Don't let this book deceive you! Like the Momentus training from which its principles derive, this book is pure New Age psychobabble rooted not in the Bible or Christianity, despite the claims of its authors and the glowing reviews of the deceived, but in the secular humanist-potential movement. This book sums up in print form what the authors inflict on people in the Momentus training (recently changed in name to Breakthrough because of all the bad publicity from the people it's hurt), although it's watered down from what actually goes on in the training. Momentus, in turn, is a watered down version of the Lifespring human-potential training, a first cousin of Werner Erhard's est trainings, with a thin Christian facade used to trick Christians into taking and accepting its decidedly non-Christian teachings. And these teachings have caused physical, emotional and mental damage to countless unwary trainees over the past 10 years.

Killing the Victim appears to be an attempt by the authors, who are also the main trainers of Momentus/Breakthrough, to reach a larger audience (and likely recruit more people for the trainings themselves). (Co-author Pinci was no longer a trainer at last word, having left the parent ministry.) The book is full of New Age concepts and pop-psychology and all too short on scripture. (Which is understandable, as its tenets have no basis in Christian scripture at all.) Telling, too, is the fact that none of the authors even have any professional credentials in any psychological discipline whatsoever--so by what authority do they speak? This book is no more valid to true, beneficial change in anyone's life than if it were written by any other self-proclaimed, untrained "expert" on the subject. It is, in fact, quite dangerous to one's own mental and emotional health should a reader actually try to follow the advice in its pages. And to a Christian, it is absolutely destructive to one's spiritual life and Christian walk.

As noted, however, the main problem with this book lies in its claims to be Christian in origin and tone. If the authors were honest in relating where they got their ideas and concepts rather than attempting to portray them as Christian, this book would be somewhat less objectionable (though not very). At least readers who are Christian and would never consider following humanist psychological or New Age advice would know where the authors are really coming from. Then, if someone really wanted this kind of information and wanted to follow it, they'd know exactly what they were getting. Instead, Killing the Victim actually victimizes its readers--those who are Christians, at least--by giving the false impression that its ideas come from the Bible and scriptural principles instead of humanism and the New Age. This makes Killing the Victim little more than modern-day snake oil.

I urge any potential reader of this book who is Christian and who wants to become a better Christian to avoid it like the black plague. Those who follow its recommendations invariably become more self-oriented rather than God-oriented, as Christian scripture commands. The supposed Christian authors who've endorsed this book obviously have either not truly read it or are themselves so immersed in secular humanist psychology that they're no longer reliable guides to a Christian walk.

I see that, as I write this review, the book isn't currently available. I'd like to think that means that it's permanently out of print and no longer lurking somewhere in bookstores as a time bomb for undiscerning readers. Unfortunately, as the ministry for which its authors work has recently undergone a name change to escape recent exposes of its trainings, it's likely it's simply going to come out later in a new edition with the relevant updates. Don't be fooled! The only victim this book really deals with is the one you'll become by reading it and following what it says. Let he who has ears hear these words.

Note: I gave this book 1 star only because the reviewing form doesn't allow me to give it no stars--or, what would be more appropriate, negative stars.

This is not a book for those who are looking for Jesus to be Mr. Rogers. The authors are honest about their humanity, which made it easier to relate to their journey. They are very insightful, direct and well researched.

The controversy that seems to surround their point of view is deomonstrative of the potency of their message. If the message has power to save it also has equal power to offend those who subscribe to the entitlement mindset. The spiritually flabby Christian will be overworked by reading this, but those who are used to thinking rigorously will be deeply moved and invigorated.

I have given this book to more than 50 people in the past six months. I am reading it for the second time and I look forward to the journey.

Some people say that Breakthrough and GAP are wrong, and that this book's principles are wrong as well. I just completed my GAP training Sunday, and will attend the graduation ceremony this Saturday. I would just like to kindly ask people not to speak against training they know nothing about, based on books they barely read.
GAP is the best thing I have ever attended. Unlike most retreats, the counselor's at GAP allowed you to examine your own life, to see what might be causing problems for you.
Everyone seems to think it is stupid to discuss with a person why they should have been in their seat on time. I don't understand this. Before starting training, every person promises to be in their seat before time is called, and should not be angry when they are held to it. People get mad because counselor's want people to stand when they speak, and not to side-talk with participants during discussions.
You should not make a promise you can't keep. It is as simple as that. You should not make commitments when you have no desire to keep them. And you should not speak out against training you have not attended. If you do, then who is the real victim? The person that realizes the problems in his or her life, or the person that mindlessly repeats the media's biased views?
As for the book, it has helped me and my family alot. When other books would have just quoted scripture, this book (and the gap training) applies them to your life, and asks the questions that no one else asks. Questions such as, "Why is it so hard to keep your promises that you made less than two hours ago?" and "Why do act like it is not a big deal to lie?"
If you go to the training, actually listen to what there is to be said, and really open up to the teaching, then you will not have any bad opinions about GAP, Breakthrough, or this book. If you do, then I will listen to you. Otherwise, quit letting the media put words in your mouth.
If not for the creators of this book and the GAP training, I would be lost right now. They did not tell me what I did wrong, they simply allowed me to examine myself and decide whether I was living my life right. I realized that I had issues with lust, lying, and not being truthful with people. In four days, my entire outlook on life was changed.

I've been a Sherlock Holmes fan all my life. I have read all four of the Conan Doyle novels and most of the short stories. I've read numerous Holmes stories and novels by other writers and seen every Holmes film that I have come across. I was predisposed to like "Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery". However, all I can say is that it was a major disappointment.

First of all, let's be clear. Millett can call his main character Sherlock Holmes just as I can call myself the King of France, but saying, or writing, it doesn't make it so. Instead, we have some English imposter who doesn't even have the courage to use the Holmes name most of the time, let alone the Holmes intellect or his flair for observation and deduction. Millett would have been better off to have centered the novel around his own detective creation, Shadwell Rafferty, at least he seems to be who he says he is. Better yet, he should have built the book around his only interesting character, (alleged) villainous, Mary Comstock.

This is a story built, according to its narrator, the Pseudo-Dr. Watson, on coincidences. We all know what coincidences are. They are the last refuge of hack writers. If you don't know how to resolve a problem, have the solution fall conveniently into someone's lap. It's a lot easier than being creative.

Then there is the location of the book. We are asked to believe that Holmes would travel all the way to Minnesota by boat and train on some trivial mission for the King of Sweden. Since the King already has an agent there, this seems far-fetched. Now, I have nothing against stories set in Minnesota being a fan of John Sandford's Prey novels, but this is the third time that Millett has had Holmes make that trek. It just isn't reasonable to believe that Sherlock couldn't find something better to do in London, or Paris, or even beautiful downtown Burbank.

If you are a Holmes fan, I suggest curling up with Conan Doyle or Nicholas Meyer, or, better yet, one of Laurie King's Mary Russell novels. Just don't waste your time with this bit of fluff.

Sending Holmes and Watson to Minnesota, especially for a third time, is a stretch, but the story is good enough to overcome that, if the reader allows.

Millett manages to tell his partly factual mystery through a narrative that's acceptably close to Watsonian style, and makes his character Shadwell Rafferty a believable and pleasant addition to the team.

He is guilty of some overkill with his addition of the character Mary Comstock, whom he paints as being some combination of Professor Moriarty and Irene Adler. As such she can be no more than an obvious contrivance--there's only one Moriarty, and only one Irene Adler (who, as any Sherlockian knows, will always be "The woman" to Holmes). I'd have much rather seen Millett try to use either Moriarty or Adler in their true forms than this strange Comstock composite, which is definitely a mark against the book.

Having said that, I admit I much prefer to see a pastiche author err by addition, as Millett does in this case, than to see one err by grossly reshaping a classic character. Millett avoids this, and we're left with a book that, although untraditonal in setting, can be enjoyed in most of its other features.

I've read all three of Milletts Sherlock in Minnesota and this one was my favourite so far. I enjoy the interface of the refined Victorian detective with the quarks and characters of Minnesota. His stories have become progressively more fun to read. I really enjoy the addition of Rafferty to our crime fighting team.

I very seldom read a book I don't care for, and quite a few of the reviews point that way. However, this book told a story of a man's perception of right and wrong. Jack's internal conflicts and his thoughts do get a little wordy, and he does have a problem relating to females. But the morality involved here is quite interesting. To say this couldn't happen in the small town you live in? Probably already has. It's an unfortunate slice of reality; nothing joyful, warm and fuzzy about this story, but it does create a thought process. I can't stop thinking about the ending... You won't believe it... Four stars just because the ending was such a surprise...as said before... NO PEAKING!

White Crosses develops a theme of the sheriff as being the perveyor of the public image of the county. Jack Nevelson, the sheriff of Bentrock, Montana, has an image of what his town should be and what people in his town should be like. When the principal of the elementary school and a teenage girl are found dead in a ditch, he wants to protect his town's image. He concocts a lie to cover up the truth. What is true about his town and about him evolves into a good story. Larry Watson is a good story teller, but at times he wanders a bit from his task. He does bring the reader back to the story in his due time. He shows the reader that what seems to be - isn't. Inside of small little towns are secrets worthy of any story tellers attention. Bentrock could be a lot of places. He just tells the secrets of Bentrock. Who is the keeper of the secrets and the standards of your town? Is it the sheriff?

Oh, well, I guess you either could love it or hate it. I'm an AP English student, and this book was on our list of AP-approved books. My teacher recommended it, so I read it. I really enjoyed this book. Most of the plot is based on Jack's internal conflicts and his thoughts. I have never read a book before in which the protagonist thought so much. This is not an action book-it is a thoughtful book. It is also very realistic. Some of the other reviewers said that they disliked the ending. I don't think you're really supposed to like the ending; it's not meant to be a happy ending! You're not even supposed to like Jack! He's somewhat despicable, and everything that happens to him as a result of his lie is his own fault. I think this book is brilliant, and I know there are other people out there who would think so, too.