Randy Alcorn

When a university professor is found murdered, a brilliant and quick-witted homicide detective, Ollie Chandler, suspects the murderer could be a fellow homicide detective, but as Ollie probes deeper, another detective is murdered.

Deception

Celeste Richardson

I can’t remember the last time I was this surprised by a book. It’s a book that I started in the past, but I never got through the first chapter. At the time, I had this weird by vibrant hatred for any and all books written in the first person. I have since lost that weird distaste, but at the time I first picked up this book, I was immediately turned off. The first two books in the trilogy were in third person, and for the life of me I could not understand Alcorn’s decision to swap to the first person. After actually reading more than the first ten pages, I both completely understand and applaud his decision. Ollie’s story could never have work this well if told in the third person. His voice and inner monologue are the best features of the book.

Oliver Justice Chandler might’ve been born in the wrong era of crimefighting. He’s a gumshoe in a world trench coats and fedoras are antiquated. I enjoyed him way more than I thought I would. Ollie is a great detective, possibly even a genius at his job, but he’s a hard man to work with. Ollie will do anything to solve a case, including bending the laws he is supposed to be upholding. He’ll lie right to your face if he thinks doing so will help him gain justice for the victims he represents. I always wondered why this trilogy was called the Ollie Chandler trilogy, when he serves as a side character in the first two books. Having now (finally) read the entire series, I get it. Ollie is the glue of the plot, in a way, binding together all three stories. Jake and Clarence, the main characters from preceding books, are now Ollie’s friends. He has seen their lives radically changed by devastating loss, as he was the investigating officer in both cases. He as also seen lives radically changed by Jesus, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

The spiritual element that made the other books so moving to me was not nearly as pronounced in this story. It was still there, but it played second fiddle to the mystery aspect of the plot. I have to applaud Alcorn for writing such an engaging mystery. I never guessed the answers before Ollie found them himself, which made the book far more addicting to read than I expected. I was really impressed at how intricate the mystery was, and how close to the chest the author held his cards. There was also more humor in this book than in the first two, and a lightheartedness despite the darkness of the crimes committed. Actually, while I was reading Ollie’s character kept reminding me of Bill Hodges from Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes, except I found Ollie far more likable and his story more enjoyable than that of Bill Hodges. Since I usually love King, I think this is pretty high praise.

Ollie’s story was a joy to read, and I would have absolutely no qualms recommending it to anyone of any age. It was clean, unpredictable, and fun. It did not feel preachy in any way, though the Christian element was definitely present and unapologetic. I also think it can stand just fine on its own, apart from the other two novels. If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery with surprising depth, for a main character that will make you roll your eyes and laugh, or for a story that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you.

Deception

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