Readers' Responses to Deception

I must rave about Deception. It was so great! I have read all of John Grisham’s books—I love the page-turning urgency he creates; I have found that and much more in Randy’s books plus the eternal perspective. Ollie makes me laugh—out loud! His placement of statements and usage of words is like the timing of a great comedian. What is so great about these books, is that they have actually changed my perspective about eternity. – J. S.

I just finished reading Deception and in all honesty, I believe it was one of the best books that I have ever read! Thanks for a great read, not only extremely entertaining but also a book that made you think! – T. C.

Deception was not preachy, yet got the word out strong. It’s amazing reading. Just amazing. Funny, poignant, no swearing, eternally worthy. I loved it. – K. R.

If you enjoyed the first two in the Ollie Chandler trilogy, you’re going to love this book. I would only warn you to have some reading time available when you pick this book up—you’re not going to want to stop reading. – C. H.

I liked the way Randy wrote with a first person perspective. His character, Ollie, was a bit corny with his old fashioned detective style but Randy carried it off well. The twists and turns of the plot always kept me guessing about the outcome. – R. R.

I totally love Ollie! I started to read Deception when I hit the bed with a fever a few days ago. The book never left my hands except to eat. By the end of my adventure with Ollie I was feigning illness quite well so that everyone in the house would leave me alone! It's been a long time since I got so completely involved in a novel. PAHLEEEEZE....more Ollie books! Just 10 or 20 more, K? Thanks for introducing us to the world of fiction’s most amazing detective! Colombo who? – S. E.

I just wanted to congratulate you on another wonderful book, in Deception. I love Ollie Chandler, and knew immediately that a story told with his point of view and humor would resonate with some friends who I would like to see read Christian fiction. - L. W.

My daughter and I have both finished reading your book Deception. We wanted to let you know that we absolutely loved it, and consider it your "best" so far. Your writing style in "painting the picture," development of character (eg. "Ollie") and plot keeps you wondering until the very end. - G.S. and N.B.

This book is absolutely amazing! It’s Sam Spade and C.S. Lewis all rolled into one. Forget Christian fiction. This book deserves to be on the best sellers list! It’s as suspenseful as a John Grisham novel. The author Randy Alcorn who has written six other novels does an awesome job with this page-turner. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry even get mad as you read—you won’t be able to put this one down! Actually this is the third novel in the line of mysteries Deadline and Dominion being the other two which have also received rave reviews. This reviewer loved the Sherlock Holmes quotes before each chapter and you’ll see Heaven come alive as Chandler’s friends and family that have passed on discuss Ollie with the Carpenter, Jesus. You’ll cry as Carly, Jake’s daughter dies and meets Jesus and really see Hell as Palatine finds himself there after his murder. A must-read for any Christian but great for the unsaved as the questions unfold from Chandler as he questions God’s existence. Even the discussion questions in the back of the book make it great for a book group or reaching the unsaved. So as the saying goes taped on Ollie’s refrigerator “Examine the evidence. Then follow wherever it leads.” Don’t miss this suspense thriller as it is a must, great read and one of the best of 2007 novels—Christian or not. – C. C.

Alcorn writes a complicated detective mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, with many plot twists and turns. He also deals with individual struggles with everyday life and relationships and gives a balanced Christian perspective. His soft sell approach to Christianity is wonderfully balanced and not at all preachy. He uses solid logic to biblical reinforcement and forces the characters to deal with the issues they face. – M. D.

All I can say is “Wow!” This was a very impressive book, especially since I have read dozens of novels over the years. Probably the best aspect of the story was the dialog between characters. Alcorn’s gift beyond other great writers is his ability to take the reader right into the scene as the characters converse. Indeed, I found myself laughing out loud at some of the exchanges between the characters. This was truly a well-written piece of fiction. I would recommend it to anyone. – Z. M.

Randy Alcorn used this book to tackle some tough questions. I love it when a Christian author doesn’t back away from real life issues and doesn’t offer pat answers. Mr. Alcorn takes an honest look at the problems of suicide, deceit, when a loved one dies, bitterness, dealing with family problems you may have created yourself, etc. All together, it was a great read with powerful insight into the questions we all face. – S. S.

Randy departed a bit from his usual fiction-writing style in the writing of Deception, which is yet another spinoff of Deadline (Randy doesn’t call them sequels or a series.) He wrote Deception from the first person—from the point of view of hardened, cynical police detective Ollie Chandler. – C. S.

Alcorn did a superb job of weaving a riveting detective story and a presentation encouraging us all to explore Jesus. – D. L.

I love Deception. Once again Randy Alcorn does a great job integrating the Gospel into his book. I haven’t finished the book yet...trying to take it slower this time so that I do not miss anything. – D. L.

Deception was a clever, funny, and exciting mystery. I enjoyed getting to reacquaint with the characters from Dominion and Deadline. I hope there is another book in the making. – T. S.

I want more of Ollie Chandler. Great character, well written. – D. O.

Meet homicide detective Ollie Chandler and his bull mastiff mutt, Mike Hammer, otherwise known as Mulch. Chandler, a 30-year police officer in Portland, keeps people at bay with cynicism, sarcasm, spiritual skepticism and simmering humor. Even his daughter can't get close to him. After the death of his wife, who was also his best friend, Chandler is mad at the world and everyone in it. But, mostly, he's mad at God. Plenty of long hours, hard work and hard drinking are the only things that keep his sanity in check.

However, that tenuous thread of sanity is challenged when Police Chief Lennox makes a political agreement with the Oregon Tribune to assign reporter Clarence Abernathy to the next homicide investigation. It doesn't matter that Abernathy is Chandler's only remaining friend—Abernathy is a journalist and Chandler's a cop—that's like mixing oil and water.

When Portland State University Professor William Paletine is found murdered, Chandler and Dumast are assigned to the case. Hung over and short of sleep, Chandler arrives just in time to spot a Black Jack chewing gum wrapper near the body. Few adults chewed gum anymore—but Chandler chewed that brand every day. Pretending to examine the body, he picked up the wrapper and slipped it into his pocket. He couldn't remember anything about last night—he'd had another blackout—too much alcohol. Could he have been here? Determined to follow the evidence, Chandler begins an investigation that leads to police corruption, dirty politics, betrayal, and gripping deception.

This police procedural is well-written in first person and stars an annoyingly lovable cop, similar to the classic Sam Spade detective stories. Alcorn, a Gresham author, is especially good at dialogue, irony and clever writing that includes excellent characterizations, multiple plot twists, and creative suspense. A religious thread runs through the plot and Christian values are expressed during breakfast meetings between Chandler and his friends that further develop the characters. However, heavenly scenes feel intrusive and break the story mood. But that's a minor objection to an otherwise exceptionally well-done, intreguing mystery. - The Northwest Book Reviewer, Gail Welborn

When you read as fast as I do, it can be frustrating to be stuck in a book for several weeks. To have so many words on a page that you can't zip through to the end. To have so many details to keep track of, you must go slowly or you'll miss something. And with other books to read, it can really drive you nuts!

Having said that, I must admit that Deception by Randy Alcorn was not a frustration...it was an amazing journey that I'm so glad I didn't miss. I savored every line, and it was a feast for the mind!!

Deception is the third in a loosely tied series of novels. The first, Deadline, introduced us to journalist Jake Woods. Dominion brought us news reporter Clarence Abernathy. Finally, in Deception we get to dive deep into the character of Detective Oliver Justice Chandler, skeptic and hard-boiled cop wrapped in a trenchcoat and fedora.

Ollie is called to the scene of a bizarre murder of a college professor. Immediately, things don't add up—he finds evidence that links him to the murder, but he wasn't there...was he?

As Ollie begins to unravel the threads of deception that encase the truth about this murder, Jake and Clarence work together to unravel the deception that prevents Ollie from finding faith in Christ. Randy Alcorn skillfully weaves the two stories together into a fabulous tale of murder, detection, and faith that is a joy to read.

The evidence begins to mount and Ollie suspects a homicide detective is the murderer. But which one? And how does he go about proving a brother (or sister) in blue is the culprit? With uncanny knowledge and mind-boggling twists and turns, Ollie gets to the truth about the murder, and as for faith in Jesus...well, you'll just have to read the book to find out.

I've read every novel Randy Alcorn has written, and I can say without any hesitation that Deception is his finest work to date. Reading this novel is an investment—it's nearly 500 pages long. And it is some of the smallest type I've seen in a long time...but it's like an all you can eat buffet compared to a Happy Meal.

I loved Ollie's witticisms and the way he and Clarence trade dialogue back and forth. At times I had to chuckle, and sometimes even laugh out loud at those two. These characters are fully developed and could easily walk off the pages of the story into real life.

I encourage you to begin at the beginning with Deadline...but you could easily pick up Deception and dive right in—you'll just miss some of the history of the characters. And Randy Alcorn's writing is top notch in all three novels...this is just the cream of his crop!!

Deception gets 6 bookmarks from me, and a little t-bone charm for Mulch, my favorite detective pooch!! I certainly hope we haven't heard the last of Jake, Clarence and Ollie! I'm also voting Deception as the best Crime Thriller of 2007!!

Happy Reading! - D.P., A Peek at My Bookshelf

Synopsis: Who Done It... and Why? Ollie Chandler is a brilliant and quick-witted homicide detective who lives by Ollie's First Law: "Things are not what they appear." So when a university professor is found murdered and the motive looks like revenge, a stunning discovery leads him to an unimaginable conclusion. Could the murderer be a fellow homicide detective? As Ollie probes deeper, another detective is murdered. What is the root of this jumbled, deceptive mess of lies and secrets? Jake Woods returns from Deadline, and Clarence Abernathy from Dominion in this heart-pounding murder mystery bristling with tension and suspicion. Deception will take you to heaven and hell and back again... breathless to discover the truth.

Review: Although billed as a sequel, this felt more like a spin-off novel—the main characters from Alcorn's previous novels featured heavily in the plot, the main focus here is on Detective Ollie Chandler (who appeared in the previous novels) and it works very well as a stand-alone novel that, if you haven't already read them, will quite probably make the reader want to go back and read the others too as it's so very good!

This harks back to the style of the old detective novels featuring such famous sleuths as Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, and references them throughout, as well as sticking to the ideals of those heroes. There is very little in the way of "bad language," as you might expect from a Christian author, but despite the modern setting, this all seems very natural as Ollie Chandler (although most definitely not believer himself) is a man of principle and honor.

There are frequent Bible and religious references from Chandler's very Christian friends, but they don't intrude on the story—quite the opposite, the actually enhance it and the frantic pace builds as the mystery and danger deepens.

All the characters have very human flaws, making them very easy to identify and sympathize with them from start to finish, the plot is sufficiently winding and intriguing to keep the reader hooked, yet still gives just the right amount of clues to keep those "little grey cells" ticking, and the writing is tight. It has everything you could possibly want from crime fiction and more. - B. F.

Bestseller Alcorn takes the reader on a sensational suspense-filled journey packed with recurring characters; Sherlock Holmes quotes; insightful, satirical first-person prose; intriguing research; and straightforward, biblical truth. While larger than the average novel, Deception masterfully leads the reader through a maze of suspicion and clues that will keep you guessing and longing for more. - Review by ROMANTIC TIMES Magazine

Note: Deception is a murder mystery, not a romance novel, but we welcome good reviews

A murder mystery unfolds through the eyes of an experienced Portland homicide detective. Written with plenty of tension to keep the reader in suspense, the book also includes laugh-out-loud humor as the protagonist makes witty asides about life, police work, human nature, and other topics.

Central character Ollie Chandler is crafted with enough strengths to make him seem like a reliable friend, yet also with enough flaws that we all can identify with him. Life, and all its characters, can be imperfect and puzzling.

As the chapters rush forward, emerging clues point to a member of the police department as a possible suspect. Eventually Chandler even questions his own motives and doubts his own alibi for the time of the murder. Whodunnit?

A couple of Chandler's friends serve as comic relief and yet also point the central character to his need for redemption through Christ. This is done in a way that is natural and not preachy; this is the gospel unfolding via relationships.

Randy Alcorn is a pastor and successful writer with six best-selling novels and a long list of nonfiction books to his credit. After reading Deception, I am ready to look for anything else Alcorn has written, or will write in the future!

Armchair Interview says: Well-done mystery that also includes a lot about relationships. - Review by Lisa Frisbie, Armchair Interviews

Deception is the follow up to best selling author Randy Alcorn's previous books Deadline and Dominion. There are constant surprises, twists, and turns. Every chapter adds a new element to the mystery.

Oliver Justice Chandler, the Homicide Detective called to the scene of a murdered Portland State University professor, doesn't like the way the evidence stacks up and comes to the conclusion that the killer has to be one of his fellow detectives—not great for his career or the reputation of the Portland Police Department. And to top it off, he is forced to investigate this case with an ever-present columnist from the Oregon Tribune to help beef up the department's image. As he sets out to find the "who" and the "why," he encounters more attempts on his life than a spy in a grade B movie. And to complicate things more, he realizes he had a blackout the evening of the murder, and as evidence against him appears, he must consider himself a suspect as well.

A master of wisecrack dialogue, Alcorn makes his characters very believable and fun to get to know. Even after the murderer is revealed, Alcorn masterfully continues the suspense until the murderer is finally caught—keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end! All this, and an occasional comment from overseeing heavenly beings, make this a very intriguing novel that you won't want to put down. - Review by Peggy Thompson, 1340 mag Books

Alcorn crafts a strong detective mystery...

This is one of those delightful mysteries that flips and flops every time you figure you’ve gotten the suspect pegged and the crime solved.

In a truly stunning addition to his previous novels Deadline and Dominion, Randy Alcorn continues his saga of crime, violence, and justice in Portland with his recent mystery Deception. After writing about journalists Jake Woods and Clarence Abernathy in the aforementioned novels, this time finds Alcorn focusing on detective Oliver Justice Chandler, with the Daily Tribune's columnists playing strong supporting character roles in this twisting, turning whodunit.

In Ollie Chandler, Alcorn has nailed the hard-bitten, cynical gumshoe perfectly, joining fellow detectives Joe Box (Until The Last Dog Dies, How to Skin A Cat, When Skylarks Fall by John Laurence Robinson) and Colton Parker (Original Sin, Seventy-Times Seven, Root of All Evil by Brandt Dodson) in a new wave of detectives who aren't perfect, have problems with their temper, question their faith, and like their firearms, but are also on spiritual quests to find a sense of being. Chandler is immediately likeable as the sarcastic, witty, clever and oftentimes bull-headed detective, and Alcorn does a wonderful job teetering him between a hurting soul that's searching for peace and a man who's seen far too many horrible things to accept faith too quickly.

Chandler's moral and spiritual dilemmas are real and authentic, and Alcorn pulls a daring move more and more CBA authors are willing to risk these days: though convinced of his need to "follow the evidence, no matter where it leads" when it comes to investigating the claims of Christianity, Ollie remains unsaved at the end, leaving the reader itching for more of the lovable yet sometimes irritating detective, just to see where he ends up.

As a mystery, Deception is top-notch, ending miles away from its starting point, and this is one of those delightful mysteries that flips and flops every time you figure you've gotten the suspect pegged and the crime solved. Alcorn parades a host of likely suspects throughout the novel, and the reader will literally be turning every single page until the end to get to the bottom of this engrossing and absorbing mystery.

The feel of the novel is just right too, right down to the "shady informant standing under a lone streetlight on a darkly lit street" vibes of classic crime and detective novels—only without the collateral smut you'd risk exposing yourself to in some secular mysteries. You're never far from spiritual truth in Deception, but Alcorn is able to weave these truths into the narrative without making it feels like a sermon or Sunday School lesson.

For a clean, engaging, yet honest look into a world of crime, betrayal, hurt—and forgiveness and redemption, add Deception to your mystery collection today. - Review by Kevin Lucia, member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Assoc., The People's Media Company, The Suspense Zone

Although billed as a sequel, this felt more like a spin-off novel—the main characters from Alcorn’s previous novels featured heavily in the plot, the main focus here is on Detective Ollie Chandler (who appeared in the previous novels) and it works very well as a stand-alone novel that, if you haven’t already read them, will quite probably make the reader want to go back and read the others too as it’s so very good!

This harks back to the style of the old detective novels featuring such famous sleuths as Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, and references them throughout, as well as sticking to the ideals of those heroes. There is very little in the way of “bad language”, as you might expect from a Christian author, but despite the modern setting, this all seems very natural as Ollie Chandler (although most definitely not believer himself) is a man of principle and honour.

There are frequent Bible and religious references from Chandler’s very Christian friends, but they don’t intrude on the story—quite the opposite, the actually enhance it and the frantic pace builds as the mystery and danger deepens.

All the characters have very human flaws, making them very easy to identify and sympathize with them from start to finish, the plot is sufficiently winding and intriguing to keep the reader hooked, yet still gives just the right amount of clues to keep those “little grey cells” ticking, and the writing is tight. It has everything you could possibly want from crime fiction and more. - Review by Kell Smurthwaite, TCM Reviews

BOOK BIT for WTBF-AM/FM, Troy, AL airdate May 4-5,2007

It took a while, but popular author Randy Alcorn founder and director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries, finally completed the trilogy begun with Deadline and Dominion. In his newest, Deception, a broken-hearted alcoholic Portland homicide detective is trying to make sense of a bizarre murder. A Portland State U. professor is dead, and no one is sad about it. In fact, the list of suspects grows and grows as more of the co-eds he sexually harassed are disclosed. The case seems open and shut, but things don't add up to Ollie. He's a big fan of Rex Stout's literary detective, Nero Wolfe and of Sherlock Holmes (as am I), and he doesn't figure his fictional mentors would give up so easily.

But the more Ollie probes, the more cages he rattles; specifically, in his department at Portland PD. The chief of police wants Ollie to back off so he doesn't embarrass the department further, so he assigns an "embedded" newspaper reporter who is a personal friend but professional nemesis of Ollie's. Clarence Abernathy's father made a big impression on Ollie years before (in one of the prequels) and he's a Christian, too, but Ollie can't get over the death of his beloved wife and the estrangement of his two daughters, one of whom has vanished.

When Ollie gets attacked, his house is burglarized, and someone tries to implement him in the murder he's investigating, he figures he's getting close to the truth. Clarence and their mutual friend and fellow Vietnam vet Jake are both meeting with Ollie on Thursdays at Lou's Diner for lunch and talk, which usually comes around to eternity and God. Ollie still is mad at God for killing his wife Sharon, and he's upset that Jake's daughter Carly is dying of cancer, too.

The longer the case goes on, the more "deception" Ollie uncovers. But there's not just garden variety stuff. This is genuine evil, as some one is playing a deadly game and doesn't care who gets caught in the crossfire. One of Ollie's best friends on the squad is implicated and apparently commits suicide. But Ollie is still not convinced the killer is uncovered. Back and forth the evidence swings and you as the reader must pay very close attention to have a chance of discovering the killer before Ollie does.

Up in Heaven, Ollie's wife Sharon and Clarence's dad and eventually Carly Woods are watching as God works His perfect will, slowly but surely, to bring Ollie into the fold. And He's slowly bringing Ollie and his estranged daughter Kendra.

But the killer is closing in on Ollie. Will our hero have enough time to embrace God and solve the crime? - Doc Kirby, Book Bit