I live in north Georgia: this mystery is set in north Georgia. So thanks to NetGalley, I had the chance to enjoy a nice legal mystery story. As a Christian I got a small town pastor that gets drawn into this drama. A nice read, smartly written, and I am glad I was introduced to Robert Whitlow’s writing.

Such a great book!! Kept me up all night turning the pages! Passed it down to my daughter to read. She also loved it and finished quickly and excited to read more form Robert Whitlow.

Double Indemnity
by Robert Whitlow
Pub DateJun 06 2023
Thomas Nelson--FICTION |Thomas Nelson
Christian| General Fiction \(Adult\)| Mystery & Thrillers


Through Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley, I am reviewing Double Indemnity:




Millions of dollars maybe made from a hunter's accidental death, unless it wasn't an accident.


Elena Thompson and Matt Thompson are the picture of perfection. But their enviable life isn't what it seems. The couple's marriage is on the rocks, and financial disaster looms. After Matt was killed in a hunting accident, questions and accusations began to fly.



Having just graduated from law school, Liz Acosta plans to gain some experience before returning home to seek a position with a big-name firm. Pastor Connor Grantham isn't sure shepherding a rural congregation is what he ultimately wants to do. His interests in philosophy, theology, and nature are drawing him to north Georgia-especially after he meets Liz, a brilliant and energetic woman.



Liz and Connor spend more time together and discover how compatible two people from wildly different backgrounds can be, but they're also drawn into the shadowy world of Matt and Elena Thompson. As the couple's marriage counselor, Connor is caught in the middle of their explosive arguments.



Connor and Liz work together to solve the mystery of Matt's death. The double indemnity clause in his life insurance would kick in if his death is ruled an accident, effectively doubling the payout. As Liz sorts through the legal paperwork of who stands to benefit from Matt's death, Connor is accused of the unthinkable, with much more at stake.


I give Double Indemnity five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Double Indemnity

by Robert Whitlow

Connor Grantham, a graduate of Princeton Divinity School, is from a family of highly successful professionals. He loves reading, studying, and hiking. His job in Bryson, Georgia, allows him to do all three in the low stress environment of Rock Community Church. When Matt Thompson is killed in a hunting accident on the property where Connor is hiking, life becomes complicated. Matt and his second wife, Elena, had been consulting Connor for marital counseling. With her interest in her husband’s will and insurance policies, she hardly fits the profile of a grieving widow. There are, however, several other characters who could also benefit from Matt’s death. Complications arise when a video surfaces of Connor at the hunting lodge. Believing he is innocent is far from having evidence that he is innocent.

Liz Acosta is a young American lawyer of Cuban descent. She has been hired for her Spanish speaking abilities, but when she is assigned Elena as a client, she demonstrates skills far beyond translating. She is eager to learn and her boss encourages her talents.

The plot is complicated, and the characters are interesting. I had not read a legal novel in a while so I enjoyed returning to that genre. Even more, I saw what a legal mystery could be when told from a Christian perspective. Author Whitlow takes a character who has basic Christian beliefs, but not much actual experience in communicating with God, and places him in circumstances where he needs to do just that. He also positions him near a family that is suffering through extreme hardships but nevertheless can model prayer and faith to him in a way he has never experienced. Connor sets out to minister to Lyle and Sarah Hamilton and their son Josh. He does that, but he also receives blessings that help him through an ordeal that he never expected to endure.

Double Indemnity has many opportunities for character development. Which church members will rally around Connor and who will turn their backs on him? Connor has always been careful to be above reproach in meetings with female members of his congregation. Will tongues wag anyway when a meeting in a public place becomes a topic of gossip? Can Liz help Connor when her first obligation is to her client Elena? Why is the Georgia Bureau of Investigations so concerned about this case? What role does ex-wife Anne play? Matt claims to love both women! Matt’s company is in trouble. Could his business partner be trying to rescue the business through an insurance claim? Double Indemnity answers these questions and more while engaging the reader in a page-turning plot.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery, Christian, Fiction

Notes: References to Cuban cuisine give this book both culinary and multicultural appeal.

Publication: June 6, 2023—Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

“What should the topic for my message be on Sunday?” he asked. Michelle raised her eyebrows. “Shouldn’t you be asking God, not me, about that?” “I did and didn’t get an answer.” “Maybe that’s your message: “What to Do When God is Silent.”

Sarah Hamilton prayed. The woman’s words reminded Connor of a freight train slowly pulling out of the station. They carried a weight and power that couldn’t be ignored. Something big and powerful was on the move. Sarah spoke as one who knew what she believed and expected God to listen.

“God knows the end from the beginning whether the path in between is long or short, complicated or simple, and how everything fits into the destiny and destination he has for each person’s life.”

If prayer is a weapon, Sarah’s words weren’t bullets, they were artillery shells.

In Double Indemnity, Robert Whitlow crafts a tale of mystery and suspense set in north Georgia. Matt and Elena Thompson’s seemingly perfect life unravels with secrets and financial troubles. Their marriage faces a critical blow when Matt dies in a suspicious hunting accident.

New attorney Liz Acosta and pastor Connor Grantham are drawn into the turmoil of the Thompsons’ lives. Liz digs into the legal intricacies of Matt’s death, while Connor, who counseled the couple, finds himself entangled in their explosive arguments.

Whitlow’s legal knowledge adds authenticity, and elements of faith and clean romance provide a wholesome touch. However, uneven pacing and a slow start might test some readers’ patience. Despite these flaws, the alternating perspectives of Liz and Connor keep the story engaging.

For fans of Christian suspense, Double Indemnity offers enough intrigue and faith-based themes to satisfy. With 22 books on his resume, Whitlow’s reputation is notable, with a Christie Award win and four movie adaptations to his credit.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy of this novel. The opinions are my own.

This was an interesting legal thriller with the author explaining the legal terms in such a matter that any reader from the street can follow the legal communications.

This was a slow building mystery for me. I had my suspects, and it seemed to all fall into place in the end.

Conner and Liz were interesting characters and easy to connect with. I especially enjoyed Conner’s story where he had to keep his faith amidst the challenges he faced, while also trying to lead and motivate a church.

I don't always understand everything legal but I do enjoy legal books by Robert Whitlow. This one was no exception. I love the way he writes about the topics, drawing the readers in and then the complexity of the characters keep me hooked. This was a great story and definitely one I'm already talking to my friends about because they are Robert Whitlow fans as well (they got me introduced to him!)

This book was just okay. The mystery was never really a mystery in my mind. Finding the real culprit was never the main focus. Instead the story theme centered around how to not be convicted of a crime and how to profit the most from life insurance benefits .
After reading more than 400 pages of questions without answers, the resolution came down to a few simple paragraphs that didn’t feel like a real resolution at all.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an e-copy of this book to honestly read and review.
All opinions are my own.

Double Indemnity showcases Robert Whitlow's talent as a legal, suspense master storyteller. Another great story with twists and turns. Add a few surprises and a little romance surrounded by God's grace and glory for a fantastic story. Definitely worth the read! This book was provided to me by the publisher and #Net Galley. This review is my own opinion.

When a young entrepreneur dies from a gunshot wound on a hunting trip, his marriage counselor and his wife’s divorce attorney begin to investigate who stands to gain from his death. The answers are surprising.
Matt and Elana Thompson are the struggling couple. Elena seeks counseling, mostly because she has a crush on Connor. Meanwhile, her husband and entrepreneur Matt connects with God in a real way. His death could devastate his wife and company.
Pastor Connor Grantham is an intellectual young man who settled in the small Georgian church because it's close to hiking trails and gives him time for reading, writing and contemplating. I could definitely relate to Connor. But he seems uncertain, insecure and disconnected from people.
Liz Acosta is a relatively new attorney who is hired by Elena to find out who killed Matt and to settle the insurance policies. Liz doesn't count on the emotional toll her client will take on her. And she's surprised by the strength of her connection to Connor.
Overriding all the characters are the insurance policies. Who will gain financially from Matt's death?
The mystery did intrigue me. And I enjoyed the flow in the first half of the book. But then to story slowed down until the rush of the end. I wanted more build-up and excitement throughout.
I could definitely tell the author is an attorney. His knowledge shines in this book.

I almost didn't read this whole book. It was a very slow start and it took awhile for the characters and the suspense to take off. I'm glad I kept reading, the characters are interesting and the twists you don't always see coming.

I had heard about Robert Whitlow, but this is the first of his books I've read. Inspirational, engaging and easy to read, this book is well thought out and not "over written" as so many are these days. When Connor Grantham chose to move to the mountains of Bryson, GA, to pastor the Rock Community Church after graduation from Princeton divinity school, he didn't expect to be arrested for the murder of a church member, nor did he expect to enjoy hiking the mountains of northern Georgia or come to enjoy the company of attorney Liz Acosta. When Liz Acosta accepted the position of staff attorney at Harold Pollard's law firm, she was hoping to build up her experience. She was not expecting to represent the wife of a murdered executive/church member or find real friendship with Pastor Connor Grantham. Much goes on in this book, but it's all good. I enjoyed it. I received the book from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my opinion. I liked it and I think you will, too.

While this story was very well written, and the premise was quite interesting... I've come to discover that legal thrillers just maybe aren't my cup of tea. This had a bit of a slow start but got more interesting as it got going on the mystery really got going... though still perhaps a little slower than I typically personally prefer in this type of story. I really enjoyed the idea of the story and wanted to love it more than I did, but I found I just didn't quite connect as I'd have liked. Again, the writing was good, and I thought the characters were well-written, it just wasn't one I connected with well. I'm very much a mood reader and I think for me this one really just came down to timing. Still, if you enjoy a good legal thriller with faith content, this is one to check out for yourself.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Double Indemnity is a fast-paced novel that will keep you reading and never sleeping until the end. It’s an amazing novel! This novel was so very intense. You’ve got a pastor accused of murder and a lawyer who isn’t sure her client is not guilty. Something fishy is going on!

Follow along as an attorney and a pastor set out to prove that he is innocent. See what life is like for a pastor accused of murder. And why was he accused of murder? Did they really have the evidence to suggest it was him? Is there someone close to him that is really behind this? What is his real role in it all?

I could not put this novel down. It really was intense. But also a fun bit of romance thrown in. And some characters with some issues that you have to watch be worked out as well.

There were definitely some plot twists thrown in and some unexpected character roles. Add in that it’s a legal thriller with plenty of teaching of legal actions/terms as well.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I feel like we need more books in this genre. I really enjoyed it, but like another reviewer said the end started getting a bit repetitive. It was almost as if the author knew where he wanted to go but wasn’t sure how to get there.

All in all, I will read more by Robert Whitlow to support the Christian mystery genre. I hope his next one is better.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Pastor Connor Grantham has been giving marriage counseling to Matt & Elena Thompson. Matt dies tragically while hunting, and Connor is caught in the middle of the investigation. Attorney Liz Acosta, who represents Elena, is tasked with navigating the legal conditions of Matt's will as well as the many demands of her client. Connor and Liz were already friends, but the legal process and dealing with Elena brings them together, and their relationship deepens. When the state investigators begin to look at Matt's death as a possible homicide, things get a bit crazy!
This book was intriguing, and I enjoyed the light romance and the serious faith woven into the story.

Robert Whitlow is a master story teller when it comes to suspense and mystery. However what makes his writing so unique is that amidst a good suspenseful tale that draws you in - you are also confronted and led to ponder issues of the heart and soul. Whitlow’s characters are navigating deep relationship challenges as well as asking the bigger questions of life. Such a great combination.

Matt and Elena Thompson are seeing their pastor, Conner Grantham, for marriage counseling. Everyone believes their lives/marriage to be picture perfect, but it is not.
Then, there is a hunting accident, or was it, that leaves Matt dead. Elena isn't the grieving widow one would expect. She is more concerned about the will and how much money she will receive. Was it truly and accident, or not?
Liz Acosta is a new attorney who is hoping to get some experience before returning home to find employment with a big law firm. Elena Thompson hires Liz as her attorney prior to Matt's death. Even then, her main concern was how much money she would get should they divorce.
Conner and Liz end up thrown together due to their roles in the Thompson's lives. They find they have a lot in common and enjoy spending time together.
The part of this story that bothered me is that the pastor really didn't seem to know or believe the Word of God. He knew little about prayer. What?!!! He was not comfortable preaching on the uncomfortable topics.
He is not sure he wants to remain pastor in a small rural town.
I was given and advanced ecopy by the publisher, Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Every reader has their favorite authors. Robert Whitlow is one of mine. Whitlow has written another legal thriller. Connor Grantham, pastor of the Rock Community Church, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation now suspected he had killed a member of the church. Connor, his lawyer, Liz, and his friends would need to locate the evidence to demonstrate his innocence and locate the guilty party.

The process would also require Connor to undergo a spiritual transformation. God was using church members, nature, and His Own presence to accomplish that change in Connor’s heart - a change that would ultimately change Rock Community Church as well.

During the course of the book, we see God working in Connor’s relationships - both with God and with the people in Connor’s life. The result is a 5-star book worth taking the time to read and learn from.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Robert Whitlow never fails to deliver a wonderful legal thriller. And this one had me guessing until the very end to figure out who was guilty of murder. The characters are well developed and the mystery was handled well. There is a hint of romance, but it is not over the top and basically has you smiling by the end of the book. The Christian focus was not too much “in your face” and I appreciated the faith aspect. I appreciated the way the church was forced to handle an unfortunate situation and could understand the various opinions of the members and people in leadership. This is definitely one to put on your to-read list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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