Monday, August 22, 2016

When Death Draws Near: A Gwen Marcey Book #3 By Carrie Stuart Parks

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity and the author for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

Death has always been part of Gwen Marcey's job. But when faced with her own mortality, everything takes on a different hue.

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.

My Thoughts:

When Death Draws Near is the third book in Carrie Stuart Parks series, Gwen Marcey, and it is FANTASTIC. I have had the pleasure of reading book one and two! I absolutely love this series! As a huge fan of Christian Fiction and Mystery/Suspense Thriller Fiction, I knew I had to read this Christian Mystery series. Carrie Stuart Parks writes with authority on different places throughout the United States, different religions/faiths throughout the world, artistry including forensics, criminal investigations, and the stages of death/decomposition.  I could NOT put this book down. From start to finish the twists and turns kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, good and bad. They are complicated and their lives are messy just like the rest of us. My absolute favorite is Gwen Marcey. She is a great main characters, she finds herself in many sticky situations that she has to get herself out of and she definitely finds unorthodox ways of getting out of her sticky situations. She is a Mom, a cancer survivor, and her life is always a roller coaster ride. I love her sense of humor and her "conversations" with people in her head especially her ex husband. I just find her spectacular. I also enjoyed reading Gwen's journey of faith. I found it inspiring.  I learned so much from this fiction book including religious sects, history of the Pentecostal church, and computer programs that aid in forensic artistry. I cannot say enough good about this book and this series. Although I think this book can be read as stand alone, I recommend reading them as a series so you have all the background, plus they are really good books!! I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys Christian Mystery/Thriller books, you will NOT be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more from Carrie Stuart Parks and more Gwen Marcey stories! I give this book 5 STARS.


Plunge into forensic artist Gwen Marcey's world, full of cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects. Add Carrie Stuart Parks' new Gwen Marcey novel, When Death Draws Near, to the top of your must-read list. Gwen accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before she can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

Join Carrie in celebrating the release of When Death Draws Near by entering to win an Undercover Artist Starter Set.

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One grand prize winner will receive:
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Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 22. The winner will be announced August 23 on the Litfuse blog.

when death draws near - enterbanner

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