Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.

Learn more about Creston and his books on his Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:

From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker’s terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor’s mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.

With his family’s safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind “Christian” walls–secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.

Through it all–the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known–takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.

MY REVIEW:

Fear Has a Name jumps right into action with a home invasion at the very beginning and then takes the reader on a nearly unrelenting tension-filled ride until its dramatic conclusion. Related through several points of view, the story provides intimate details of the characters’ lives and hints about what motivates them or causes them to react in certain ways. For much of the book there seems to be two separate stories – what is happening to the Crittendon family and the news story Jack Crittendon is covering about the local pastor who has disappeared.  Well into the narrative, the pastor’s point-of-view makes an appearance and even closer to the end the reader sees all the loose ends come together.

Creston Mapes has done such a marvelous job in his character development that I found myself quite sympathetic with the Crittendon’s tormentor. I did not approve of his actions but felt sorry for the way he had been mentally and physically abused by his parents and schoolmates. I also liked the way each character had to decide how to react to their circumstances – whether to let their fear force them to protect themselves in ways outside their comfort zone as Christians or to place their trust in God no matter the outcome.

Loved the way the author worked a strong Christian thread into a great character driven suspense. Fear Has a Name is one novel I will give my enthusiastic recommendation.