Title: They Call Me Avenged Sandra Derringer Chronicles book 3
Author: Cyndi Lord
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 322
Published by: White Bird Publications
Published Date: August 9, 2016
ISBN-10: 1633631818
ISBN-13: 978-1633631816
Sandra Derringer Chronicles series:
They Call Me Murdered
They Call Me Missing
They Call Me Avenged
The Call Me Gone (coming soon)
About the Story: When a number of people go missing in a small Northeast Texas town, Sandra Derringer becomes involved to solve the case of missing twelve-year-old twin boys. She soon learns that two common denominators exist between the people who have gone missing; abused animals, and a local animal rescue owner, Loretta Bentley. Her deep devotion to animals is overshadowed by mental illness and her belief she is getting messages from God to deliver an-eye-for-an-eye justice to anyone who neglects or abuses animals. Many have thought this penalty deserved, but Loretta is insane enough to carry it out in her isolated, large ranch where no one can hear her victims’ screams.
My Thoughts: I’ve read this series since the beginning. Each book is unique. Each is scary. Each has a message which make MY blood boil. And each of them I loved!
Keep in mind Cyndi Lord has been a private investigator so she knows her stuff. She volunteers considerable time trying to home rescue dogs and has seen the tremendous brutality people impose on animals by being irresponsible or in other cases, just plain cruel. Thirdly, she has recently lost her best friend, her old friend, Zoom. She knows the unconditional love of a canine friend.
Truly, from the first page the author would not let me put the book down. The scene was too unbelievable, yet so real, it made my skin crawl. Yes, my skin crawled!
Each chapter is prefaced with a verse from the bible which, apparently, Loretta Bentley, takes to heart–a seemingly benign personality on some occasions, and on others quite the psychotic. Her bouts of psychosis are triggered by childhood events she relives through nightmares, in addition to her guilt of not saving her own little dog and her conviction God has chosen her as his instrument to exact punishment.
The author draws the reader along as she gives us a peek into the minds of the characters, particularly the twisted mind of Loretta. Even though the woman is quite demonic, there is something in her which makes me feel sorry for her. She is not responsible for making herself who she is. Well, I should say she is to a certain extent, as her past with its horrors, provides the basis for who she is.
The rescue animals demonstrate the horrors of their young lives through timidity, shakes and hesitancy. Loretta is able to provide them love, pulling them out of the abysmal fear they live in. Conversely, she easily doles out exacting punishment to people who abuse these creatures. I cringe remembering the gore of Loretta’s brutality . In fact, the author’s book has further convinced me people should be fined and animals taken from those who care poorly for them.
Here’s an excerpt from the story:
A bone-thin two-year-old, female lab crept slowly towards Loretta with her tail giving tentative wags. Poor baby’s still afraid after a month. She separated the fur growing in around the dog’s neck. Deep scarring and an open area several inches long revealed angry red flesh beginning to heal over and a hole where the veterinarian had placed a drainage tube. Loretta closed her eyes, sorrow and rage ignited raw fury. She opened them to tunnel vision. Blacky looked up into her face then lapped up the tears.
“No one will ever hurt you again or tie you up with binding wire. Never. I promise you that, and I’ll be sure you have a good home. He’s paying for what he did to you. If he’s still alive, he knows just what you went through.” She looked toward the tarp and fence. “
“You’re okay, beautiful lady. Come on. Come here and get some lovin’” She wiggled her fingers. Blacky’s tail wagged in overdrive. The dog lay her head on the woman’s lap. Loretta rubbed her boney face and wondered if she was the only person who’d ever been kind to Blacky.
Cyndi Lord is a master at painting a scene so potent with emotion and brutality, all my senses are drawn in. If you are angered by animal cruelty or want to know anything about it, a fan of the thriller genre, you enjoy a good mystery and thriller, you won’t want to miss this story where Sandra Derringer uses her investigative skills, her compassion for the down-trodden and wronged, along with gut instinct to solve this case.
Cyndi, your message was received. It was an awesome read! Never, ever, will I forget this story.
About the Author: Cyndi Lord moved to North East Texas in 2005 where she lives on a ranch with her husband, two dogs, and two cats. An award winning author, she recently decided to go into semi-retirement from her career as a private investigator and research paralegal in order to write full time. Her novels incorporate her professional experience into the plots readers love to unravel along with the investigator. She is active in a ministry to the homeless and enjoys many aspects of philosophy. As an animal lover, she is a vegan, and strong voice against cruelty to animals. Cyndi and her husband have nine adult children, sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. For tranquility she loves to work in the garden, and bake. Painting nature scenes is her favorite joy after writing.
Booktalk with Eileen: Journaling a Journey -- Learning the Art of Crafting a Novel 
Thank you so much. I am thrilled you enjoyed the read. My prayer is that other will, too.
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Grats Cyndi. I look forward to reading it. You were a pleasure to work with in painting the cover for the book. 🙂
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Cyndi’s a great writer, and her stories are filled with depth and honesty. Her intense writing is balanced with her ability to paint even antagonists in a sympathetic light. It’s been a joy to read her books and follow Sandra on her adventures. 😀
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Very nice review that makes me wonder what happened before and what happens next. It certainly looks like Cyndi has a real grasp on creating a spellbinding mystery.
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This is a book I am very much looking forward to reading. It appears to be something right down my alley.
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Wow. The book sounds fantastic. As someone who adopts perhaps too many abandoned, abused, or neglected animals of all kinds, I’m sure to be an emotional mess. I like that in a book. Thank you.
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Cyndi, yov sure have a flair for writing. I am very interested in reading this book. You kept my interest from word one. I can tell that you write from the heart.
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I’m gratified to read this excellent review of “They Call Me Avenged” by Eileen. Often we see reviews that gloss over the surface, but Eileen clearly got it, and her review demonstrated that.
Cyndi has the unique ability to paint a picture with her words, but not the normal picture one would expect of the obvious. Instead, she has the ability to paint the picture of the emotions and feelings of the characters, good or bad. Eileen’s review reflects this ability. Well done, both of you.
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Eileen, I totally concur!
This was my first read of Cyndi’s. So I was thankful it could be read as part of the series or a standalone. I’m also glad to have come across your reviews. This too will become part of my repertoire.
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I very much look forward to reading this novel. I have read some of Cyndi’s short stories and poetry and really like her style of writing. She is very talented.
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I have to put this book on my to-be-read list! It makes me wonder what happened to Eileen to cause her to feel like she has to rescue all dogs. Was she forced to watch her own dog abused or does she relate to them, being abused herself? At any rate, this is going in my pile of books to read!
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Absolutely love the series of book that Cyndi Lord offers. She always keeps me intrigued. You can’t put her books down, you must read them from the beginning to the end to figure out what’s what 🙂 Cyndi’s faith in God and love for animals is apparent in this book, She shows her passion for animal rights, very intense, captivating and powerful!
Thank you for another GREAT book Cyndi 🙂
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So you are the designer. It was painted? Very interesting. Thanks for dropping by and reading the review. Cyndi Lord is a writer who incorporates all what she feels in her books.
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That she does. I didn’t want to spill any spoilers.
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You won’t regret picking this one up, that’s for certain. Both my children love animals and my son always has two or three rescues (older dogs) at his home.
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A pleasure having you drop by. I enjoy getting inside the book to find its gems of wisdom.
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Truly a pleasure having you stop by, rosesarehappy! Cyndi’s writing is captivating, both story and style.
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Fiona, you simply must read this series. Each and every story is completely different from the other, yet Sandra and her hubby Scott are in each one. Actually, I haven’t read any of her short stories or poetry, so I don’t know her talent there. But boy, she blows your socks off in this series. This last one gave me a few more gray hairs!
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Deb, hi! This is an absolute to-be-read book. What happened to me to strongly convince me abused dogs should be rescued? Quite simply, The Call Me Avenged. Give it a read, Deb, and you’ll see how I got there.
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Alice, we’re on the same team! Her books do that, indeed! I’m always intrigued even when I know the worst is to come — I just have to read it!
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Yes, I was surprised I could feel sorry for Loretta, yet I did. Her story’s camera gave us a good view of the whole ‘room’. Excellent writing.
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So, will you tell our readers what is next on your writing schedule?
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Cindy, I’m not sure if your comments were directed to Cyndi or to me. If they were to me, I am humbled. I have accomplished what I set out to do–to interest my readers of this blog to try Cyndi’s work.
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I’m sure you’ll love it. It is dangerous though. Cyndi’s writing is addictive! My best.
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This is a fantastic book on so many levels! It is an easy read that is thrilling and always leaves you wanting more! If you are an animal advocate this IS the book for you! If you love psychological thrillers this IS the book for you, if you love Cyndi Lord as an author this IS the book for you! Get it, read it, love it today!
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Eileen – Carol contacted me that she is having phone issues and would like you to delete this one because it messed up at the end. 🙂 Thank you so much.
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I can’t wait to start this book– thanks for the great review! This will be my first Cyndi Lord book; I love animals and thrillers.
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Amen!
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Whoa! Are YOU in for a treat!!
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I’m reading the first book in the series, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far. Looking forward to reading on through to this one as well! Thanks, Cyndi.
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Great review! I enjoyed this book, and love Cyndi’s twisted little mind. I can’t wait to read the first two books in the series.
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Sounds like an awesome read, I really need to order this series.
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A well-deserved great review on another Cyndi Lord book! If you enjoy thrillers, this should be your next read!!!!!
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I certainly concur, Glendanne.
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I loved every single one of them. I mentioned that, didn’t I?
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I really enjoyed this book. This the first Cyndi Lord book that I have read and I am looking forward to reading the rest of her work now!
This book was very griping and disturbing. Cyndi managed to tricky and almost impossible task of making the reader, at turns, sympathetic and repulsed by a serial killer. There is a great twist at the end! So worth the read!
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As one of Cyndi’s animal rescue friends, can’t wait to see any animal abuser get there due justice even thru the pages of her book. Can’t wait to read this one!
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Hope you like scary, Mary!
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Yes, very worth the read. Thanks for dropping by Lezlie.
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Tina, Cyndi certainly did surprise me on this read. Loretta is so demonic! She did an excellent job showing us Loretta’s mindset.
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You’ll go from scary, to scarier, to scariest!
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Congrats Cyndi..
Sounds really good.. I hate animal cruelty..
It’s just unbelievable..
Added to my Tbr. 🙂
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Congratulations, Cyndi! Great work!
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What an unusual premise for a book – I feel that Cyndi Lord has found a corner of possibility that few are writing about.
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I have only read the first book. I loved it. I just bought the second and this book. Can’t wait to get started on them. Love the way Cyndi writes. I start reading and can’t put it down.
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I have never scrambled to enter my debit card so fast to buy a book after reading a sample! Cyndi does an amazing job of engaging her reader! The descriptiveness of the book allows you to feel like you are walking side by side with the characters. I am looking forward to reading all of her books! And God bless those who love on and look after the furry babies!!!
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Cyndi has a mission and coupled with her writing skills, makes a powerful statement.
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Thank you for stopping by. I’m sure Cyndi appreciates your words.
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Congratulations! Nice review on a great thriller!
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Thank you all so much for your support and kind words. You all mean the world to me!
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