Ever Present Danger

Phantom Hollow #1

by Kathy Herman

Can You Ever Escape Your Past?

At eighteen, popular Ivy Griffith likes nothing better than getting stoned with her boyfriend, Pete, and his basketball buddies–until one afternoon when a nightmare unfolds. Ivy watches in horror as her boyfriend and his friends murder a teammate and bury his body in a remote location. The four friends make a pact to keep the killing quiet, and Ivy flees her parents’ Colorado home for college and never looks back.

Now, after ten years of numbing her guilt with drugs, she’s finally clean. The single mom of a seven-year-old son, Montana, Ivy returns home to the tiny town of Jacob’s Ear, hoping for courage to reveal the shocking truth of her past and be rid of this baggage forever.

But when disaster strikes at her high school reunion, she’s the only one left alive who witnessed that fateful night so long ago…Or is she? Who else could’ve known about the pact and who would want Pete and his co-conspirators dead? As the investigation heats up and the death toll rises, Ivy is forced to decide if confessing the truth is really worth risking her own life.

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2007

About the author

Best-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written twenty novels—including the Secrets or Roux River Bayou Series, Sophie Trace Series, the Seaport Suspense Series, and the Phantom Hollow Series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her late husband Paul have a blended family of three grown children. Kathy lives in the Northwest.

Reviews

[Debbie Wentworth Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

During Ivy Griffiths' senior year in high school, she was high while her boyfriend and his two best friends beat a classmate to death. Guilt for not speaking up drove her to drugs and prostitution.

All out of options, Ivy returns home to Jacob's Ear with her seven-year-old son Montana and her friend and mentor Lu who has helped care for Montana and get Ivy off drugs. Lu is dying of leukemia. Ivy's parents take them in though Ivy's dad is reserved, afraid of Ivy's hurting them again. Ivy gets a job as a waitress in a local restaurant. As Lu weakens daily, Ivy's mom graciously helps care for her and Montana.

It isn't long before Ivy's old boyfriend, Pete Barton, shows up to ask her to the ten-year class reunion with him, Denny and Reg and to warn her against saying anything about Joe Hadley, the classmate the boys had killed. Lu had encouraged Ivy to come home to tell the sheriff what had happened, even if it meant prison time. Ivy wants to see Montana and Lu settled before going to the sheriff. Because Lu's illness is progressing more rapidly than expected, Ivy gets reacquainted with another old classmate, Bill Zuwicki, their former drug supplier.

Things go downhill when Ivy's dad's contractors find Joe Hadley's remains. His death becomes an active case again.

Ivy battles fear and guilt as Lu declines, threatening notes arrive, and others die. Bill offers her his unflinching support, but Ivy may be the target of a vengeful griever.

This is a fast-paced Christian story about guilt, regret, and God's extended hand of grace.

[Mrs. Mendiola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had first gone to the Library and checked out the second book in this series, not realizing it WAS a series! Got a few pages in and had to rush back to the library to switch to this one!

Anyway, I loved the book. I love that Herman has found a way to mix suspense, joy, addiction, greiving, scripture, and redemption all in one book, and has done it amazingly so. Usually writers who attempt this leave a lot to be desired..turning it into a bit of an after school special feel. But, this book does not dissapoint! Great for teens and adults alike.

It was a bit predictable for me b/c I had, like I said, already read some key info in the second book. Oops! But, it has a great message. The relationships she paints on her pages are ones that are easily relatable to the reader. I could see parts of everyone I know (including myself!) in almost every character. Herman's got you pulling for Ivy from day one, but wanting to slap her (Ivy) for some of the choices you fear she will make. I kept finding myself saying, "Ivy no! Don't even think about it!!!!"

Anyway, I'm on hold at the Library for the second book now. I can't wait to dig in! Oh, and my 12 year old daughter read it too (she's a GREAT reader) and loved it, and can't wait to read the 2nd one.

[Jenni Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, twists and turns keep you engaged. I love how God was kept at the forefront! Right up my alley :)

[Vera · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It felt like there was no depth to any of the characters and the story line was overly predictable. There was a lot of religious commentary throughout the book as well, which if I would have know about it before I picked out the book to read I would have never chosen it to read.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy has been carrying a huge secret which ends up consuming her guilty conscience which she uses drugs to cope with it. After being sober for 3 years with a help of a dear friend she decides to go back home. Ivy along with son and a friend head back to her mother and fathers home so that she can finally confess this secret.

While her time back in Jacob's Ear some unfortunate events take place. During this time she having a hard time making a decision if she should reveal the secret to the cops or not.

Although I did have suspicion who the killer was I had to keep reading just to find out.

Great read... Now onto the second book in the series.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Well written and kept my interest throughout. Even though I was able to figure out who the bad guy was early on, it didn't ruin the story at all.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story hooked me right away and it was a good read. I finished the book in about 4 days. Lots of plot twists to keep you guessing. Kind of figured out the who dunnit about 2/3 of the way through the book but it didn't put me off from finishing the story. Overall, it was enjoyable.

[Ashley Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story!! Plus the biblical reference could really help someone who feels like ivy

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying all Kathy's books!

[Cathy Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fiction Christian book. An easy read that held my attention with quite a few twists and turns.

[TL Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read. I like that there is no cursing or sex scenes in Kathy Herman's books. I did want to punch Elam in the throat, though.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ivy Griffith's life is forever altered her senior year of high school after watching her boyfriend and his friends kill a classmate. They make a pact to never tell anyone what happened, and Ivy leaves town after graduating. She ends up having drug problems and becomes estranged from her family. Now, ten years later, Ivy needs help and returns home to her parents. Ivy has a young son and no longer does drugs. After returning home, the past she ran away from comes back to haunt her, and endangers her and the others involved with the pact they once made.

The mystery part was entertaining, but I mostly lost interest in this book as the story progressed. The first half was good, but the last part went downhill for me. I do plan on reading more by this author, but I'm not sure if I'll stick with other books in this series. Good for fans of Christian fiction mysteries.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm hooked on shows like CSI and Cold Case. This book is similar to the set up of these shows...as a field is being developed a body is found. The wayward woman who is returning home to set things right with her family was there the night the body was burried. what will she say? or will she stay silent...

the other twist includes that her family are born again believers, and the woman who has cared for her son can't stop telling Montana about Jesus. it's inevitable that the woman will hear the Gospel. but will it change her life?

[Aimee Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ivy Griffith witnessed a murder when she was eighteen and made a pact with the murderer not to say anything. But when she returns to her hometown many years later, she is going to have to tell the truth eventually. After there is another murder, Ivy realizes that she is in more danger than she ever thought.
Good writing, easy to read. The minor characters were well developed too. I actually did guess the killer a while before I finished the book, but it was still awesome.
I would totally suggest this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.

[Maurice Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent story of a fall from grace, a secret held way too long and the consequences for trying to dip your toes into the waters of sin and still trying to live a Christian life. Light and darkness cannot coexist, as more than one of the characters in this book found out.

I always enjoy it when I can't easily guess "whounnit" before the author makes the big reveal. I guessed, but then the author cast doubt on it and made me rethink who I thought the murderer was, only to show me I was right the first time. Well done!

[Anita Hammond]

Unfortunately, I read this one after I read the sequel which always takes some of the fun out of it for me. But I liked it none the less. I was disappointed that they mentioned Ivy's high school years in passing and then skipped ahead 10 years. It seems as though there might have been an entire book to cover that period time.

[Sharon Archer]

Usually don't like these kind of Christian books...find them a bit preachy....but this author weaves a very real story with very real emotions in a way that is faithful but not preachy....read it in under twenty four hours, couldn't put it down...

The library here in Houlton, ME has several books by this author...will read a few more...

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book. The story was good, yes, but I felt like it was written around the message the author wanted to get through. So instead of being inspired by the story, the blatant "message" there kind of put me off.

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the message of this book. Rare is it for me to find a book that is a page turner for me and one that I can recommend to my daughter! Great, great story! Thank you Kathy Herman, I'm hooked!

[Lynn Wyvill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters were developed well. The plot was a surprise and kept me turning the pages. I did get a little irritated with the number of people who 'snickered'. Something about the word intruded and its repeated use was noticeable.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book the Phantom Hollow series. It was very well written and a very interesting storyline. I enjoyed getting to know some new characters in this series and really liked Ivy. I look forward to the next book in this series and recommend this book.

[Calvary Church · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was lame and predictable. a snoozer.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting Christian mystery, Ivy comes home to put the past to rest.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery book... not overly religious, but makes you think about how you can be better, to yourself and others. I will read the rest of her series and possibly the others she has written.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite Christian suspense authors!!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book for what it revealed in the walk with Christ.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too predictable.

[Crissy Small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it..

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series!

[Pamela Leinenweaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good must read love these books