Pursuit


Fiction - Mystery - General
308 Pages
Reviewed on 03/14/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Pursuit by John C. Owens is a gripping detective mystery tale. Meet Detective Lou Decker, an investigator tormented by alcoholism, estrangement from his family, and doubting whether he would ever wear his badge again. The plot immediately and effectively establishes his character and the dilemma that he is about to face, as he receives a call telling him that his sister Shelley has been missing for two weeks. Shelley is the only family member that matters to him. His search for his sister will lead him to an encounter with the Congregation of Light, a cult that showcases its series of healing skills through retreats. He comes face-to-face with unusual characters and there is a whole lot more to what Decker is about to discover, but his immediate superior warns him not to bother this church.

The literary world is enthralled by brilliant fictional detectives who are tormented by their demons, and Lou Decker is no exception. While he is not yet established in the gallery of popular detectives in whodunit tales, John C. Owens may well take him there if he continues to sustain this character with compelling storylines and explores Decker in depth. Pursuit is well conceived. Owens gives the character a hard-edged, focused determination as well as spine-tingling situations that give readers the desire to follow the action. Plenty of mystery novels involve secret clubs or cults made up of well-dressed people getting together just for the sake of perversity. The cult represented here is downright realistic in terms of its motives and origins, which all make this story convincing. It’s a powerful must-read, mystery-detective story that is on par with the work of James Patterson.

Essien Asian

Detective Lou Decker awaits his fate at home. A series of reckless actions on his part has put him in a position where he is a phone call away from losing his job. Just when he thinks that things cannot get any worse, he receives a distress call from his unreliable brother-in-law, Herb. It turns out his sister has disappeared and all the clues point to a shady church with an even shadier individual in charge. Decker must call upon his talents as well as his flagging faith - if he can remember why he set it aside - if he is to rescue his sister before it is too late. Buried secrets will be unearthed in John C. Owens' thrilling work titled Pursuit.

Pursuit is a mystery novel by John C. Owens. It has a decidedly paranormal angle with a Christian theme which comes to the fore from time to time. What I found most captivating about this novel is the extensive amount of detail that Owens puts into the characters in the book, even with those on the periphery. His writing style is unique and easy to follow, and the way he blends romance and inspirational subplots into the main storyline makes it look effortless. With an impressive cast of characters and an entertaining storyline, this is a cut above your typical Christian novel. This is one book I did not want to put down even after I was done.

Lexie Fox

Pursuit is a young adult mystery novel by John C Owens, an exciting adventure of mystery and intrigue that will surely appeal to all ages. Following Detective Lou Decker’s suspension after his wife’s untimely death lead to alcoholism and poor choices in the line of duty, the disappearance of Decker’s sister opens up a deadly new world where paranormal ideas could be reality. Right from the first page, Decker is a dynamic and engaging protagonist, one whose journey to rock bottom formed the foundation of the character arc he goes on throughout the novel. I particularly enjoyed the way he evolved throughout the narrative, drawn into the strange web of intrigue by his need to preserve his one remaining link to the wider world.

The world's lore was extremely well considered with influences being felt from many sources to build a mythology that felt fresh and unique in the modern market. Author John C Owens has a gift for attention-grabbing prose which fully absorbs the reader as they, much like Decker himself, are pulled into the central mystery. I was constantly delighted by the astonishing new twists and turns that the narrative surprised me with just as I felt that I was on top of the puzzle. Like the very best mystery novels, Pursuit blends together a beautiful character study of an investigator on the edge with a deep and involved mystery for them to become ensnared within. A constant thrill that refuses to sit still and play by the rules of its peers, I recommend this book to all fans of the mystery genre.

Trevor Otieno

In his book Pursuit, John C. Owens combines Native American history with mythology and mystery to provide a wealth of interest and intrigue. A detective by the name of Lou Decker leads a challenging life. He’s been suspended from his work owing to questionable behavior since the death of his wife Maggie, with alcohol to blame for his breakdown. Because Lou has no family, his sister Shelley is the only meaningful person in his life. The next challenge Decker faces is Shelley’s disappearance at the hands of a sect of zealots. While attempting to save Shelley, Lou comes into contact with the startling reality and power of evil forces. He meets a diverse range of regular and supernatural characters who permanently change his search and way of life.

Pursuit by John C. Owens is a fascinating and captivating read with excellent character development, while the plot also piqued my curiosity. The situation was expertly described, giving me the impression that I was genuinely present. The references to Native Americans caught my attention and the book provided valuable information. The story is original, creative, amusing, tragic, and intriguing. I loved the way Owens included historical facts. The cast of plausible characters who were bound together in their struggle against evil by respect, love, and trust engrossed me from the outset. I recommend this book because readers will have the opportunity to connect with and relate to the diverse characters.