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Critical Consequences
A Suspense NOVEL
As a member of the coast guard, Mike Weaver is guided by a single objective: to locate and protect those in need. So when his cousin Martie and her new husband disappear, Mike has no doubt that he possesses the skills necessary to find out what happened. What he doesn’t anticipate is that the truth he seeks is buried deep within a tangled network of greed and deceit.
When Mike’s past violently collides with his investigation, he is forced to accept help from virtual strangers—Angelia and her family anticipated a quiet family picnic in the mountains, but when they encounter a wounded Mike, Angelia and her father, with his military background, spring into action. When they discover that Mike’s search for his cousin has a surprising connection to their family, they join his dangerous hunt for answers. Search and rescue is in Mike’s blood, and with the help of his unconventional team of investigators, he’ll stop at nothing to bring his cousin home safely.
As a member of the coast guard, Mike Weaver is guided by a single objective: to locate and protect those in need. So when his cousin Martie and her new husband disappear, Mike has no doubt that he possesses the skills necessary to find out what happened. What he doesn’t anticipate is that the truth he seeks is buried deep within a tangled network of greed and deceit.
When Mike’s past violently collides with his investigation, he is forced to accept help from virtual strangers—Angelia and her family anticipated a quiet family picnic in the mountains, but when they encounter a wounded Mike, Angelia and her father, with his military background, spring into action. When they discover that Mike’s search for his cousin has a surprising connection to their family, they join his dangerous hunt for answers. Search and rescue is in Mike’s blood, and with the help of his unconventional team of investigators, he’ll stop at nothing to bring his cousin home safely.
236 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2022
35 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Clair M. Poulson
55 books298 followersClair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 18, 2022
Kind of terrible. I put some books on 1.5 speed to make them faster but this book was too fast and made me anxious listening to it. It felt like everyone was an amateur law enforcement person. Too many weird coincidences. Just not my thing.
August 31, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up for this clean suspense.
Boy this was one heck of a suspense story. I'm a big fan of multiple points of view and we get a couple in this story. The main one is from Mike Weaver, a member of the Coast Guard, who gets a desperate middle-of-the-night call from his wayward brother asking for his help. Failing to help his brother, Mike finds himself injured and being pursued by his brother's killers.
Besides Mike running from his brother's killers, he's also trying to find his missing cousin Martie who was recently married. Could those two things possibly be connected? Lucky for a severely injured Mike, a vacationing family's dog finds him, and the Griggs family not only help him get the medical treatment he needs but also help him solve the giant puzzle he's found himself in.
The suspense barely lets up in this one. As soon as the reader thinks the good guys have caught a break and the bad guys are going to be caught, something else happens. I couldn't put this one down; I needed to figure out how all the pieces fit together.
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher to review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Boy this was one heck of a suspense story. I'm a big fan of multiple points of view and we get a couple in this story. The main one is from Mike Weaver, a member of the Coast Guard, who gets a desperate middle-of-the-night call from his wayward brother asking for his help. Failing to help his brother, Mike finds himself injured and being pursued by his brother's killers.
Besides Mike running from his brother's killers, he's also trying to find his missing cousin Martie who was recently married. Could those two things possibly be connected? Lucky for a severely injured Mike, a vacationing family's dog finds him, and the Griggs family not only help him get the medical treatment he needs but also help him solve the giant puzzle he's found himself in.
The suspense barely lets up in this one. As soon as the reader thinks the good guys have caught a break and the bad guys are going to be caught, something else happens. I couldn't put this one down; I needed to figure out how all the pieces fit together.
I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher to review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
August 17, 2022
Critical Consequences is another suspense thriller that keeps you reading and guessing until the end. There is a lot going on in this novel. There are so many pieces to put together in this huge puzzle of mixed-up lies and smoke and mirrors. There is a point where I want to think that maybe the good guys really are bad. Clair Poulson is so good at leading readers in one direction and then chapters later heading you off into another wormhole.
I am never bored when reading one of Poulson's books. His characters are diverse and very memorable. Critical Consequences had two storylines that somehow merged into one as the plot played out. Mike Weaver is a new favorite character and I wish another book would be written with him as the lead character. If you are looking for a great suspense novel with constant action and great characters, look no further because Critical Consequences needs to be your next read.
I am never bored when reading one of Poulson's books. His characters are diverse and very memorable. Critical Consequences had two storylines that somehow merged into one as the plot played out. Mike Weaver is a new favorite character and I wish another book would be written with him as the lead character. If you are looking for a great suspense novel with constant action and great characters, look no further because Critical Consequences needs to be your next read.
August 9, 2022
An action packed, fast paced read. Mike Weaver, works for the San Diego Coastguard, he receives a frantic phone call from his younger brother, Eli. Believing his brother is in danger, Mike drives to Las Vegas to look for him. Mike, soon finds his own life in danger and his soon fleeing for his life. A book that kept me reading.
August 6, 2022
I loved this book, but was a little disappointed in the ending. The characters are realistic, the plot absorbing, an overall enjoyable read.
September 3, 2022
Critical Consequences moves quickly with action paced scenes, drama, and intrigue. I had a little trouble with the main character at first. Growing up with my father in the Coast Guard and being raised on stories from his experiences, the character didn't really match my perception with the Coast Guard and how he would interact with drug dealers. Other than that, the story was very interesting and suspenseful. The author did a good job at connecting scenes with different characters and the story moved along with different twists and turns that kept me guessing. He was also good at describing the scenes and characters. It's a clean read with some violence. Clair Poulson fans will enjoy the story and the intrigue.
Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion.
Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion.
August 27, 2022
Pretty good storyline. I listened to this book and did not like the narrator at all. Would probably have enjoyed more maybe if I read rather than listened to this book.
August 25, 2022
Loved the book, but I really did not like how the author ended the story. It just seemed like he had a deadline and rushed to finish the book.
August 23, 2022
Definitely action packed and gripping but the way too convenient connection across multiple states and storylines was a little over the top. Interesting that Mike would quickly toss a phone early in the story so he would not be tracked and then later carries around multiple phones and a car that could easily be tracked. If you can get past all of those unrealistic parts it actually is a book that is hard to put down.
September 5, 2022
An accidental death and unrelated murders start this book off with a bang. This book has three plot lines in which Mike Weaver finds himself entangled. There is so much going on, but somehow it works. The stories transitioned well and I was able to keep everything straight.
Mike Weaver is a good guy, but there are people set on murdering him. He knows too much about their illegal activities. The reader gets to take a road trip with him as he travels across the country unraveling the web of deceit and lies. He also has a few murders to get to the bottom of.
The story is action-packed from the beginning to the end. Clair M. Poulson does a fantastic job at bringing everything to a great conclusion. I only wish that there was a little bit more on the potential love interests. Maybe he can bring back the characters in another story so the romance has closure.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Mike Weaver is a good guy, but there are people set on murdering him. He knows too much about their illegal activities. The reader gets to take a road trip with him as he travels across the country unraveling the web of deceit and lies. He also has a few murders to get to the bottom of.
The story is action-packed from the beginning to the end. Clair M. Poulson does a fantastic job at bringing everything to a great conclusion. I only wish that there was a little bit more on the potential love interests. Maybe he can bring back the characters in another story so the romance has closure.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
August 8, 2022
This suspense novel hits the ground running and will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next! Another fantastic read by Clair M. Poulson!
July 29, 2022
I started this book before going to bed. A couple of chapters in I was fearful of what I might read next, so I put the book down before it was too late for me to put the book down. This morning I picked the book back up and have been working on reading this book all day. I could not put the book down.
This book was filled with mystery after mystery with some unique connections with them all. It felt so far fetched, but real at the same time. I loved it!
If you want a good suspenseful mystery, then I totally 100% recommend this read.
This book was filled with mystery after mystery with some unique connections with them all. It felt so far fetched, but real at the same time. I loved it!
If you want a good suspenseful mystery, then I totally 100% recommend this read.
December 11, 2022
Felt disappointed by too many convoluted subplots that came together in an unbelievable and messy ending. Unsatisfying
August 17, 2023
2.5 stars.
Not a bad story. A quick and easy read. bit of a summary wrap up in the end. It was all, and this happened, and then this happened, and this happened. Didn't feel very organic more of the author needed to finish up the book and move on. But not terrible.
The characters were fine. although there is the multiple POV issue. I don't mind two or three or maybe four. But it seemed like every character got a POV. Particularly near the end of the book Which I think led to the multiple brief wrap ups, since there were characters introduce that became loose threads that needed to be taken care of.
Overall story flow wasn't bad, it just didn't finish all that strongly for me. I just felt like when it's the end of a tv show and the ending music is rolling and there are flashcards saying what the characters did afterwards.
There are LDS elements, I was aware of this going in. once I figured out the publishing house, and it was most prevalent at the beginning of the book. Not my wheelhouse being Christian myself, but I didn't feel the need to get into any theological debates, while reading.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I may or may not read others. I'm a bit ambivalent at the moment. Wasn't terrible, but didn't particularly catch my interest. I'm not opposed to reading anything else by him, but It'll likely won't be anytime soon.
So recommended? Maybe, sure why not
Buy/borrow? Borrow
Not a bad story. A quick and easy read. bit of a summary wrap up in the end. It was all, and this happened, and then this happened, and this happened. Didn't feel very organic more of the author needed to finish up the book and move on. But not terrible.
The characters were fine. although there is the multiple POV issue. I don't mind two or three or maybe four. But it seemed like every character got a POV. Particularly near the end of the book Which I think led to the multiple brief wrap ups, since there were characters introduce that became loose threads that needed to be taken care of.
Overall story flow wasn't bad, it just didn't finish all that strongly for me. I just felt like when it's the end of a tv show and the ending music is rolling and there are flashcards saying what the characters did afterwards.
There are LDS elements, I was aware of this going in. once I figured out the publishing house, and it was most prevalent at the beginning of the book. Not my wheelhouse being Christian myself, but I didn't feel the need to get into any theological debates, while reading.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I may or may not read others. I'm a bit ambivalent at the moment. Wasn't terrible, but didn't particularly catch my interest. I'm not opposed to reading anything else by him, but It'll likely won't be anytime soon.
So recommended? Maybe, sure why not
Buy/borrow? Borrow
September 1, 2022
Critical Consequences
by Clair M. Poulson
Rating: 4/5
Having never read anything from the author, I was intrigued by the premise and was eager to start reading. The story jumps right in and hooks you so you have to keep reading until the end.
First, the cover is beautiful and eye-catching.
Second, the premise of the story is enticing. I love a good (and clean) suspense thriller with some romance and lots of action! Detective stories are always so interesting to me.
Third, the characters were interesting and very relatable in some ways and not relatable in others. Keeping track of all the different characters can be a little bit confusing but I was able to follow along. The book is written from many different perspectives which also can get confusing but somehow worked.
Fourth, all the twists and turns and connections are fun and almost unbelievable. I love having to keep guessing until the end.
PG-13 for the violence.
Note: this is not the only LDS author that I've read but it is the most content I've read that includes a backdrop of LDS within the story (I read a lot of LDS authors that write Regency Romance).
Highly recommend this exciting suspense thriller with romance and action!
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
by Clair M. Poulson
Rating: 4/5
Having never read anything from the author, I was intrigued by the premise and was eager to start reading. The story jumps right in and hooks you so you have to keep reading until the end.
First, the cover is beautiful and eye-catching.
Second, the premise of the story is enticing. I love a good (and clean) suspense thriller with some romance and lots of action! Detective stories are always so interesting to me.
Third, the characters were interesting and very relatable in some ways and not relatable in others. Keeping track of all the different characters can be a little bit confusing but I was able to follow along. The book is written from many different perspectives which also can get confusing but somehow worked.
Fourth, all the twists and turns and connections are fun and almost unbelievable. I love having to keep guessing until the end.
PG-13 for the violence.
Note: this is not the only LDS author that I've read but it is the most content I've read that includes a backdrop of LDS within the story (I read a lot of LDS authors that write Regency Romance).
Highly recommend this exciting suspense thriller with romance and action!
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
August 17, 2022
There wasn’t much about this book by Clair Poulson that didn’t intrigue me. I loved his characters, the plot and the way everything fit together in the end.
This book follows several characters through the timeline. I love that each of the characters experiences something different. And that, especially in the beginning, the reader isn’t sure how everything will fit together. It all just worked together beautifully.
Mike is one of the main characters. He works for the Coast Guard in San Diego. One thing about Mike is that he is really loyal to his family. He goes out of his way to help them. And that almost gets him killed. More than once. I also really loved that he is able to piece the clues together and read between the lines, and that helps the officers working on these cases figure things out.
Angelia and her family are gems. There aren’t many people who would put their own lives on the line to protect someone else. But that’s just what they did for Mike. And they were also really good at figuring out the puzzles. I really loved the protectiveness Angelia felt toward Mike, someone she met at the very beginning of the book.
The plot of this one is quick moving. It really keeps the reader interested from the very beginning!
I was sent an e-copy of Critical Consequences as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book follows several characters through the timeline. I love that each of the characters experiences something different. And that, especially in the beginning, the reader isn’t sure how everything will fit together. It all just worked together beautifully.
Mike is one of the main characters. He works for the Coast Guard in San Diego. One thing about Mike is that he is really loyal to his family. He goes out of his way to help them. And that almost gets him killed. More than once. I also really loved that he is able to piece the clues together and read between the lines, and that helps the officers working on these cases figure things out.
Angelia and her family are gems. There aren’t many people who would put their own lives on the line to protect someone else. But that’s just what they did for Mike. And they were also really good at figuring out the puzzles. I really loved the protectiveness Angelia felt toward Mike, someone she met at the very beginning of the book.
The plot of this one is quick moving. It really keeps the reader interested from the very beginning!
I was sent an e-copy of Critical Consequences as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2022
As a member of the coast guard, Mike Weaver is guided by a single objective to locate and protect those in need. So, when his cousin Martie and her new husband disappear, Mike has no doubt that he possesses the skill necessary to find out what happened. What he doesn't anticipate is that the truth he seeks is buried deep within a tangled network of greed and deceit.
When Mike's past violently collides with his investigation, he is forced to accept help from virtual strangers--Angela and her family anticipated a quiet family picnic in the mountain, but when they encounter a wounded Mike, Angelia and her father, with military background, spring into action. When they discover that Mike's search for his cousin has a surprising connection to their family, they join his dangerous hunt for answers. Search and rescue are in Mike's blood, and he'll stop at nothing to bring his cousin home.
When Mike's past violently collides with his investigation, he is forced to accept help from virtual strangers--Angela and her family anticipated a quiet family picnic in the mountain, but when they encounter a wounded Mike, Angelia and her father, with military background, spring into action. When they discover that Mike's search for his cousin has a surprising connection to their family, they join his dangerous hunt for answers. Search and rescue are in Mike's blood, and he'll stop at nothing to bring his cousin home.
January 5, 2025
This story takes a little different twist from other books by this author. The main character, Mike Weaver, is in the Coast Guard, stationed around San Diego, California. The opening story is of him trying to rescue a grotto teenagers who have been caught by a storm. The owner of the boat they are on is less than honest. When the son is not rescued alive, the father blames the Coast Guard, and especially Mike, for not rescuing him alive. He vows vengeance.
Meanwhile, Mike gets a call from his brother who is in trouble. Mike drives all night to get to Las Vegas to help, but his brother ends up dead and Mike is left with a bag of drugs.
Also, their cousin has just recently married a guy she met on the internet, and they go off the grid.
The stories all become intertwined with the other, and Mike has to try to figure out it all out.
Meanwhile, Mike gets a call from his brother who is in trouble. Mike drives all night to get to Las Vegas to help, but his brother ends up dead and Mike is left with a bag of drugs.
Also, their cousin has just recently married a guy she met on the internet, and they go off the grid.
The stories all become intertwined with the other, and Mike has to try to figure out it all out.
September 11, 2022
WOW-what a heart stopping, thrilling book!
Coast Guard Mike finds himself thrown into the world of drugs, kidnapping and murder after he gets a call from his estranged brother Eli that he needs help. From then moment on, Mike is on a nonstop chase to find his brother's killer, as well as figure out who is now trying to kill him. So many little stories all combined into one with several characters, so it does get complicated at times but I still really enjoyed it!
I have read several books by this author and I really get involved and enjoy reading his clean suspense stories. You won't want to miss this non stop action story! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
Coast Guard Mike finds himself thrown into the world of drugs, kidnapping and murder after he gets a call from his estranged brother Eli that he needs help. From then moment on, Mike is on a nonstop chase to find his brother's killer, as well as figure out who is now trying to kill him. So many little stories all combined into one with several characters, so it does get complicated at times but I still really enjoyed it!
I have read several books by this author and I really get involved and enjoy reading his clean suspense stories. You won't want to miss this non stop action story! I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.
November 14, 2022
This is the best book that Clair Poulson has written yet. It started out strong and stayed that way throughout. It's about a young Coast Guard Lieutenant who was trying to stay some kids on a boat but a young man drown along with several others. The boys father turns bitter and seeks revenge. At the same time the young Lieutenant's brother is in danger and is killed while his brother try's to save him. He then runs from the men and is stabbed and left for dead in a forest of Utah . A family on vacation found him and saves his life. He then finds out that his cousin has been kidnapped and her husband was murdered. Mixed in with all the excitement and murders are several love angles going on. I did enjoy this book and hope the Arthur keeps up the excitement.
November 3, 2022
I felt like the title was appropriate for this book because a lot of consequences could have been avoided if people hadn't made stupid decisions like good guys running from the police. I also felt like the crazy tangled web of bad guys chasing good guys wrapped up awfully quickly and too conveniently. The other thing I didn't like was how the relationships seemed to all be "love at first sight" type scenarios, which just didn't seem very realistic considering how many red flags there were to warrant taking things slowly. The more I think about it, 3 stars seems generous. But it did keep my attention and kept me reading until the end.
October 24, 2024
Poulson is one of my top two suspense authors and for me, this is not one of his better works. There were too many family wow interactions and they were mentioned too many times. The whole Dad sold your uncle cars for the twins, just let it go already. There were other things that were mentioned too many times also. I felt like they were taking up space to meet the word count requirements.
Overall I liked the story when I figured out the characters, where they belonged, and what their purpose was.
Overall I liked the story when I figured out the characters, where they belonged, and what their purpose was.
September 7, 2025
I own and have read the vast majority of Clair's books and really enjoyed his earlier ones. He always tell a good story with a good plot and good characters. This book had those things, however, with many of Clair's later books he rushes the finish and ties up the loose ends with short summaries. It's sad to build so much on relationships and character relations to just do a quick sum up to finish the stories. Good overall but disappointed with the ending.
December 2, 2022
Way too many unbelievable coincidences for this to be even the least bit realistic. Also the ending was abrupt and felt like the author needed to tie up a whole bunch of loose ends in a couple of pages. But if you can look past those things you might enjoy it
January 11, 2023
Lots of suspense in this book that held my attention and kept me wanting to read more, but I was disappointed in the ending. I felt like the author tried to put several side stories into this one book and at the end they all just needed a quick resolution.
March 22, 2023
Disappointing
I've read several of Clair Poulson's books and have found this one very disappointing. It didn't ever really character build and I didn't feel there was a great climax. The end of the book seemed rushed with details to tie it all up way too fast.
I've read several of Clair Poulson's books and have found this one very disappointing. It didn't ever really character build and I didn't feel there was a great climax. The end of the book seemed rushed with details to tie it all up way too fast.
October 21, 2023
So much going on in this fast paced book. Lots of bad and good guys/gals. Kept me guessing.
Clair Poulson writes great mysteries that keep me reading/listening to discover how all the loose ends will be tied up.
Clair Poulson writes great mysteries that keep me reading/listening to discover how all the loose ends will be tied up.
November 14, 2025
This book was very disjointed for me. I really did not understand how Martie's and Mike's stories wove together. It seemed to me that there were too many things going on that I couldn't figure out how they were related. I usually really like Clair Poulsen books but this one wasn't for me.
August 24, 2022
One of my least favorite stories by the author. And the narration on the audio version was really poorly done.
August 26, 2022
Enjoyed the book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews