I must say this is a difficult review for me. Author Amy Wallace has tackled two very tough subjects in this second edition to her “Defenders of Hope Series”. The first story was Ransomed Dreams (which I have not read) and the one to follow Healing Promises will be released in Spring 2009 by Multnomah.
Most all of us have seen the devastation of cancer at some level in friends or families. My mother died of cancer years ago, diagnosed in January and dead in April at the early age of 62 years. We all prayed for her healing, but God took her home. Some of you have joined me and thousands of others in praying for Kristy Dykes to be healed of the most aggressive kind of brain cancer and have followed the deterioration of her body but not her spirit in the process. So when you set out to write a novel about the onslaught of cancer and include an oncologist as a primary character whose robust man’s man of an FBI agent husband is attacked with the wicked disease, you’ve decided upon a wearying topic to cover if you ask me.
And then when you include the arena in which this FBI agent with cancer excels—which just happens to be finding missing children—you’ve got not one but two potentially depressing issues to feature in your plot. This is not easy territory to write into story.
Okay . . . let me begin by saying Amy has written authenticity into this account of a man, FBI Agent Clint Rollins, who is a classic protector-type, an ace in his instinctive pursuit of child predators, a guy who is used to solving problems. When he learns of his particular type of cancer and undergoes treatment, he is forced to face his unimaginable and unacceptable limitations. The struggles he faces while undergoing chemotherapy nearly shatter him as a man and as a Christian.
His wife, mother of his two young children and respected oncologist, faces her worst challenges and fears as her faith takes a nosedive amidst all the realizations of previous patients who haven’t survived the wicked "C-word" while she watches the man she loves falter under the disheartening load of a killer disease.
In the middle of this shocking fight to beat a seemingly unbeatable foe, Clint suffers the excruciating side effects of the traumas of treatment, trying desperately to keep his wits about him as his FBI associates are forced to try to find a serial kidnapper of 6 year old boys with brown hair, much like the son of one of his partners in appearance, without him in full control of his memory and faculties. However, through his shredded memories and unusual dreams, Clint’s intense determination to make his colleagues believe his hunch scores a climactic victory in clarifying who the perpetrator of these heinous crimes is.
The story is triumphant in many ways, but I confess it was hard for me to read. If there is a weakness in the story, I found the reason/motive for the particular selection of the little boys a bit unclear, but that might be my own fault, not Amy’s. As far as realism in the physical challenges of cancer and cancer treatment, you’ll find this novel accurate and sincere. The camaraderie of the agents is portrayed effectively, displaying the closeness and conflict of true partnership.
The subplots which refer back to the first book in the series and offer a hint as to the next book are entertaining and perhaps offer a bit of lightheartedness, although both involve past tragedies as well.
Father, you know Amy’s heart, and from this novel it would seem she desires to offer her audience hope when everything in life is devastated by adversity and sorrows. Please continue to direct her writing to demonstrate why you are good and trustworthy. Always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please pray for Kristy Dykes and her family at this trying time.*