Title: When Camels Fly
Author: NLB Horton
Publisher: NLB Horton Publishing
ISBN: 978-0991401710
Pages: 350
Genre: International Suspense
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
When Camels Fly is non-stop adventure for readers. NLB Horton’s novel mixes suspense, action, and mystery to create an unforgettable read.
When Camels Fly tells the story of archeologist Grace Madison, who has traveled to Jerusalem to save her kidnapped daughter, Maggie. When Maggie uncovers a water theft while doing her work as a hydrologist, she uncovers a conspiracy that leads to ruthless men in her pursuit. Grace has to take many daring and dangerous actions to keep her family safe.
The characters in When Camels Fly are so well written and complex, readers will root for them. Grace Madison is such a strong female protagonist; readers can easily imagine Angelina Jolie or Ashley Judd playing her in the movie version of the book. She’s a complicated woman, shooting assassins in one scene and quoting Bible verses in another scene. Grace is a tough woman who uses weapons in the novel, but not without remorse and doubt, which humanizes her. She is also a fiercely protective mother that will do anything to protect her family, which makes her so relatable.
The other members of the family are also excellent characters that drive When Camels Fly. Mark is Grace’s supportive husband who is also strong enough to be the powerful patriarch of the Madison family when he goes to Israel to find Maggie. Jeff is Grace’s world-weary BBC correspondent son who also joins the family to help save Maggie. Maggie is also a headstrong woman like her mother, Grace. She’s no damsel in distress, which is a refreshing change for female characters in suspense novels.
The backdrop of Israel as the setting of When Camels Fly adds to the novel’s intrigue. Readers can practically feel the desert heat as Grace travels across Jerusalem. The Madison family has to navigate a lot of political, social, and religious issues as they travel across the fraught terrain of Jerusalem. The exotic setting transports readers that are modern, but still has ancient history that colors the story.
When Camels Fly will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Readers who love international intrigue novels from Olen Steinhauer or Steig Larsson will enjoy this book. The book will also appeal to fans of globetrotting stories like Lawrence of Arabia as well.
Horton has created a world of engaging characters and action-filled scenes that readers will love. When Camels Fly will take readers on an exciting journey they won’t forget.
