‘The Unwilling Son’ by Jane Adams

Published by Joffe Books,
18 January 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-78931606-3. (PB)
Originally Published June 2001 as 'Like Angels Falling'.

Retired Detective Inspector Ray Flowers is now in partnership with George Mahoney in a security and investigations Company.

Years ago, Ray had put away a murderous Harrison Lee, leader of the cult known as “The Eyes of God” and responsible for the deaths of three boys in ritual killings. The loss of Lee led his followers to carry out a mass suicide.  A young five-year-old girl, Katie, was helped to escape the ensuing explosion and fire by a young boy, but who was he?

It's now eleven years later and Lee dies in prison. The cult believed that on his death his soul would pass to another to carry on his unfinished mission. When young boys start disappearing, Ray is convinced that indeed someone has been chosen. He is further sure of it when Katie runs away from her foster parents and finds Ray to tell him that “he is coming back” and that it is “going to start all over again”.

Together with the police, headed by a Detective Inspector Beckett, Ray and his business partner George set about finding the “chosen one”, but where to start?

A splinter group of the cult still exists, but they do not agree with the sacrifices Lee carried out. They are a great help in trying to establish who is now about to finish Lee's work but cannot narrow it down.

It's also believed that Katie is in danger, as she was intended to be sacrificed too, after the boys. Can Beckett with Ray's help identify the said “chosen one” before he carries out Harrison Lee's wishes? Added to their problems is another splinter group, “New Horizons” formed by an Edward Farrant. He seems bent on thwarting everything the other group and their leader, Martyn Shaw try to do to help Ray.

A detailed descriptive story which paints a disturbing picture of extreme cult culture. The tension really builds up, leading to a nail-biting climax. I must admit my heart was racing by the final page!

I do enjoy Jane Adams' books, and this is one of the best so far, greatly recommended.
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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing; martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike. Her first book, The Greenway, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award in 1995 and for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award. Jane writes several series.  Her first series featured Mike Croft. Several books featuring DS Ray Flowers. Seven titles featuring blind Naoimi Blake, and six titles featuring Rina Martin. Her most recent series is set between the two World Wars and featuring Detective Inspector Henry Johnstone and his sergeant, Micky Hitchens. Jane has also written several standalone novels. She is married with two children.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.