Review – Fear Has A Name

New York Times bestselling author, Creston Mapes begins his new Crittendon Files series, with Fear Has a Name, an inspirational tale of fear, suspense and intrigue that keeps the pages turning long after the lights should go out. The multifaceted and gripping dual story line includes a possible murder-suicide, a missing pastor, a family terrorized by a crazy stalker and a journalist whose lives intersect in mysterious ways.

The story opens midday with Pamela, wife of ace reporter Jack Crittendon, drawn to the front door by an aggressive and insistent ringing doorbell. When she sees a large, pasty faced stranger in black through the glass she pauses, Jack’s at the newspaper and their seven-year-old daughter Rebecca and five-year-old sister Faye are upstairs playing. 

When the front doorbell rings “a third time” without response, the man outside raps so hard on the door’s glass inset the harsh sounds drew Rebecca and Fays to the head of the stairs. Pamela’s rising fear reflects in her voice as she tells the girls to go into the media room and shut the door. Then she yells, “Who is it?”

When the man sees Pamela in the foyer he tears at the door handle until Pamela fears the decorative knob will break. Now drenched with fear she shouts hysterically, “Get out of here…I’m calling the police…” then turns and runs for the phone. That’s when she hears a loud “boom” and turns back to see the man drive his shoulder into the glass.

Pamela’s plan to call for help flew from her mind. Instead she leaped up the stairs to the girls, now mesmerized by the scene below, “swept them up” and plunged back down the stairs. She heard shattering glass and the doorframe splintering as she sprinted towards the backdoor. Both Jack and Pamela unaware the Crittendon’s “adrenaline-laced nightmare” had just begun…

Thus begins a character-driven, suspense-filled drama of faith where nothing is as it seems. From kidnapping, depression and embezzlement to missing money, pornography, mysterious secrets and police searches that lead to fears of loss, abandonment. Readers are unable to guess what might happen next.

Mapes adept and skillful “cliff-hanger” chapter endings, keep readers’ engrossed with clever plot and sub-plot twists that reflect his faith and journalism background in an account that is Christian suspense at its best.