Do you like suspense novels? This is a debut novel but C.C. Warrens writes like a seasoned author.

This book headed the list for top novels of 2018.

Holly is short, feisty and scarred. She has lived in multiple foster homes and doesn’t remember anything of her background before she was ten. But someone out of her past is stalking her.

This is the first book in a trilogy (Cross Fire; Crossed Out). There is also an excellent eighty page short story that is available for subscribers and fits between books one and two.

The pace of this book reminded me of one of the better Mary Higgins Clark books. As I read I kept thinking, ‘can she maintain the excellence all the way to the end?’ She did. The subject matter of this book means it isn’t an easy read but CC Warrens shows her mastery with the touches of humour throughout. Perfectly placed to offset the two sections I found a little scary.

The Christian content also shows a deft touch. Suspense is not an easy genre for Christian authors.

After all it is often about murder and major crime. The Christian input can sometimes feel forced or extraneous to the story. Warrens gets it just right. One of the things that touched me was that Holly is someone who clings to her faith despite a horrible background. Every evening she has a practice that keeps her grounded in who she really is and her eyes focused on Jesus. You’ll have to read it to find out what she does.

The two main supporting characters, neighbour Jace and a detective are real, funny and also allow some reflective conversations on Christian themes.

4.5 stars.

Highly recommended especially for those who love suspense without majoring on romance. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

About Criss Cross

Holly is living on borrowed time, but when mysterious footsteps follow her home and a cryptic note shows up on her door, she realizes her time is running out. The man she’s hiding from has found her. Or has he? When people start dying and old, forgotten memories begin to surface, holly finds herself wrapped up in a terrifying mystery with God, a pushy southern detective, and a killer with one thing on his mind: her.

Good news for Holly fans. CC Warrens has continued with her characters into a second series.

This review first appeared on Australasian Christian Writers.