Billy Coffey's the devil walks in mattingly ~ Reviewed

The Devil Walks in Mattingly
By Billy Coffey
Pages 336
Binding Softcover
Release Date Jan 1, 2014
Publisher Thomas Nelson
ISBN 1401688225


Description

For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man's untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.

It has been twenty years since Philip McBride's body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since--Philip didn't kill himself that day. He was murdered.

Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly's sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.

Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake's dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . . between truth and lies.

Review:

the devil walks in mattingly is a fascinating blend of literary delicacies, page turning intensity, moments of horror, and a picture of grace and the human race's need for it. 

Jake and Kate have lived in small town Mattingly their entire lives. That comes with it's own baggage. Jake carries the burden of the blood that runs through his veins and the expectations of every member in town. Adding to the burden is Jake's status as sheriff. 

Jake and Kate bear another burden. One that ties them to a classmates death twenty years earlier. Unfortunately, those ties have haunted them both since the fateful day long ago. Each, in his or her way deals with the horror of choices they made, but very much alone and very much without hope of ever feeling set free from the past. 

Enter another member of that fateful day and his desire to cleanse and make right the wrongs. However, his mind has been touched by the Hollow where he has sequestered himself, the haunted hollow that is full of eyes. 

With more twists and turns in intensity the story unfolds and involves the entire town. Lives are lost, grace is found, peace is made, hope reignites. 

Who will love this book? If you think it sounds intriguing and you aren't bothered by spiritual elements that are extra biblical, blood, or high levels of suspense you should check it out. If you prefer your fiction to be light and inspirational or are bothered by speculation or a lack of clear steps to finding Jesus, it's best to avoid it. 

I will read more from Billy Coffey. If you'd like to read more ABOUT him, click here for his interview at Novel Rocket.

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer