Perfect

Claire McCall #4

by Harry Kraus

Wendi Stratford's job as an accident reconstructionist is just one more enviable reflection of her ideal life. She's got it all---perfect career, perfect looks, perfect husband, perfect home, perfect faith. There's just one problem: it's all a sham, right down to her bleached-blonde hair. So Wendi hatches an impulsive and exhilarating plan to break free of the lie she's been living---only to watch her hopes die in a terrible accident. But as she sifts through the wreckage, Wendi comes to a shocking conclusion. This was no accident. The quest is on to learn the truth, but the truth could be deadly. And now someone is leaving Wendi clues at accident scenes, clues that could lead her straight into a killer's hands. With her life on the line, Wendi must find strength in a faith that until now had been merely an accessory to her storybook life. With engaging characters swept into a millrace of mystery and suspense, Harry Kraus' new novel is. . .perfect.

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Harry Kraus, M.D. is a board-certified surgeon, medical missionary to East Africa, and accomplished writer of both non-fiction and fiction. Medical realism and gripping plotlines distinguish his writing, as he gets most of his ideas with a scalpel in hand. Dr. Kraus resides in Virginia with his wife Kris and the youngest of his three sons.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Harry Kraus is an old favorite author of mine. His novels usually bring together medical science and the Christian faith in an engaging manner.

While still good for what it was, this was definitely not his best, mostly because of the rather despicable protagonist/narrator. Even though she endures multiple tragedies in this book, she acts more like a mean girl in some high school chick flick than anyone admirable. I like my heroines a la Lizzie McGuire, Nancy Drew, or Belle from Beauty and the Beast; the lead in Perfect made Lizzie's sworn enemy Kate Sanders look nice.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not be thrown off by the beginning chapters of this very deep, insightful, honest book. The main character Wendi, is a pastor's daughter and the wife of a very successful surgeon. She's lived on a stage and behind a mask all of her life as a “Professional Christian,” her real feelings didn’t matter in the life she lived.

I thought it was fascinating how the author describes this FAKE Christian life Wendi’s learned to life. It’s a mask she’s worn to hide her true identity. It was scary believable. Wendi’s mission in life was to “Look Good” and “Please people.” It’s very important her real feelings didn’t show on stage or in public. In the beginning when Wendi’s planning to leave her husband and run off with her “Christian” piano teacher, don't get all freaked out. This author leaves clues within the events of the beginning chapters; pay attention...he uses those details through out the story. Harry Krauss keeps you on the end of your seat and masterfully unfolds this incredible story of the human heart and our relationship with Jesus.

Think of the beginning of this cutting edge and suspenseful story, like you're starting off in a roller coaster; it goes slow, your excitement builds and you wonder what direction the ride will go next, and then you wonder if you made a mistake in getting on this ride when all of a sudden the ride takes you over the edge and there is no return. Keep reading. This is a well-crafted, detailed account that deals with the matters of our heart! The bible says what comes out of our mouths and our actions shows what’s inside the heart. It isn’t pretty. Harry Kraus is very insightful and does a great job of driving home the point that we are not meant to live PERFECT lives. That’s why we need Jesus. The author helps describe grace and how that works in real life. Harry shows the reader how we can apply the free gift of grace to our every day life? Read Perfect, it’s a powerful, gripping, suspenseful murder mystery with surprises unfolding until the end. I can’t wait to read Harry Krauss’s new book Six Liter Club next.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[LadyCalico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly great book. It starts out light and leaves the reader unprepared for and shocked by the dark turns to come--isn't that just the way we get sucked deeper and deeper into sin, shame, and death? As I enter the twilight of my life, I have been exploring my own lifelong history of repeated hurts and failures and have come to the conclusion that the biggest mistakes occur when to myself and to my God I am untrue. Can one truly be a Christian if unwilling to lay all flaws open and allowing God to break you and remold you. There is only one who is perfect, because only He can handle the impossible burden of perfection. What He does expect from us is Truth and Grace. Yet the church bulldozes away Truth and Grace with superficial expectations that jam people into a false veneer of perfection and self-righteousness in the name of Him who asks us for authenticity, from the heart to the surface. I call these unfortunate perfectionistic church people, like Wendi's mother "Christians baptized in battery acid." It breaks my heart to see so many people who came to the church seeking God instead running into the self-righteousness of hypocrites to either conform or leave. It was great to find a book exploring the same things I have been exploring lately, doing such an incredible job of it, and essentially reaching the same conclusions. Those who aren't Christian and who aren't struggling with the hypocrisy that plagues the members, primarily the perfectionistic, control-freak females, of the modern church to fake on the outside what might be lacking in the heart will probably not grasp the excellence of this male Christian writer. How well he expresses the thoughts and feelings of a woman fighting the gravitational pull of the the black hole of as-if role-playing, of chafing under a phony preconceived "Christian" image that doesn't really conform to what Christ expects of us, of demands for perfectionistic conformism that had stopped her growth and was strangling the person whom God purposed her to be, until she was on the brink of self-destruction. It was like climbing into my heart and soul to read Wendi's struggles. I was tempted to downgrade the book one star because I hated the ending so much, but in truth there was no other way to end it. There had to be consequences and someone had to pay them.

[Jodi Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author

All Dr Kraus's books are such fun to read. Hope he keeps them coming. Being in health care makes them that much more interesting.

[Kerstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was part of a series, which was good because it stands up well on it's own. It is a mystery and there were some unexpected plot twists for sure. Some inconsistencies from a legal perspective and not too much character development since it is a series. The disfunction of this family from a Christian perspective lacked authenticity. I am tiring of this constant need to convince people that Christians are just like everyone else; the only thing that makes us like everyone is that God loves us. We encounter the same challenges & tragedies but ultimately it is not our pretending to be perfect Christians that causes our problems, it is pretending that sin is measured by degrees and that as long as we are not as bad as the next person then we are okay.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendi was a accident reconstruction, the wife on a well known surgeon, daughter of a minster. Felt she was living behind a mask, taking steps to break out started a spiral of events, she never thought of. The other players her husband knew her better then she knew herself, and no sacrifice was to great for her. Jack a piano player, what he said in the hospital was that true.
The conclusions she finally comes to realize what she most wants is to be a true Christian. Once again the author portrayed a moving story of the struggle someone was doing to keep control of her life.

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping realistic read

Like all of his other books, this one you won’t want to put down. I only give it 4 stars because I was super disappointed with how the author dealt with one particular issue in the book. He was too realistic and I would have preferred he pushed the culture’s current handling to portray what should have happened biblically.
I am intentionally being vague so as not to spoil a key plot point. I will still read everything the author writes.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised this book doesn't have more stars! I really didn't like the main character at the beginning of the story, I disliked her enough I almost stopped reading. but I am glad I trudged through! There were times I had to put it down because the scenes were so intense, I just couldn't look! I got invested in the characters as they grew and changed for the better. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride!

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed because this was supposed to be the final book in the Claire McCall series and didn't even go with the rest of the books. Now with that beimg said this was a good book in itself. I did enjoy it and figured some thimgs out pretty quickly, but still had a few surprises as well. Overall a good read.

[Debbi Perman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a non-practicing Catholic, so I totally understand guilt. Wendi has it all, looks, house, marriage, a job, and married to a surgeon who is adored. This all comes with a price. Unhappiness and being a fake. Her guilt of her actions take a toll on her everyday life. An enjoyable read, but moved slowly at points.

[Dotty Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book I was under the impression this was the last book (#4), of the Claire McCall series. Instead it is a separate, stand alone novel and quite different from the aforementioned series. Lots of turns, twists and deception. The saying is true, “oh what a wicked web we weave, when we practice to deceive “!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so far the best Harry Kraus novel. I loved the story of Wendi's perfect life - how many of us want to throw away our fake smile and false identity and run away to Jamaica? This book pulled me in with lots of drama, plot twists, and unexpected endings. I highly recommend it!

[Kirsten Kroeker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize it was part of a series, so read it as a stand-alone book (it works for that). Characters are authentic, situation is less relatable but enough intensity is there to keep the reader engaged. Not loving the closure, though.

[Darlene Ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[Marla Lagattuta · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

The story line had many twists and turns. Never sure what would happen next. Very enjoyable reading Hard to put down. I recommend reading it

[Gina Simoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book

[Trinity Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect by Harry Kraus is a really good book, but I didn’t like the ending. I really enjoyed most of the book though.
Wendi is really good at her job, as an accident reconstructionist. She can read the cars, roads and know how fast someone was going. If they were braking or going faster etc.. She knows her job well.
Wendi is tried of being the perfect daughter, wife, doctors wife and plans to change her life. She makes many very bad decisions, but in the end they all work out.
Perfect shows us that when you build a web of deciect you will get caught. This book has many, many webs. Also when you think your life is horrible it may be you that is wrong or going through a bad time, not because you have a bad life.
Perfect is really interesting, but not a favorite. I do recommend that you read it though.

This is my own book and no one asked me to review it.

[Readnponder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment compared to other Kraus novels I have read. The "perfect" doctor's wife and pastor's daughter plans to seduce her piano teacher and runaway to the islands. A terrible accident lands the object of her affections in the hospital, as a patient of her husband no less.

There was no suspense. From early on, the reader knows "who did it." The more interesting part is the wife's coming to terms with her play-acting as a Christian. But even here, I did not feel sympathetic with the protagonist or any of the other characters. They were two-dimensional and I didn't care what happened to them in the end. This read like a medieval morality play set in the 21st century.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book all about guilt and how we believe that God will never love us because of all the bad things we have done. Guilt clouds our decisions and leads us to avoid doing things and saying things in hopes that others don't think we are not perfect. Here was a surgeons wife who made mistakes and has never discussed her past with anyone. She feels she needs to be perfect for God to love her. She finally gets tired of trying and thinks about starting an affair even though she is married. Her husband has his own guilt and is writing prescriptions to keep a law suit at bay. It had interesting family dynamics where both sisters think the other is perfect and wish they were more like each other. I will definelty look for more books by this author.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fast read (I read it in about 4 hours while flying) but was, unfortunately, a disappointment. I've read all of the other books by this author which were all 5 star and although this was an interesting read, the events and especially the ending were quite predictable.

The author is a doctor and bases all of his books on events that are centered in a hospital. Although this book followed that format, it was more of a murder mystery than one focused on medical issues.

If you like that type of book, read "Could I Have This Dance" or "Stainless Steel Hearts" instead - they were his two best in my opinion, although all his others are well worth the read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book tremendously. It took me a while to get into it and past say, the first chapter or two, but the story really picks up beyond there.

There are a lot of secrets in this book. Main character Wendi Stratford is an accident investigator and is married to a top surgeon. They share the perfect life of good looks, material comfort, respect in the community, Christian faith... So why is she unsatisfied? Wendi decides to do something drastic and spontaneous but things take a turn for the worse. Someone is leaving her clues at accident scenes. Will she be able to interpret them in time?

In the end, Wendi learns the true meaning of God's grace and the value of true love.

[Stacy]

Another free book I downloaded on my Kindle, and another one I enjoyed! Christian fiction about a woman whose life appears perfect on the outside, but is anything but after you look at her closely. Also a bit of a murder mystery plot woven in, along with her relationships with family and her husband. I had not heard of this author, and for whatever reason, don't seem to find a lot of Christian fiction written by men, but I did enjoy this book. Always glad to get decent books for FREE for my Kindle!

[Elaine]

(book, fiction) I have this on Kindle as well

a. While this book held my interest, the best word I can think of to describe it is "farce." It was quite humorous. The author had the main character more expert in sleuthing than the detectives. Accidents and not-so accidents abound and people were dropping off like flies. I supposed the book to be about forgiveness and grace and while it was in there, it was more of "who done it?" and "why?" Very little to do with the former. – 3 STARS

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know some Christians put on a facade of being Christian when they don't really have the faith. However, I find it hard to believe that a minister's wife would take a 14-year-old daughter for an abortion and not tell anyone that the youth pastor impregnated her. And the respectable surgeon? Far from respectable, but pointing out his sins would be a spoiler. Although I thought the sins of the supposed Christians were overdone, I did like the message about grace.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting play of the dynamics of theology and psychology.
Examing guilt, the author weaves an intersting plot using a minister's daughter, married to a doctor. Besides examining "guilt," the author shows how Christains frequently misunderstand the Christian concept of "grace," therefore holding on to their "guilt." Christianity is about the grace available to imperfect human beings which frees them from guilt...if understood. I'd like to see more of the author's works.

[Nenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good enough story with all the elements – love, unfaithfulness, family, parenting, guilt, religion, faith, and just enough suspense to keep me going. It is not something to rave about though, not perfect; maybe not the very best work of Harry Kraus, M.D., but I’ll definitely try more of his books.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book. i have also suffered from christian guilt most of my life, so this really hit home. a lot of it was predictable; but i couldn't put it down. read it through on a snow day. and it was written by a man. most of the books like this i read are written by women...or could it be...hmmmm.

[Pamela Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A minister's daughter and a surgeon's wife Wendi Stratford lives a perfect life with the perfect house, the neighborhood, the perfect husband...Or so it seems. Wendi is sick of her perfect life, and makes plans to leave it all behind her. Until her past, an accident and suspicious deaths around her threaten to cause her to lose everything she thought she never wanted.

[Diane Lybbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woman decides to stop leading the lie of her 'perfect' life, tries to seduce her piano teacher. He ends up seriously injured in auto accident, then other bodies start piling up; she becomes a suspect; turns into a mystery story - is her husband involved? Can she reconcile with him and her family? Not great, but not bad.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure why I didn't pick up this book sooner. It was riveting! The main Character; Wendi Stratford seems to have it all; looks,a beautiful home, a successful husband, but she is tired of her "Perfect" life. She decides she is done with the facade and that's where the story begins.
I had to force myself on more than one occasion to put this book down. I highly recommend it!