Fragments of Fear

By Carrie Stuart Parks

FBI-certified forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks infuses her real-life expertise into her award-winning suspense novels.

Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers.

Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she was commissioned to draw the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body.

As Evelyn herself becomes a target, she crosses paths with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. The more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he becomes in keeping her safe. Together, they’re desperate to find the links between so many disparate pieces.

Stolen art. A New Mexico archaeological dig. An abandoned dog. And a secret that’s worth killing for. And the clock is ticking.

Praise for Fragments of Fear:

“A rollercoaster ride with a lovable protagonist and a suspenseful, twisty plot.” —Colleen Coble

“Over the years, Carrie has mastered forensic art, fine art, and her own brand of offbeat humor. As a novelist she combines these skills with another: puzzle writing––scattering puzzle pieces all over her fictional universe and then dropping them into place in twists, surprises, revelations, and side-pocket whimsy until the big picture emerges, never too soon, always on the brink of disaster.” —Frank Peretti

“I love Carrie Stuart Park's skill in writing characters with hysterical humor, unwitting courage, and page-turning mystery. I hope my readers won't abandon me completely when they learn about her!” —Terri Blackstock, USA TODAY bestselling author of the If I Run series

“Carrie Stuart Parks has been a favorite author of mine since I read her first book. She's one of the few authors I'll give up sleep for! Without fail, she delivers stories that reel me in and keep me turning pages until I'm done and craving more. Fragments of Fear is sure to make you a Carrie Stuart Parks addict as well! #CSPaddictandproudofit” —Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9780785226161

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy, multiple Carol, and Inspy Award–winning author. She was a 2019 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in mainstream mystery/suspense and has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law-enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.

Reviews for Fragments of Fear

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Tavish’s world is turned upside down when her fiancé dies, but soon, it becomes much worse. She tries to return a dog to its owner, only to discover he has been killed. And when she tries to report it to the police, the body and all traces are gone. Things get rapidly worse, and Tavish soon is on the run for her life. She must decide whom to trust, and eventually, she puts her trust in God. The story is a suspenseful one, and so much happens to Tavish that you may wonder how she manages to survive. It is the much convoluted and contrived happenings that led me to give it three stars instead of four. The book is quite entertaining and I enjoyed it, but I found some aspects so far fetched that their inclusion detracted from the story.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Evelyn McTavish is an accomplished but struggling artist and she seems to have a hard time realizing her self-worth. "Tavish" has apparently had a weight problem in the past so she has a poor self-image of herself, her relationship with her mother is very strained, and she has just buried her fiance when this book begins. Suddenly, she finds herself caretaker to a dog whose owner has been murdered and running from the person who probably killed him. As the story continues, Tavish and FBI Special Agent Sawyer Price work together to find answers as more murders are committed, art work is stolen and art forgeries are discovered. Along the way, Tavish has her car stolen, she becomes a walking target, and she finds her sanity being questioned. Who is behind this and why is she the target? Sawyer seems to want to protect her but are his motives honest and pure? Perhaps the only positive outcome from all of her problems is that Evelyn Yvonne McTavish finally begins a relationship with the Heavenly Father that her late beloved grandmother had encouraged her to find.I must admit that I don't often read stories set in New Mexico so I enjoyed the references to Albuquerque and the use of Native American artifacts in the plot. I also enjoyed the unending suspense and trying to guess just what was coming next. Fragments of Fear is filled with non-stop action and danger and I can see why other readers are so eager to Parks's books. This was my first time to read a book by Carrie Stuart Parks but it won't be my last!I voluntarily received an Advance Reader's Copy from Thomas Nelson as part of JustRead Publicity Tours but I was not required to write a positive review.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a big fan of Carrie Stuart Parks. She always delivers great high-octane suspense! Her latest novel, Fragments of Fear, starts out fast and the action never lets up. I really liked main character, Tavish. She is wounded and quirky, with no real sense of who she really is. But throughout her ordeal she gains wisdom, confidence, and control of her life. She also grows spiritually, although she does has a long way to go in finding out Who she really believes in. If you love dogs, you will love the very present character of Marley — I loved her interactions and responses with Tavish. The third person point of view gives the reader insight into Tavish, as well as FBI agent/love interest, Sawyer Price. Yes, there are sparks that accompany the suspense. There is also a good bit of humor mixed in, giving Fragments of Fear almost a cozy mystery feel. But only almost — the bad guys are very bad. The New Mexico setting is vivid — I felt I was right there with Tavish.I found Fragments of Fear to be a very quick read. I just couldn’t wait to find out whodunit! I am betting you won’t be able to put it down either.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[harley0326 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tavish is a very wealthy young woman who doesn't have the best relationship with her mother. I guess if you call your mother by her first name, it is obvious there is a fracture in the relationship. I didn't care for Tavish's mother at all. Maybe her mother is upset that her daughter is independent and doesn't always do what her mother wants her to do. Her mother is always requesting Tavish's appearance at functions she doesn't want to be at. Whatever the reason, the author does a great job of exploring their relationship throughout the story.The suspense in the book is good and has many twists in it. What would you do if you received a call from an animal shelter saying to come pick up your dog before it is euthanized? Tavish is quite confused with the call because she doesn't own a dog, but I'm so glad she has a good heart. The dog is a clue to something that brings the story to an adventure filled with secrets and danger. I adored the dog and thought it was a great addition to the story.Sawyer is charming and wants to help Tavish while trying to keep her safe. I love that he is not afraid to share his faith and encourage Tavish to not give up. It was fascinating to read about archaeology and be able to feel a part of the dig that was going on. I love the element of art in the story and have always enjoyed learning about different pieces that an artist has put their heart into. Tavish has a difficult time trusting people and when her life is in danger, she will have to learn to let her guard down and trust Sawyer. She is thrown into an unexpected turn of events that bring her to a place where she will encounter life and death. I loved how the author keeps readers guessing with her excellent ability to throw in curves that involve intrigue and surprises. It's hard to figure out who are the enemies and just what they are after which made me want to read as fast as I could. The book is very good with layers of complicated people who are after something of value. I have to say that I loved how intense the story is at times. Overall the story is well written and delves into the art world with drama, heart pounding action and a bit of faith scattered throughout the story. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[hes7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The death of her fiance and a startling revelation at his funeral turn Evelyn “Tavish” McTavish’s life upside down. A few weeks later, while attempting to reright her life and successfully pursue her art, she becomes enmeshed in something she doesn’t understand. Somehow, it involves a dog, a murder, her mother’s stolen art, an archaeological dig, and a whole lot of unanswered questions. Her life, her sanity, and her reputation are on the line as she determines how these pieces fit together.And it is a fast-paced, thrilling ride. I love stories like Fragments of Fear, where the main character sees something, but when someone else goes to investigate, all the evidence is gone. Questions like “What’s really going on?” and “How will she prove she’s not crazy?” keep me reading like mad to get to the end. Let me tell you, as the pieces quickly come together, it’s a satisfying one.Though I do wish the romance had been a tad more developed (for most of the novel, Tavish and Sawyer do not even interact), Fragments of Fear is an overall exciting, delightful suspense read. I definitely recommend it to any reader in need of some thrills and chills.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Fragments of FearAuthor: Carrie Stuart ParksPages: 336Year: 2019Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsWant to read a very captivating and thrilling book? Look no further! Carrie has once again entertained and captivated my attention with a tale that is just outstanding! I started the novel one evening rather late and hated to wait till the next day to finish it, but alas I had to. So, when I picked it up the following day, I just kept turning pages until the very end. It was an unbelievable tale about a woman who doesn’t want to be called by her real name but by Tavish, which is a part of her last name.Tavish is a brilliant woman who owns a company, is an heiress when she turns 30, and an artist. She views herself different from what is reality, and all she wants is to be loved. What changes her whole life is that she loses her fiancée and inherits a dog she at first loathes. But life is about to rush her headlong into trouble and running for her life.Tavish meets an FBI agent named Stewart though he doesn’t reveal that part of his life to her at first. Tavish and her mother don’t get along at all but wait to read what happens between these two characters! There is romance, danger, mystery, faith, adventure and more awaiting you in the pages of Fragments of Fear. When you’re done, don’t be surprised if you are wanting to read another of Carrie’s books!Don’t hold your breath when reading this exciting and surprising tale!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fragments of Fear is a fast-paced Christian suspense novel. Evelyn “Tavish” McTavish is an artist with a variety of problems (nail biting, anxiety, panic attacks, self-confidence issues). Tavish lives in the guest house on her mother’s estate and is an heiress thanks to her grandmother. Just before her first gallery showing, Tavish finds herself drawn into a dangerous mystery. Sawyer Price is an FBI Agent who finds himself attracted to Tavish and tries to keep her safe which is not an easy task. Fragments of fear is an action packed mystery full of twists and turns. You never know what is going to happen next. Tavish finds herself out of her comfort zone and in unknown territory as she tries to unravel the clues and keep herself from being killed. I like that Tavish does not give up and she continues to dig for the truth. She learns more about herself and God whom she has ignored for most of her life. I appreciate that the mystery is wrapped up at the end with complete details. Marley was just a delight. Such a sweet, loving yet plucky dog. The romance is present, but it does not dominate the story. Fragments of Fear has unknown villains, art thefts, explosive situations, missing artifacts, microchips, a spunky Puli, a concerned FBI agent, and an apprehensive heroine.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Despite having gravitated away from them for a while now due to other reading commitments, thrillers remain among my favorite genres. Finding ones that are clean (and Christian), however, can be a challenging task, so when given the opportunity to read and review “Fragments of Fear”, I jumped at the chance. The cover certainly seemed perfect for summer, with a desert landscape in smoldering shades of orange and yellow and a woman in the foreground running and looking over her shoulder. Fittingly, we were experiencing a heat wave when I began reading it. With “Fragments of Fear”, Carrie Stuart Parks creates a twisty mystery with some unique characters. Evelyn McTavish, who goes by Tavish, is not your typical heroine. Wealthy? Yes. Glamorous? Not so much. Since her beloved grandmother’s death, Tavish seems to have lost herself, and this feeling is only compounded by her fiancé’s suicide. She doesn’t share her grandmother’s faith, instead dabbling in a mixture of New Age customs, and yet Proverbs 3:5 seems to speak to her from her grandmother’s epitaph. When she gets a call from an animal shelter to come and pick up her dog, which is microchipped with her information even though she has never owned a dog, she is thrust headlong into a situation that becomes more convoluted and perilous by the minute. Parks leads readers down a series of trails, some of which turn out to be dead ends, keeping the plot moving forward at a constant pace and making this a difficult book to put down. No one is trustworthy, and the possibilities of what is transpiring and whether events are connected or not feed the uncertainty. The inclusion of the archaeology and especially the art elements enhances and adds dimension to the narrative. An aspect that I found particularly interesting was the fine art concept of negative space and how it can be applied to circumstances in daily life. Although I thought that the faith and spiritual components of this novel could have been more fully developed, Tavish’s religious journey was still nice to witness. This is a book that will appeal to both Christian and secular readers, with its combination of mystery, intrigue, light romance, and finding who you were meant to be.I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well you definitely won’t put this one down until you are finished! The fast paced action will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout wondering if the mystery will ever be solved. Evelyn or Tavish as she liked to be called is an artist with an incredible memory, which proves to be providential in the circumstances she finds herself in. Between murder, kidnapping, flash floods, gunfire and explosions, you begin to wonder who can actually be trusted and thus solve this incredible conundrum that includes forgeries and stolen artwork. Marley, the dog, is a great stress reliever for Tavish as well as the reader. He certainly brought a smile to my face a number of times. Marley’s unconditional love helped Tavish learn to believe in the verse left behind by her grandmother -‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding’. Proverbs 3:5This is my introduction to this author and I certainly will be looking for more. I received this ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions stated are my own.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a great thriller that keeps you guessing from start to finish. I loved the characters and they were well portrayed. There was so much action in this story. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Fragments of FearAuthor: Carrie Stuart ParksPages: 336Year: 2019Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsWant to read a very captivating and thrilling book? Look no further! Carrie has once again entertained and captivated my attention with a tale that is just outstanding! I started the novel one evening rather late and hated to wait till the next day to finish it, but alas I had to. So, when I picked it up the following day, I just kept turning pages until the very end. It was an unbelievable tale about a woman who doesn’t want to be called by her real name but by Tavish, which is a part of her last name.Tavish is a brilliant woman who owns a company, is an heiress when she turns 30, and an artist. She views herself different from what is reality, and all she wants is to be loved. What changes her whole life is that she loses her fiancée and inherits a dog she at first loathes. But life is about to rush her headlong into trouble and running for her life.Tavish meets an FBI agent named Stewart though he doesn’t reveal that part of his life to her at first. Tavish and her mother don’t get along at all but wait to read what happens between these two characters! There is romance, danger, mystery, faith, adventure and more awaiting you in the pages of Fragments of Fear. When you’re done, don’t be surprised if you are wanting to read another of Carrie’s books!Don’t hold your breath when reading this exciting and surprising tale!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks is a stand-alone suspense mystery. Evelyn McTavish is trying to move on after the death of her fiancé. Selling her art is the beginning but when she receives a call to pick up a dog that the shelter claims is registered to her everything seems to explode. With her life in danger her path crosses that of FBI Agent Sawyer Price. Now, with someone she can trust maybe she’ll make it out alive. If she can figure out just what is going on! This was a great story. Even though the odds were against her, Tavish never gave up. I would definitely like to read more from this author.I received this book from Celebrate-Lit in exchange for my honest review.