Snitch by Rene Gutteridge

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

SNITCH
(The Occupational Hazards)

(WaterBrook Press May 15, 2007)

by

Rene Gutteridge


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rene Gutteridge is the author of several novels, including Ghost Writer (Bethany House Publishers) The Boo Series (WaterBrook Press) and the Storm Series, (Tyndale House Publishers. She will release three novels in 2006: Storm Surge (Tyndale) My Life as a Doormat (WestBow Press, Women of Faith)Occupational Hazards Book #1: Scoop (WaterBrook Press).

She has also been published over thirty times as a playwright, best known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting under a Mass Communications degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University, and earned the "Excellence in Mass Communication" award. She served as the full-time Director of Drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writer's conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

Old School meets New School meets Homeschool

Just shy of retirement and a well-earned pension, Las Vegas Police Department Sergeant Ron Yeager's definition of "active duty" involves shifting his bad leg into a more comfortable position. But when he's requested from his mind-numbing desk job to head an undercover auto theft task force, the former narcotics officer determines to prove he's still got the right stuff.

That is...until he meets his unlikely team of officers.

As Yeager soon finds out, not all the crazies are on the street. An undercover rookie, the audaciously honest Mackenzie "Mack" Hazard sends Yeager's blood pressure skyrocketing by wearing her faith like an ever-present badge. Then there's Jesse Lunden, a maverick undercover officer who refuses to learn anything from an old guy with a cane. Can this tangle of egos and eccentrics be trained into a lean, mean, crime-fighting machine...even while they are being drawn into something much bigger and more dangerous than anyone imagined?

In her trademark style, Rene Gutteridge blends zany, original characters, sincere faith, and surprising plot twists into one hilariously addictive read.



"Snitch is an engaging crime novel, balanced between sheer whimsy and genuine human drama."

....CHRIS WELL, author of Tribulation House


"A wonderful, fully developed ensemble cast makes Snitch an entertaining, engaging read. Rene's flair for a comedic, well-turned phrase shines here. Snitch is worth snatching."

...SUSAN MEISSNER, author of Widows and Orphans

My Review:

I always look forward to novels by Rene Gutteridge. She has a way with comedic mysteries that always gets me smiling. My favorite series used to be the Boo novels...but I'm loving the Occupational Hazards!

"Scoop" was our introduction to the Hazard family--mom, dad and their family of seven. Percy and Lucy were devote Christians and when both found themselves unemployed unexpectedly, they began the Hazard family business--The Hazard Clowns.

All seven are homeschooled, and all seven are plunged into a different world when their parents are killed in a freak accident--at least, that's what they're calling it. All I know is it involved an overly-ambitious serenading guitar player, a hundred foot extentions cord, and a rack of mood lighting!

Each receives an inheritance and the chance to break free from rubber noses and fuzzy wigs and to discover their callings in life. In "Scoop", Hayden took us behind the scenes of network news, and it was a fun rollercoaster ride of suspense and laughter.

In "Snitch", Mack Hazard (do NOT call her Mackenzie!) joins the force and becomes part of an undercover operation. Her job? To help bust up a ring of auto thieves--or is it? Her undisguised faith drives many on her team crazy, but they can't deny they admire her for it.

What's so wonderful about these novels, besides the tongue-in-cheek humor, are the characters that populate each novel. Mack's team of cops are all characters all right--some with very fitting nicknames:-)

I can hardly wait to find out who the next Hazard is and which occupation is highlighted in her next installment. But, while I'm waiting, I'm putting in my advanced order for "Boo Humbug"--hey, I said I loved the Hazards even more than Boo, but can't a girl change her mind:-)

"Snitch"--and the entire Occupational Hazard family--gets four bookmarks from me, each with their own charm (Hey, that's punny!!)

Happy Reading!

Deena