After reading the first book in this series and finding it just so-so, I was hesitant to continue reading the series, but I'm so glad I did. This second book takes place soon after book one, Brink of Death. Annie has continued with her training to be a forensic artist by taking classes.

Annie Kingston is hired to draw a sketch of an alleged murder, who has been on the run for 20 years. Her drawing will appear on a famous television show that hunts down wanted criminals. In order to draw an accurate, age-accelerated image, Annie interviews people who worked the crime scene of the murders as well as family members of the victims and criminal. While "getting inside the head" of this evil man in preparation for drawing him, Annie is also dealing with a delinquent teenage son. Her son is involved with drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Annie also is dodging making a commitment to the Lord. In the last book, she promised she would seek Him. She has started going to church, taking her children, but won't make the move to make Him Lord of her life. She doesn't want to give up control.

As Annie begins her interviews, she receives an anonymous threat. She quickly involves Detective Chetterling, who was also the acting detective in the last book. She refuses to bow to the threat and continues her interviews. Then, she begins her drawing. She is almost finished when she is kidnapped and held as a hostage. She manages to escape and pledges to make God the Lord of her life. New evidence is discovered for this 20-year-old case. Annie realizes the truth about who is guilty of murder. Will she be able to use this to prevent more violence? Will she follow through on her promise to God?

This book seems to have lots more tension that builds up to a great climactic scene at the end of the story, which I thought made for a great story! Annie is depicted as a single mother with real problems that anyone can relate to, which made her easy to identify with and care about. Her journey to a saving faith also rang with truth. The struggle to maintain control when at the end of your rope, wondering why you still want control of such a messy life was so real! I'm looking forward to reading book three!!

Six months after the events of BRINK OF DEATH, protagonist Annie Kingston returns in Book #2 of the Hidden Faces series. In the throes of her sixteen-year-old sons rebellion, Annie agrees to draw her most ambitious composite sketch yet - a fugitive update. Requiring every ounce of her skill, can she complete the drawing for the television show American Fugitive before the killer can get to her? I picked up STAIN OF GUILT unsure if Brandilyn could keep from re-hashing the plot of Book #1. I wasnt disappointed. Although starting a bit slower than BRINK OF DEATH, after a few chapters I was immersed in Annie Kingstons world. Spiritually, Brandilyn once again gently leads readers toward God (without preachiness) as we follow Annies believable spiritual journey. The Hidden Faces series is a wonderful addition to Christian suspense fiction. With its first person narration and thrilling storyline it has the feel of many secular crime novels, but without the swearing, excessive gore, and sex. Ive already recommended it to a Sue Grafton fan. I am thoroughly hooked and eagerly anticipating #3, DEAD OF NIGHT available this spring.

Book Two of the Hidden Faces Series is every bit as nail-biting, shivering scary as the first one was. Forensic artist Annie Kingston once more finds herself in the mind of a killer. As she delves deeper into the personality and traits of the person she has agreed to draw, her own safety is threatened as well as that of her children. Should she give it up and run for the hills, or stick it out and put this monster behind bars where he belongs?Buy the book and find out. And if you haven't read the first book in the series, Brink of Death, get it too and you'll be in for a thrill.

Stain of Guilt by author Brandilyn Collins continues the story of Annie Kingstons journey of faith - and fear. In this second of Collins Hidden Faces Series, Annie is faced with the very real fear that a man she is helping to capture for murder is still a threat to society and to her. In the process of sketching an updated likeness of the killer, Annie is dealing with the ongoing drama of her teenage sons rebellion. Where is God in all of this? Will Annies search for answers lead her to a truth she can accept? Brandilyn Collins has created believable characters amidst fast-moving suspense. You will come to care about Annie, her sister, and her kids, so rich are the traits that Collins weaves into these characters. Come along and join Annie on her journey. But don't forget to breathe along the way...

Are your doors locked? I wouldn't recommend reading this book at night if you are a scaredy cat. Brandilyn Collins has done it again. Thrilling from the start. How will Annie keep herself safe from this killer who has been on the loose for 20 years? How will she keep her son from self-destruction? How will she keep her life from going haywire? She can't. Or can she?