This was my first book to read by Sue Duffy, and it won't be my last as I look forward to reading the other 2 books in this trilogy.

Weaving together classical music and spy mystery Duffy's writing is believable and intriguing. Not only is this is a great mystery, but we get to really know the characters ... who they are and why they are who they are.

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to review Red Dawn Rising which is book two in the Red Returning Triology. It was such a good read, I wanted to read and review book one in the series, Sound of Red Returning. I was not a bit disappointed! Although I knew from book two that book one was going to come out alright, it was still a good adventure.

Our heroine, Liesl Bower, is a gifted concert pianist who has studied with the famous and who has given concerts on the stages across the globe. But she seems targeted by international agents who are after something she possesses but that she doesn't realize she has.

Having studied under the superb tutorage of Schell Devoe, an internationally acclaimed Harvard music professor, she was able to travel for study in Russia. After her beloved mentor's murder, she learns he was a double agent - betraying both his own country, America, and Russia.

Sound of Red Rising is set primarily in Charleston, South Carolina but you will flit in and out of Washington as well. The characters in this book are Cade and his grandfather, Ian, who live in the basement apartment of Liesl's grandmother's home. There is a bit of beginning romance between Liesl and Cade, and the grandfather, Ian, is a "real character." Ian and Chad "cowboy" in on the adventure with the CIA and FBI.

There is a good measure of sound spiritual wisdom without sounding preachy. A good book and I'm glad I went back and read book one, Sound of Red Returning. Can't wait for the third book to come out.

Experience footnote of my own: Having lived during the "Cold War" and knowing the very real tension between the US and Russia during this period, I found this story especially interesting. The underlying theme of Red Returning is daunting.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of Sound of Red Returning by Kregel Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Once you open this book it will grab your immediate attention. The story revolves around Lisle Bower, and her refuge of music, she is a classically trained pianist.

The Red Returning is Mother Russia...or the corrupt people who want control. Poor Lisle it seems anyone she cares about or befriends seems to have a problem, or end up dead. This page turner is so filled with action and surprises. You will think you have everything figured out...but you don't!

You will meet other wonderful characters in this book...such as Lisle's grandmother Lottie. A CIA agent, who Lisle originally did not like...Ava. Then there will be Chad and his delightful grandfather Ira.

Lisle has obtained, without her knowledge some information that is vital for National Security.

The story takes place in many cities around the world and back. Loved the hidden areas in Lottie's house, someone had a lot of imagination. Then there's the secluded cabin, a family refuge, and the family boat the Exodus.

Your going to find everything her from wonderful music, espionage, murder, ransacks, traitors, and a bit of romance!

I received this book from Litefuse Tours and the Publisher Kregel, and was not required to give a positive review.

Liesl Bower is an accomplished pianist. She had been mentored by her Harvard professor, Dr. Devoe. Fifteen years ago she saw her mentor killed, shot by Russians. She was shocked to find that Dr. Devoe had been a double agent for the CIA and for the Russians.

Unknown to Liesl, as she picked up her music, she also picked up a piece Devoe had altered to reveal the name of the Russian mole high in the Israeli Ministry of Defense. While she had been interrogated, no evidence was found to incriminate her so she had been released. She had been pursuing her music since then. Liesl had once played the piece of music Devoe had altered, was a bit confused at the "errors," but had merely packed it away.

International tensions have been recently mounting as it appears some in the Russian government are planning to regain the nation's former power. New intelligence suggests that Liesl has a document that would impact the security of the U.S. and a favored ally. Finding the coded piece of music may be the only hope in keeping Israel from being destroyed. But the ruthless Russians know of the music too and are bent on finding it before the Americans. Liesl's life is in danger as agents from both countries are desperate to find the document.

This is a well crafted book. The plot is reasonable and realistic.

I have to admit, at the first I felt like I was reading a sequel, as there is great deal of important action that happened fifteen years before. However, as the book progressed, Duffy deftly included the past into the current action so that it was a pleasure to read.

There is a good measure of intrigue and suspense. There is a past that Liesl must deal with, including a father who abandoned his family. There is a nice hint of romance for the independent Liesl to embrace.

And there is the God who Liesl shuns. Be He will not let her go, bringing people across her path who keep reminding her of His love.

This is the first in a series so I look forward to the sequel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

A finely tuned and well-orchestrated suspense novel, The Sound of Red Returning held me spellbound from the opening chapter. The suspense is faced-paced, and the book drew me in early with the search for the coded message and the global implications of a Russian power-play. Liesl is a complex character who you cannot help feel empathy for as her life is unveiled layer by layer, and she held me spellbound during her race from the enemy forces drawing in around her. I myself am a piano player, and so reading a story featuring a remarkable pianist made this book extra enjoyable for me. I also loved it when characters Cade, and his "Pop" (grandfather) were brought into the story, for they brought in a depth that added extra richness to the story. Most appreciated, the story's faith elements are woven naturally into the story, bringing to life the power of God's presence and the beauty of His grace. I loved the line uttered by Cade when he and Liesl are sitting on the dock in the dark of night, when he says "But it was God who saved me from myself". It is, indeed, only God who can save us from our own destructive desires and choices and bring good out of the bad.

I have never had the pleasure of reading a mystery from Sue Duffy before, but I will certainly be returning for book 2 in this excellent series. I highly recommend this book and grant it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book provided courtesy of the publisher and Litfuse Publicity Group, for the purposes of this unbiased review.