In Point of Origin, the seventh installment of the Samantha Church Mystery Series, investigative journalist Samantha Church once again finds herself embroiled in a complex web of deceit and danger as she delves into a perplexing case that hits too close to home. Serial arsonists set a devastating house fire that kills Carol Brown, the best friend of her daughter, April. Haunted by April’s grief and despair, Sam embarks on a journey to avenge Carol’s death and bring the killers to justice. As the book unfolds, Sam finds herself drawn into a difficult case with roots buried deep in the past. With her journalistic instincts aflame, Sam sets out on a relentless pursuit of the truth, determined to uncover the elusive origin that ties these destructive events together. As Sam digs deeper into the case, she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts powerful forces determined to keep the truth hidden at any cost. Joined by her loyal friends and allies, Sam navigates through a labyrinth of suspicious characters, each harboring their own dark secrets. But as Sam edges closer to the truth, she realizes that she may not only be putting herself, but her daughter and the ones she loves, in the crosshairs of dangerous adversaries—enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their motives and secrets hidden. Point of Origin is an engrossing tale of deception, betrayal and redemption that will keep readers and fans of the mystery series on edge until the very last page. With its intricate plot twists and compelling characters, this latest installment in the Samantha Church Mystery Series will captivate fans of suspense and intrigue alike.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Point of Origin follows Samantha Church on a intense, complex and personal crime journey. Powered by well written characters and interesting stretches of dialogue, the novel features a well written storyline that will keep readers engage.
Prose: Betta Ferrendelli's text benefits from a beautiful level of detail that emphasizes atmosphere and character descriptions. Her short, information-packed chapters are easy to digest, and there is a gentle warmth to the cast's interactions that enhances their individuality.
Originality: Point of Origin is a confidently written mystery thriller with a well established lead character and the promise of further entries in the series to come. The story is full of suspenseful twists and turns that arise organically within the storytelling.
Character/Execution: Ferrendelli's protagonist, the investigative journalist Samantha Church, is well rounded, bravely fighting her inner demons as she diligently tracks a serial arsonist. Additionally, themes of motherhood, justice, and betrayal are keenly reinforced by the authentic, emotional depth of Point of Origin's main characters.
Date Submitted: July 16, 2024
Sam’s devotion to her family is a highlight throughout, especially to April, as she’s careful not to put work ahead of her time with her daughter—though her search for the arsonists sometimes overshadows those goals. Sam still carries guilt over her alcoholism, and Ferrendelli probes the limits of that dark emotion, using it as a catalyst to fuel Sam’s efforts, sometimes misplaced, to help April’s deep depression after Carol’s murder—as in the scene where Sam gives April a pony, expressing to a friend that “I want nothing more than for her to be happy and okay. And I don’t know what else I can do. She’s all I have left of me.”
The story stumbles when it centers too much on extraneous clues connected to the arsonists, getting bogged down by lengthy descriptions of firefighting equipment and Sam’s obsession with her weight (Ferrendelli includes multiple references to Sam’s physique, characterizing her throughout as trying to “shed the pounds”). Crime scenes are fittingly intense, and the arsonists’ excitement—and obsession—at setting fires is disturbing to read, but the ending stays upbeat. Scenes at Sam’s beloved ranch, her oasis of calm in a sea of chaos and evil, are uplifting, as is the blossoming romance between Sam’s grandmother, Nona, and her longtime friend Howard, offering readers some glimmers of hope amidst the foreboding darkness.
Takeaway: Single mom fighting her own demons hunts for serial arsonists.
Comparable Titles: Sara Paretsky’s Burn Marks, Christopher Pike’s Slumber Party.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
