Stain of Guilt

Hidden Faces #2

by Brandilyn Collins

As I drew, the house felt eerie in its silence. . . . A strange sense stole over me, as though Bland and I were two actors on stage, our movements spotlighted, black emptiness between us. But that darkness grew smaller as the space between us shrank. I did not know if this sense was due to my immersion in Bland’s face and mind and world, or to my fear of his threatening presence. Or both . . . The nerves between my shoulder blades began to tingle. Help me, God. Please. For twenty years, a killer has eluded capture for a brutal double murder. Now, forensic artist Annie Kingston has agreed to draw the updated face of Bill Bland for the popular television show American Fugitive. To do so, Annie must immerse herself in Bland’s traits and personality. A single habitual expression could alter the way his face has aged. But as she descends into his criminal mind and world, someone is determined to stop her. At any cost. Annie’s one hope is to complete the drawing and pray it leads authorities to Bland—before Bland can get to her. Brandilyn Collins is the bestselling author of Brink of Death, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. She and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Visit her website at www.brandilyncollins.com.

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

353 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2004

About the author

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.

Reviews

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well developed plot. This time the main character, who is wrestling with her Saviour's redemption, seeks to call out to Him more and thirsts for a better understanding. I enjoy reading a well written murder mystery without all the graphics and foul language. This book is second in a short series, with Brink of Death first.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, this story was riveting and genuine. I continue to find myself gravitating toward Annie Kingston and all of the hysteria she has to deal with. Her conversion scene with Dave touched me and made me remember my own.

[Julie Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie has spent the last 10 months learning how to become a forensic artist. When she is asked to do an aged drawing of a killer that has been on the run for 20 years she has her misgivings. The case is going to be featured on the TV show American Fugitive with Annie's drawing hopefully bringing justice to a family beyond ready for closure. Once again Annie and her family are in danger and Annie is feeling overwhelmed. With her son Stephen acting out Annie's life is slowly spinning out of control. Having promised God that she would seek Him after the last time she was in danger, Annie has been attending church. She believes what she is hearing but still is wanting to hold on to what little control she has.



I have so many feelings about this book! I found it exciting and suspenseful at times and then other times I found it frustrating and a bit irritating. I loved the suspense and the danger that Annie and her family was going through. I loved how we got peeks into the killer's thoughts. There were several twists that the story took that had me holding my breath with anticipation of the outcome. The frustrating/irritating parts to me were Annie's son's behavior and even Annie herself with getting overwhelmed so easily. Stephen, Annie's son is a typical self-centered teen, but add in some drugs, questionable friendships, and anger at both of his parents and you have a very unlikable character. At one point(spoiler alert!), he is arrested and this is where Annie's behavior irritated me. The inability to know what to do and function in the setting brought my hackles up. Even though she was encouraged to let the brat sit and stew she couldn't do it. Gah! I hope she gains a backbone soon and grows in confidence because she is irritating me! Now, all of that being said, the book still held my attention, it had me turning the pages quickly to find out what happens and it had enough suspense to keep my heart racing. There isn't any romance so far, but it seems that there are 2 guys that may be vying for her attention in the close future. All in all the Hidden Faces series is exciting and had me going to buy the next one as soon as I finished STAIN OF GUILT.

[Paulette Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!

Brandilyn Collins keeps out doing herself....this second book in the Hidden Faces Series is beyond amazing!!!! This story continues to follow the spine-chilling experiences in the life of forensic artist, Annie Kingston, as her life once again becomes entangled with another murderer as she tries to help bring justice to the murder of two people with her forensic art training.

I was absolutely CERTAIN I knew the way the story would end....all the evidence was in place like pieces to a puzzle....but then, WHAM! she pulls the rug out from under my feet and turns everything upside down in the last few chapters! How she does that, I have no idea, but she is a MASTER story teller, with a great creative mind that weaves astonishing stories that will blow your mind! After every one of her novels I keep saying the book that I just read is her best, but then I read another one and they just KEEP GETTING BETTER! What an extraordinary author she is! She has Agatha Christie taking a back seat to her...and best of all she brings Christ into the story in a very beautiful honoring way without being "preachy"

In my opinion she is the queen of Christian mystery/suspense novels (and I have read many other novels in this genre over the years)...no one does it like Brandilyn Collins.
— now on to the third book in the series which I can't wait to see how she will astound me once again :)

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Bland has been a fugitive for twenty years after killing the husband and Peter. Then with her neighbor Lisa being killed last year, she is looking for closure. At her sister Jenna probing Annie has taken up classes of forensic art. Now American Justice is wanting to do a segment of the 20 year old case, and with a progressive drawing of the fugitive. What is scaring her is the inside of this man, learning all she could about him to be able to do a drawing. Her son Stephen is out of control. Sneaking out and drugs.
In this book I felt.a lot of rehashing the self doubt Annie had and the trouble with her son, got old. Overall a good story of getting inside the person to be able to draw him successfully.

[Ron Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading #1 first is a prerequisite to this one. Some series can be read out of order without too much of a down side but continuity here needs the knowledge of the first novel. Some events in this story have similarities to the first and others are predictable. There is a clue very early on following the physical exchange between Edwin and Bland that raises the question about the sequence of events as related by Edwin. A pretty decent read overall.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb reading. I was once again drawn in from the very beginning. Annie, now a forensic artist, is drawn into the mind of a killer. Or is she? Suspenseful, gripping and turns you won't see coming until the very end.

[Bekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I read too many mystery & suspense novels. 🤣🤔😯 I guessed the killer as I was reading the prologue. Still, I wasn't sure about a few minor aspects of the storyline. It also had a certain entrainment value. The details about forensic drawing were interesting.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me some time to get through this second book. Not sure if because I had figured out the killer by the third chapter or if I've just read to many heavy mysteries and need to take a break and read something light and airy such as a cozy. Writing good and the author writes well.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great book, it has a good ending but it is a very slow burn. I read the first one a while again however I feel like the first one had better writing than this one. I was able to guess that edwin was the real killer but even still it’s a good book

[Tami Hungerford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The other people leaving reviews:
Me, the little girl:

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in this series! A must read!

[Dotty Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good suspense novel

Storyline kept my interest and had some twists and turns as well as personal struggles to keep this Christian suspense moving.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Brandilyn Collins. Enjoyed the story line & the twists, as well as her ability to make you feel like you are there...in the story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable but a good story and fast read

[Ruth Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the storyline of this book series, but Annie gets more whiny and annoying as the story goes on.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this second book in the Hidden Faces series even better than the first one. Great read. Love Brandilyn Collins!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read
Not real realistic in some parts but still good

[Kathy Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, always gets me thinking!

[Carol McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the book. I wish I'd read Book 1 because a few elements were confusing--putting that aside, it kept me flipping pages.

[Evagene Lingofelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful reading

All of Brandilyn’s books are 5 stars
You can’t go wrong reading Brandilyn’s Collins books. Can’t wait for more to come

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself is pretty good but the continuous, descriptive narration of each and every thing, is just so…..annoying!

[Kathy Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

read in one day

[Louise E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six months after the events of BRINK OF DEATH, protagonist Annie Kingston returns in Book #2 of the Hidden Faces series. In the throes of her sixteen-year-old son's rebellion, Annie agrees to draw her most ambitious composite sketch yet - a fugitive update. Requiring every ounce of her skill, can she complete the drawing for the television show American Fugitive before the killer can get to her?

I picked up STAIN OF GUILT unsure if Brandilyn could keep from re-hashing the plot of Book #1. I wasn't disappointed. Although starting a bit slower than BRINK OF DEATH, after a few chapters I was immersed in Annie Kingston's world. Spiritually, Brandilyn once again gently leads readers toward God (without preachiness) as we follow Annie's believable spiritual journey.

The Hidden Faces series is a wonderful addition to Christian suspense fiction. With it's first person narration and thrilling storyline it has the feel of many secular crime novels, but without the swearing, excessive gore, and sex. I've already recommended it to a Sue Grafton fan.

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care too much for the first book in this series as I found the main character a little too woe-is-me and whiny. But I thought there was promise so read the second book. I have found that most of the Brandilyn Collins' novels are pretty predictable and this one was the same. I guessed the ending within the first 50 pages and it seemed pretty obvious when the "twist" came about. However, I am still giving it 3-stars because I thought the pacing was really good in this one and the characters are becoming more than one-dimensional. Still can't stand the teenage son, haha. Like most of the Brandilyn Collins' novels I have read, she does a great job with the Christian references without it taking away from the story. Wasn't a fan of the whole pray Jesus into your heart without baptism but I guess that goes along with what Brandilyn Collins beliefs unfortunately.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another crime mystery. I'm really starting to enjoy Brandilyn Collins. The action in this one didn't start off right away, but once it hit, you knew it. I was on the edge of my seat through the majority of the book. When the unexpected twist came about, I couldn't believe it! Not what I expected. Annie seems to get herself into a lot of trouble in these books. Collins appears to have a fantastic grasp on the working of law enforcement and the likes. Very believable & thorough. The only down side to this one, for me, was there seemed to be a lot more religious talk. Not my thing, but I still enjoyed the book!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stain of guilt was a pretty solid book. I really enjoy Brandilyn Collins' writing so I'm not sure why I am only giving it four stars. I guess it just didn't rock my world because some of the parts at the beginning were slow and Annie's troubles with Steven were depressing to read about(not really something wrong with the book, it just put a damper on the mood even when things were going well). It frustrated me a little at the end how long it took them to figure it out.
On a positive note the action scenes were exiting and suspenseful and I love how strong yet self depreciating Annie is. Also I'm liking where the story is going with Dave and Chetterling.

[Agnieszka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a real example of a great suspense novel. Every time you think you know what to expect and in the last few chapters think you finally got it all together and really and for sure know how the book will end and here comes another surprise. Within this book you cannot be really sure your assumptions are really correct and that really great.
As always the characters are great, the story gripping and full of unexpected twists and turns.
I just struggled with the feeling I cannot relate to the entire story line and wished few times it would be slightly shorter but it's just my personal view.