How Should Christians View Capital Punishment? Spotlighted Author Sylvia Bambola Responds...

How Should Christians View 

Capital Punishment?

by Sylvia Bambola

This is a tough one.* There are sincere Christians on both sides of this issue. I think the reason is because Christians are generally tenderhearted and believe in redemption. They want everyone to have a “second chance.”

Before diving in, I’d like to share three Scriptures. In Isaiah 55:9 God said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Our minds are incapable of grasping the mind of God. His way of thinking is not ours and may often seem out of line. But we should understand that God does all things well, and His ordinances, His commands are only for our good. 

The second Scripture is from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Our job is to trust God and not our own understanding. His is to direct our paths. 

And finally, when we don’t, when we, instead, follow our own inclinations, the path is disastrous. Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

From the above, I think it’s safe to say we don’t always know what’s right or best, but God does. And when we try to figure it out independently of Him, we can get into trouble or make a mess. I believe this applies to the issue of capital punishment. Our opinions will differ because we come from different backgrounds, have learned different life-lessons, and carry our own share of misconceptions and faulty thinking. That’s why it’s always necessary for Christians to defer to the Bible.

So, the important question is, what does God say about this issue? I don’t believe the Bible can state God’s position on capital punishment any clearer than in Genesis 9:5-6. He commands that if a beast or man takes the life of a man, the blood of that man or beast will be required. He then states His reason. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Only blood was payment for blood because man was made in God’s image.

But this command is repeated throughout the Old Testament, including in the sixth command which states, “Thou shall not kill.” That word in the Hebrew is ratsach and literally means, “to dash in pieces, to murder, the shedding of innocent blood.” This does not include the killings in war, in self-defense or in an accidental killing (manslaughter). The Old Testament dealt with the last two cases by creating six cities of refuge in order to protect the killer from the “blood avenger”. But in the case of murder--the willful taking of innocent blood--the blood avenger was required to take the life of the murderer.

In Exodus 20:13, Exodus 21:12-15, Leviticus 24:17 and Numbers 35:6-21, God, Himself, gives Moses the ordinances regarding capital punishment. Moses represents authority/the law/the head of a nation/the government. In other words, God is instructing the governmental authority to keep this law. And what He is says is, “he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.”

God also warns, in Numbers 35:29-34, what will happen if these murderers are not put to death. “So, these things shall be for a statue of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witness: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die (Here the criteria was set up that it must take at least two witnesses to convict a murderer) Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction (ransom) for the life of a murderer guilty of death; but he shall surely be put to death . . . So, you shall not pollute the land wherein you are: for the blood it defileth the land; and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein among the children of Israel.” So, here we understand that if we don’t put murderers to death, we pollute and defile our land.

God also cautions us in Deuteronomy 19: 11-13 and Deuteronomy 19:18-21,“Thine eye shall not pity him (the murdered—God calls us to walk, not in sentimentality, but in His ways, His laws) but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with thee.” Again, if the murderer is not made to pay with his blood, it will not go well with that nation!

So, we know that 1) God Himself instituted the death penalty. 2) That only blood could pay for the shedding of innocent blood. 3) That if a murderer does not pay with his blood the land becomes defiled and polluted, and it will not go well for that nation. 4) We are not to pity the murderer. 5) A murderer must be convicted by at least two witnesses. 6) If a witness falsely testifies against someone charged with murder, that witness must forfeit his life. 7) The execution of a murderer will serve as a deterrent against further evil.

Ah, but that’s the Old Testament. Surely, Jesus doesn’t expect us to execute murderers today! Well, murder is still forbidden in the New Testament (Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9, 1Peter 4:15, 1 John 3:15) and since “God changes not”(Malachi 3:6) and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrew 13:8) and He said that if you see Him you see the Father (John 14:9), we can correctly deduce that God the Father is also the same yesterday, today and forever, and thus assume that the same blood criteria applies to murder in the New Testament.

In addition, Jesus spoke these sobering words in Matthew 5:17-19, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.” Oh, dear!

As we delve more into the New Testament, it’s important to remember that the Old Testament Scriptures regarding murder were Scriptures in which God was speaking to Moses—who represented the law/authority/government, and as such He was laying a pattern. In other words, God was establishing national law for Israel and all future Godly nations.

Opponents of capital punishment often use Matthew chapter 5 to build their case. But here Jesus is talking to the multitudes. (Matt 5:1 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain . . . and said”) Jesus is not speaking to the lawmakers, authority, government. He was speaking to the masses, the common man. The substance of what He said also makes it clear that He was addressing two very distinct groups of people: the law breaker or criminal and the victims of crime.

First, let’s look at what He said to the “criminal,” the breaker of God’s law. Jesus said that in the “old time” under the law of the Old Testament, the law says, Thou shalt not kill. However, under the “new” Testament Jesus is now coming down even harder. He said if you’re even angry with your brother without cause or if you speak evil of him, you’re in danger of judgment. Jesus has raised the bar. He is now saying that hatred and slander are akin to murder! He is saying that the standards are even stricter than they had previously thought! Who hasn’t heard an angry person assassinate someone’s character with his words! And 1 John 3:15 further confirms this, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.”

Now, let’s look at the second group—the victims of crime. He said it used to be an eye for an eye (a punishment that fits the crime). But now He says don’t look for revenge or retaliation, but forgive, forgive, forgive! If someone steals your shirt, give him your coat too (forgive, forgive, forgive) and if someone forces you to go a mile with him, don’t just stop there, go two. Jesus is saying that the victim’s attitude (NOT the state’s attitude or the law’s attitude or the government’s attitude) toward the criminal must now be one of forgiveness, meekness, and forbearance.

Having said that, is there no way out for murderers other than the death penalty? Hasn’t a “new” dispensation come with the “new” covenant? That answer is both yes and no. Here’s why. Remembering that sinners are saved by grace and that the blood of Jesus covers our sins, then one can say with assurance that if someone murders (sheds innocent blood) and comes into the saving knowledge of Jesus and repents and puts that sin under Jesus’ blood, then the blood requirement of the blood avenger is fulfilled. Jesus’ blood, in that instance, is the perfect fulfilling of the law. It becomes the substitute for the blood of the actual murderer. It appeases the outcry of the innocent blood that was shed. And Jesus’ blood appeases God the Father’s sense of justice. 

That’s why I wanted to see Carla Fay Tucker pardoned by then Governor of Texas, George Bush. Carla had come to the Lord (I’m not talking about a shallow “jail-house” conversion that sometimes happens because a prisoner wants the benefits for appearing “reformed” like early parole, etc.). Carla had repented, and she had put her sins, though serious and horrible, under the blood of Jesus. But she was not pardoned and went home to be with the Lord.

However, when a murderer has NOT come to the Lord, has not put his murder under the blood of Jesus, then the blood requirement still stands. That person is, in effect, under the Old Testament law and his blood is required. If that blood requirement is not met, then it contributes to the defilement of the land.

I know our court system is not perfect; that sometimes the poor don’t get the representation they deserve; that mistakes are made; that two witnesses (DNA, eye-witnesses, etc.) are NOT used, and circumstantial evidence will convict someone, which I don’t believe is scriptural. These issues need to be dealt with. However, just because they exist, they do not negate the validity of capital punishment. Capital punishment is an established law of God. A law valid throughout both the Old and New Testament.

Do Christians have a role in ministering to prisoners, even murderers? Yes. We can pray for them and/or minister God’s love to them. And that especially includes ministering God’s word so they can come into the saving knowledge of Jesus, which means that even if they are executed, like Carla Fay, they will be with our Lord for all eternity. But trying to keep a convicted murderer—who has not repented and accepted the Lord and put his sin under Jesus’ blood—from being executed, is not scriptural and is in fact—wrong.

God will never contradict Himself (His Word). If something in His word sounds contradictory the fault lies with us, not Him. We simply don’t understand the Scripture and need to spend time studying it. No one has all the answers, nor will we until we get to heaven and then we can ask the One who does. But knowing the Word of God as much as possible will help prevent us from being misled or deceived.

According to God’s Word, I don’t think we have any choice, as believers, but to acknowledge that capital punishment was instituted by God and is scriptural. Line up a hundred people and all of them may give you differing opinions. But we are not to hinge our convictions on the prevailing opinions of the majority or even our own opinions. In the end, the only opinion that matters is God’s.

~~~

*Based upon her book, which included the issue of Capital Punishment, I asked author Sylvia Bambola to provide a full article on this important issue. Many of us have had mixed feelings about Capital Punishment. I believe this article provides a solid basis to provide God's answer...

Note that the color highlights are mine, inserted as I read her response to my question. For me, it answered all that I needed to know...

And...thank you so much, Sylvia Bambola, for speaking to us through your book and this additional article! God Bless you and your future writings!

Welcome! Leta McCurry as Spotlighted Author!

I was just reading your web site and know how you feel - I'm old myself - 83 in November. I have just started my third novel but am requesting that you consider a review of my first book, High Cotton Country. I think you might enjoy it...

It was mid-September when I got Leta's request for a review. I saw that she was going to be 83 Next month and immediately thoughts that she should be honored for her exploration of writing novels in her later years!  I think I wrote right back and said...How about an author spotlight!

Your dedication and activities are a role model for many of us and I'm so happy Leta said Yes!

While we spend some time getting to know her and the books already available, I wanted to start by giving you a sample of her work, sharing an excerpt from her upcoming novel! Yes, she had me hooked, especially with that hanging suspenseful closing, right? Can you get a feeling about whether you'd like to read a book by reading an excerpt?

Leta will be here through the week...including my reviews for her first two novels... Do make a special effort to congratulate Leta... Oh, yeah, Leta, what day is your birthday?!

Dancing to the Silence

First Chapter: 

I am trying to find myself. Sometimes that's not easy. - Marilyn Monroe

1 – Mr. Pib

Florence, Oregon – Saturday, February 14, 1998

Macy Eldridge knew something was terribly wrong even before she opened her eyes and found Mr. Pib stone-cold dead on the pillow beside her.

She lay under the warm blankets, eyes closed but suddenly alert, listening to the sounds of an ordinary February morning—the lashing of tree limbs against the side of her single wide mobile, the rain drops that bounced off the metal roof like a barrel of marbles dumped from the hands of some giant in the sky. But the foul weather wasn’t what had jolted her from the depths of deep sleep. Bad dream? No. Sleep had been dreamless and restful. What was it?

A sense of cold foreboding crawled over her skin like a snail leaving a slime trail of uncertainty and dread.

Lori Kay? Julie Anne? Chad? Grandkids? No. No phone calls.

Surely it couldn’t be the fact that it was her sixtieth birthday and she would spend it alone. That was nothing new. She had spent it alone even when sitting across the table from David as he read the morning paper with the date right there, in black and white, at the top of the page.

Okay, so he never remembered your birthday. Don’t be petty.

He never remembered anything else either.

David was a good man. Remember what he did for you. Oh, he remembered that all right and he never let me forget either.

That’s not fair. David was always kind to you.

Yeah. He almost killed me with kindness.

Besides you won’t be alone. There’s the kids.

Ah, yes, the kids. Flowers from Chad. A package in the day’s mail from Julie Anne followed by a call sometime during the day. Lori Kay out of town for a few days, a speaker at a conference in Bend. She might call if she remembered and she might take Macy to lunch when she returned… if she remembered. Lori Kay had a lot on her mind these days.

Stop the pity party.

What was she doing talking to herself? She needed to get her butt up and deal with it… whatever it was. What Macy really wanted was to pull the covers over her head, sleep another hour, and hope that when she awakened again this awful feeling of dread and whatever was causing it, would be gone.

Instead, she inhaled deeply and opened her eyes. The breath hissed out of her chest like air out of a fat balloon and her heart withered into a hard little fist, barely beating.

Mr. Pib’s green eyes were open, frozen in a blank stare. She curled onto her side, facing him, lay her palm on the side of his head, and let the flash flood of tears sweep away all thoughts except that Mr. Pib was gone.

Finally, she wiped her eyes and her drippy nose on her pajama sleeve. It’s just a damn cat, she told herself and burst into tears again.

He wasn’t just cat. Mr. Pib—short for Pain in the Butt—first let Macy touch him thirteen years ago, on a sunny day in late May when the wild rhododendrons were in riotous bloom. The day David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

They were still living in the big house south of town with a view of Woahink Lake when Macy first saw the scrawny grey-striped tabby. He wasn’t much of a cat when he crawled out from under the back deck. His fur was patchy, half an ear was missing and a yellowish pus filmed over one eye. Macy couldn’t tell how old he was for sure, but he was young, and he was feral.

The next day, she bought cat food at McKay’s Market and put a small dish of food, along with a bowl of water on the end of the deck. For a week, the food disappeared during the night. Then Macy started putting the food out in the morning and picking up the dish before dark. The third morning, she spotted the cat hunkered under a rhododendron, watching. She put the dish down, went inside and stood at the kitchen window to see if he was hungry enough to take the risk.

The cat ran across the deck, crouching low, gulped the food, then disappeared into the bushes. After a few days, Macy stood in the open door while he ate, then just outside. It took almost two months for the cat to allow Macy to pet him, then finally one day, the morning of the day of David’s diagnosis, Mr. Pib allowed Macy to pick him up. It was as if he knew she needed a friend.

Mr. Pib had been her constant companion ever since, a source of comfort during those long years of David’s decline. First, Parkinson’s, then a diagnosis of dementia, and in the last year, colon cancer. It had taken David a long time to die.

But Mr. Pib was gone in an instant, without warning. Of course, he was old, probably at least fourteen or fifteen, and he had been slowing down for quite some time, but somehow, his death was a shock. Macy wiped her eyes again as a nasty little thought sneaked out and sucker punched her right where it made her feel most guilty. You didn’t cry this much when David died.

No. She hadn’t.

Macy sat up, swung her legs out of bed and slipped her feet into a pair of fur-lined house shoes. She went to the bathroom then dressed in jeans, a plaid flannel shirt and a pair of rain boots. She took Mr. Pib’s favorite little blanket off the end of the sofa, carried it to the bedroom and carefully wrapped him in it.

The rain had settled into a light drizzle when Macy took a shovel from the storage shed and began digging a hole at the far end of the backyard. Was it against association rules to bury a cat in your yard? She didn’t know, but her yard was totally shielded by a mandatory natural greenbelt between the lots. Although her neighbors were only a few feet away, the screen of wild rhododendrons, huckleberries, azaleas, wax myrtle and other foliage was so effective she could only see the neighbor across the street from her front window, so who would know about the cat grave? Nobody but her.

The sandy soil was wet and heavy. Macy was perspiring under her rain jacket by the time she judged the hole to be the right size. She found a red metal tool box in the shed, dumped the tools on a work table and carried the container into the house. After padding the bottom with a towel, she gently lay Mr. Pib in the tool box, covering his blanket-wrapped body with another small towel. Macy carefully put the tool box in a large black plastic garbage bag, wrapped it snugly, then repeated it again with another garbage bag. The little metal coffin was as waterproof as she could make it.

Macy shoveled the sand back into the hole and tamped it down. In a day or two she would run in to the Woodsmen Nursery and buy a rhododendron to plant on his grave. Yellow for all the happiness he had given her.

She squatted down and lay her palm on the wet sand. She did not want to leave him there, in that damp, dark hole alone. Goodbye, cat, my good friend. Goodbye, Mr. Pib. Her nose felt double its size, like it was filled with a blown-up balloon and her eyes ached from crying, but the tears came again. She sat, her hand on the sand, rain trickling down her rain jacket and dripping onto the seat of her pants, until her legs began to cramp. Bracing herself with the shovel, Macy stood and trudged back into the house.

After hanging her dripping rain coat and hat on a hook by the door, Macy turned up the heat in the pellet stove in the corner. She brewed a pot of strong coffee, and poured herself a cup. Dropping heavily into a chair at the small table in front of the bay window, she looked out at the dark asphalt street, glistening black in the rain.

It's not over. Even while lying in bed, the crushing pain of losing Mr, Pib almost squeezing the life out of her, still she had known as surely as she knew her name that trouble was not through with her this day. Her hand trembled as she lifted the cup and took a sip. But, why now? What had busted that secure padlock deep inside and unlocked the door to the dark chasm where the demon lived?

Maybe it was because, sitting here at this table, for the first time since she was seventeen years old, she was not responsible for someone or something. Maybe it was because all her life, her time and energy had been consumed doing what had to be done, but now there was nothing that absolutely demanded her attention. Had that sudden vacancy of responsibility given the demon it’s chance? 

Macy thought she had long been done with this business, locked it away, kept it at bay and had relative peace for years, beginning way back, even before David got sick. She had expected to live out her life and die in peace, the locked-away demon dying with her, but now the cage door was rattling and she could hear the old fear calling her name. 

~~~

Leta will be sharing an article with you tomorrow! Hurry Back!

Spotlighted Author DJ Williams Adds Soundtrack to Novel, Waking Lazarus! Wow! Review Coming!

Waking Lazarus Trailer from Derek Williams on Vimeo.

I agree along with the author that this is the first time that a soundtrack has been set to music... It should be noted that the track does not come within the book itself, but is readily available across the Internet...I will be including parts within my review coming next...

As all of you know, music has been a part of my reviews for several years now...So I was excited and intrigued to participate and use the soundtrack as background to Waking Lazarus!

However, since the soundtrack is not an integral part of the book itself, I will be including segments of the track but will not, of course, consider this as part of my review of the book itself...BTW, I'm reading it right now and am finding it hard to break away from it to do anything else!

It's page-to-page tension and forced page turning for me!

Can't wait to share it with you!


On the other hand, the Soundtrack, alone,
is simply magnificent!
Thanks to Jene' Nicole Johnson!

Book Readers Heaven Spotlighting Books by D. J. Williams~Coming Soon!

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Amazon Countdown Deal Launches Today! $.99 Amazon Kindle Exclusive The Disillusioned & Waking Lazarus! (Limited time as price will increase daily) Please Share: http://buff.ly/2bnnPiB INTERVIEWS | ROAD TO WAKING LAZARUS | SHARE BOOK TRAILER Forward

Waking Lazarus Trailer from Derek Williams on Vimeo.

Book Readers Heaven is working with the author,

in particular about the book, Waking Lazarus...

Something New for Readers!

I'll be trying it Out!

Am Excited to See How It Works!

Watch for It!

In the Meantime.

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With a Countdown!
Better Hurry...

Kindle Countdown Deal

Price goes up to $1.99 in 

After the Goode, Third in Jake Roberts Series, by Cary Allen Stone, Spotlighted Author

I admit it, I'm not much for comedy--I never could understand the desire to make fun of other people--nor the desire to laugh at such actions. Pointing this out is a disclaimer that the part of the book set within a Comedy Club has no bearing on my enjoyment of the overall book, After the Goode. Nor does it have any bearing on showing Madonna as a stand-up comedienne... LOL

After the Goode:

A Jake Roberts Novel

By Cary Allen Stone 

“Okay, how about you sir, 

with the discount hairpiece and the ’50s

 bowling shirt. Yes, you sir. I have to ask,

 is that your real face?”

 Donald wasn’t in the mood. He wasn’t 

smiling.

 He didn’t want to be in the club, 

or be part of the show. He only went there

 for Betty. He took serious offense

 at the remark, joke or not. 

Bobby pressed him.

 “What? You look offended...

~~~

The story is quite different from the first two novels and presents a  diversion from Jake Roberts' previous involvement with serial killers. In fact, there could be a compelling question as to whether the action was actually murder... 

The gripping question faced is "What would you do if you killed somebody?

Meet Bobby Goode... He was in his hometown to perform at the local comedy club...

Bobby Goode’s name on the marquee of the comedy club glared in sun-yellow sequenced bulbs against the deepening twilight. Other businesses posted less aggressive solicitations. His shows sold out within a minute of availability through the ticket outlets. Excited ticket holders stood beneath the marquee and looked for an opportunity to cut the line. Some would try the corridor between the comedy club and Copper Blues the nightclub next door...

Phoenix loved comedy. It was a comedic oasis in the desert. The Valley lay open its arms to anyone who could make them howl. From their seats, they had watched A to Z list comics gnaw at their funny bones and solicit gut wrenching laughter. Bobby had succeeded without inner demons driving him, unlike his peers who carried their personal psychosis and dependencies as crosses to the stage. Fallon saw that in Bobby. The only fear he had was losing it all, the fame and fortune. Bobby believed his Goode luck and timing would always see him through. He had just played San Francisco and was scheduled to do four sold out shows in Phoenix, before moving on to the Apple. Once there, it was a sold out Radio City Music Hall and a stop by the Fallon Show to say thanks to Jimmy for believing in him. It was also a special night for him because his career began in Phoenix. He was a hometown boy, Arizona born and raised. It was the place where he got his chops playing the small clubs.

The DJ cued up Red Rider’s Lunatic Fringe, the star’s anthem. Bobby got pumped as the music drove through the monster speakers. He wore black jeans, boots and a long-sleeve black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow revealing a fashionable black leather and sterling silver clasped bracelet. His face had a three-day stubble that was very Duchovney-esque. His spiky black hair was in disarray. Looking blue-collar and talking white trash was part of the act. The common man and woman related to the rebel image of "I don't take shit from the man!"
 In reality, everyone knew they worked for the man, even famed comics. That was where the paychecks came from so everyone could play. In real estate, the rule was "location, location, location" but in comedy, the rule was "attitude, attitude, attitude." 
The volume of the song dropped, while the DJ's voice rolled like thunder. His tone resembled an introduction to a WWF fight. “Are you ready Phoenix? Are you ready for the bad ass of comedy?” They screamed louder.
~~~

Before the night was over, Bobby Goode had killed a man and burned his body...

At about the same time Bobby Goode had arrived, so had Jake Roberts. He was there to visit an old friend, Fred Campbell. Actually, Fred had also just arrived in town, having completed his latest flight as an airline pilot...

Big changes had happened in Jake's life. For one, he had met Caitland. And for what he'd done, on his last case, he'd accepted a forced retirement. Caitland was thrilled to have him become a new client when he began writing novels and had become quite successful. Caitland was a well-known agent and was quite busy but Jake and Caitland had found a special kind of love that they both worked hard to maintain...mainly with Caitland striving hard to keep Jake from getting into tight situations like he'd routinely been in as a cop... But because of his expertise, she soon had him signed on as an expert consultant on movies...

And coincidentally got identified for who he was and requested to consult on the death of a visitor to Phoenix who had been short and burned in his rented car...

Fred had also found a lady-love and the four got to be close friends... And Fred had a personal love for comedy and even had done a little stand-up... Soon the four had attended the comedy club where Bobby Goode, of whom Fred was a fan, was playing...Soon they had become acquainted. But Bobby was beginning to change... He was missing rehearsals, going off on his own and even having a bad time on stage...His thoughts roamed all over the place, while one song began to constantly play over and over in his head...

The lyric from Rooster by Alice In Chains played in his head. He closed his eyes. It reverberated. He had been hearing it playing louder and louder all day for some reason, and now he knew why. “Here they come to snuff the rooster”
~~~

All of us who read this story will automatically start considering what they would do if they had killed somebody. Readers see the choices made by the man who had killed another--to hide the body. Then we watch as the man himself begins to deteriorate and change because of his decisions. A very interesting twist is that the killer falls in love for the first time and wants to have a life and a future with her...

Another thought-provoking story that again places readers into the minds of a killer. At this point, I haven't quite figured out what the author wants us to see--perhaps he's asking us to consider carefully our actions of today and what they might mean to the rest of our lives? Stone certainly has created a theme that forces those thoughts... I wondered, also, based upon my own opinion about this style of comedy, whether there was a message about using what is more sarcasm than humor and calling it funny. In any event, the inclusion of the novel within the framework of the other three more classic thrillers, certainly provides a break in continuity that sets readers up for the next book, which could also be the last one if the author decides to end the series with After the Kill... That review is coming next...

This novel proved to be an excellent transition into the next book. Stone has a method of bringing old friends or new friends back into his lead character's life, which allows us to become intimately involved with him. We learn about his shenanigans with these men and the jokes about how they all seemed to have turned out quite differently than the nuns had predicted they would...

Here's one reader who hopes that the series does not end... Jake Roberts as a consultant like Castle, maybe or somehow still finding cases that need his attention?  Cary Allen Stone, you've hooked me on your guys! Don't stop writing this series!

GABixlerReviews

I was born in 1953 and received a Bachelor of Arts in 1976. In 1972, I started private pilot flying lessons and progressed to Airline Transport Pilot certification in 1978. I taught new students, flew twin-engine charters, corporate jets, and finally airliners like the B727, DC-9, B737, A300, and L1011. I was hired for my first airline job in 1982. I have flown throughout the United States and to foreign countries. One country wanted me to stay longer and kept my crew hostage inside my B727 until the State Department got us released. I currently fly for Southwest Airlines based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Growing up in South Florida, and aviation, has given me a very unique perspective of this

planet we live on. Flying had a lot to do with getting me started with my writing. I was asked one day to fly a Citation jet for a famous film director who was scouting locations in the Caribbean. I spent ten days with Sir Ridley Scott. It was a turning point for me. I had just started to put words to paper. The trip gave me an opportunity to discuss my writing with him. He encouraged me to write and after the trip even reviewed some of my work.

Around 2005, while flying to Orlando, I met a famous movie star onboard and we talked about writing. He and I became collaborators. I wrote a few screenplays. That took me into the Hollywood environment for several years where I learned more about the perspective and technical aspects of the film industry. I had a lot of fun, met a great many celebrities, and even appeared as an extra in “The Dukes” although the final edit only showed the back of my head…twice.
Since then, I have continued to fly and write. I self-publish my books through Amazon and have a great time doing so under my Fine Line Books. I’ve written short stories and have authored a true crime case study of “filicide” titled Through a Mother’s Eyes. And I have written four fictional crime stories. My Jake Roberts series includes: After the Evil, Mind Over Murder,  After the Goode and After the Kill. I also have a cybercrime thriller titled Stealing Atlanta.
In the past, I have also done voice-over commercials, performed a non-speaking role in an AAA travel commercial, and performed stand-up on open mike nights at Bonkerz in Orlando, Punchline and Funny Farm in Atlanta. I once represented the United States with comedy/magic at the Night of Magic in Bogota, Colombia.
My significant other has believed in me through all these years and I couldn’t have done any of it without her. She is still at my side every moment.