CFBA Review: Poison Town by Creston Mapes

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Poison Town

David C. Cook (February 1, 2014)

by

Creston Mapes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.

ABOUT THE BOOK

There's More Than One Kind of Poison in This Town

People are sick and dying. Rumors are swirling. Some claim chemicals leaking from a manufacturing plant are causing the cancer that's crippling people on the poor side of Trenton City, Ohio. Yet nothing at the plant appears amiss.

The problem remains a mystery until reporter Jack Crittendon's long-time mechanic falls ill and he investigates. Soon Jack becomes engulfed in a smokescreen of lies, setups, greed, and scandal.

The deeper he digs, the more toxic the corruption he uncovers. As he faces off with the big-time players behind the scenes and tries to beat the clock before more people die, he realizes the chillingly unthinkable--he knows too much.


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Poison Town, go HERE.

Illuminating Fiction's Review

Whenever I pick up a novel by Creston Mapes, I know I am in for a wild joy ride; one I never want to finish.

Mapes has outdone himself with Poison Town, the second book in The Crittendon Files series.  In the first book, Fear Has A Name, report Jack Crittendon faced the kidnapping of his wife by an obsessed ex-school friend of hers. In Poison Town, Jack must come to terms with the fact that the kidnapper is now out on parole, and living in the same town as them.

As Jack battles his unforgiveness and mistrust, he uncovers a story that not only puts his family in further danger, but also the lives of many others. When Galen Randall, the father of Jack’s mechanic, becomes sick, Jack learns of the rumors surrounding Demler-Vargus, a fiberglass manufacturing plant. Many of Trenton City’s residents close to the factory have been falling ill from mysterious illnesses and dying. But not all the deaths appear to be from sickness.

The deeper Jack digs, the more suspicious circumstances come to light. But someone is out to stop him from learning the truth. Galen is poisoned while in hospital, a neighbor with inside information on Demler-Vargus goes missing, and Jack is unable to contact an ex-work colleague who abruptly left town while working on a story about the plant. When someone tries to run his wife off the road, it becomes much more personal to Jack.

In his pursuit of the truth, Jack comes under attack from all angles; the highest offices of Demler-Vargus, his editor, and even his own wife. Can Jack bring justice to the corporate giant while saving both his marriage and his job?

Mapes blends gritty characters, nonstop action, and high pressure tension throughout a well-crafted novel that will keep readers glued until the grand finale. Woven beautifully throughout the bumper ride are themes of fear, forgiveness, and justice.  By the time you finish reading this book, I am sure I will not be the only one eagerly awaiting the third instalment of The Crittendon Files.