Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel Book 2)

Disappointed in this book. I've watched Lis Wiehl on Fox News often and I guess I expected more. It was very simple and I did not like the constant references to history from the other novels in the series. Glad I didn't pay much for it.

Rather heavy handed portrayal of a person with strong religious beliefs. I expected a much better book after all the recommendations I received. The plot took a backseat to the establishing of the Triple Threat club.

This book is a disappointment considering the famous names of the reviewers printed on the front and back covers, and even on the inside flaps. There are three main characters. These women have similar personalities. Nothing to distinguish one from the other. The story flips from one point of view to the next. Most of the time I'm confused as to who's thinking or speaking.
More time is spent with the women's problems and heavy work loads than the actual case. One can't sleep and gets addicted to sleeping medicine. These are supposed to be intelligent women. She takes two sleeping pills and then sits in a bathtub. One is pregnant and takes a crying child home with her because she can't find the parents. And the third woman is emotionally messed up by a secret she keeps from her closest friends. They are supposed to be best friends but I guess not.
The case is a murder mystery like on TV shows. Too many suspects. Too many motives. And one silly answer. I won't be reading this author again.

You know, sometimes the scariest books are not the horror books. They are books like Hand of Fate. Things that can really happen. Things that do happen.

I started this book yesterday and couldn't put it down. What a thriller! In the times that we are living in, when terrorist plots using biochemicals are a very real threat, where left and right wing extremists exist and cause harm, the events in this book are not too hard to imagine happening.

The book is fast paced, action packed, not one boring moment where you want to put it down and go find something else to do for a bit. The 3 friends in the book, Cassidy, Allison, and Nic are believable and your heart feels for them when they each go through their own personal trials apart from trying to figure out who killed Jim Fate.

I would love to go through the motive of the killer, why this person did what they did (and that ended up being a real twist!), but I would ruin the ending of the book for you. I will say the motive they had, what they were angry about, that is something very real, something that is happening in our society today.

Just another one of the issues that our government fights about, but doesn't really take serious action on.

I'm not for big government, I tend to believe that the more the government steps in and tries to "fix" things, the more they mess things up. The whole "too many cooks in the kitchen" analogy. But, I also think without them peering over the shoulder of certain businesses, that some people will take short cuts, they will risk the public for the almighty dollar.

See how this book makes you think?

I had to laugh because at the end of the book there are letters from radio hosts, from Bill O'Reilly to Mark Levin, saying, awesome book! Thanks for basing Jim Fate on me. I love talk radio myself. I tend to be more middle of the road, leaning towards the right, but I listen to whatever is on here, usually Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Jan Mikelson (local), Bradshaw (local), etc. When you hear some of the people who call in, the hate that is in their voice, you can see why this might actually be a viable threat to them.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves current events, anyone who loves a great mystery, an awesome thriller, anyone who loves to read period. Lis Wiehl is a new author to me and I really liked her style.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers &(...) for providing me with a copy of Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel). EXCELLENT book!

"Hand of Fate," the second "Triple Threat" novel by Lis Wiehl (with April Henry), was a race-to-the-finish read for me. I was intrigued the whole way through. Not only does it have an intense murder mystery, but each of the three female friend characters brought her own story line to the pages as well. While telling these amazing stories, Wiehl explores social problems and issues including big government, free speech, terrorism, drug addiction, illegal immigration, abortion, assault, racism, domestic violence, and more. A reading group guide at the end of the book includes questions to help readers further explore their thoughts on these. Characters in the book form and offer their personal opinions, too.

I wouldn't classify the book as Christian fiction, but one of the characters is a Christian. She and one of her friends wrestle with the question, "If God is loving and good, why does He allow suffering and pain?" As you might have guessed by now, Wiehl has packed a lot of ideas into this one great book.

Of course, the biggest theme of the series is the friendship the three women share. They knew each other in high school, reconnected later in life, and hold jobs that coordinate and cooperate. They work together often, but also meet regularly to catch up on each other's lives, support one another through life's trials, and enjoy each other's company. Their intertwined lives help solve the big and little mysteries of life.

Thomas Nelson Publishers sent a complimentary copy of this book to me for this honest review. I'm happy to recommend this read!

Lis Wiehl's connection with working in a major news network has given her great insight to writing a really good suspense novel. The story is very well written with a plot that is pretty much straight from today's news. News radio DJs carry a lot of influence in what they say and have the power to make the public mad or agree with their views. Jim Fate is one of those DJs and his reputation has build up a loyal audience of those who love and those who hate him. I was really amazed at the hatred that came out of the listeners. It's amazing how much hatred there can be in a person enough to cause harm to someone.

I really liked the book and didn't have any complaints with the story. It's edgy in that it keeps with reality and shows what really happens in the world. The story doesn't shy away from the hard life that is out there and doesn't sugarcoat things to make a happy ending. The characters in this book are flawed because they are human beings. They might do things that others don't approve of but in no way does it detract from the story. There's no talk about faith at all until the very end, and it feels like it was tacked on to show that this is indeed a book published by a Christian publisher. I just didn't feel that vibe from any of the characters throughout the book so it did feel a little fake at the end for it to randomly show up.

Actually the only really big qualm I had was with the endorsements. I totally understand that Lis Wiehl work on Fox News, hence all the endorsements from fellow co-workers, but I totally didn't get the Michael Bolton endorsement? I'm just saying, it would have been nice to have seen some from other authors or readers and not just people that you are friends with. Also this sounds very snarky of me, but I'm curious as to what April Henry's role as co-writer. I just wonder how much of the book she wrote, and how much Wiehl contributed. Other than this, I really liked the book and I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series.

When talk radio host Jim Fate is murdered there is no shortage of suspects. Over the years he has made many enemies with his opinions.

Once again The Triple Threat Club are on the case. They must find the killer while also dealing with personal stresses in their life.

FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges is battling her awakening feelings for fellow agent Lief. She is determined to only be friends and never allow a man into her life. Bitter and angry at God she is determined to protect her young daughter from the mystery of her birth. Will she be able to trust Lief with a secret she has never shared with anyone?

Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce after trying for so long is finally pregnant. But will the stress of her job and the events that happen cost her the one thing that she has longed for for years?

Reporter Cassidy Shaw has a connection to Jim Fate that she would prefer nobody knows about. All of her dreams of becoming a news anchor and being at the top of her game seem to be falling away. The TV station has hired a younger girl that causes Cassidy to work even harder to remain at the top of her game. Soon she turns to sleeping pills to help her get the rest she needs at night. Before long it begins to affect her behavior. Allison and Nicole must save her from herself once again.

The Hand of Fate was a great mystery. This is the second book in the Triple Threat Club series. I enjoyed getting to know each of the women a little bit more in this installment. I have to say that Cassidy is one of those characters that I am having a hard time liking. She seems to have a knack for getting into bad relationships and situations. I do like however the way that Nic and Allison are there for her and encourage her to get the help that she needs. Looking forward to Heart of Ice, the next book in the series.

Having watched Lis Wiehl on Fox News and enjoyed her take on law-related issues, I was eager to pick up Hand of Fate, the latest "Triple Threat" novel. I had missed the first one, so this was my first exposure to Wiehl's writing style (it's written "with April Henry," but I don't know how much involvement she had). Unfortunately, I have to say that while I learned a lot about various legal issues, the book itself didn't really engage me.

Jim Fate is a huge talk-radio success, syndicated in over 100 markets. He's opinionated, brusque, able to talk over anybody who's trying to argue with him (consider him a cross between Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and Nancy Grace). Many people have a beef with him, and one of those people has killed him with a dangerous poison gas attack. In the ensuing panic, downtown Portland is evacuated, and the three women who make up the "Triple Threat" club - FBI Agent Nicole Hedges, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce and Crime Reporter Cassidy Shaw - are each affected by the situation in unique ways. Afterward, they have to team up to figure out just who hated Fate enough to kill him.

Hand of Fate is a fairly short book (around 300 pages), and it's very disjointed. In most series, the character development comes out of the characters' reactions to the main plot, or perhaps within a subplot regarding something minor. In this book, some major events occur simply for the purposes of character development and have nothing to do with the main story. The entire Sarin gas scare at the beginning of the book ends up being mainly a character-development vehicle for these three women, and that's almost a third of the book.

Don't get me wrong - I love full character development in series novels. Regardless, if it's going to take up that much of the book, it should involve the main plot somehow. Instead, we get the details about Nicole and the paternity of her child (in an incident foreshadowed only a few pages before it actually happens, and then fades to nothing after it's over) and Allison's pregnancy issues, which also stem from the events at the beginning of the book.

The characters do some stupid things and make some unwarranted assumptions that it doesn't seem they would make. Cassidy knew Jim Fate well and sneaks into his apartment to take some stuff before the police can get there (stupid enough as it is), and then doesn't tell the others about her relationship with the murder victim? Nicole is one of her good friends, and she's heading up the FBI task force! She would likely have been understanding if Cassidy had just come out with it. When the truth is finally discovered, Nicole gets angry briefly, then it's never referenced again.

The detective work is too basic and unrewarding for the reader. The FBI agents (along with Allison) do some interviews, there's some lab work that they're waiting for, and they discover a few facts. Then everything is presented on a platter to them, and the guilty party is caught. Or is he/she? They consider the case closed far too easily. The climax of the novel involves more Cassidy stupidity, but to outline how would really spoil the book.

On the other hand, Wiehl's prose is quite readable and keeps you going even as you're rolling your eyes at the plot. Sadly, none of the characters (including the three leads) are necessarily that interesting, but there's enough there that I could see them becoming so. Eventually.

I love learning new things when I read, and I learned a lot in this novel. With Wiehl being a successful lawyer, I assume everything she says about how the law works is reasonably accurate. She gives a good (and mercifully short) explanation of how the grand jury system works, jury selection in a trial, and quite a few other things as well. It's nice to read an informative and entertaining novel, though sadly it isn't as entertaining as it could be.

Ultimately, Hand of Fate shows signs of promise, though I don't have the first book to compare it with in order to see if the series is already showing some improvement. It's not going to cause me shy away from further "Triple Threat" novels, though one more like this may do so.

Originally published on Curled Up With A Good Book © Dave Roy, 2010

Title: Hand of Fate: A Triple Threat NovelHand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel)
Authors: Lis Wiehl with April Henry
Published by Thomas Nelson, 2010
293 pages

I once heard that the difference between a connoiseur of fine wine and a drunk is that the connoiseur takes the bottle out of the brown paper bag. I am not a connoiseur of anything, let alone mysteries and thrillers, but Hand of Fate is both, and it lived up to its promise as a page-turner. I was sorry to come to the end of the book, and as soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to start over. I also wanted to read its predecessor, Face of Betrayal, the first of the Triple Threat Novels. Now, I'm nearing the end of that book, as well, and can't wait for the next one.

Reading Hand of Fate prior to reading Face of Betrayal could have left me handicapped in terms of getting to know the main characters. That was not the case, as they were well introduced and developed. The Triple Threat Club consists of Allison, a federal prosecutor; Nicole, an FBI special agent; and Cassidy, a crime reporter for Channel 4 news; all live in Portland, OR. The three women knew each other, somewhat, in high school, but not until they encountered each other through their respective careers did they begin to form a real friendship. Now, because they complement each other in solving crimes, they have dubbed themselves "The Triple Threat."

How the three women piece together exactly what happened, learn what actually killed Jim Fate and caused serious panic in the city, and find the true identity of the killer makes Hand of Fate so hard to put down. How each of them also confronts her personal issues, and how they all eventually share with each other their personal strengths and weaknesses make it a wonderful story of hope and the freedom found in facing the truth.

A Christian thread runs through the novel, primarily in the characters of Allison and her husband Marshall. I like the way Allison's faith is treated: She is never pushy, never sanctimonious, but never afraid to express her faith.

The end of the book held a couple of surprises. Author Lis Wiehl included copies of a few of the notes she received from friends in the news media, e.g., Bill O'Rielly and Mark Levin, among others. To my pleasure, the authors have also provided a number of questions as a guide for reading groups.

If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers at all, and especially if you are a re-reader, buy the book. It's well worth the money.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Title: Hand of Fate: A Triple Threat NovelHand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel)
Authors: Lis Wiehl with April Henry
Published by Thomas Nelson, 2010
293 pages

I once heard that the difference between a connoiseur of fine wine and a drunk is that the connoiseur takes the bottle out of the brown paper bag. I am not a connoiseur of anything, let alone mysteries and thrillers, but Hand of Fate is both, and it lived up to its promise as a page-turner. I was sorry to come to the end of the book, and as soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to start over. I also wanted to read its predecessor, Face of Betrayal, the first of the Triple Threat Novels. Now, I'm nearing the end of that book, as well, and can't wait for the next one.

Reading Hand of Fate prior to reading Face of Betrayal could have left me handicapped in terms of getting to know the main characters. That was not the case, as they were well introduced and developed. The Triple Threat Club consists of Allison, a federal prosecutor; Nicole, an FBI special agent; and Cassidy, a crime reporter for Channel 4 news; all live in Portland, OR. The three women knew each other, somewhat, in high school, but not until they encountered each other through their respective careers did they begin to form a real friendship. Now, because they complement each other in solving crimes, they have dubbed themselves "The Triple Threat."

How the three women piece together exactly what happened, learn what actually killed Jim Fate and caused serious panic in the city, and find the true identity of the killer makes Hand of Fate so hard to put down. How each of them also confronts her personal issues, and how they all eventually share with each other their personal strengths and weaknesses make it a wonderful story of hope and the freedom found in facing the truth.

A Christian thread runs through the novel, primarily in the characters of Allison and her husband Marshall. I like the way Allison's faith is treated: She is never pushy, never sanctimonious, but never afraid to express her faith.

The end of the book held a couple of surprises. Author Lis Wiehl included copies of a few of the notes she received from friends in the news media, e.g., Bill O'Rielly and Mark Levin, among others. To my pleasure, the authors have also provided a number of questions as a guide for reading groups.

If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers at all, and especially if you are a re-reader, buy the book. It's well worth the money.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Popular talk radio host Jim Fate was known for his confrontational views and unrelenting stubbornness. Over the years he had managed to bring in high ratings, but often at the expense of others. The list of people who didn't like him was long, but did any of them dislike him enough to kill him? Or perhaps, the package he opened containing an unknown gas was not meant just for him, but rather was an act of terrorism. Fearing the package contained sarin gas, city officials begin evacuating downtown Portland. However, as people learn why they are being asked to leave, the city is thrown into chaos. Caught in the pandemonium is the triple threat club--Nicole and Allison struggling to leave and Cassidy jumping in for the story. Working together, in an effort to discover the truth, the three find themselves in the middle of numerous crises, both professional and private.

With fast paced action and gripping suspense, the opening chapters of Hand of Fate are phenomenal. The first half of the book is superbly written, giving little chance for the reader to catch their breath. Wiehl's description of a panicked downtown Portland is completely believable and easily keeps the reader engrossed throughout the early part of the story. Switching between the three main characters, Nicole, Allison, and Cassidy, was highly effective and kept the story alive and moving with at an intense speed that made the first part of the story fly by.

The second half of the book struggles a bit to regain the intensity of the opening pages. Some of this is due to the nature of investigative stories, but Hand of Fate also has a pretty good amount of political and feminine issues mixed in that seemed to permeate the story and take the focus from the main story line. I'm a huge fan of multiple story lines, but there seemed to be a few too many, without any getting enough attention. Contained within the story were issues ranging from food safety to pregnancy to illegal immigration to a revisit of domestic violence plus an array of other topics. When the story ended, most of the subplots felt incomplete and rushed to conclusion. There was some great stuff to explore and I was a bit disappointed they weren't either given more attention or picked up in subsequent books. I would have preferred fewer, more concentrated, well fleshed out storylines to the brief visits of numerous issues.

The first novel in this series, Face of Betrayal, was good, but the story telling really improved in Hand of Fate. The mystery was better concealed and the drama more carefully crafted. It had a nice main plot with some good intensity and surprising twists. There were times, though, when the primary storyline was lost in the mix of personal crisis and political issues.

While much of this book can be enjoyed by all readers, there are several parts that are definitely geared toward women. It has a few too many women's issues for my taste and in some cases they not handled in the most realistic way. In an effort not to spoil a portion of the book, I will not go into details, but there was one situation in this book I have dealt with three times. Thankfully, none of the times have been handled the way it was described in the book. Additionally, the interaction between the main characters doesn't always feel real as much as it does intentionally girly. These characters are still developing a close friendship, but things feel more staged than natural. Hopefully as the series develops, these characters will act more like friends rather than three people trying to show friendship to the reader.

Overall, I was very pleased with Hand of Fate. It will be interesting to see how far this series is taken. While I see the potential for several more books, I wonder how many more unique political issues and personal events can continue to happen in these women's lives and the stories still have a realistic feel to them. Regardless of the future of the series though, Hand of Fate was well done and definitely a rewarding book to read.

Hand of Fate, the second book in the Triple Threat series, by Lis Wiehl is a mystery that tackles many issues. It is an easy read, but the ending is not too predictable. Wiehl continues to develop her three main characters Allison Pierce, Cassidy Shaw, and Nicole Hedges. For those of you who are new to the series, the premise is these three ladies went to the same high school but were not close friends. They each end up in different careers that all focus on solving crimes. The ladies meet up at a high school reunion and discover their common interest and begin to develop their friendship; which revolves around meeting for dinner and sharing an amazing chocolate dessert. Allison is a federal prosecutor, Cassidy is a crime reporter, and Nicole is a FBI agent. In each book, the three end up sharing information to solve a major crime.

In Hand of Fate, the mystery revolves around the death of a popular, yet controversial, talk radio host named Jim Fate. Allison and Nicole are assigned to work the case and of course Cassidy is covering the story for her local station. As you read, you discover that one of these three women know Jim in a very personal way. The suspects are many and include co-workers, listeners of his show, and even a Congressman. The case could be a career advancer for all three women, so the pressure to solve the mystery is on.

Wiehl does a good job of making her characters believable. Each one struggles with their own issues and we get to see the messy side of life. She addresses issues that are often pushed aside and not talked about in popular culture. The characters do not have perfect lives, which leaves them room to grow in future novels. Overall, this book is worth the time when you are in the mood for a little mystery. I personally recommend having some chocolate close by as her descriptions of the desserts may lead to chocolate cravings.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When radio talk show host, Jim Fate, is murdered with an unknown gas sent to him in a mysterious package, panic ensues. Is this a terrorist attack or an irate fan whose gone to far? It's up to Cassidy Shaw, Nicole Hedges, and Allison Pierce to figure out. They call themselves the Triple Threat and together they plan on figuring out this case. In the days that follow his murder, facts unravel, suspects appear and things take a twist that no one sees. Lis Wiehl composed a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue that will have any reader on the edge of their seat.

I was completely enthralled by this book from page one. Lis Wiehl and April Henry wrote a really great story in Hand of Fate. This was the first Triple Threat novel I've ever read, but this book can definitely stand out on its own. On top of the investigation into Jim Fate's murder there is also a lot written about Cassidy, Nicole and Allison's personal lives. I felt myself being drawn into these stories almost more than the main plot of Jim's murder. There was times that I felt like certain parts of the murder investigation were just thrown in to fill space and I really did not like what happens with one of the main suspects. While I loved the personal stories, I didn't feel like the factual evidence and the police roles were completely researched and believable. I also felt the Nicole's self defense could not have been as effective as it was written. All in all though this was a pleasant read that kept me entertained and engaged the whole time. I always enjoy a mystery with a twist and this novel definitely has an interesting twist. My only issue was that I felt it sort of came out of no where, but maybe that was the point. If you are a fan of mystery, suspense and strong female characters, you'll love this book like I did.

Review originally posted on my blog Draw A Blank.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Special Agent Nicole Hedges, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw are back in Lis Wiehl's second installment of the Triple Threat series, Hand of Fate. If you missed Face of Betrayal, these three professional women are high school friends who reunited over a triple threat chocolate desert and now collaborate from time to time on cases of interest to each.

When radio personality, Jim Fate, is murdered in what at first appears to be a terrorist attack the three women find their careers and personal lives intertwined once again. Fate, a not-so- veiled replica of the Rush Limbaugh's and Glen Beck's of the real world, is murdered in his radio booth and the city of Portland is thrown into panic. The first chapters of the novel scream forward at a dizzying pace as we are given an inside view of how quickly mass hysteria can grip a city in our post 9/11 world. And, our three heroines find themselves personally sucked into the ensuing events.

As before, each of the main characters must face personal issues often more daunting than the murder they are investigating. Cassidy continues to face the reality of younger faces in the television journalism world and the consequences of how she has tried to defy age. Allison has yet to tell her friends she and her husband are finally expecting a child. Nicole is still raising a young daughter alone as she balances her FBI duties with motherhood. Issues of faith are presented through the eyes and hearts of each of these women: the shallow news reporter, the true believer, and the hardened agnostic. It is the complexities of this relationship that are most interesting about the series.

Though handled with more maturity than her debut novel, Lis Wiehl and her co-author April Henry give us an ending that still seems hurried. For such a great buildup the conclusion is a bit disappointing. Hand of Fate is what we call in my part of the world, a beach book. If you are looking for intricately woven plots and thought-provoking dialogue you may want to look elsewhere. But if you want a fun read, with strong female leads doing something more than falling for the first hunk that comes along, this one just might be the ticket.

With Heart of Ice coming next year theTriple Threat Club isn't finished so perhaps we will still see the satisfying ending I believe this writer is capable of. Until then, grab a chair, find something chocolate, take the afternoon off, and join Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole as they look for a killer.

Outspoken radio host Jim Fate has made enemies with his outspoken style. Many of these enemies are high powered political figures so when he is murdered in his own studio there is no shortage of suspects.

The triple threat, FBI special agent Nicole Hodges, crime reporter, Cassidy Shaw and Federal prosecutor Allison Pierce begin sorting through the list of Fate's enemies he had in order to piece together the reason for his murder as well as the murderer. The case presents a special challenge because one of the three has social ties to Fate and the other two have their own issues and demons to deal with. As they get closer to the identity of the killer, each of their lives are changed and the issues take on larger roles in their lives.

This book is a true page turner. It will keep you guessing the motive and identity of the murderer but you will be taken by surprise when the crime is solved. I will offer a word of warning: unless you want to stay awake all night reading, don't open this book at bedtime.

I found the plot totally realistic and possible. The characters are real and deal with issues that can face each one of us. I do recommend this book to anyone that loves a good mystery. I am looking forward to reading more books by these authors.

This copy was given to me by Thomas Nelson (BookSneeze) in exchange for an honest review on the book.

Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel)
In this second triple threat novel, a trio of strong female characters who formed a bond of friendship in the first novel of this series are back. One of the women is much closer to the investigation than she would like, having been close enough to the victim to be considered as a suspect herself if she isn't careful. The other two ladies are dealing with their own struggles, one has an ugly event from the past resurface and the other handles a personal crisis with grace, thanks to her strong faith. A faith that isn't shared by her two friends ... just yet. I applaud the authors for their ability to create a thrilling story, full of plot twists and an array of possible villains, yet keeping the personal stories moving along for their three main characters. Their friendship grows tighter. We are able to see how events in their lives have shaped their characters, and how the faith of a friend can inspire hope in the lives of their friends - even if they don't quite understand it.

This is one murder investigation that keeps you guessing right up until the end. There are so many possible killers ... This novel is fast-paced and SO easy to get sucked in and unable to put it down!

*Note: This book was given to me for review by the book's publisher, Thomas Nelson, as part of the Book Sneeze book review program.

The Triple Threats Are Back.

Allison - Federal Prosecutor. Nicole - FBI and Cassidy a crime reporter, fresh off their last investigation of a congressional pages murder have a new one on their hands.

Jim Fate - popular conservative talk show host has been murdered by poison gas that arrived in his mail. With a man hated by millions, including former close friends and co-workers it may be difficult to find the one who wanted him dead the most.

Highlights:

This sequal was more entertaining than the first book in the series - Face Of Betrayal. You got to know the people better and the plot wasn't overly complicated.

The three women are good at their jobs without being superwomen and have the same issues and anxieties that other women their age have.

Lowlights:

An unnecessary tragedy which I found unnecessary to the plot.

A secret is more interesting if it goes over several books. Revealing and solving it in a few pages is a little unrealistic.

The solution: It reminded me of an old Agatha Christie novel where they really don't do anything that would solve the crime, but luckily see, hear or accidentally find something that leads to the killer who in the best pulp novel fashion shouts out that they did it,when confronted with their crime, even though there is little evidence and I think a jury might have a little trouble with what happened to an earlier suspect that everyone was certain did it.

The series is improving so I am looking forward to the next book.

Lis Wiehl is one of my newest "must-read" authors. I discovered her last year when I reviewed Face of Betrayal. Now her second novel, Hand of Fate (Thomas Nelson Publishers), has just been released, and it is every bit as compelling as her first novel.

Hand of Fate finds the Triple Threat Club (named after a decadent chocolate dessert and comprised of FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, television news crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, and Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce) once again joining forces to solve a murder; this time it's the demise of a contentious radio talk-show host that has the three friends collaborating.

I absolutely could not put this one down. Late one night as I read it, I kept thinking, "I'll just read one more chapter to get to a stopping place" only to find myself turning pages much longer than sensible! There is no "stopping place" until the final sentence has concluded! Each scene and chapter builds on the previous one to make this a captivating book.

And even after the novel was over, it was fun to read the notes this author/Fox News analyst & commentator received from others in the media (including Bill O'Reilly), all of whom were certain the victim was based on themselves! I highly, highly recommend this book. The next one, Heart of Ice, can't come soon enough for me.

Hand of Fate is the second installment in the Triple Threat series by authors, Lis Wiehl and April Henry. When radio talk show host, Jim Fate, dies after accidentally inhaling poisonous gas that was released into his studio, FBI special agent Nicole Hedges, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw come together to try and solve this murder. With Jim having been so outspoken, many people hated him. The list of possible suspects was very lengthy and these three friends, who call themselves the Triple Threat Club, have the wonderful job of trying to put the pieces together and find out who did this.

Even though I haven't read the first book in this series, Face of Betrayal, I didn't feel lost while reading this one. I don't usually read crime novels, but I'm very happy I got to read this one. It's fast-paced with unexpected twists that keep you guessing. It took a lot out of me not to skip through the pages to find out who the murderer was. I definitely recommend this book and will be passing it on to my sister, who I know will love it just as much as I did.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I read book one, Face of Betrayal back in January and loved it. As I read other reviews I found many deeply disturbed that the book didn't appear "Christian." Several questioned why the Thomas Nelson published the book. I hope those readers will give this book a chance.

In this book Allison is still living out her faith and is deeply challenged during the story. However, we are beginning to see a change happening in Cassidy and especially Nic. The author is doing an excellent job of mimicking real life and the real change that can happen in people.

The author has provided an excellent main storyline, as she leads us to who killed Jim Fate and why. She follows it up with strong secondary storylines that add to the overall story. The author deals with some tough issues, such as domestic abuse and prescription drug addiction.

I'm looking forward to the next installment of this series and to see what happens to these three women.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a well-written, fast paced story, that deals with real life situations. I would not recommend this to people who want a nice Christianese book that doesn't portray things like social drinking and drug addiction or has references to premarital sexual relationships.

Hand of Fate, the thrilling second installment in the Triple Threat Series, features three best friends who fight to stay at the top of their high profile careers in the most dangerous and heartbreaking of circumstances. As they wrestle with the unknowns in the murder of Talk Radio Host Jim Fate, they are forced to question the actions of everyone around them, even if it means exposing the hidden secrets of one another. The story opens with not only the on-air murder, but with the city-wide panic and evacuation of the downtown Portland area, caused by the crippling fear of poisonous gas in the air. From that moment, the reader shifts from scene to scene, picking up the pieces of Jim Fate's past in the midst of the unforgiving world of live television and radio.

A story that shares tidbits of little known information without writing above the head of the reader is a treasure. A part of the action from the start, the reader must sort through the abandoned chaos with each main character, overlooking how the happenings affect them on a personal level. Nicole, Cassidy and Allison are complicated, yet believable; and so is their friendship and struggle to find God in a tough environment.

I now care about these characters, and look forward to their future adventures, but even more than this, their growth and deepening friendship. I highly recommend this book, and trust that the pages will keep you on the edge of your seat until the surprising ending.

## I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Hate of Fate could have been pulled straight out of any newspaper headline. Jim Fate is brutally murdered by a deadly poison distributed via an unusual aerosol distribution system. In minutes he's dead. Terrorists are automatically suspected, setting off a panicked frenzy in downtown Portland. Caught in the panic is Allison, a Federal prosecutor. Once the danger passes, Allison with long-time friends, Cassidy, a crime reporter, and Nicole, a FBI special agent are bound and determined to solve Jim's murder. Was it a terrorist, or one of his rabid fans? Did he tick off the wrong listener? Or his disgruntled Co-host? Finding someone who didn't want Jim dead may be an easier task.

While the basic premise of the novel was entertaining and well written, the story lacks, I don't know- something. Perhaps the murder was wrapped up too quickly? The main characters lacked depth? The ending could be seen a mile away? Needed about fifty more pages of quality writing? Tough to put a finger on what the problem was exactly.

Don't get me wrong- reading this book is a great way to spend a plane ride. You won't mind the slightly paunchy business guy in the next seat over who keeps hitting you with his laptop bag as you'll be engaged in the story. But this isn't a book for the best novel I've ever read shelf.

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When a mystery has a really exciting opening, it's difficult to maintain that level of tension throughout the entire book. That's the problem I find with "Hand of Fate" by Lis Wiehl. It starts off with a bang. You are caught up in a catastrophe that seems ripped from the headlines.

It's a problem because, after the opening, "Hand of Fate" goes downhill. The catastrophe abates and you are left with just a plain, old murder mystery. It seems anti-climactic. It's a story about a talk radio host who is asphyxiated by poisonous gas sent to him in the mail.

Of course, that's just the beginning. The host's death spurs into action three amazing, crime-fighting women (called the Triple Threat by the author in honor of their favorite chocolate dessert). Don't ask me which woman is which--I couldn't tell you. I understand that this is the second in the Triple Threat series so maybe the three women were differentiated more in the first book. I hope so.

Will I read more from this author? Absolutely, but I hope the next book will be longer so that the three heroines will have time to ripen before the mystery is solved.

Disclaimer: The publisher sent me a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review, however, are totally my own.

Lis Wiehl has successfully courted her colleagues in the media, soliciting jacket blurbs. The blurbs have a common theme: this is an unputdownable, pulse-pounding, riveting, thrill-a-minute suspense thriller. It is not. It is a textured, character-driven, carefully layered mystery. As many readers will already know, Hand of Fate is the second novel (after Face of Betrayal) in the 'triple threat' series. The triple threat is a set of triumvirs, a TV reporter, a prosecutor and an FBI agent. All three of these women are interesting; here we learn more about them as they go about their task of trying to solve the murder of a combative radio host who is killed, in his studio, by poisonous gas.

The pace of the novel is slow and deliberate, not jackhammer quick. It consistently holds the reader's attention, provides interesting information about the broadcasting industry (which Lis Wiehl knows very well, of course) and, most important, gives us a deeper appreciation of the triple threat ladies. I definitely recommend it; just don't expect to tear your nails ripping the book apart as you claw at the pages to get to the ending. Sit back in your comfy chair with your favorite potable and enjoy. Next up for the triple threat team: Heart of Ice in spring 2011.

Pretty good story, plus lots of interesting bits of information thrown in along the way. I learned about how radio shows are produced and tidbits about criminal investigation and prosecution, among other things. Unfortunately, the three female protagonists weren't especially likable for me. One woman, Alison (the prosecutor), was okay. But Nicole, the special agent, seemed a simply drawn character, formulaically frigid and faithless because - of course! - she had been victimized as a woman. And Cassidy, the TV reporter (and also a Victimized Woman), was unethical, untrustworthy, and just plain not very bright. I gave the book three stars for the very interesting premise but aside from that, Hand of Fate did not make my heart sing. Too bad - I am a big Lis Wiehl fan in real life. She is an alumnus of my alma mater and I think she's a lovely, strong, smart woman and a much-needed voice in our public discourse. Oh well, no one can be good at EVERYTHING!

New York Times Best-Selling Author Lis Wiehl writes a great suspense that will keep you on your toes. "Hand of Fate", a triple threat novel is a fast moving thriller that could happen in Any Town, USA.

Every city seems to have at least one loud mouthed radio guy, and in this book Jim Fate is it. But when Jim is killed a city-wide panic leaves you on edge. Was this an act of terror, murder, or did the wrong guy open an envelope meant for someone else? As you learn more about Jim and his life you meet many characters who just may have had it in for him, but after previous terror attacks one can't be sure if it is murder at all. With many twists and turns this book is highly entertaining and very easy to follow. The characters are interesting and keep you wondering until the surprising end!

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255[...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When a opinionated radio-talk show host, Jim Fate, is murdered, the Triple Threat Club gets involved. This homicide has so many suspects and a few that stand out as the culprit. Nicole, Allison, and Cassidy, the members of the Triple Threat Club, all have a role to play in the investigation. Nicole is the lead agent for the FBI on this case. Allison is the lead prosecutor and Cassidy is personally linked to Jim Fate.

I liked this novel. It was fast-paced and not boring. It had suspenseful and nail-biting chapters. I read it in 2 days and would have finished sooner if I didn't have to take care of some responsibilities. The three main characters are interesting and their stories are unique. Their friendship is still fresh and looks like it has growing to do. This was a fresh approach. Other books seem to portray friendships as something that has been years in the making. I appreciated this fresh insight.

I have not read the first Triple Threat book, but this book stands alone and I did not feel like I was missing any vital information. I will be recommending this book and will be reading the rest of the books in this series.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...].

Hand of Fate is the second installment by author Lis Wiehl chronicling the lives of three friends linked by their connections to law enforcement as they solve the murder of controversial radio talk show host, Jim Fate. FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw are the Triple Threat Club; friends who share a passion for seeing justice done. When Fate receives death threats, he calls on Cassidy to enlist the aid of Nicole and Allison to help investigate the threats. As fate would have it, their help came too late. With Fate murdered by an unknown poisonous gas, it falls on these three women to try and make sense of the murder and discover, in the sea of suspects, how close the killer really is. While trying to determine if the murder was committed by one of the hundreds of disgruntled listeners or someone much closer to Fate, each of the Triple Threat members also tackle issues such as domestic violence, illegal immigration, drug addiction and rape.

While I enjoyed Wiehl's first novel in the Triple Threat series, Face of Betrayal, I cannot say the same about Hand of Fate. Hand of Fate was painstakingly slow and filled with far too many sub-plots. Through Wiehl's excess in scene description of the chaos in downtown Portland surrounding Fate's murder and sub-plots that detracted from the central story line, I found myself quickly losing interest in the novel. Additionally, the character development of the three main women began to feel a little forced, as though Wiehl was trying to address as many issues facing women today as possible.

I am a fan of multiple story lines and plot twists, however I felt the writing was much better in Wiehl's first novel. I found Hand of Fate rather predictable and was rather irritated by the obvious conclusion. Perhaps the ladies were too blinded by the onslaught of personal issues consuming each of them. Also, having read the first novel, I found that it is completely redundant for those who have read Face of Betrayal. While trying to make Hand of Fate stand on it's own, the relatively verbatim descriptions throughout the book left me with déjà vu and wanting to skip ahead.

Overall, Hand of Fate was a disappointment. Had this book been a bit more focused with fewer sub-plots and issues for the characters to overcome, it may have kept my interest.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for the complimentary copy of Hand of Fate (A Triple Threat Novel).

A smoke bomb releases a poisonous gas, panicking the city of Portland, Oregon...is it terrorists? Sarin gas? But when the smoke clears, exactly one victim has been claimed, famous (and controversial) radio talk master, Jim Fate. Three friends, who just happen to be women (an FBI agent, a federal prosecutor, and a TV news reporter), band together to discover the identity of his killer. The ending will surprise you. It's just plain unbelievable. Truly.

This is the second book in the Triple Threat series by New York Times best-selling author Lis Wiehl (with April Henry). The opening chapter grabs you by the throat...I truly wanted to find out who had killed Jim Fate and why. But my interest slowly waned. Maybe it was the treatise on illegal immigration? Or the one on domestic violence? It's ok to make a point, I just don't like it when an author uses her characters as mouthpieces.

Plus, so much happens in this book within its short 300+ pages that it can't help but shake the ground of credibility. Of course, for a story well told, you can suspend your disbelief. Let's just say I'm still shaking my head over that ending.

Disclaimer: BookSneeze sent me a free copy of this book for review purposes. I received no compensation and this review reflects my honest opinion.

The book centers on 3 friends, (one a crime reporter, one a federal prosecutor, and the other an FBI agent) as they work together to solve the death of radio talk show personality, Jim Fate. His death prompted panic in the city of Portland, OR, as terrorism was suspected.

This book was a quick read for me. I read it in under 2 weeks, which I probably could've done it in a couple days, but between writing a blog, a toddler, and life in general it took a bit longer!

This was a fairly decent book and the ending really surprised me. I like when they have a surprise ending because it changes the ENTIRE book.

I also like when a book like this is actually something that could happen in real life. Some horrors aren't even that good. This is a good story and it really is something I could see happening in real life.

I'd give this book a 3.5 out of 5. It's definitely not the best out there, but it was a good read.

I received this book from Thomas nelson publisher's Booksneeze website. It was for the soul purpose or reviewing it on my blog!