Member Reviews

"Fragments of Fear" was such a super fast read, I absolutely LOVED it! Author Carrie Stuart Parks did an excellent job of skillfully writing, researching, and creating this story-line. The characters are likable and relationship forming, and you find yourself rooting for them as if you were personally connected. This is a must read for any suspense loving reader, but you better warn them, they'll be on the edge of their seat till the very end!

Was this review helpful?

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

One can usually expect something intense when Carrie Stuart Parks is writing, spun with the uniqueness of her forensic expertise. I did not feel as much of that here with her one-off novel and wish for more of the series that pulled me in while teaching me all about forensic artists. Evelyn McTavish is suffering, having just buried her fiancé. ‘Tavish’ to many who know her around her New Mexico home, has to find some normalcy in her life. When she receives an odd phone call from the local dog pound, Tavish is pulled into the middle of a series of events that could put her in much danger. Somehow identified as the owner of an acquaintance’s dog, a man who soon appears murdered in his own home, Tavish must try to get answers while dodging those who would seek to hurt her. As the story progresses, more becomes known about the larger story and how Tavish may have stumbled into the middle of things inadvertently. All she thought she knew goes up in a puff of smoke, leaving more confusion. As the tension ramps up, no one is safe and any hope of a peaceful solution goes out the window. In a piece that left me feeling very distance and detached, I pined for the Parks from her past novels. While I may have missed out on much by not feeling connected to the story, I cannot offer a strong recommendation, but do hope readers will look to her past work for something I would highly suggest checking out soon.

Sometimes authors have hit or miss moments, much like a well-rounded readers who travel through the world of fiction and non-fiction over long periods of time. I know that I enjoy Carrie Stuart Parks and her writing, but felt as though there was something missing from this piece. Tavish is an interesting woman with an artistic background, but I never found myself able to fully connect with her. She seems to have found herself in the middle of a larger mystery and by doing so, she struggles to find which way is up. It could be that the story rushed by and I never ‘caught on’ to her as a character, but it was almost as though I was waiting for the big Tavish reveal to hook me. Others found their place throughout the story and kept me wanting to find just a little more to pull me into the piece, but I was sadly unable to latch on. The premise, from what I ascertained, was decent, though the mystery did not get to the depths I had hoped it might. I know that established authors with strong series are sometimes judged based on that as a yardstick, which is surely what I am doing here, but I cannot help myself. I needed more and while I may be in the minority, as a reader, my own opinion matters as much as the major reviewers and slew of those on Goodreads or other sites. I can hope that this was an anomaly for me and that we will return to the powerful and addictive novels before too long.
Kudos, Madam Parks, for the effort, as I know there was much that went into this piece. It was likely not my cup of tea, which surely happens. Not all readers can be enamoured all the time!

Was this review helpful?

The blurb for Fragments of Fear caught my attention immediately because of its interesting premise and intriguing storyline. It definitely sounded like a book I wanted to read. There was a lot of action and an engaging plot. This was my first book by Carrie Stuart Parks, and I didn't love it as much as I thought I would, but I'm sure that fans of Carrie Stuart Parks' previous novels will thoroughly enjoy it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Was this review helpful?

The life of Evelyn McTavish, or Tavish as she prefers to be called, gets turned upside down when the person who she is doing a painting for turns up dead. The more she learns about the mysterious John Coyote the more dangerous her life becomes. The story was interesting for the most part, despite some lulls in the middle. I’ve enjoyed other Carrie Parks books and would read more books in this series if she continues it.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! It captured my attention from the first page to the very end. I have read all of Carrie Stuart Park's books, so far, and this is definitely one of my favorites. It had some twists and turns and kept me guessing until the very end.

This book follows Evelyn McTavish, who goes by Tavish. It starts out that Tavish is attending her finances funeral. Everyone says he committed suicide, but she doesn't believe it. Then she gets a call to come pick up her dog, but she doesn't have a dog! Yet her number is on the dog's chip. So, there starts the mystery that Tavish is trying to solve. There is a little romance thrown in also.

I definitely recommend this book. It has all the suspense of a thriller yet it is a clean read...which I love! Carrie Stuart Parks is one of my favorite authors, and I am always looking for new books by her!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Disclaimer: the formatting was a bit off in my e-galley, so that may have influenced my enjoyment of the book since it made it difficult to follow. However, this was not my favorite by Parks. I found it less realistic than her other mysteries. I still wanted to find out what happened, however, and I still recommend this to fans of Christian mystery/suspense.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book. It kept me reading and not wanting to put it down. Suspenseful till the very end. Kept me guessing. I recommend this book . A must read

Was this review helpful?

The culture of New Mexico, fine art theft, archaegological digs, microchips, a Puli dog, and an innocent bystander accused of murder--or is she innocent? You'll find it all in Fragments of Fear, a new novel by suspense author Carrie Stuart Parks. She keeps readers engaged with an interesting story line, a likeable and believeable main character, truly bad bad guys, and edge of the seat suspense. If you're looking for a good read, this suspense novel won't disappoint, but be prepared to let other things go by the wayside, because you'll have a hard time putting down Fragments of Fear. It's the perfect book for a holiday or vacation time. Just when you think you know which way the plot is headed, you'll find some surprises. If I say any more, it might spoil the read, and you don't want that! Pick up a copy of Parks' Fragments of Fear today.

Was this review helpful?

FRAGMENTS OF FEAR by CARRIE STUART PARKS will keep you guessing right to the very end. i love the author's easy way of writing, of getting into the characters' thoughts, and the "conversations" Tavish has with Marley the dog! I also like the way Tavish, who is a nervous wreck, holds on to Proverbs 3 verse 5, which is on her beloved grandmother's tombstone, and calls out to the Lord when she finds herself in frightening situations.
It is a suspense story with many twists and turns, a thriller with a difference, and altogether a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?