Before I Wake

A gentle mystery/suspense novel

FBI agent, Rae Gabriella, needs a career change. Her last undercover investigation ended disastrously, shaking her confidence in herself and in God. Moving to small-town Illinois, Rae joins her ex-boyfriend, Bruce, in his business as a private investigator, hoping the slower pace of life will provide the shelter and healing she needs. However, a major strike at the town's tile plant and the murder of an out-of-town reporter give Rae, Bruce and Sheriff Nathan Justice a more dangerous and perplexing challenge than any of them expect.

This is a great plot. It started a little slow, but I was hooked by chapter two, and shortly thereafter the suspense kept the book glued to my hands. I couldn't wait to know what clues (or bodies) would turn up next. Dee Henderson also opened my eyes to the politics of labour negotiations, the cutthroat business of illicit drugs, and the thankless job of fighting crime. I was a fascinated student from beginning to end.

They say conflict keeps a story moving, but it was Rae, Bruce and Nathan's gentle friendships, with relaxed dialogue and realistically-paced personal growth, that drew me in. Dee fashioned the characters as normal people with challenging relationships, troubled pasts, and tough questions about God, making the story reminiscent of real life without feeling mundane.

Some of the book's spiritual questions are left open, allowing readers to pursue their own answers about God's sovereignty in the midst of tragic circumstances. Some questions are too complex to ask and answer in a single book, and I'm grateful when Christian fiction acknowledges this.

The only point on which I'm left wanting is the romantic tension between Rae and the two men. Attraction is clearly alluded to throughout the novel, but the characters seem slightly too passive and the story-telling feels too ambiguous on this dimension. I also wonder why Nathan's parents aren't more involved in the conflict between him and his grandfather, but that's a minor point. Overall, I felt inspired by the characters' relationships, and I gladly recommend the book.

Note: This is a voluntary review! It is not part of a blog review program or in any other way solicited.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good reading

I was disappointed in the abrupt ending.....

Great Mystery

I enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and easy reading - great writing and good plot. I would recommend this book.

Another captivating story from Dee Henderson

This story about a town is Justice, Ill. For me was a little slower that her usual books. Or maybe tha i come to expect much more frome Dee. But as always it's a plausibe book that can happen anywhere in America or anyplace else

People are always tryimng to creat a new drug or something that brings instant gratification. When actuality people when one thinks about it, Gods lovecan fill any need when sought.

Through the books that Dee Henderson writes a person can feel the truth of how God cares for his people and is with them always. Even when sometimes a person maynot believe. God uses every situation possible for letting people know that he trule loves them.

An Amazing Book

This book was really good! I enjoyed every part of it and didn't want to put it down. The suspence was exciting and endless. The characters were realistic, as was the plot. A few things in the book were left open-ended, so I hope there will be a sequel to this book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with alot of unexpected twists and turns.

Seems like the beginning of a new series

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the O'Malley series. I agree with several other readers that this book seems a little tame to that series, but as a kickoff to a new series I think it has great potential. I would like to see Dee write more about these characters and develop them better. Also, several open-ended questions need answering. As a stand-alone book it's ok, but if a series is forthcoming, I'll buy it!

Riveting Mystery

Fast paced, believable, authentic characters and setting. Dee Hendersen has done it again! The story caught my attention immediately, partly because I have enjoyed all of Hendersen's books and partly because of the intro on the jacket. Hendersen's involves her character's in realistic situations we all face in life making the right choices. She allows her characters to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. But, what I think I like best about her writing is the reader can tell she is truly discovering her character and story as she writes it. The book was so good it kept me up until 4AM. I simply could not set the book aside.

A Let-Down

A true fan of Dee Henderson, I was eager to read this book. However, I did not find this nearly as good as the O'Malley series which I have read and re-read many times. It seemed like a book written in haste or else something she started then stopped and picked up again later. It just lacked her usual punch and I didn't believe in the characters. Also, unlike the others, I solved the mystery of how and who really early in the book. Disappointed, but for first time readers of Henderson...they will probably enjoy it.

Did Dee write this?

I have read all of Dee Henderson's books - this one was not up to her standards. It reads more juvenile than her other reads. The conversations were sometimes corny. From the beginning it was compeling but by the end, which was such a let down, it was ordinary and questions were not answered. Maybe she plans a sequel. It seems the writer was preoccupied or in a hurry.

Story is okay, but could be better.

An okay book from Dee, but I liked the O'Malley series better. The suspense was lacking & the lack of tension made me think Dee could have done better. You may want to check this book out from the library and then decide if you want your own copy.

Good Reading

I enjoyed this book. I read the other reviews and I wonder what I have been missing, they say her other books are better, can't wait to read them, then. I didn't want this book to end, I want to go on and see what will happen to the main characters and what else will be happening to them. Come on folks this book was not bad at all. Will keep reading her books, with pleasure.

she needs an editor

I have read several of Henderson's books, and like her style. This one was on the boring side though..the OMalley series was much better. I wish she would get some help with basic sentence structure and editing. Every once in awhile you have to read a sentence several times because it is written poorly and hard to understand.

Murder in Small Town X

Rae Gabriella has come to the small town of Justice, Illinois to escape her past as a former FBI agent. She finds a job with her former boyfriend Bruce as a private investigator. Thinking she can finally settle down, Rae begins to relax and discovers she has a sharing interest with both Bruce and the town's sheriff Nathan. Then a dead body is found in the same hotel Rae is staying at. When more deaths are being discovered and cannot be explained, the three end up working together to find out who and what is behind the murders. I thought this book gave an interesting look into the drug industry. The reader learns a lot about how drugs are made, marketed and sold unsuspectingly. One has to be careful about the samples they eat. It was interesting that all the clues and suspects were right there, and no one picks up on it. However, I didn't like how the book ended rather abruptly. While we find out who the killer is, there seems to be a bigger story behind that which we find next to nothing about. If there is going to be a sequel, great. I just felt rather unsatisfied with the ending. I also didn't feel Rae having any chemistry with either of the two men. She seems like the type of woman that can take of herself and doesn't need anyone. I'll read the next book, if there is one, but I'd recommend Henderson's O'Malley series to new readers.

a reviewer

Rae Gabriella left the FBI after years of dedicated service when a case went ugly. She accepts a position as a private detective at Chapel Detective Agency II, headed by her former Fed partner Bruce Chapel in Justice, Illinois though she has doubts about working with her former lover, but her hometown is nearby so she can visit family and she has to start somewhere.----------------- Justice County Sheriff Nathan Justice has his hands full with a strike that could turn violent and his grandfather. However, he soon has more to deal with when Peggy Worth is found dead in her hotel room, five rooms away from where Rae is staying a woman she met earlier in the day. Peggy¿s parents hire Rae to investigate what seemed likely a natural death in her sleep of a twenty-eight years old healthy female. Soon Bruce, Rae and Nathan know that a serial killer murders women in their hotel room without a whisper or a hint of a struggle, but never takes their money or jewelry so no motive has surfaced. Whereas she seeks justice, he fears she could be next.----------------- This is a fabulous police procedural serial killer thriller though two of the ¿cops¿ are former law enforcement officials. The story line hints at a romantic triangle, but that simmers on the back burner as the trio work together to stop a clever silent killer. The story line is action-packed as the tension mounts on two levels, personal and professional. Fans witness a tense suspense cat and mouse thriller.----------------- Harriet Klausner

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