A Crown of Thorns (Nick Barrett Mystery Series #2)

by Sigmund Brouwer

Book Overview

Nick Barrett is in Charleston, awaiting news of his inheritance, when he agrees to investigate the ownership of a famous painting. He finds himself reluctantly drawn into the lives of a spunky,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1414308884
• ISBN13: 9781414308883
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Tyndale
• Length: 365 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great Second Thriller

It started as a simple favor to friends. Antique dealers Glennifer and Elaine ask Nick Barrett to look into a painting. After disappearing almost fifty years before, it has suddenly shown up in the possession of Angel, a poor girl who claims to have gotten it from her Grammie Zora. There is another man interested in the painting, and Nick starts trying to find out who that is. But the trail begins to get clouded by the history of the painting. What happened the night it disappeared? Meanwhile, Retha Herndon is worried about her little boy. The baby is very sick, but the others in her compound think all they should do is pray. But Retha is determined to get her son medical treatment. Will she get him out of the compound in time? This is the second book in the Nick Barrett mystery series. While the first one was deeply personal, this one finds Nick attempting to help strangers. Yet there are bits and pieces that continue the story from the first book. This story is strong. The various plot elements weave together. Naturally, this means I saw a few plot points coming early, but they are early plot points, so it's okay. The web continues to weave until we reach an emotional yet suspenseful ending. And it truly helps that we come to love these characters. The story does stop a couple times for some musings on the nature of God and the universe, but even these are interesting. This is a dark, atmospheric thriller from one of the best in the Christian market.

A compelling read

This is riveting and fast paced. Christian cults explored and exposed in fictional setting. A great read!

Woah! Amazing

This story (the second in the Nick Barrett Mysteries) is WOW! It may be a bit confusing when you start reading it, expecting that you know what its going to be about, but WOAH! Hold on, don't get to far ahead of yourself. Nick is still in Charleston, but this story is not totally about his mysterious past. I am not going to say much more, because I read it without knowing the story and I followed it rather well. I recommend this book highly. It's very well-written.

Mystery within mystery

A missing painting turns up in unexpected hands and Nick Barrett is sent on a mission by antique shop owner friends to uncover the mystery behind it. Little does he realise whats in store as the past unravels to reveal its ugly secrets I love this series, each story as strong as the last and just as gripping, the main character is becoming a good friend. Prepare to be shocked by truths revealed about Charlestons wealthy as their past sins come back to haunt them. Excellent stuff

Few are Doing it Better

Check out some of the hotter male mystery writers and you'll run across the names of James Lee Burke (Jolie Blon's Bounce) and Harlan Coben (Gone for Good). These guys are NY Times bestsellers. After reading Brouwer's Nick Barrett mysteries, I believe he has reached the same level of writing. He deserves a wide audience for this masterful tale.The story quickly introduces us to two damsels in distress--except neither woman is weak or cowardly. In fact, Angel and Retha are two memorable and likeable characters. Both are trying to protect children in their care; both are threatened by violent, outside forces. Enter Nick Barrett. Barrett is a three-dimensional man, born of questionable parentage and raised in an atmosphere of subtle bigotry and pride. He is trying to stay afloat emotionally. As he finds himself involved in the lives of Angel and Retha, he must face his fears, his doubts, and his faith.Voodoo doctors, cult members, and bitter high society players all join in the action as the mysteries unfold. The city of Charleston is a character in the tale. As the climax nears, the plot twists turn tighter, the surprises mount, and--for this reader--the emotional impact swelled.Like the two aforementioned bestselling writers, Brouwer mixes his gritty story with heart and warmth. Not even the half-dozen punctuation and spelling errors could keep me from sinking myself into Brouwer's fictional world. When I turned the final page, I closed my eyes and said aloud, "That is one darrrrn good book!" And I meant it.