Stain of Guilt: Hidden Faces Series #2

For the highly successful TV show American Fugitive, forensic artist Annie Kingston agrees to draw the updated face of Bill Bland, a cunning fugitive wanted for a double murder committed twenty years ago. In studying the man and his crime, Annie knows she must descend into the mind of a killer - a mind of greed, darkness...and death. To render Bland as he would look today, Annie must intimately learn about his traits, his health and personality. Just one habitual expression could alter the way his face has aged. But as she is pulled further into his world, someone wants to stop her - at any cost. To protect herself and her children, Annie must complete the drawing and pray it leads to the elusive Bland's arrest - before he can get to her.

For the highly successful TV show American Fugitive, forensic artist Annie Kingston agrees to draw the updated face of Bill Bland, a cunning fugitive wanted for a double murder committed twenty years ago. In studying the man and his crime, Annie knows she must descend into the mind of a killer—a mind of greed, darkness . . . and death . . . Book Two in the Hidden Faces Series.

"…Collins keeps the reader gasping and guessing as her artistic prose paints vivid pictures on their minds. High marks for original plotting and superb pacing." — RT Bookclub

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by C.J. Darlington (Hopeland, PA), January 23, 2005

Six months after the events of BRINK OF DEATH, protagonist Annie Kingston returns in Book #2 of the Hidden Faces series. In the throes of her sixteen-year-old son’s rebellion, Annie agrees to draw her most ambitious composite sketch yet - a fugitive update. Requiring every ounce of her skill, can she complete the drawing for the television show American Fugitive before the killer can get to her? I picked up STAIN OF GUILT unsure if Brandilyn could keep from re-hashing the plot of Book #1. I wasn’t disappointed. Although starting a bit slower than BRINK OF DEATH, after a few chapters I was immersed in Annie Kingston’s world. Spiritually, Brandilyn once again gently leads readers toward God (without preachiness) as we follow Annie’s believable spiritual journey. The Hidden Faces series is a wonderful addition to Christian suspense fiction. With it’s first person narration and thrilling storyline it has the feel of many secular crime novels, but without the swearing, excessive gore, and sex. I’ve already recommended it to a Sue Grafton fan. I am thoroughly hooked and eagerly anticipating #3, DEAD OF NIGHT available this spring.

Reviewed by Frances Devine (Lebanon, MO), November 22, 2004

Book Two of the Hidden Faces Series is every bit as nail-biting, shivering scary as the first one was. Forensic artist Annie Kingston once more finds herself in the mind of a killer. As she delves deeper into the personality and traits of the person she has agreed to draw, her own safety is threatened as well as that of her children. Should she give it up and run for the hills, or stick it out and put this monster behind bars where he belongs? Buy the book and find out. And if you haven't read the first book in the series, Brink of Death, get it too and you'll be in for a thrill.

Reviewed by Jill Eileen Smith (Sterling Heights, Michigan), November 09, 2004

Stain of Guilt by author Brandilyn Collins continues the story of Annie Kingston’s journey of faith - and fear. In this second of Collins’ Hidden Faces Series, Annie is faced with the very real fear that a man she is helping to capture for murder is still a threat to society – and to her. In the process of sketching an updated likeness of the killer, Annie is dealing with the ongoing drama of her teenage son’s rebellion. Where is God in all of this? Will Annie’s search for answers lead her to a truth she can accept? Brandilyn Collins has created believable characters amidst fast-moving suspense. You will come to care about Annie, her sister, and her kids, so rich are the traits that Collins’ weaves into these characters. Come along and join Annie on her journey. But don't forget to breathe along the way...

Reviewed by A. M. Wilson (Palm Bay, FL), October 31, 2004

Are your doors locked? I wouldn't recommend reading this book at night if you are a scaredy cat. Brandilyn Collins has done it again. Thrilling from the start. How will Annie keep herself safe from this killer who has been on the loose for 20 years? How will she keep her son from self-destruction? How will she keep her life from going haywire? She can't. Or can she?

Reviewed by David Wallace (Lawrenceville, GA), October 17, 2004

Brandilyn has done it again. This story is wonderfully written to draw you into the world of Annie Kingston and her struggle with family, faith, and faces of death. I have enjoyed all of Brandilyn's books, but this series is my favorite by far. When's the next one coming? It can't be too soon!

Reviewed by Robin Miller (Little Rock AR), September 30, 2004

Book Two in the Hidden Faces series, STAIN OF GUILT, is a fast-paced roller-coaster ride with many twists and turns! Brandilyn Collins does it again as she brings readers back to visit Annie Kingston, forensic artist. The characters are so true-to-life, the plot is intriguing, and the pace is perfect. A wonderful follow-up to book one, STAIN OF GUILT is a suspense-reader's dream.

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