I’ve never before read a novel by Carrie Stuart Parks, but with the unique synopsis of her newest release I was excited to give it a try. “Formula of Deception” is a complicated, hair-raising, and fascinatingly detailed suspense novel from Thomas Nelson Publishers that had me reading long into the night as I quickly flipped the pages to discover how the story was finally resolved.

So much about this novel was unexpected. Of course, the unexpected is to be expected in a suspense novel(!) but there was more to it than that. The number of murders kept rising and rising… until I wouldn’t have been shocked if the protagonist was the next to die! Another element that was unique to this story is the fascinating and detailed description of forensic artistry – I really learned a lot about this specific category of police investigations. The history included in this mystery (which begins way back during WWII) was also very interesting, plus a little – or a lot – unsettling and disturbing (but to say any more about this would give away spoilers). And finally, the last revelations of this story were absolutely astonishing, and turn the entire plot on its head.

All in all, “Formula of Deception” is a well-done suspense novel that will keep you on your toes and guessing until the very end. Although it is unlike other stories I’ve read in the genre, it was enjoyable nonetheless. I will certainly be on the lookout for future books by Carrie Stuart Parks, and I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a hair-raising story filled with secrets and twists that ensure you won’t be able to stop reading until you’ve reached the end!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.