What do you think?
Rate this book
Wounds: A Novel
A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.
The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.
But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
33 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Alton Gansky
74 books121 followersAlton Gansky is the author of 30 books--24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christy Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds a BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 6, 2013
I’ve become a big fan of police procedural thrillers, and Alton Gansky delivers with his latest, .
It seems a serial killer is loose in San Diego, but not just any serial killer. This one brutalizes and tortures his victims before they finally die of their severe wounds. One man is beaten to death with bare knuckles, another with rods, and one scourged until the flesh is stripped from his back.
Homicide Detective Carmen Rainmondi heads up the investigations. She’s a cop with painful memories of her older sister’s murder in 1985, an event that changed the direction of Carmen’s life and has formed a protective shell around her heart that no man can breech.
After the first murder, Carmen interviews one of the victim’s instructors at the San Diego Theological Seminary, Dr. Ellis Poe. Dr. Poe has his own secret, one that Carmen brings to the forefront after thirty years of lying dormant. The introverted Dr. Poe and tough Detective Rainmondi are about to discover that their pasts have put them both on a collision course with a nightmarish destiny.
Gansky does a fantastic job of creating an antagonist so utterly evil that even a well-read thriller fan will find the crimes shocking. But even better are the characters of Rainmondi and Poe, two people with a past that has shaped them into polar opposites. Opposites, yes, but equally tragic in how it has effected their lives and relationships. I found myself rooting for both of them through the entire novel, not just in the apprehension of the killer, but for the healing that both would need if they didn’t want to carry all their turmoil to their grave.
I must add that I’ve spent some years in San Diego, both as a Navy Brat and during my own four-year stint. I could picture the city through Gansky’s descriptions. He does the beautiful town justice.
From a spiritual standpoint, you won’t find Wounds preachy or over the top. Gangsky doesn’t insult the reader by bringing all the main characters into a relationship with Christ. We know life isn’t quite so simple. We’re left hoping, though. And that’s quite enough after the roller coaster ride Gansky takes us on.
I give it 5 stars. You won’t be disappointed.
It seems a serial killer is loose in San Diego, but not just any serial killer. This one brutalizes and tortures his victims before they finally die of their severe wounds. One man is beaten to death with bare knuckles, another with rods, and one scourged until the flesh is stripped from his back.
Homicide Detective Carmen Rainmondi heads up the investigations. She’s a cop with painful memories of her older sister’s murder in 1985, an event that changed the direction of Carmen’s life and has formed a protective shell around her heart that no man can breech.
After the first murder, Carmen interviews one of the victim’s instructors at the San Diego Theological Seminary, Dr. Ellis Poe. Dr. Poe has his own secret, one that Carmen brings to the forefront after thirty years of lying dormant. The introverted Dr. Poe and tough Detective Rainmondi are about to discover that their pasts have put them both on a collision course with a nightmarish destiny.
Gansky does a fantastic job of creating an antagonist so utterly evil that even a well-read thriller fan will find the crimes shocking. But even better are the characters of Rainmondi and Poe, two people with a past that has shaped them into polar opposites. Opposites, yes, but equally tragic in how it has effected their lives and relationships. I found myself rooting for both of them through the entire novel, not just in the apprehension of the killer, but for the healing that both would need if they didn’t want to carry all their turmoil to their grave.
I must add that I’ve spent some years in San Diego, both as a Navy Brat and during my own four-year stint. I could picture the city through Gansky’s descriptions. He does the beautiful town justice.
From a spiritual standpoint, you won’t find Wounds preachy or over the top. Gangsky doesn’t insult the reader by bringing all the main characters into a relationship with Christ. We know life isn’t quite so simple. We’re left hoping, though. And that’s quite enough after the roller coaster ride Gansky takes us on.
I give it 5 stars. You won’t be disappointed.
May 5, 2013
4.5/5.0
My Thoughts
I connected with the story right from the beginning. The two main detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock, are responsible for investigating some bizarre and very gruesome murders. Along with this, Carmen is fighting demons from her past having to do with the murder of her sister when they were in high school.
I liked the relationship between Carmen and Bud. They worked well together and often exchanged witty, sarcastic comments. There was some interesting connections between Carmen, Ellis Poe and the killer. I thought the author did a very good job of weaving the plot and sub-plots together.
I enjoyed the two main characters so much, I was hoping this was going to be a series - but I do not find any evidence of that. Alas, parting is such sweet sorry.
My thanks to B&H Publishing Group, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this for an unbiased review.
Publish date: May 1, 2013.
My Thoughts
I connected with the story right from the beginning. The two main detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock, are responsible for investigating some bizarre and very gruesome murders. Along with this, Carmen is fighting demons from her past having to do with the murder of her sister when they were in high school.
I liked the relationship between Carmen and Bud. They worked well together and often exchanged witty, sarcastic comments. There was some interesting connections between Carmen, Ellis Poe and the killer. I thought the author did a very good job of weaving the plot and sub-plots together.
I enjoyed the two main characters so much, I was hoping this was going to be a series - but I do not find any evidence of that. Alas, parting is such sweet sorry.
My thanks to B&H Publishing Group, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this for an unbiased review.
Publish date: May 1, 2013.
August 24, 2014
Excellent. While I am not a connoisseur of detective fiction, I've read enough to recognize quality. The collision between police procedural and a guilt-ridden witness' reliving a murder he thinks he should have prevented three decades previous sets up a riveting tale of evil and redemption. Both internal and external dialogues ring true, and the feeling of being there is unmistakeable.
One quibble: The scenes told from the perpetrator's point of view could be omitted. Gansky tells the rest of the story so well that we don't need--nor desire--time inside the perp's head.
A note to author's of never-ending stories: Gansky managed to resolve the incident which excited this story while leaving the main characters flawed enough to have the reader wanting to know more. Unusual, and well done.
An outstanding read.
One quibble: The scenes told from the perpetrator's point of view could be omitted. Gansky tells the rest of the story so well that we don't need--nor desire--time inside the perp's head.
A note to author's of never-ending stories: Gansky managed to resolve the incident which excited this story while leaving the main characters flawed enough to have the reader wanting to know more. Unusual, and well done.
An outstanding read.
July 18, 2014
Reseña completa en español
I feel like my feelings are mixed in a bowl...
I loved this book! I've just like everything! But... I'm not pretty sure about the ending. I know that forgiveness is not easy for everyone. On one hand, I understand Carmen but I can't help but be a little bit angry with her.
However I really liked this book. I recommend it to everyone.
I feel like my feelings are mixed in a bowl...
I loved this book! I've just like everything! But... I'm not pretty sure about the ending. I know that forgiveness is not easy for everyone. On one hand, I understand Carmen but I can't help but be a little bit angry with her.
However I really liked this book. I recommend it to everyone.
August 31, 2017
Have a strong gut to read this one. Just too much, too graphic, IMHO, so I gave it only 3 stars. I wondered before I started it if I'd be able to read it. Must've been good, though, b/c I read it in 2 days.
June 6, 2013
It’s the week before Easter, and a student from San Diego Theological Seminary has just been found murdered in a manner that is both brutal and unique. Carmen Rainmondi is the police detective assigned to the case, along with partner Bob Tock. And one murder with no leads soon turns into two, then …
Ellis Poe is a professor at the Seminary, and is both surprised and worried when Carmen Rainmondi turns up to interview him about the victim. Because he recognises her. She’s the image of her sister, who he saw murdered years ago. Ellis sees that Carmen is still tormented because the murderer was never found—perhaps because he never reported what he saw. Yet it seems that Ellis might hold the key to this case.
This was one of those books that:
a) You shouldn’t read alone in the house;
b) You shouldn’t start just before bedtime.
I didn’t make either of these mistakes, thankfully, because once I started, I just couldn’t put down. Not only is there the mystery over finding the murderer before he strikes again, but there is the elephant in the room of what Ellis hasn’t told Carmen about her sister. Ellis was the archetype of the college professor—intelligent, highly-principled, but a total wimp. He knows what he should do, but he’s afraid to do it.
There were a couple of things that made me shake my head. One was the description of everyone hurrying to get home after work on Good Friday. You mean it isn’t a holiday in the US? Here in New Zealand, Good Friday is a major public holiday, and only essential services are open. There was also the inevitable comment on the origin of Easter—for another viewpoint, I recommend reading this blog post from Anne Hamilton (which makes a lot of sense): http://fire-of-roses.com/wp/?p=752
Anyway, back to the book review. The other thing that was slightly weird was the last line. While it fit the storyline, I don’t think it was a good last line (but it would have made a great last line in a prologue leading into a sequel). That’s another annoying thing—Wounds is published by B&H, who have just cancelled their fiction line, which almost certainly cuts out the possibility of a sequel. A shame.
All in all, Wounds is an exciting thriller, albeit a bit gory in places. It’s not preachy-Christian (although there is a bit of preaching in the funeral service), and of the main characters, only Ellis is a Christian. There is an underlying theme of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It’s so subtle that a non-Christian probably wouldn’t even notice, but it’s there. Recommended for thriller fans who don’t mind a few dead bodies.
Thanks to B&H Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Ellis Poe is a professor at the Seminary, and is both surprised and worried when Carmen Rainmondi turns up to interview him about the victim. Because he recognises her. She’s the image of her sister, who he saw murdered years ago. Ellis sees that Carmen is still tormented because the murderer was never found—perhaps because he never reported what he saw. Yet it seems that Ellis might hold the key to this case.
This was one of those books that:
a) You shouldn’t read alone in the house;
b) You shouldn’t start just before bedtime.
I didn’t make either of these mistakes, thankfully, because once I started, I just couldn’t put down. Not only is there the mystery over finding the murderer before he strikes again, but there is the elephant in the room of what Ellis hasn’t told Carmen about her sister. Ellis was the archetype of the college professor—intelligent, highly-principled, but a total wimp. He knows what he should do, but he’s afraid to do it.
There were a couple of things that made me shake my head. One was the description of everyone hurrying to get home after work on Good Friday. You mean it isn’t a holiday in the US? Here in New Zealand, Good Friday is a major public holiday, and only essential services are open. There was also the inevitable comment on the origin of Easter—for another viewpoint, I recommend reading this blog post from Anne Hamilton (which makes a lot of sense): http://fire-of-roses.com/wp/?p=752
Anyway, back to the book review. The other thing that was slightly weird was the last line. While it fit the storyline, I don’t think it was a good last line (but it would have made a great last line in a prologue leading into a sequel). That’s another annoying thing—Wounds is published by B&H, who have just cancelled their fiction line, which almost certainly cuts out the possibility of a sequel. A shame.
All in all, Wounds is an exciting thriller, albeit a bit gory in places. It’s not preachy-Christian (although there is a bit of preaching in the funeral service), and of the main characters, only Ellis is a Christian. There is an underlying theme of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It’s so subtle that a non-Christian probably wouldn’t even notice, but it’s there. Recommended for thriller fans who don’t mind a few dead bodies.
Thanks to B&H Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
September 5, 2014
Wow! There are so many things that I like about this book. I hadn’t read a book by this author in a very long time but he will definitely go on my must read list. Here are a few of my favorite things about this book.
1. The suspense was incredible….the plot so intense, surprising, twisted. This was a hard book to put down. A serial killer is on the loose and you feel the urgency and the detectives’ desperation to catch him before more die in heinous fashion.
2. Even though parts of the story were very dark, there was a lot of humor. I especially loved the witty rapport beween Carmen and her partner Bud.
B: “I’ve been thinking.” C: “Bud, I’ve asked you not to do that.”
B: “I know, but it happens when I drink too much coffee.” (location
The humor was a nice contrast to the murders.
3. The author used great words that made for vivid images. “The sun showed up for work at 6:41. As it did each morning, it waged war with the giant fir tree that dominated the tiny front yard of Carmen’s Mission Village bungalow home” (location 416). There was just enough of this description to make you appreciate it….it didn’t overwhelm or ever bog the story down.
4. I really liked Ellis, a professor with a deeply kept secret. He struggles to apply the theology he professes to believe….something that many of us can relate to. It was very interesting when he got more involved in the case.
I was proud of him for taking the steps he did, at great cost to himself.
5. I felt like I learned more about homicide detectives and what their lives and cases are like. It was fascinating.
The only thing I didn’t like was the content of the last sentence. I know it was the right thing to say there but I wish it had been different. It will make waiting for the next book that much harder but I look forward to seeing how things will go from here.
If you are interested in a heart pounding, suspenseful read with good, likeable characters and lots of twists, pick up this book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it
.
Thank you to B&H Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
1. The suspense was incredible….the plot so intense, surprising, twisted. This was a hard book to put down. A serial killer is on the loose and you feel the urgency and the detectives’ desperation to catch him before more die in heinous fashion.
2. Even though parts of the story were very dark, there was a lot of humor. I especially loved the witty rapport beween Carmen and her partner Bud.
B: “I’ve been thinking.” C: “Bud, I’ve asked you not to do that.”
B: “I know, but it happens when I drink too much coffee.” (location
The humor was a nice contrast to the murders.
3. The author used great words that made for vivid images. “The sun showed up for work at 6:41. As it did each morning, it waged war with the giant fir tree that dominated the tiny front yard of Carmen’s Mission Village bungalow home” (location 416). There was just enough of this description to make you appreciate it….it didn’t overwhelm or ever bog the story down.
4. I really liked Ellis, a professor with a deeply kept secret. He struggles to apply the theology he professes to believe….something that many of us can relate to. It was very interesting when he got more involved in the case.
I was proud of him for taking the steps he did, at great cost to himself.
5. I felt like I learned more about homicide detectives and what their lives and cases are like. It was fascinating.
The only thing I didn’t like was the content of the last sentence. I know it was the right thing to say there but I wish it had been different. It will make waiting for the next book that much harder but I look forward to seeing how things will go from here.
If you are interested in a heart pounding, suspenseful read with good, likeable characters and lots of twists, pick up this book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it
.
Thank you to B&H Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 29, 2013
The book “Wounds” written by Alton Gansky was intriguing from the very beginning. Right from the start there was crime. Carmen Rainmondi is a detective who is not only trying to solve recent cases but she also trying to solve one from the past. But, now the city of San Diego seems to be getting new murder cases every few days. At first there seems to be no connection, but then they dig a little deeper. The solution to this mysterious case could lie in the hands of a quiet, religious professor named Dr. Ellis Poe. As the story progresses we come to realize that all these murders may somehow be connected to Carmen’s past. Dr. Poe has something that may unlock the answers, but he isn’t telling.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though at some points it was very graphic. In the book, the torture they went through was explained down to the last detail. In my opinion, it could be a little much at some points. What I liked in this book was how the author went back and forth between characters. This showed the different perspectives of how they saw the story unfolding. This book kept you hooked until the very last page.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though at some points it was very graphic. In the book, the torture they went through was explained down to the last detail. In my opinion, it could be a little much at some points. What I liked in this book was how the author went back and forth between characters. This showed the different perspectives of how they saw the story unfolding. This book kept you hooked until the very last page.
December 18, 2013
I like a good police mystery novel and this is a good one. It is a but gruesome so if you have a weak stomach, this one may be too much. But when you finish the book, you will understand why it had to be that way. Gansky has woven a unique and spiritually enlightening murder mystery. He's on my list for future reading. See my full review at http://bit.ly/1bdrAvU.
March 25, 2015
Even though I am a Christian and have watched movies on how Jesus was crucified, this book made me realize even more the suffering and pain Jesus went through...and he did it for us.
November 25, 2017
Wounds was very well-written. I could imagine being there with the characters. That said, I only gave it 3 stars for a few reasons. It's slow - I really had to work to get into the book. I flew through the last half, but the first half was work to read. I wasn't able to really connect with Carmen's character. She seemed almost flat, and could have been a very dynamic character. The book is also very violent and bloody, more than I was expecting. It also felt unfinished, like the final scenes were over too fast and not really resolved.
February 12, 2018
Grabs hold and won't let go!
This is a real page turner and the storyline really grabs hold from the beginning. This is my first novel by Alton Gansky other than the Harbingers series he wrote with Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, Bill Myers and Jeff Gerke and it certainly won't be my last. It really makes you think about what Jesus endured all those hours before and during his crucifixion for each of us.
Cindy
This is a real page turner and the storyline really grabs hold from the beginning. This is my first novel by Alton Gansky other than the Harbingers series he wrote with Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, Bill Myers and Jeff Gerke and it certainly won't be my last. It really makes you think about what Jesus endured all those hours before and during his crucifixion for each of us.
Cindy
January 18, 2019
This is my 3rd or 4th book by this author. He writes well and character development is very good. I was at a bit disappointed because I was expecting a supernatural read. I don't know why unless it's because I loved his book Plot Line. The second half was definitely better than the first half. Police procedure stories don't catch my attention that much. The torture was hard for me to read but I understand the need for it in this book.
July 4, 2017
it's well-written book and I have enjoyed reading it for most part. I would have given it another star had the author not pulled that lame twist of serial killer kidnapping the chief investigator. it's pretty outdated trick..
June 10, 2021
It was a page turner and very intriguing. However, do not pick up this book if you are looking for a light read. The subject is a fairly deep and dark but also enlightening on aspects of Jesus' crucifixion. It has me in study mode.
April 18, 2024
Good book, easy to read. It felt like the ending was rushed, compared to the rest of the book. I wish the author would have focused more on the grace and forgiveness found through Jesus Christ. Especially for Poe and Carmen.
October 23, 2017
The plot was a bit far fetched, but I loved the characters. I wish there had been a bit more mystery to it though.
January 25, 2020
The story was good. I found it more graphic than I expected from a Christian author.
March 20, 2021
A real page turner! Christian ideas are explored but not preached. Gansky is a master of suspense and surprise mixed with horror of what humans can inflict on one another and themselves.
July 19, 2021
Great characters and thrilling storyline. Alton Gansky wove this tale together majestically as it kept my attention throughout.
June 18, 2022
Though I've read plenty of Alton Gansky's books before, I hadn't heard of this one until I saw it at a garage sale today. It was a crazy ride!
February 15, 2023
This book sucks you in. Once you start reading you can't put it down.
March 25, 2023
His books are always suspenseful and lively. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 29, 2023
Excellent, clean thriller!
May 4, 2013
A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.
The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.
But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.
I have been reading novels by Alton Gansky for many years. I would venture to say that he is ranked as one of my favorite authors (Harry Lee Kraus is the best!). What makes Alton Gansky so appealing to me is just the fact that he can write fantastic books in so many different sub-genres. He has done war books, light mysteries, world adventure and more. You never know what you will get when you pick up an Alton Gansky novel, but you know that you won’t be disappointed.
Detective Carmen Rainmondi has her own ghosts to battle. One of them is the cold case that involves her sister from many years ago. Today, though, she is battling a new serial killer that is leaving bodies all of San Diego. None of the victims seem to have anything in common, except for the gruesome wounds that were inflicted on them prior to their death. Ellis Poe is a local seminary professor and new the first victim. When he is questioned by Det. Rainmondi, he is instantly transported back to his high school days when he may have seen information that could lead to finding her sister’s killer. Frozen by fear, Dr. Poe still doesn’t come forward with the information. As the bodies continue to mount, Dr. Poe notices a pattern and provides his insight to Det. Rainmondi. Can they find a connection between these horrible deaths? What is the motive behind these senseless killings? Will Dr. Poe ever right his conscience by telling Det. Rainmondi what he knows about her sister’s death? Spend some money to find these answers by BUYING THE BOOK!
Alton Gansky lays the groundwork for this spectacular novel from the very beginning. I will tell you that the descriptions used of the bodies are not for the faint at heart, but they add to the realism of the book. His methodical crescendo of clues and information in this book builds to a very satisfying ending. His characters are fully developed, yet they show their flaws and their demons openly.
Is this a "guy's book"? This book ranks right up there with some of the highest rated TV Shows lately, “CSI”, “NCIS” and “Law & Order”. While the content is not necessarily ripped from today’s headlines, it is filled with relevant items that make it fresh. Men will appreciate the detail the author used when describing the murders and will enjoy the hunt of deciphering just what all of the murders mean and how they are linked together.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.
The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.
But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.
I have been reading novels by Alton Gansky for many years. I would venture to say that he is ranked as one of my favorite authors (Harry Lee Kraus is the best!). What makes Alton Gansky so appealing to me is just the fact that he can write fantastic books in so many different sub-genres. He has done war books, light mysteries, world adventure and more. You never know what you will get when you pick up an Alton Gansky novel, but you know that you won’t be disappointed.
Detective Carmen Rainmondi has her own ghosts to battle. One of them is the cold case that involves her sister from many years ago. Today, though, she is battling a new serial killer that is leaving bodies all of San Diego. None of the victims seem to have anything in common, except for the gruesome wounds that were inflicted on them prior to their death. Ellis Poe is a local seminary professor and new the first victim. When he is questioned by Det. Rainmondi, he is instantly transported back to his high school days when he may have seen information that could lead to finding her sister’s killer. Frozen by fear, Dr. Poe still doesn’t come forward with the information. As the bodies continue to mount, Dr. Poe notices a pattern and provides his insight to Det. Rainmondi. Can they find a connection between these horrible deaths? What is the motive behind these senseless killings? Will Dr. Poe ever right his conscience by telling Det. Rainmondi what he knows about her sister’s death? Spend some money to find these answers by BUYING THE BOOK!
Alton Gansky lays the groundwork for this spectacular novel from the very beginning. I will tell you that the descriptions used of the bodies are not for the faint at heart, but they add to the realism of the book. His methodical crescendo of clues and information in this book builds to a very satisfying ending. His characters are fully developed, yet they show their flaws and their demons openly.
Is this a "guy's book"? This book ranks right up there with some of the highest rated TV Shows lately, “CSI”, “NCIS” and “Law & Order”. While the content is not necessarily ripped from today’s headlines, it is filled with relevant items that make it fresh. Men will appreciate the detail the author used when describing the murders and will enjoy the hunt of deciphering just what all of the murders mean and how they are linked together.
May 1, 2013
Seems like there's a serial killer on the loose in the city of San Diego and it's going to take a team effort to find out who it is before they claim their next victim. The only problem is that each of these cases seem to be completely different from one another. The only thing that is the same is bodies are being left for the police to find but each of them is murdered in completely different ways. Is it the work of a team of serial killers or simply the work of one person who is bent on keeping the police on edge?
In the suspense novel, Wounds by Alton Gansky, the game of cat and mouse is about to get really interesting. Homicide detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock are finding that bodies are turning up quicker than they can interview potential witnesses. What's more interesting is that it seems as if the crimes are linked and it's up to Carmen and Bud to find out what the missing link is before another body turns up on someone else's doorstep. Is it possible that the detectives are involved somehow? That something in their past is about to come full circle in a completely different way? Whatever is happening, it seems as if the killer has time to plan and carry out their crime and even holds some knowledge about the victim before he winds up killing them.
For those that love a great murder mystery that will have you with a pen and paper in hand just to keep up with the clues, then this is a must read for you. Author Alton Gansky is the Angel Award and Carol Award-winning, Christy Award-nomiated author of more than three dozen books and director of the premier Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers conference and hold two degrees in Bible Studies. This is one novel that isn't overly religious and feels as if you're reading a contemporary suspense thriller like James Patterson or Charles Todd. The writing style is engaging and moves the reader forward at roller coaster pace to see just what lies in the next chapter. Will it be another body or are the detectives catching up? What role does a religious professor Dr. Ellis Poe have to do with anything. He simply wants to be left alone to teach his classes, but when one of his students winds up as a victim, things are about to get interesting.
I received Wounds by Alton Gansky compliments of B and H Publishing Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and have not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I love television series like Criminal Minds and Numbers, so this novel fell right in line with my expectations. Being one who loves to solve the crime before the end, I was captivated in the storyline until the end. A true sign of a great novel in my opinion. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and will be adding Alton Gansky to my watch list for upcoming novels. The crime element is pretty detailed at times and may not suit all reader types.
In the suspense novel, Wounds by Alton Gansky, the game of cat and mouse is about to get really interesting. Homicide detectives Carmen Rainmondi and Bud Tock are finding that bodies are turning up quicker than they can interview potential witnesses. What's more interesting is that it seems as if the crimes are linked and it's up to Carmen and Bud to find out what the missing link is before another body turns up on someone else's doorstep. Is it possible that the detectives are involved somehow? That something in their past is about to come full circle in a completely different way? Whatever is happening, it seems as if the killer has time to plan and carry out their crime and even holds some knowledge about the victim before he winds up killing them.
For those that love a great murder mystery that will have you with a pen and paper in hand just to keep up with the clues, then this is a must read for you. Author Alton Gansky is the Angel Award and Carol Award-winning, Christy Award-nomiated author of more than three dozen books and director of the premier Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers conference and hold two degrees in Bible Studies. This is one novel that isn't overly religious and feels as if you're reading a contemporary suspense thriller like James Patterson or Charles Todd. The writing style is engaging and moves the reader forward at roller coaster pace to see just what lies in the next chapter. Will it be another body or are the detectives catching up? What role does a religious professor Dr. Ellis Poe have to do with anything. He simply wants to be left alone to teach his classes, but when one of his students winds up as a victim, things are about to get interesting.
I received Wounds by Alton Gansky compliments of B and H Publishing Group and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and have not received any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I love television series like Criminal Minds and Numbers, so this novel fell right in line with my expectations. Being one who loves to solve the crime before the end, I was captivated in the storyline until the end. A true sign of a great novel in my opinion. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and will be adding Alton Gansky to my watch list for upcoming novels. The crime element is pretty detailed at times and may not suit all reader types.
June 19, 2013
Alton Gansky in his new book, “Wounds” published by B&H Publishing Group brings us into the life of Dr. Ellis Poe.
From the back cover: A crime of passion
A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.
The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.
But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.
Get ready for a nail-biting, page-turning thriller. There is a serial killer on the loose in San Diego and the police are hard pressed to discover the killers identity. The bodies are piling up, the M.O.s are different and there, seemingly, is no pattern unless you count the multiple puncture wounds. And what connection does Dr. Ellis Poe have with all of this? Alton Gansky knows how to craft suspense. So much is going on within the pages of “Wounds” and the characters are so real that you care for all of them, well at least the good guys. There is more to the story that I didn’t mention but you didn’t really expect me to tell you everything did you? Otherwise you might not want to read the book and I wouldn’t want you to pass up an opportunity for a terrific read. “Wounds” is a book that you will want to start early otherwise you will be up very late as you will want to finish it. I highly recommend it.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group. 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.”
From the back cover: A crime of passion
A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.
A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.
Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.
The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.
But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.
Get ready for a nail-biting, page-turning thriller. There is a serial killer on the loose in San Diego and the police are hard pressed to discover the killers identity. The bodies are piling up, the M.O.s are different and there, seemingly, is no pattern unless you count the multiple puncture wounds. And what connection does Dr. Ellis Poe have with all of this? Alton Gansky knows how to craft suspense. So much is going on within the pages of “Wounds” and the characters are so real that you care for all of them, well at least the good guys. There is more to the story that I didn’t mention but you didn’t really expect me to tell you everything did you? Otherwise you might not want to read the book and I wouldn’t want you to pass up an opportunity for a terrific read. “Wounds” is a book that you will want to start early otherwise you will be up very late as you will want to finish it. I highly recommend it.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group. 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.”
April 11, 2014
I do recommend this book, although only to adult readers. It is not reading for anyone with a faint heart or who is squeamish. The story is about another broken, driven, crusty female cop, her demons, and how she deals with them while tracking down a particularly vicious and sadistic serial killer.
My attention was riveted from the first page. The story pace lagged a bit around the middle and picked up again about 3/4 of the way. I think Mark Bertrand does a much better job at incorporating the personal life and the mystery unraveling into a seamless storyline, however, Gansky does a fine job with story flow, and there is nothing that is a story flow dam such as a character doing something or saying something uncharacteristic. It is a skillfully woven story, and what I liked the best is the reader finds out as soon as the detectives all the clues, forensics, and particulars. Nothing is held back for some climatic finish. I also liked the way Gansky makes you think and ponder various solutions as the story unfolds. Although, he's no Ellery Queen or Agatha Christie, he is a good story teller. What more can a mystery lover ask for?
[Side note: Why do men (and women) write stories about women who are police or lawyers or doctors or some other profession that is comprised mostly by men and think they must strip all the girly and feminine attributes off the heroine? I've never understood that. Why can't a woman be a woman these days? What is so awful about femininity?]
Another question is why do men think they can truly get inside the head of a woman character well enough to make the woman the main character? Don't let the back jacket blurb fool you, the story isn't about Dr. Ellis Poe as much as it is about Carmin Rainmondi. But Gansky does a fairly good job of weaving the two stories together. [The previous statement is purposely obscure enough not to give away the ending.] Admittedly, there are many male authors who do a fairly good job of this and Alton Gansky does do a fairly good job at it. Carmen Rainmondi is a skillfully developed main character, and has all her flaws clearly outlined.
I give this novel 4 of 5 stars.
May 4, 2013
My thoughts:
Creepy. There’s one word to describe the crimes in this book, especially when one of the main characters, Dr. Ellis Poe, makes the connections between the murders and the theme the murderer is following.
Let me put this out there: I love these kinds of books. Psychological thrillers, crime, speculative fiction…I love it. I’m not so much a fan, however, of gore or horror. Wounds does not describe gratuitous gore, though. Yes, it’s creepy, and yes, I would absolutely despise hearing of anyone’s death in the manners Mr. Gansky has written about, but the fact is, it’s happened in real life—not just fiction. I’ll leave you to read this book, though, in order to figure it all out.
I have to say that the characters of Dr. Poe and Carmen Rainmondii (the lead homicide detective) aren’t very likable. They are, however, compelling. They’re both well written, show depth of character and development, and even glimmers of hope, especially in the case of Dr. Poe. I’d love to read another book with these two as main characters…more so I could see if there is any continued growth in their relationship.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re the type of reader who enjoys deeper or darker stories that portray the hope we have in Christ.
One last thing: if you don’t like Christian or religious fiction, I’d still recommend this. It isn’t “preachy” in any way whatsoever. Yes, it has Christian characters, but that’s just who those particular characters are—and not all of them are Christians. Basically, the characters in this book are real, everyday people you would come across in your real life at any moment. Read this book!
*I was given this book for free from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Creepy. There’s one word to describe the crimes in this book, especially when one of the main characters, Dr. Ellis Poe, makes the connections between the murders and the theme the murderer is following.
Let me put this out there: I love these kinds of books. Psychological thrillers, crime, speculative fiction…I love it. I’m not so much a fan, however, of gore or horror. Wounds does not describe gratuitous gore, though. Yes, it’s creepy, and yes, I would absolutely despise hearing of anyone’s death in the manners Mr. Gansky has written about, but the fact is, it’s happened in real life—not just fiction. I’ll leave you to read this book, though, in order to figure it all out.
I have to say that the characters of Dr. Poe and Carmen Rainmondii (the lead homicide detective) aren’t very likable. They are, however, compelling. They’re both well written, show depth of character and development, and even glimmers of hope, especially in the case of Dr. Poe. I’d love to read another book with these two as main characters…more so I could see if there is any continued growth in their relationship.
Overall, I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re the type of reader who enjoys deeper or darker stories that portray the hope we have in Christ.
One last thing: if you don’t like Christian or religious fiction, I’d still recommend this. It isn’t “preachy” in any way whatsoever. Yes, it has Christian characters, but that’s just who those particular characters are—and not all of them are Christians. Basically, the characters in this book are real, everyday people you would come across in your real life at any moment. Read this book!
*I was given this book for free from B&H Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 9, 2014
Book Review - Wounds
Wounds, by long time, successful Christian author, Alton Gansky, delves into the victims of a serial killer whose motive is evil and whose crimes are biblical.
Gansky's story approaches the subject matter in a way I love, not as Christian fiction, per se, but as a book that has characters who are actively Christian.
This is a big difference to me. In my experience, Christian fiction novels tend to be preachy and geared specifically toward Christian fans, where fiction with Christian characters are just good stories includes characters who happen to have a strong faith.
Due to this successful approach, Wounds would be enjoyable by Christians and non-Christians alike.
In the story we follow detective Carmen Rainmondi, who leads the team of San Diego police who work to solve the crimes while still struggling with the emotional toll of the murder of her sister years earlier. When one of the first victims turns out to be a local seminary student, she crosses paths with Dr. Ellis Poe, a frail, reclusive man who not only can help the police make connections to the serial killer"s motives, but also has insight into the death of Rainmondi's sister.
Gansky's novel moves relatively quickly and the author does a great job of bringing us into each scene and location through the type of detailed descriptions that can only come from someone who has been there. Wounds not only refers to the marks on the victims, but the hidden damage the main characters each possess that have helped shape them into the people they are today.
The book is an easy and enjoyable read. Devout Christians may connect the dots sooner than non-believers, but that doesn't diminish the effectiveness of the storytelling.
Wounds is a good read for anyone the fan of crime drama, either Christian or not.
Wounds, by long time, successful Christian author, Alton Gansky, delves into the victims of a serial killer whose motive is evil and whose crimes are biblical.
Gansky's story approaches the subject matter in a way I love, not as Christian fiction, per se, but as a book that has characters who are actively Christian.
This is a big difference to me. In my experience, Christian fiction novels tend to be preachy and geared specifically toward Christian fans, where fiction with Christian characters are just good stories includes characters who happen to have a strong faith.
Due to this successful approach, Wounds would be enjoyable by Christians and non-Christians alike.
In the story we follow detective Carmen Rainmondi, who leads the team of San Diego police who work to solve the crimes while still struggling with the emotional toll of the murder of her sister years earlier. When one of the first victims turns out to be a local seminary student, she crosses paths with Dr. Ellis Poe, a frail, reclusive man who not only can help the police make connections to the serial killer"s motives, but also has insight into the death of Rainmondi's sister.
Gansky's novel moves relatively quickly and the author does a great job of bringing us into each scene and location through the type of detailed descriptions that can only come from someone who has been there. Wounds not only refers to the marks on the victims, but the hidden damage the main characters each possess that have helped shape them into the people they are today.
The book is an easy and enjoyable read. Devout Christians may connect the dots sooner than non-believers, but that doesn't diminish the effectiveness of the storytelling.
Wounds is a good read for anyone the fan of crime drama, either Christian or not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews