4.5 stars

Rough Way to the High Way is the story of a preacher-turned-trucker who is looking for some peace after his wife’s suicide (but maybe it wasn't a suicide…). Then strange things begin to happen on his trip, and it soon becomes clear that not only is he being followed, but something sinister is also being planned.

I loved the author’s humor (“And I could’ve married Johnny Redd and been a broken-hearted doctor’s wife. I would’ve been so heartsick sad I couldn’t do anything but become a country singer.”) and also the way the characters spoke (especially the hitchhiker!). It all sounded very real and natural, almost like there was a movie of what was going on playing in my head while I read. I also learned quite a bit about trucking and picked up some trucker terms along the way.

The book kept me interested the entire way through even though I knew virtually nothing about trucking before I started (other than having danced a ballet performance to something along the lines of “I Wanna Be a Truck Driver”…) The author himself has worked as a trucker for decades now, so he’s definitely got a lot of good experience to share in his books.

The underlying messages were fantastic, and, though this is a Christian novel, not necessarily all “religious”. It's things like warning that events might not always be what they seem and that everything is always more complex than you’d first imagine (e.g. the idea of political leaders being murdered to make a statement by other high-class people and then covering it up to make it look like it wasn't what it actually was). Personally, I completely approve of this; it’s like Jesus warning people to beware of wolves in sheep's clothes.

(*spoilers ahead*) I liked the ending but felt like things could’ve wrapped up better. Everything was explained in the end, but it was all a little confusing talking about this person and that person, this happening here and that happening there. Maybe I’m missing something, but I'm wondering why Dr. Hashim couldn’t have just driven the package up to Chicago himself. It’s not like the States have checkpoints for bombs on our highways, right? And were him and Scarface allied or something? Because if they weren’t, then wouldn’t Scarface see him as competition? And if they were, how did Dr. Hashim get to that point with so much power?

I also thought the crazy doctor would be caught in the end after a big, suspenseful climax, but that didn't happen (in fact, the guy never even showed up once in the entire story!) It felt like some of the building tension throughout was wasted at the climax. I think the scene when they were trying to get the bomb deactivated had the potential to be much more exciting (or the author could’ve made something else the climax). I’m not saying the climax wasn't exciting because it was, actually; it just felt like the least well-written part of the book with the rest of the book being wonderful.

Characters: Mack was likable and engaging, but it's actually the hitchhiker who is my favorite character. (And I love how the story ends with him!) I thought either Captain Garza or G-Man was going to turn out to be an antagonist (or maybe the both of them!) and that would’ve made a pretty cool betrayal scene, but unfortunately not. Barb was amazing (I hope we get to see lots more of her in future books!), and Dr. Hashim was the perfect creepy villain!

Language: I actually didn’t pay much attention to this but I don’t remember any dirty words used at all. If something like the f-word or even the s-word were used, I’d remember, but I don’t, so I think there’s nothing to worry about here. All I remember is that most of the characters talk with that Southern drawlll, you know?

Romance: The main character used to be married before his wife passed away. He has one dream of her talking to him and she tells him something important before the dream ends, but this is basically all the interaction seen in the book itself. It’s also hinted that the main character and someone else might end up together in later books. The book is very clean!

Spirituality: The main character was once a preacher/pastor, and he went through cemetery…I mean seminary. (Sorry! It’s a joke used in the book) So he just talks about God and sees Him working in a lot of the events that occur both in the book and before it. There’s spiritual themes consistent with mainline Christianity, and the gospel is presented once about halfway through (I thought it was done really well!).

Overall, Rough Way to the High Way is a book I can stand behind. I enjoyed it as light reading for the first half, but as the story progressed, I was forced to think deeper. It’s a relatively quick read, and even though the book is technically suspense, I would still recommend it to people who aren’t into that genre. This is a “Christian” novel, but I do think unbelievers could also enjoy it as well! It gives a good perspective as to what Christians believe but doesn’t "shove anything down your throat". I’d 100% read another book by this author!

Would recommend for Christians (of course!); lovers of mystery, suspense, and/or supernatural novels; and people like me who can’t get over how cool Southern accents sound. And also any truck drivers you potentially know!

Many thanks to the author for the free review copy! Please note that all opinions expressed are completely my own, and I was not required to leave a positive review. ☺ ( )

Rough Way to The High Way is the debut offering of Kelly Mack McCoy. This mystery centers on pastor-turned-trucker Mack McLain and the uncovering of a murder case that is much more than it seems. The book takes the reader on the road as Mack seeks some windshield therapy as he recovers from the death of his wife. Complications in a simple long haul trip crop up even before Mack can really get on the road. As Mack dodges bad guys, he learns of a conspiracy much deeper than he could imagine. This book will appeal to readers who like to cut to the chase — no detailed descriptions of setting and characters. There’s plenty of action, but also a good bit of conversation that pushes forward the narrative. Colloquialisms from the road and Texas abound which give it authenticity. I did find a few a bit repetitious though. There is some spiritual warfare depicted in the novel that increases the reader’s awareness of the struggle of good and evil underlying the story line, however, I found it a bit jarring and confusing. Perhaps in subsequent books in the series that can be handled a little more smoothly.

I think Rough Way to The High Way will appeal to those who like just the facts mysteries — those stories that focus on the details of a case.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )