Athol Dickson is a master of metaphors, painting pictures that soothe one minute and chill the next. The twists and turns in the plot were so unexpected that I finally quit trying to guess how it would come out and just enjoyed the ride. The book has a message, but it's delivered in a way that's powerful in its very subtlety. Read this book!

Normally I am a non-fiction reader. I found alot of fiction, dumbed-down, or offensive. This Book has really stood out to me, as an excellent mystery. A couple of times I thought I knew who did it, but of course I didn't. It had such a surprising and intreaging ending.. I was totally involved in the story all the way through. It has a hint of a Christian theme, but not so much that you are bombared with theology. I am a Christian, and found,this book was not offensive, or overdone. It was a pleasure. I am reading the next one in the series. I would high recommend this book to my Chirstian friends, as well as my non-Christain freinds. In my opinion it is one of the best fiction books I have read in years. Well Done.

If you want to accomplish anything else in the time it takes to read this book, well, rearrange your daytimer! Athol Dickson paints the portraits, landscapes and abstractions of "Whom Shall I Fear" with a steady, artistic brush. You won't be disappointed. And if you have to put it down, it will only be with a longing look and a "See ya soon. Real Soon."

A friend loaned this book to me and warned me that I would not be able to put it down once I started to read. Boy, was she right! Suspense at every turn of the page with good moral backing. This book will make you look at your own faith and just life in general!

But if you like to be taken for the ride of your life on the back roads of Louisiana, then this title is for you. Athol Dickson's writing is a cut above that of most inspirational mystery novelists. If his dynamic premises aren't enough, his interesting characters follow a path of twists and turns, leaving the reader with nails far shorter than when they turned to page one! This book, dealing with such difficult issues as abortion and voodoo, is impeccably researched and it is evident that Mr. Dickson spent time crafting his novel, putting his reader and not his pocketbook first. In a day when writers continually throw new releases on the shelf, it's refreshing to see this author honor his commitment to excellence and so honor his high opinion of his readers. The effort is well worth it in this case. This is what Christian fiction ought to be.

To label this book as just a mystery novel greatly undervalues it's importance. To label it as a Christian Mystery novel further reduces this book into the mire of poorly written, mass-merchandised, sappy three-hundred page tracts that represent most novels occupying Christian bookshelvesthese days. To be sure, this is written to be a page-turner, but the dialog is crisp and believable, the plot (although it teeters on the brink ofunbelievability at times) is unexpected and fresh and Athol's writing style is as clever, concise and poetic as any book I have ever read. The
characters are revealed in a very interesting way (think Momento) which keeps the reader from getting too much of the story too soon. It's also very,very moving at times and I found myself reading through tears in my eyes. Any book that can do this, all while challenging the barriers that existbetween Jews and Christians elevates this book into a must read category for anyone who wants to know more about who and what God is. - Jeff Hopfer

Although I'd never read an Athol Dickson novel before, the fantastic reviews and blurbs from other authors convinced me to give it a shot. Boy am I thankful! Otherwise I might've missed out on a great story. The title, though appropiate enough, is ambiguous and rather bland for a mystery thriller. The cover is equally so.

The writing, on the other hand, sparkles. Dickson tells a fascinating tale that incorporates murder, mystery, love, fanatical obsession, Jewish and Christian dialogue, and the depths of relationships. He opens with the release from prison of a man convicted of murder. The two girls who witnessed him over the body, Ruth and Kate, are now grown-up and emotionally disconnected from each other. Their religious differences and the pain of their past have pushed them apart. Ruth, single after the sudden death of her fiance, is a reform Rabbi. Kate, a widow with two kids, is an antique store owner. Neither of them are aware of the threats that have been unleashed with the prisoner's release, but the violence and suspense that soon surround them force them together in a fight for survival.

Dickson masterfully portrays his characters. His villians are wrought with real pain and motivations; his protagonists are fallible, likeable, and sometimes unpredictable. The dialogue rings true throughout. His setting of New Orleans, while never as palpable as in a James Lee Burke mystery, is believable. The only flaw, if it can be deemed so, is the multiple viewpoints that might be distracting to some. Though each character's thoughts are viable, not all of the minor ones are necessary to the overall story. I still enjoyed them for the added nuances they gave.

Without revealing the plot twists and surprises, I'll leave it to others to discover the lingering and powerful effects of this novel. Meet Ruth, Kate, Sol, Gabby, Jake, and Orvis--characters you won't soon forget. Don't let the title and cover fool you...it'll have you tightly in its grip until the final pages.