Eyes of Elisha (Chelsea Adams Series #1)
Collins, a general market crime author turned CBA novelist, pens  a chilling tale of suspense that makes a worthy contribution to  the sparse genre of Christian mystery fiction. Chelsea Adams has  the gift of visions, often falling into a trancelike spiritual  state where she sees events that elude others. When Chelsea has  dinner with Gavil Harrison, a candidate for vice-president of  sales at her husband Paul's up-and-coming software company, she  is horrified by her "vision" that Harrison has murdered a young  female jogger. Sgt. Dan Reiger is a Christian willing to take a  chance on believing in Chelsea's visions as he tracks down the  killer. But will Chelsea's next vision damage her credibility  and change the course of the investigation? Collins does a fine  job of laying a confusing, twisting trail, sowing seeds of doubt  about the various suspects and teasing the reader with just  enough information to keep the pages turning. There's a rather  conservative undertone of marital submission (Paul forbids  Chelsea to go to church and she meekly acquiesces), as well as  occasional overwriting ("the underbrush seemed taken aback at  the sudden sound, rustling its disapproval"), but these are  minor lapses in a solid narrative. To her credit, Collins leaves  some loose ends dangling: Paul doesn't become a Christian at the  end of the book, although he is supportive of Chelsea's faith.  CBA readers looking for mystery novels with a spiritual thread  will enjoy this. (Oct.)Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.