Ezra James used to be a big deal: Harvard graduate, FBI agent, beautiful wife. After being accused of fabricating evidence in a serial killer trial, he finds himself suspended, on the verge of a divorce, and working security at a posh Catholic school in Chicago. Then something out-of-the-ordinary happens: a young student-teacher is attacked during a Christmas pageant and left for dead in the snow with a noose around her neck and an electrical burn. Plus, she’s pregnant. Ezra, along with up-and-coming police detective, Lucia Vargas, and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo, must work fast before the culprit returns to finish the job.
My Review:
I love a mystery that challenges my intellect and makes me dig into memories, searching for snippets from past scholars, novels read, and experiences lived. How Everything Turns Away did all that, plus it is an easy read coupled with a puzzling mystery. I found the story a compelling whodunit, as the hunt to identify the evil-doer unfolded. But I also found myself turning pages to discover why Kolbe’s protagonist, Ezra James, FBI Agent, was now working security for a private school. James’ relationships with Detective Lucia Vargas, and school chaplain, Fr. Remy Mbombo are intriguing and left me wanting more time with these characters. Entertaining and well-paced, if this is the first book in The Ezra James Series, I hope Kolbe keeps his promise and quickly produces the second.
Meet Steven J. Kolbe:
Mystery Author, Teacher, Book Reviewer: Steven J. Kolbe studied at NOCCA and LSU in Louisiana before earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from Kansas State University. He started his writing career as a lowly student worker for the prestigious literary journal The Southern Review. If you received a formal rejection letter in the mid-2000s, he probably sealed the envelope. He has published fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in various newspapers, magazines, and journals since that time. He lives in Southwest Kansas with his wife and three children. Learn more about Steven at https://stevenjkolbe.com/
