Creston Mapes presents The Crittendon Files #3 Sky Zone, published by David C. Cook, reviewed for the CFBA Tour.
Jack Crittendon was a good reporter and journalist. Too good. When he uncovered the deep corruption in the previous novel Poison Town, he learned it involved his boss, and the newspaper where he worked was forced to close down as a result. Jack's been out of work for over a year and his wife Pam is due to deliver their surprise third child in a month's time. His mother-in-law Margaret has been helping with their girls since Pam had to go to work full time while Jack works part time at an event center, but Margaret is heading into the uneven mental state of memory loss and possible dementia. Their savings have dwindled to nothing with no end in sight to their money problems.
When Jack and his friend, former Marine and survivalist, Brian Shakespeare are slated to work a huge event where a possible candidate for the presidency, Martin Sterling, is holding a rally and is bringing former heavy metal rocker Everett Lester, now a Christian, and his wife and son to the event, the staff is short-handed and overwhelmed. Especially when they learn of a possible terror threat suspected at their facility.
There are suites high up in the six story building where Sterling and his team and Everett and his family and personal assistants are sent to stay until police reinforcements can be put in place, but Martin Sterling is impatient and insistent that they get the rally started, unwilling to show fear of the threats.
A last minute decision to go with a friend, Pam and her mother head to the arena. One of the event staff mistakenly opens the doors and is nearly crushed by the crowd pouring through the doors before they can get them shut again. Pam, Margaret, and Pam's friend with her two children make it in and get seated.
The top of the facility is called the Sky Zone where two of their employees were sent for routine checks. Its significance is revealed within the story. No one's heard from them. Tension mounts. Jack learns his wife is at the event via her texts to him and panics because of the threats but can't immediately get to her because he and Shakespeare are assigned to Sterling and the Lester family.
The story begins with the setup for the event after establishing the pressures Jack is feeling over not having full time work, hoping to get on at The Gazette with his friend and fellow reporter Derrick pitching Jack's prowess to his boss at the paper. Switching back and forth between the present and a few days prior to the event before staying in the present, the story is slowed and becomes a bit herky-jerky.
What I liked about the novel is the basic storyline, the heroism of Shakespeare, and the incorporation of Everett Lester from Creston's first novel, my personal favorite Dark Star.
Margaret's transformation, both in her courage at the event and the realistic trials with the onset of dementia, is done very well. Shakespeare's determination and military insights plus his eventual revelation for his personal life highlight the story.
What I didn't particularly care for is how the storyline morphed into what felt like an agenda and mischaracterizaton of actual possibilities and became predictable and expected. In light of real life, for me, it ultimately felt politically correct.
From the start of this series I've been unable to warm up to Pam. Nothing's changed. She's so worried about finances, yet she goes to a salon to have her nails done.
While I appreciate Creston portraying real family struggles where we all know what a stresser money problems produce, Jack and Pam have a teeter-totter, manic relationship with each other and with the Lord which is annoying at best.
Shakespeare's phone suddenly has more minutes after being down to three and sending his last transmission. Derrick, after nearly passing out from bleeding profusely after being shot, suddenly is able to drive at high speed to get to a remote location and conduct an interview.
Those who've enjoyed The Crittendon Files will find Sky Zone intriguing with moments of extreme tension and a positive resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373442726
Father, continue to meet Creston's needs and may he be blessed for his obedience to your direction. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.