Witness Protection by Robert Whitlow Audiobook Review

About the Book:

All is finally good. Jon Tremaine has created a new life in Brunswick, Georgia, as part of the Federal Witness Protection program after testifying against the former drug cartel he was involved with. Only his wife, Sarah, and a handler with the US Marshal's office know his true identity, and he is now the manager of a large commercial tree farm with a baby on the way. But when one of Jon's employees is arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into the United States, he goes against his better judgment and inserts himself in the middle of the case, believing the man is an unsuspecting mole manipulated by sophisticated drug dealers.

Kelli Quinn, a highly skilled litigator with an Atlanta law firm, has moved to Brunswick to work with her best friend from law school, hoping to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. She and her two children find a temporary home with her aunt Carly, a woman whose great faith is making an impression on her new houseguests. For the first time in a very long while, Kelli sees a future where she can find balance between the job she loves and the family she loves even more.

New to the firm and in need of clients, Kelli agrees to represent Jon's employee. The unfolding investigation reveals layers of criminal activity and possible connections to Jon's past, putting everyone at risk of exposure--and even death.

My Review:

Whitlow knows the legal profession and this is a good novel revealing how the legal system works. This novel is a deep exploration of how innocent people can be used as “mules” by drug cartels, transporting illegal substances without their knowledge. The seriousness of the problem is heightened when the accused is Hispanic. Another topic in this novel is the witness protection program and how the identity of the protected person might be compromised.

Whitlow has created characters who truly care for the innocent. Their personal lives here are balanced with their work to help. Kelli is concerned with her two kids and a new job. Jon wants to protect his innocent employee but keep his wife safe too. My favorite character was Carly. What a prayer warrior and positive force in Kelli's life.

This is a good novel for listeners who like legal drama and people who are determined to protect the innocent. There is a strong Christian faith message included. It reminds me of Christian fiction as it used to be, before some authors included mildly offensive language and actions. While there is a little suspense and a few nefarious characters, the novel is clean, free of offensive language and actions. The recording was wonderful, well done.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author:

Robert Whitlow grew up in north Georgia. He graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a BA in history in 1976 and received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1979. A practicing attorney, he is a partner in a Charlotte, NC law firm. He and his wife Kathy have four children and nine grandchildren.

Robert began writing in 1996. His novels are set in the South and include both legal suspense and interesting characterization. It is his desire to write stories that reveal some of the ways God interacts with people in realistic scenarios.

Thomas Nelson Publishers, 12 hours 33 minutes.

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

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief by Sheila Sharpe Blog Tour Book Review

 

ARTIST, LOVER, FORGER, THIEF

by Sheila Sharpe

March 30 - April 24, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief is a riveting, wildly entertaining, complex, and adrenaline-fueled art crime novel that is as intriguing as it is satisfying. Nick McCoy wants out of the art forgery business but not until he exacts revenge on the man who murdered his family years ago. Kate O'Dade, McCoy's former therapist, comes to him for help after mysteriously receiving a painting of Matisse's Open Window from an unknown benefactor. This seemingly innocent meeting to determine its authenticity sets off a chain of events that will take McCoy, O'Dade, Cromwell and his new team of investigators from San Diego to England, and from art forgery to murder.

Rarely do you find such complex characters, intricate plot, compelling subject, and cunning psychological jousting woven throughout such a memorable story like Sharpe does in Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief.

Praise for Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief:

"Sharpe dives headlong into the murky waters of identity, obsession, and deception in her smart, psychologically charged thriller [Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief]. It explores the blurry line between art and artifice, healing and manipulation, love and control. [T]his is a genre-bending literary thriller that lingers long after the final page."
~ Prairies Book Review

"Artist, Lover, Forger, Thief...is a gripping tale set amidst the opulent yet treacherous world of high-end art crime in San Diego...[It explores] the moral dilemmas of art forgery, theft, and deception, with each character caught between their desires and the consequences of their actions. This stellar examination of art, deception, and forgery kept me riveted."
~ Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review

 

My Review:

This novel is a deep dive into the world of art, collecting, forging and stealing. A main theme in it is revenge, long planned and finally carried out. There is also a very elaborate scheme by detectives to catch a very accomplished art forger. Sharpe has done a good job creating a number of despicable characters and a few honorable ones.

I did not know of the high stakes involved in art crime and the lack of law enforcement dedicated to it. A number of famous and highly valued paintings are mentioned in this novel, so it is a good mystery for readers who appreciate art and are familiar with famous paintings. The end of the novel included a satisfying twist. This is a good debut effort and I am sure we will see more from Sharpe.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Literary Fiction, Crime Fiction
Published by: Redwood Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: March 26, 2025
Number of Pages: 332
ISBN: 9781966333142 (ISBN10: 1966333145)
Series: A Kate O'Dade Art Crime Novel, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Sheila Sharpe has been a therapist for more than forty years, specializing in treating trauma, couples, and artists. Being a detective of sorts to determine patients’ issues and their solutions like she does in The Ways We Love, along with her past history as an artist and fascination with art forgery, led to the creation of her new fiction book series, the Kate O’Dade Art Crime novels.

Catch Up With Sheila Sharpe:

www.SheilaSharpe.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @sasharpedelmar
Instagram - @sheilasharpe_writer
BlueSky - @sheilasharpeauthor.bsky.social
X - @SheilaSharpe19
Facebook - @sheilasharpenovel

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)