Skip to main content

Possession

Review

Possession

Vance Graegan is making what seems to be a purely sacrificial move. He’s offered to take an early retirement from the police force and move across the country so his wife Lindy can pursue her dream of opening a deli. The real reason behind this decision is indeed partly sacrificial (to save his flailing marriage) and partly self-preservation (to save his sanity). The D.C. Sniper case he worked a few years ago has taken an emotional and mental toll on Vance, and he’s more than ready for a fresh start.

When the Graegans arrive in California, the movers inform them that they are holding all of their possessions for ransom. Legally, the movers are covered because of a clause in the contract that the Graegans have signed. It soon becomes clear, however, that this is no ordinary scam for money, but a much more sinister scheme that involves secrets from Vance’s past --- secrets that he has kept from Lindy, secrets that could not only destroy his marriage, but also put his entire career into question.

To his credit, and sometimes seemingly to his detriment, Vance is totally dedicated to protecting his family at any cost. He aggressively takes matters into his own hands, which helps to drive the plot along at an intense pace. Complicating things is Vance’s ex-partner, Erin, who shows up in California expressing concern for his current circumstances. For various reasons, Lindy isn’t happy at all to see Erin and makes it abundantly clear. Another hindrance is the appearance of Lindy’s mother, who has never been Vance’s biggest fan.

While Vance and Lindy may be the main characters, the star of the story is Connor, their eight-year-old son. Ever since coming across a televangelist a couple years before, Connor has been praying diligently and witnessing to anyone who will listen. The amazing wisdom and faith of this little boy plays a vital part in the climax of the story and also in the eventual spiritual conviction of his parents.

POSSESSION could be described as half mystery and half suspense. The first half keeps readers guessing about who is behind the whole thing and why. If I had to criticize one thing about the novel --- and this is minor --- it’s that the “bad guy” is revealed too quickly. However, this doesn’t take away from the intensity or the page-turning quality of the story because once the person behind the scheme is revealed, the latter half of the book provides the gripping twists and turns of a true thriller.

Author Rene Gutteridge is an expert storyteller. The characters and plot come alive from the very first page. Told from the perspectives of both Vance and Lindy, POSSESSION explores deep marital issues of sacrifice, love, trust, and even despair. The topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is handled in a subtle yet realistic manner and brings awareness to this underrated illness without banging the reader over the head with it.

Although a wonderfully woven thriller, some takeaways from this novel include discovering the value of people over things and, as previously mentioned, the importance of trust and honesty in marriage. One last word of warning from the author in the fun interview included at the end of the book: never --- ever --- forget to read the fine print!

Gutteridge is known for her sharp wit and lighter novels. POSSESSION is her second attempt at pure suspense, and she does a marvelous job of proving just what a gifted writer she is. Advice to the inspirational suspense fan: don’t begin this novel unless you have several free hours, because once you pick it up, you likely won’t want to put it down.

Reviewed by Lynda Schab on December 20, 2010

Possession
by Rene Gutteridge

  • Publication Date: December 20, 2010
  • Genres: Christian, Fiction
  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
  • ISBN-10: 1414324340
  • ISBN-13: 9781414324340