Below The Surface by Tim Shoemaker

In the third book in the Code of Silence series, a coming-of-age story that both boys and girls will enjoy, from prolific author and speaker Tim Shoemaker.

Buried fears don’t stay buried for long. Something is wrong with Cooper. He doesn’t understand it, and he won’t admit it, but after surviving the trauma of abduction, Cooper is plagued by a deep fear he can’t control. A vacation aboard the restored Getaway with his friends is just what he needs. No drama, no mysteries, just fun, relaxation, and a few well-planned pranks. But trouble follows this crew, and the idea of a carefree vacation soon disappears along with a missing woman. The police think she drowned, but Hiro has her own suspicions and starts investigating, while Cooper keeps busy and hides behind his practical jokes. But fear has a way of rising. A prank gone wrong, a dark water dive, and the four friends find more than they bargained for - just below the surface.

My review:
   I am envious of kids nowadays. When I was a kid, there weren't many Christian books on the market to read, and now there are many that are. This series is among the best I have read. Each book has not just been an entertaining read, but has had a great lesson to learn. This book dealt with fear. The main character, Cooper, is still dealing with something that happened to him in the second book that is causing him to panic in the water.

   This may be the most suspenseful of the three books, and was a very enjoyable read, even for this adult. The setting for the book was different than the other two, which made it more interesting in some ways.

  In the last book, the idea of Cooper going to any lengths to help a friend was emphasized. In this book, the idea is expanded to show how important it is for friends to stick together and help each other, and that there is a place for everyone.

  And I know I am not the intended age audience, but I couldn't put the book down. It may be written for a younger audience, but it pulled me in and I couldn't wait to find out how it ended.

 My 13-year old niece has been reading these books, and she was eagerly waiting for me to finish the book so she could read it, so I know from her response that kids will love this book and the ones that precede it also.

  It is refreshing to find Christian books for kids that don't just entertain, but also have good moral lessons to teach and learn. I highly recommend this book and series, and they should be read in order.

About the author:

Tim Shoemaker is a speaker and author of eight books, including Dangerous Devotions for Guys; Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets, and Other Outdoor Devotionals; and Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Devotionals. He has three grown sons and has been happily married for over 32 years. His debut into the juvenile fiction market draws from his experience with kids as a volunteer youth leader for more than sixteen years. 


Below The Surface is available from Zondervan Publishing.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for the review copy.