Valley of the Shadow

This book was excellent! It was so engrossing! I couldn't wait to read what happened next! Recommendation: Read Vanish first to get the background. It is just as good!

A page turner and a good sequel to Vanish. The chapters hop from one character to the next intertwing you through their journey, thus making you anticipate the next chapter even more. No dull spots, but for the plot to make sense Vanish is a must read. I cannot wait to read more by this author, as this is my kind of science fiction.

Tom Pawlik again hooked me in with this spine-tingling sequel to his award winning novel `Vanish'. `Valley of the Shadow' is the adrenalin-filled conclusion to Mitch's journey through the Interworld. Tom's skill with the genre of suspense as his vehicle to present some very deep spiritual truths, is exceptional. This gritty novel provides remarkable insight into emotions that fill our lives. Mitch's story shows how hate and rage can take shape in our lives and how Jesus longs to free us when we are willing to surrender to Him. I was also very clearly reminded of how Satan desires for us to languish in the filth of our lives. I found the amalgamation between this world and the spirit world captivating and intriguing. Tom accomplishes the balance of interplay between the two realms in a manner that feels completely believable and leaves you imagining things you never previously considered. Review by Tracy for Relz Reviewz

First of all, if you haven't read 'Vanish', you need to read it before reading this one. This book takes place 2 months after 'Vanish' ended. It is an awesome book, full of suspense and heart pounding action. You will definitely want to stay up all night and finish this book. I had to force myself to put it down so that I could go to bed and get up for work the next morning. The books is written so well that you feel like you are actually there with the characters. Pawlik develops each character very well, too. There are lessons to be learned here and this book will appeal to nonbelievers as well as Christians. It made me cry and it made me gasp in awe as Pawlik describes souls leaving earth on their way to heaven. I don't want to give away too much, so I won't say much more. There are two HUGE surprising twists at the end. He also adds a twist in the story that you would never, ever have expected at all. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!

Connor Hayden died from a heart attack (see VANISH) and his spirit was sent to Interworld, a place that connects the mortal realm with the spiritual one. Having been resuscitated, Connor checks on those people who died and were resurrected that same night. He finds out about Devon, Mitch and a few others. Some went to the other side. Mitch is in a coma while Devon is in juvenile prison when a stranger, someone he brought back from the other side, helps him escapes and tries to "save him Mitch is in Interworld with farmer Howard Bristol who is keeping him alive preventing him from moving on thanks to a deal he made with Death. If he keeps him there too long, Mitch's body will die in the mortal world and his spirit go to hell. God has allowed Nathan, a spirit like him, to help him return to his body on the mortal plane. Devon's "helper" orders him to kill but his family and the Good Samaritan makes him hesitate. Connor is led to the Bristol farm to learn the truth of farmer Howard Bristol. The lesson in VALLEY OF THE SHADOW is that people take actions and must be held responsible and accountable for them even when influenced by malevolence like Howard, the personification of evil who intends to abuse God's will to turn the flock from the lord. This inspirational supernatural thriller never deeply preaches (though more so than its predecessor); as Tom Pawlik subtly uses his cast and story line to bring his message of spiritual choices and healing to the reader. Filled with twists including a great finishing one, this is an emotional uplifting thriller. Harriet Klausner