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BOOK REVIEW: Riptide
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by Vickie McDonough Dancing Word Reviewer
Title: Riptide Author: Lorena McCourtney Publisher: Revell ISBN: 1-800-75777-7 Genre: Inspirational/Mystery
When her grandmother confesses a long-kept secret, Sarah MacIntosh is joyfully reunited with her twin sister, Julie. Separated at birth, twenty-five years earlier, the women now get to know and love each other in the small town of Julesburg, Oregon. Though they are identical in looks, each woman has a character uniquely their own. Julie is talkative, trusting and a valiant warrior for the underdog. Reserved and analytical, Sarah is more protective of her emotions and not as ready and willing to trust.
Sarah moves from California to Julesburg to be near Julie. They make plans to purchase the Nevermore, an abandoned theatre, and remodel it into an antique and craft bazaar. But the Nevermore comes with a jaded past, and whenever someone tries to buy the ancient theater, terrible things happen. Julie and Sarah, however, don’t believe in curses and are anxious to begin work on their project.
They recruit bids from area contractors and Nick Nordahl comes highly recommended. One evening, Sarah and Julie drive to Nick’s nearby town. The trio dines together, enjoy each other’s company, and talk about the Nevermore. When a storm moves in, Nick tries to persuade the women to stay overnight at his mother’s house, but the fearless women decline his offer and head home.
With Julie sleeping snugly in the back seat, under a pile of blankets, Sarah decides to make a quick stop at the small, corner grocery store. A heavy chilling rain buffets Sarah’s SUV, so she leaves the car running, the heater blasting, and races in the store. Grabbing a carton of milk and a box of cereal, she heads to the counter, only to be halted by a masked gunman. In a matter of seconds, the old lady behind the counter is dead and the man has fled the store, taking Sarah’s SUV—and Julie.
New in town, Sarah turns to Nick. His calm, reassuring manner is just what the frantic woman needs. It seems Julesburg’s lone policeman is out to make a name for himself and refuses to allow other law enforcement agencies to help in the investigation. Frustrated, Nick and Sarah embark on their own desperate search to find Julie. As they drive up one blind alley after another, they begin to think there’s more involved here than a robbery gone bad.
Nick quickly realizes he’s falling fast for Sarah. Though she questions him about his faith, Sarah has issues with God, and is angered by Julie’s kidnapping. Adding to her doubts, Sarah’s life has been threatened if she remains in Julesburg. In the midst of danger, intrigue, and issues of faith, can a romance between Nick and Sarah ever work out? Will Sarah join her sister, or will Julie be found before it’s too late for them all?
Riptide captured my interest from the get-go and it never
lulled. I found myself saying, “Ah ha! He did it,” then changing my mind
more times than a kid in a candy store does. Lorena McCourtney’s
characters are three-dimensional, quickly pulling the reader into the
story. Sarah confronts Nick with some difficult questions about his God
and his beliefs, questions that real life people struggle with. The faith
element is subtle and realistic, not overpowering. This is the first book
I’ve read by Lorena McCourtney and I have to say, I was very impressed.
Riptide
is a fast-pace whodunit that will keep you guessing to the final pages.
Filled with dead ends and copious suspicious characters you’ll find
Riptide
a truly compelling, suspense-filled read. | |
