Book Review: Vigilante by Robin Parrish

Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: July 1, 2011

Book Synopsis as provided by Bethany House:

Nolan Gray, the country's most decorated and skilled soldier, is dead. At least that's what all the news reports are saying. Gray, together with a small team, has faked his murder so that he can tackle his most important mission ever. Everywhere he looks, society is being destroyed by evil men who don't care who suffers or who they destroy. Crime is rampant. The innocent are scared. Nolan decides to do what no one else can, what no one has ever attempted. He will defend the helpless. He will tear down the lawless. He will wage a one-man war on the heart of man, and he won't stop until the world is the way it should be.

MY REVIEW:

Robin Parrish is a master of suspense, writing unique thrillers that push the boundaries of Christian fiction...in a good way. Vigilante certainly lived up to his reputation. The action was so explosive, the writing so taut, that I felt like I was watching a movie. The dialogue was crisp, and the characters well-developed with surprising depth for a book that seems to be aiming at being action-based.

I found the book to be enjoyable on two levels. On the one hand, the book provided good, clean entertainment free of swearing or sex scenes. On the other hand, it raised thought provoking questions about justice and self-defence in light of Jesus’ teaching on love and turning the other cheek. The author allows the reader to ponder this without necessarily answering such questions either way.

While I have no doubt that many female readers will enjoy this book, for those looking for a book for the man in their life, this one should be at the top of the list. One caution for some readers is that the book contains numerous scenes of violence, which may be too much for some readers.

A solid recommendation, I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.