Christian Suspense

Until I read Deceit by Brandilyn Collins last week, I didn’t know there was such a thing as Christian suspense. But a quick search on the Internet turned up numerous web sites, a blog, and a category on Amazon.com devoted to promoting and selling quality fiction in this specialized literary genre. Christian suspense books appear to be popular.

With only one book to go on, I probably shouldn’t generalize too much. And yet the idea of Christian suspense makes sense to me. Given the appeal of mysteries and thrillers, why not have a subset for readers who can do without the vulgar language and explicit sex that are often found in these novels? Plus for some readers the books are a great way to be reinforced on Christian teachings while enjoying an entertaining read.

Deceit has a better crafted plot than many mysteries I have read. The main character, a skip tracer, pursues a man who she’s certain has murdered two of his wives yet is safely hiding under the false cloak of being an elder in her church. There’s plenty of suspense, excitement, blood, shootings, stormy nights, plot twists, and dogged investigative work. Reading this novel is not like drinking decaffeinated coffee in place of the real thing. There’s also the message that God can help man overcome his natural tendency toward deceit but only if we let him.

So would I read more Christian suspense novels? There are lots to choose from. Collins, whose tagline is “Seatbelt Suspense,” has written almost 20 titles. Plus there are numerous other authors as my web search showed. Normally I can do without being preached to. Yet, while Deceit‘s message isn’t subtle, it doesn’t interfere with the story. So I might try another Brandilyn Collins next time I’m looking for a good suspense novel.