When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks #BookReview

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About When Death Draws Near:

Death has always been part of Gwen Marcey's job. But when faced with her own mortality, everything takes on a different hue.

Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs and homes when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky. The Eastern Kentucky town, located deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, has been plagued by a serial rapist and a series of unexplained deaths. Before Gwen can develop a composite drawing, the latest witness vanishes, just like all the previous victims.

Turning her attention to sketching the face of an unidentified body, she discovers a link between his death and a Pentecostal serpent-handling church. Serpent-handling is illegal in Kentucky, and the churches have gone underground to avoid the authorities and continue to worship as they believe. Gwen is offered a handsome reward to infiltrate the renegade members, a reward she desperately needs as it seems her breast cancer has returned.

Joined by her digitally-obsessed, Generation Z daughter, Gwen goes undercover to a nineteenth century revival, planning to draw the faces of the snake handlers so they can be identified and arrested. Instead she uncovers a murderous plot and a festering evil.

My thoughts:


I love a good mystery, this one fits that category for sure! I have to admit that this is the first story I have read about snake handlers. I still have questions regarding this type of following, not to say it anything negative about it, I just feel unsure about testing God as a religious rite. That said, if I were to encounter a snake out in its natural habitat I would definitely find myself praying to be spared from a bite but if I purposely went to it, I would feel as if I would just be testing God to see if he would spare me. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed this thriller, and I never did guess who the real culprit was! Any novel that keeps me guessing is a real winner in my opinion. I do feel as if Gwen was healed from her cancer due to the spirit filled believers who prayed for her, irregardless of the snake handling. I believe that if your heart is full of love for the Lord he will answer your prayer whether you handle serpents or not. A lot happened in this thought provoking story told by Carrie. I have not read any other book by this author but you can bet that I have made the first two books of the Gwen Marcy series "A Cry From The Dust" and "The Bones Will Speak" priority must reads. Purchase a copy here or on Amazon. 

About Carrie Stuart Parks:

Carrie is a Christy finalist as well as a Carol award-winning author. She has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho. Connect with Carrie on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.