Product Description

They said, “He’s a nobody.”
They were dead wrong.

When reporter Hudson Ambrose hears an early morning call on his police scanner about an injured person at a bus stop on Las Vegas Boulevard, he rushes to the scene to get the scoop.
His world is blown off its axis when he discovers a murdered homeless man with a bankbook in his pocket showing a balance of almost one million dollars. Should he wait for the police, knowing the case will get lost in reams of red tape, or swipe the bankbook and take the investigation–and perhaps a chunk of the money–into his own hands?

With sirens bearing down on the scene, Hudson makes an impulse decision that whisks him on a frantic search for answers, not only about the mysterious dead man, but about the lost soul lurking within himself.

Uncovering bizarre links between a plane crash, a Las Vegas pit boss, a dirty cop, and a widowed Atlanta business mogul, Hudson is forced to find out: who was Chester Holte, what was he doing on the streets, and why are his homeless friends convinced he was an angel in disguise?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #396302 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-11
• Released on: 2007-09-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
“Nobody was absolutely riveting from the opening scene to the final page. With compelling characters, a plot that surprised me at every turn, and a subtle, yet profound message that moved me to tears, this book goes straight to the top of my highly recommended list.”
- Deborah Raney, author of Remember to Forget and Within This Circle

“A taut, entertaining novel of mystery, intrigue, and spiritual truth. Creston Mapes delivers a winner in Nobody.”
- James Scott Bell, bestselling author of No Legal Grounds and Try Dying

“Creston Mapes has served up a savory tale sizzling with deceit, greed, and selfish ambition–and seasoned with just the right measure of grace. Nobody offers an inspiring reminder that it is only when we empty out our hearts for others that we can be truly filled. Highly recommended!”
- Kathy Herman, bestselling author of The Baxter, Seaport Suspense, and Phantom Hollow Series

“Nobody had me fascinated from the first paragraph and kept the surprises coming to the very end. Somehow, as the pages flew by, it also managed to convey a beautiful picture of faith the size of a mustard seed. From now on I’ll read anything by Creston Mapes the instant it hits the shelves.”
- Athol Dickson, Christy Award—winning author of River Rising and The Cure

“Creston Mapes sculpts a story of suspense and beauty while guiding the reader to the ultimate ending–redemption. The story is built layer upon layer until the full meaning of Chester Holte’s life is clear and the mystery is solved in a wild ride, combining deep emotion with a page-turning thriller .”
Patti Callahan Henry, bestselling author of Between the Tides

“Creston Mapes has given us a wonderful gift with Nobody. The story compels, the pages fly, the city of Las V...

Review
“Nobody was absolutely riveting from the opening scene to the final page. With compelling characters, a plot that surprised me at every turn, and a subtle, yet profound message that moved me to tears, this book goes straight to the top of my highly recommended list.”
- Deborah Raney, author of Remember to Forget and Within This Circle

“A taut, entertaining novel of mystery, intrigue, and spiritual truth. Creston Mapes delivers a winner in Nobody.”
- James Scott Bell, bestselling author of No Legal Grounds and Try Dying

“Creston Mapes has served up a savory tale sizzling with deceit, greed, and selfish ambition–and seasoned with just the right measure of grace. Nobody offers an inspiring reminder that it is only when we empty out our hearts for others that we can be truly filled. Highly recommended!”
- Kathy Herman, bestselling author of The Baxter, Seaport Suspense, and Phantom Hollow Series

“Nobody had me fascinated from the first paragraph and kept the surprises coming to the very end. Somehow, as the pages flew by, it also managed to convey a beautiful picture of faith the size of a mustard seed. From now on I’ll read anything by Creston Mapes the instant it hits the shelves.”
- Athol Dickson, Christy Award—winning author of River Rising and The Cure

“Creston Mapes sculpts a story of suspense and beauty while guiding the reader to the ultimate ending–redemption. The story is built layer upon layer until the full meaning of Chester Holte’s life is clear and the mystery is solved in a wild ride, combining deep emotion with a page-turning thriller .”
Patti Callahan Henry, bestselling author of Between the Tides

“Creston Mapes has given us a wonderful gift with Nobody. The story compels, the pages fly, the city of Las Vegas pulsates with life, and the twists keep coming. We can all benefit from the message of this book, and once you start it, you wont be able to put it down. Nobody rocks!”
- Jud Wilhite, author of Stripped and pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas.

“Nobody has a unique way of showing you the life of a homeless man and how he impacted so many lives with simple compassion. We should all strive to be more like that. Perfectly done, Creston!”
- Jesse Garcia, guitarist for Building 429

“Creston Mapes has delivered another remarkable story. Beat reporter Hudson Ambrose rises from the pages and comes to life in this fast-paced, gripping tale that pierces the heart. Nobody is a must-read!”
- Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Void

“In Nobody, Creston Mapes spins a tail about the kind of impulsive foolishness we’ve all considered at one time or another. The kind of foolishness that launches into deceit and shame and fear and that ultimately brings a thinking man to his knees. Creston Mapes has a way with words. And a way with characters. And a way with dialogue. And a way with story. Read this one. If you can stand the glimpse in the mirror.”
- Melanie Wells, author of When the Day of Evil Comes, The Soul Hunter, and My Soul to Keep

“Nobody is a touching and intriguing thriller. Creston Mapes tackles a subject that most of us would prefer to walk right by–and he does it with skill, suspense, and a lovely measure of grace. While entertaining us, Nobody reminds us of our own ‘homelessness’ and shines brightly on the blessed way home.”
- Kathryn Mackel, author of Vanished

“With Nobody, Creston Mapes once again demonstrates what happens when writing talent, an intriguing plot, and won’t-let-you-go characters converge: You get a thoroughly entertaining read that’s tough to set down. Nobody is for everybody who enjoys gritty noir with heart.”
Robert Liparulo, author of Deadfall, Germ, and Comes a Horseman

“Nobody can give you intrigue, memorable characters, and an unpredictable plot with quite the same flair as Creston. And he delivers it with a one-two punch that will stay with you long after you close the book with a satisfied smile. Mapes holds a mirror in front of each of us–and then gives us Chester Holte to guide us to The Door. When it comes to thrilling, fast-paced, and provocative, I didn’t think Creston could ever top Dark Star, but he has! And it’s Nobody!”
- Wanda Dyson, author of Intimidation

“Once again, Mapes gives us a thought-provoking story, a challenge to every churchgoing reader. Told in the style of a mystery, Nobody is a modern parable full of life-affirming truth and eternal consequences.”
- Eric Wilson, author of A Shred of Truth

“Have you ever looked at a homeless man and wondered, “What’s his story?” In Nobody, Creston Mapes has crafted a thriller that will guarantee you’ll be asking that question with every street person you see–a brilliant way of ending the invisibility.”
- Tom Morrisey, author of In High Places

“A great thriller, with many twists and turns. Creston has the ability to take you right where the action is. Don’t miss this one.”
- Linda Hall, author of Dark Water and Black Ice

“Nobody by Creston Mapes was more than a terrific mystery novel–which it was. It also made me look at my own life and how I put my faith in action. This is a book that everybody should read.”
- Colleen Coble, author of Abomination

About the Author
Creston Mapes is a talented storyteller whose first two novels, Dark Star and Full Tilt, made him a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year awards and the Inspirational Readers Choice awards. Creston has written for major corporations, colleges, and ministries, including Coca-Cola, TNT Sports, Oracle, Focus on the Family, and In Touch Ministries. Committed to his craft and his family, Creston makes his home in Georgia with his wife, Patty, and their four children.

Customer Reviews

Storytelling you expect from Creston Mapes
Far from the glittery world of superstar Everett Lester explored in his first two books, The Rock Star Chronicles, Creston Mapes takes us into the not-so-glamorous lives of the Las Vegas homeless community in his latest release, Nobody.

Hudson Ambrose, a reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, responds to a call on the police scanner about a potential shooting at the Civic Center North bus stop. First on the scene, Hud finds the dead body of a homeless man sitting on the bus stop bench. When the police are slow to arrive, Hud decides to go through the man's pockets, looking for any information that might help him with a story. When he finds a bankbook with a balance of $689,000 and a safe deposit box key, he is shocked. While disgusted with himself for stealing from a homeless man, Hud flees the scene with the items; certain there is a blockbuster story in the making. But Hud has no idea what a hornet's nest of trouble his split-second decision will stir up, and how his investigation into the life of one homeless man will alter his own life forever.

If I were to give Creston Mapes' books an underlying theme, it would be Romans 3:22: "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are" (NLT). From rock stars to homeless men, Mapes has a special talent for creating genuine and compelling characters on authentic journeys of faith--powerfully portraying Christ's love, mercy and redemptive power for all of His children. Creston Mapes, with consistently skillful writing, has become one of the authors whose new books are automatically included on my to-be-read list. If you enjoy page-turning suspense and well-written characters--a story that will not only entertain but also challenge your thinking--then Nobody is the book for you.

Armchair Interviews says: Creston Mapes does it again.

Creston Mapes At His Best
Early one morning Las Vegas reporter Hudson Ambrose stumbles upon a dead homeless man. After a quick search of the body, Hudson discovers the bum is named Chester Holte, and apparently Chester is loaded. On the body Hudson finds a bankbook with a staggering balance, along with a key to a safe deposit box. Curiosity and greed take over as Hudson makes a bad decision that will turn his world upside down.

Creston Mapes has proven once again what a talented storyteller he is. This is a terrific tale full of suspense, mystery, and heart that had me churning the pages at a rapid pace. As Hudson Ambrose investigates the life of Chester Holte, we are taken on a revealing and inspirational journey that will challenge us all.

Nobody thrills and entertains, and long after the last line it will stay with you. Who would have thought redemption and hope could be found in a place like Las Vegas and within the heart of a nobody? This is Creston Mapes at his best.

Does My Life Matter?
Humanity deals with several major questions often wrestling with them at two a.m. or during crisis. The big one is "Does God exist?" But the more troubling, "Does my life matter?" steals more sleep.

Nobody is a book that explores the second question through compelling storytelling. Creston Mapes has grown as a writer and the tightness of his prose makes Nobody a tense read as Chester, a millionaire "nobody" manages to change lives as a homeless man on the streets of Las Vegas. More amazing is the effect of his murder on the people left behind.

Told as a multiple first person narrative the plot moves smoothly from the first minutes after Chester's murder to the beginning of justice for his murderer.

Nobody works well as a modern retelling of the parable of talents. It's worth digging into and scratching the "Does my life make a difference?" itch.