Kate’s Innocence
(Kate’s Case Files, #1)
by Sarah Holman
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Mystery / Suspense / FBI
Audiobook version from Audible.com, narrated by Sheri Sheridan.
5 stars — Awesome!
My Review
I had been meaning to read this book for awhile, and was planning on getting to it soon… when the author asked if I’d like to be a reviewer for the audiobook version from Audible.com. I had never reviewed an audiobook before, or used Audible, but it sounded like fun, so I thought why not jump on this? I’m very glad I did!
The Story
I don’t read a lot of contemporary, mystery sort of stories, and agent-y stories even less, but I found this one intriguing for the most part.
The book as a whole kept my attention the whole time and was rather gripping — I was on the edge of my seat more than once, and let me tell you, I was pretty worried about some of the characters there for awhile! The mystery was interesting and kept me reading. I will say I made one early guess as to whodunnit which was incorrect but quickly moved on to the one which turned out right, so I’m pleased on that account. 😉
It had some action and tension tossed together with some fun (always a plus!) and varied characters. Occasional things bothered me but overall it seemed very well researched, and it’s quite clean. Also different since the heroine is at college and I don’t feel like I read a lot of that…
I think it took me a little while to fully connect with the characters and get to know them at a deeper level, but by the end they kind of wormed their way into my heart and I was sort of inwardly squealing over the final scene. Cuties. ^_^ They’re fun together. I always liked Patrick; Kate was all right and at least I was rooting for her; Kim wasn’t there much but was nice, and the same with Brian; Logan was interesting (I love her gun and skirt). Thomas was a little annoying at times but that may have been the narration turning him into a bit more of an antagonist? But I really liked him by the end. Like I said, it took awhile, but by now I’m looking forward to more adventures with this team. 🙂
The Christian messages were well done. I liked how Patrick used Bible verses to comfort Kate — great scene — and I really liked the themes of trusting God instead of doing it on your own, and how He is still there for us even when we feel we’ve abandoned Him and can’t imagine He would still want us — well, He does. Those were both good reminders. (It is the most Christian FBI team I’ve ever heard of; but there you go. ;)) Anyhow, I liked the message.
As far as downsides, a few things bugged me, including some things I can’t quite put my finger on. Why didn’t they think of security cameras way earlier on? Why was the murder hardly mentioned, as if a death was less serious than blown up buildings where no one was killed? Why were they so biased against Kate and then didn’t bat an eye at the suspiciousness of someone obviously suspicious to me? (Okay, that may have been for the plot, but still. ;)) Kate didn’t seem to always act like someone who had been in the military and a few of the attitudes of the characters felt narrow-minded or judgmental toward others.
Those are a few examples off the top of my head. But overall they were little things that didn’t detract too much from the story — I just absorbed and enjoyed it. 🙂
The Audio
The audiobook is narrated by Sheri Sheridan, and I really enjoyed getting to listen to it. She was a pleasant narrator and did some great voices and got some of the emotion and action down really well. Hearing it in audio form like this was almost like watching a movie or TV show! I was very immersed in the story and it was very fun. 🙂
My only problem with the audio version was that the “extras” (dedication, author’s notes, acknowledgements, etc.) at the beginning and end seemed like they repeated? Which was kind of annoying. Unless it was my own total lack of knowledge regarding Audible audiobooks (which I’d never used before), which is entirely possible. *shrug*
I do wonder what I would have thought of some of it if I had read instead of heard it… I speculate that I may have liked Kate less and Thomas more if I didn’t listen to the audio version. But that’s just speculation, so I’m not sure.
Anyways, I definitely recommend picking up an audio copy if you want to give this adventure a try! I’m sure the book is enjoyable to read as well, but there’s something special about absorbing it this way, and it was a nice way to pass the time while I was exercising or folding laundry. 🙂
Conclusion
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I loved going along for the adventure with this cast. If you like mysteries, agents, FBI, contemporary, Christian stories, with possibly a dash of hints at a maybe-someday-romance (Maybe? 😀 *wriggles eyebrows*), then be sure to give a go at reading Kate’s Innocence! Or if you’d rather feel like you’re watching a TV show, let Sheri Sheridan read it to you. 😉 Either way, you’re in for an enjoyable ride. 🙂
(I received a free audiobook edition of this book from Audible.com from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
About the Book
What would you do if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit?
Kate watched as her campus was torn apart by bombs and now is being accused of perpetrating the crime. As the evidence quickly stacks up against her, she begins to lose hope that the truth will come to light. Even though the handsome FBI Agent, Patrick, has taken up her cause, will they be able to prove her innocence? Will God, who she neglected for so long, listen to her prayers for help?
Patrick is an agent with a very special team of agents. He wants to help Kate prove she is innocent, but as each new piece of evidence is revealed, that goal seems harder. He wonders why he feels so compelled to help her and so sure she is innocent despite the evidence. Will he be willing to put his job on the line to help her? Can he trust in God to make sure the truth will come out in the end?
Find it online:
Audible (Audiobook) | Amazon (book) | Goodreads (book) | Goodreads (Audiobook)
Giveaways! (Giveaway Ended)
Want to win a copy of the audiobook? Sarah Holman is holding a giveaway for it! Go check out this post where we’re introduced to Sheri Sheridan, who did the narration for Kate’s Innocence, and if you scroll down to the bottom there’s a giveaway for the Kate’s Innocence audiobook, running till the end of August, I believe. Anyways, check it out if you’re interested! (And if you read this review, I’m assuming you are. ;))
That’s just one of several giveaways that Sarah is holding on her blog during the month of August, so if you’ve been meaning to try some of Sarah’s stories, now’s your chance! So go on with you, check out her blog and enter the giveaways! ^_^
(Giveaways in August 2016 at www.thedestinyofone.com)
About Sarah Holman (Author)
Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of many published books and short stories. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.
You can find her online at her author blog, www.TheDestinyOfOne.com. She is also the administrator at www.HomeschooledAuthors.com.
About Sheri Sheridan (narrator)
Audiobook narrator of Kate’s Innocence and other books. Check out Sheri Sheridan’s website, Facebook, and the very fun interview/intro with her that was posted on Sarah Holman’s blog! 🙂
Deborah O'Carroll (Road of a Writer) 