Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs and homes when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky. The Eastern Kentucky town, located deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, has been plagued by a serial rapist and a series of unexplained deaths. Before Gwen can develop a composite drawing, the latest witness vanishes, just like all the previous victims.
Turning her attention to sketching the face of an unidentified body, she discovers a link between his death and a Pentecostal serpent-handling church. Serpent-handling is illegal in Kentucky, and the churches have gone underground to avoid the authorities and continue to worship as they believe. Gwen is offered a handsome reward to infiltrate the renegade members, a reward she desperately needs as it seems her breast cancer has returned.
Joined by her digitally-obsessed, Generation Z daughter, Gwen goes undercover to a nineteenth century revival, planning to draw the faces of the snake handlers so they can be identified and arrested. Instead she uncovers a murderous plot and a festering evil.
Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy finalist as well as a Carol award-winning author. She has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.
MY REVIEW:
This is a story full of twists and turns and will have you turning the pages far into the night! This is the third in the Gwen Marcey series but I was never lost in this novel. However, I definitely want to read the first two books after reading this fantastic story!
Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist that has been asked to come to Kentucky because they have found the body that can't be identified by normal means. I found it so interesting as the author takes us through the steps of doing this procedure. The other thing that is happening in this little town is there is a serial rapist on the loose and no one has been able to identify him because the witnesses keep disappearing. Gwen is quite suspicious of the way the Sheriff is handling this and I love how she sees through people and let us know it through her thoughts.
I really liked the character of Gwen and her spunky humor. Despite going through some really hard personal things, her faith in God is strong and I love how we see her praying over situations that are difficult.
I loved the ending and how I didn't expect it to end the way it did. It's a definite page turner and will take you on a great suspenseful ride! I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my LitFuse Publicity Group
Blessings - Julie
Thanks for the chance to win! This book sounds great!
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