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Double Minds
The young girl with the Bohemian style was on the floor where she’d fallen, between Parker's computer case and her file cabinet. She wore a long, flowing skirt—lavender, the color of calm—and camel-colored Uggs. She lay on her back, her long, wavy blonde hair matted with blood. For struggling singer/songwriter Parker James, the music business has just turned deadly. Her desk in the reception area of a busy recording studio has become a crime scene, and Parker finds herself drawn into a mystery where nothing is as it seems. Unraveling the truth puts her own life at risk when she uncovers high-level industry corruption and is terrorized by a menacing stalker. As the danger escalates, Parker begins to question her dreams, her future, and even her faith. Double Minds is a double treat—combining a compelling suspense novel with an inside look at the world of the Christian music industry in Nashville. Terri Blackstock grabs readers at page one and keeps them riveted until the final plot twist is untangled.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
327 people are currently reading
1480 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
90 books5,574 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
August 25, 2020
Wonderful Christian Mystery
Two of my favorite genres together. I love Christian fiction and suspenseful mystery. Great characters and a mystery I never guessed.
Two of my favorite genres together. I love Christian fiction and suspenseful mystery. Great characters and a mystery I never guessed.
July 2, 2020
I enjoyed this story. Maybe if I have read it when it was published I would have rated it higher, but I’ve read almost all of the author’s recent works which I found a lot stronger.
I struggled to really like Harper. She really lived out her Christianity and always tried to do what she felt would be the Christian thing to do, though some of her decisions I felt she was being a push-over/stomping mat for others. I adored Daniel and wished there was more of a story with him.
The suspense was ok. It was more suspenseful towards the end of the book and the revelation of the murderer were not surprising.
There was a lot of scripture references which I loved - there was no confusion that this was Christian fiction. The part with the Christian mediator was also interesting and something I never knew existed.
I struggled to really like Harper. She really lived out her Christianity and always tried to do what she felt would be the Christian thing to do, though some of her decisions I felt she was being a push-over/stomping mat for others. I adored Daniel and wished there was more of a story with him.
The suspense was ok. It was more suspenseful towards the end of the book and the revelation of the murderer were not surprising.
There was a lot of scripture references which I loved - there was no confusion that this was Christian fiction. The part with the Christian mediator was also interesting and something I never knew existed.
March 19, 2022
2.25⭐️
This was a big miss for me...
It feels very much like the TV show Nashville and even has a well known sketchy music tycoon named Jeff.
Brenna is shot at work-during a shift that she wasn’t even scheduled to work. Now Parker, the woman who was supposed to have been working that night, and her homicide detective brother try to sort out all the lies and deception from everyone involved to find the true killer.
All of this is happening while Parker and her BFF try to make it in the music industry.
Meh 🤷🏼♀️
This was a big miss for me...
It feels very much like the TV show Nashville and even has a well known sketchy music tycoon named Jeff.
Brenna is shot at work-during a shift that she wasn’t even scheduled to work. Now Parker, the woman who was supposed to have been working that night, and her homicide detective brother try to sort out all the lies and deception from everyone involved to find the true killer.
All of this is happening while Parker and her BFF try to make it in the music industry.
Meh 🤷🏼♀️
April 20, 2009
This book was ok, but may have tried to tackle too many topics along with the suspense. Eating disorders, alchoholism, stalking, theft of songs, and the world of music production all present...just didn't quite handle it all as well as some of her other books. If this becomes a series, perhaps, the characters will become more lifelike and less like poster children for a cause.
December 12, 2011
Terri Blackstock is a phenomenal writer. I've read and been captivated by many of her books. Her Cape Refuge series is amazing and worth reading multiple times.
I must admit, however, that Double Minds fell short of her traditional writing abilities. As much as I strove to like and be drawn into the book, it never happened. The characters were too basic, the danger element was too mellow, and the story line wasn't intriguing. I know - not her norm. I put the book down multiple times for weeks on end because it failed to keep my interest.
I did learn a lot about my own writing from reading Double Minds, though. Most importantly I learned the great need of maintaining the reader's interest and developing a complex enough story line and series of characters that the reader wants to engage with and learn more about them. I am going to spend the next month rereading my mystery novel that is in progress to see if I have follow off the wagon in any of these areas.
Reading is such a wonderful thing when you are a writer. Not only do you get to escape from your own world of writing, you also get to learn from the works of others, even if that is not the works' primary purpose.
Happy reading.
I must admit, however, that Double Minds fell short of her traditional writing abilities. As much as I strove to like and be drawn into the book, it never happened. The characters were too basic, the danger element was too mellow, and the story line wasn't intriguing. I know - not her norm. I put the book down multiple times for weeks on end because it failed to keep my interest.
I did learn a lot about my own writing from reading Double Minds, though. Most importantly I learned the great need of maintaining the reader's interest and developing a complex enough story line and series of characters that the reader wants to engage with and learn more about them. I am going to spend the next month rereading my mystery novel that is in progress to see if I have follow off the wagon in any of these areas.
Reading is such a wonderful thing when you are a writer. Not only do you get to escape from your own world of writing, you also get to learn from the works of others, even if that is not the works' primary purpose.
Happy reading.
June 4, 2023
2.5🌟It feels so good to finally finish this book. It definitely would have gotten 2 stars if not for the action packed, very unexpected ending. It just took me way to long to get into it and I was bored basically the whole time. I think if I would have been in the mood for this while reading it, it would have gotten a higher rating. I would recommend this if you want a super chill mystery with just a tiny bit of romance😊😊
August 20, 2013
Throughout the first half of this book, I thought it was going to be my least favorite Terri Blackstock book. But at some point, it took a deeper turn for me, and I really started to like it a lot more.
There are some deep themes in this story, and I think Ms. Blackstock does a pretty good job of exploring them. In the forefront, the question of music; for whom is it written, for what purpose? Is it for personal glory, fame, or monetary gain? Can a Christian make a deal with the devil (sign a contract) and not lose her soul in the process?
I happen to hold the highly unusual opinion that music was created by God, and for worship. In this story it is compared with any other occupation, the notion put forth that a Christian can work in many secular settings without a stumble. In many occupations, that is true and we are called of God to be in the world but not of it. But I don't agree in the case of music because I think it has too great an effect on our souls. It does pull us into worship; the question being, worship of what? Writing secular songs and performing them for fame and profit is at least meaningless, and at worst, blasphemous. And in my own experience I have seen Christians come to ruin by thinking they could manage the intense temptations abounding in this subculture. When you think you are strong, you are at the greatest risk to fall, and all for what purpose?
The other theme explored, to a lesser extent, is Christian mediation for conflict resolution between brothers (or sisters as the case may be). I was impressed that the author brought this in. A worthy topic in and of itself. I would love to see her write another book with this as the main theme. It is not heard often enough, that we are not to comform ourselves to the pattern of this world, or that we should rather be wronged or defrauded before having lawsuits with one another. This is just basic Christianty but in our culture would come across as radical and fringe.
As a side note, I listened to this book, and she is not my favorite reader. Many characters are read in an extremely whining way that tends to grate. But the writing was not to blame.
There are some deep themes in this story, and I think Ms. Blackstock does a pretty good job of exploring them. In the forefront, the question of music; for whom is it written, for what purpose? Is it for personal glory, fame, or monetary gain? Can a Christian make a deal with the devil (sign a contract) and not lose her soul in the process?
I happen to hold the highly unusual opinion that music was created by God, and for worship. In this story it is compared with any other occupation, the notion put forth that a Christian can work in many secular settings without a stumble. In many occupations, that is true and we are called of God to be in the world but not of it. But I don't agree in the case of music because I think it has too great an effect on our souls. It does pull us into worship; the question being, worship of what? Writing secular songs and performing them for fame and profit is at least meaningless, and at worst, blasphemous. And in my own experience I have seen Christians come to ruin by thinking they could manage the intense temptations abounding in this subculture. When you think you are strong, you are at the greatest risk to fall, and all for what purpose?
The other theme explored, to a lesser extent, is Christian mediation for conflict resolution between brothers (or sisters as the case may be). I was impressed that the author brought this in. A worthy topic in and of itself. I would love to see her write another book with this as the main theme. It is not heard often enough, that we are not to comform ourselves to the pattern of this world, or that we should rather be wronged or defrauded before having lawsuits with one another. This is just basic Christianty but in our culture would come across as radical and fringe.
As a side note, I listened to this book, and she is not my favorite reader. Many characters are read in an extremely whining way that tends to grate. But the writing was not to blame.
January 11, 2019
Wow -- riveting! And so much more than a suspense. There's even a bit of sweet romance in this compelling novel. I hardly know where to start my review!
The suspense is clever and well-paced as it almost languidly unfolds until the nail-biting, pulse-racing conclusion! And along the way, Blackstock explores the intriguing world of the Christian music industry. Totally fascinating! And emotionally draining. And infuriating. And devastating. And...there are so many layers to this novel it's a bit mind-boggling!
At the heart of it all are some hard questions about faith and purpose and temptation. About who holds the power in our lives and how personal desires can usurp divine authority with disastrous results.
I'm gobsmacked! Enthralled. The kind of story that lingers long after you've reached the end. Happy, contented sigh. :-)
The suspense is clever and well-paced as it almost languidly unfolds until the nail-biting, pulse-racing conclusion! And along the way, Blackstock explores the intriguing world of the Christian music industry. Totally fascinating! And emotionally draining. And infuriating. And devastating. And...there are so many layers to this novel it's a bit mind-boggling!
At the heart of it all are some hard questions about faith and purpose and temptation. About who holds the power in our lives and how personal desires can usurp divine authority with disastrous results.
I'm gobsmacked! Enthralled. The kind of story that lingers long after you've reached the end. Happy, contented sigh. :-)
November 17, 2011
I know a lot of people really like Terri Blackstock and I do also, but most of her novels only rate a 3-4 with me. They are called suspense, but to me that is a book you cannot put down. This was a good book, but not a "cannot lay aside" so rates a 4. I do like that her books are really christian and clean. Was interesting to read the ccm take. I loved the protagonist, but had figured the murderer out which I usually cannot do.
February 2, 2024
I think this was one of my favorites I’ve read by her!
March 10, 2024
Double Minds is the first book I have read by Terri Blackstock but it most definitely will not be the last.
My mom read the book before I did and I made her tell me all about it (because I didn’t intend on reading it) so I pretty much knew the gist of the story before even starting the book. I don’t know how but, even with knowing what I already knew, I got completely sucked into this book and was still surprised by its twist and turns. I read it in around 20 hours…
Not only was I captivated by the mystery of the story but I was also touched by how well the author incorporated faith into the book. Through Parker’s story, Terri Blackstock encouraged readers to stay strong in their faith and live their lives wholly for the glory of God.
I also liked the minor romance in the book and would still encourage those who don’t want any romance to read it because it is so minor… literally only a few lines in the whole book.
Overall, I am giving this book 3 stars.
God bless,
Kaya :)
My mom read the book before I did and I made her tell me all about it (because I didn’t intend on reading it) so I pretty much knew the gist of the story before even starting the book. I don’t know how but, even with knowing what I already knew, I got completely sucked into this book and was still surprised by its twist and turns. I read it in around 20 hours…
Not only was I captivated by the mystery of the story but I was also touched by how well the author incorporated faith into the book. Through Parker’s story, Terri Blackstock encouraged readers to stay strong in their faith and live their lives wholly for the glory of God.
I also liked the minor romance in the book and would still encourage those who don’t want any romance to read it because it is so minor… literally only a few lines in the whole book.
Overall, I am giving this book 3 stars.
God bless,
Kaya :)
January 18, 2018
Whew! I can't imagine dealing with all the stress that Parker had to go through.
It's hard enough dealing with an anorexic friend and trying to make it in the music industry. Then an intern at the studio where Parker works is killed, at Parker's desk, during a time when Parker should have been the one there. Was she actually the target?
I didn't suspect . I liked the honest discussions of Christians and the struggle Parker went through with how to deal with , as well as whether or not to .
It also was nice that this book wasn't quite as heart-pounding for me as the other similar books have been, since I have had long stretches when I couldn't read it :)
It's hard enough dealing with an anorexic friend and trying to make it in the music industry. Then an intern at the studio where Parker works is killed, at Parker's desk, during a time when Parker should have been the one there. Was she actually the target?
I didn't suspect . I liked the honest discussions of Christians and the struggle Parker went through with how to deal with , as well as whether or not to .
It also was nice that this book wasn't quite as heart-pounding for me as the other similar books have been, since I have had long stretches when I couldn't read it :)
April 28, 2020
I really like Blackstock's books, but this one fell a bit short. It was a good story line, the music business etc. But the mystery was weak, and not defined with a true reason for the killer. Thought the author weakly wrapped it up.
April 27, 2022
3 stars because I felt Parker was kind of dumb sometimes. 🤣
October 24, 2017
FANTASTIC! I usually figure out the who of whodunits...but I didn't see this one coming at all!!! It was a great story and I loved it, I usually do! great stories, great characters and I LOVED the afterward...it gave me hope for my own journey in this crazy world of writing!
September 5, 2024
Idk if Karen Kingsbury has any suspense novels, but if she does, this is exactly what I imagine they would be like😂
While not usually my cup o' tea as far as suspense books are concerned, this one really spoke to me.
While not usually my cup o' tea as far as suspense books are concerned, this one really spoke to me.
June 16, 2022
This is one of Terri Blackstock's older romantic suspense novels that I had not read. It is fast paced and very enjoyable. Nice to read one of her older books and see how her writing has matured.
January 2, 2021
Lots of characters and twists and turns, but over all it was a bit boring.
June 14, 2022
Meh. More about the Christian music industry than suspense.
January 25, 2024
Terri Blackstock gets and holds your interest from page one.
Love reading a good mystery without the foul language.
Suspension, murder and good plot.
Love reading a good mystery without the foul language.
Suspension, murder and good plot.
August 15, 2024
I pretty much read all of Terri Blackstock backlist but I found one I haven’t read. Double Minds was a fun Christian thriller that has great faith woven in. I love our main character Parker and her great faith. She refuses to settle and I found that refreshing. Terri had me guessing who the murderer was. It was a fun read and I quite enjoyed it. Was worth the 4 stars!! It’s an older book by her but still relevant. I definitely recommend!!
January 23, 2016
DOUBLE MINDS was an enjoyable novel that delved into the darkness of Christian Music. The skeletons portrayed in the Christian market seemed to have no limit. Murder, betrayal, anorexia, thief, it's all there in its ugliest.
Parker James, is a Christian songwriter that waits in the wings while her good friend, Serene, reaches superstardom with the songs Parker has penned. Parker works at a recording studio, dreaming of the day when she will be able to record her own music and make a name for herself instead of just being a mention on Serene's liner notes.
Serene is anorexic and on the verge of self-destruction all because she feels pressure to fit into a cookie cutter mold of what a singing sensation should look like. When she crosses over into the secular realm, she asks Parker to "generalize" her clearly Christ-centered songs so they can reach a broader audience.
When a teenage girl is murder at Colgate Studios, working a shift that Parker was slated for, her brother, Gibson James, a detective on the case worries that the murder has something to do with Parker. When the news is released that the teenage girl was actually the daughter of one of Colgate Studios rivals, the murder is no longer treated as a random act of violence.
When Serene offers Parker a chance to come on tour with her, in lieu of her agreeing to rewrite her songs, Parker feels she's finally going to get her break. But when another murder occurs, a suspect goes missing, and Serene's tour manager gives Parker the boot, nothing is turning out the way if should.
DOUBLE MINDS kept my interest throughout most of the story. There were areas that dragged, but over-all I felt pulled to read to the very end.
Parker James, is a Christian songwriter that waits in the wings while her good friend, Serene, reaches superstardom with the songs Parker has penned. Parker works at a recording studio, dreaming of the day when she will be able to record her own music and make a name for herself instead of just being a mention on Serene's liner notes.
Serene is anorexic and on the verge of self-destruction all because she feels pressure to fit into a cookie cutter mold of what a singing sensation should look like. When she crosses over into the secular realm, she asks Parker to "generalize" her clearly Christ-centered songs so they can reach a broader audience.
When a teenage girl is murder at Colgate Studios, working a shift that Parker was slated for, her brother, Gibson James, a detective on the case worries that the murder has something to do with Parker. When the news is released that the teenage girl was actually the daughter of one of Colgate Studios rivals, the murder is no longer treated as a random act of violence.
When Serene offers Parker a chance to come on tour with her, in lieu of her agreeing to rewrite her songs, Parker feels she's finally going to get her break. But when another murder occurs, a suspect goes missing, and Serene's tour manager gives Parker the boot, nothing is turning out the way if should.
DOUBLE MINDS kept my interest throughout most of the story. There were areas that dragged, but over-all I felt pulled to read to the very end.
August 14, 2021
It was kind of a mistake to introduce myself to Terri Blackstock via the "If I Run" series. Any suspense story trying to fill its shoes will inevitably fall flat.
This story had a lot of good going for it. Despite it being written in '09, it didn't feel terribly outdated. That was a pleasant surprise. I was fascinated by the insight into the Christian music world. My sister is a songwriter, so I loved seeing Parker's talent in action. I loved the dynamic between Parker and her family. Gibson was a great character, and I feel he deserves his own book. He's a guitar-playing cop! How is that not a premise for a novel? I appreciated how grace-giving the whole family was to Parker's alcoholic father. They loved him in despite of him.
I disliked Serene almost entirely. I know the author tried to garner sympathy and compassion for her because of her eating disorder and traumatic childhood, but I could only see her as a bratty star. She treated Parker like garbage most of the story.
This was suspenseful, but not scary. There was a plot twist I didn't expect. (Regarding whodunnit.) The actual murderer's motives seemed farfetched at best.
I also felt that there were several small plotlines that were left unresolved. Mainly: the stolen song, Parker's career, Serene's tour, Pete's drinking problem, etc. I would have liked more closure.
What Terri Blackstock book should I try next?
This story had a lot of good going for it. Despite it being written in '09, it didn't feel terribly outdated. That was a pleasant surprise. I was fascinated by the insight into the Christian music world. My sister is a songwriter, so I loved seeing Parker's talent in action. I loved the dynamic between Parker and her family. Gibson was a great character, and I feel he deserves his own book. He's a guitar-playing cop! How is that not a premise for a novel? I appreciated how grace-giving the whole family was to Parker's alcoholic father. They loved him in despite of him.
I disliked Serene almost entirely. I know the author tried to garner sympathy and compassion for her because of her eating disorder and traumatic childhood, but I could only see her as a bratty star. She treated Parker like garbage most of the story.
This was suspenseful, but not scary. There was a plot twist I didn't expect. (Regarding whodunnit.) The actual murderer's motives seemed farfetched at best.
I also felt that there were several small plotlines that were left unresolved. Mainly: the stolen song, Parker's career, Serene's tour, Pete's drinking problem, etc. I would have liked more closure.
What Terri Blackstock book should I try next?
June 18, 2009
Well this book left me a lot disappointed...
I felt like Terri left a lot of unfinished business in this novel. the story line was about a christian music artist who had a talent as a writer yet longed to be a performer. A couple murders are scattered throughout the novel... with no real point... and no resolution at the end.
I felt like Terri left a lot of unfinished business in this novel. the story line was about a christian music artist who had a talent as a writer yet longed to be a performer. A couple murders are scattered throughout the novel... with no real point... and no resolution at the end.
September 12, 2020
Love Terry Blackstone books, always a Christian theme coupled with a good mystery. I do wish she'd consider a series for some of her characters, not a criticism and it's the worst I can write about her books. I audio booked this novel but found her Kindle editions very well edited with correct grammar and vocabulary.
April 9, 2024
I expected more tbh, I did not finish it but I got 100 pages into the book and it wasn't getting better. I wasn't gonna continue to waste my time reading it. You think when there's a murder they would start giving clues or things would start happening but no, there was nothing. I don't even care if it eventually cuts to the chase. It was a waste of time.
May 17, 2019
Blackstock takes a look into the dark side of the entertainment industry in this fascinating book. The mystery is on point and the themes are so much deeper than they seem on the surface at the beginning.
June 17, 2009
I didn't like this book as well as some of the others she has written, but it was still good. The one complaint I have is that the story seemed to suddenly just end - there were some loose ends that she didn't really do a great job of tying up.
August 22, 2009
Yawn. Very yawn. You want someone to kill the protag. Please. Spare us having to suffer this self-saturated character.
January 26, 2015
I enjoyed reading it but it's nothing unexpected.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews