Very entertaining mystery with lots of rabbits trails! The character, Tavish is a complex person with quirks that will intrigue readers. Is she just seeking justice or imagining things? This is a fun read. Recommended!

I think I have read all of Carrie Stuart Parks' books, and this one might be one of my favorites. There were many twists that I did not see coming at all. I really liked the theme of facing who we are and who we are called to be. The only possible downgrade (which obviously did not reflect my rating) was the fact that the main characters' relationship did not seem to reflect the actual time that they spent with each other. How they related to each other at the end did not fit the storyline. But other than that, I found it to be a very enjoyable read!

There’s so much I adore about Carrie’s books, but let’s just chat about this one.

Characters: Well-crafted. Real. I related to the main character Tavish (love that nickname). She’s a bit cynical, but not in a “whiny I don’t like you” way. She’s had some hard hands dealt her in life. I also love her wit/humor. She’s a fighter, a survivor, and a searcher. I will say she finds everything she’s searching for which brings us to…

Faith Thread: Carrie always has a faith thread in her books, some a little more overt than others. This one is in the middle. I wouldn’t consider it preachy in any way and I think it can cross both markets, Christian readership and General Market without getting dinged for being “too Christian” or “not Christian enough”.

Suspense/Thriller: I enjoyed putting the puzzle pieces together while hanging on throughout the danger scenes and there were aplenty to keep avid suspense readers enthralled as well as mystery readers who love trying to figure out what is going on and whodunnit.

Resolution: Everything is wrapped up and explained in a natural way that makes sense. No ‘give me a break’ moments! At least not for me.

Highlight: If you love dogs, you’ll love really all of Carrie’s books as they have a direct role, but this one features a pretty cool Puli.

Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers.
Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she was commissioned to draw the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body.
As Evelyn herself becomes a target, she crosses paths with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. The more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he becomes in keeping her safe. Together, they’re desperate to find the links between so many disparate pieces.
And the clock is ticking.

The minute I started reading I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down. There were a lot of characters thrown at you in the beginning of the book. But once I had them figured out it was easier to follow the story line. All the different characters were part of the mystery and were needed. Some that I thought were just thrown in there were part of the big picture. The only negative thing I would say about the book is the very end. Sawyer and Tavish ran into each others arms and proclaimed their love for each other. They were only with each other for a few times in a span of several days. I think it would have made more sense to have them want to explore they feelings they are starting to have rather than proclaim their love.

I recommend this book to all who enjoy a good mystery.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

FRAGMENTS..OF..FEAR.....Carrie..Stuart .Parks
Evelyn found her fiancé, a meeting place he had suggested and he was in a rental car. The body unviewable, saying it was suicide, he left her no note, and he would have, saying why. Tonight was to be a celebration asking her Mother for Evelyn’s hand in marriage. Gravesite, with the fake grass, and his death seemed unreal. A mourner comes, saying she had so much she wanted to say to him., they were to be married. Asking to whom she meant, , it was the name of her fiancé.
Life for Evelyn was out of control, a grandmother had died, a fiancé, saying suicide, a job she hated, a mother did she even love her, her art would it sell.
Life was mix up, and then a call for a dog, the chip had her information, but not hers. The stranger at the gravesite, saying she was dumpy, and he only wanting her money. A novel full of twists, the uncertainties would life ever be normal again. Great story, that keeps one reading to the end.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and
Thomas Nelson.

This is an exciting and suspenseful book with so many twists and turns that I’m not going to review specifics of the plot in this review because I don’t want to give away any of the storyline. This is one of the most unusual Christian suspense stories that I’ve ever read and I enjoyed it very much because of that. Tavish is such a great character. She doesn’t fit in any “fiction character” box, and that adds to the story. At first I found it a little bit hard to connect with her, but as I kept reading, I became a cheerleader for her as she escaped danger time and time again. I’d read another book about her because I’d like to see what she does next. The ending of this story had one last surprise twist that I had not guessed and made the ending perfect.

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

There were so many things I enjoyed about this book. Tavish's life was out of control and she was a mess at the beginning. Missing her recently decreased grandmother, reeling from her finance’s supposed suicide, feeling unloved by her mother, and afraid her art was never going to sell, Tavish had plenty to deal with. Then she gets a call to pickup her dog from the pound - but Tavish doesn’t have a dog! She argues with the pound but finally relents and gets the dog when they tell her to get her today or she will be euthanized that night. She recognizes the dog immediately as belonging to a man who recently commissioned her to do a portrait of him and the dog. When she tries to find the owner, she finds him murdered. Things only get worse for her from there. I believe her relationship with the dog is the first step in her journey to a better life. But things get worse before they get better - she discovers more murders and then there are attempts on her life. The story is full of suspense, twists, and surprises up until the very end. By the end, Tavish has matured and grown into a more self-confident woman with a bright future. A little romance adds to the adventure also. Ms Parks pulls all the pieces together into a tense and fun read. I will read more books by this author.

In full disclosure, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

The title totally fits the main character, she is afraid of everything, thinks she is fat and unattractive and chews her nails to the bone and she's rich. Her fiance has just died -apparent suicide- she believes he was murdered but the police don't agree and think she is crazy. She receives a call from an animal shelter that her dog is about to be put down but she doesn't have a dog. When she goes to check it out she finds the dog belongs to an art client of hers but she has no idea why he registered the dogs chip to her. She goes to his house to return the dog and finds the man dead. This begins a frightening and thrilling chain of events that threatens to get her killed as she tries to find out what is going on and who to trust.This turned out to be a nail-biting thrilling race of a read and I enjoyed it immensely. It is Christian fiction approached in the most natural real-life way.

Fragments of Fear is a mystery style novel, but deviates from your typical run-of-the-mill heroine. Evelyn McTavish, who goes by Tavish, is a complex character with flaws and traits that most authors by-pass. She has obsessive compulsive tendencies, issues dealing with her overbearing mother, and suffers from low self esteem. But when confronted with a series of murders, it’s clear someone wants her dead. Tavish has to break out of her self-imposed box and delve into a world completely out of her comfort zone.

Readers become engrossed in Tavish’s pursuit for justice and will root for as she tries to navigate a world that is very different than the life she’s led. The author gives an interesting perspective into the way others see Tavish versus how she sees herself. I rather enjoy novels with characters and stories lines that are complex and unique. This isn’t a typical heroine saves the day story. Readers will spend time trying to figure out Tavish. Is she a train wreck or a super hero? There is a love story, but Tavish take center stage and the romance element almost seems like an afterthought, although it does play into how Tavish views the world around her.

The novel took me some time to get into, but I found Tavish to be delightful and loved to see her transformation throughout the story. There is definitely a lot of high stakes action and suspense, so if you are a fan of danger and life-or-death situations, you’ll find this an exciting read. Carrie Stuart Parks always has intriguing settings, and this takes place in the deserts of New Mexico. It’s the perfect backdrop for this mysterious plot line.

Fragments of Fear is a thrilling and intricately woven suspense novel. With endless twists and loads of action, it is a novel that continued to keep me guessing and marvelling at the unexpected strength of the main character. Fragments of Fear is the first novel I have read by Carrie Stuart Parks and I was impressed with her storytelling and mastery of the suspense details.

Evelyn McTavish, Tavish to her friends, is rocked when her fiancé dies by suicide. A surprise visitor at the graveside service further shakes Tavish’s confidence in herself. Her art isn’t exactly making the waves she thought it would, she hates her accounting job and she still lives under her mother’s roof - even if it’s a guesthouse. When she receives a call saying her name and number was in the microchip of a lost dog, she stumbles into a world of stolen artefacts, drugs, and murder. When the killer’s target is turned her way and the police label her as crazy and don’t believe her story, Tavish sets out to find out what’s really going on.

Tavish is an unlikely heroine. She is not exactly self-confident, has zero experience solving crimes and taking on bad guys, but she never gives up. Even when everyone writes her off, doesn’t believe her or calls her crazy. Even when she has been shot at, blown up and left for dead. Tavish, despite having no detective experience, is pretty good at investigating. I liked that this is a citizen-driven investigation and while she and FBI Agent Sawyer cross paths and work together at some points, they don’t unrealistically team up or are unnecessarily thrown together. Parks leaves the characters, Tavish in particular, to find their own way and answers, which I found refreshing.

There are so many threads in Fragments of Fear. I like a good, thick plot and that is exactly what you get with this story. Along with all the action and life endangerment, there are threads of drug crime, art crime, artefact theft, murder, family drama complications, cons, and mysterious coverups, as well as a touch of romance and discovery of faith. Fragments of Fear is a detailed and well planned suspense novel, which I greatly enjoyed.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful book!! It is full of action, suspense, twists and turns, and will keep you guessing. It will keep you turning the pages because you have to know what happens next. This is a must read!! Thank you Thomas Nelson--Fiction via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this awesome book. All opinions expressed are my own.

''We have three hours to figure this out and disappear for a bit. It's hard to kill someone you can't find.'

Evelyn McTavish, or Tavish, as she prefers to be called, is slowly pulling herself together after her fiancé commits suicide. Then she's called by a vet clinic to pick up her dog; only she doesn't own a dog. But this dog's microchip says she does. Hmmm. From this moment forward, things begin happening at a rapid pace: murders happen, art is stolen, and absolutely nothing is as it seems. Tavish's life is turned completely upside down. Can she even believe anyone anymore? She connects with an FBI agent, Sawyer Price, and maybe, just maybe he is who he says he is. Even is nobody else is.

From the first moment, this book pulled me into the story and I read for hours at a time, finishing it in less than one day. What a mystery! This is taut, full of excitement and flies along at a rapid pace, and it is a complete surprise at the end! A clock is ticking throughout the book and so was my heart! I was gasping in disbelief. I never guessed for one minute. Not once. Absolutely loved it. Recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks

I loved this book! It had some of my very favorite things in a book: a twisting plot, a character who isn’t what you think, a quirky but strong female main character and a satisfying conclusion. Throw in some missing art, a strained mother-daughter relationship, an unusual dog and non-stop action and you get an excellent read!

Carrie Stuart Parks is one of my favorite authors. I loved her previous series’ main character, Gwen Marcy, and Tavish is just as relatable and likeable. I hope to meet her again in the next book by Parks.

If you like a good suspense with a dash of romance, this is the book for you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Read it!

This is an great book, the levels of the plot and different people involved keep you on your toes. Evelyn is so likable (unlike her Mother), and so lost, you cannot help but adore her. The situations Evelyn finds herself in, by accident, are so out of her realm that watching her cope is compelling. It will be hard to take anyone at face value when you finish this book.

Carrie Stuart Parks latest tale, Fragments of Fear, is the book for you if you enjoy a good suspense novel. You will meet Evelyn McTavish on page one. As you try to decipher who Evelyn is and where she is headed, you will slowly be drawn to this ‘wounded’ woman. Evelyn or ‘McTavish’, as she prefers, is simply trying to make sense of her world!

McTavish soon teams up with undercover FBI agent, Sawyer Price. As you watch these two try to make sense of the clues placed before them, you will see McTavish slowly open herself up to the kindness Sawyer offers!

This is a fast-paced tale that will bring you barreling to the final conclusion. It is definitely a tale not to be missed!

When I was approved for the egalley Fragments of Fear, I dropped everything and started reading it. Carrie Stuart Parks is one of my favorite authors and I just couldn't wait to dive into her world of behind-the-scenes crime investigation. This book is very different from her others, both in terms of the characters and the plot. I wanted to like it, but had to force myself to finish it. I wasn't the right reader for this book, I guess.

Tavish as her friends call her, was the main character of Fragments of Fear. She was insecure and socially awkward, offering money to everyone who became confrontational with her. Her saga continued to become more and more far-fetched as the story went on. I like to experience a little bit of "suspension of disbelief," but this was just too much. Additionally, there was a repetitive recap of the clues in her mystery. Each time a new character became involved, we had to go through the entire scenario again. Whew! The romantic element of the book was the thing that put me over the edge. It just didn't fit in this story, and was too much, too soon.

Apart from the storyline, my egalley had many formatting issues. A print copy of this book might make it easier to read. Because of this, it took me a month to finish a book that I expected to stay up reading all night!

Evelyn McTavish, who goes by Tavish, is having a weird day. She is called to come pick up her dog from the pound, but she doesn’t have a dog. The pound swears they retrieved her name and address from the chip in a dog now in their care, a dog who they’ll put to sleep if she doesn’t come claim it in 24 hours. When she shows up at the pound to save some poor dog from impending doom, she finds that she does know the dog. It was the dog of a man named John Coyote who commissioned her to do a portrait of himself with his dog Marley. She takes Marley and goes to John’s house only to find him dead. When she leaves to find a working phone to call the police, she witnesses a cop take his body and dump it in his trunk. Marley barks at this and they are shot at but Tavish manages to hit the gas. Now she and Marley are on the run trying to figure out what is going on and who she can trust.

This was one wild and zany mystery plot line that kept me guessing for quite a while. It’s a mystery that starts off with you and many of the characters wondering if the main character is losing it or if these things are really happening. The path to some answers is quite convoluted. Sometimes it required a little suspension of belief, but it is also feasible. There was a weird obsession with checks and lack of ATM or debit card usage that felt weirdly dated, while at the same time cell phones, nanotech, and Uber are mentioned. I suggested to the publisher they might want to change that. The romance element was a little too insta-love for my taste, but it is also a rather minor part of the story. I liked the inclusion of Marley in the story. The little dog helps liven things up a bit and helps level Tavish out some. It is fascinating that the author is really an art forensics specialist. The art bits of the story definitely felt authentic and even the police/FBI procedure bits were a little more detailed than some mystery novels. Even though I mentioned there were some little points here and there I felt could have been better, I did tear through this book in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down, and that is probably a better testament to the readability and engagement of the story. There are some light Christian elements to the story like a Bible verse and prayer. I liked this enough I think I’ll hunt down some other books by this author. Recommended to mystery fans who like things exciting and plot lines that will keep you on your toes and turning pages quickly.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a light kiss. There are several deaths that are minimally described and a few injuries of varying seriousness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tavish (her mother insists on calling her by her given name, Evelyn Yvonne McTavish), grieves Andrew James, her fiancé’s, death alone. Her wealthy mother has more pressing business—dealing with recovered paintings rates higher than supporting her heartbroken daughter. Tavish and her mother, Helen Richmond seem to mutually disappoint each other at every turn. Helen builds business empires and Tavish just wants to explore her art.

As an heiress (she inherited her grandmother’s estate), Tavish can do what she wants. After Andrew’s death (the police ruled it a suicide), Tavish hounds the police department, insisting that Andrew would never kill himself.

When a pound calls to tell her they have her dog (she doesn’t own one), she returns the dog to its rightful owner and stumbles upon a crime scene. But because of the incident with her fiancé, she has little hope that the police probably will believe her.

One bizarre event follows another as Tavish tries to figure out what’s going on. Maybe she’s losing her mind, because no one seems to believe her when she tries to tell them about the murder, the missing man, a people following her. Until she meets a guy at her gallery opening. And then stumbles across him again at an archeological dig.

Agent Sawyer Price doesn’t really believe in love at first sight, but when he sees Tavish for the first time, his befuddled mind can’t spit out a coherent sentence. He thinks he must have offended her, because she leaves the gallery with tears shimmering in her beautiful eyes. He buys her drawing and manages to snag a look at her contact information. He has no idea what he’ll do with the intel.

And then she shows up in the middle of the night at the archeological dig where he has worked undercover for the past eight months. She tells him a story so bizarre it could only be true (because she can’t be crazy). When he finds a tracking device in her car, it confirms his analysis. And just maybe her story and his dead-end case have something to do with each other.

Carrie Stuart Parks keeps the reader guessing and on her toes as each new twist and turn unfolds. It seems as if someone wants Tavish dead, and they’ll go to great lengths to make it look like an accident. What does her mother and her stolen art have to do with the threats to Tavish’s life? As Tavish digs deeper into the mystery, she slowly comes to understand that crystals and mantras can’t save her from anxiety or harm.

I have adored Carrie Stuart Parks's writing since I picked up her first novel. I'm really glad to have another Christian suspense author to enjoy. So many Christian play it safe by writing romantic suspense, but those lean toward the romance side as more of a plot tactic. But Parks is definitely not like that. She writes suspense that grips me in the first chapter and doesn't let go. In Fragments of Fear, the plot had me guessing a couple time of where I thought the story would head to, but Parks would throw a curve ball in the action and take the story in a different direction. I love how each one of Parks' heroines are artist who use their ability to capture the bad guy. There was a budding romance between Tavish and Sawyer, but I really didn't believe they fell in love as fast as Parks claimed they did by the end of the novel. While the romance really didn't fit, the suspense was well-written and captured my attention. I believe fans of Steven James, Ronie Kendig, and Lynette Eason should pick up this book or anything by Carrie Stuart Parks.

I received a complimentary copy of Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Wow - what a fun ride! This book hit the ground running and did NOT let up! I literally could not put this one down. The entire book had so many twists and turns. While I didn't have any trouble keeping track, I was left guessing until the very end. Very well written suspense with just a hint of romance. There was also a solid faith thread that was not in the least preachy, but did come through loud and clear.

Evelyn McTavish (known as Tavish) has recently lost her fiance. Though she refuses to believe it was suicide, the police do not give her any credence. While she's still grieving, she gets a call from an animal shelter to come and get her dog before they put it to sleep. Tavish has never had a dog, but she doesn't want to be responsible for an animal being euthanized, so she goes to check it out. Picking up the dog sets a whole series of events in motion that she could have never imagined.

This book had a little bit of everything. An intense mystery with suspense, non-stop action, fun lovable characters, drama, great dialogue and little bit of romance. My only complaint (and this may be something that gets fixed in the final edits) was that though the book was written in 3rd person, it would shift to 1st person whenever someone was "thinking". It wasn't difficult to track - just a bit distracting. Since it didn't detract from the story at all (nor was it confusing), it did not take away any stars from my rating. I would strongly recommend for readers who enjoy inspirational mystery/suspense or romantic suspense.

Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.