Suspense stalks a former Navy chaplain in 'Don't Leave Me' by James Scott Bell

Chuck Samson leads a complicated life: he cares for his special needs adult brother; he buried his wife just a few months ago after she was killed by a drunk driver; and this morning, on his way to work as a teacher at a private academy, he rear ended a very unpleasant fellow who cut in front of him and stopped. So unpleasant a fellow, in fact, that the guy pulled a knife on Chuck and scared his brother Stan into near hysterics.

With an opening situation like that, a reader can expect a high intensity thriller and Christian novelist James Scott Bell delivers one in "Don't Leave Me." Bell serves up an intricate story of lies and betrayal that stretches its tentacles across oceans. A tense story the covers a lot of territory, “Don’t Leave Me” serves as a psychological mystery as well as an action packed drama.

Read more on this novel here.

"Presumed Guilty" by James Scott Bell

Prominent pastor arrested for murder of porn star!

It sounds like a headline in a cheesy tabloid. Author James Scott Bell uses it as the basic premise of “Presumed Guilty.”

In this tense mystery, mega-church pastor Ron Hamilton is accused of the murder and the media is conducting a trial by public opinion. When it seems everyone has lost confidence in the clergyman’s innocence, only his wife is willing to stand with him.
She is a fighter, willing to pursue answers, no matter where they lead. But can she hope to win this battle? When even she begins to succumb to the pain of the accusations and circumstances, Ron seems to be lost.

The relationships in this story are deeply built and deeply tested. The people are imperfect. The issue of trust is explored from many sides and the facets held up for inspection like a diamond in a jeweler’s loupe.

How can a book by an award-winning Christian writer rival a detective story by any successful secular writer? With a well thought out story told beautifully by a master of the legal thriller. Investigative details, legal points and human nature are nicely balanced in this easy-to-read yet gripping adventure.

Bell has a gift for the English language which is well-demonstrated in “Presumed Guilty.” He shows us the pastor’s situation, the wife’s pain, the dark secrets threatening to tear their comfortable world apart. If you thought “seedy” met “suburbia” only in “Desperate Housewives,” think again. This is a deep, rich tapestry of layers, and each is peeled back in turn.

If you like an excellent mystery, with realistic characters rather than caricatures, you’ll enjoy “Presumed Guilty.” If stories of relationships are more your style, the web spun by Bell will suit you nicely. Fans of the well-written word will find cause for applause here as well. There is enough procedural information to suit fans of police stories, enough law to please the most die-hard “Perry Mason” fan.

"Presumed Guilty" is published by Zondervan and is available at most bookstores. For more about James Scott Bell, visit his website at www.jamesscottbell.com.

Copyright 2007 Mary Beth Magee

'No Legal Grounds' by James Scott Bell

Attorneys are sworn to uphold the law. What happens to one when the law he has trusted, defended and supported his entire adult life cannot protect him and his family?

This question takes on ominous importance for Sam Trask, protagonist of "No Legal Grounds," a legal thriller by James Scott Bell. Bell is a former trial lawyer himself and brings a ring of truth to the book.

Sam appeared to have everything going for him: loving wife, great kids, and successful law practice. The appearances begin to crumble when a former classmate from Sam's college days suddenly insinuates himself into Sam's life. What appears to be a reunion with an old acquaintance is really the start of a campaign of terror which threatens to destroy Sam, his family and his practice.

In a series of events every bit as exciting as any Stephen King novel, Trask fights to hold on to his family, his practice, his integrity, his faith and his very life. This is no light legal fiction. It is hard-hitting and emotionally draining.

Using language like a sculptor's knife, Bell delineates a soul in crisis. He shows us how the system works and, unfortunately, sometimes fails to work on behalf of victims. We walk this thorny path with Sam Trask, as he watches the chasm growing between him and all he holds dear.

Bell is a Christy Award winning novelist. He can tell a legal story without resorting to vulgarity or gratuitous sex. But don't pick up this book expecting a squeaky clean, goody-two-shoes story. Bell has drawn realistic characters in horrible situations and does not shy away from telling the story in its entirety.

"No Legal Grounds" is published by Zondervan and is available at most bookstores. For more about James Scott Bell, visit his website at www.jamesscottbell.com.

Copyright 2007 Mary Beth Magee