Key Takeaways
• If I Live is a compelling Christian suspense novel that weaves faith into a high-stakes narrative.
• The novel features complex characters whose spiritual journeys are as crucial as the suspenseful plot.
• Themes of survival, redemption, and the battle between good and evil are explored.
• Readers can expect to be inspired and challenged in their faith while enjoying a thrilling story.
A Quick Review
In the first book in this series, If I Run, Casey Cox discovers the murdered body of her friend Brent Pace. Aware that she has left her footprints in the blood at the crime scene and having a history with the cop who undoubtedly killed him, Casey knows her only hope is to disappear before the cop makes her disappear for good. At the same time, she wants to find a way to prove her innocence and get her life back.
Brent’s parents, devastated by the death of their son, hire Dylan Roberts, a high school friend of Brent’s, to help the police find Casey and bring her to justice. By the end of the first book, Dylan has serious doubts about Casey’s guilt. By the end of the second book, If I’m Found, Casey and Dylan have developed a romantic interest in each other. And Dylan is committed to helping Casey prove that detectives Gordon Keegan and Sy Rollins are rotten to the core.
Diving Into the World of If I Live
There’s something unique about a novel that can keep you on the edge of your seat while also delving deep into the spiritual growth of its characters. If I Live is one such book that masterfully combines thrills with theological depth. It’s a story that will not only entertain but also provoke thought and inspire growth in one’s faith.
When I began writing reviews of the “If I Run” series, I mentioned that I generally avoid suspense novels. They’re too hard on my heart and blood pressure. But Terri Blackstock’s stories are so intriguing and compelling, I hate to miss them. However, this one – If I Live – almost did me in. Probably for suspense fans, it is just fun and exciting. For me, the suspense was almost unbearable.
But let’s be honest. The ending made it worthwhile!
The Intrigue of Christian Suspense Novels
Christian suspense novels are a breed apart. They don’t just scare you; they inspire you. They take you through a roller coaster of emotions, all while holding onto a thread of hope that is rooted in faith. It’s not just about who did it or what’s going to happen next; it’s about the why and the how from a perspective that looks beyond the physical world.
In If I Live, our heroine, Casey Cox, is finally ready to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. But she has a problem. She understands that Christians are honest, law-abiding citizens. Hence, if she becomes a Christian, she must turn herself in to law enforcement. But if she surrenders to the police, Detective Gordon Keegan will undoubtedly find a way to isolate and murder her. So, she chooses not to accept God’s gracious gift of eternal life. Not yet.
Why If I Live Stands Out
If I Live stands out because it doesn’t compromise on suspense for the sake of faith, nor does it water down faith in the name of suspense. It’s a rare find that manages to honor both aspects, providing a narrative that is as unpredictable as it is spiritually enriching.
In the course of the book, two more murders and an attempted murder ramp up the suspense. One of the murders is one of Keegan’s extortion victims. A dry cleaner named Brauer is twice unable to pay the price the cops demand for their “protection.” Two days after his second failure to pay, Brauer is dead.
Then there’s the grenade tossed through the window of Dylan Roberts’ apartment. Saved by insomnia, Dylan dives out the door and escapes with only minor injuries. But his apartment is totaled, the building is severely damaged, and the woman in the apartment below him dies. She is collateral damage. I’ll leave the identity of the surprising, second intentional murder victim for you to discover when you read the book.
Plot Pinnacle: Twists and Faith in If I Live
The plot of If I Live is a tightly woven tapestry of mystery and intrigue, but what sets it apart is how faith is interlaced with the twists and turns. The story doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions about God’s presence in times of trouble, and it offers no easy answers, making it all the more compelling. As the tension escalates, so does the opportunity for deep spiritual reflection, both for the characters and the readers.
Key Plot Twists That Impact Suspense
In If I Live, Casey runs to Memphis. Her situation is precarious because her disguises have been noticed and are being plastered all over the media. Yet, she is able to obtain a work-from-home job for an attorney in a wheelchair who specializes in helping plaintiffs with disabilities. No one in the attorney’s office seems to recognize her, least of all the blind woman she befriends.
All in all, things seem to be proceeding pretty much as they have in the previous two books. But then Casey realizes Dylan is in extreme danger. She decides she must return to Shreveport and convince him to join her on the lam.
As If That Weren’t Enough…
As I read, I’m already getting tense. If Casey returns to her hometown, she will surely be spotted. But she seems not to care. She packs her things, walks across the parking lot, and is surrounded by police cars. Casey Cox is in custody.
Meanwhile, Dylan, who has barely survived a grenade blast, is in almost as much danger as Casey. My stress level is off the charts! Now, why was it exactly that I wanted to read these books?
The Good News That Mitigates the Tension
Cuffed and frisked in a motel parking lot, Casey realizes, “It’s the beginning of the end.”
But is it? What if it’s the beginning of the beginning? Casey is in custody. Now, there’s nothing to stop her from being born again!
With that, I’ll leave the rest of the story to your reading pleasure. There was still plenty of terrifying suspense to wreck my internal systems, as Dylan and Keegan both flew to Memphis, determined to get to Casey first – Dylan to protect her and Keegan to close her mouth permanently.
There were times when I was sure this book could not possibly have a happy ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any impactful novel, If I Live has prompted questions from curious and engaged readers. Let’s address some of the most common inquiries about this riveting Christian suspense story.
Is If I Live Suitable for All Age Groups?
While If I Live is a suspenseful read, it handles its themes with sensitivity. It’s suitable for teens and adults alike, offering a gripping story that respects the reader’s intelligence and moral framework.
How Does If I Live Compare to Other Christian Suspense Novels?
If I Live stands out in the Christian suspense genre for its balance of heart-pounding action and deep spiritual insight. It doesn’t shy away from the tough questions, setting it apart from other novels that might prioritize plot over depth.
Can If I Live be Used for Group Bible Study?
Absolutely. If I Live can be a powerful tool for Bible study groups, providing a narrative that can open up discussions about faith, perseverance, and the presence of God in challenging times.
Where Can I Purchase a Copy of If I Live?
If I Live is available wherever books are sold, including bookstores, online retailers, and directly from the publisher. It’s also available in various formats, such as hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audio book to suit your reading preferences.
Character List for If I Live
This list carefully avoids spoilers. Names and descriptions below reflect the original information given about each character. Main characters are listed, along with many minor players, more or less in the order they appear in the story.*
Casey Cox – running from the police because she was framed for a murder
Dylan Roberts – army veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq – now has a PTSD diagnosis – hired by victim’s family to find Casey
Gordon Keegan – corrupt cop who wants to kill Casey before she can expose him
Sy Rollins – Keegan’s partner, also corrupt and helping Keegan hunt for Casey
Brent Pace – 30 years old, Casey’s friend and confidant – she’s accused of murdering him
Dex – Dylan’s army budy – a double amputee, injured in an IED attack that killed five men
Cole Whittington – man who died in previous book (If I’m Found)
Nate and Tiffany Trendall – “bad guys” from previous book (If I’m Found)
Macy Weatherow – anchor for a Shreveport news show
Sergeant Mintz – a poisoning case Dylan solved when he was in criminal investigations in the army
Retired cops hiding from Keegan:• Alvin Rossi
• Gus Marlowe
Keegan’s known murder victims at the beginning of this book:• Andy Cox – Casey’s dad
• Brent Pace – Casey’s friend
• Sara Meadows – former clerk in the Shreveport police evidence room
Mr. Brauer – owner of a dry cleaner – an extortion victim of Keegan’s – murder victim
Officer Banks – cop Dylan knew in his high school days – sees him at Mr. Brauer’s murder scene
Stamps and Logan – detectives working the Brauer case
Kurt Keegan – Gordon’s son – also on police force
Billy Barbero – lawyer in solo practice who hires Casey – confined to a wheelchair
Liana Winters – Casey’s alias
Marge Barbero – about 50 years old – Billy’s wife – works in his office
Claire – one of Billy’s clients – blind
Butch – Claire’s service dog, a German shepherd
Grayson – Kurt Keegan’s fiancé
Miller, Kramer, Jecowitz – friends of Dylan and Kurt from their high school days – they all spend an evening at Monnogan’s, an old haunt, getting reacquainted
Shannon – Dex’s wife
Jared – son of Dex and Shannon
Chief Gates – chief of police for Shreveport P.D.
Captain Swayze – officer with the Shreveport P.D.
Steele and Johnson – Shreveport P.D. officers on Dylan’s case
Leibowitz and Briar – Memphis detectives who question Casey
Elise and Jim Pace – Brent’s parents
John Appinet – assistant to the district attorney, a paralegal
D.A. Phillips – the Shreveport district attorney Dylan discusses the case with
Candace Price – real estate agent in Dallas, Texas – Keegan’s mistress
Gail Keegan – Gordon’s wife
Robinson and Parker – suspended from Shreveport P.D.
Jake Gibbons – meets Keegan to sell him an airplane
Stamps – an investigator working with Dylan
Special Agents Griffin and Bilao – FBI agents helping to locate Keegan
Dillinger – Shreveport P.D. detective
Sid Jameson – celebrity lawyer who wants to defend Casey
Hannah Boon – Casey’s older sister
Jeff Boon – Hannah’s husband
Emma Boon – baby daughter of Hannah and Jeff
* Footnote:
I sometimes miss names completely or get them out of order if I miss them when they first occur. Other times, I may list characters out of order on purpose if I place them with a group, in which some appear earlier in the story than others. (You can always use Ctrl-F to search for a name if you have trouble finding it.)
Here’s a link to the book on Terri Blackstock’s website: If I Live
Links to my reviews of the first two books in this series:
If I Run
If I’m Found
Photo credit: dimitrisvetsikas1969 on pixabay
Here are links to my blog indexes, which will make it quick and easy for you to find another post to read.
Blog Index – Lists blogs 1-35
Blog Index 2 – Lists blogs 36 to 70
Blog Index 3 – Will list blogs 71-100
Here’s a downloadable list of characters: