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Customer Reviews for Baker The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Baker The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Special Agent Patrick Bowers has met only one person he's feared---until now. Working on a North Carolina serial murder case, he's caught in a macabre game of cat-and-mouse with a cunning killer called the Illusionist. The pieces of the puzzle don't add up. Can Bowers unravel the pattern in time to save the next victim?
Average Customer Rating:
(53 Reviews) 53
Rating Snapshot (53 reviews)
5 stars
30
4 stars
6
3 stars
5
2 stars
4
1 star
8
11 out of 1573%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Review 1 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:September 14, 2012
Jools
Location:Queensland, Australia
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I loved this book and can't wait to get the next in the series. Well written suspense and thriller.
However, I was searching for God in the pages, and never really found Him. I would recommend this book to many of my friends who read crime and suspense novels, but maybe not to my more "protected" (for want of a better word) friends who read less.... gritty novels.
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Review 2 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:May 1, 2012
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
This book is a great suspense/thriller. This is a book that will hook you and make you keep reading, however, being published by a christian publishing house, i was very, very disappointed because I couldn't find to much of God within these pages.
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Review 3 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Dissapointed, not for teens
Date:June 8, 2012
concerned mom
Location:Iowa
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
My daughter saw this, and the others in the series, in the Christian book catalog. She is 16, and thought it sounded great. We watch CSI TV shows, so she thought it would be something like that. I often pre-read the books I think are questionable for her. I don't usually do that on books from CBD, but it sounded good to me also, so I read it. I am extremely disappointed that a CHRISTIAN book club would offer this. The first chapter shows a suicide pact with 2 teens, then later in the book it shows a teen who was "cutting" herself for a way to cope with stress. How is this a good message to send to anyone, let alone teens. It glorifies self mutilation as a way to deal with stress.
I purchased all 5 books available in the series, and now don't want to read them or let my daughter read them.
My daughter was so excited to get these, and now I have to tell her she can't read them. Very sad. I thought getting them from a "Christian" book company would make it a "safe" read. I guess I will have to be more careful in the future.
I purchased all 5 books available in the series, and now don't want to read them or let my daughter read them.
My daughter was so excited to get these, and now I have to tell her she can't read them. Very sad. I thought getting them from a "Christian" book company would make it a "safe" read. I guess I will have to be more careful in the future.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 4 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Very entertaining
Date:February 3, 2012
Cliff
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
This is a very entertaining page-turning thriller.
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Review 5 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Riveting!
Date:March 1, 2012
Phil Devaney
Location:Fort Kent, ME
Age:45-54
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book was outstanding. Seeing as how I usually read portions of it just before bed, there were nights I didn't sleep so well, but it was well worth the lost sleep. I had a hard time putting it down to keep up with the other (non-fictional) reading that needed to get done.
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+1point
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Review 6 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:February 3, 2012
Rettadip
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
SuspensefUl, but an easy read all together. First time I read this author, will be looking for more!
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Review 7 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Dishonors the name of the Lord
Date:February 3, 2012
Monkey mom
Location:Lebanon, PA
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
Philippians 4:8 says to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely & of good report. This book met none of those standards and I am deep saddened and disturbed that this book is called Christian fiction. Horrible and disgraceful, it does not bring honor to the Lord in any way.
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+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
Review 8 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Loved it!!!
Date:November 25, 2011
DRev15
Location:Torrington, CT
Age:25-34
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I just got through reading this book and I was riveted to the very last chapters. Love the way James tells the story and jumps back and forth between characters in order to build the suspense. Many times I just sat back and took a break from reading so I could mentally catch my breath and process all that was going on. Love it. It would make for a great movie series. Thanks James, look forward to reading the The Rook.
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0points
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Review 9 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:January 7, 2012
InJoy
Location:Seattle
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
1
out of
5
Good writing style, but subject matter of constant macbre murder of women was distasteful.
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 10 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
An Amazing Start to the Game!
Date:September 6, 2011
Evan
Location:United States
Age:Under 18
Gender:male
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
The Pawn is the first work of Steven's that I have read. I have been wanting to get the book for more than three years as I was intrigued by the synopsis when I read it at a bookstore. Sadly, I never got to it.
After seeing that he was one of the five authors that would be at the Ragged Edge writer's conference with Ted Dekker and hearing one of the people in my writing group say how much he loves the Steven's books, I knew that he was worth checking out. So I got the first four books and jumped into The Pawn right away. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed at all.
The main character, Dr. Patrick Bowers is as real as a character in a novel can get. With the first person point of view, it was easy to get into his head and plant yourself there, understand the way he thinks. Of course, there needs to be a romantic aspect to this novel, and Steven delivers it with romantic tension between Patrick and Lien-hua Jiang, another special agent who does not agree with Bowers on his tactics in investigations.
Aside from the romantic aspects of relationships, there is a great tension between Patrick and his stepdaughter, Tessa whom Patrick is not on good terms with. Their relationship is one that I look forward to seeing progress throughout the series.
This book is a serial killer novel, and is full of the twists and turns that I expect from every book in the crime genre. The killer, who calls himself the Illusionist is one of the best villains that I have read. He is always one step ahead of Bowers and Co., and leads them (and the reader) to places that they never want to go. He is cunning, twisted, and will keep the reader on the edge of their seats until the very very end... and beyond.
As said earlier, this is a serial killer novel, which means that there is violence. Steven does not back away from showing evil for what it is and many people who have read this novel have been disturbed by it. I am going to warn you that if you don't have a strong stomach and cannot handle the way things are that they are.
The Pawn was a great novel and placed Steven right up with some of my favorite authors!
After seeing that he was one of the five authors that would be at the Ragged Edge writer's conference with Ted Dekker and hearing one of the people in my writing group say how much he loves the Steven's books, I knew that he was worth checking out. So I got the first four books and jumped into The Pawn right away. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed at all.
The main character, Dr. Patrick Bowers is as real as a character in a novel can get. With the first person point of view, it was easy to get into his head and plant yourself there, understand the way he thinks. Of course, there needs to be a romantic aspect to this novel, and Steven delivers it with romantic tension between Patrick and Lien-hua Jiang, another special agent who does not agree with Bowers on his tactics in investigations.
Aside from the romantic aspects of relationships, there is a great tension between Patrick and his stepdaughter, Tessa whom Patrick is not on good terms with. Their relationship is one that I look forward to seeing progress throughout the series.
This book is a serial killer novel, and is full of the twists and turns that I expect from every book in the crime genre. The killer, who calls himself the Illusionist is one of the best villains that I have read. He is always one step ahead of Bowers and Co., and leads them (and the reader) to places that they never want to go. He is cunning, twisted, and will keep the reader on the edge of their seats until the very very end... and beyond.
As said earlier, this is a serial killer novel, which means that there is violence. Steven does not back away from showing evil for what it is and many people who have read this novel have been disturbed by it. I am going to warn you that if you don't have a strong stomach and cannot handle the way things are that they are.
The Pawn was a great novel and placed Steven right up with some of my favorite authors!
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Review 11 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Kept up late...with the light on
Date:August 19, 2011
Jennifer Thompson
Location:Santa Fe, NM
Age:25-34
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
It didn't take long to get into this story, and once in, it's hard to get out. Excellent writing and a unique approach to crime-solving make it a delightful read. Some violence, which I don't mind. None of it seemed gratuitous. I wish there were a bit more depth in some descriptions and side characters. At times I felt I didn't have the complete picture--not because it was a mystery, but more in terms of "color" or "field of vision." But really, that's a minor issue. Everything else clicked: the protagonist was interesting and likable, the creepy scenes were really creepy, and, as I mentioned, the writing is excellent. I will definitely continue reading this series.
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Review 12 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Great Psychological Thriller
Date:July 30, 2011
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This was an excellent read and I highly recommend it, but wouldn't suggest it for younger readers. It is a psychological thriller that is well written, the characters are well developed as is the plot. I had a hard time putting it down and can't wait to go on to book 2 in the series. I would put him up there with Patricia Cornwell for those who like the mystery/psychological thriller genre.
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Review 13 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
This product keeps you glued to the pages.
Date:December 10, 2010
bakerruth
Location:Mitchell, SD
Age:55-65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
This book is very interesting, keeps you right on the page. I would recommend all books by Steven James, an excellent writer. I can't wait to finish this book and start on book #2!!!!
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0points
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Review 14 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
It is a great story. Told by a great storyteller.
Date:December 6, 2010
broallen
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
It is a wonderful book. The series is also great. You should expect the unexpected. You will really enjoy this book.
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0points
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Review 15 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Not for the faint of heart. Graphic Murders
Date:November 11, 2010
terry
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I am used to reading Christians books where God is a prominent subject. Although, faith is mentioned in the book, it is not a prominent subject. I appreciated that there were no cuss words or sex scenes. The crimes were graphically described. So be warned.
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Review 16 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:July 22, 2010
John Doe
The book is extremely gruesome, and so are the other books in the series. It does not have a very Christian theme, and I would not recommend it. Especially right before bedtime.The plot wasn't bad, but not overly good, either. So if extreme violence does not bother you, maybe you'd like it.
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 17 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:August 26, 2010
Julie Overmiller
Steven James is an author to watch. The Pawn begins a phenomenal series. You are on the edge of your seat and cannot wait to turn the page. Very well written. The plot pulls you in and won't let go. Can't wait to read future books!
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+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 18 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:June 15, 2010
Patricia Sykes
I have just start to read the book it is great.I am very happy with all my books that i get from CBD thanks
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 19 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:January 27, 2010
Todd
Reading the various reviews, I noticed a clear pattern. The high reviews raved about excellent writing, a fast-paced plot, and well developed characters. The negative reviews focused on attacks on the author's motives, faith, and spirituality. To me, this begs the question, what makes good Christian fiction? What makes good Christian fiction? Is it rainbows, singing, and happy endings? Or is it the use of skill to craft a book that avoids the pitfall of devolving into glorified sex and gratuitous violence? It is a testament to Steven's skill that he is able to evoke such a visceral response when he peels away the mask and lets us gaze into the face of evil. Fact is: If you enjoy a fast paced crime thriller, with plot twists and 3-dimensional characters, then this is a good choice. If you feel that books that include violence or conflict are evil, then don't read it. Oh, and you may not want to read the Old Testament, either.
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+4points
4of 4voted this as helpful.
Review 20 for The Pawn, The Bower Files Series #1
Overall Rating:
Date:January 4, 2010
BOOKWORM
I loved this book and I'll tell you why.... I realized after finishing this book there was some foreshadowing that leads me to believe that Patrick Bowers will end up saved. After reading the Rook and the Knight I am confident that is the direction Steven James plans on taking. I believe his idea was to continue in the series.. Bishop, Queen maybe and King... Maybe even a final Checkmate or something. I think the story has been planned for a while and that to him the salvation of the main characters is a must. I agree the book is slighty disturbing (the other two not nearly as graphic), these things happen in real life. I think he has done adequate research with Police forces, counselors, pastors, military, etc. He is an awesome story teller. The only reason I continue reading is because I firmly believe he has a Godly purpose. And we may not see it initially but its coming.
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