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BOOK REVIEW: Web of Lies 

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by: Vickie McDonough

Dancing Word Reviewer

Title: Web of Lies

Author: Brandilyn Collins

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN#: 0-310-25106-0

Genre: Inspirational/Suspense

Forensic Artist Annie Kingston hopes her life is finally settling down after the frightening events of the past year, but a quick stop at a 7-Eleven for milk throws her into another mind-boggling chain of events. She witnesses a heart-stopping shooting at the store, but in her panic, fails to see the shooter's face. Then Annie is commissioned to draw a picture of the man who the store clerk says shot him and killed another man.

Chelsea Adams, a woman whose visions from God have helped solve murders, cringes at the memory of her latest vision. But it's her overwhelming urge to contact Annie Kingston that confuses her. Still, she believes God is prompting her, and she calls Annie. Chelsea is certain a woman's life is at stake, and possibly a man's. If she can get Annie to agree to draw the face she saw in her vision, maybe the police can discover clues as to who the man is.

Annie and Chelsea, two women not often taken seriously by police, unite together to try to solve a young girl's disappearance, but when Annie's life is threatened, they take a step back to evaluate the situation. Annie's family has been through so much that she's not sure they can endure another attack, but both Chelsea and Annie are certain God brought them together, and in spite of their fears, they are determined to fight this deadly opponent and come out the victor. But when the danger steps closer to home, will Annie and Chelsea find the gumption to continue their quest?

In Web of Lies, author Brandilyn Collins does something interesting and unique: she brings together the heroines from her Chelsea Adams and Hidden Faces series in a startling tale of intrigue, faith, and suspense. She also deftly uses first person formatting for Annie's point of view, while using third person for Chelsea's. The switch between the two and also the antagonist's point of view is seamless and not jarring in the least.

Web of Lies is a fast-paced Christian thriller that is sure to keep you looking over your shoulder at every little noise you hear. I empathized with Annie and Chelsea and their frustration with an arrogant detective who refuses to take them seriously. Both women have deep fears, but a faith that is stronger and a stubbornness that won't allow them to quit until they get their man.

Web of Lies is a difficult book to put down, and though it uses characters from Collins' other books, it stands well on its own merit. I'm sure Annie Kingston and Chelsea Adams are breathing a sigh of relief that Brandilyn Collins is focusing her unusual creative genius and pension for chilling suspense on another unsuspecting heroine in a new series.

For an arachnophobic suspense that will take you from creepy-crawly apprehension to an outcome motivated by faith and trust in God, spend an evening with Web of Lies, Book Four in the Hidden Faces series. (360 pages / $12.99)