Another great suspense novel, Terri Blackstock’s “If I’m Found” is once again told from the first-person perspectives of main characters Casey Cox — on the run from the police for possibly killing her good friend Brent; Dylan Roberts — Brent’s childhood friend recently discharged from the army, suffering from PTSD, and hired to find Casey; and occasionally Gordon Keegan — the potentially corrupt detective who just may be responsible for Brent’s death.
“If I’m Found” picks up immediately after the series’ first installment, “If I Run,” with Casey still on the run, still trying to learn the truths about Keegan and his partner and reveal corruption within the police department, and still trying to exonerate herself.
While hiding in a motel, she stumbles across a Bible containing a suicide note. Casey knows she must hunt down the note’s writer, Cole Whittington, and find out if he’s still alive. She has no idea what kind of scenario this act of compassion will pull her into though — one of false accusations, ripped apart families, horrible parents, and child molestation.
Casey must decide whether she’s willing to put everything on the line and sacrifice herself to protect this man and an innocent 7-year-old girl, Ava.
Blackstock does a great job moving the story along, going back and forth mainly between Casey and Dylan’s perspectives, ultimately bringing their stories together. She continues to come up with many creative ways for Casey to hide from the authorities, and adds a great and powerful secondary story with Cole and little Ava.
Beyond just being a suspense novel, “If I’m Found” tackles some deep themes like suicide, molestation, incompetent parenting, the plight of veterans and post traumatic stress disorder. It touches on the need to call out to God for help and the need for Him in our lives, and tackles that oh-so-hard question “Why is evil winning so much?” Blackstock also includes a very solid and bold salvation message in her novel.
The final installment, “If I Live,” is not due until March 2018, unfortunately! We will have to wait until then to see if Casey truly accepts God into her life, if she clears her name and brings justice to the corrupt officers, and if she can ever stop running.
Five stars out of five.
Zondervan provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
“If I’m Found” (If I Run series, #2) by Terri Blackstock