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03 February 2015

Diana's Review of Deadly Echoes by Nancy Mehl

Deadly Echoes
Bethany House, 2015 

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
~5 stars~*****
(No Spoilers!)

Nail-Biting Mennonite Suspense!

In Deadly Echoes, we return once again to the quaint, predominantly Mennonite community of Sanctuary -- with its small town charm, old-timey cafes, and friendly, helpful townsfolk. Many come to Sanctuary for a simpler lifestyle; still others as a refuge from their past. But under the guise of this seemingly idyllic little town lays something invisible...sinister...and deadly.

Sarah Miller has finally found contentment and a semblance of peace from the echoes of her past, with the exception of reoccurring nightmares of her parents' murder when she was six years old. She loves teaching the local school in Sanctuary, and is filled with joy when reunited with her sister, Hannah, whom she had become separated from when her parents died. Her happiness is short lived, however, when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs her that Hannah has been killed. When Sarah starts discovering circumstances of her sister's death that are bizarrely similar to her parents' murder, she enlists Paul's aid to help her dig deeper into finding her family's killer. As her attraction to Paul grows, so does her obsession in finding the truth. Will it be Sarah's undoing and also bring danger to those she loves?...as someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth from surfacing...perhaps even kill again.

This novel is an absolute suspense lover's dream with just a smidgeon of romance! I love whodunits, but it took this amateur sleuth quite awhile to compile enough evidence to figure this one out and I trusted no one except for Sarah's best friend, Janet. ;) Kudos to the author for having an imperfect heroine who battles self-esteem issues as a result of her childhood, and her subsequent healing---both emotionally and spiritually. This message will resonate with many readers who struggle with an inferiority complex as a result of their past. Ms. Mehl's use of descriptive imagery and the mysterious aura of the cozy, small town setting of Sanctuary draw the reader in and won't let go...even after that last satisfying page is turned. And believe me, you will be madly flipping those pages and burning the midnight oil trying to help Sarah figure it all out! Nancy Mehl has set the bar high for 2015 contemporary suspense!

~*~*~*~*~

I was given a copy of this novel by Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CDB, and your local bookstore.


GIVEAWAY: Nancy Mehl is generously giving away a paperback copy of Deadly Echoes to one blessed commenter. US entrants only in this particular giveaway.
 
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64 comments:

  1. Dana Wilkerson SpilleFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    Love Books by Nancy Mehl <3 to win a copy .Thank you ,DanaGirl

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  2. Caryl KaneFebruary 3, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    Diana thank you for the great review of DEADLY ECHOES! I love fast-paced suspense novels. I would love to have a print copy. :)

    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 12:41 PM

      Thx so much, Caryl! I hope you will enjoy this as much as I. Now I am headed off to read Psalm 103 & 138!

      Delete
    2. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 12:47 PM

      I needed that today, CARYL! I'm so glad you came to visit today! Bless you!

      Delete
  3. Nancy MehlFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:43 PM

    Thanks for the great review, Diana. I really appreciate it - and you!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:55 PM

      My pleasure, NANCY! Thank you for writing such awesome books!

      Delete
  4. UnknownFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    I love her books! I have a few on my kindle. Thanks for the great review :)

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:56 PM

      LIZ, they are page turners for sure! TY, and good luck in the drawing!

      Delete
  5. BettiFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    What a great review! I would love to win this book :). Suspense with a touch of romance comes in at a very close second to my favorite genre of historical fiction!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:57 PM

      I love historical fiction, but I have to have my suspense fix several times a year, BETTI! Thx soo much for coming by! :)

      Delete
  6. Jan HFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    I love a good mystery that keeps your attention for the whole book. Great review.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:58 PM

      THX, so much, JAN! And this one definitely will, I assure you! lol

      Delete
  7. Melanie BackusFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    I am intrigued by this one....it sounds great! Thank you for a wonderful review!

    maubackx55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:00 PM

      Thank you, MELANIE! It is intriguing to say the least! Throwing your name in the hat! :)

      Delete
  8. UnknownFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:00 PM

    Sounds like a good read. I like books featuring small towns.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:04 PM

      I do, too, MARY! I just think they sound cozy! lol

      Delete
  9. Samantha TFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Would love to read. Thanks for review and giveaway.

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  10. Jon and Vicki MarneyFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Ooh--I LOVE Nancy's books! I really need to get busy, because she has several I haven't read yet! Winning one would be a great start! ;-)
    Vicki

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:42 PM

      Yes, it would, VICKI! I am usually able to keep up with Nancy's since I have to wait about 9 months for the next one! AHEM! lol

      Delete
  11. UnknownFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:19 PM

    I enjoyed reading this book review so much. Since I'd never read this type of suspense before, I'd love to win a book and give it a try. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:40 PM

      Thank you for your kind words, BEVERLY! I would love for you to try out Nancy's books as well!

      Delete
  12. Melissa OldakerFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    Thanks for the review and giveaway. I love a great romantic suspense novel! Looking forward to reading this one!

    mo1202007@yahoo.com

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:54 PM

      Welcome to OWG, MELISSA! I love Nancy's and another suspense author whose review I have been working on today! Busy, busy! lol

      Delete
  13. Elaine ShorbFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    Thank you for your review, Diana Flowers. I am looking forward to reading this book.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 5:55 PM

      ELAINE, I hope you get a chance asap!! Blessings!!

      Delete
  14. Lucy Reynolds February 3, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    Enjoyed the review. Sounds great. TY

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  15. Anne RightlerFebruary 3, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    Sounds like a book for my TBR pile. Thx for sharing

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 7:13 PM

      You're welcome, ANNE! Put it at the top of that TBR stack! :)

      Delete
  16. UnknownFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    A stunning review as per usual Ms Flowers! And one that has me quite intrigued to read this book by Nancy! I regret I've yet to read one of Nancy's yet, but I am very determined to change that one day!! :)

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:35 PM

      Thank you so much, Ms. Nancarrow! I know it's hard to get to every single author we want to as there are so many good ones. But hope you get the chance ASAP!

      Delete
  17. Elizabeth DentFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    Loved the review Diana . I love the cover of Deadly Echoes and it really sounds so good . I love a good suspense story . Woukd love to win this great book . Thanks for the chance .
    lizd225(at)gmail( dot)com

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:06 PM

      Thx so much, ELIZABETH! This cover really grabbed me long before I got the chance to read it! Bethany House does such a great job on their covers! Good luck!

      Delete
  18. Pam K.February 3, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    Thanks for this review of Nancy Mehl's new book. I enjoy her suspenseful novels so would be very happy to win Deadly Echoes. Thanks for giving away a copy.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:09 PM

      You're so welcome, PAM! The luck of the Irish to you! ;)

      Delete
  19. MerryFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    Deadly Echoes sounds like a terrific, small town mystery. Please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:46 PM

      It is indeed, MERRY! I want to visit Sanctuary -- but then again, maybe just reading about it will work! lol

      Delete
  20. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:26 PM

    It was a wonderful Christian mystery. Checked it out at the library. Couldn't put it down. But would like to win a copy.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:49 PM

      ANONYMOUS, thank you for showing your support of Nancy's book! Could you come back and at least leave your name so we will know who won if drawn? Ty, dear friend.

      Delete
  21. SonjaFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    I absolutely love Nancy's books. So does my mom! Would love to read this one! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  22. Loraine NunleyFebruary 4, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    Another good suspense book to add to my TBR list! Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 8:04 AM

      Amen, LORAINE! Be sure to put this one at the top! Maybe you'll win it here! :)

      Delete
  23. Harvey Ever AfterFebruary 4, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Suspense is one of my favorite genres. I will definitely have to check out Deadly Echoes!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:01 AM

      Welcome to OWG, ELISE! I hope you'll come back often as we have a lot of great reviews by the "crew" here and fun giveaways! :)

      Delete
  24. UnknownFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Just recently discovered Nancy Mehl. Will definitely read this!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:51 AM

      I'm so glad you discovered her, GRETCHEN! I love putting the word out there on good authors, so that more ppl are able to enjoy their amazing books besides me! Lol

      Delete
  25. Cindi AFebruary 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    What a great sounding suspense novel! Thanks for sharing your review.

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 11:20 AM

      You're so welcome, CINDI! Tossing your name in my cyber hat! ;)

      Delete
  26. Bonnie RoofFebruary 4, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    WOW!! Your review leaves me with "tingly" skin, Diana!! Thank you!!

    In the past, I haven't been a huge reader of contemporary suspense (maybe because I have enough in my personal life, or they take too much of my aging, declining brain power - to figure out??, who knows, lol), however - I've been reading reviews of some fascinating plots by gifted Christian Fiction Suspense authors and it certainly looks like I've been missing out in not reading more of them. I am attracted to books that deal with realistic psychological/emotional or other personal issues that we all deal with - "Deadly Echoes" sounds like a book that would "feed my appetite" in that area, also!!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 3:46 PM

      I'm glad I could make you tingle, BONNIE! lol Wait til you read the book! I got to one part where I had goose bumps popping up at something that was revealed in the plot. I was home alone at the time and it was dark, and all of a sudden I heard a sound like a knife slitting the screen at my back window! eek! I jumped up, and looked out back. It was a squirrel who decided to scratch his way down my window at that precise moment! I'm persuaded he did it on purpose. LOL!

      I love historical fiction, but I have to have my suspense fix every so often and Nancy Mehl's books fill the bill. I can't take the real gruesome, gory suspense that are out there.

      Delete
  27. Nancy MehlFebruary 4, 2015 at 4:00 PM

    I didn't mean to scare you, Diana. LOL! I do need to tell you that I have a special bond with squirrels. I have squirrel jewelry and my kitchen window is lined with squirrels. (Not real ones.)

    Not that there's any connection... (Grin)

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    1. Bonnie RoofFebruary 4, 2015 at 4:26 PM

      TOO funny - your squirrel incident, Diana, and Nancy's bond with squirrels. Perhaps, that squirrel did have a purpose behind his frightening you, lol!! Either that, or Marian Baay is playing squirrel games, lol!!

      Delete
    2. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      BTW, BONNIE, I did tell Marian about it right after it happened. I don't think she was sympathetic about my plight at all.

      Delete
    3. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 4:44 PM

      I started to tell Miss Bonnie I thought you and the squirrel were in cahoots, Nancy. LOL! I got so lost in the book I thought the bad guy was coming after ME! My heart was racing that's for sure! Next time I read a Nancy Mehl book I'll be out on the sunny beach. Scratch that idea!...what if the killer follows me there!! He could dump my body in the ocean and no one would ever know!! :o I think I just gave Bonnie the tingles again. Lol

      Delete
  28. Teresa MathewsFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:27 PM

    Great Review Diana!! Sounds like a wonderful book, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a good suspenseful book!!

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 4, 2015 at 10:40 PM

      TY, TERESA! I have a problem with suspense books. I just can't put them down until I find out who dun it! It's like I've got this new job as a detective and I must solve the case. Lol And then I feel so bad when I get to the end, bc I don't have the book to read anymore. Go figure. :/

      Delete
  29. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2015 at 3:04 AM

    Great review Diana. Nancy has some good books out. I have a couple. I would be real happy to win this one. Sounds like a puzzle to solve this one. Please put my name in. (((Hugs))) to all of my OWG gals. Maxie
    > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Diana FlowersFebruary 6, 2015 at 9:30 AM

      Thx, MAXIE! It was so puzzling I don't know how NANCY kept all the details straight! Lol Lots of luck to you in the drawing!

      Delete
  30. Diana FlowersFebruary 8, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Giveaway for this book is now closed! Congrats to CARYL KANE, who won a copy of Deadly Echoes! Caryl, will send you an email shortly. Thx everyone for your wonderful comments! Come back again as we have weekly giveaways!! :)

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    1. Caryl KaneFebruary 8, 2015 at 7:59 PM

      Hello Diana! I am so excited to have won! Thank you so much! :)

      Delete
    2. Diana FlowersFebruary 8, 2015 at 9:54 PM

      You're so welcome, CARYL! Enjoy, dear friend!

      Delete

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