Formula of Deception is a book that hooked me from the start. I love how the present crime story has a connection to WW2. Also, the setting Kodiak, Alaska really worked great for me. I love stories set in remote towns or islands. And, a crime novel set in Alaska worked well with me since I don't read many books set in that state.

I was engrossed with the story. I found Murphy Anderson to be an interesting character. She's a person I felt I connected with. Her losses in life really moved me. I liked the characters she met in the book and Carrie Stuart Parks managed to add some really nice surprising twists to the story. All and all is this a great book and I hope this is the first book in a series!

I have previously read Portrait of Vengeance by Carrie Stuart Parks that I enjoyed and I'm glad to say that this one was just as good as Portrait of Vengeance (from the Gwen Marcey series) and that I definitely want to read more books by her.

I did enjoy the book but there were times I was a little lost. I think it is because there were so many characters, I couldn't keep up with them. The story is good though and kept my interest throughout. I loved that it was set in Alaska. I hear that it is beautiful there, but I don't think I could handle the cold weather.

Murphy is a complex character and I tried to connect with her. Her need to hide out in a town that no one knows her really intrigued me. She has encountered a dark past that has traumatized her. Her fear is that the person who she thought would stay in prison forever just might be on the loose. That would certainly have me on edge. She is a bright woman and fits in well in the town until she starts to lie about her background. The title of the book is perfect, because the story is full of deceptions.

I loved how the author seamlessly included history from WWII. That just enhances the mystery more when unexplained deaths start occurring during a murder investigation. No one is safe who has anything to do with investigating the crime, and bodies start to drop. Murphy must use her wits and survival instincts to stay ahead of danger. The ending will catch you off guard. It's another hit for this gifted author.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my own opinion.

3.5 stars

The setting and description of this book sounded original and different which was why I decided to review this one. I loved that this book was set in Alaska and had this obscure WWII reference.

It seemed like an untapped resource and caught my eye as soon as I read the description. All I kept thinking was what in the world is a WWII Quonset hut? I felt like I needed to read this book just to find that out!

When her twin sister was murdered, Murphy Anderson changed her name and appearance and moved to Kodiak to avoid the press and publicity. But when local authorities discover she’s an artist and request her help in drawing a dying man’s memories, she unintentionally ends up in the limelight again—and may be back in the killer’s crosshairs.

The memory that Murphy was asked to draw was from an Alaskan hunter who discovered five bodies on remote Ruuwaq Island ten years ago, but has only shared the information with the police now that he’s dying of cancer. When they go to the island to investigate, no skeletons remain but there is evidence that the bodies may have been deliberately destroyed. But the big discovery is of a World War II Quonset hut.

As one by one the people who were at the hut die, Murphy knows there is something much deeper at stake. What happened there during WWII? And who is willing to kill to keep those secrets buried? (summary from Goodreads).

While the WWII aspect of this book drew me in, it isn’t fully the focus of the story which was actually fine by me. It’s the catalyst for the narrative and the driving secret but the focus is more on why are people dying now. I liked how this story merged the two stories together and also incorporated Murphy’s sister’s murder. It all came full circle nicely.

I did learn a lot about WWII and how Alaska was effected during that time. It’s a region that is often forgotten and left out of more popular WWII stories so I loved how the author capitalized on that and took the opportunity to educate readers on this interesting period in history.

For me Murphy was just ok as the main character. I didn’t love her in the way that I had hoped and I am just not sure why but for some reason I just felt like I lacked a connection with her. I liked her job (forensic artist) but that was about it. She just wasn’t for me. The story itself was suspenseful and there were a lot of things going on that had to come together.

While the author did a good job at wrapping things up, I personally felt like there were a few too many things happening in the story that at times it became distracting. I mean there is a serial killer, the Nazis, biological weapons….there is just a lot happening in the plot and while she did a decent job weaving everything together, as a reader I sometimes got overwhelmed.

This is a new author to me, though she has written a number of other books and series, this one is a stand alone. I was happy to read this as fall kicked off because the setting really got me in the mood for fall. Also her experience with writing is evident in this book. She clearly knows how to spin a tale and write mysteries. She knows just how to hook her audience in and keep them reading. Practice makes perfect and Stuart Parks did a standout job hooking me into the book. However, I just couldn’t connect with the main character and because of that I had to go with a 3.5 star review. The book itself was compelling and interesting with a steady flow of clues to keep me reading, but without a connection to Murphy, I just didn’t enjoy the book to the degree that I had hoped. That’s not to say it was ‘bad’, in fact I thought it was good just not a 5 star for me.

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks

Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published July 3rd 2018 by Thomas Nelson (first published July 2018)
ASIN B077CWMGHW
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Recommendation: 3.5 out of 5
Genre: mystery, suspense
Memorable lines/quotes:

This was such a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed it! It keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page!

I absolutely love Carrie Stuart Parks’ books! This one is not an exception. The main character is Murphy, and she’s the kind of person you can just get to know right away.

She’s in danger, someone killed her twin sister, and she’s been attempting to find him, while staying hidden/away from him at the same time. Somehow, she stumbles onto another mystery, and then people around her start dying. It’s obvious that it’s something huge!

I love this kind of sleuth–one who’s a bit amateurish, and unsure of herself in this world. It makes me feel like I can relate to her better than those highly trained detectives you read about in some books.

She does have a few similarities to Gwen Marcey (the heroine of the previous series from this author)–this gal is also an artist. I like the details that are woven in to this story, the ones that explain how a forensic artist works, creates their drawings, etc. I find those bits of information extremely fascinating.

Back to the story–Murphy is scared. She doesn’t know who to trust. And she’s lost so many people she knows. And it just keeps going. Every time you think she should trust in… then you get another twist to the adventure. I found the action in this story incredible. It made me want to keep reading until the end.

The only thing I didn’t quite like about the story was the ending. I kept reading last night, because I really wanted to finish it. And that is maybe wherein the problem lies. You see, I found the ending just a bit confusing. It all happened very fast, and it was totally unexpected. So I think that I might need to go back and re-read the last few chapters, just to see if it really went down the way I think it did…

Anyhow, this was a terrific read. Suspenseful and all of that until the very end!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

When I read the summary for this book I was intrigued. I wanted to read this book. The author does a good job with the location setting for this story in the Alaskan wilderness. It really helped to set the right mood for this book. In regards to the main character, Murphy, she was nice. I found her personable. Yet, I never fully embraced her or the rest of the characters in this story. Thus as I have stated previously, it does not matter how well a story is written if the characters are flat, than, the story will suffer.

This was the case with this book for me. I was reading it. In fact, this was a quick read for me but I found that I was really only going through the motions a lot of the time. Nothing was truly sticking with me and therefore, I found myself struggling to connect to the story. Although, there is something there in this book. If I could have connected with the characters better my feelings towards this book were have been stronger.

Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks. This was my first book by Carrie.

The book opens with a scene to capture your attention. Carrie continues to sprinkle in bits and pieces of her history and the mystery to keep you guessing until the end. I did experience a short section that I felt was slow and then it picked right back up and when a bang. I did NOT figure it all out. The author did a great job of surprising me. There is a mystery from the past and the present. Murphy is an artist and she is helping solve a mystery while she is also looking for her sister and her sister’s boyfriend.

The author did a great job of intertwining two intense mysteries together. I don’t want to ruin any of the surprises so I will keep my review relatively short.

I enjoyed how the woman was trying to warn her off of Jonathan by telling Murphy that he has 4 boys. One of my favorite scenes is when the boys are introduced.

Violence - 3. There are several deaths throughout the book both past and present. None of them are described in graphic detail. There is also someone trying to kill her. And she is trying to find her sister or her sister’s body.
Sex - 0
Language
Drinking

I thought Formula of Deception was another story in the Gwen Marcey series, so it took me a little longer to get in to Formula of Deception, because I kept waiting for Gwen to show up. She doesn't, because the book isn't about her.

Formula of Deception begins on April Fool's Day on a small island of the coast of Alaska as an earthquake then tsunami hit. It then moves to the present day, where Murphy Andersen has got a job as a police artist on Kodiak Island, Alaska. She's drawing a decades-old murder scene, based on the memories of a dying priest.

Murphy was a fascinating character.
There is obviously some unknown trauma in her history, and this unfolds gradually as the plot progresses, as her personal story collides with the story of the dead bodies ... and there are soon more dead bodies. A murderer is on the loose ... but is this related to the priest's memories, Murphy's own personal history, or something else?

Murphy is hiding details about her personal history from her police colleagues, and it's not always easy to find the truth in her words, thoughts, and actions. This makes the book a challenge, but is also a strength, as it highlights the tension and the suspense. And there is plenty of suspense.

Recommended for suspense fans. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

~3.5 stars~
Whoa! Just give me a minute here while my head stops spinning! This story will certainly keep you on your toes, but I think I lost my balance right at the end as all the revelations and reversals kept piling up—some of which were more believable than others.

But let me start at the beginning. I love Carrie Stuart Parks’ characterisation, and this book was no exception. She invests each of her characters, no matter how important, with a unique personality—and in several cases, a helping of dry humour (always a win for me). I was particularly intrigued by Murphy’s character, as it became clear as the story went on that there were some psychological elements in play. I wasn’t quite sure how that was going to pan out, but her mental conversations with her dead sister were just one clue that there was something going on.

The plot moved at a crisp pace and provided plenty of danger and suspense (and an increasing body count!), but I found myself sceptical of some of the conclusions Murphy was able to draw at different points in the story. Sometimes they felt just a little too convenient, or as though the evidence she had wasn’t strong enough to justify the connections she was making. And by the end, the circumstances she uncovered were almost too convoluted for me to get my head around. I think if I went back and read it again I would probably be able to make better sense of it. In fact, maybe I should have done that at the time. If someone had been telling me the story, I would have made them stop and repeat a number of things just to make sure I had it all straight! But it was one of those stories where the idea of stopping to take stock doesn’t occur to you, because you’re too busy gorging yourself on all the revelations!

There were two somewhat disappointing elements, however. First, we get teased with the prospect of a romantic interest, but we hardly see him. Yes, I’m pouting. If you’re going to dangle that carrot, at least let us grab a few bites. On second thoughts, perhaps that wasn’t the best metaphor… 

The other thing was the resolution of the plot surrounding the sister’s killer. I’m going to have to be REALLY careful not to let spoilers slip here, but it felt a bit far-fetched to me. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say I felt a little duped. Maybe a bit of both. That’s probably all I can say without revealing too much.

With all that said, the story certainly kept my attention, so if that’s what you’re after, go for it!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

First Initial Thoughts

Murphy (interesting name for a girl) recently escaped to Alaska after her sister's murder. She changes her name and tells a fake story to get a job with the local police department as a forensic artist. I found it kind of odd that the police never bothered to check her credentials and just hired her out of the blue -based on her talent?

Murphy meets Bertie - a detective at the local Kodiak police department. Bertie and Murphy become fast friends. Bertie sees the talent and intelligence in Murphy when others are skeptical about her talents. I also think Murphy needed a friend after all that happened.

In the beginning, Murphy is hired to draw what a man named Vastly saw when going to Ruuwaq island. Ten years ago he found several bodies- dead. Before she could get information, Vastly and his wife are killed. As the investigation continues more people are killed. Is it Clinton, the man who killed her sister? Did he find out where she was?

While investigating the murder, Bertie and Murphy go to Ruuwaq Island to retrieve some evidence. There they find an old bunker that was built during WWII. In the bunker, they find an old skeleton/body. Who is the deceased? And are they connected with the murders in some way?

Setting

I have always wanted to visit Alaska. It just looks so beautiful from pictures. I didn't know too much about Kodiak before reading this book. I didn't know it was one of the largest islands in the US. The image on the book just fits the setting perfectly!

Final Thoughts

Whew, this was an intense read! Carrie kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next.

What I did like about this book is that Carrie intertwined the past with the present. I always enjoy reading mysteries where the past catches up with the present.

Speaking of the mystery. I was kind of underwhelmed. Albeit, I was very surprised and I never guessed who the killer was! The only gripe I had was it didn't seem plausible - after so many years. And I was a little confused on how it all tied together. The mystery about the Ruuwaq Island, however, I could see happening, unfortunately.

I actually found the mystery of Ruuwaq island to be more interesting than the modern day mystery in the story. I won't say much about it - to not spoil the story but it's very controversial!

Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks is a standalone novel by a talented author. I have really enjoyed this author's other books in the Gwen Marcey series and I expected to meet the same characters in this novel. Instead, I discovered a completely different protagonist and a fascinating setting deep in Alaska. Murphy is a flawed character and her own personal issues add a great deal to the main plot. I read a lot of suspense/thrillers and I'm not easily frightened by plots. This one-- it literally had me on the edge of my seat. Ms Parks is a brilliant storyteller and this story is not predictable in any way. I highly recommend this book! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is the best of Carrie's books I've read so far. I was expecting another Gwen Marcy book so was pleasantly surprised with a whole new cast of characters. I couldn't put it down, everywhere Murphy Anderson goes, someone is murdered. It starts with five bodies being discovered on Ruuwaq Island and when Murphy goes to investigate along with Bertie they discover a long hidden secret that could cost them their lives. Murphy is also dealing with a cold case from her past involving her twin sister and a serial killer. Full of action and suspense, it keeps you guessing until the end.

What a great suspense book. I always enjoy a good suspense and Formula of Deception did not disappoint. Great plot, character development and setting. I highly recommend this book to fans of suspense. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc. This is my unbiased review.

Really enjoyed this book, the first I had read by this author. I purchased the Gwen Marcey series and loved them, read all 4 straight after each other. Would love a happy ending for Gwen so hope there is another book in this series.

Formula Of Deception - Wow did Ms. Parks outdo herself. This story is thrilling, agonizingly mysterious, calculating and downright breathtaking from the ride you are on - you have it all - the who, what, where, when and why - who and why is what you are so longing looking at each page trying to find out just who and just why. The author has brilliantly made the characters full of life and what is most of all important - full of Faith. The characters are complicating real. They were brought to life from the very beginning. You have Murphy Anderson - who is an artist - but tries to convince others that she is a forensic artist.- has a secret - one that could harm those around her - will she ever share? Will she even care that her life is in danger? Is seeking the one hiding as smart as she thinks it is? The reason why she does all this is for a very serious - life changing reason. While she portrays herself as a Forensic Artist she is hired by The police in the town she just moved to - she starts working in a cold case as well as trying to deal with this secret she has that causes severe repercussions on those she know. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

back in the killer’s crosshairs.

The deathbed confessions of an Alaskan hunter have Murphy drawing the five bodies he discovered on remote Ruuwaq Island ten years ago. But what investigators find has them mystified. Evidence suggests that the bodies were deliberately destroyed, and what they uncover in an abandoned Quonset hut from World War II only brings more questions.

As one by one the investigators who were at the hut die, Murphy knows there is something much darker at stake. What happened on this island during the war? And who is willing to kill to keep its secrets buried?

MY REVIEW
“Oh Holy Plot Twist Batman!”

This went from a good story to a great story with a very unexpected plot twist toward the end of the book! I did not see it coming!

The main character, Murphy, was quirky and had a lot of spunk. I liked her a lot.The only negative is it didn’t seem to pay to be her friend.

As far as the story, I found it fascinating. I had no idea the Japanese occupied Alaska. There was a good amount of action and a taste of romance. But most of all the plot twist at the end just floored me.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 Stars

At first, I thought it might be because I was listening to the audiobook, but other reviewers have mentioned the same thing, so that may not be it. There were a lot of characters to keep track of in this book. And at least a couple times, someone is introduced only to become part of the ever-rising body count.

I was not at all expecting the twist toward the end of the book and would have liked a few more clues leading up to it. It felt a little contrived to me at the time of the big reveal.

That said, Carrie Stuart Parks knows how to draw a reader into the story and keep their attention.
There’s a lot happening—Murphy searching for her sister, a serial killer escaped from prison, the WWII plot, and more.

While I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did the Gwen Marcey series, Formula of Deception is an entertaining read for those who enjoy a fast-paced and intense mystery and suspense with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I must admit that I was confused by the plot of this book. Right from the beginning, I had the feeling of being brought in during the middle of a scene that had been played out elsewhere. My first thought was that the book was part of a series, so I went looking for the earlier book. Nope – it is a standalone book by an author who has written a series.

I read through the book and as it progressed the main character kept doing things that didn’t make sense and she seemed to be headed for disaster.

In addition to her personal quest (to find her sister), there is another subplot that involves shadowy doings during World War II. I never really put these two things together other than they were in the same book and the same present day individual was involved in solving the issue.


The plot and character of the individual literally changed on a dime in the waning chapters of the book and turned the main plot on its head. I liked the final character much better than the earlier one and wish the book had been written more from her perspective. Once the book changed, I liked it and so I give it a three instead of the two that I was initially going to give.

There is a lot of death in this book and of characters you might have come to know and like but relationships are cut off too quickly and the ones that continue don’t make much sense.

The book is published by a well-known Christian publisher and is listed in the Christian section but I did not see anything of Christianity in it beyond a character who talks around the edges of a Christian message but doesn’t provide one in the book. In fact, I would call the book more worldly spiritual than anything else. Perhaps it is the beginning of a series and will explore Christianity later but for now, it is not Christian in nature.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Breathe now, you won't be able to later...

As soon as I saw that Carrie Stuart Parks had a new book coming out I knew that it would be a must-read for me, I didn't even read the blurb to find out what it was about until I already had a copy on my Kindle. When Formula Of Deception arrived on my Kindle I couldn't resist, it was futile, despite a number of books being higher on my TBR pile, I just couldn't help myself, I HAD to read this book right NOW.

Formula Of Deception was everything I could have hope for and more, lots more. I loved it!!! Carrie Stuart Parks' no-nonsense, straightforward, rather blunt, writing style captured me from the first book of hers that I read and each succeeding title only furthers my appreciation of her talents.

Formula Of Deception was delightfully chilling, spine-tingling, and even a little eerie in places. Merging a seventy year old mystery, terrifying secrets, and some modern people that will stop at nothing to get what they want, Carrie Stuart Parks takes her readers on a wild ride they won't soon forget.

I just couldn't seem to turn the pages fast enough with this book and now I am left, waiting, desperately waiting, for the next book from this author...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Great mystery/suspense novel set in modern-day but with a mystery from World War II. Murphy lost her twin sister through a murder and has changed her name and appearance and moved to Alaska. The story moves quickly with many characters, sometimes almost difficult to keep track of each character, but everything ties together in the end. I was kept guessing about many aspects of the mystery until the very end of the book. Lots of action, suspense, gritty characters all set in the incredible Kodiak, Alaska setting.