BookOpinion

BOOKOPINION REVIEW: Robert Whitlow has written several excellent novels in the past and I eagerly awaited the publication of his latest book, “Mountain Top.” I was expecting to be enthralled, moved and completely engaged in this latest work. However, this book is a bit disappointing. It is well written, contains great characters and has a decent plot…it just felt, well, flat.

The primary character, Reverend Michael James Andrews, ex-lawyer, is the pastor at Little Creek Church. The church has experienced a healthy surge of growth since Mike has been ministering there and he feels quite content in his new profession. His lovely and supportive wife, Peg, accepting his change of careers, has settled in to the community and continues her love of painting, portraying everything from the local scenery to older people to a series of watercolors depicting children in various forms of play. Nice, quiet, idyllic.

But, of course, that is about to change. When Mike is contacted by Muriel Miller, an elderly woman concerned about the arrest of her husband, Mike is flabbergasted. He informs her that he no longer practices law but Muriel is insistent that her husband, Samuel, requested that she contact only Mike. Realizing that he has never even met Samuel, he questions Muriel regarding Sam’s odd plea for assistance…

“Muriel lowered her eyes and spoke in a soft voice, ‘He had a dream Saturday night and saw you coming to see him at the jail. When I visited him on Sunday, he told me to get in touch with you here at the church.’”

Obviously, Mike is startled. He explains again that he no longer practices law, discovers that Sam has been arrested for embezzlement and recommends that Muriel contact another lawyer. But she merely reminds him to not forget the dream.

But circumstances intervene and the Reverend Michael James Andrews ends up at the local jail to interview Samuel Miller. He listens intently as Sam tells his story and is convinced of the man’s innocence but still refuses to represent him. Rising to leave, Mike informs Sam that he will contact the courthouse and ask someone to appoint a lawyer for him. However, before Mike can leave the room, Sam makes a rather unique statement. “Tell your wife that Isaac is on the way.”

Confused about the odd comment, Mike leaves the jail and heads back to the church, reflecting that neither he nor Peg know anyone named Isaac. At the end of the day, Mike returns home and is perplexed to see Peg, wiping tears from her eyes and gently handling a small sliver of paper with a blue circle quite apparent. After fifteen years of marriage, Peg and Mike are going to become parents.

Against his will, Mike is drawn into the embezzlement case against Sam…but this turns out to be anything but an ordinary trial. Warned against involvement by his prior law firm, Mike is bewildered…nothing makes sense. And although Mike continues to pastor at Little Creek Church, he senses undercurrents that could be dangerous. And then the situation turns very ugly. And why is this sequence of events occurring simply because Mike agreed to defend Samuel Miller?

From this point on, the reader is drawn into a plot that is horrifying, murderous and downright evil. Is Sam really guilty of embezzlement? Is he just another religious nut? Will Mike ever discover the truth about the tragic situation? And will any of them survive the circumstances in which they find themselves?

“Mountain Top” is worth reading. It is intriguing and the twisted, involved plot is well conceived. This novel meets all the criteria of a well written book. But before picking this one up, I suggest you start with either the first Whitlow novel, “Life Support” or pick up my personal favorite, “The Trial.” Robert Whitlow can definitely write and write well…but somehow, “Mountain Top” failed to make it to the top of my must read list.

– Elizabeth Channery