Review: The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins

The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins

Precinct 11 Book 2

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc – August 17, 2011

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http://www.jerryjenkins.com

Next book in series: The Breakthrough

Source: Tyndale Blog Network

From Goodreads: Detective Boone Drake has just masterminded the most massive sting in Chicago history, bringing down the heads of not only the biggest street gangs in the city but also the old crime syndicate. The story is the biggest in decades, and the Chicago Police Department must protect the key witness at all costs. Despite top secret plans to transfer the witness ahead of his testimony before the grand jury, an attempt is made on his life. And the person suspected of leaking this information may be one of the CPD’s own

                What do you do when the person that you respect and look up to betrays you deeply? Boone Drake is back and this is that he has to deal with. Because of the way that book 1 ended, I don’t want to ruin it by mentioning the ending here. (Go read it!) Drake also has to decide whether he stands by the person he is beginning to love or believe what the people he’s known the longest are telling him. I have to say that I like the second book a lot better than the first. After reading both there is a marked difference in how faith is approached in the story. But that could simply be because Drake is in different place than he was in the first book.

                While I felt that things were a little rushed in Book1 , I think that there was an even pace with this second installment.  The Betrayal was something that cut deeply both professionally and personally for the characters. It was nice to see the determination back when Drake faced another obstacle in his life. Though his faith was still a work in progress, it was much more a part of who Drake was. The characters had obviously grown and they were digging deeper than before.

                To be honest I have to admit that I was more interested in the workings of the police department then Drake’s faith.  Maybe this was expected because it was not as much as a character (as it kind of was in The Brotherhood) as it was an aspect of a character (as it was in The Betrayal).  I wanted to believe that she was innocent, but the evidence was compelling and if not her, the truth was much more devastating. 

This book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating:

Always Shine, 

Starr K

The Brotherhood

The Brotherhood by Jerry Jenkins

Tyndale House Publishers- January 24, 2011

www.jerryjenkins.com

Facebook: yes-jerry b.jenkins

Rating: Enjoyed but slightly disappointed.

                Boone Drake has spent most of his life working toward the goal of the Organized Crime Division for the Chicago Police Department. He is a young police officer who is working hard and plays it by the books. He is happy with his beautiful wife and adorable. Everything seems to be going according to plan until one day when Drake loses everything he loves the most and his career is now in jeopardy.  He is not sure how to recover or he ever will. But a path that brings him face to face with the most dangerous gang leader also brings him face to face with a faith that he now questions and must redefine.

                 I was given the second book in this series to review, so I had to go out and get the first one. I enjoyed this book, there were parts that I felt could have gone deeper or have been less predictable. But it was still good writing. I think that Drake has a faith but like most people there are other things that he has to focus on so it’s not a priority.  The event that emphasizes is devastating, but I am not sure if anyone –regardless of the strength of their faith-could recover so quickly from. I guess that’s what’s disappointing- time does pass to show the process of grieving and healing but it still felt like it was happening too fast.

                But that’s really all of my complaints for this book. I like the struggle with faith and questioning God. I like the fact that, though it is mild, Drake turns to drinking. It’s not something common that you see in Christian fiction; alternative methods of dealing with stress and unwanted tragedies. But it’s a real response. So I appreciate that. I like the connection that develops between Drake and the gang leader. There is even the fluttering of a romance that is nicely done. 

                The ending was a lot less predictable than Drake’s faith struggle. And though I wasn’t gung-ho over this book, I am glad that I read it and I am looking forward to reading the next one. This was a different glance at cops behind the scenes and it was believable and refreshing.

Recommendation: Fans of Jerry Jenkins, police drama, adult fiction

Always Shine,

Starr K