If I Live by Terri Blackstock

If I Live is the last novel in the three book series. Blackstock reveals in the Acknowledgments that she wanted to write a series with a female fugitive modeled after the 1950s “Fugutive” TV programs. The earlier novels in the series saw Casey Cox wrongly accused of murder, fleeing, and remaining at large. She has had help from Dylan, a veteran and PI who believes she is innocent. The real murderer, Keegan, is a corrupt policeman who is tightening the net. In this novel, Casey's hope of proving she is innocent is nearly crushed when she is captured and Keegan is sent to bring her back.

This has been a long series. I felt the first book in the series was great and you can read my review of If I Run here. I felt the second novel slowed down the plot and you can read my review of If I'm Found here. This last novel in the series has more action and suspense and wraps up the plot well.

Blackstock writes from the first person viewpoint yet the narrative varies from Casey's viewpoint to Dylan's and Keegan's. I just don't like that technique and thought it kept the plot from moving smoothly along. There is much thinking by each of those three contained in the narrative. Since we can only know our own thoughts, I would prefer to only know the thoughts of Casey.

Casey confronts her own spirituality in this final novel and there is a clear presentation of the gospel included. This series would be good for readers who like a long plot and are not bothered by multiple first person points of view. Be sure to start with the first in the series as the later books do not read well on their own.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times bestselling author with over seven million copies sold. A successful author, she began writing suspense for the Christian market in 1994. You can find out more at http://terriblackstock.com/.

Zondervan, 352 pages.

Blackstock notes that the covers have been specially designed. I show all three below so you can see the result.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.