Betrayed

This is a book I can highly recommend for suspense lovers, and for those who like to learn about other countries. Ms Windle includes a lot of background information about Guatemala and its politics. She also shares much about the geography of the area and the people with their many problems. The story is about Vicki Andrews, who along with her younger sister Holly, is adopted under circumstances unknown to them when their parents are killed during what the US government announces was a robbery. Vicki discovers her sister's dying body in a dump near where she is staying, and the search is on for answers. That search produces more questions than answers at first, and Vicki comes to regret starting it. She learns the history of her sister's singing of This is My Father's World, and she also learns that this is her Father's world. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in my library by this author.

Jeanette's new book Betrayed is an action-packed international thriller that has readers traveling to Guatemala. Anthropologist Vicki Andrews discovers that her sister has been murdered. The Guatemalan authorities are dismissing her death as another one of the country's frequent muggings or a kidnap-for-ransom. Vicki refuses to accept that her sister would be the victim of a random attack. She launches her own investigation and uncovers corruption buried so deep that it crosses international boundaries and may cost Vicki her life. This book consistently had me wondering what was going to happen next. While reading the book, I knew that even though the story may not be true, many of the problems Vicki faces are problems many people in Guatemala face everyday.

I've lived in Guatemala all my life, actually I was born here, so I read this book from another perspective. First, Jeanette has opened my eyes to some things I have overlooked of Guatemala, and others of which I was suspicious (the ex-military officials and their current jobs). Last year (2007) we had our presidential elections, and on of the presendial candidates was an ex-general, Perez Molina, who had fought in the civil war. He was one of the Kaibil soldiers (elite) trained by American Green Berets to fight the guerilla. Once you've read this book you will also have your suspicions of Perez Molina, and who knows what massacres he was part of. Second, the message of the book is very powerful, full of meaning. Third, this book has a different style to all of the other books. It's very historical, and by that I mean that she uses the past and how it affects the life of most of the characters, now. Also, you don't know who the 'bad' guys are until the very end. This book and Crossfire are the best books I have ever read. Buy it. You won't be disappointed (and yes Guatemala is as Jeanette says it is).

Sisters, Vicki and Holly Andrews couldn't be more different in personality, life choices and career. Vicki champions underprivileged children all over the world while the glamorous Holly advocates for animals and the environment. When Vicki's latest assignment sees the sisters reconnect in Guatemala, a tragedy reminiscent of their fractured childhood occurs, leaving Vicki alone and afraid yet determined to uncover the evil lurking in the jungle and find justice for her sister. I devoured Jeanette Windle's engrossing thrillers set in South America, Crossfire, Firestorm and The DMZ so eagerly anticipated the release of Betrayed from Tyndale House. I was not disappointed. Jeanette again returns to South America, a world she knows so well from her childhood and later as a missionary. Guatemala comes alive as Jeanette's skilful hand describes the pitiful "garbage people", the immense beauty of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere and the political minefields that plague this developing nation. The characters are diverse and well developed, complex in both personality and motivation. Intrigue, danger and a subtle and unexpected romance are seamlessly interwoven with a message of God's love and faithfulness in the face of unimaginable human suffering. Betrayed has confirmed I will read any book with J. M. Windle written on the spine!