Unveiling the Past, (Paperback)

Kim Vogel Sawyer's newest book, Unveiling the Past, is a multi-layered, multifaceted book. However, even though there is more than one story woven throughout the pages, it is not overly complex or complicated. I've never read a mystery/suspense storyline by Sawyer and did not realize this was a sequel. I still enjoyed it very much. The protagonists are determined to get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding their own lives and the lives of those who need their help. Their persistence is admirable. Sawyer also introduces a spiritual element that is hard to resist. She doesn't browbeat you or use hellfire and brimstone to get her message across. She just gently introduces it as a vital element in the lives of the main characters, then lets their lives speak for their faith. The degree to which she weaves it seamlessly and effortlessly into the story is creditable. Unveiling the Past has a few unsettling scenes for anyone who has difficulty reading such occurrences or events. (I have PTSD and a few scenes were slightly disturbing to me, but I was able to read the entire book.) I am now looking forward to purchasing and reading the first book in the series, Bringing Maggie Home. I received the book from Waterbrook. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

"The past can knock on the door all it wants to. You don't have to answer." This book has quite a few pasts that come knocking on the door and multiple subplots make for an interesting story with themes of forgiveness, coming to terms with the past, and restoration that can only be found through faith in God. There are several third person point of view voices in the story - Sean and Meghan who are a cold case detective couple, Diane who is Meghan's mother, Kevin who is Meghan's father whom she never knew, and Sheila who has a personal cold case that approaches Sean and Meghan's team for help. Each character has a subplot, some more shrouded in cold case mystery than others, and all the characters and their stories converge as Sean and Meghan live out their lives dedicated to God. The author addresses some tough emotional issues like abandonment, alcoholism, and dysfunctional parent-child relationship with tenderness and understanding. There are flashbacks to fill in the gaps of the past and the transition between the past and the present is fluid and well-connected. The characters and their emotions are real, the plot moves at a good pace to unveil the details needed for the big finales of the two cold case pursuits, and the faith element provided by Sean and Meghan's grandmother Hazel is phenomenal. If you enjoy a well-written contemporary women's fiction with a dash of mystery, you will enjoy this book. It is book 2 in Bringing Maggie Home series but can be read as a stand-alone. I received a copy of the book from WaterBrook