Official Review: Blessed Are the Peacemakers

Post by **kandscreeley** » 09 Apr 2018, 12:59

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" by Stephen McCutchan.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Someone named The Leader is targeting churches. Disillusioned young adults are being sent into churches to injure and kill as many as possible before turning the gun on themselves. Frank Sessions was the first pastor targeted. Now he and his daughter, a police officer, are trying to figure out who the shooter is and how he or she is connected to Frank. Will they be able to figure it out before it's too late?

Blessed Are the Peacemakers is a crime novel with an inspirational edge. While not necessarily a series, Frank Sessions and his family were found in a previous book called A Star and a Tear. While some of what happens in this novel are consequences of previous events, it is not necessary to have read the previous book to be able to follow the happenings here. Having said that, reading the other book would provide a deeper understanding of the characters and events as they proceed forward.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel as I felt that they were realistic and down-to-earth. With many novels that are faith based, the characters come across as perfect or without sin. These characters, though, have flaws and yet still endear themselves to you.

The book is fast paced keeping the reader involved in the story. The action begins almost as soon as the book opens which draws the reader in right away. It isn't long, though, before the antagonist is revealed making this story into a crime novel rather than a mystery. Still, the intrigue comes in wondering if or how The Leader will be caught.

There were a few areas that I felt the book could use a bit more polish. The first was the editing. There were many sentences that had no spaces between them, and the inner dialogue of characters were not formatted as such. In addition, some solutions came just a bit too easily. For example, when trying to figure out which church would be targeted next, they just miraculously were able to puzzle out where it would be. This was not a miracle in the sense that God told them. Nor was it because they were so brilliant. It just was too simple to really be believable.

Notwithstanding the few areas of improvement I found, I enjoyed reading this book. It's nice to read a book that isn't filled with gory violence, strong foul language and erotic scenes. It's a lighter read as far as crime novels go, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. I rate Blessed Are the Peacemakers 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend it for those that enjoy a message of faith mixed with real world issues and people.

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Blessed Are the Peacemakers
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Jaime Lync · Post by **Jaime Lync** » 11 Apr 2018, 03:16

Great review Kandscreeley! I have not read the book but based on your review, I agree with your rating. The premise seems alrightish but I will not be reading this one. Thanks for sharing.

kislany · Post by **kislany** » 11 Apr 2018, 07:56

This one goes on my TBR shelf as I love crime mystery novels, and if the book is riveting and engaging, I can even get past the grammatical errors - unless they're too many to simply ignore. Thanks for yet another wonderful review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 11 Apr 2018, 10:20

Jaime Lync wrote: ↑11 Apr 2018, 03:16 Great review Kandscreeley! I have not read the book but based on your review, I agree with your rating. The premise seems alrightish but I will not be reading this one. Thanks for sharing.

It was a good book that I enjoyed reading. It just wasn't standing out enough to warrant 4 stars. Thanks for commenting.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 11 Apr 2018, 10:21

kislany wrote: ↑11 Apr 2018, 07:56 This one goes on my TBR shelf as I love crime mystery novels, and if the book is riveting and engaging, I can even get past the grammatical errors - unless they're too many to simply ignore. Thanks for yet another wonderful review.

Thanks for your kind comments! It was enjoyable. If you read it, let me know what you think.

Post by **bookowlie** » 11 Apr 2018, 10:46

Interesting review as always! I don't like gory violence or an excess of foul language in books so it's nice to see a book that doesn't rely on these elements to tell the story. I am glad you enjoyed the book despite the editing issues and the too-easily resolved plot points.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 11 Apr 2018, 12:11

bookowlie wrote: ↑11 Apr 2018, 10:46 Interesting review as always! I don't like gory violence or an excess of foul language in books so it's nice to see a book that doesn't rely on these elements to tell the story. I am glad you enjoyed the book despite the editing issues and the too-easily resolved plot points.

You're too kind bookowlie. It was definitely a refreshing read.

Spirit Wandering · Post by **Spirit Wandering** » 11 Apr 2018, 18:50

I think I will pass on this one because it seems to parallel too many news stories today. I look for books that allow me to escape. Thanks for the review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 11 Apr 2018, 19:05

Spirit Wandering wrote: ↑11 Apr 2018, 18:50 I think I will pass on this one because it seems to parallel too many news stories today. I look for books that allow me to escape. Thanks for the review.

That's very true. It's sadly realistic these days. Hope you find something enjoyable.

Libs_Books · Post by **Libs_Books** » 12 Apr 2018, 09:44

This sounds like a great read despite the occasional problem with credibility. it seems odd, though, to lack gore when you consider the appalling scenario that is being investigated. I'm in two minds about this one, but I appreciated your analysis.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 12 Apr 2018, 09:55

Libs_Books wrote: ↑12 Apr 2018, 09:44 This sounds like a great read despite the occasional problem with credibility. it seems odd, though, to lack gore when you consider the appalling scenario that is being investigated. I'm in two minds about this one, but I appreciated your analysis.

Well, it is basically a Christian fiction book, so that explains the lack of gore. Thanks for commenting!

Wise-wonderfulMamaw · Post by **Wise-wonderfulMamaw** » 12 Apr 2018, 12:39

Blessed are the Peacemakers sounds like an exciting read. Father daughter duo could be interesting. I have an interest in this subject matter also...one I think I will be reading. Thanks for the review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 12 Apr 2018, 13:07

Wise-wonderfulMamaw wrote: ↑12 Apr 2018, 12:39 Blessed are the Peacemakers sounds like an exciting read. Father daughter duo could be interesting. I have an interest in this subject matter also...one I think I will be reading. Thanks for the review.

I do hope that you enjoy it! Thanks.

Kat Berg · Post by **Kat Berg** » 12 Apr 2018, 13:34

I grew up reading "Christian Fiction" and can enjoy it, but also feel like so much of it is just missing something and I always tend to go into those books with my radars up for the weird, preachiness that seems to be the thing to do to make sure it is "Christian". What I would love to know is if it has that kind of element, or does the Christian part read naturally? Thanks for the review.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 12 Apr 2018, 13:53

Kat Berg wrote: ↑12 Apr 2018, 13:34 I grew up reading "Christian Fiction" and can enjoy it, but also feel like so much of it is just missing something and I always tend to go into those books with my radars up for the weird, preachiness that seems to be the thing to do to make sure it is "Christian". What I would love to know is if it has that kind of element, or does the Christian part read naturally? Thanks for the review.

I think it's much more natural. Obviously since churches are being targeted there's an element of let's band together and everyone pray, but I think that's to be expected in this situation. But, it's not a convert or you'll die type thing. Hope that helps.