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Signs of Life #3
I Pick You
There Are Some Bad Seeds You Never Want to Meet
A year from retirement and still reeling from daughter Leena’s kidnapping, Portland PD Detective Wayne Deetz is called upon to check on a domestic violence case. From the moment Deetz and his friend Callie Freeland show up to help Sonny Carlisle, they are blindsided by a lawless toxic steamroller named Blaine Milligan.
At a breakneck clip, things go from bad to worse as Callie is eerily stalked and her fiancé Tyson is lured into Blaine’s web of evil and madness. While the city of Portland is being burned and dismantled by rioters, Deetz must race against the clock to protect Sonny, Callie and Tyson, and possibly even his own family.
With tension on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Creston Mapes demonstrates why he is a "Top Pick" among mystery, fiction and thriller lovers.
A year from retirement and still reeling from daughter Leena’s kidnapping, Portland PD Detective Wayne Deetz is called upon to check on a domestic violence case. From the moment Deetz and his friend Callie Freeland show up to help Sonny Carlisle, they are blindsided by a lawless toxic steamroller named Blaine Milligan.
At a breakneck clip, things go from bad to worse as Callie is eerily stalked and her fiancé Tyson is lured into Blaine’s web of evil and madness. While the city of Portland is being burned and dismantled by rioters, Deetz must race against the clock to protect Sonny, Callie and Tyson, and possibly even his own family.
With tension on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Creston Mapes demonstrates why he is a "Top Pick" among mystery, fiction and thriller lovers.
206 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2020
560 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Creston Mapes
38 books506 followersCreston Mapes grew up in northeast Ohio, where he has fond memories of living with his family of five in the upstairs portion of his dad’s early American furniture store - The Weathervane Shop. Creston was not a good student, but the one natural talent he possessed was writing.
He set type by hand and cranked out his own neighborhood newspaper as a kid, then went on to graduate with a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University. Creston was a newspaper reporter and photographer in Ohio and Florida, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, for a job as a creative copywriter.
Creston served for a stint as a creative director, but quickly learned he was not cut out for management. He went out on his own as a freelance writer in 1991 and, over the next 30 years, did work for Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, The Weather Channel, Oracle, ABC-TV, TNT Sports, colleges and universities, ad agencies, and more. He’s ghost-written more than ten non-fiction books.
Creston has penned many contemporary thrillers, achieved Amazon Bestseller status multiple times, and had one of his novels (Nobody) optioned as a major motion picture.
Creston married his fourth-grade sweetheart, Patty, and they have four amazing adult children. Creston loves his part-time job as an usher at local venues where he gets to see all the latest-greatest concerts and sporting events. He enjoys reading, fishing, thrifting, bocci, painting, bowling, pickleball, time with his family, and dates with his wife.
Keep informed of special deals, giveaways, new releases, and exclusive updates from Creston: crestonmapes.com/contact
For Creston’s eBooks, audiobooks, and paperbacks: amazon.com/author/crestonmapes
STAND ALONE THRILLERS
Celebrity Pastor
I Am In Here
Nobody
SIGNS OF LIFE SERIES
Signs of Life
Let My Daughter Go
I Pick You
Charm Artist
Son & Shield
Secrets in Shadows
Who Is My Neighbor?
THE CRITTENDON FILES
Fear Has a Name
Poison Town
Sky Zone
ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol
Full Tilt
He set type by hand and cranked out his own neighborhood newspaper as a kid, then went on to graduate with a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University. Creston was a newspaper reporter and photographer in Ohio and Florida, then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, for a job as a creative copywriter.
Creston served for a stint as a creative director, but quickly learned he was not cut out for management. He went out on his own as a freelance writer in 1991 and, over the next 30 years, did work for Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, The Weather Channel, Oracle, ABC-TV, TNT Sports, colleges and universities, ad agencies, and more. He’s ghost-written more than ten non-fiction books.
Creston has penned many contemporary thrillers, achieved Amazon Bestseller status multiple times, and had one of his novels (Nobody) optioned as a major motion picture.
Creston married his fourth-grade sweetheart, Patty, and they have four amazing adult children. Creston loves his part-time job as an usher at local venues where he gets to see all the latest-greatest concerts and sporting events. He enjoys reading, fishing, thrifting, bocci, painting, bowling, pickleball, time with his family, and dates with his wife.
Keep informed of special deals, giveaways, new releases, and exclusive updates from Creston: crestonmapes.com/contact
For Creston’s eBooks, audiobooks, and paperbacks: amazon.com/author/crestonmapes
STAND ALONE THRILLERS
Celebrity Pastor
I Am In Here
Nobody
SIGNS OF LIFE SERIES
Signs of Life
Let My Daughter Go
I Pick You
Charm Artist
Son & Shield
Secrets in Shadows
Who Is My Neighbor?
THE CRITTENDON FILES
Fear Has a Name
Poison Town
Sky Zone
ROCK STAR CHRONICLES
Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol
Full Tilt
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 18, 2020
If you haven’t read the first two books in the “Signs Of Life” series, there might be some slight spoilers in this review.
I have read every one of Creston’s books. The way he makes his characters so relatable, as well as the way his stories are so current, and believable without feeling forced keeps bringing me back to his world. I’ve always enjoyed crime drama and mysteries, but it’s really hard to find those while still maintaining the relatable, current and believable aspects of a story. Creston manages to do that perfectly.
Wayne Deetz, the main protagonist in the series is extremely relatable. It’s almost like you know him personally by the time you read the first few chapters of “Signs Of Life.” His character is even defined more in “Let My Daughter Go” and “I Pick You.” Seriously, this guy would be someone I would love to have as a friend as I can completely relate to him. He loves his job, he’s not far from retirement, but he is also struggling with certain aspects of it when it comes to work / life balance.
Like the first two books, this story takes place in Portland, Oregon. And it seems very current. While not mentioning the 2020 pandemic (which is actually a bit of a relief), it does deal with the current riots and defunding the police issues going on currently. Creston does a great job handling this, and even throws a slight twist by having characters we know from previous books involved on both sides of the struggle.
Tyson and Callie are two returning characters from the series that were favorites of mine that I hoped we would get to know more about, and Creston did it again by making us fall in love with two more characters. We already knew a lot about Tyson from the first book, and we got to know Callie a little better in the second book, “I Pick You” really expounds upon both of them and makes them more real.
Then he introduces us to Sunny. Sunny is amazing. One of my favorite characters he’s even written. She’s in a terrible abusive relationship that she just can’t seem to escape, in spite of Callie’s efforts to encourage her to seek help. The sad truth of this is, that this happens in real life. It may seem easy to just get out. Creston shows us that it isn’t so simple for victims of abuse. Some of us may even know someone in a relationship like this. The way Creston handles this is so spot on and at times so emotional that it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Remember Leena from “Let My Daughter Go” and how much you fell in love with her because she seemed so real, but you just knew it was going to be ok because to Leena, she was on an adventure? With Sunny, Creston makes you want to reach into the book and yank her out of its pages to rescue her.
If there was one thing I would have liked to have had in this book, it is better closure for JP and Tammy. I feel like there was a side story going on there that didn’t really resolve. Sure, it was resolved in the epilogue, but I think it could have been a little better. Another chapter detailing how they had to deal with their situation might have been nice. I get that they weren’t main characters, but an event they dealt with did create a dilemma for another character at one point in the story, however, I wouldn’t call it a story breaking moment but maybe a missed opportunity.
Still, by the end of the book, you are going to want Creston to write a follow up book on each of the characters. You might not even need the mystery and suspense. You’ll just want to check up on your new friends to see how they are doing. I know the epilogue deals with some follow-up, but like any good thing, you will want more. And that’s the way it should be.
I have read every one of Creston’s books. The way he makes his characters so relatable, as well as the way his stories are so current, and believable without feeling forced keeps bringing me back to his world. I’ve always enjoyed crime drama and mysteries, but it’s really hard to find those while still maintaining the relatable, current and believable aspects of a story. Creston manages to do that perfectly.
Wayne Deetz, the main protagonist in the series is extremely relatable. It’s almost like you know him personally by the time you read the first few chapters of “Signs Of Life.” His character is even defined more in “Let My Daughter Go” and “I Pick You.” Seriously, this guy would be someone I would love to have as a friend as I can completely relate to him. He loves his job, he’s not far from retirement, but he is also struggling with certain aspects of it when it comes to work / life balance.
Like the first two books, this story takes place in Portland, Oregon. And it seems very current. While not mentioning the 2020 pandemic (which is actually a bit of a relief), it does deal with the current riots and defunding the police issues going on currently. Creston does a great job handling this, and even throws a slight twist by having characters we know from previous books involved on both sides of the struggle.
Tyson and Callie are two returning characters from the series that were favorites of mine that I hoped we would get to know more about, and Creston did it again by making us fall in love with two more characters. We already knew a lot about Tyson from the first book, and we got to know Callie a little better in the second book, “I Pick You” really expounds upon both of them and makes them more real.
Then he introduces us to Sunny. Sunny is amazing. One of my favorite characters he’s even written. She’s in a terrible abusive relationship that she just can’t seem to escape, in spite of Callie’s efforts to encourage her to seek help. The sad truth of this is, that this happens in real life. It may seem easy to just get out. Creston shows us that it isn’t so simple for victims of abuse. Some of us may even know someone in a relationship like this. The way Creston handles this is so spot on and at times so emotional that it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Remember Leena from “Let My Daughter Go” and how much you fell in love with her because she seemed so real, but you just knew it was going to be ok because to Leena, she was on an adventure? With Sunny, Creston makes you want to reach into the book and yank her out of its pages to rescue her.
If there was one thing I would have liked to have had in this book, it is better closure for JP and Tammy. I feel like there was a side story going on there that didn’t really resolve. Sure, it was resolved in the epilogue, but I think it could have been a little better. Another chapter detailing how they had to deal with their situation might have been nice. I get that they weren’t main characters, but an event they dealt with did create a dilemma for another character at one point in the story, however, I wouldn’t call it a story breaking moment but maybe a missed opportunity.
Still, by the end of the book, you are going to want Creston to write a follow up book on each of the characters. You might not even need the mystery and suspense. You’ll just want to check up on your new friends to see how they are doing. I know the epilogue deals with some follow-up, but like any good thing, you will want more. And that’s the way it should be.
June 7, 2024
Y'all! Seeeeriously! Read Creston Mapes of you haven't already. They are sooooo God to me. If you like suspense, thriller....but get this! They Christian ✝️ but ooooh so good. I particularly loved the last few words in the epilogue of this one!
Thank you Creston Mapes! Your books have upped my praying game! Let me know what you all think when you read it!
I listen on audible. Drew Botts is his narrator. He does an AWESOME job!
Thank you Creston Mapes! Your books have upped my praying game! Let me know what you all think when you read it!
I listen on audible. Drew Botts is his narrator. He does an AWESOME job!
November 26, 2020
Wow, what a thriller! Such a great continuation of the Signs of Life Series. Although each book can be read as a stand alone, I really loved the development of the characters and the continuation of their life stories in I Pick You.
I Pick You in particular is action packed from start to finished. Most of all I love how Creston is right over the target for what is happening in our world today.
Without spoiling it the riots, the police stress and the families engagement really drew me in to modern day events happening before our eyes. However, knowing the characters makes it all more real and human. Pass it along to anyone you know who may be in an abusive relationship.
I've been a huge fan of Creston Mapes for years so I always pre-order his books. I was thrilled to get an earlier read on this one.
Hard to put down and I loved it.
I Pick You in particular is action packed from start to finished. Most of all I love how Creston is right over the target for what is happening in our world today.
Without spoiling it the riots, the police stress and the families engagement really drew me in to modern day events happening before our eyes. However, knowing the characters makes it all more real and human. Pass it along to anyone you know who may be in an abusive relationship.
I've been a huge fan of Creston Mapes for years so I always pre-order his books. I was thrilled to get an earlier read on this one.
Hard to put down and I loved it.
September 12, 2024
What an incredible weaving of good versus evil, with evil being a deranged man who was a rule breaker and a sadist. His victims were relatable characters, including a police investigator nearing retirement. Portland, Oregon, is the setting, complicated by defund the police protests. A real thriller.
November 11, 2020
My pulse quickened. I held my breath. I yelled for her to run! I simply couldn’t put it down!
From the tension filled beginning right up to the nail biting ending, this was another brilliant Creston Mapes read.
From the tension filled beginning right up to the nail biting ending, this was another brilliant Creston Mapes read.
October 21, 2023
I’m loving this series so much!! So intense!! I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!! I’m reading these each in a day because I can’t put it down!
January 5, 2023
Great book
This book depicts what has happened in this county. Everyone goes their on way, doing their own without giving a thought about our One Creator and what He has done for us. People doing their on thing reeks havoc on families, communities and country. There are thousands who are grieving for lost loved ones cause someone just drive's by and kills them. Also, those who drink and drive killing loved ones. Meanwhile, those wicked people get out on bond for 50 thousand s or so and walk free. This is a fallen world, we are all sinners and every one should wake up. Life is only for a moment as we all watched football Sunday evening. We are praying for the young football player but also for all law enforcement and firefighters. My dad was in law enforcement for years and I know what it did to him as well as our family. Creston Males spelled out just what we have come to. He is a great author and I recommend this book to everyone so maybe they will see what life truly is.
This book depicts what has happened in this county. Everyone goes their on way, doing their own without giving a thought about our One Creator and what He has done for us. People doing their on thing reeks havoc on families, communities and country. There are thousands who are grieving for lost loved ones cause someone just drive's by and kills them. Also, those who drink and drive killing loved ones. Meanwhile, those wicked people get out on bond for 50 thousand s or so and walk free. This is a fallen world, we are all sinners and every one should wake up. Life is only for a moment as we all watched football Sunday evening. We are praying for the young football player but also for all law enforcement and firefighters. My dad was in law enforcement for years and I know what it did to him as well as our family. Creston Males spelled out just what we have come to. He is a great author and I recommend this book to everyone so maybe they will see what life truly is.
December 28, 2021
This was another action packed story with the same characters from the 1st two books in the Signs of Life series. This one deals with domestic violence and an insanely evil man who pulls out all the stops to hurt or kill anyone who stands in his way. Detective Deetz is on the case but it's going to take much more than normal policing to end the violent rampage of this one man wrecking machine, all while riots loom in the city and a storm brews around them. Deetz and his crew have to dig deep and put their trust in the God who saves.
August 23, 2022
Book 3 of the Signs of Life deals with two real life issues: Domestic Abuse & defunding the Police. Very tense, riveting & emotional read. Sunny Carlisle is dating Blaine Milligan, a psychopath bent on terrorizing her. Wayne Deetz considers retirement & Callie & Tyson from Book 1 are part of the team to protect Sunny. Buckle up!
March 11, 2022
Why are some people intent solely on evil?
January 22, 2022
Fabulous read!
April 24, 2021
Loved it
Another great book. Hard to put down. Love this Author and this series. Next coming out in September. Can’t wait
Another great book. Hard to put down. Love this Author and this series. Next coming out in September. Can’t wait
December 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
This book was engaging and interesting, but the amount of current day politics and racial tensions interjected into the story ruined it for me. I read as an escape and it was anything but that.
The author has a wonderful voice and a talent for keeping you glued to the page. If you don't mind current events in your fiction, then this is one you might want to pick up.
This book was engaging and interesting, but the amount of current day politics and racial tensions interjected into the story ruined it for me. I read as an escape and it was anything but that.
The author has a wonderful voice and a talent for keeping you glued to the page. If you don't mind current events in your fiction, then this is one you might want to pick up.
September 29, 2022
I Pick You
A fast moving story that shows God created good and bad. Characters are vividly displayed as both good and evil. Creston Mapes is a talented writer that kept me entertained from the first page to the exciting conclusion.
A fast moving story that shows God created good and bad. Characters are vividly displayed as both good and evil. Creston Mapes is a talented writer that kept me entertained from the first page to the exciting conclusion.
January 12, 2022
Very contemporary.
Covers several relevant issues in today's world: physical and psychological abuse, mental illness, good and evil, cancel culture, lack of respect for authority, anarchy police dedication to duty and the importance of faith in God especially during difficult circumstances. One error in the plot and speaking as a meteorologist, tornadoes are basically unheard of in Portland, Oregon. They are more common east of the Rocky Mountains.
Covers several relevant issues in today's world: physical and psychological abuse, mental illness, good and evil, cancel culture, lack of respect for authority, anarchy police dedication to duty and the importance of faith in God especially during difficult circumstances. One error in the plot and speaking as a meteorologist, tornadoes are basically unheard of in Portland, Oregon. They are more common east of the Rocky Mountains.
October 22, 2025
Another great book!
I am so loving this series. With each book,this story keeps getting better. Creston Mapes has a way of pulling you into the his stories so you can’t wait to turn the pages.
I am so loving this series. With each book,this story keeps getting better. Creston Mapes has a way of pulling you into the his stories so you can’t wait to turn the pages.
July 15, 2021
I lived this storyline! Very suspenseful!
September 11, 2022
I am currently "binge reading" books by Creston Mapes. They deal with some sensitive subjects, but aren't quite a scary because they are Christian fiction. I am loving this "signs of life" series even though it is quite deep and deals with some tough subjects.
November 11, 2020
Creston Mapes’ new book, I PICK YOU, in his Signs of Life Series, is absolutely amazing!!! A roller coaster suspense novel that will keep you up reading it until the wee hours of the night. You will be hooked from the very first page, and not be able to put it down until you finish the last page. This is a story that could be ripped from our headlines today. You will be riveted!!
You will meet Sunny, who is stuck in an abusive relationship with Blaine Milligan. Blaine is a control freak and an abuser with a police record. With him, Sunny lives under a cloud of domestic violence. You will feel her emotions, pain, and fear.
Callie and Tyson are back in this book. They were introduced in the first book of the series. Callie is a recovered abuse victim from a past relationship before dating Tyson. She has reached out in friendship to Sunny and tries to motivate her to get help. She keeps encouraging her to leave Blaine and seek help in a shelter that helped her. Because of this, Blaine starts threatening Callie. You will be riveted to know what happens to Sunny and Callie, and to those who are going to be in this situation.
Portland Policeman, Wayne Deetz, is also back in this book. Not only is he concerned about one of his fellow officer’s questionable shooting of a man while on duty, he also has a confrontation with Blaine as he’s sitting outside of Sunny’s house. He and his family are now threatened by Blaine!
With civil unrest growing and the threats by Blaine escalating and getting personal, like me, you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough to see what happens next!!
Don’t put off getting this book and putting it on the top of your next-to-be-read pile. You won’t regret it!!
You will meet Sunny, who is stuck in an abusive relationship with Blaine Milligan. Blaine is a control freak and an abuser with a police record. With him, Sunny lives under a cloud of domestic violence. You will feel her emotions, pain, and fear.
Callie and Tyson are back in this book. They were introduced in the first book of the series. Callie is a recovered abuse victim from a past relationship before dating Tyson. She has reached out in friendship to Sunny and tries to motivate her to get help. She keeps encouraging her to leave Blaine and seek help in a shelter that helped her. Because of this, Blaine starts threatening Callie. You will be riveted to know what happens to Sunny and Callie, and to those who are going to be in this situation.
Portland Policeman, Wayne Deetz, is also back in this book. Not only is he concerned about one of his fellow officer’s questionable shooting of a man while on duty, he also has a confrontation with Blaine as he’s sitting outside of Sunny’s house. He and his family are now threatened by Blaine!
With civil unrest growing and the threats by Blaine escalating and getting personal, like me, you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough to see what happens next!!
Don’t put off getting this book and putting it on the top of your next-to-be-read pile. You won’t regret it!!
December 5, 2022
Great book
It started out slow but got so good didn't want put it dow
n
Keep up good job
I'm a buckeye too
Born raised now live in Florida
It started out slow but got so good didn't want put it dow
n
Keep up good job
I'm a buckeye too
Born raised now live in Florida
January 27, 2024
Domestic violence meets psycho
Callie introduces us to her new friend Sunny. Only Sunny's life isn't very sunny. She's being stalked & terrorized by a psycho. This guy loves to leave his victims until they start to think they are free & let their guard down. Then he storms back into their lives. Anyone who gets in-between him & Sunny is collateral damage. Blaine is the psycho I speak of. Sunny thought she had gotten rid of him by moving. Unfortunately, she couldn't be that lucky. Callie immediately notices bruises on Sunny & recognizes symptoms of an abused woman. She calls Deetz in to get a read on this guy. Especially, when Blaine cancels her plans to go shopping with Sunny that day. Callie leaves because Sunny begs her to. She knows no good can come from having anyone get between her and Blaine. Deetz sticks around though. He sits in his car though. Unfortunately, because of it Sunny gets beat badly. She can barely walk. Blaine decides Callie & Deetz must pay for interfering. He threatens to burn the building down that Callie lives in. He shows up at Callie's work. I'll let you read about that terrifying incident. Then Deetz has his trash stolen & over $2,000 worth of charges to a gun shop. Sunny is able to get her to go bag packed & leave the house except she passes him on her way to a gas station. She immediately calls Callie they tell where the safe house is & agree to meet there. Of course, that doesn't go as planned either. Meanwhile Deetz is racking up a set of charges to file against Blaine. Blaine doesn't care about authority. He won't bow to anyone. The ending is pretty bad. The good guys get messed up. And I forgot to mention in the book the riots are going on to defund the police. So cops are spread very thin & help is scarce.
Callie introduces us to her new friend Sunny. Only Sunny's life isn't very sunny. She's being stalked & terrorized by a psycho. This guy loves to leave his victims until they start to think they are free & let their guard down. Then he storms back into their lives. Anyone who gets in-between him & Sunny is collateral damage. Blaine is the psycho I speak of. Sunny thought she had gotten rid of him by moving. Unfortunately, she couldn't be that lucky. Callie immediately notices bruises on Sunny & recognizes symptoms of an abused woman. She calls Deetz in to get a read on this guy. Especially, when Blaine cancels her plans to go shopping with Sunny that day. Callie leaves because Sunny begs her to. She knows no good can come from having anyone get between her and Blaine. Deetz sticks around though. He sits in his car though. Unfortunately, because of it Sunny gets beat badly. She can barely walk. Blaine decides Callie & Deetz must pay for interfering. He threatens to burn the building down that Callie lives in. He shows up at Callie's work. I'll let you read about that terrifying incident. Then Deetz has his trash stolen & over $2,000 worth of charges to a gun shop. Sunny is able to get her to go bag packed & leave the house except she passes him on her way to a gas station. She immediately calls Callie they tell where the safe house is & agree to meet there. Of course, that doesn't go as planned either. Meanwhile Deetz is racking up a set of charges to file against Blaine. Blaine doesn't care about authority. He won't bow to anyone. The ending is pretty bad. The good guys get messed up. And I forgot to mention in the book the riots are going on to defund the police. So cops are spread very thin & help is scarce.
Read
December 19, 2020Don't close your eyes
When a psychopathic killer goes after Callie simply because she a friend of Sunny, the young woman he is currently abusing, then includes Czllie's fiancee Tyson & the Portland PD detective Wayne Deetz because they are connected to Callie, they must work together to thwart his plans before he kills one or all of them. It is a non stop action book from beginning to end. Mapes has included the chaos that is rampant in Portland caused by weak governor & mayor's non responses to antifa & BLM domestic terrorists. At the end, Deetz is considering whether, in light of the mayor's efforts to defund the police & her failure to quell the rioting group's, to retire early. Guessing here, but since there is a third book in the wings, I hope to see Deetz hang in there another 400 days & get his rightly deserved full benefits retirement package!
When a psychopathic killer goes after Callie simply because she a friend of Sunny, the young woman he is currently abusing, then includes Czllie's fiancee Tyson & the Portland PD detective Wayne Deetz because they are connected to Callie, they must work together to thwart his plans before he kills one or all of them. It is a non stop action book from beginning to end. Mapes has included the chaos that is rampant in Portland caused by weak governor & mayor's non responses to antifa & BLM domestic terrorists. At the end, Deetz is considering whether, in light of the mayor's efforts to defund the police & her failure to quell the rioting group's, to retire early. Guessing here, but since there is a third book in the wings, I hope to see Deetz hang in there another 400 days & get his rightly deserved full benefits retirement package!
December 23, 2020
Not for the weak
Mapes does it again with a heart pounding read. I was halfway through before I could put it down for the night - too much was happening and I had to find a place to catch my breath. With a subplot ripped from the headlines creating background tension, Mapes tackles a hard topic in the forefront. He brings a very real face to domestic violence in a way that is hard to stomach. I'm not sure I could have finished this if I hadn't already built a relationship with the characters from his previous 2 books and wanted to see how they came out of the story. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and your heart pounding!
Mapes does it again with a heart pounding read. I was halfway through before I could put it down for the night - too much was happening and I had to find a place to catch my breath. With a subplot ripped from the headlines creating background tension, Mapes tackles a hard topic in the forefront. He brings a very real face to domestic violence in a way that is hard to stomach. I'm not sure I could have finished this if I hadn't already built a relationship with the characters from his previous 2 books and wanted to see how they came out of the story. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and your heart pounding!
December 9, 2020
To call I PICK YOU a page-turner doesn’t do it justice. Not even close. Nobody writes suspense like Creston Mapes! In this third book of the Signs of Life series, Detective Wayne Deetz is drawn into a domestic violence case that quickly spirals out of control, even as his hometown of Portland, Oregon is under siege as rioters set fires, destroy property, and attack police. I promise you that this perfect setting for Mapes’ brilliant thriller will leave you breathless and wanting more!
April 11, 2023
Riviting
My heart raced at times as I read, and I wondered if good would triumph over evil. I love how Creston Mapes wove real and current events into the lives of his characters, how those events unfolded into the plot line and resonated within the story from beginning to end. I must read the next I. The series to find out what Detective Wayne Deets decides to do, work out the final year of his career, or retire.
My heart raced at times as I read, and I wondered if good would triumph over evil. I love how Creston Mapes wove real and current events into the lives of his characters, how those events unfolded into the plot line and resonated within the story from beginning to end. I must read the next I. The series to find out what Detective Wayne Deets decides to do, work out the final year of his career, or retire.
January 16, 2021
Good suspense
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve of Creston Mapes and I Pick You continues that streak. The suspense was pretty much good throughout the book.
There were a couple of incidents I questioned why Deetz didn’t call police as I would think they would be quicker than him in confronting the situation. But that would remove some of the suspense.
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve of Creston Mapes and I Pick You continues that streak. The suspense was pretty much good throughout the book.
There were a couple of incidents I questioned why Deetz didn’t call police as I would think they would be quicker than him in confronting the situation. But that would remove some of the suspense.
March 3, 2021
Interesting story but not "High-Voltage"
I have liked many novels by Creston Mapes. This one drew me in but at times was predictable in terms of plot scenario. I felt that the story line was stretched out far too long. I also was a little perturbed by trying to keep the characters straight. But, hey, that's just me. I give this story 4 stars.
I have liked many novels by Creston Mapes. This one drew me in but at times was predictable in terms of plot scenario. I felt that the story line was stretched out far too long. I also was a little perturbed by trying to keep the characters straight. But, hey, that's just me. I give this story 4 stars.
June 4, 2022
Another gripping story by Creston Mapes!
It had me from the very beginning-it was frustrating - I got nothing done! I couldn’t put it down!
Read it in 2 days! and was always looking around the corner or behind me just waiting for that miserable excuse for a human being to show up!! How does one get involved with someone like him??? Really have to be on your guard.
It had me from the very beginning-it was frustrating - I got nothing done! I couldn’t put it down!
Read it in 2 days! and was always looking around the corner or behind me just waiting for that miserable excuse for a human being to show up!! How does one get involved with someone like him??? Really have to be on your guard.
June 7, 2022
Riveting!
With echos of current modern life, a cop longing to retire, friends and family at risk from the evil perpetrator, and anti police riots overtaking the city, this was a wonderful suspenseful read. Was immediately immersed and didn't put it down until finished. Trigger alert: domestic violence could be a trigger to some. Highly recommend.
With echos of current modern life, a cop longing to retire, friends and family at risk from the evil perpetrator, and anti police riots overtaking the city, this was a wonderful suspenseful read. Was immediately immersed and didn't put it down until finished. Trigger alert: domestic violence could be a trigger to some. Highly recommend.
August 13, 2024
Heart-stopping plot
Mapes has brilliantly captured the domestic abuse situation and it's ramifications. He doesn't exaggerate or downplay the realities for the abuser or the abused. However, he does thread the hope of knowing God throughout the story and how significant His power and wisdom are in our lives in making it through hard times. Definitely a high-voltage thriller!
Mapes has brilliantly captured the domestic abuse situation and it's ramifications. He doesn't exaggerate or downplay the realities for the abuser or the abused. However, he does thread the hope of knowing God throughout the story and how significant His power and wisdom are in our lives in making it through hard times. Definitely a high-voltage thriller!
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