| Title | : | Deception (Ollie Chandler #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1590526163 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781590526163 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 490 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2006 |
-Ollie Chandler
Homicide detective Ollie Chandler has seen it all. Done more than he cares to admit. But when he’s called to investigate the murder of a Portland State University professor, he finds himself going places he’s never gone before.
Places he never wanted to go.
Because all the evidence is pointing to one horrific conclusion: The murderer is someone in his own department. That’s not the worst of it, though. Ollie has nagging doubts…about himself. Where was he during the time of the murder?
Joined by journalist Clarence Abernathy and their friend Jake Woods, Ollie pushes the investigation forward. Soon all three are drawn deep into corruption and political tensions that threaten to destroy them–and anyone who tries to help. But they’re in too deep to quit. They’ve got no choice. They have to follow the evidence to the truth…
No matter how ugly–or dangerous–it gets.
A gripping story of murder and spiritual struggle, Deception proves, as never before, the truth of Ollie’s first law: “Things are often not what they appear.”
Deception (Ollie Chandler #3) Reviews
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I can’t remember the last time I was this surprised by a book. It’s a book that I started in the past, but I never got through the first chapter. At the time, I had this weird by vibrant hatred for any and all books written in the first person. I have since lost that weird distaste, but at the time I first picked up this book, I was immediately turned off. The first two books in the trilogy were in third person, and for the life of me I could not understand Alcorn’s decision to swap to the first person. After actually reading more than the first ten pages, I both completely understand and applaud his decision. Ollie’s story could never have work this well if told in the third person. His voice and inner monologue are the best features of the book.
Oliver Justice Chandler might’ve been born in the wrong era of crimefighting. He’s a gumshoe in a world trench coats and fedoras are antiquated. I enjoyed him way more than I thought I would. Ollie is a great detective, possibly even a genius at his job, but he’s a hard man to work with. Ollie will do anything to solve a case, including bending the laws he is supposed to be upholding. He’ll lie right to your face if he thinks doing so will help him gain justice for the victims he represents. I always wondered why this trilogy was called the Ollie Chandler trilogy, when he serves as a side character in the first two books. Having now (finally) read the entire series, I get it. Ollie is the glue of the plot, in a way, binding together all three stories. Jake and Clarence, the main characters from preceding books, are now Ollie’s friends. He has seen their lives radically changed by devastating loss, as he was the investigating officer in both cases. He as also seen lives radically changed by Jesus, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.
The spiritual element that made the other books so moving to me was not nearly as pronounced in this story. It was still there, but it played second fiddle to the mystery aspect of the plot. I have to applaud Alcorn for writing such an engaging mystery. I never guessed the answers before Ollie found them himself, which made the book far more addicting to read than I expected. I was really impressed at how intricate the mystery was, and how close to the chest the author held his cards. There was also more humor in this book than in the first two, and a lightheartedness despite the darkness of the crimes committed. Actually, while I was reading Ollie’s character kept reminding me of Bill Hodges from Stephen King’s
Mr. Mercedes, except I found Ollie far more likable and his story more enjoyable than that of Bill Hodges. Since I usually love King, I think this is pretty high praise.
Ollie’s story was a joy to read, and I would have absolutely no qualms recommending it to anyone of any age. It was clean, unpredictable, and fun. It did not feel preachy in any way, though the Christian element was definitely present and unapologetic. I also think it can stand just fine on its own, apart from the other two novels. If you’re looking for a clean murder mystery with surprising depth, for a main character that will make you roll your eyes and laugh, or for a story that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you. -
Awesome book, 5 stars easily. I haven't read a book in a long time where I laughed every 5 minutes. This is unusual, given that the genre is a suspense/detective story. This book builds on the previous two in the same genre by Mr. Alcorn, which includes Deadline and Dominion, told from a first person vantage of two of the characters that are also in Deception. Both book 1 and 2 are good, but Deception is the best in the series and could be read independently. There are references to previous characters that a new reader wouldn't get, but it works.
Randy also works apoligetics into his storyline and glimpses of the world by characters from the previous stories that are now in heaven. I am also a big fan of whodunits that actually have you guessing until the very end!
Eric -
10 star book! LOVED it! Randy Alcorn did an amazing job! :D This is exactly what I would like to see in a novel. Humor, action, suspense and a wee little bit of romance. Not many books can make me laugh out loud, but this one did that countess times! I fell in love with the main character, Ollie Chandler. I loved how this book was from Ollies point of view! And the ending was awesome.
Words cannot express how much I love this book! You need to read this book. Soon. I promise, you won't be disappointed! -
Not nearly as good as the first one. Needs a bit more character development - Ollie and Clarance were getting on just fine in Dominion, and suddenly they hate each other's guts? Confusing. Still, an entertaining read.
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Vakantiethriller van de kringloop. Ik had op de achterflap even gemist dat de auteur nogal evangelisch christelijk is. Nou kun je alle (vele) passages over God moeiteloos overslaan, die voegen helemaal niets toe aan de plot, maar dan nog ligt het er allemaal vrij dik bovenop. De hoofdpersoon is ook aan de stereotype kant: dwarse politieinspecteur, weduwnaar met moeizame relatie met superieuren en dochters, alcoholist die alleen junkfood eet, alle cliches zien erin. De plot is nog wel aardig, maar omdat ik me zo ergerde aan allerlei kleine dingen en de wat jolige schrijfstijl kon hij me uiteindelijk toch niet overtuigen. Het is dat ik maar weinig boeken bij me had op vakantie...
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It was 9p.m. on a Saturday night. I was exhausted and wondering how early I needed to get up in order to be ready for church on time in the morning.
Daddy handed me a book and asked, "How about this for the church library?"
I glanced at the title, knew all my family loves these books, and commented, "You know, I haven't read it yet."
It was 3:30a.m. on a Sunday morning. I turned the last page, closed the book, and staggered my room.
I've read (and not really liked)
Alcorn's
Lord Foulgrin's Letters and
Courageous, and I have not read the two preceding books in the trilogy (my sister was shocked).
Be that as it may, Alcorn is definitely best on his own turf. I laughed a lot (he gave Ollie a great voice), skimmed a little, and dropped the book in shock a couple of times.
For a book that is outside my usual style, I really enjoyed it. -
The first two books in this series were spectacular, so maybe my expectations were too high going into this one. Detective Chandler is lovingly bumbling, but so is Randy Alcorn in his writing. Each talk with his friends about Christianity is ridiculously forced, every twist that could happen in a case happens in this one, and Ollie is so stereotypically a detective - loves greasy diner food, loves Oldies, loves his wife, and gets the case solved no matter the consequences - that it's just not even fun when you figure out the ending.
It was nice to catch up with these characters and see them solve another case, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone. I think my sentimentality and my curiosity about these characters kept me reading. -
I have always been a police/crime show fan. And that is exactly what this book is... but with a deep, theological perspective and with apologetics playing a role in some of the personal conversations. The humor is witty and sometimes dry, which made me burst out laughing many times. It’s a great read!
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10/10. Love this book
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Such a good book. Maybe not quite as profound or thought provoking as the first two, but this book also has a great message and an amazing storyline.
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This is volume three of the Deadline series and I believe the best of the three. I finished it a few days ago, however, my computer crashed and I wasn't able to write this report. Now my computer is fixed and able now to continue with my reports.
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Such a good read! I love mysteries, and this comes from a good strong storyteller, Randy Alcorn.
The premise of the book is that the main character is having trouble with his private life, i.e. he's becoming and alcoholic and suffers from blackouts on occasion. He's also a fine detective who has been called to work a homicide investigation that has way too many pieces of evidence, too many suspects and evidence that points to his presence at the murder scene.
It's a great read, in that all along the mystery there is a counterpoint story of the detective's life observed from heaven and the friends that he has who come alongside to encourage him. He presents arguments to the faith, and his friends help him to see the alternative view of things.
You won't predict the ending, I guarantee it!
It reminds me of the strength of "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti. -
(novel, audiobook)
a. “Deception” is the 3rd in this series, the first being “Deadline” and then “Dominion.” I’ve read all three. All are brilliantly done and all three star Detective Ollie Chandler.
b. Ollie is ordered to include Clarence Abernathy, a newspaper reporter and acquaintance of Ollie and mutual friend Jake in this investigation. This one focuses around a murdered professor. Ollie has seen this professor before. How did he really die? Did Ollie murder him in a drunken stupor? After all, a wrapper of a certain unpopular gum – one that Ollie was known to chew, was found at the scene and Ollie was having blackouts after some drinking sprees. Then there is other evidence that points to Ollie as well. Perhaps it was someone else from the police force. 5 STARS -
My first Randy Alcorn read and as a devourer of action/mystery fiction, I enjoyed it more than most of my other favorite authors. It is a well written police detective genre with undercurrent Christian themes. The detective (Ollie Chandler) is a typical cynical hardbitten cop with very negative views of Christians and the Church who is forced into close association with a Christian journalist who unapologetically shares his faith with Ollie. The Christian theme is clear in the story, but I liked Alcorn's treatment of Ollie's character. Unlike many Christian novels with sappy story lines, Ollie's response to the witness of his Christian friends is realistic - it is having an impact on his attitudes and thinking, but no miracle conversion occurs (but maybe in the next story).
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Wow! I just got blown away by another Randy Alcorn novel. Every one I've read has kept me up at night and prevented me from doing any housework. This is the third in the series featuring Jake, Clarence, and Ollie. Ollie, a police detective, is in the spotlight here with a murder that appears to have been committed by one of the detectives themselves. Besides the suspense story, there is a Christian back story as Jake and Clarence try to get agnostic/atheist Ollie to investigate the claims of Jesus Christ as vigorously as he investigates crime. This book is not to be missed! And after you read it, be sure to read Deadline and Dominion, the first two in the series.
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You know a author is good when you find yourself caring about the characters as you would a real person.That being said this book can be safely said is one of them.I found myself always hoping for Ollie Chandler's safety when I wasn't reading.This book was totally endearing and I will and have recommend it to all of my friends.
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I think the best of all three books
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I am so excited about this book! It fit me to a T! Mystery/religion/humor.....I can't wait to read more from this author!
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Excellent book! I had a hard time putting it down.
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Another knock out by Alcomrn!
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I have really liked all the books I have read by Randy Alcorn.
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Edge of your seat suspense! Read it with the lights on! This is a great suspense story that will leave you reeling from the results. I'll read more of this author!
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More twists and turns than the other two in the series, I think, maybe... but Ollie Chandler's mental processes crack me up, and I love the Sherlock Holmes quotes.
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this is another good book by Randy Alcorn. I think I can't find one of his books that I wouldn't want to share with everyone. Just try one of his books and see if they don't move you.
