by Lynette Eason
As I enjoy the release of my newest book—Critical Threat—as always, I’m reflective about what brought me to this place.
Publishers Weekly said, “Readers will have trouble catching their breath as they plunge into a breakneck race to stop a serial killer.”
Reviews like that never grow old. And I don’t take them for granted. It’s especially meaningful for my latest release.
FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn’t mean they’re not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer—in prison but certainly not out of Sam’s life, as much as he wishes he was.
I’ve had many diverse experiences, some good, some bad. I’ve traveled a lot, all over the world, and have a variety of people in my life. With that combination, I’ve been able to access resources needed to write the kind of stories I love to read.
Behind Critical Threat is a story about all the brainstorming that goes into creating romantic suspense novels. I wanted to write a story about the son of a serial killer. And I wanted that son to be responsible for his father being caught and behind bars. I got together with a few writer friends, and we hashed out the skeleton of the plot and then I filled it in as I wrote.
Writing the book gave me a new appreciation for those who work with individuals capable of such extreme evil. Most “normal” people can’t comprehend the depths of a serial killer’s depravity, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t want to understand it. But I do know that God loves those people, and He had a plan for their lives. But sin exists. Evil exists. And we need strong, capable heroes and heroines to combat that evil.
Creating people like that requires research. In the process, I learn about real life heroes I can pattern my characters after.
Writing a novel with a villain like a serial killer brought new impact to the verses Ephesians 6:12-13. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
I hope as they read Critical Threat, readers will be fully entertained first and foremost, that they’ll fall in love with the characters and enjoy “the ride.” But I also hope they’re able to connect to some of the life lessons the characters learn. It’s always a great thing when a reader emails, saying the book helped them make a difficult life decision or brought them closer to the Lord in some way.
About the Author
Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Life Flight and Crossfire, as well as the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.
About the Book
FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer—in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life. When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case—especially because it's about to get personal.
Did You Know?
In the book of Romans, the women Paul mentioned represent various walks of life—single, married, mothers. Here are a few examples:
Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2) – Although not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, Phoebe gets the most ink in Paul’s greeting. She was a deacon in the church in Cenchreae and a patron of Paul’s. Phoebe probably carried Paul’s letter from Corinth to Rome. Paul also highly commended Phoebe to the Roman Christians and specifically asked them to help her.
Priscilla (Romans 16:3-5) – Paul called her a “fellow worker in Christ Jesus.” Priscilla taught and discipled other believers (Acts 24:26). She and her husband Aquila also hosted one of the Roman house churches. Paul expressed deep gratitude to both of them, even writing that they had “risked their necks for my life” (Romans 16:4).
Junia (Romans 16:7) – Apparently, she and her husband Andronicus had been imprisoned at some point with Paul for their faith. Although there is some disagreement among scholars over whether Paul called Junia an apostle or meant she was admired by the apostles, there’s no doubt Paul held this great woman of God in high esteem.
In my new 40-day devotional book through Romans, I highlight Paul’s emphasis on women. “Paul’s descriptions of women in his greetings to the Roman Christians confirm that women held significant roles in the early church.” Paul valued women. They supported and helped his ministry and contributed to the overall spread of the gospel. Like then, God has a place and purpose for every woman in His kingdom.
-Kathy Howard, Deep Rooted
Why I LOVE My Local Christian Bookstore
“My memory is full of wondrous experiences that all started with opening the cover of a book and feeling its pages between my fingers. Most of the time this began in a real bookstore, because a book is more than lighted pixels on a screen.”
-H. L. Wegley, Voice in the Wilderness