Ever Present Danger

by: Kathy Herman

Published by: Multnomah

Reviewed by Sheryl Root

(Phantom Hollow Book One)

Kathy Herman, best selling author of both the Baxter and Seaport Suspense series', creates another page turning mystery, Ever Present Danger, first in her new Phantom Hollow series.

Kathy has a special way of creating characters you can root for, in spite of--or maybe because of their flaws. Ivy Griffith, the main character in Ever Present Danger, does not have a pretty past. Until Ivy's junior year in high school she is the hometown sweetheart, the girl everyone loves. Then Ivy begins dating Pete Barton, and the compromises she makes with Pete begin a downward spiral in her life, taking her far from her faith and her family. Her worst guilt comes from witnessing Pete commit murder, doing nothing to stop him--and then covering it up. So, for years, Ivy does whatever it takes to forget:. Drugs, prostitution, stealing--anything to keep the pain away.

Now Ivy is going home, back to Jacob's Ear, Colorado, and taking her seven-year-old son, Montana, with her. She's been clean for three years and wants to do what is right. But when her high school reunion brings further tragedy, the past Ivy is trying to put behind her, makes her a primary suspect. Is Ivy ready to confront her past and face her mistakes? Or will she give in and run once again?

I'm always amazed at how Kathy's books can have such a wide cast of characters and yet she makes each one of them real and sympathetic. Her plot twists will keep you turning the pages, and she weaves faith naturally and convincingly into her character's lives.

I was happy to meet Brandon and Kelsey Jones once again in Ever Present Danger. Brandon was the main character in Kathy's last Seaport Suspense book, Not by Chance. Now, as newlyweds, Brandon and Kelsey's secondary storyline further emphasizes how making seemingly small compromises in our life, and in our faith, can be an "ever present danger" to all of us.

I look forward to the next Phantom Hollow book, Never Look Back, scheduled to be released in October 2007.

Armchair Interviews says: Kathy Herman does it again.

Author's Web site: http://www.kathyherman.com