I have been a fan of Robert Whitlow for a number of years having read a number of his books. When I discovered that he was coming out with a new book and (at the same time) starting a new series, I became excited.
And waiting has been worth the effort. Water's Edge is one of Robert Whitlow's best.
Thomas Joshua Crane had lost everything: his father had died in an unexpected fishing accident, he lost his job as his employer made cutbacks because of the economy, and his girlfriend broke up with him taking his cat with her. And that is in the first chapter. Before the month was over, his life would get worse - even as his faith grew.
After receiving the book, I could not put it down - and even in the midst of writing the week's sermon, I would pick it up in order to break up each day. And as I did, it brought tears, laughter, anger, and joy. Robert Whitlow, a practicing lawyer in North Carolina, gives insight into law (expected in a legal thriller), but he allows us to also connect with the characters. With them I did cry, laugh, get angry, and rejoice.
As I did this, I also found myself examining my own spiritual life. Most importantly, I was challenged to look at my own devotional life. Let me give one example. It becomes easy to study the scripture each week to prepare a sermon. Remembering to read the scriptures so that if changes my life is a more difficult task. I am surrounded by computer indexes, I have access to multiple Study Bibles, a theological library is across the street. But I also have a responsibility to let the scriptures speak to me. It was a lesson the protagonist had to learn and a lesson I had to be reminded of.
If you have not previously read Robert Whitlow, Water's Edge is a good place to begin. I eagerly await the next book in this new series from an accomplished author and lawyer.
This review is based on an electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of completing this review.
