Chat Room

Teri Blake-Addison #2

by Linda Hall

When Glynis Piggot's only friend, Kim, disappears after meeting a Christian man on the Internet, Glynis withdraws from life and from her church, seeking companionship online. Private investigator Teri Blake-Addison, hired to find Kim by the grieving Glynis, begins to show her own stripes as a loner in her second intricately layered mystery novel, traveling from Maine to Texas instead of helping her husband with their move to a new house. Could there be a bizarre connection between both women - Glynis and Kim - and one shameless con man? And why does Teri take this dangerous case so personally?
Do You Know Who Your Friends Are?
Lonely, nervous Glynis Piggot hires Teri to find her only friend, who disappeared after meeting a man on the Internet. Soon a simple missing persons case leads to a suspected cult compound, a hostage crisis, and a ritual murder--echoes from Teri's own past on the police force. This threat may be closer to home than she realized...

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

I write mystery novels and short stories. So far I have 20 in print - with more coming. My newest mystery series begins with Night Watch and introduces my new series character, boat captain Em Ridge.

Other series include the Corporal Roger Sheppard mysteries, The Teri Blake-Addison PI thrillers and the Fog Point mysteries, as well as a number of romantic suspense novels and short stories.

For information about sales, new releases, contests, plus a 'free' short story, I'd love for you to sign up for my newsletter: writerhall.com/newsletter

I grew up near the coast in New Jersey, and it was there that my love of the ocean was nurtured. I married a Canadian and have lived in Canada ever since - well, actually, I have lived in three countries: the U.S., Canada and for a short stint - Taiwan.

I hope you enjoy my books.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Linda Hall book. The more I read, the more I wanted to keep reading. The topic is a timeless one, yes, in different ways such things could have happened before computers...but all the more today. I know folk who have been scammed. It is a tragedy one cannot recover from.

This is a great whodunit taking us to various locations. This is always fun. And that it was told from more than one perspective which filled in holes often left open.

I felt, though, that the book ended rather abruptly. I think adding one more chapter, maybe two would have left readers more satisfied...especially resolving Kim's issue in the main story instead of in the epilogue.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This book was okay. Not my favorite. The plot had promise, but then it failed to deliver. I also felt like the book was overly preachy, which isn't my cup of tea. I felt like it jumped around and there were times when information was added that didn't add to the story or plotline. I ended up skimming most of the parts, just because I was curious to how she would wrap it up- and that wasn't worth it much either. The ending felt rushed and almost like an afterthought.

[Parkland Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇨🇦 CANADIAN AUTHOR 🇨🇦

I own many Linda Hall paperback books and I read them years prior to beginning my Goodreads account in 2017. I just added them all to Goodreads in 2023 because I’ve been doing an inventory of all the books I own.

I do not have specific dates read—or even which years I read them in. I know that I loved them all. I strongly recommend her books.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit dated, but a cautionary reminder as relevant in 2020, if not more so in this online world.

The story kept my interest from start to finish. The ending wrapped a little too suddenly, but I wasn’t unsatisfied. I enjoyed this quick read.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story which plenty of surprises plus a clear Christian message

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this series after many years. I wish author would write more in the series!

[Ashleigh Heagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Lots of characters that went nowhere.

[E. M. ~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off so slowly, I almost didn’t finish it. I wasn’t really interested until around page 120. Turned out well though.

[Stephanie Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a good read.

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teri Blake-Addison is a former cop turned private investigator. When she accepts an assignment to locate a missing woman, she has no idea how closely it will tie in with the case that made her quit the police force: the one the media dubbed "The King James Murders."

The missing woman, Kim Shock, is the sister of Barry Shock, who murdered four teenage girls before killing himself. Kim had moved on from her brother's death, and become a lawyer. Kim's friend, Glynis, hasn't heard from her since she went away with a man she met online.

While Teri investigates, Glynis is falling for the leader of an online ministry. Readers can see how manipulative he is, but Glynis sees only what she wants to see.

Along with a well-constructed mystery, we have the story of Glynis: will she pierce the deception, and will she discover her potential or draw even further into her online world? We also have Teri, her older husband, and her struggle to find a place in his world.

I always enjoy Linda Hall's mysteries. Her characters and descriptions make them feel real. The King James Murders is an updated version of her previous novel, Chat Room, reflecting the changes to online communication since the first version was published in 2003.

This is book 2 in the Teri Blake-Addison Mysteries series. Book 1 is Steal Away , and while you don't need to read it to appreciate The King James Murders, it's also a good read.

Linda Hall is an award-winning author whose novels often feature a connection to the sea. She has written a number of Christian suspense stories and has recently published a mainstream mystery, Night Watch , book 1 in the Em Ridge Mystery series. For more about Linda Hall and her novels, visit writerhall.com.

[Review copy provided by the author.]

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Teri Blake series. Teri is an x-cop turned private eye. A member of her church asks her to find Kim a friend who is missing; after she went off and met with someone she was talking to on-line.

It was fascinating and scary for me the world of the Chat room generation who feel more comfortable getting to know each other on-line instead of in person. It is easier for them to type to people than actually talk to them face to face. The problem is you never really know who is typing in the keyboard.

This is an engaging read filled with twists and turns. At times it is a bit edgy. This is a good summer read and one that will bring lively discussion to your book club.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Linda Hall novel. I've also read Margaret's Peace and Steal Away. This was an excellent book and really brings home the dangers that can be found on the internet if a person isn't discerning and careful of the sites and and people they connect with. I love Linda Hall'a books and can't wait to read her other books.

[Nikole Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is addicted to chat rooms and the computer, needs to read this fiction piece. It is a suspense novel, and makes a very good point about the deceptiveness of internet sites, chat rooms, and internet relationships.

[Kim]

This a good book. About Glynis Piggot she Teri to find her only friend, who disappeared after meeting a man on the Internet. Soon a simple missing persons case leads to a suspected cult compound, a hostage crisis, and a ritual murder--echoes from Teri's own past on the police force.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The computer can be a good thing or it can be a terrible thing. Glynnis found that for her friend a meeting on the internet ended in death. She hires Teri, a P.I., to find out what happened.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but slow in parts. It's about getting involved with people that you get to know in chat room on internet - not a good thing!!

[Lorell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the character of Terry and the suspense in this book!

[Sheila]

awesome read thought I knew who was the unknown mystery man but a few times was shown up. Great book

[Annie Schuler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christian author penned a suspenseful plot. I thought it was an “eye opening” story with today’s social media platforms.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it!

[JanetW · Rating 4 out of 5]

good reminder not to get so involved with technical gadgets ~ God created humans for humans (well for God himself first then humans)