This week’s CFBA Tour opens with Fatal Illusions, the first novel by Adam Blumer. You can check out Adam’s writing experience besides his degree in print journalism from Bob Jones University on his blog or website. Congratulations to Kregel Publications for daring to produce a first novel which runs several pages past the normal fare offered by today’s publishing.
Having said that, this is still very much a first novel even with Adam’s versatile writing credentials. The story was speckled with clichés and the over-explaining by an author who doesn’t want to leave out anything for the reader to miss. Believe me, I’m speaking from experience.
Haydon Owens fancies himself the next Houdini. He’s studied every piece of literature written about the fascinating escape artist. Haydon practices his magic and plans his spectacular feats which he’s sure will amaze a contemporary audience if he can just secure a good gig. However, there seems to be a few interruptions which demand his interventions. One of those inconvenient and outrageous situations is a young girl by the name of Erin Walker whose testimony in court about his parents’ commission of a crime lands them both in jail. Once Haydon remedies his vengeance, he is alarmed to find Erin just won’t stay dead.
Detective Chuck Riley faces retirement without having caught the serial killer nicknamed the Magician Murderer, and the dissatisfaction follows him from Cincinnati to Florida. When he’s made aware of a signature murder in Michigan, his wife urges him to go and get the killer so he can spend his retirement days in peace.
A happily married associate pastor whose goal is to provide meaningful counsel to needy members of the large church where he’s employed learns one of the married women he’s counseling has a thing for him. She creates havoc in his and his family’s life forcing them into a temporary move to a remote location in Michigan far from the bustle of their home in Chicago.
The pastor’s wife, Gillian, is still suffering from the stillborn death of their twins, a boy and a girl. Her teenage daughter tries to console her whenever she notices her mother’s down moments. With the craziness inflicted upon their lives by the lunatic woman pursuing her husband, what little strength Gillian’s managed to hold in reserve from her grief dwindles and morphs into all out bitterness toward and distrust of her husband.
This is a “Christian” novel from start to finish which winds up preaching. A lot. Gillian drives me nuts, okay? She’s another character whose grief is displayed in obsessive conduct entwined with resentment and bitterness. I could not develop any affection for her, and a large portion of the story revolves around her state of mind and her self-revelation. She vacillates between shrew and “typical” Christian doing all the “right” things. The only real passion she possesses is conveyed through her love for her dead children. The final scenes in the novel seemed totally out of sync for her, although I realize the author intended (or I think he did) to portray that “mother bear” instinct.
As with many first novels, we writers often try to pour more in them than they can hold. I’m sure Mr. Blumer’s next novel(s) will present a tighter story with less preaching and clichés, more meaningful character depictions, and another good story. The story itself is quite good, interesting even, and if it wasn’t for the heavy insertions of explaining “Christian” conduct, thought, and principles and a less than desirable character in the forefront, Fatal Illusions would have been a better book.
Once again I must emphasize that the average reader who enjoys suspense will most likely not consider these elements as flaws.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825420989
Father, I pray you would continue to supply the stories you have for Adam to write. Help him to continue to follow the plans you have just for him. Bless his efforts to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
While I agree that technically it wasn't a perfect book, I did enjoy the suspense and the story in general. I think I identified with Gillian's reaction to losing her twins, not because I've lost a child, but because now that I've had children, I can't imagine having to deal with losing one of them.
It was a bit preachy in places, but all in all, I found it to be a fun, entertaining story with a lot of value in it.
Posted by: Sally Bradley | July 07, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I thought the story itself was good and entertaining, but I think he failed to give Gillian a depth I could respect. I remember the fears I felt with my own children--the horror of the possibility of losing them. The grieving seemed identical to the other character I mentioned, and for whatever reason, both authors failed to elicit the obvious empathy one should feel for such characters in these sad circumstances.
I also felt he hammered home obvious spiritual points to a fault.
But, like I said, Sally, most readers won't find fault with either of my main objections.
Posted by: Nicole | July 07, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Thank you for the review. I appreciate your featuring my novel at your blog.
Adam Blumer
Novelist, Fatal Illusions: http://www.adamblumerbooks.com
Freelance editing: http://www.blumer.org/adam
Posted by: Adam Blumer | July 15, 2009 at 05:47 AM
Thank you for stopping by, Adam. I'll look forward to your next novel. Good job on the first one.
Posted by: Nicole | July 15, 2009 at 07:12 AM