A Shred of Evidence

Seaport Suspense #1

by Kathy Herman

The first book in the Seaport Suspense series

Ellen Jones, first introduced in the Baxter series, is enjoying a leisurely lunch at a Seaport restaurant when she overhears a private conversation at the table next to her—and disturbing accusations involving the husband of a woman she has recently befriended. But as Ellen digs through old newspaper articles and stumbles onto information too frightening to keep to herself, will she become enmeshed in speculation and gossip—or will she take the lead and become a catalyst for truth and healing?

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2005

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

[Jayna Baas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thought-provoking story. I also found it unique in that there wasn’t really a case—but there was. Or was there? Some readers probably would have figured out the answers sooner, but I’m not a regular connoisseur of suspense, so I was happy to go along for the ride. At first I had a hard time getting engaged, but the next night I stayed up way too late to find out whodunnit. There actually wasn’t much violence at all, but plenty of tension and nasty allegations handled in a way that didn’t leave me feeling “icky.” The Christian themes were not shy, and almost every storyline led back to the main moral, but it was well written and felt more like “people learning lessons in small-town America” than “author beating the reader over the head with a moral.” All in all, I enjoyed it quite a bit and would recommend it—maybe not for young readers due to said allegations, but for older Christian readers who like character relationships and mild suspense.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is only the second Kathy Herman I have read and both books have packed a punch. Unlike most stories, this isn't a romance, this is about people who get caught up in a mystery and how they deal with it (this book focuses mainly on two married couples). I am looking forward the the next book.

Best thing about this book? The message really got me thinking.

[Eliza Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many different perspectives right at the beginning that it felt hard to get into. But that only lasted a short time. Soon I couldn’t put it down! This book was so exciting. Some terrible things could have (and maybe did) happen, but it still managed to have a happy ending. I loved that. I loved the romance between the older married couple and the younger married couple going through hard times. I loved the faith themes and lessons. I loved the bits of humor. I would recommend this book. Ages 15+ because of alleged child abuse, sad situations, and a kidnapping.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a page turner, Kathy Herman's fictional book A Shred of Evidence does not disappoint readers as she carefully tells the story of the explosion of gossip in small town Seaport. Throughout the novel, Herman continues to develop her characters with many complexities and reveals more and more of their hearts, motives, and how seemingly small conversations can have big, lasting impact. I could not put this down and I read it over the course of two days (a rarity for me). One of the strongest points of this book is that it does not merely entertain, but it gets you to really think about the consequences of gossip and how faith in God can really change things for the better. Stating that gossip is harmful is one thing, but showing what it can do through down-to-earth characters in a gripping story is quite another. This would be a great book to read with a group to discuss. I highly recommend this novel to anyone wanting an enjoyable read who doesn't mind learning some valuable lessons along the way.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. As much as I enjoyed the storyline I did not enjoy the referencing to god and prayer, found it repeatative. the book jacket did not disclose that the book had a religious story. love how the first few chapters made reference to the problems but made you read to find out what had happened, this sucked me in.

[Floor tussendeboeken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het verhaal was wel oké, maar ik vond het een beetje sloom lezen. Ik voelde de spanning te weinig

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the book started out a little slowly. I felt at times in order to develop the characters, there was quite a bit of repetition. However, then the turning point came about a third of the way in. Then I understood the need to take that time.

But what I really enjoyed about this book is the theme of gossip, how it doesn't reflect God's vision for our lives and He commands us to refrain from it. Living in a very small town, gossip runs rampant, and at times it hurts an individual or family. I've had a few conversations about the impact of gossip because of this book. If I hadn't read this novel, I wouldn't have talked to my sophomores about a rumor that was spreading. Hopefully, it made them think.

I'm now reading the second book in the series, and because I know the characters (and I am meeting new ones), I see the reason for the character development.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you hear gossip, do you believe it and then continue to share it? Have you ever thought that maybe it’s not true? This mystery is based on hearsay and gossip or is it truth? Do we believe it? It sure sounds convincing. Is some of it true or just blown out of proportion? Deciding what’s the truth and what’s not is just the beginning of this great mystery.

The author did a great job with the plot and the characters. I loved the characters. But who can you believe? You might be surprised. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

This book has no bad language, no sex scenes, has a wonderful Christian message about not gossiping and spreading lies and just trusting the Lord and leaving it to Him.

[Mary Steeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book appears to be written for a Christian audience as it continues many biblical references. I would recommend it for a Bible study group. That element strongly influenced my rating. I also felt it had too many characters. I didn't think it was necessary to have 5 or 6 law enforcement characters. Otherwise, it's not a bad read.

[Jen L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was ok. Not very believable as life just doesn't end up so tidy. Someone left this at my house and it was a quick read. Didn't realize it was a Christian fiction book, but I mostly skipped over those parts.

[Carmeloo1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I worked out quite early on in the story about the whereabouts of Sarah-Beth, I enjoyed this book and especially the very important message in it.
Frightening how one person running their mouth off can affect an entire community.

[Patsy McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gossip can destroy people. Kathy Herman has written a wonderful book on how destructive a little whisper of gossip can be and how it snowballs out of control.
Started and finished this book in 1 day!!

[Christina Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read this author great read

[Jessica Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Figured this one out pretty quickly. But the message was good— definitely not your typical suspense novel.

[Elizabeth Eash · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line is there, but there's a lack of details in all the conversations that makes it hard to "feel" the story.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into it. Stopped after chapter 5. Back cover says something about 'what's concern and what's gossip" - think that's why I didn't enjoy it.

[Jacqueline Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Perrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the harm that gossip can do in the small town of Seaport. Suspicion condemns a couple before they can even defend themselves. And then their daughter disappears during the night.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been quite a while since I read this series but I loved it. Yes it is a Christian book no apology for that great story, read them all.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok...first one I've read by this author but not sure I will seek any of her other's out. The premise is good, but did leave me feeling frustrated that some of the same things were repeated so often in the book.

Ellen Jones and her husband, Guy are barely settled in their new home in Seaport, Florida when Ellen meets a depressed young woman Julie Hamilton and her two year old daughter Sarah Beth. While at a dinner, Ellen overhears 2 people saying that Julie's husband Ross is guilty of child abuse. Ellen reports this conversation to the local police as she begins to worry about Sarah Beth being in that kind of situation. As things rapidly go downhill for Julie and her family...Ellen becomes more and more involved in their lives and continues to push the police regarding her thinking that Ross is indeed not only a child abuser, but maybe a murder. The story line takes you up and down many hills before coming to an end...but the moral of the story is: "don't believe everything you hear."

[Viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlights the stark reality of the damage gossip can cause. I realise how powerful words are - not only those we speak, but also those we listen to! Gossip comes cloaked in many guises, but it's funtion is always the same: to pass on information that the recipient doesn't need to hear, and which most often results in diminishing the person being talked about.
Some tips from the authors notes at the end of the book:
Gossip produces bad fruit. The best way to avoid being seduced by gossip is to run from it - to refuse to listen.
One of the greatest acts of love we can offer each other is respecting each others boundaries by praying for people & giving them the space to be imperfect and the Lord space to work.
The words we choose can be immensely powerful. Use them to build up the kingdom of God, not tear down those He created.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This ham-handed morality tale moves slowly and introduces a parade of stock characters who interact clumsily with terrible dialogue. The author liked several of her little conversation jokes so well that she used them twice. Or maybe she was artfully showing the reader how, at our core, we're really all the same.

However, if you like your sermons disguised as books and peopled with roundabout characters and conversation - then ham-handed Herman is the author for you.

If you really want suspense, find a cozy mystery. This is really not a novel so much as an extended example of what goes wrong when you commit the terrible crime of gossip.

Amen.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting spin on Christian fiction. I appreciated the attempt to tackle meaty and gritty issues of modern life. The commentary about gossip and its damaging effects was poignant and well done. I did see the resolution to the mystery about halfway through the novel. I also felt the jumps from character to character were too frequent, making the book feel somewhat choppy. An interesting read.

[JoAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but I am a little tired of reading so much of the same characters that were in the Baxter series. I was hoping Ellen and Guy wold be more background characters but they weren't and it doesn't look like they will be in the second book either. Not sure how much more I'll read if it's mainly a out the same characters over and over. But I did like the story in this book and would recommend it if you like books with the same main characters.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new series for me. I plan to read all the "A Seaport Suspense" written by Kathy Herman. This first book had an undercurrent of gossip and how gossip can hurt people. This author presented the story in a way that really made the reader think. The characters were true-to-life. I look forward to reading more books written by this author.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like all Kathy's books, I know I'm going to love this series. The main character is Ellen and she was in the Baxter series, but now she has moved to Seaport, Florida with her husband, Guy. She's does not work at a newspaper any more, but that doesn't keep her from getting involved in mysteries. I love the underlying theme of the book which is gossip which is so hurtful.

[Connie Dickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very nice Christian mystery. I have really enjoyed it. It's basis was a horrible experience for a couple when untrue rumors abounded and their little daughter disappears. It is quite the piece of work. I am looking forward to the other three.

[Erin Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gossip is anything negative said about a third party, who is not present. This book is an excellent example of how seemingly harmless gossip can hurt others. It served as a warm reminder that by praying for those who irritate us, our hearts may soften to love them.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book about gossip and what it can do. I grew really annoyed with the Ellen when she continually assume the worst about somebody she didn't know. I enjoyed it and was glad it all worked out in the end. It was a suspenseful book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

great!