North of the Killing Hand

Compass Crimes

by Joni M. Fisher

In the heart of the Amazon, a life is shattered, and a mission of courage begins.
After fourteen-year-old Nefi Jenkins witnesses the murder of her parents, she realizes the villagers plan to send her to relatives in the U.S., so she leaves on her own into the jungle. Meanwhile, former soldiers Vincent Gunnerson, Ruis Ramos, and Blake Clayton are dispatched to rescue her in the vast, dangerous rainforest.

As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, Nefi must rely on courage and faith to survive. For Vincent, the mission becomes more than a duty; it’s a race against time and a fight for justice for an orphaned teen.

Will Nefi outwit those who hunt her? Can Vincent and his team reach her before it’s too late? In a world where trust is scarce and survival is uncertain, North of the Killing Hand delivers a pulse-pounding tale of resilience, betrayal, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the face of darkness.

For readers of Terri Blackstock, Colleen Coble, and Dani Pettrey, discover a riveting journey where faith lights the way through the shadows.

376 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2016

About the author

Joni M. Fisher writes suspenseful crime stories about heroines who don't wait to be rescued. Her stories feature friendship, family, faith, and crime. Her Compass Crimes series has won awards in the Kindle Book Awards, Reader's Favorite Book Award, Next Generation Indie Book Award, Christian Indie Book Award, the Royal Palm Literary Award, and others.

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association, she also served on the Arts and Humanities Advisory Board for Southeastern University.

An instrument-rated private pilot, she's also a contributing reporter for General Aviation News. Her fingerprints are on file with the FBI.

Reviews

[Eunice Nascimento · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I stayed up late reading because I had to know what was going to happen next – this book was unputdownable! I loved the main character Nefi Jenkins, who has a special ability, and her difficult journey from teenager to adulthood. There was a lot of humour and culture in this story which made it thoroughly enjoyable. I speak Portuguese and have visited Brazil so I also enjoyed reading the Brazilian references in this novel.

If you love well-written crime novels with a dose of romance, humour and culture you’ll definitely fall in love with North of the Killing Hand.

[Normandie Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's journalism background was obvious in the both the writing and the narrative, and it made for a suspenseful and intriguing story. I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into the lives of her characters and into the worlds they inhabit.

This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last.

[Jennifer Fromke · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Amazon river basin to Washington DC, to the concrete jungle of New York City, this story follows a girl who works hard to put the brutal murders of her parents behind her. The love story is unique and the main character is fascinating. Romance-y, suspenseful, yet beyond the average romantic suspense novel. Give this new author a try!

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

North of the Killing Hand is the second book in the Compass Crimes Series and is a prequel to South of Justice.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading more of this series. The characters are well depicted, strong, and intelligent. The storyline is well written and captured my internet from start to finish with action, danger, suspense, intrigue, and romance. I loved the descriptions of the Brazilian jungle.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am somewhat of a picky reader. If the author doesn't have me in the first 25-50 pages, forget it. I will close it up, put it away, and never pick it up again. Joni Fisher has got me hook, line and sinker with her Compass Crimes series. "North of the Killing Hand" is the second, and another, AMAZING fiction read from her! I absolutely LOVE her writing! Her ability to draw a reader in, sustain a suspenseful and mindful plot, and keep the reader's attention is remarkable. If you haven't started this series, I would highly recommend it. Pick up the first book, "South of Justice", and you will be hooked just as I was. It will draw you in and leave you wanting more. And thankfully, now, the second book is here!! With its content, characters, thickening suspense and dramatic prose, this series, and certainly Joni Fisher as an author, is one of my newest favorites. Be sure to set aside a few hours to dig in; once you pick it up, you won't be able to, or want to, put it back down! Literary excitement...structure...detail...emotion...and amazing storytelling is exactly what "North of the Killing Hand" offers. Run!!!...don't walk!!!...give yourself a terrific Fall read!

[G.J. Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book to read as it starts out as a thriller and then becomes a kind of coming of age story, but eventually the reader is intrigued by the developing romance between the two major characters. At the same time the settings move between Brazil’s Amazon jungle and the USA – Washington DC and New York. I found myself rooting for Nefi Jenkins, the amazing young heroine, from the first few pages right up until the exciting conclusion. For me she could do no wrong despite one or two understandable mistakes along the way, which covers about seven years of time.

The thriller aspect does not let up throughout the story and the author’s skilful handling of various characters, their interactions and conversations was a joy to read. I repeat: intriguing, exciting, emotional, believable, and totally gripping. What a wonderful series of novels this proves to be and I look forward to reading more of Joni Fisher’s books. North of the Killing Hand is highly recommended to anyone who loves to read thrillers with a touch of romance and plenty of surprising twists and turns – and a very unusual finale! A great new discovery for this avid reader.

[Susan Krich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great Goodreads book.
Once I started reading, I wanted to keep going without interruption. Everything keeps flowing smoothly from one problem to the next. I just wanted to find out what happened to Nefi and the other characters.
It is a prequel to South of Justice.
I'm glad that I read this book first. It is a good way to get the backstory on the characters. By reading this one first it doesn't take away from the wanting to see what comes next because you already know.

[Cheryl Riecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Compass Crimes series. It begins as a prequel to the first book and then overlaps and goes on further in time from the first book.

The story revolves around Nefi's from her in the jungle where her parents were killed, then on to her growing up living with her father's brother. Nefi is such a remarkable character, very strong and gifted.

You will enjoy reading her story!

[Scherry at The Novel Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't exactly sure what I expected with this novel. The author, Joni M. Fisher, was new to me. But I was hooked from the very first page! Amazing writing!. This story was so well developed, the characters were multi-dimensional... and the action and intrigue were outstanding! This was definitely NOT one of those "Oh I've heard that story line before" type of books.

Much to the dismay of her "missionary" parents living in the Amazon, fourteen-year-old Nefi Jenkins enjoyed finding solitude at the top of a thirty-four foot strangler fig tree. While perched there, looking through her father's binoculars, she witnesses a man forcing her parents to their knees and then shooting them.

Three men were tasked with a privately-funded mission to go to the Brazilian jungle to find the missing Nefi Jenkins and return her to her uncle, a U.S. Senator. Everything that happens in that jungle will keep you on the edge of your seat, unable to put this book down for even a minute. And Nefi shows everyone that she is much, much more than a simple young girl. I absolutely LOVED this character!

The excitement doesn't end there. As time passes and Nefi finishes high school and goes on to college, the past comes back to her and she is once again confronted with that same evil man who wants to make sure there are no remaining witnesses to the previous murders.

This book had EVERYTHING! Criminals, adventure, action, psychic abilities, sweet romance, a touch of humor... everything! I'm surprised more people have not snatched up this book. I will definitely be looking into more of Joni M. Fisher's writing, including another book in this Compass Crimes Series, "South of Justice".

[Samantha Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just to be clear I received this book as a free copy from Voracious Readers Only. Ordinarily I never read anything that has a romantic element to it. I always steer clear of romance novels. However, I actually found this to be quite a fascinating book to read as it starts out as a thriller and then becomes a kind of coming of age story, but eventually I couldn’t help but become intrigued by the developing romance between the two major characters. At the same time the settings will move between Brazil’s Amazon jungle and the USA – Washington DC and New York, this certainly added something to the storyline. The writer’s style was really clear and easy and the characters were colourful and yet still believable. There are lots of twists and turns and definitely no predictable plots, which is always something I enjoy in a book. The only slight criticism would be that at times the romance was a little heavy but that is only my personal opinion. If you enjoy an intriguing, exciting, emotional and totally gripping read then I highly recommend you give this a go.

[Amy Judkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first ever read by Joni M. Fisher, however this will not be my last! I truly enjoyed the way I was hooked from the very beginning. It was a fast paced story with an incredible ability to engage the reader and not let them go until the last page and then leave them wanting more.
I can not wait to read more by Author Joni M. Fisher!

[Saphira Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping blend of suspense, faith, and moral conflict. North of the Killing Hand delivers tension, emotional stakes, and a compelling protagonist torn between justice and revenge. Perfect for fans of Christian suspense and romantic crime thrillers.

[Anna Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of North of the Killing Hand from the author through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The suspense kept you engaged and the characters are very believable. Romantic suspense at its best.

[Camille Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this novel in the goodreads giveaway! This is a captivating read that kept me interested. I will look for more books by Joni Fisher.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel with heart, faith and strong moral values. And a crackling good thriller to boot! Along with a touching love story.
A refreshing change of pace that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

Nefi Jenkins is fourteen years old when she witnesses her parents being murdered in a remote village in the Brazilian rain forest.
She grew up in and knows the jungle. She tracks down the men who committed this heinous act and exacts a brutal revenge on the killer. She leaves the village and escapes into the jungle.

A team hired by her uncle, U.S. Senator Hamilton Jenkins, is sent to find and rescue her.
She is sent to the U.S. to live with with her Aunt Louise and Uncle Ham.

Flash forward some years later. 21-year-old Nefi has a degree in criminology from Harvard and wants to pursue a career in the F.BI..
Her parent's killer finds out that she's living in the States.
He doesn't want a witness left alive.

So he travels north...North of the Killing Hand!

This was a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Justina Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense, intrigue & love. This book takes you on a seven year journey where Nefi Jenkins at 14 has her life turned upside down by the murder of her parents & falls in love with her rescuer. From the jungle to DC to New York this book keeps you interested in finding out what's going to happen next ! Great book, I didn't want to put it down.

[Tracy Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspensful, romantic crime novel. North of the Killing Hand had my full, undivided attention. Joni M. Fisher tells the complex story of Nefi Jenkins, who grew up too fast and found faith, courage and love after witnessing her parents murder. The climactic twists and turns had me craving more.

[Texjim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of the story follows a young survival hardened teenage girl, Nefti, raised in an Amazon tribal village while her parents worked to help the indigenous people. The parents are viscously killed by drug smugglers leaving her orphaned in the wilderness. The US authorities commission several retired military commandos (read beefy hunks) to find her and bring her back to civilization. On their way to the remote village, they find evidence of jungle revenge exacted on her parent's presumed killers, two dead and a severed hand. Soon they cross paths with the child and repatriate her to her extended but estranged family in the US. The middle third of the book recounts Nefi being taken in by her loving aunt and uncle and the adjustment of this wild child to modern life in the high school jungles of suburban DC and her obsession with Vincent one of the military hunks who rescued her. The third section of the story deals with Nefi's gift of reading people's intentions, her desire for an FBI career and the sudden menacing appearance of the Brazilian killers in the US drug market.

Overall this is more romance than thriller and I suspect it would appeal more to teenage girls than to serious drama readers. There is a lot of breath holding and star-crossed events where Nefi and Vincent miss one another. The writing is concise and very readable. The story has a lot of potential but the telling often drags along. Although I enjoyed it, it took me two weeks to get through it. There is no inappropriate language or adult situations to be concerned about.

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 3 out of 5]

North of the Killing Hands gets off to an exciting start with three young men in the Amazon jungle looking for the missing niece of a U.S. Senator. Her parents have both been murdered by a gangster and Nefi is a witness to the murders. The three men have great difficulty in tracking down the girl and are starting to think she may be dead when Blake has the bright idea of singing a hymn to attract her to them and let her know they are not dangerous.

Blake's idea works and the men are able to make contact with Nefi and get her to trust them sufficiently to accompany them back to the closest Brazilian town and then on to the U.S. to meet up with her Uncle and Aunt.  Nefi is fascinated by the very handsome, Vincent, whom she quickly develops a crush on although she is only 14 years old, unsophisticated and naive. He seems to develop a liking for her too despite the fact he is seven years her senior. Their meeting has far reaching consequences for both of them who hope to meet up again. Neither are able to develop a deep relationship with someone else during the seven year period before they meet up again.

I thought the beginning and end of this book were exciting and interesting but the middle dragged a bit for me with it focus on Nefi's romantic fixation on Vincent. I found the romantic element between Vincent and Nefi to be unrealistic and both of their reactions to, and interactions with, each other to be a bit frustrating. I would have preferred if their relationship had been one of trusted friends.

I rated this book 3.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.

[Laura Libricz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book 3.5 stars but give it 4 because of the quality of writing. North of the Killing Hand is a coming of age story focusing on the developement of Nefi Jenkins, a 14-year-old daughter of supposed missionaries, who witnesses the brutal murder of her parents in the Amazonian jungle. When she goes missing, a search party is sent in to find her. This is where Nefi meets Vincent, one of her handsome rescuers, and becomes smitten with him. She returns to the US and grows up with her uncle and aunt in a normal high school environment.
This book is well-written, fast paced, professionally presented. I loved the descriptive scenes and the flow of the writing is really well executed. It was just the romantic aspect that put me off and spoiled the whole thriller aspect. That's just me, though. Highly recommended for lovers of American thrillers who don't mind a heavy romantic element.

[Laura Libricz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book 3.5 stars but give it 4 because of the quality of writing. North of the Killing Hand is a coming of age story focusing on the developement of Nefi Jenkins, a 14-year-old daughter of supposed missionaries, who witnesses the brutal murder of her parents in the Amazonian jungle. When she goes missing, a search party is sent in to find her. This is where Nefi meets Vincent, one of her handsome rescuers, and becomes smitten with him. She returns to the US and grows up with her uncle and aunt in a normal high school environment.
This book is well-written, fast paced, professionally presented. I loved the descriptive scenes and the flow of the writing is really well executed. It was just the romantic aspect that put me off and spoiled the whole thriller aspect. That's just me, though. Highly recommended for lovers of American thrillers who don't mind a heavy romantic element.

[Caro Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about this book. It's so cool that you read pretty Nefi whole live in this book. She was raised in the jungles where she saw her parents killed. Having to do for her self from then on. She has an Uncle in the states that hires men to go and find her. That was great she has so many skills to hide from them. They finally befriend her and take her to the US. This is hard for her to act like other girls her age. She goes thru so much while still having feeling for one of the rescue men that saved her. All of a sudden someone is out to get her and she knows not why. Well this book is so good have to read it. Its one of those that stays with you. Great ending she finds the men that killed her parents. Read it...

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dramatic thriller? Absolutely, with all the requisite actions, we're given bombs, murder, drugs, removal of body parts, and the FBI. But, ultimately, this is a love story. The kind of love story non-romance novel fans can bite into with relish. Will you love all the characters? Absolutely not. Will you grow to absolutely hate some of the people in the story? Without a doubt, some are reprehensible.

This is a very entertaining read. If you enjoy thrillers, by all means pick up a copy. You won't regret it.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that I enjoyed. The main character, Nefi, is a strong young woman who is looking for justice for the murder of her parents. I found her very compelling, I love reading books that feature a strong women that know what they want and aren't afraid to get it on their own. And there is a love story going on too. This is a Prequel to her other novel in this series and I look forward to reading the South book and the new West book too. And I'm guessing there will be an East one in the future.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

14 year old Nefi witnesses her parents being murdered. Missionaries in a foreign country, Nefi has been brought up in a foreign country. As the news reaches her Uncle he sends a team of rescuers to find his niece and bring her to what will be her future home.

The story follows Nefi from 14 years old to 21 years old. Her trials, tribulations, revenge and the law she seeks to follow. But whats more important? Her career or her vengeful heart?

I liked this story. It jumped around a bit, a little confusing as the flow was broken until it found its footing again.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The exploits of Nefi presented quite a few interesting facts about the ways of her childhood and tribal living. The plot flowed pretty easily. I enjoyed the bits of humor tucked into the serious storyline.
I did think her avoidance to interact with Vincent was a bit childish but I attributed that to her age when she was rescued. In all, I can recommend this book to others as an interesting option for a cold winters day!

[Sharon Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story.

If you get tired of reading predictable plots with just a few twists this is the book for you. These are characters you wouldn't soon forget. It starts with a bang and keeps your attention. Love this new author. Her first book was great, this one is even better. What an imagination. Can't wait to see what she thinks up next.

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

sequel#2 Exciting and very good

This is #2 in the series and includes the backstory of Nefi, but is intended to be read 2nd. It includes the 7 years after the first book. I really enjoyed it! Lots of exciting happenings. Blake, Vincent and Ruis are also back along with Nefi. On to #3!!

[Carolyn S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It was one that you did not want to it down It was very good. I would recommend to p pole who like romance and mystery.

Great book. It was one that you did not want to it down It was very good. I would recommend to p pole who like romance and mystery.

[Suzanne Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that make me want more and this one did. The author allows you to know enough about the characters to be able to root for the “good guys” and hope they will be successful in bringing Nefi’s parents killers to justice. I didn’t want to put it down!