The Witnesses

In his latest legal novel, Whitlow (A House Divided) brings readers to New Bern, N.C., where Frank House and his grandson, Parker House, wrestle with an uncanny ability to see the future and the turmoil this talent inspires. Frank was a German soldier in WWII who deserted to Switzerland when the responsibility of his gift and the burden of its misuse began to weigh on him. Parker is a lawyer, who is working as an associate at Branham and Camp. Readers meet him as his life is about to change due to the manifestation of his clairvoyant gift, and his first meeting with Layla Donovan, who comes to play an important role in his life. Told through Frank's flashbacks and Parker's seemingly haphazard encounters with ordinary people in the courtroom and local politicians in back rooms, the novel explores what it would really be like if the future could be seen. Whitlow's characters continuously prove that God loves the broken and that faith is a lot more than just showing up to church. When Frank's past catches up to him and he realizes that Parker has inherited the gift, Frank is challenged to find a way to heal the scars of his soul and guide his grandson to a path that honors the gift that God has given them. Whitlow's contemplative novel is a fine rumination on ethics, morality, and free will. (July)