and staying in shape, and I also appreciated the struggle she went through about wondering where God is, and her guilt over neglecting Him. That, too, is very realistic, and I look forward to seeing where Kate goes next with the lessons she’s learning.
Believe it or not, another of my favorite parts was the note from the author at the end. It gives quite a bit to chew on!
In the end (speaking of endings), I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series. There aren’t a whole lot of clean, Christian crime-fighting books out there that young people can get into. Ms. Holman has done an excellent job coming up with this storyline, with adventures that Kate and the FBI agents go through and the way they have to rely on God!
I was provided a free e-copy for my unbiased review.
June 19, 2022
I can't remember the last time I read a book in 48 hours! Usually it takes me a week, but this book was just that good!
Ever since my brother started convincing me to watch tv shows with him, I've loved all things secret agents and the likes. However, Sarah craftily took out the political agendas and questionable content and replaced them with pure, raw faith.
I whole heartedly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series! Now if you'll excuse me, book two is waiting on my kindle. ;)
Ever since my brother started convincing me to watch tv shows with him, I've loved all things secret agents and the likes. However, Sarah craftily took out the political agendas and questionable content and replaced them with pure, raw faith.
I whole heartedly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series! Now if you'll excuse me, book two is waiting on my kindle. ;)
May 31, 2016
I really enjoyed this short, but fun FBI mystery by Sarah Holman. I love stories, where law enforcement are shown to be smart and capable, instead of idiotic buffoons, and that was the case with this story. The characters were likable and relatable, and the story was engaging. My favorite part was probably how frequently Patrick would quote Scripture in times of need. I love that!
I'm looking forward to the next book!
I'm looking forward to the next book!
June 26, 2016
Wonderful book! It was exciting and clean.
Hopefully someday soon I'll get a chance to write a full review.
Hopefully someday soon I'll get a chance to write a full review.
November 6, 2018
3.5 stars. I totally would've given it 4.5 stars, but all the typos really bothered me, so that's why I took off a star. If you don't mind a lot of typos, I would strongly recommend this book as a fun and light read!
December 20, 2015
I started “Kate’s Innocence” with excitement, after having heard that the idea for it was sparked from the “Sue Thomas FBEye” show, and also getting a recommendation from my friend about it. I was not disappointed! It’s started off with just a “normal day in the life of a college girl”, but quickly escalated into a riveting crime investigation.
Each of the characters was well developed, and not at all humdrum or clichéd. I’m pretty sure Logan was my favorite (though it’s possible if I was around her, I’d find her “habit” to be a little annoying :-). I appreciated Patrick’s loyalty, Bryan’s peace-maker attitude, and Thomas’ desire for the truth to be uncovered, even though it did make him a bit unreasonable at times.
I had a few suspicions as to who the culprit might be, but didn’t actually figure it out until closer to the end (though it was before ‘the person’ was actually identified).
I appreciated the focus the author put on constantly having to rely on the Lord for wisdom and for the ultimate results, though it was a hard lesson for a particular character to learn. I’m also anxious to see how the author will continue on with Kate’s spiritual journey, as well as a couple other ‘mysteries’ that were hinted at, but not fully resolved.
I can recommend this without reservations to anyone, and can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
*Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks so much for the opportunity, Sarah!
Each of the characters was well developed, and not at all humdrum or clichéd. I’m pretty sure Logan was my favorite (though it’s possible if I was around her, I’d find her “habit” to be a little annoying :-). I appreciated Patrick’s loyalty, Bryan’s peace-maker attitude, and Thomas’ desire for the truth to be uncovered, even though it did make him a bit unreasonable at times.
I had a few suspicions as to who the culprit might be, but didn’t actually figure it out until closer to the end (though it was before ‘the person’ was actually identified).
I appreciated the focus the author put on constantly having to rely on the Lord for wisdom and for the ultimate results, though it was a hard lesson for a particular character to learn. I’m also anxious to see how the author will continue on with Kate’s spiritual journey, as well as a couple other ‘mysteries’ that were hinted at, but not fully resolved.
I can recommend this without reservations to anyone, and can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
*Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks so much for the opportunity, Sarah!
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