A few weeks ago, I was sent a copy of The Rook, a suspense novel by Steven James, to read and review here on Callapidder Days. I was glad to receive this invitation, since I’d actually seen The Rook at Borders and had considered buying it. After all, suspense? Thrills? Mystery? I’m there.

Here’s what the back cover has to say:

While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With a killer on the loose and one of the world’s most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught in a race against time to stop a criminal mastermind’s trap before it closes around the people he loves.

I just finished The Rook last night (after staying up way too late, I’m afraid) and I have to say that it did not disappoint. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing, enough suspense to keep me turning pages, and all the characteristics that, to me, make a good thriller: action, questions that I want the answers to, and a smattering of interesting information (in this book, that would be info about sharks and their electromagnetic sense).

In addition, The Rook did not have the characteristics that I have heard many readers complain are far too common in Christian fiction these days. Perhaps you’ve heard these complaints too?

* “Christian fiction always wraps things up in a far too neat and tidy manner.” You know: every character ends the book happy and carefree, all problems are solved, all bad guys are taken care of.

* “Christian fiction is too predictable.” This happens when you could sit down and outline the rest of the book after reading the first two chapters, just because you’ve read other books in this genre.

* “Christian fiction is a little too heavy on the ‘religious speak,’ to the point that it’s unbelievable.” I’ve read books where every single character is saved by the time you reach the final chapter, or books where the main character pauses in the midst of hanging from a cliff in order to share the Gospel. Not exactly true-to-life, eh?

Refreshingly, Steven James did not fall into these potential pitfalls. The Rook wrapped up, yes, but not without some realistic consequences and questions. It certainly wasn’t predictable (I was kept guessing right up until the end). And the characters’ search for God and questions about God seemed normal and realistic. Which, in my book, makes for good Christian fiction.

There’s a previous book in this series — The Pawn — and I’m sure I’ll be picking it up before too long. And the third book, The Knight, is due out next spring.

If you’re looking for a new thriller, I would definitely recommend checking out The Rook. Just be reasonable, and don’t stay up as late as I did to read it.