Cast The First Stone By David James Warren

Cast the First Stone

by David James Warren

Publisher: TriStone Media

Series: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone

ASIN: B08PTMZ2YK

Ok, so this is the first trifecta of James L. Rubart, David Curtis Warren, and Susan May Warren. While Susan May Warren is the only author I've read of these three, I knew that if she was involved I was going to want to read it. Thankfully I was able to be part of the launch team and was sent the ebook to read!

Summary:

One case haunts him. One chance to fix the past. One mistake could cost him everything.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Detective Rembrandt Stone walked away from a career he loved—just the price of being sure he can come home to the wife and daughter he cherishes. But he can’t shake the deep regret over a case left behind.

When his mentor, the former Chief of Homicide dies and leaves Rembrandt with a box of cold cases and a mysterious watch, he finds himself thrust into a world he recognizes—a world from twenty years ago—the same world he’s woken from in a cold sweat a hundred times. But is it a dream, or some kind of twisted reality?

If he solves the case that plagues him, and justice is finally served, will it destroy the life he loves?

Strap in for a mind-bending, time travel thrill ride in Book One of this exciting new series, The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

My Review:

Wow! Cast the First Stone was not at all what I was expecting. I mean, it was and it wasn't. And in the best of ways!

Ok, first of all, I LOVE that SMW's books are set in Minnesota. That's on a personal level because it's home to me. :) And just in case you're wondering, these locations are for real! They're not made up.

Where to start... I guess with Rem (I'll call Rembrandt, Rem, because I feel like I know him well enough for it). I don't know if this fella is just a hot mess or just misunderstood. I think like his wife, Eve, it's the latter. There's a LOT going on with him and Eve seems to be his balm. As he says in the book, she's his compass.

And Eve. There's so much depth to her. This trueness to her. She's wise and calming, and understands Rem like no other. Not even his partner, Burke.

Then life takes the bizarre shift with the watch from Booker and his cold case files. Like him, that would seriously freak me out. I'd think I was dreaming, too. I mean, how far would you have to go in a dream to start thinking it's real? And would you ever get to that point? SO many questions. Ha!

I would probably do the same things Rem does in this dream reality. I'd tell people to Google something or ask if there's an Uber. Think of how everything has changed since 1997! Nobody is Shazam-ing their music back then. lol And as he's trying to solve this bomber case, how does he do it without letting on he knows what will happen in the future and not sound like he should be institutionalized?

The story got my blood pumping as they try to track down the bomber. With all of the advancements we've made in technology and crime scene investigations, 1997 seems like the dark ages. And Rem is up against that wall except for the hindsight - or is it foresight - to give him those "hunches" of what's to come. 

Now, I will say that this isn't a faith based novel. Those of you who read SMW novels might not be expecting that, hence my heads up. This novel is... steamier that what we're typically used to. It's clean, to be sure, but does talk about their relationship over the years. There's a part of Rem's story that reminds me of the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping. His killer was actually found to be in my little town, not too far from where I lived when I first moved there. Only a few houses away.

Of course the ending leaves us hanging with shock and while we're given a peek into book 2, it only made my heart clench more! I need the next book NOW!

About the Authors:

 

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at http://jameslrubart.com/

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves travelling and telling stories about life, adventure and faith.
For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.