Athol Dickson author |
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The Cure 2007 Bethany House Publishers
Christy Award Finalist - suspense category, 2008 (you can read about it here)
Christian Fiction Review Best Ten of 2007 (you can read about it here)
REVIEWS:
Library Journal:
…well-written, intelligent follow-up to Dickson's Christy Award-winning River Rising. An involving,
suspenseful take on God's transforming grace, it tackles a serious issue while providing an absorbing story.
Recommended for all collections; especially relevant for readers struggling with their own addictions.
Crosswalk:
…unpredictable and surprising, even though clues are sprinkled throughout the book. The final twist was
chilling and, unfortunately, not unrealistic in today's world. …the author does a wonderful job weaving in the
deceit and the actions of those unrestrained by ethics and driven by the bottom line—a common scene in
today's headlines. …a powerful book, one that will remain on my bookshelf for a long time to come.
Publisher’s Weekly:
Rich with local dialect and scenery…. Dickson's approach is thought-provoking, and his prose beautifully
evokes the taciturn spirit of the Mainers who people this novel….full of interesting ideas and well-developed
characters.
Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com:
Athol Dickson is one of Christian suspense’s best writers, and his latest spooky thriller, The Cure, continues
his tradition of excellence.... Dickson adeptly handles his Maine setting, capturing the idioms and
idiosyncrasies of its inhabitants. His characters are original and multifaceted, and sometimes perplexing....
The plot is intriguing and fresh, and as he did in River Rising and They Shall See God, Dickson creates a
series of twists and turns that continue surprising readers through the very last pages. What is more difficult
to quantify is Dickson’s amazing ability to create a chilling atmosphere. Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca
comes to mind; readers will feel the tension through the final paragraph. If Alfred Hitchcock was still alive,
he’d be banging down Dickson’s door to make movies of his novels. (Think of what Hitchcock could do with
the scenes of homeless people gradually moving in on the small Maine town!) This is a must-read novel for
anyone interested in inspirational fiction. And even those who don’t usually read the genre will want to give it a
look.
Christian Fiction Review:
Athol Dickson presents us with another beautiful literary novel. His works stand out among all Christian
fiction, powerful and moving on so many levels.
BlogCritics Magazine:
Dickson’s skill in plotting was a highlight for me. In that department he demands the reader’s attention.... It
makes for a satisfyingly complex tale with its fair share of surprises. Dickson’s writing was another of the
book’s treats. He cuts straight to the action in efficient prose that never gets in the way of making the reader
feel part of the scene. ...a thoughtful, sometimes philosophical commentary on a range of themes from
addiction to the human condition.... For a gripping, thoughtful, and worthwhile read, Athol Dickson’s The
Cure is not to be missed.
Curled Up With a Good Book:
...a five-star book....not an easy book to read, but once the reader connects with the characters, it will be a
story that one will remember for a long time. If I had to choose my favorite book read so far this year, it
would have to be The Cure.
Heather Hunt, absolutewrite.com:
The Cure is a fascinating human interest tale in which the interconnectedness of the human race and our
universal needs are revealed through the specific life stories of Riley, Hope, and Willa. Mysteries are set up
and paid off with surprising yet satisfying revelations. Brutal violence is mixed with tender moments, and
existential musings are offset by intense action sequences. I recommend The Cure for readers who love great
writing that makes them think "what if"-- and then rethink it again.
Bookshelf Review:
The Cure is a fascinating tale fueled by hope and redemption. Here Dickson proves once again that he is not
just a true wordsmith, but a master storyteller. The cleverly crafted narrative is laced with elements of
suspense, mystery, and drama that effortlessly guide the reader along. ...a beautiful story that grants
encouragement and inspiration. Riley's journey of discovery as he seeks the true cure for his life is
breathtaking to say the least. This is redemptive storytelling at its best.
ENDORSEMENTS:
"I just finished reading Athol Dickson's The Cure, and I'm fairly certain that he has blown me -- and just about
anybody else writing general fiction and suspense -- completely out of the water…. The true test of a book, I
think, is the resonance of its ending; two weeks after finishing The Cure, its ending is still sending ripples
through my every thought.
--Tom Morrisey, author of In High Places
"With skill and heart, Athol Dickson plumbs the depths of a man's soul.... Not to be missed!
--Angela Hunt, author of The Elevator
"Athol is a writer whose work I will read again and again for inspiration.""
--Hannah Alexander, author of Grave Risk and Death Benefits
Christy Award Finalist - suspense category, 2008 (you can read about it here)
Christian Fiction Review Best Ten of 2007 (you can read about it here)
REVIEWS:
Library Journal:
…well-written, intelligent follow-up to Dickson's Christy Award-winning River Rising. An involving,
suspenseful take on God's transforming grace, it tackles a serious issue while providing an absorbing story.
Recommended for all collections; especially relevant for readers struggling with their own addictions.
Crosswalk:
…unpredictable and surprising, even though clues are sprinkled throughout the book. The final twist was
chilling and, unfortunately, not unrealistic in today's world. …the author does a wonderful job weaving in the
deceit and the actions of those unrestrained by ethics and driven by the bottom line—a common scene in
today's headlines. …a powerful book, one that will remain on my bookshelf for a long time to come.
Publisher’s Weekly:
Rich with local dialect and scenery…. Dickson's approach is thought-provoking, and his prose beautifully
evokes the taciturn spirit of the Mainers who people this novel….full of interesting ideas and well-developed
characters.
Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com:
Athol Dickson is one of Christian suspense’s best writers, and his latest spooky thriller, The Cure, continues
his tradition of excellence.... Dickson adeptly handles his Maine setting, capturing the idioms and
idiosyncrasies of its inhabitants. His characters are original and multifaceted, and sometimes perplexing....
The plot is intriguing and fresh, and as he did in River Rising and They Shall See God, Dickson creates a
series of twists and turns that continue surprising readers through the very last pages. What is more difficult
to quantify is Dickson’s amazing ability to create a chilling atmosphere. Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca
comes to mind; readers will feel the tension through the final paragraph. If Alfred Hitchcock was still alive,
he’d be banging down Dickson’s door to make movies of his novels. (Think of what Hitchcock could do with
the scenes of homeless people gradually moving in on the small Maine town!) This is a must-read novel for
anyone interested in inspirational fiction. And even those who don’t usually read the genre will want to give it a
look.
Christian Fiction Review:
Athol Dickson presents us with another beautiful literary novel. His works stand out among all Christian
fiction, powerful and moving on so many levels.
BlogCritics Magazine:
Dickson’s skill in plotting was a highlight for me. In that department he demands the reader’s attention.... It
makes for a satisfyingly complex tale with its fair share of surprises. Dickson’s writing was another of the
book’s treats. He cuts straight to the action in efficient prose that never gets in the way of making the reader
feel part of the scene. ...a thoughtful, sometimes philosophical commentary on a range of themes from
addiction to the human condition.... For a gripping, thoughtful, and worthwhile read, Athol Dickson’s The
Cure is not to be missed.
Curled Up With a Good Book:
...a five-star book....not an easy book to read, but once the reader connects with the characters, it will be a
story that one will remember for a long time. If I had to choose my favorite book read so far this year, it
would have to be The Cure.
Heather Hunt, absolutewrite.com:
The Cure is a fascinating human interest tale in which the interconnectedness of the human race and our
universal needs are revealed through the specific life stories of Riley, Hope, and Willa. Mysteries are set up
and paid off with surprising yet satisfying revelations. Brutal violence is mixed with tender moments, and
existential musings are offset by intense action sequences. I recommend The Cure for readers who love great
writing that makes them think "what if"-- and then rethink it again.
Bookshelf Review:
The Cure is a fascinating tale fueled by hope and redemption. Here Dickson proves once again that he is not
just a true wordsmith, but a master storyteller. The cleverly crafted narrative is laced with elements of
suspense, mystery, and drama that effortlessly guide the reader along. ...a beautiful story that grants
encouragement and inspiration. Riley's journey of discovery as he seeks the true cure for his life is
breathtaking to say the least. This is redemptive storytelling at its best.
ENDORSEMENTS:
"I just finished reading Athol Dickson's The Cure, and I'm fairly certain that he has blown me -- and just about
anybody else writing general fiction and suspense -- completely out of the water…. The true test of a book, I
think, is the resonance of its ending; two weeks after finishing The Cure, its ending is still sending ripples
through my every thought.
--Tom Morrisey, author of In High Places
"With skill and heart, Athol Dickson plumbs the depths of a man's soul.... Not to be missed!
--Angela Hunt, author of The Elevator
"Athol is a writer whose work I will read again and again for inspiration.""
--Hannah Alexander, author of Grave Risk and Death Benefits
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| Reviews and Endorsements |
Athol Dickson
author
