Private Justice (The Newpointe 911 Series)

Most of the main characters were either underdeveloped or unlikeable, especially the "holier than thou" wife. The author must have done very little research if this is the way she thinks police and fire departments work.

I found the development of the characters weak and much of the dialogue was stilted. The basic premise of the story was good but I didn't find the investigation of the crimes believable. I did "skim" through most of the story just to see who was responsible.

I grabbed this book because it was free for Kindle. It was a page turner, but very mediocre. The characters were poorly developed, and as others have pointed out, the crime investigation was handled badly enough as to be distractingly un-believable. I also didn't realize that this was a "Christian fiction" when I started it. It ended up being very preachy in what felt like an over-the-top way. I'd suggest skipping this one, unless you're really looking for a Christian crime thriller where the story can take a back seat to the preaching.

The book was easy reading, with a decent plot and a moderate religious undertone I could appreciate but PLEASE stop with all the character crying. Nobody cries that much in life. Husbands, wives, firefighters, friends, cops and clergy. All your characters were bawling at a drop of a hat. It totally got out of hand and put a damper on the story for me.

This will be my last Terri Blackstock book. The characters are flat; we are told by the author what they are thinking and feeling but it is not represented by actions. The wife of the main character is unforgiving, not in the least Christian, yet we are told she is. There is no charity, no kindness, in her. While the plot is only faintly realistic, the surrounding characters in law enforcement jump to conclusions not supported by facts and then act upon those conclusions in totally incorrect fashion. This book was not worth the zero I paid for it.

The author of this book holds strong religious views. Her devotion to her faith is evident, just as is her distaste for those who do not share her beliefs. Had I known this before, I would never have bought this book. Today, more than ever, we need tolerance for all; true Christianity should espouse love for all of humankind, not just for those who share the same beliefs.

Reading this book feels like being drawn into a cult's cave. Every second paragraph, or there abouts, refers to faith, religion, god. Women are getting killed and firefighters are having breakdowns over their religion. Puhleeze! To make matters worse, everything from the brutal to the emotional is poorly crafted and sloppily described - it all reads like the work of an adolescent with too little life experience to talk of love, life, death, and relationships. Terrible book, stupid book, a never-buy-anything-by-this-author-again book.

This book needed some serious editing. I found myself skipping over pages and pages of dragging dialogue. The marriage problems of the 2 main characters were the stuff of teenagers. Warning -- "christian" content.

I was intrigued by the title and the synopsis and, what the heck, it was free so I grabbed this book. I found the characters to have no personality whatsoever and couldn't buy into the marriage problems of Mark and is unreasonable wife. But, the reason I quit the book before finishing was frustration with the way the crimes and investigations were handled by the writer.

If you are portending to write about crime and law enforcement, please try to learn SOMETHING about either. I am a police officer and I was so incredibly distracted by the inaccuracies regarding how the investigation was being handled. As a murder mystery goes, it almost seems as if the murders were an afterthought so that the publishers had something to write in the book description. The murders were kind of forgotten about for a period while we took a break to discuss God, faith, marriages, break-ups...

The characters were flat and there was no drama.

Setting: Newpointe, Louisana.
Plot: Firemen's wives are being murdered. Mark seeks to protect Allie, but that's not easy since his marriage is falling apart.

I read this book years ago and loved it then, and loved it now. The characters are likable, the plot is exited and the twists are surprising. Tossing in the right amount of Bible verses makes this an excellent read.

I can't get enough of Blackstock's book as it lifts my faith and entertains me at the same time. Can't ask for more than that. I look forward to the next one in this series.

Mark and Allie Branning never planned on a marriage that turned out like this. One night of weakness on Mark's part, Allie discovering his not so platonic relationship with the beautiful paramedic Issie, and their marriage is over as far as Allie is concerned. Not willing to get a divorce on the spot, they choose to separate instead; Mark moving out to his own apartment, and Allie staying at home and continuing to run the florist shop they own.

But when a firefighter's wife is shot and burned in her own home, the game they are playing becomes a dangerous one. Thinking a murderer is on the loose, Mark wants to protect Allie from any harm that may come to her. When a second firefighter's wife is killed, the stakes grow ever higher for the Branning's dying marriage. Unsure of whether Allie will be safe as Mark is also a firefighter, he does everything to protect Allie from the murderer who seems determined to leave firefighters as widowers. But when Allie becomes a target, will Mark be able to save her from her fate? Or will the decision to save their marriage be completely taken from both of their hands?

I first read this novel as a girl. I couldn't have been more than 10 years old when I saw my mom was reading this book and I just HAD to see what was so great about it. Naturally, my mother said it was way above my head, and this of course, fueled my determination to read it despite her thinking it was above my maturity level. But as it was then when I first read went through this novel, and still remains true; Blackstock brings to life a story that pulses with excitement, danger, romance, and lots and lots of mystery. And while I might not give this to my future ten year-olds to read, if they are anything like me, they are going to take it anyway and discover a whole new world waiting to be explored.

I've read several books by Terri Blackstock and enjoyed them very much. That's why I was so surprised by how much I disliked this book, so much that I couldn't even finish it. The Allie character was extremely unsympathetic and unlikable. I just didn't buy the conflict in her marriage and found her vain imaginings and selfishness thoroughly obnoxious. All the characters across the board were very one dimensional and unrealistic. It felt poorly researched in regard to police procedure, and there was a preachy quality and a narrowness that I haven't seen in other books by this author. I feel like this must have been an earlier effort, because her more recent books are far more refined in characterization, making realistic people of faith and far more credible plot lines. I hate to give a bad review, because all the other book's I've read by this author I really liked, but if you're hoping for the quality of her more recent books, you may be disappointed here.

I really enjoy Terry Blackstock‘s mystery novels. This one follows the murdering of firemen’s wives of Newpointe 911. Could it be a do ranged killer on the loose? Or is it one of the people close to them? This mystery will keep you guessing until the end of the book and gives you insight into the advantages and fears that go along with forgiveness.

"Private Justice" is a fast-paced, suspenseful mystery. The mystery was a who-done-it that kept me uncertain until the end. The suspense was created by the tension between Mark and Allie due to their marriage troubles and the fact that Allie and the other firemen's wives were being stalked by a killer.

The characters made mistakes that increased the suspense, but they were very believable, human mistakes. They were smart people. The mistakes were due to ignorance or the character thought he was making the right choice (and it was a reasonable one) or the mistake was followed by the thought, "I probably shouldn't have done that...but it shouldn't matter" and they had no real reason to think the mistake was a critical one. So it worked for me.

The characters were complex and very realistic. Allie was exasperating at times, but since her parents were exasperating in the same way, I can see where she picked up the habit. I initially had a hard time caring about Allie, though, since I didn't find her very likable. I liked Mark and many of the secondary characters, though.

The author writes "about flawed Christians in crisis and God's provisions for their mistakes and wrong choices" (from her bio). So the novel had a strong Christian element with the characters discussing (and struggling with) God's character and why He let bad things happen. It was realistically handled, and I wouldn't call it preachy. Christians and non-Christians were portrayed realistically, with both flaws and strong points.

There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. There was no explicit sex. There was no graphic gore. Overall, I'd recommend this novel as well-written, clean reading.

Reviewed by Debbie from Genre Reviews

I love the murder/mystery genre but, as a Christian, I tire of the sex and raunchiness in so much of it. I often find myself hooked on a story and therefore not wanting to quit a book I feel like I should quit because of the extra content. It's not what I want to be putting into my heart and mind. So, this is my first "Christian" murder/mystery and I was pleased.

The story definitely hooked me quickly. I read it in three days and am glad that there are books to follow up on. It is a quick read. I liked the plot development, how she had you suspicious of a few different characters. I felt like the marital problem of the main couple was interesting and believable - that mix of love, anger, and hurt that can be so confusing.

Many of the main characters are Christians and so their worldview comes out as they deal with what happens in the book. If you know that's going to irritate you, this certainly isn't your book. But, if you are a Christian and you're looking for a good book that won't offend you, I think this is a good one.

This Book is absolutely incredible. I read a lot of reviews saying it was boring, and the characters are unlikable. That is so wrong. This book has got a lot going for it, and I would recommend it to all. If your a fan if Chirstan crime novels, than this book is for you.

Having just finished the Cape Refuge series, I moved on to another by starting Private Justice, the 1st book in the Newpointe 911 series. (Subsequent books, in order, are: Shadow of Doubt, Word of Honor, Trial by Fire, and Line of Duty.)

I would agree that the premise of this book may be somewhat far-fetched, but suspension of disbelief is part of the enjoyment. Everything doesn't have to be so totally realistic.

As in the Cape Refuge series, Newpointe 911 introduces us to characters we grow to care about. Assuming they continue throughout the series...have only read this 1st one so far.

I will admit I grew a little tired of the "misunderstanding" between Mark and Allie about Mark's supposed straying from the marriage vows. She jumps to conclusions after walking in on Mark hugging a female colleague and he gives in and moves out way too meekly. As his devotion to her proves itself over and over, she steadfastly continues to be angry. It takes a near fatal injury to bring them both around....too formulaic? Maybe, but I say overlook it and just enjoy the book.

I really wanted to like this book and the beginning started out great. A shocking murder is committed in the town of Newpointe, then another. Meanwhile, fireman Mark Branning has moved out and is separated from his wife Allie. There is a serial killer targeting the wives of firemen and Allie and Mark must fight through their struggles for the sake of their marriage. I wanted to like this book because it is a Christian novel with a good purpose. Ninety percent of the books I've read have been secular but I'm starting to read more Christian novels. But to me, this book fails for three reasons: the marriage conflict between Mark and Allie isn't believable, the serial killer plot collapses under its own weight, and the spiritual message is confusing and disappointing.

Mark and Allie's marriage is suffering because she thinks he had an affair and he hasn't convinced her otherwise. Seeing your husband hugging another woman is not proof of adultery, but it is grounds for suspicion. Yet, Allie assumes Mark is cheating on her because she witnessed him hugging another woman. It seems to me the truth would be discovered in the resulting fight. Instead, Mark and Allie separate and Allie sees no hope for her marriage because of that hug and what she assumes was an affair.

Blackstock does a poor job of framing the conflict between Mark and Allie. Throughout the book, references are made to Allie believing Mark had an affair with Issie. Allie refers to Mark's act as "adultery" and recalls him "lying" his way out of it after Allie caught him hugging Issie. Their marriage is struggling, but Blackstock should have given more reasons why Allie assumed adultery other than a hug because throughout the book, Mark says he didn't have an affair and Allie chalks it up to one of his lies.

Later in the novel, Blackstock gives more reason for their conflict but by then its too late.

The serial killer story is poorly done, and it also seems everybody knows everybody in this book. When they book a suspect at the end, it seems ridiculous. The police work feels like it was written by an amateur. One line in the novel, "As much as the evidence pointed to XXX, Stan didn't want to believe it." In my opinion, the evidence didn't point to that person and Stan, the detective, seems foolish for believing it. There isn't any rhythm or flow to the police work or the serial killer in the story. There is no sense of setting in the book. There are too many characters that no each other yet little context in how they know each other.

Finally, this book talks about God and prayer and being "saved" throughout the book, and that's great. With a serial killer on the loose, a lot of bad things are happening and the characters react to this in a bad way.

At one point, a conversation goes like this: "How can the murder be part of God's plan?" "Maybe it isn't" "That would mean God isn't in control." "He is in control, but he allows some things to happen."

Then at another point, Mark says to Allie, "I'm going to be fine, it's time to trust the Lord. He's taken care of us so far."

Then Allie says: "But I don't know what his plan is. I don't know how he wants this to end. I don't know what he wants to teach us."

At other points in the book, characters say that God has a plan and maybe the serial killer is part of God's plan and that through God's plan, all things can be used for good. This line of logic is infuriating. Bad things happen to everyone, including God's people. God doesn't "allow" a serial killer to shoot and burn your wife. That's a horrible message to send to a non-Christian who may have lost someone in a car wreck. Telling them it was part of God's plan is the quickest way to turn someone from God.

God is obviously there for people when something bad happens to help them through it and to find the good in it and God can even keep bad things from happening to Christians. But like above, where Allie was afraid because she thought God might have chosen to have her killed to teach a lesson, God doesn't willfully kill people. It comes down to the simple fact that all people, including serial killers and Christians, have choices to make and have free will.

I'm surprised I wrote so much on an 8 year old book but I wanted it to be a good book.

Terri Blackstock's first book in this 911 series is a true attention getter. Firemen's wives are turning up dead and suddenly the whole town is afraid. Filled with a maze of dead ends and more twists than curly hair, Private Justice will turn you into a Blackstock fan. She just keep getting better and better. God Bless Terri, keep up the good work.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

The mystery of this novel was intriging, but the draw of the book for me was the way the author wove the faith of the characters with the crises in their lives. Blackstock pulls no punches as she shows us Christians and non-Christians living out their lives, "warts and all." It's not just a mystery that has been "christianized" with "god-words," it is an look at believable characters who struggle with their faith, yet perservere. Bad things do happen to Christians, yet the promise of Romans 8:28 is evident throughout the book. If, like me, you are used to Patricia Cornwell novels, you will find that Blackstock is not as developed, but her characters still have a depth that makes them believable. I approached the novel with a bit of skepticism because I'm used to the likes of Cornwell; however, I came away with my spirit lifted in a way that I've never gotten from secular mysteries.

Right from the onset this is a gripping novel full of suspense and intrigue. Set around a small town in US the author introduces us to the characters that make up this close-knit community. The events that take place affect the whole town and as the murderer is sought after, friends pull together. Fingers are also pointed, however, but are they pointing in the right direction? A book you will be unable to put down until the last page is turned.

This book is so exciting that I found myself gasping when there were new twists and turns and constantly chewing on my lip when I got nervous for what was going to happen! I love this book and can't wait to read the rest of the Series! I would recommend this book to anyone along with Blackstock's other books that are amzaing as well!
Other recommendations:
Dee Henderson - The O'Malley Series

This book was excellent. It is very difficult for me to find authors that keep my attention during the whole book. To hear about Terri Blackstock and find out that she not only keeps your attention but gives her books a christian atmosphere was exciting. I started the Newpointe 911 series and have not been able to put them down. The day I get finished with a book, I have to get the next one. Private Justice was very good, and I was lead to believe a certain character was the killer throughout the book and found out that I was wrong. She throws many twists into this book, and keeps you on your toes. I do not believe I ever put this book down if it wasn't for having to do something else. I recommend this book to anyone (young adult - adult).

My Christian bookstore recommended I read this book by Terri Blackstock, and now I'm hooked on the series. This book is suspenseful, promotes Christian integrity without being preachy, and is hard to put down.
I would recommend this series highly.

Private Justice was a very suspenseful book and I could not put it down. It took me about a week to read and the reading level was fairly easy. I had to start the next book in the series, Shadow of Doubt, the next day because I really wanted to know what happened next. There was never a dull moment in this book. New evidence kept appearing to point to who the killer was and what his/her possible motive could be. It was almost impossible to predict what was to happen next, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I highly recommend the Newpointe 911 series to everyone!

My sister has been telling me about this series for months and I didn't think I was going to enjoy reading it. I finally decided to read it and now I am practically pacing the floor waiting for her to bring me the next book so I can find out what happens next! This is a really great book and if you aren't sure if you want to read it or not, I hope that this recommendation gets you to read it!

When my youth group competed in a state fine arts competition, I took Private Justice along in case I had some spare time. I read all through the competition. I simply could't put it down! Terri Blackstock keeps you on the edge of your seat right up until the end with heart-stopping action and tender human relationships. Private Justice is one of my all time favorite books.

Once again I downloaded a free book only to discover it is a Christian book after I got into the story. I wanted to see who the killer was so I finished it but the religious part of it was so unnecessary. And the author's Afterword was revolting.

All of Terri's books are excellent...this one will keep you on the edge of your seat start to finish. I was even terrified at the end and stayed out late to finish it. Read the whole series. I read this one last, but it certainly didn't take away from it.

Private Justice (Newpointe 911) is a pretty good book. I probably will read more of the private Justice series.since this book was the first in a series I am hopeful the next book will be better
KATHY