In the Belly of Jonah by Sandra Brannan: Book Review

Then she heard the squeak of a knob turning, and the hose on the beach wiggled to life with a hiss. Her heart raced and her mind willed herself awake. She sat erect, fighting gravity to keep her head from lolling toward her chest. He was coming toward her again, the hose hissing near his feet. Her instincts told her to run, but when she moved to stand, her legs were too heavy to pull from the water. Her arms too heavy to throw a punch. It was hard enough just to breathe.  [excerpt from In the Belly of Jonah]

Chapter One begins with one of the most horrific crimes I’ve read during my years of reading mystery/thrillers.  The evil-doer throughout In the Belly of Jonah is one of those normal, every-day kind of people you’d meet on the street, which makes him all the more frightening.   

Liv Bergen, boss at the local mine where the first victim had worked and subsequent self-proclaimed detective on the case, opens her home to the FBI to serve as their headquarters for the duration of the case.  The FBI front man, Streeter, works the case efficiently; however, he and Liv become somewhat attracted to each other without even meeting. Meanwhile, Liv and one of her best mates from college become reacquainted when Liv opens her home up as an Inn and home base to the FBI.  What follows is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller that leaves you breathless at times and ready to throw something during other scenes! The plot is flawless, the characters well-developed enough that your anxious for book 2 so you can learn more and the writing is superb!  Can you tell I loved it!

Sandra Brannan has written an unusual and stimulating thriller!  The fact that the evil-doer is so completely demented in his acts while Liv Bergen, while incredibly nosy, has a heart of gold is so contrary.  And then there’s the cat and mouse game between Liv and Streeter.  It never appears deliberate, so as a reader we can’t say hurry up and meet; however, that’s exactly what I wanted to say! Don’t get me wrong, the plot is not about Liv and Streeter – it’s all about catching the demented evil one.  However, there is an underlying tension or better yet, an underlying interest that needs to be met – hopefully it will be in Lot's Return to Sodom.  It comes out June 1st.  I’ve heard that Michelle at red headed bookchild might even have a copy to give away….

On a side note, I met Ms. Brannan at the SIBA Conference last September, 2010.  I am quite embarrassed to admit that I have had In the Belly of Jonah on my TBR stack for months…and I’ve just now gotten to it.  Shame on me! As I read the first page I was completely engrossed and knew this one was a keeper.  Do you have books like that – you know on the first page whether or not you’re going to love or hate the book? Well, I can readily admit I loved In the Belly of Jonah!  I so cannot wait to read Book 2 in the Liv Bergen series!

Ms. Brannan is one of those authors who has truly lived.  Although she only had about 5 minutes at our table during the luncheon with the authors, she was able to share with us her personal stories of working in a mine and dreams about becoming a writer.  If you ever have the opportunity to meet Ms. Brannan I strongly encourage you to grab it! You won’t regret it – she’s one in a million!

Sites of Interest: Author's Site | Chapter 1 | Buy the Book

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press | September 1, 2010

Paperback | 288 pages | ISBN: 978-1608320509

Genre: Mystery

 I received a complimentary copy of this book at the SIBA Trade Show.