| Title | : | The Truth Seeker (O'Malley, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1414310587 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781414310589 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2001 |
| Awards | : | ECPA Christian Book Award Fiction (2002), Christy Award Romance (2002) |
Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit.
The Truth Seeker (O'Malley, #3) Reviews
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I'm a sucker for Christian Fiction and Mysteries; combining the two is just a wonderful boost for me. I love the cuteness and how clean theses books are. Even when they've had a rough day and they're thirsty, craving a cold drink, it's soda or a fizzy water. I don't know why that tickles me, but I love the purity in it. Then there's the whole murder mystery and discovery of additional victims, and BAM! You've got yourself a great story. Well played Dee Henderson!
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Wow . . . that was so good. Definitely one of the best! I am so happy to have finally read Lisa and Quinn's story! I love how each book explores different themes of Christianity, and I absolutely loved how Henderson handled the topics in this one! So good. The mystery was also really well done, if on the creepy side for me.
As always, Henderson doesn't disappoint! -
(Note: I wrote this review years ago, and some of my opinions about this book have changed, but since I still like the review, I don't want to remove it.)
This book is awesome. The plot was believable, suitably complicated, and cleverly unfolded. It was exceptional. Especially since it's a Christian romance fiction novel. This book succeeded far and beyond my expectations for a book of that genre.
The characters were appealing and did not fall into the stereotypes which appear to dominate books of its kind. The writing was quite good. THE AUTHOR EVEN USES SEMI-COLONS! Usually when I read books of this kind I want to rephrase things constantly and spot lots of punctuation errors. While reading this book, my inner-editor was able to step back and take a break.
This is a funny book, too, despite the serious subject matter. The family antics are hilarious. All of the characters have unique characteristics which mesh together to make a wonderful, crazy group. I laughed out loud several times while reading this book.
The romance was actually good. Coming from me, that's high praise. It's not that I don't like romance. I'm a sucker for romance, really, it just has to be plausible and engaging.
While reading book 2 in this series, I groaned and thrashed about during the romantic parts. They weren't really all that bad from a writing stand-point, but they were sappy.
This romance, however, was actually good. It was sweet, funny, and believable. I actually liked the characters as a couple, and liked the scenes putting them together.
The plot's twists and turns were well handled. I truly could not have guessed the end. The writing kept me on the edge of my seat.
When it comes to Christian fiction, I generally have a bone to pick in three areas (Well, more than three, but I've narrowed it down): plausibility, romance, and the way that faith is handled.
This book succeeds in all three areas. Faith is not handled in a way that is overly-sentimental or watered down. Characters in this series have real, serious obstacles to overcome in order to come to saving faith in Christ. Their issues are not discarded at the end so that they can just automatically "see the light" and accept Christ. Rather, the author wrestles with difficult theological issues: God's justice and mercy in book 1, unanswered prayer in book 2, and the resurrection in this book.
Arguments against faith are not only presented in an accurate and believable way, but there are actually satisfying answers given, not just trite sayings.
I intensely enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it to teens and adults. The book is perfectly clean, but there is some violence, as well as graphic (but not gratuitous) descriptions which more sensitive readers ought to be aware of. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic read! -
Slightly better than the first in the series but remarkably similar.
This book began well, a relatively interesting case of an arson incident resulting in a death that could be linked to other cases. Unfortunately, the back story about the romantic/other relationships within the O'Malley family just don't feel authentic. The way the members of the family deal with each other is very OTT, likewise the comments made about protecting each other and even punching someone who was thinking of dating one of their clan as some kind of pre-warning not to hurt her?!
I finished the book for the sake of the crime aspect, but probably wouldn't have bothered otherwise. I received this whole series (apart from book 2) free, but don't know yet if I will read another.
As in book 1, I was bothered by the main relationship in this book between the believer and the non-believer, which will be harmful to both parties, and encourages people to disobey God thinking he will bless the relationship in the end. They even go away together after she gets injured!? I don't think that, even in fiction, this kind of relationship depiction is helpful for Christians.
"He should have ended the evening out with her tonight long before ten o'clock. He knew it. As enjoyable as tonight had been, it put them on rocky ground. Tangling up her emotions and his when they couldn't be more than just friends was foolishness......He was too old for this kind of emotional mess. He didn't mind a long wait if there was hope at the end of it. But life didn't always give him what he hoped for, he knew that more than anyone, 'It would help if Lisa believed. It would help if I didn't,' he said quietly to his God."
The author could have done a good job in demonstrating why these relationships are flawed. It's clear from this excerpt that the character is making an idol out of the relationship. Wishing that he didn't believe in order to be with her??! However, the author teaches that even if you disobey God, give in to temptation, and knowingly make a person into an idol, you will still get what you wish for....really?
It's also interesting that because of the limited number of characters in this series, the author has been forced to allow cross-over dating. We discover that the main charmer in this book has already dated, or asked out, not one but ALL THREE of the O'Malley sisters, finally settling for the fourth. How to make a girl feel special, eh?
I also felt the way the family planned and schemed with each other to try to "convert" one of their number was ridiculous. The Christians literally went all out, attacking from all angles as if to try and beat the poor girl into submission. I understand the sentiment, an unsaved family member is a heavy burden, but this type of heavy handed mass persuasion is bullying at best. They would have done better to be on their knees praying for God to open her eyes. Although, I guess that wouldn't make for a good story.
This was fine for some light reading, but nothing more than that....
https://christianmissionaryuk.blogspo... -
Just a warning here. . .don't read this book late at night when nearly all the lights in the house are off and the wind is making an eerie sound outside your door.
Moving on. . . ;P
Wow. In terms of action and suspense, this is my favorite book in the series so far!
I had my suspicions of what was happening and who was doing what, but. . .wow. Yeah, I was never exactly sure how it would all play out! There were so many people involved, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
And Quinn was just amazing. And now I'm dying to learn more about Jack. I'm ready to move on the the next book in the series! Thankfully it's waiting for me on my shelf. . . ;) -
This was one of my favorite O'Malley books yet.
At first, I didn't like Quinn, but as the book went on he grew on me. His gentle way to dealing with Lisa got me.
Lisa was awesome. Her interaction with her siblings was different than any of the others, which was so true to how family works.
The only thing I didn't like was that time skip at the beginning. I really felt like I had missed some very important information there.
Kate's still my favorite O'Malley, but this book is the best. Minimal kissing (My favorite), all the sibling interaction, and Jack, who I am very curious about now.
I'm going to take a little break from these books though, the stress is getting to me. ;)
<<2019 Lissa is one of my favorites, even though her book has one of my least favorite kind of mystery. I love the interaction between the siblings in this book. <3 Despite not kissing much, Quinn and Lissa a more physicality affectionate than I prefer, just with all the leanign into each other and the like. -
RTC.
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This one of the series was perhaps a bit more gruesome than the others, perhaps because Lisa O'Malley is a forensic pathologist. But I actually enjoyed the story more than the last one. Quinn is so sweet, and yet real. He reminds me of my dad in so many ways which is why I think I liked him so much. :D
The crime was nail-biting and I loved the subplot of Jennifer's wedding and the other siblings when they cropped up. The O'Malley family is just the best, ok? The best moment of the book was before Jennifer's wedding. I was rolling around in my chair laughing so hard. The way Dee Henderson does such a great job of combining danger, peril, humor, joy, and spiritual insights is just fantastic. I also love how for each book, she takes a specific spiritual struggle or doubt and highlights her characters journey through it and how they found the truth. Excellent writing.
Jesus was good. She'd found her verse, the one she remembered from her childhood, in Psalm 18:19. It was her verse, claimed, and held tight, "he brought me forth into a broad place' he delivered me, because he delighted in me."
She hated to memorize, and the three-by-five card had been plastered to her bathroom mirror to help her out. It was the delighted part that had thrilled her as a child, and as an adult she appreciated it even more. Delight was a powerful word, and yet it could barely do justice in describing the depth of emotions she felt toward God. To know He felt the same about her was priceless.
In short, this book was a good mystery/suspense with Christian influences and clean romance, so if you are into that kind of thing, you will enjoy this!
Warning: It is a bit gruesome at times so I wouldn't recommend it for ages under 16.
Contains: -
by Andrea Renee Cox
This is my third or fourth time to read this book. It never grows boring. I love all the O'Malley books, but I find this one especially intriguing with the forensic side of the crimes being highlighted. Then there's a cowboy/marshal from Montana... what can I say? Cowboys and Montana are two things I appreciate. The mystery also is a nail-biter. Took me nearly the entire book to remember who had done the crime. Love it when that happens. -
Fantastic!! Henderson does it every single time! Words cannot convey how well this whole novel was put together, from the characters to how the plot flowed. Lisa and Quinn's story is the third in the O'Malley family and I fell in love with the whole O'Malley family all over again! Lisa is amazing at what she does and Quinn is one of the best; put them together... they're unstoppable! They complement each other perfectly and bring out the best in each other. The way the story was woven together was also fantastic!! Full of suspense with unexpected twists and turns (which of course I won't tell :) ), I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the book. I have no idea how Henderson does it, but every single time she manages to incorporate such deep themes. This novel was no exception. There are perfect amounts of faith woven in, that it doesn't make it sound preachy but sufficiently explains the topics enough. I normally don't read romantic suspense, I just don't like suspenseful books, but Henderson's books are the only novels that I really enjoy. If I could, I'd give this novel 6 out of 5 stars!! This is a must read novel by and amazing author!! I would very highly recommend it!!
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Lisa O’Malley was the gifted Chicago forensic pathologist in the second book of this series, The Guardian. U.S. Marshal Quinn Diamond, her eldest brother’s partner, was fascinated by her. He was often in Chicago on Marshal business and wanted to have a friend and someone to go to dinner with when he came through.
In this book, The Truth Seeker, Lisa was investigating an arson case. Most clues seem to point to suicide, but certain signs at the burnt home kept running through her mind causing her to question if that assessment was correct.
Because of a terrible accident that had her recuperating for weeks she was placed on a desk job reexamining cold case murders using newer forensic technology in an effort to solve them. Little did she or Quinn realize, one case was related to another case long investigated by Quinn. The murder of his father. Also, little did the O’Malley clan know, it would take nearly all of them to keep her safe as she was digging into something someone else clearly didn’t want her to find.
As in the other books, there is one main character who was unbeliever and one Christian hoping to convince them of the validity of the gospel. Lisa was a hard nut to crack, so to speak, because something in her past, something having to do with Christians had her closed off. She wasn’t going to open up about it, and nothing they could say was budging her. Also, as a forensic pathologist, Lisa O’Malley was not about to believe someone could come back to life after three days, so forget trying to convince her the resurrection was real. But in this book, it wasn’t just one Christian praying for her heart to soften. Three other O’Malleys had come to faith in the last few months and they, along with Quinn wanted to reach the others, especially Lisa as Quinn was getting closer to her than he realized.
Good book. Maybe not my favorite of the series, but still good. -
A little too slow paced for my liking, but the faith in it was nice to see. Detailed and raw.
I’m interested in Jack’s story but I think I’ll take a break. -
Lisa has been my favorite so far. I love, love, love Lisa!
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As I read this in the middle of college and a few months ago, I can't write a detailed review. This is probably one of the more intense O'Malley books, and I liked that intensity. Nothing, in particular, stands out in my memory as being unacceptable in romance (I do wish Henderson didn't have quite so many Christians "almost-dating" non-Christians and then the non-Christians conveniently get saved).
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Favorite of the series so far!
I had the bad guy pegged from the very first time he was introduced...so either the plot was predictable or I'm just getting good at this sleuthing *smirks*
(I'd like to think it's the latter, buuuut who knows? *shrug*) -
I really loved this story, mostly because I can relate to Lisa. She's a forensic pathologist, what I want to be, and she's very logical. She doesn't want to deal with the living. If her patients are dead, she won't have to worry about them dying. Lisa has a problem with the resurrection. Dealing with death every day has convinced her that people don't just raise from the dead. Ever since Lisa was a baby, she had been in the foster care system. She was with a family that had a boy when she was seven or eight, and she was good friends with the boy, Andy. The family was thinking about adopting her. She couldn't swim at the time. They were at the pool, and Andy was showing off. He hit his head on the bottom of the pool, and Lisa had to watche him die. On top of that, her foster parents ripped the adoption right out from under her. They blamed her. I cried when I read this. Quinn helps her see the truth, and when faced with death, she accepts that the resurrection is true. I absolutely love this book.
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As I continue my re-reading month, I came to this one in the series. Guy, this was my FAVORITE book in high school. I read and re-read it over and over. Lisa is a forensic pathologist. For the longest time, that's what I wanted to do. Rereading the book again, I know why. It was such a cool job to have in spite of the horror of it. She just makes it cool.
Recapping our story quickly, Lisa is a person whose curiosity tends to get her in trouble. As she pursues leads and hunches, she is constantly getting hurt or in dangerous situations. Following closely behind trying to protect her is Quinn. Quinn is my favorite. Montana rancher who duels as a US Marshall, he is dreamy. Age 44 has been good to him, and Lisa is trying to resist his charms.
They find a link in an old case of Lisa's that connects to the reason Quinn can't retire to his ranch. Together, they start to dig in to find connections to a serial killer. It's riveting and sweet and funny. All of the above.
Highly recommend for anyone that likes Christian fiction. -
This is a genre I really enjoy every now and then. I do wonder how often her Christian characters are going to fall for nonbelievers. Apparently, that always works out as long as you pray and affectionately and exclusively not-date them.
"A Christian novel" vt reading challenge 2018 -
Really enjoying this series! Starting the next book today
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Not the best book I've ever read. The book before this one and this one were so predictable. I enjoyed the characters, though they seem to be such extremes. Can't anybody in this family just fall in love with somebody with some normalcy-with out live or death experiences? Well I guess it's a thriller whodunit novel. But together all 7 of them to each keep having these experiences is too unrealistic, though their jobs are all dangerous types, I guess that is why the author gets away with it. Maybe it's the combination in each of the novels that is too much for me... life threatening experiences while falling in love with a Christian and ultimately somehow finding Christ at the end of the book. Other than that the book was good.
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Excellent book. I've read several of Dee Henderson's books and enjoyed them all. I guess they are really for women, but honestly I enjoy a good story especially when the gospel is incorporated into the story. My Mom actually had just read the book and passed it to me knowing I love to read mysteries. The book is about a family, the O'Malleys, that are not related by blood. They all grew up as foster kids, but became close and decided to change their last name so they could be a family. This book is classified as a romance novel and it does has romance in it but also has mystery. If you enjoy reading Christian fiction you will enjoy all of Dee Henderson's books.
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3.5 stars
Great story! I loved the tale of Lisa, and the case was interesting and kept me guessing.
My only gripe is the continued grammar/punctuation issues–while better than the previous book, still very distracting and often liable to obscure what the author actually meant to express. -
're read in 2014
re-read in 2019 -
I really enjoyed this one! Murder, fascinating science, faith, family, love, this book has it all!!
Lisa's work as a forensic pathologist is fascinating. Families want and need answers whether death is caused by murder or natural causes, and Lisa will find them!
I made the mistake of reading this before bed. I don't suggest that. 🤦♀️
I'm really enjoying the way Dee Henderson weaves faith into her stories. She deals with hard questions and doubts that people really struggle with, and she does a good job answering the questions.
The love story in this book was a lot less cheesy and more believable. I liked that. It was secondary to the story. I like that, too.
Can't wait to start the next book! Also, I wonder if the O'Malleys would adopt me?! 🤷♀️ LOL -
I enjoy this series. They are quick, easy reads. Definitely not books that will stay with me for long, but they are clean and have a good message.
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4.5 stars!
When I'm this excited, it's difficult for me to keep my language clean! But for the sake of those who might be offended by cursing, I'll try my best for this review.
(Just FYI)
Anyway, The Truth Seeker is the best book in the O'Malley series so far! I love Lisa and can relate to her world view and struggles so easily. Not trusting anyone, testing people's trust all the time, thinking you're not good enough, and that if they won't like you, you'll be just fine alone, thank you very much, even though it hurts when no one shows up for you, stands up for you, persists that you matter. And it's not seeking attention or being vain. Some people live through a childhood that leaves them feeling like they haven't been heard, or at least cared for, let alone loved. It's difficult to let go of that, when you grow up protecting yourself from everyone.
I love the loyalty between the O'Malleys, how they show up for each other, stand up for each other, how they care and love each other. It took Quinn a while to figure it out, but he got it, too. I could do without all the meddling, but at the same time if people don't meddle, they rarely care enough, so I guess I'll just have to take the slight annoyances with all the good things, haha!
The Truth Seeker was surprisingly graphic, but not too bad. The end race was positively chilling, and as I was seriously invested in the characters, I'd say the author has done great once again, when it comes to that aspect of writing. I like her writing immensely, and Lisa and Quinn's story highlighted the observation that I made while reading The Guardian: when you can't or don't want to write sex scenes, you'll have to actually be able to deliver on the romance, and that's refreshing for me. There are so many books that I've read, that have been shelved as romances but that actually lack the romance. Insta-love and insta-lust don't create good stories, so I'm glad there are some authors who manage to actually put together balanced stories that are well-written, have substance and are interesting!
Also, I love Quinn! He's pretty much perfect. Although, while I'm usually intrigued by the idea of an age-difference, and have read a book that I absolutely loved where the characters had an 18-year age-difference, and one of my favourite fictional couples has a 7-year age-difference, the 9-year age-difference between Lisa and Quinn was slightly uncomfortable. I'm not exactly sure why, seeing as they fit great together. Maybe it was the remarks towards his age in the end, that I found uncomfortable, or the way Lisa sometimes felt younger than she was. I'm not sure. Nonetheless, I liked them both, and I'm hoping they will be steady features in the following books, even with Quinn no longer being Marcus' partner at work.
As an end note, I'll add this, as it seems to fit with Lisa in a way:
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My favorite so far in the series. Keeps you guessing till the end. I love the insight of how to explain Christian beliefs to others.
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My favorite so far from this series! I was really interested in what Lisa did for a living and I liked seeing how everyone worked together to solve the murder cases. I also have been looking forward to seeing Lisa and Quinn's love story and it did not disappoint. Again we see one of the O'Malleys struggle with letting go and coming to Christ and it was beautiful to see Lisa finally come to trust Jesus. One of the things I love about this series is that it shows the family a lot and how they interact with each other. Those scenes are some of my favorite. I will say based on the back description I was expecting the story to be a little different. Not a bad thing, just an observation . One more thing I will add is that I feel like a better sum up of what happened with the crimes would have been helpful at least for me. I felt that some things still didn't make a lot of sense. Looking forward to reading Jack's story next!
