"Red Gloves" just received its 10th FIVE-STAR review....

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 12, 2013

By 

Tahlia Newland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Gloves (The Samaritans Conspiracy - Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

I purchased this book quite a long time ago and didn't get around to reading it until now because the books on my to-be-reviewed pile tend to take precedence over ones I buy simply because I know that the authors are waiting for the review to be posted. When I finally did read it, I remembered why I bought it and wondered why I waited so long.

I've read a couple of other Tim Greaton novels and apart from his obvious skill with words and story, I always loved the theme of the power of compassion that I saw in them. At first, I thought that this book didn't have that because it reads like a normal kind of mystery, and a very good one at that, but the end held the trump card. Sure enough, there was Mr Greaton's signature heart-warming story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things through their commitment to helping others in a very real, hands on way. There is so much in our world that is hard and uncaring, and so much of that is reflected in mainstream popular fiction that it is a real delight to read a novel that models the best of human behaviour.

I cannot fault this book. The characters are complex and very real, as are their challenges, motivations and reactions, and the plot drives along at the perfect pace. You're keen to keep reading, but it doesn't speed up your heart-rate so much that you can't sleep. I was totally invested in the happiness of the lead character shared her joys and fears as if they were my own.

The main character is a female cop and in the course of the story deals with drug addiction in her teenage son, the murder of his friends, a looming divorce and the mystery of the man in the red gloves. He first appears in the case she is working on, then again in other cases, but he doesn't appear to have done anything criminal, quite the opposite. Who is he is and what does he have to do with the events surrounding her son. The answer when it comes is as surprising to the reader as it is to her.

I believe that Mr Greaton has outdone himself here. This is a story to hold and entertain the fussiest of mystery readers and yet it still manages to leave us with, not only hope, but also a suggestion that might just change your life.

I highly recommend this.

"Red Gloves," the second book in the Samaritans Conspiracy will be available in 48 hours!

I'm beyond excited to say that "Red Gloves" the second novel in "the Samaritans Conspiracy" will be out within the next 48 hours!

Just as the City of Portland Maine is struck with a horrific crime wave of high school drugs and teenage killings, Lead Detective Priscilla Harris’s life swirls out of control.  A terrible car accident has derailed her son’s basketball dreams, so he quits college and turns to methamphetamines to cope.  To keep him from backsliding any further, Priscilla spends thousands of dollars on two drug rehab programs, but when the second try fails she doesn’t know where to turn. Worse yet, she learns her husband has stolen the remaining $30,000 of her inheritance money to run off with his beautiful, blond secretary. In the midst of it all, a mysterious red-gloved stranger is stalking both Priscilla and her son.

Can Priscilla find some way to save her city before her son joins the other teenagers whose bodies are stacking up like cordwood?

In “The Santa Shop” Tim Greaton showed us the bitterness of despair and the sweet taste of hope. In this second book of “The Samarians Conspiracy,” he serves up a full seven-course, emotional meal. Priscilla’s story will drag you through the depths of struggle and despair but not without amazing rewards.

One reviewer says, “Tim’s fans will follow him to Hell in gasoline raincoats….” Isn’t it time you found out why?  

This novel has been over a year in the making, and I sincerely hope it lives up to the expectations of the 80,000-plus readers who have already enjoyed "The Santa Shop." Please know that I couldn't have done it without the support of so many readers. I will be forever grateful for this life of writing that you have all so graciously granted to me.