Three Nails

A Tale of Tragedy, Testing and Triumph

By: Micheal Maxwell

Narrated by: DD Read

Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

In the blink of an eye, a family is shattered.

A father struggles to cope with the pressures and responsibilities of life while dealing with the soul-searing tragedy. From the depths of his despair, he discovers the answer to forgiveness, healing, and redemption.

Three Nails tells the story of a man whose life is shatter by the death of his son. Month by month, from August to June, we are taken on a journey of pain, healing, and redemption. The effects of a tragic accident send a wave of change through a family, a marriage, and a career. It's the story of a teacher whose daily interaction with colleagues and students act as a magnifying glass on his troubled soul.

Just as dawn follows the darkness, the return of a prodigal child brings healing in an unexpected way. James 1:12 assures us, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Sometimes, all of our hurts can be as simple as three nails.

Micheal Maxwell steps away from his Cole Sage series to tell a story of Life, Death, and an American Teacher.

©2013 Micheal Maxwell (P)2016 Micheal Maxwell

A Snapshot of a Teacher's Personal Tragedy

Summary: A public school teacher has his whole life turned upside down by a personal tragedy.

Additional Comments:
- Plot: It goes all over the place, but it’s really a snapshot of a guy’s life. The description pretty much tells you what’s wrong in his world. Most of the first half centers around the devastating loss of his son, Logan. However, I’m not sure how the very first scene fits in. I know he has a nightmare about it later, but I’d initially thought the book was a murder mystery given the way it begins.
- I sort of wish the side characters were fleshed out more. I mean Logan’s death obviously devastates this guy, but since the reader doesn’t really get to meet him, there’s not a big emotional pull.
- The guy works in a much tougher school than I do, but the descriptions of some of the frustrations public school teachers face are accurate as far as I can tell, except that his first teaching assignment probably would never have happened. I think you need a special ed license to be assigned a classroom like that. At the very least, it would probably be a co-taught class, meaning there would be two teachers/witnesses supervising and instructing the students.
- I like that the book didn’t shy away from showing the dark side of life. The things some of these kids in this guy’s classroom face are horrific, and the sad part is that even though it’s fiction, the scenarios are very realistic.
- Characters: The characters are pretty well fleshed out, but for the life of me, I can’t remember the main character’s name. I think you’re told who he is, but
- Not sure why it’s categorized as Christian fiction. While there is nothing offensive besides a few curse words, the main character doesn’t ring true as a Christian. His daughter who becomes a missionary – maybe – but his comments at the end sort of tell the reader he’s not sure what’s “up/out there.” I don’t think there’s a set requirement that the MC has to be a Christian to categorize the book as one, but it certainly would help.

Conclusion: A snapshot look into a teacher’s life during one of the darkest times he faces.
*I received a copy of the audible version... I chose to review the book.

Three Nails - A Great Story

This was a great story to listen to. I have read/listened to a few of Maxwell's books, and I can say that he is a great writer. Three Nails is a great addition to his list of books and well worth a listen. It hit home, though, being a widower. But I'm glad I kept it going to the end.