These two novels are political thrillers with a definite Christian message. They are very well written and well worth reading. The descriptions are particularly good and make you feel you are right there!In The Incumbent we are introduced to Madison Glenn, mayor of Santa Rita. Her normally organized life is disrupted when three people who are connected to her disappear, one after the other, and when one of them ends up dead.
Maddie is a widow, and she is still trying to come to grips with her loss, when she is hit by one kidnapping after another. All the people who are missing are connected to her mayoral campaign, and, whilst she has some loyal supporters at the office, she has two who work together to thwart her at every turn. They seem to be more worried about what effect this will have on them as members of the city council than what it means to those who have been kidnapped and to their families.
Maddie is close to her parents and to her aide Randi, and has a close friend in Dr Jerry West who she dated in college, but who is now just a friend. Her friends and her parents are determined to keep her safe. She is afraid of being the next victim but is also determined not to be overcome by fear. She is having trouble doing her work, which she normally loves.
When Lisa Truccoli is abducted, her daughter Celeste comes to live with Maddie, who reaches out to her from her own pain, her husband Peter having been senselessly murdered by highjackers. Celeste's estranged father is an angry man, and causes a lot of trouble when Celeste refuses to see him, and then only doing so to tell him to leave Maddie alone.
Detective Judson West is the officer in charge of the investigations. He is very well built and good looking, and Randi and Celeste tease Maddie about him.
There are many twists in the story. We see how Maddie finds out something about her husband, Peter, that she didn't know, and how this affects her. We find her committing her life to the Lord when Paul, the owner of the Fish Kettle, shares the truth of the Gospel with her.
In Before Another Dies, we find Maddie Glenn, still recovering from all she has gone through, faced with a dead man in a parked car in her mayoral parking place. When Chief Webb and detective Judson West decide that the man has been murdered the nightmare starts all over again. There are two more murders, and there is a pattern that shows a definite connection with a late night radio broadcast with very weird subject matter. There is reason to believe through these sinister messages that Maddie is to be the next victim.
In this novel Maddie is campaigning for congress. Her friend and campaign manager, Nat, is a fascinating woman and she helps Maddie keep her focus. When Maddie complains about all she has lost , Nat reminds her that she, Nat, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a car accident, has lost the use of two legs, one arm, and all chance of marriage and having children.
Maddie's new faith is a source of great strength to her, but she has always found it hard curbing her tongue, and from time to time still lashes out as she used to do before becoming a Christian.
Maddie has a new aide, Floyd Grecian, the son of her pastor. Floyd is a lovable character, although rather scatty and unfocused. He puts his life on the line to try and solve the murders, and we also see Jerry's devotion in saving her life.
Maddie is a strong charactered woman, who works long hours and who is dedicated to doing what is right. She is loyal to her family, friends and supporters, and can't bear the thought of bringing danger upon anyone through their connection to her. With the danger she goes through she calls out to the Lord for His protection and we see Him coming through for her.
The novel is fast-paced and exciting, with much intrigue and keeps one guessing until the end.
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