Hunter’s Moon by Don Hoesel

CJ Baxter is a bestselling novelist who is able to take experiences from his life and bring them into his books. He hasn’t been back to his hometown in over fifteen years, but his grandfather has passed away so CJ heads back home. He finds that there are things he has missed, and things he hasn’t. As CJ fights for the truth within his family, it soon becomes clear that there are things that are more important than blood.

This is Don Hoesel’s second novel, and he does a great job exploring the dynamics of a small town as well as the damage that secrets can make. CJ is able to really make some changes in his own life as he searches for the truth. The book can be a bit slow at times, but it really held my attention as I wondered what would happen next. While there are some parts that aren’t relevant to the story line, the overall plot is excellent and the story progresses well. I look forward to what Hoesel writes in the future. Highly recommended.

Review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

FBI agent Brad Raines is attempting to track down a serial killer who is murdering young women. The killer leaves a veil on the victim’s head before leaving the body. He has been dubbed The Bride Collector and Raines is working against the clock to catch the killer before he strikes again. On a lead, Raines goes to a mental institution for the gifted and meets a young woman named Paradise. Paradise has a unique ability and Raines hopes that she can help him stop the Bride Collector. This is Dekker’s second mainstream novel and I believe that the book is much better than his last, Boneman’s Daughters. This book really touched my heart as Dekker was able to use much different characters who had experienced great hurt to work together to catch a killer. This is a book that is very enjoyable from the crime aspect as well as having a much deeper meaning. I look forward to seeing where Ted Dekker goes from here. Highly recommended.

(Review copy provided by Hachette Book Group)