Book review
If I Live by Terri Blackstock
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Story Notes
Terri Blackstock closes out her If I Run Series with a thrilling story that will bring both answers and a chance for Casey to finally come home.
For those of us who have been actively anticipating this final piece of the If I Run story, this installment comes with all we were hoping for – the take-down of the bad guys and a literal clean slate for Casey Cox and Dylan Roberts. I’ve so very much enjoyed reading this series as I’ve felt like I was the one being hunted whenever I read the books( I may or may not have actually been a little paranoid about a car going the same direction as me that week, haha!) . Its a weird feeling but one that only comes when you can fully immerse yourself in a story with so little difficulty. Casey Cox has been on the run for months, hiding not from the law, as everyone assumes, but from those in the law who are trying to make it work for them. She has endured much in that time and is, at the moment, recovering from a gun shot wound that she received while trying to save the life of a child. Casey knows its only a matter of time before someone turns her in, but before she lets that happen she must have enough evidence to save her life. Along the way she has been working with Dylan Roberts, the lead private investigator on her case. Dylan has run this race with Casey and discovered that she is only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As he has dug deeper into the death of Brent Pace, there are too many pieces that don’t fit together as neatly as the police detectives have reported. But they are up against a killer who will do whatever it takes to keep his cover and his money. Detective Keegan has been working both sides of the law for years and is racing against time to find Casey before anyone else. He knows she is the only one who can tell the real story and he is counting on the fact that everyone believes her a killer to keep him safe until he finds her. Blind with rage, greed and a sense of invincibility he will use every weapon and tool of manipulation he possesses to rid himself of any suspicion of his crimes and make sure Casey never sees the inside of a police station or courtroom. This story was so very real and raw that a reader could feel the pain and fear that enveloped Casey as she hid. And to feel the desperate longing for someone, anyone, to understand and believe her story was described so well you almost want to shout “I believe you!” But right along with the intense thrills of the story is a journey of faith that will grow deep and strong in spite of all that is against it. Casey has never really looked to God for anything before and it will be on this insane quest for justice that she will learn where truth, peace and real justice are found – in God alone. This was one of my favorite parts as you watched her reach out to the only One who could bring about the desired safety and answers this case required. And Ms. Blackstock did not shy away from making her villain a truly evil and unfeeling person. He killed with no mercy or regret and honestly believed that he was entitled to do whatever he pleased and take whatever he could. And it was this complete lack of empathy that made his capture and conviction so perfect and deserved. Keegan was the perfect foil for God in this story in relation to Casey – representing all that evil can do when allowed free rein versus the grace, mercy and peace that comes when you understand that God is truly in control. I was so very pleased with how the case ended up and then Ms. Blackstock added a wonderful element to make the story even better – romance. Casey and Dylan have been thrown together in this deadly game of hide and seek and in spite of it all they have found a friendship that they hope will lead to something more. And as they work their way through the tangle of deceit, the love between them will only grow stronger. I really liked how Ms. Blackstock brought such joy and happiness to her characters who had been so lost and afraid for so long. Every question was answered and everyone got more than they deserved, both good and bad, and God was given His proper place: right in the middle of it all, working for the good of His children. I hope Ms. Blackstock will begin a new series soon as I’m going to miss reading Casey’s story. Hopefully it will be as excellent and thrilling as this non-stop series. I will certainly recommend this book to others, also ensuring they read the first two so they can have the whole story. I’m planning to add physical copies of these books to my shelves soon so I can re-read them often.
I received this E-book free of charge from Zondervan Fiction via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.
- Goodreads rating – 4.36
- REVIEW – Jerrye Bell