Summary:
The author of “Eden’s Gate” offers a psychological thriller with surprise twists and turns, set in the beautiful and peaceful community of Colorado Springs. The book is a stunning portrayal of nominal faith confronted with the heart’s deep motives, the reality of evil, and the reality of Christ.
My take: 4 looksÂ
Read this one in almost one sitting.
In the mid-late 1990s, I read a LOT of Christian fiction, even writing a regular book review for my church newsletter. This was during the tide of “Satanic Panic”, when evangelical Christians were getting serious about burning books, smashing CDs and vinyls, and otherwise trying to rid the world of the pestilence of evil, especially through entertainment. A perfect scenario for Christian publishers to focus on spiritual warfare stories. It was the heyday of the Left Behind series and all titles by Frank Peretti.
And speaking of Peretti, Christopher Lane references his title “This Present Darkness” several times in this story as a handbook of how to engage in spiritual warfare. But I am digressing from the review.
Since I have read copious amounts of these spiritual thrillers, I have pretty much sworn off of them. First of all, they are formulaic, predictable, and a bit too sophomoric, especially since my reading tastes have evolved. However! That is exactly what makes them so popular. They are not meant to be a commentary on personal faith. They are not meant to dissect and examine organized religion and its effect on humanity. No, not at all. They are meant to entertain evangelical Christians.
And that is where this book delivers.
When a green public defender is tasked with taking on the last hearing in a death-row inmate’s case, she finds that he has recanted his confession and convinces her that he may, indeed, be innocent. Because she is delving deep into how she can turn his conviction around, she starts experiencing attacks. Attacks by someone, or something, using the moniker “Satan”.
The story is wonderfully full and rich with characters, intrigue, powerful businessmen, and two strapping United States Marshalls. The action is perfectly paced and very believable. Once I was hooked, I could not put this book down. The Christian element is not in-your-face, but very well placed as support to the narrative. That, in itself, is a fine line that Lane travels well.
While this is a genre that has “had its day” with me, I enjoyed this one by Christopher A. Lane, and look forward to reading his more secular works. For those of you who enjoy a good Christian-based thriller, this is right up your alley, and I can highly recommend it.
Highly recommended for the genre.
