The Witnesses by Robert Whitlow
Published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing on July 19th 2016
Genres: Christian, Fiction, General, Legal, Suspense
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Goodreads
Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise—until his grandfather’s mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger. Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past. While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him. Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.
I had never heard of Robert Whitlow before, but the man has written plenty of books. The cover of this book drew me in – sort of resembled a John Grisham book or something – and it made me curious. Another drawing factor to this book was the fact that it was a Christian suspense novel with a legal emphasis. Having worked in the legal field for over 30 years, I’m always interested in that category. Sprinkle it with a little suspense, and you’ve got me interested.
The Witnesses follows young lawyer, Parker House as he begins working in a small North Carolina law firm. His job doesn’t pay as much as his friends but he finds satisfaction in what he is learning and achieving as he learns the ropes of a law office and of his town. At the same time, Parker realizes that he is somehow able to see the future.
While Parker uses his gift in the legal field, his grandfather, Frank (born Franz Haus), was forced to use the gift during World War II. This fact in itself results in the story going back and forth between these two time periods throughout the book.
Parker’s gift is starting to become obvious to others, which begins to make him more interesting to a more prestigious law firm. As he struggles with his career decisions and decisions surrounding a new romance, his grandfather is experiencing deep regret for his actions in WWII.
The theme of The Witnesses seems to be how people can use (or misuse) God’s gifts. While both Parker and his grandfather, Frank are good people, sometimes the use of their gift for evil is too tempting to hold back. Throughout the story, readers will see both of these men struggling with the use of their gift in a responsible manner and whether they will follow the Lord or not follow the Lord.
This book would inspire anyone who is wavering about seeking forgiveness and making life changing decisions. If you have never read any of Robert Whitlow’s other books, I’d suggest you start here like I did. The Witnesses is a book that seems to cross over those defined genre lines that include law, family, romance, friendship, mystery, suspense and even a little thriller.
Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.
A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina. You can find Mr. Whitlow on his Official Website HERE.
I received a paperback copy of this book without cost from the publisher through The Fiction Guild, a Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Elite Reader book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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