False Witness by Randy Singer

Reviewed by Karri Compton

"...a great addition to Singer's works and to the library of every reader."

Clark Shealy, along with his wife Jessica, is in the repossession business. He only thinks his life is full of trouble, when a car repo goes bad. But when Jessica is abducted and held for ransom, he must do anything within his power to free her.

In order to save a life, he has to sacrifice another. The kidnappers want Dr. Kumari, an Indian mathematician, in exchange for Jessica. Kumari has discovered a complex algorithm that breaks internet encryption and makes it possible to throw the worldwide web into utter chaos.

A few years later, a couple involved in the witness protection program ask for legal aid in a case that pits them against the government. Jamie Brock and her associates decide to help out, and in doing so unwittingly sign up for the trial of a lifetime. All the players and pieces are put together in a game of wits and danger that culminates in an explosive ending.

Randy Singer has long been my favorite author of legal thrillers. I can count on one hand the authors I enjoy in this genre, and Randy is at the top of the list. He uses a complex cast of characters whose stories weave into each other.

My only complaints with the book were that I didn't sympathize with Clark at first because I didn't like his character (he later changes into someone the reader can like), and it took several chapters for the action to really get going. Dr. Kumari, however, is wonderful and compelling—thankfully he rubs off on Clark.

Back to the pros of the story—Singer makes readers aware of the problem of human rights and trafficking in India, and he is donating all royalties from the novel to the Dalit Freedom Network. The story becomes even more compelling when one comes face to face with the fact that many of the tragic happenings in the book are based in reality. In conclusion, it's a great addition to Singer's works and to the library of every reader.

Karri Compton, wife and mother of three, devours Christian fiction whenever possible. Her favorite genre is suspense/thriller, especially Ted Dekker novels. Since promoting biblical worldview fiction is dear to her heart, she reviews on her blog, Fiction Fanatics Only! and is a staff reviewer and interviewer for such sites as The Christian Suspense Zone. Her latest published work appears in Peculiar People's novel collaboration, Delivered. She is a member of such writers' groups as The Lost Genre Guild and FCW. Editing the completed first draft of her novel keeps her busy, as well as performing in musicals put on by her local community theater association.