Mr. Inside by L. Frank James
Is God Really in Control?
Mr. Inside serves up suspense and a study of suffering
From the Publicist:
On the heels of his award-winning first novel, An Opened Grave: Sherlock Holmes Investigates His Ultimate Case is Mr. Inside. The book presents an opening scenario that challenges the reader to question the fairness and goodness of God. James uses the fictional vehicle to fearlessly bring us face to face with our feelings about personal tragedy of great magnitude.
Mr. Inside is a suspense documentary of how one man, through circumstances beyond his control, comes face to face with his interior enemy. In 1947, brothers Gustov and Andy Miller witness the traumatic event of their missionary/pastor parents being brutally slaughtered by a Kenyan witchdoctor. The young boys return to America, drift apart, and each enters adulthood carrying the memories and scars of that fateful event.
By the early 1970s, Dr. Gustov Miller has become not only an internationally renowned scholar with a keen sense for solving ancient mysteries but also the founder of his own company, Lost & Found International. He runs it with only two employees: his assistant Miss Beatrix Peeters, a lovely Christian woman, and James Morrison, his “Mr. Outside,” who finds himself in life-threatening situations while searching for lost or stolen artifacts under the remote direction of Dr. Miller. The action-packed storyline follows Gus and Jim as they are hounded by scoundrels, beaten, and thrown off of a moving passenger train—all while risking death in a race against time to solve the mystery of their lives.
Like the saga of Job, James’s stimulating narrative disarms his readers of all neat, convenient, Christian-cliché answers, securing instead their empathy with the characters’ anger and confusion regarding God and his sovereignty in the face of immense injustice. The story points to that bitter place in our hearts where we live in fear and anger, holding God responsible for life’s unjust events. The invisible hand of God is seen in riveting clarity as it affects the lives of the characters. Mr. Inside entertains, engages, and impacts the reader in unexpected ways.
James’s first novel, An Opened Grave, received international endorsements and awards from both Christian and general media alike. The Midwest Book Review, ForeWord Magazine, ChristianBookPreviews.com, ChristianFiction.com, NovelJourney.com, and Amazon.com all featured rave reviews of the work. Major endorsements were issued by best-selling authors representing a wide spectrum of the Christian publishing industry, including John Eldredge and Hugh Ross. The Sherlock Holmes Society of London praised the author, stating, “Like G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis, Frank James is a fine storyteller and a great Christian apologist. Unusually well done.” In late 2006, USA Book News awarded An Opened Grave first place among the Best Books of 2006 for religious fiction. During the 2007 International Christian Retailing Show, Christian Retailing Magazine featured James and his book in a full-length article about the rise of Christian fiction and small publishing houses.
Tragically, while Mr. Inside was still in the process of being printed, L. Frank James died in an auto accident on September 2, 2007 on his way to church. In his place, his publisher, Robert Brekke, will be available to discuss the book and the author’s passion for Christianity and the creative arts.
My Thoughts:
While I was drawn to the concept and storyline of the book, it was evident that this story wasn’t as well crafted as I had hoped. (I’ve heard the same words in several rejection letters I received from editors!) Aside from the shocking opening which was really backstory, I didn’t connect with the characters on an emotional level. That aside, I’ve lost all objectivity to whether or not the things I noticed would actually bother a nonwriter. The story kept me interested enough to finish a book, though the ending was a little of a let down for me, a suspense, mystery lover. Still, it had a good message about letting fear consume us and trusting God again.
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This looks like a really powerful book. So, very sad about his sudden death though.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:27 amThis is why I love blogs! I would never have heard of Mr. Insides if you hadn’t written about it, Gina. Have you read it? I wasn’t sure from what you wrote.
I think the problem of pain and suffering is a stumbling block to many, and so many authors have written about it - from C.S. Lewis to Philip Yancey and many more.
You said: “The story points to that bitter place in our hearts where we live in fear and anger, holding God responsible for life’s unjust events.” I’ve been reading Joanna Weaver’s book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, and in Chapter 2 she deals with this very topic. Just this morning I read where she says: “Until we stop doubting God’s goodness, we can’t experience God’s love.”
It sounds like Mr. James’ book would be well worth reading. And I hope you have a very happy Mother’s Day, Gina!
May 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pmI have seen a similar true story. This family had seen their missionary father murdered by the tribe they were helping! Later in life, the family forgives the tribal members and actually have them come to American and visit with them. I am not sure at this point in my life if I could be that demonstrative in my forgiveness. Cindi
May 11th, 2008 at 11:15 pmAs a non-writer I like to hear other’s opinions about books and authors. It doesn’t neccessarily mean I won’t read it if I hear that someone didn’t like it. Sometimes that makes for the possiblity of deeper discussion on the topics in the book.
I hate writing on a writer’s blog. It makes me nervous punctuation.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pmHmmm, I am also a mystery/suspense adorer, and if you had a hard time
May 13th, 2008 at 8:48 pmenjoying the writing, maybe many of us would be bothered by it too. (?)
The book description sounds intense…I will have to read it. Too sad that the author died before it was released!
May 15th, 2008 at 5:16 pm