Life Everlasting

Fans who missed Whitlow's Life Support will want to read that novel before attempting this sequel, which has strong moments but may be confusing to the uninitiated. Divorce lawyer Alexia ""Alex"" Lindale finds herself doubling as a criminal defense attorney for Rena Richardson, a perfidious client who keeps changing her story about how her wealthy husband came to fall from a cliff. Meanwhile, the husband begins to emerge from his coma due to the healing power of prayer and music-a recovery that terrifies Rena, who fears that he will soon be able to tell the truth about his accident. The novel offers a well-honed subplot about Alex's growing Christian faith and her attraction to the pianist who first introduced her to God, as well as interesting courtroom drama and lovely ruminations on music and nature. However, the plot threads aren't as tight or the twists as surprising as readers have come to expect from the Christy-winning Whitlow, and the ending fizzles. (Oct. 7)