The Chase

Jill Lewis Trilogy #1

by Susan Wales, Robin Shope

Jill Lewis is known to her colleagues in Washinton, D.C., as a tough investigative reporter - someone who pulls out all the stops to expose the political underworld of Captiol Hill. But when she breaks what should be the biggest story of her life, Jill is bewildered to find herself out of a job and sent packing. Returning to her hometown of Delavan, Wisconsin, to lick her wounds, she must settle for work at the town's small weekly newspaper.

Jill is afraid the very tameness of her new life will be enough to send her over the edge. But the former Washinton Gazette star soon finds herself cought up in a chilling race to uncover the evidence that will help her reclaim her job, preserve her family's reputation, and save her life. The Chase is on, and Jill can't afford to lose.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Mystery Thriller, Politics, Journalism

365 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole book centers around Jill Lewis and how she takes notice of things happening around her. It is alright I suppose, but you never see what others are thinking around her. However I did enjoy the mystery of trying to figure out what happened to her dad and his death. I am looking forward to the next volume (Jill Lewis, #2) when I come upon it.

[Lonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, we have book 2 and 3 in the library. They looked good, so I ordered the first one from ILL. I was in the 2nd chapter when I realized that I've read this book before. I decided to finish it anyway, because I couldn't remember how it ended. It's not the best writing in the world, but the story was okay.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a romantic suspense/thriller with Christian themes. I enjoyed it very much, and the mystery kept me guessing and turning the page. Set in Delavan, Wisconsin, where I spent many a summer, it was fun to read about places and settings I've actually been in. Kudos to the authors for mentioning my father's store, the Ben Franklin!

[Cheryl Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wavered between two and three stars for this book. It had enough plot to keep me reading it, but some of it was just unbelievable. Jill Lewis, an investigative reporter, is on a mission to prove an illegal adoption scheme by a politician. Her family becomes involved, as well as the FBI. Her life is in danger because of the power of the politician (a possible presidential candidate). Jill moves back to her hometown in Wisconsin when she is blacklisted in Washington, DC. There she writes for the local paper under the supervision of Craig, someone she has chemistry with. There was almost teenage angst emotion at times. Seemed a bit strange for a 30 something year old to harbor. The one different theme you do not see often was Christianity. It was nice to find out that Jill was making her way back to God and putting faith in his mission.

[Carrie DelaPena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Selection of the month for book club. I really did not like this book. The main character was a successful investigative reporter in D.C., yet she jumped to conclusions and was very immature. Her level of believability dropped to zero for me SPOILER as soon as she started to plan her wedding to David when she got fired. All of the conversations in the book felt stilted and I felt like I was reading a bad Hallmark movie. I have more to say about this book but it's all negative.

The one positive I can add is that last month's book was terribly gruesome (Triptych) and this one was not. I am grateful for that.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chase is book 1 in a 3 book series that doesn't shy away from the author's Christian beliefs.

Jill Lewis finds herself unable to defend her latest breaking news story when the publisher accepts the word of the FBI without letting Jill defend herself. Out of a job and having to move back home to Delavan Wisconsin from Washington DC is a big step down and fitting into a small weekly newspaper provides some challenges that are quite humorous at times.

Interesting characters and plenty of plot twists and a bit of romance to keep everything moving quickly.

[Lyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT
The main character is annoying. She falls in love with a guy she just met. She makes fun of him for wearing glasses, as they are so unattractive according to her, her sister and her mother. She’s buys a dog for the guy she thinks she is in love with, not even knowing if he likes dogs. She assumes he is in a relationship without asking. The only saving grace of this book is the ending and finding out who her boss really is. I may give the next book in series a chance, but if it doesn’t start out better than this one, I don’t know if I can stand her enough to get through it.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't believe i finished it

Our heroine is subject to flights of fantasy, or possibly illusions of grandeur. Certainly bad judgment and conflicting thoughts and actionsforms her random decisions. Things happen "suddenly"...the most used word in the book. I cannot recommend this book to anyone unable to suspend rational thought.

[Lynn K Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best mysteries I’ve ever read...surprise around every corner. Don’t miss reading this wonderful, intriguing story

It will keep you guessing throughout the entire book. Have you laughing then have you in tears.I’ve never read this author before, but am waiting to read book 2 in this series.

[Carolyn S. Brunsdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chase

This story had good bones but lacked the fleshing out it needed. Lots of good moments lots of disconnect lots of potential. The story picked up at 82%. I would suggest a rewrite using most of this tale as an outline.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jill is supposed to be 30 years old. She loses her job and the first thing she does is to start planning her wedding. She goes home and immediately believes she is in love with her boss. This character is too immature for her age. Not believable.

[Julie Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Very fast moving

and action packed book. New author for me but will look for more books from this author.

[Nikolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

Characters are interesting. Mystery lines are solid. I suspected one of the good guys. Ending was unexpected yet not undesired

[Sue Giddings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great page turning mystery

So enjoyed this book! The characters were well developed and the story line well defined. I could not put it down! Will look for others by this author.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had my attention

Suspense, politics, romance, intrigue, family. This book had it all. I recommend it for anyone who wants a clean, entertaining read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Kept me wondering till the end...likeable characters, though flawed. Definitely recommend!!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK plot but sometimes the character interaction is stilted.

[Ed Boring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun to read!

[Deborah Westfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Christian Fiction

This story has it all! What a great story! The characters, the settings, the plot...great! Highly recommended. Clean romance, fast paced...a must read!

[Mary]

In this romantic thriller for the Christian market, an unlikable protagonist and numerous cliches mar the story of a journalist who "had traded her own relationship with God for a hot career, but... seemed to be getting burned in the process." When investigative reporter Jill Lewis breaks a soon-discredited story about a high-powered U.S. senator who's brokering illegal adoptions, she loses her boyfriend, David, her job on the Washington Gazette and her reputation. Fleeing to her mother's estate in Wisconsin, Jill takes a job writing obituaries for the local paper. Back in Washington, her source commits suicide-or was he murdered? Her own father's death a year ago also begins to appear suspicious. Could her father's "accident" and immense wealth be tied to the senator's nefarious activities? Well, yes-and it's a giant stretch for the reader to believe it.

All the tired cliches are present-big city girl returns home to small town, said girl is trapped in a snowstorm overnight with her love interest, etc. The plot developments are predictable and often unbelievable, the romance inevitable. The mandatory CBA conversion scene lacks conviction, and Jill's subsequent spiritual awakening feels inauthentic. The brand-name clothing and accessories could stock a Marshall Field's warehouse.

[Barbara Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book

I would have given it 3 1/2 rating if it were available before I. There were moments when the writing showed depth and other times when the words used in a sentence were high schoolish. I feel like the author struggled to keep the story line, romance and mystery portions afloat but in the end things came together.

[Angela F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jill, an investigative reporter, was ready for her big story to break. Next thing she knows, she is fired, her boyfriend dumps her, and she’s back home living at her moms house. She picks up a small job at a local paper, while still investigating the big story. Her discoveries are surprising and personal.

[Cathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, awful, awful. Everything that is formulaic and thin and that gives the genre a bad name.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

New author for me - like her style and element of mystery.

[RUTH A. KIPP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Don't miss this book. 100 percent five star exciting mystery

Hope there are more books like this e coming soon

[Sergio Alonso Méndez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una reportera de un diario grande que se ve obligada a serlo en un periódico pequeño local, pero no se da por vencida.

[Michelle T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is ok... I need to read more of her books so I can really see how much I like it... will see.

[R.A. Graves]

I can't help but think that a christian fiction book called The Chase might have missed out on the larger implication of God's pursuit to seek and save the lost. As far as pursuits and chases go, the Christian aspect of this book came in a distant third, behind political thriller, which was behind love story.
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