Barbara L. (Barbllm) reviewed on 11/20/2009 + 241 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Dr. Nick Polchak (aka the Bug Man) is sent to rural North Carolina as punishment and he sets out to do some simple research. However, Kathryn Guilford has just learned of the death of a friend and one-time suitor, and she asks the Bug Man to help her investigate. The only problem is that Kathryn has a pathological fear of insects (you'll learn why in the opening chapter, which starts with a horrific auto accident).

Tim Downs is the rare Christian author who doesn't evangelize through his novels. There's always an overtly Christian character (here, it's Dr. Jameson, the pastor of Mount Zion AME church), but this character is always treated with respect and not contempt. The plot is solid and taut, with subplots involving Gulf War syndrome, blowflies and their larva, and how close Kathryn was to three men from her hometown, all of whom feature into the mystery.

There's little actual violence aside from the homicides that Dr. Polchak investigates and no sexual content. However, if you suffer from a fear of insects as Kathryn does, beware the ending...it's a real stinger, er, zinger.

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