Monday, October 25, 2004

I’ve long lamented the poor quality, generally speaking, of Christian fiction. It’s why I don’t read that much of it, although I do have a couple authors that I’ll read on occasion. So when I saw an emphatic endorsement for a particular author at The Thinklings (I’m too lazy to get the link to the actual post), I decided to check his books out.

The author is Sigmund Brouwer and he writes mostly for kids/young adults, but he does have several novels geared towards adults. In particular, I read the Nick Barrett mysteries - a trilogy so far, that includes Out of the Shadows,

Nick Barrett is lured back to Charleston by a mysterious note to search for answers about why his mother abandoned him. Past secrets slowly begin to emerge, threatening to destroy the present.

Nick Barrett is in Charleston, awaiting news of his inheritance, when he agrees to investigate the ownership of a famous painting. He finds himself reluctantly drawn into the lives of a spunky, streetwise 11-year old girl and a woman who is trying to rescue her sick child from the ruthless leader of a cult. As Nick uncovers secrets from the past, he discovers the healing love of God through the giving of himself.

The apparent suicide of a young Cadet at the Citadel leads Nick Barrett back two decades to the disappearance of a South Carolina beauty pageant queen. Beneath the glittering exterior of the elite of Charleston lies a century-old secret society with an agenda that will endanger Nick’s life and the people he loves most. Ironically, it is the sinister past that holds lessons about the strength and importance of faith.

If you’re looking for some good fiction, give these a try - they’re realistic stories with a hint of intrigue, fascinating characters, and a growing faith.