Terror rocks Groves Landing when a woman is murdered after surprising an intruder. Twelve-year-old Erin witnessed the crime and works with artist Annie Kingston to construct a composite sketch. But Erin is traumatized and Annie is inexperienced in forensics. What if they lead detectives in the wrong direction . . . and the real killer remains free? 400 pages, softcover from Zondervan.
Terror rocks Grove Landing when a woman is murdered in her home. The victim’s young daughter, Erin, witnessed the crime but is too traumatized to give a description. Desperate detectives ask neighbor Annie Kingston, with a background in art, to interview Erin for a composite. But what if Annie’s lack of experience in forensic art leads Erin astray? The detectives could end up searching for a face that doesn’t exist. Leaving the real killer free to stalk the neighborhood.
Recommended. — Romantic Times
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 12 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Melody Augsburger (Linden, VA), August 21, 2008
I just started reading this series however I love the story so far. At times I can't put the book down :)
I am sure it will be a 6 star book when I am finished. We shall see, Brandilyn Collins is correct when she said "hold on for a ride" Love her books! I own all except 1 which I will own after I finish this series. Promis
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jessie Robitaille (Arnprior), November 24, 2007
I have to completely disagree with Wendy, one of the first reviewers. This was a great book full of mystery and suspense. You do not have to be a man to preach the Lords word. A pastor can be either male or female. It does not change what is the truth. God loves everybody equally.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by T.E. George (Pensacola FL), September 10, 2007
I've been wanting to read Brandilyn Collins for some time and I must say "Brink of Death" made a five star first impression on me. There is little to not like about this book. The dialog is tight and the story proceeds at just the right speed. This story has great timing, never dragging but lingering on detail at times to allow the reader to catch up. I look forward to the rest of the novels in the Hidden Faces series.
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Wendy Fraser (Spencerport, NY), May 25, 2005
Before purchasing BRINK OF DEATH I read the reviews for this book and the author's and was very excited to purchase it. The author stated that she gave the gave a clear message of salvation. I could not find it in this book because it was very watered down. Also, one of the characters in the book was a female pastor. This is totally unbiblical. A pastor is supposed to be a man, not a woman. I Timothy 3 will shed some light on this subject. Although the mystery was good, the false representation ruined the story for me.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by C.J. Darlington (Hopeland, PA), September 12, 2004
From the opening scene in BRINK OF DEATH you know you’re in good hands. You’re also in for a ride - one that thrusts you into the world of Annie Kingston - single mom, former courtroom artist, and a woman about to live a nightmare.
Told in Annie’s engaging first person point of view (except for the prologue and the scattered scenes following the villain in third person), there are no wasted words. Every chapter leads you seamlessly into the next. Tight, suspenseful, and peppered with compelling details about forensic art, BRINK OF DEATH will keep you up waaaaaay past your bedtime. And the good news is it’s book #1 in the Hidden Faces series (#2, STAIN OF GUILT available October 2004).
Without compromising the thrills, Brandilyn keeps her story clean, which is something Christian readers will appreciate. But this is also a book you could give to friends or relatives with no concern about hitting them over the head with its religious message. We’re gently led to think about God as we follow Annie’s story.
Final word? The characters in BRINK OF DEATH are REAL (no cardboard stereotypes here), and this series will win Brandilyn many more loyal fans, myself included.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carmen Leal (Naples, FL), June 09, 2004
Brandilyn Collins is one of those authors who is a triple threat; she excels at plot, character, and dialogue. She is a great storyteller with a wonderful sense of timing that proves her tagline is more than mere words. Don't forget to breathe is how she wants her readers to remember her books, and because of being a triple threat she achieves her goal. Brink of Death is a fast read with a sympathetic heroine. Collins did a superb job of weaving faith into the plot and making it real. I love that her characters are flawed but growing. Anyone who enjoys suspense novels owes it to themselves to get a copy of Brink of Death today.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by A. M. Wilson (Palm Bay, FL), June 08, 2004
I've never been a fan of first person writing, but Brandilyn Collins made forget all of that by page TWO! Brink of Death is an edge-of-your-seat read. Twists and turns keep you guessing and wondering. If you like suspense, this is one author that MUST be on your favorite list.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lena Nelson Dooley (Hurst, Texas), June 03, 2004
A chilling murder mystery plays out against the backdrop of families broken apart. Annie Kingston is trying to protect her family, especially her teenage son, from the evils of the drug culture. Finding a haven in her deceased father’s second home, she is drawn into a bizarre mystery. Her skills as an artist are needed to help apprehend the murderer of a neighbor.
Brandilyn Collin’s mastery of language paints layers of feelings for the readers as she takes them inside Annie’s head as well as into the thoughts of the perpetrator. You won’t want to put the book down until you’ve finished it. I can hardly wait for the next book in the Hidden Faces Series.
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Write a review of Brink of Death, Hidden Faces Series #1
Author: Brandilyn Collins
Submitted: April 27, 2004
Tell us a little about yourself. I write in the suspense and contemporary genres
for Zondervan, the Christian division of
HarperCollins. I have also written the how-to
book on writing fiction, Getting Into Character:
Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors
(published by John Wiley & Sons).
What was your motivation behind this project? All aspects of forensics are a hot topic these
days in secular entertainment, from books to TV
to movies. But little forensics has been found
in Christian suspense. I wanted to be one of the
first to fill that niche. I chose a forensic
artist because of the myriad talents they must
have, from knowing the science of facial
features, bone structure and aging to their
interpersonal skills of being able to interview
victims.
In creating the Hidden Faces series, I wanted to
write books that are fast reads, page-turning
suspense. And imbedded within the story, I
wanted to clearly portray the message of God's
salvation. As I wrote Brink of Death, my main
target audience was the nonChristian who loves
suspense. I hope to give that person an
enjoyable read and also introduce him/her to the
concept of salvation through Christ.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope people will find Brink of Death a fun,
suspenseful, breath-holding read. I hope
believers will also enjoy it because of its
embedded Christian message. And most of all, I
hope they will pass the book on to their
nonChristian friends who love suspense.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: Brink of Death is the first in my new Hidden
Facies series about forensic artist Annie
Kingston. Currently, four books are planned in
the series.
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