Shadow of Death by Melody Ravert    Books by Melody Ravert · The Chocolate Bandit · Obsessive Behavior-E-Book · Loving Hearts Live Forever · My Special Angel: Raising a Child with Autism as a Single Parent · Richard & Kathryn: A Love Story, Through the Years.                 >> View all
Category:	Mystery/Suspense	Publisher:	PublishAmerica	ISBN-10:	1592860443	Type:
Pages:	163	Copyright:	Oct 18 2002			Fiction

**Now in its second printing** Criminal defense attorney's newest case is a client charged with first degree murder, who admits stalking the victim, but denies killing her. Buy your copy! Amazon Publish America Shadow of Death-Google ebook Carla Summers, one of Chicago's best criminal defense attorneys, isn't afraid of anyone, inside the courtroom. Her newest client is an alleged murderer who admits to having stalked the victim, but insists he did not kill her. Carla displays confidence, strength, and courage in front of a jury. Her private life; however, is a different story. Still recovering from an abused marriage, an intimate relationship for Carla is on the bottom of her priority list. Nick Brunetti, the homicide investigator assigned to this case has faced death on the street many times, and recognizes how cold and painful it can be. He stood and watched helplessly as his own mother lost a struggle with cancer. Nick is tired of living the bachelor life and wants to pursue Carla, who only wishes to be friends. Can Nick wait on God while he is hoping for a closer relationship with Carla? They race against time as they work together to solve the murder, as she fights to get her client acquitted.    **Now an e-book** Excerpt "SHADOW OF DEATH" 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' (Psalm 23:4 KJV) Slowly the masked attacker backed away from the still warmed, lifeless body. The once blue patterned pinpoint shirt and navy stretched trousers were now soaked from her spilt blood. Exhaling deeply, the stranger watched as the crimson stained knife seemingly slipped in slow motion to the floor, next to the lifeless victim. The once familiar room lined with several rows of red cushioned seats, rooted on beds of solid rectangular sections, now felt as cold and strange as the steel legs supporting them. A loud rhythm of repetitious pounding tore the killer's attention from the young woman, lying in a pool of her own blood, towards the direction of the locked door. Quickly pulling out a clean white handkerchief from the side pocket, the murderer picked up the knife, and wiped it free of any fingerprints. A man's desperate cries suddenly came from outside the main entrance, "Pam? Are you okay?" Dropping the knife back on the floor next to the murdered victim, the assailant stuffed the handkerchief into the front pocket, hurried to the right side door, and slipped into the hallway.

Paperback

Rick Mohr, Dream Forge EZine Book Reviews
*Do not copy without permission*Mohr Reviews



‘Shadow of Death’



A Novel by Melody Ravert



ISBN # 1-59286-044-3



Published by Publish America



PO Box 151



Frederick MD 21705-0151



169 PP @ $19.95



Christian Books. I’m sure there are those of you that think for a book to have a Christian message, it must be either preachy, or so sappy that any glimpses of plot or characterization is thrown out the window. How could a book that talks about God as a main force in the lives of the characters possibly have anything mainstream about it, and especially when it is a murder mystery? Well, let me tell you that I thought the same thing until I read ‘Shadow of Death’ by author Melody Ravert, and boy did she open my eyes.



What a thrill it was to read this book! Paced like an action movie, it drags you through a plethora of emotions as Carla Summers, a defense attorney, prepares a case to defend her client in a murder case. Her client, Randal Turner, claims his innocence, and with the help of Homicide Detective Nick Brunetti, perhaps she will be able to see justice done and an innocent man go free. There is so much more under the surface than a homicide, and Ms. Ravert creates a complicated web of blackmail, drug rings and murder that will leave you guessing until the end. Even after the trial is over, Carla is still in great danger and Nick must race to not only solve the mystery, but also rescue the woman he loves. It is obvious that there is chemistry between the two, which forces her to face her lack of trust in men when it comes to intimate relationships due to her former husband and the abuse she suffered at his hand. The way Ms. Ravert crafts the interaction of the two characters, each with baggage, yet each wanting to give themselves to one another in the purest sense of the term is beautifully portrayed. My complements to you for not writing characters that just jump into the sack with each other, but instead creating characters that interact on the best kind of level-real.



She also manages to combine her obvious deep-rooted religious beliefs into a tightly woven tale of murder and intrigue that could and should take its place proudly beside any secular novel of the same type. Her love of God shows in her writing, in the way the characters talk and act, as well as react to their situations and each other. I think that this is the first book I have read in a long time where when the character says, “Please God, let her be all right”, I really felt as if it was a prayer and not a cliché.



Let me tell you one more thing she does, as minor as it may seem, that I really liked. She ends the book with the words, ‘The End’. You have no idea how much a simple thing like that struck me; I actually smiled. I mean, how long as it been since you saw those words on something? Anymore, books just stop, movies just go to credits, or even go so far as to mention the next part as the first finishes. Even though it is possible for there to be a sequel (and I hope there will be) it was refreshing to see those two little words at the bottom of the last page. Her story was told as she wanted it to be-THE END. I liked that.



That being said, let me take a page from the author so to speak, and end my review as she did her story. If you love a good murder mystery, put aside any preconceived notion you might have and try this book. You will be in for a great read by an author that I am sure we will be hearing more from. I’m glad I read it, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and you will too. THE END





Jeffrey A. Davis, Inspired By Faith Book Reviews
*Do not copy without permission* Inspired By Faith Reviews



http://www.inspiredbyfaith.tk/



Shadow of Death



Melody Ravert



Publish America, LLC.



Carla Summers is a defense attorney with a sordid past. Nick Brunetti is the police detective who wants her to love him. What starts as a "simple" homicide case becomes a race to find the real killer before Carla becomes the next victim.



-RELIGIOUS CONTENT: Carla treats her legal practice as a ministry to help those who lack the funds to help themselves. She is mindful of God's will and His protection. In fact, there is an impressive web of Christian characters in this book. A former "escort" girl is led to Christ. A man who lost his faith when his devout mother died finds it again. A group of men and women pray around a man's hospital bed.



-ADULT LANGUAGE/CONTENT: The villain uses two crude, though not "swear," words to describe Carla. There are no other language problems. There isn't any sexual content in the book. In fact, the story goes so far as to say that one lonely bachelor wants a wife to come home to. Let me say that again. He wants a WIFE to whom he can come home. Not a girlfriend or "sexual partner." In this day and age, this is a novel . . . and WONDERFUL . . . idea!



-VIOLENT CONTENT: Though people die and a couple of people survive gunshot wounds, Ravert doesn't detail the gore.



-CONCLUSION: Shadow of Death is a refreshing change from formulaic courtroom suspense dramas. Highly recommended.