This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Thomas Nelson (September 9, 2008)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tim Downs is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University. After graduation in 1976 he created a comic strip, Downstown, which was syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate until 1986. His cartooning has appeared in more than a hundred major newspapers worldwide.
His first book, a work of non-fiction, was awarded the Gold Medallion Award in 2000. His first novel, Shoofly Pie, was awarded the Angel Award in 2004, and his third novel, PlagueMaker, was awarded the Christy Award for best suspense novel of 2007. First The Dead, the third book in this Bug Man series came out earlier this year.
Tim lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife Joy.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Some secrets just won’t stay buried.
When strange bones surface on a U.S. senator’s property, the FBI enlists forensic entomologist Nick Polchak to investigate the forgotten graveyard. Polchak’s orders are simple: figure out the mess.
But Polchak, known as the “Bug Man” because of his knowledge of insects and their interaction with the dead, senses darker secrets buried beneath the soil.
Secrets that could derail the senator’s presidential bid.
Secrets buried in the history of a quaint Virginia town.
Secrets someone is willing to kill to protect.
With the help of a mysterious local woman named Alena and her uncanny cadaver dogs, Polchak sets out to dig up the truth.
But with a desperate killer hot on his trail, he’ll be lucky to wind up anything less than dead.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Less Than Dead, go HERE
Find out more about Tim and his books at his Website
MY REVIEW:
Less Than Dead is one of those books that is so well written and reads so smoothly, that it pulls you in and won’t let go. I really loved the characters, especially the leading man, Nick Polchak. Nick’s irreverent wit and sarcasm were the perfect counterpoint to the building suspense of the story. The mysterious Alena and her dogs added another layer of interest as well. Less Than Dead is a thrilling tale full of twists and turns, subplots, old remains, and new remains. Tim Downs manages to tie all the loose ends together neatly while subtly giving the reader a brief education about entomology and dog training. And he does it all so entertainingly.
Less Than Dead is the first of Tim Downs’ books I’ve read. I can guarantee it won’t be the last. Why have I not known about this author? I will admit I have a copy of Shoofly Pie on my bookshelf that was purchased at another blogger’s recommendation. It will be at the top of my to read list when I catch up on the books I have committed to review for this blog.
I would heartily recommend Less Than Dead to everyone who enjoys a good mystery or suspense novel.
Come and visit some of those posting for this tour:
Adam at Northwoods Blumer
Amy at My Life
Andie at frommipov
Angela at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommy
April at Projecting A
April at Living In A State Of Constant Kansas
Beth at The Write Message
Bonnie at Bonnie Writes
Brittanie at A Book Lover
C.J. at C.J. Darlington.com
Caleb at Reviews Plus+
Camille at There is a season
Camy at Camy Tang
Cara at the law, books, and life
Carol at Blogging With Carol
CeeCee at Book Splurge
Christy at Christy’s Book Blog
Courtney at A Mom Speaks
Dave at Dave Rhoades
Dave at Novel Spotlight
Dawn at Book Junkie Confessions
Deborah at books, movies and chinese food
Debra at Soul Reflections
Deena at A Peek At My Bookshelf
Delia at Gatorskunkz And Mudcats
Edyth at Great Reads by Jasmine
Elizabeth at Count it All Joy
Ernie at Writing: My Adventures In Words
Georgiana at Georgiana D
Gina at Upon Reflection
Gina at Portrait Of A Writer
Gretchen at Inspire Me
Janis at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Janna at Cornhusker Academy
Jason at Spoiled For The Ordinary
Jendi at Jendi’s Journal
Jennifer at So Many Books…So Little Time
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
Jill at Artistic Blogger
Karen at Mommy of Three
Karla at Ramblin’ Roads To Everywhere
Katie at Christian Novels
Kelly at Scrambled Dregs
Kim at Window To My World
Kristi at Stamped With Grace
Kristinia at Loving Heart Mommy
Laura at Laura William’s Musings
Leah at Ponderings From My Heart
Linda at Reading For His Glory
Lori at Noggin Bits
Lynetta at Open Book
Marcia at Writer-lee
Margaret at Creative Madness
Marjorie at The Writer’s Tool
Melissa at LifeWithTwo
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
Michelle at Just A Minute
Michelle at Michelle’s Great Blogs
Nicole at Into The Fire
Nora at Finding Hope Through Christian Fiction
Pam at Pam’s Private Reflections
Pam at Daysong Reflections
Rachelle at Stifled Squeal
Rel at Relz Reviewz
Sean at Bookmark Cafe
Stacy at Vader’s Mom
Stephanie at Punkin’ Press
Sunny at That Book Addiction
Susan at His Reading List
Takiela at Beauty 4 Ashes
Tara at Tara’s View Of The World
Tiffany at Snapshots Of Life
Todd at A Place Called Fiction
Nessie at Illuminating Fiction
Victoria at Overlooked Orchid
