The Killing of Faith

The Killing of Faith #1

by William Holms

AMERICAN BOOKFEST AWARD WINNER – September, 2022
READER'S FAVORITE AWARD WINNER FOR MYSTERY/THRILLER – October 2021
NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST – May 2022

Do you like a shocking thriller? Do you like a twist you never see coming?
The Killing of Faith, winner of three national awards, tells the incredible story of Faith, a beautiful woman who has everything....but everything still isn't enough. Her endless desire for more and more plunges her into a living nightmare beyond anything you can imagine. The reader quickly knows Faith is in big trouble, but doesn’t know where she is or why she’s there. This mystery will draw you in, as you are given clues to solving the puzzle of Faith’s whereabouts, the events leading up to her current nightmare, and how a woman's simple lies plunge her into a living nightmare beyond anything you can imagine. The book concludes with a shocking twist that will make you question everything you thought you knew.
You'll be shocked when you realize what happened to Faith can happen to you!

WHAT ACTUAL READERS ARE SAYING

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I read a lot of books, the stories after awhile begin to have similar plots with recognizable characters. So I jump around different genres looking for new authors with new story twists that gets my attention and holds it to the end. If you like mystery and intrigue then The Killing Of Faith is a must-read. It's a story so different, with devious characters that leads the reader through a daunting tale to an incredible conclusion. With a rating of 1-10, with 10 being the best I give this book a 12.” L. Arthur Greer (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I honestly felt the need to check my pulse when I put this one down! I knew there was going to be a couple of twists, the reviews all said so, but hang on! This book truly had me speeding in several different directions and I'm still not quite sure which train station I crashed in. This is definitely a page turner that will be sticking with me for quite some time! And didn't I see that there are sequels to this? I'm purchasing my ticket now....” (Candace Hickman (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book is one of the best, most memorable, most profound, most Shocking, and one of the most amazing books I 've ever read!! This story is scary in the sense that, it could happen to anyone! This book is not what you're expecting!! This story will stay with you for a very, long time!! I'm reading the whole series! :)” Melissa S. Rep (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The Killing of Faith was one of the best books I have ever read. It takes you on a emotional roller coaster . I was really shocked and bothered with what happened to Faith . I highly recommend reading this book” Valerie Harper (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I have never read a book as good or well written as this one. It captures your attention and emotions from the very beginning. There wasn’t a boring part anywhere in the book. I can’t wait to read this author’s other books.” Deborah S Brown (Amazon Review)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The Killing of Faith” is a suspense novel that, once begun, you won't want to put down. The author, William Holms, takes each of the characters and fleshes them out with such character, you feel as though you personally know them. I loved the novel – I think it is probably one of the best books I've ever read! It pulls on your emotions in ways that you're not expecting; you feel joy, sadness, and very intense anger. You get to see the beautiful side of people, but you also get to see the ugly, vicious side of people.” Gloria Kessingeran (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Best series I have read! Don’t miss this 4 book series. I read countless books and these are my top 4… recommend to anyone who loves Grisham novels… Holms is a true story teller with a twist! Can you figure out the plot before the last page? Maybe——Maybe Not.” SBC (Amazon)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I'm a fan of William Holms for life.”

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

William Holms, a three-time national award winner author, was born on October 12, 1965 and grew up in Hitchcock, Texas – a small town south of Houston. A graduate of The University of Texas, where he received his undergrad in business, and Baylor University, where he attended law school, William Holms is a veteran trial and divorce attorney with over thirty years of experience in both the legal field and the study of the human condition—which always comes into play in the practice of law.
Inspired and sometimes unsettled by his observations surrounding cases, Holms channeled his background into his first award-winning suspense/thriller novel, The Killing of Faith. After the book received numerous awards and praise from all critics, William Holms followed up with The Beginning of Hope, The Fall of Grace, and The Rise and Fall of Ryan.

Reviews

[L. M. Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you do get what you deserve!

I didn't like the main character at all! Halfway through the book, I considered calling it quits and moving on to a newbook. It was such tedious reading. So much repetition.Faith was so.full of herself, that she was really getting on my nerves.She was so narcissistic....thought no man could resist her. I got tired of her pity party,but kept reading because I wanted to get to the BIG.TWIST at the end. That was the best part of the book! But it was hard work to drag through all the book for the ending.Faith by what she deserved.

[Carla Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I thought this book was a waste of my time. It is NOT a thriller. I was bored out of my mind through the whole book, chapter 55 through 59 got a little bit better, but not by much. The first 54 chapters is nothing but one of the main characters "Faith" doing nothing but being a whiny stupid unappreciated cow. Which in my opinion paints women into a bad light and makes the author come off as an egotistical jerk. The last 4 chapters that were a bit better the supposed twists weren't shocking. And the shocking ending wasn't shocking I had it figured out as soon has her last boyfriend Christian wouldn't sleep with her. Remembering the threat from her ex-husband from that point on I figured it out way before the ending. I have been In a mental and physically abuse relationship with a narcissistic man with border-line personality disorder. I know how conniving , vindictive, and how they will go to no ends to get what they want. So no not a surprise at all in the ending. Do not waste your time on this book. There are better reads out there, trust me.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this mind-blowing novel. It wasn’t full of mysteries, suspense or thrills. We are lead through the interesting life of a narcissist. And, boy, does she make a lot of mistakes. I am about 5 years older than the protagonist so I thoroughly enjoyed the references to all things in my generation. It made this book that much more delicious! And I’m glad there are sequels to this book. I really feel for Faith, and hope to continue along with her on her next journey in this novel series!

[Lynn Kearsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a "thriller" and not a "romance, more a character study

This story was about a totally selfish, self-seeking, woman who constantly sets herself up for failure because she depends on men t o make her her happy. Her husband is such a great guy, he will do anything for her except , he can't make her happy. She sets .upon a path of self destruction and it isonly when the circumstances of her life are the worst, she finally finds peace and love for another human being. This is the death of her self-centeredness and self-serving when she realises she had it all and she blew it a long time ago, but now her circumstances are such that her spirituality will be the only thing she has left, but will she at last find happiness?

[Jacquie Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from voracious readers only and this is my review.  What can I say about this book but WOW! In my opinion, definitely worth every 5 stars! From the very first page i was hooked, the story is so compelling I just could not put this book down. This story is a reminder of what can happen when you dont appreciate that someone who loves you that you have everything you need but you want more.  It opens your eyes and makes you realise how we take for granted the luxuries of everyday life but not appreciating what we have.  I think this is a brilliant book, I loved the storyline and writing style and the shocking twist at the end left me with my mouth open in disbelief.   I cannot wait to read the follow on book to this.

[claire martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't call this a suspense thriller.

I found the main character, Faith, completely unlikable. She's selfish, self centred and believes her looks will get her everything she wants.

I found the book a bit repetitive and unbelievable and found the 2nd half of the book a bit preachy with multiple references to God.

I did guess the twist at the end, which tied up the story nicely.

I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this suspense thriller. Faith is a beautiful woman who depends on the approval of men to make her feel loved. I enjoyed the fact that the story is told from the first person point of view. Faith tells her story and at times i felt sorry for her, other times I wanted to shake her. I loved the way the author keeps the suspense growing until the shocking ending. It will stay with you long after you have finished the story...…highly recommend. I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Conchita Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fastest book I've read in awhile.

I randomly met this author selling his book at a Saturday market and figured, why not? I was pleasantly surprised! I would give it 5 stars if it weren't for some blatant errors in editing. 5 stars for the story, 4 for some amatuer mistakes.

I look forward to the next!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! I really enjoyed this one. I HATED Faith for pretty much the entire book, she was horrible to everyone and never did anything for anyone unless it benefitted her in some way, until part three, even then it was touch and go. I didn't feel sorry for her, at all.

I can't wait to read the second one! Highly recommend.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/18/2021)! 🎁

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was wonderful.. it had spots that i was creeped out.. it was wonderfully written and interesting. the characters sucked me into their world as if i was a part of it and i felt like i could feel what they went through, i loved it

[Mrs E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review.
Chose this book mainly due to the reviews I had read and the promise of a twist at the end which no one had seen coming. They we all right...I didn't see it coming either!
I found Faith herself quite a difficult character to like, shallow and self-centred. The self-indulgence became a little tedious and I felt she lacked any depth at all. Her need to be loved and an object of desire gave an almost one-dimesional slant to the stortline. That said one can't help but feel sympathy for her situation.
Personally, I don't feel this book is in the same league as Stieg Larson as one reviewer stated but that's my opinion.

[Timea B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fresh suspense/thriller, you should look no further than “The Killing of Faith” by William Holms. This book will take you on a thrilling journey of the rise and fall of a woman.

It all starts and ends with Faith. The story, narrated in the first person by Faith herself, opens to a very grim but vague present setting. A setting that is periodically revisited throughout the chapters and which is in stark contrast to the past. She takes us back to her childhood and patiently goes through the main events of her life: engagement, marriage, motherhood.

Faith is the kind of beautiful girl that is well aware of her good looks and does not hold back from using this to her advantage. She finds little interest in school, instead, she prefers hanging out with her friends, shopping, and boys. One boy in particular. So, she enters into a tumultuous relationship that eventually leads her to drop out of school and move out from her parents’ place to a different city. Faith leaves everything for a man and a fresh start. But she doesn’t get either. Her dreams crumble and so does she. At least until another man walks into her life and she rebuilds herself through him. This becomes a pattern that repeats with some minor variation. Faith seems to have an innate drive to seek out completion in somebody else and this drives her to the edge of life.

The brilliant thing about the book is its growing suspense. And this suspense is a testament to the skills of William Holms. It all starts with the title, “The Killing of Faith”. So, naturally, the reader expects Faith to be killed at some point. But there are so many questions that arise: why? How? By whom? And as the pages of the book seem to run out and Faith is still very much alive, one starts to wonder if it will still actually happen or was it all just a ruse. This tense anticipation is the main driving force that keeps you flipping page after page.

This is not one of those books that get you hooked by a nurtured love for the main character, quite the contrary… yet the author manages to elicit feelings of sympathy and compassion for Faith as she is met with hardships. Also, her childish naiveté remains an endearing quality. The character carefully balances on the verge of a charicaturistic depiction of women and this is one of the elements that awaken such strong feelings of ambivalence toward her.

“The Killing of Faith” is a captivating read, but it is not a book for all ages, as there are some explicit scenes and vulgar language. What is more, the sequel is already in preparation by William Holms.

[Derek Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!!!;

Latey, I have ceased to comment on books with sex scenes, and I usually stop reading if I deem them excessive. But this book was sooooooooo interesting I simply skipped those parts and kept going. (There were some such scenes but they weren't constant.) The ending was so shocking that I desperately searched for more pages, only to find none. Absolutely no way anyone would see that coming!! It is a total surprise and an unbelievable horror. I really can't wait for the sequel. Truly, this plot is among the most unpredictable, brilliant of thrillers I have ever read!

[Sherry M Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

You never know where the story is going.

Faith, even as a young girl into her teenage years knows how to use her blonde, biue-eyed beauty to her advantage.She is shameless as she perused men, but her insecurities lead her to make rash decisions. Soon she finds that pouting and batting her eyes will not get her of the deadly jam she finds herself in. Will a past love be able to save her? A very nice twist at the end that I NEVER saw coming.

[Timothy Frandsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character Faith is a lot like some people of a certain generation. For the most part unlikeable. The author did a fantastic job! To be able to draw such strong emotions with a single person while being able to get people to finish reading it speaks to his ability to tell a story.
For those reasons I enjoyed the book. Art definitely drew from reality in this book.
This book was provided by Voracious Readers Only. It is an unbiased review by Timothy.

[Sarah Stenzhorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable

The plot was predictable; I’d figured it out about halfway through, even the surprise “twist” at the end. The author should consider hiring an editor - or at the very least, a proofreader. The grammar and spelling mistakes were atrocious . Overall, a good distraction on a long flight, but little more.

[Robert Ogle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers. It was a frustrating read. The last 10 pages are really exciting, but the previous 250+ getting there are not. Characterisation of the protagonist is good, but I felt I was being preached at for the second half of the book. There are quite a few grammar and proff-reading errors in the book, which also left me frustrated.

[Berylee Lay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Kindle version from Voracious Readers... Overall the book was good, I have to admit that if it wasn't for the little snippets hinting of a huge change to come, I might have given up halfway because Faith annoyed the hell out of me!
The second half was much better and the author does a great job of describing the what occurs (don't want to spoil the twist)
Definitely worth reading!

[Darcy Ellington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

He hates women. Faith is flawed but 55 years in a Thai prison? Never reading this author again, that is all.

[Roger Bigelow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time

The Killing of Faith was very amateurish and poorly written. The surprise ending wasn't worth the time to finish.
Good luck with your second book.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous!

Don't waste your 99 cents on this one! Its not worth 1cent! No plot, nothing but repetition, written for morons.

[gwen graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally mind blowing


What a completely unique mind blowing mind blowing story. The end completely was so entirely unexpected. In way I don't feel sorry for Faith.

[Julie Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
This book begins at the beginning of Faith's life. Faith was a beautiful child. Faith was a beautiful teenager. Faith is a beautiful woman. Faith uses her beauty throughout her life to get her own way.
Faith's story evolves and develops showing that she will do whatever she feels like and expects everyone else to go along with it.
After a disastrous relationship in her late teens, Faith meets and marries Ryan, a lawyer, and they have a perfect life. When they have a child, Ryan thinks that one is enough. Faith decides that another is required and gets pregnant again. Two is definitely enough, so she gets pregnant a third time. Whilst being a stay at home mum is enough when the children are little, she becomes bored as they grow and start school ,so she decides that Ryan is the problem and gets a divorce (all the while encouraged by her supposed best friend).
Ryan is devastated at losing custody of his children, especially as Faith spends a lot of time away from the kids, out with friends and meeting other men,. As Faith tries to make ends meet, her parents help bail her out with money to the point where they almost have to sell their house.
Then a particular man comes along - good looking, rich and an international businessman. When he invites Faith to accompany him for a short break in a plush resort in Thailand, Faith believes that this is where her life is going to get better and she will be with this lovely man forever.
Then things go spectacularly wrong leaving the reader on a roller coaster of emotions until the shocking twist at the end.
This was a great book and one pf the best I have read in a while.

[Squid Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult review to write, not because I didn't like the book, I did. It is more that there were parts that I really struggled with and there is a debate in my mind if these parts are enough to sway my verdict.

The good first - interesting story and well fleshed out characters. Every step that happened was a continuation of the previous steps, there wasn't anything that felt too out of character for anyone. I felt emotional invested in the MC story and I wanted to see how it would end up. The ending wrapped things up ready for the sequel. The depiction of an abused woman and the decisions she makes felt realistic.

The bad now - there is an element of misogyny in this book. It almost felt like we were leading up to 'she got what she deserved'. I am not saying the MC was in anyway a hero, but punishing someone for being damaged by an abusive relationship and making poor decisions rather than getting help feels wrong to me. We seemed to skate over the abuse and violence that the men did against her and instead focussed on her trauma and how it made her unworthy of love. However, I recognise I may have interpreted that wrong. It may be that it is the ex who is the villain and this will come out in the sequels. I also was not persuaded by the prison thing, a yoga mat and a Bible caused her to change her ways? After all that trauma? I wish it was that simple!

Overall? I am not sure that I will read the next ones in the series, I enjoyed this one (to a given value of enjoy), but I think my time with Faith and the gang is over.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tatjana · Rating 1 out of 5]

“The Killing of Faith” by William Holms was marketed as a thriller, but honestly, it was anything but. It is one of the first books that I just could not get myself to finish despite its promise to have a twist ending. The style of writing was challenging to embrace from the start, with the author's clumsy attempt at embodying a teenage girl's diary coming across as derogatory, uncomfortable, and even inappropriate. Not even the most narcissistic woman, and Faith is definitely on top of that list, would describe herself as "I'm fifteen, I have a cute and innocent face, soft curves, and straight, skinny legs." It feels much more like a man describing a woman he desires, which takes us down a slippery slope knowing that this is a grown man describing a teenage girl. The author also describes things that feel like mansplaining a lot and in my opinion, could be interpreted as undermining the reader's intelligence. Not something I want to feel like when enjoying a fiction book. Ideally, a fiction book should engage and challenge the reader, not make them feel undervalued. The sex scenes are clumsy and childishly written. I don't read a lot of spice, but this was a lukewarm milk spice level at best. The lead character, Faith, is so self-centered that it's difficult to root for her or be invested in her journey, even with a potential twist and I just could not justify spending more time reading to find out if she gets what she deserves.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Judith Trail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, the book ends with a shocking twist. However, it did not horrify me, as Faith, the protagonist, is a thoroughly dislikeable character and I actually felt she deserved what happened to her. If the prior account of her life in the novel held true to form, she would not learn anything from her fate and would continue making selfish, immature decisions. Faith is born beautiful: beautiful, but very stupid, as she never tries to rid herself of her ignorance in both formal learning or common sense. She wants a picture-perfect life, but when achieving that, she immediately begins to destroy it. She always attracts another man, and assumes that she actually fools them about her essentially hollow character. She does not care for her husband, Ryan, a good man. She thinks little of her babies as anything other than something to fill her time with, liking them more as helpless babies than as growing individuals. She is drawn to people that are as selfish as she is and is always disappointed. Her poor judgment, her longing for constant stimulation and adoration leads her to an exploitation she never saw coming. Her looks won't help her, nor will her tears nor will her false enlightenment. She gets her just deserts. Bye, bye, Faith. The writing is somewhat inexpert, and there is too much repetition. Maybe this would have been a better story if Faith was more calculatingly evil (she is just hapless) or a better woman.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book free from Voracious Readers.

2*, because - well, it was OK.

First, the pros. This was a fun read which I finished in a single evening. It's been a while since I've done that with a book, so that should say something about how compelling it is. The twist is quite clever and while I didn't 'see it coming', I was speculating that it was going to turn out the way it did.

The writing was OK. There are some tired cliches and grating uses of exclamation marks, and it got a bit repetitive at times. The first chapter deals with teenage relationships/sex, and made for quite uncomfortable reading at times - it could have been dealt with a lot more sensitively and carefully given the subject matter.

I have two main criticisms of this book. The first is that the main character is so, SO unlikeable. I realise that she's probably supposed to be, but it was too much - I found myself completely uninvested in what was happening to her because I was just so irritated by her constant bad decisions. For me, this detracted from the enjoyment of the story. The second is it that it got strangely moralising and preachy in the second half, which is jarring in a thriller. I entirely agree with the benefits of yoga and meditation, but I didn't feel that a thriller novel was the best place to propound them.

Overall - clunky writing, irritating protagonist and preachiness aside, it was a fun way to spend an evening, and it's definitely a page-turner.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I start a new book it's always thrilling. After a few chapters I try to follow the  way of thinking by the author and in my mind the story develops too. It'always exiting discovering whether I knew where the author went with the book or did I take, once again, take one, added one and come up with 5?

I was prepared for 2 options and I did not know which one I would have liked most. I most certainly was not prepared for this ending. It was shocking but oh so clever. :)

Now about the characters. I did not like Faith. I know you have to look out for number one, but every so often you have to step back and let someone else take center stage. For Faith it was only what she wanted that counted and even when she received everything she wanted, she even wanted more.

Ryan on the other hand was a very lovable person. He was a bit too good and should have said no more often. What do you do when you love someone so deeply though?

I really had no idea what the outcome was going to be, but it was genius that much I can say!

I was happy when Faith finally started seeing the light, but did she really or was she, once more, just saying words she thought people wanted to hear in order to better herself.

The author really knew how to keep my attention. 4,5 stars

Thank you

[Siobhan Leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Reviewed on goodreads and amazon UK.


So I had a few issues with the formatting esp the text messages going vertically down the page making it very difficult to read.

Currently at 66% through so thought I get my first thoughts down before the real twists and turns take hold.

So yes I think I've worked out where she is now (helped or hindered by my job in such a place) as to how she gets there I'm seeing hints at all sorts of past trauma that lead people to my place of work.

Faith is a normal girl who falls in love and truly believes in the American dream. So far with her story I can see strong correlations to what we all crave, love safety and stability. As her lufe progresses we see her mature and grow, be influenced by others in mch the same way as we all are in our own lives. At times I wants to shout at her, others just to hug her and says it's all going to be alright.

So I got the place she is slightly wrong but still houses many of the same people. But I'd worked out the twist. To be fair it did spoil it at all. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series