Weaver’s Needle, the latest Christian suspense novel by Robin Caroll, is particularly interesting to me because I love this author’s writing and the setting is a short drive from my Phoenix home. Apache Junction is southeast of Phoenix, a charming town that retains its small Southwest community feel with friendly, down-to-earth people.
One missing document. Two recovery specialists. One million dollars and one murder later, Landry and Nickolai are competing to recover that missing document. The $50,000 “reward” is desperately needed by both Landry and Nickolai – one to save a business that is a father’s legacy and the other, to move one’s sister to move to a halfway house from a hospital where she has had long years of treatment for schizophrenia.
Winifred is the widow of the murdered man, the woman in charge of their company, Winslet Industries. Nickolai drove to Apache Junction. Landry flew to Arizona with Stan, a VP and long-time employee of the Winslet’s, and Winifred‘s chosen rep to handle expenses for Landry and Nickolai. The competitors squared off as boxers might when seeing each other in the ring.
The missing document is a map of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains with Weaver’s Needle. The original drawing with handwritten notes was sold to Mr. Winslet by a descendant of the woman who cared for the dying Lost Dutchman. The Lost Dutchman Mine is folklore to most Arizonans. Landry was told there is a curse on the gold and on anyone trying to find it, that ghost warriors of the Superstitions would destroy the map to destroy the curse. Unbeknownst to Landry and Nickolai, Apache shamans are in prayer, seeking to deflect the white people who, the spirits revealed, were coming.
First, she gets a warning note, then Landry’s rental vehicle had a punctured tire. Her first suspect was Nickolai. When Landry and Nickolai are almost killed, they learn to fully trust each other and work together. Phillip, another board member of Winslet arrives to watch out for Winifred’s interests, wanting to be part of their investigation but the two evaded them.
I like both Landry and Nickolai; they are hard-working, honest people. Landry is a Christian, and prays through challenges. Nickolai is not a Christian and sees prayer as a crutch. As described, they could step off the pages and into the mountains. I couldn’t decide which of the two recovery specialists I wanted to find the map, especially when sparks fly between them.
One of many things I enjoy about Ms. Caroll’s novels is that her character(s) show without preaching what a life of faith can look like, which is what this Christian sometimes needs to see. The plot twists and surprises bring many breathtaking moments! There was a limited number of suspects. The one(s) I thought of as the bad guy(s)/ gal(s) was correct but I couldn’t figure out the motives. The author shows spiritual lessons that I need to be reminded of. There were a couple things that, to me, stretched Christian faith a little farther than I’ve considered. The end, while it seemed to drop off quickly, was very satisfactory. I highly recommend this novel to readers of any age who appreciate Christian suspense with solid, lyrical writing, excellent background and setting, and ever-increasing breathtaking experiences.
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.