Book Review - Face of Betrayal (A Triple Threat Novel)

Face of Betrayal (A Triple Threat Novel)

Lis Wiehl

Thomas Nelson (April 7, 2009)

PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.

In short: A well written, fast paced, suspenseful novel with a seamless plot that keeps you guessing. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book because of irresponsible content.

Three female friends - a prosecutor, a TV reporter, and an FBI agent - help each other as they all become involved in the case of a missing Senate page. The prime suspect may be a U.S. Senator. With cliffhanger short chapters, some written as blog entries, the novel moves quickly.

"Cassidy shook her head. "No, a high school junior - seventeen years old. She went out to walk the dog and never came home. When we filmed the story, she'd only been gone a little over twenty-four hours. Now it's been more than forty-eight, and there's still no sign of her. When the parents contacted me, the locals weren't taking them too seriously. But something about it didn't feel right to me. This girl, Katie Converse, is home on break from being a Senate page in DC. Her parents told me there's only about a hundred kids who get to do it from around the whole country. Someone like that would be responsible."

You would think that a "Christian" publishing house would also be as responsible as Katie supposedly was. I can't ignore the sexual immorality portrayed throughout this novel, from the sex crime prosecution descriptions to the pre-marital sex of one of the major characters. The relationship of the TV reporter wasn't love or romance, it was lust and completely irresponsible to present it otherwise. (I also find it irresponsible that no theodicy or defense was given to the "problem of evil" broached by one of the main characters at one point. This is a major stumbling block to many and was a great time to address the issue within the context of the story.) It does get addressed at the end of the book in that regard, but by then it was too late for me. The presentation makes evil seem almost appealing by glossing over the painful consequences and trivializing sin, thus weakening our consciences to its ugliness, with a fast paced rip-roaring yarn of a story.

I really do appreciate the fact that this is not a theology book. I am not asking for "pristine" fiction. I am quite sure this will mark me as "uptight" or "prude" in some circles. I'm OK with that. I'm just asking if the "sin" issues shouldn't be addressed in some manner since this novel is marketed by a "Christian" publishing house.

I do not write this out of piety or self righteousness, but as a sinner, saved by grace, who is still sin prone and working out my sanctification, as all believers should. My entertainment benefit isn't worth the blemish on my soul. My "sin" threshold has become pretty low. Occasional pre-marital sex, infrequent lesbian jokes or a limited amount of violent murder descriptions, all present in this novel, are no longer acceptable for me. I know all the arguments from Christian liberty but Christian liberty also allows me to set my own standard. I just can't honestly recommend this book knowing a weaker brother than I may read it and fall into sin - in fact - I am the weaker brother. I really don't have to read of the "seamy" side of life - all I have to do is look inside my own depraved heart. (Jeremiah 17:9)

Rating: Avoid