Suspense/horror faith-based authors: who gets your pulse racing?
I’ve just finished Ghostwriter by Travis Thrasher. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to those of you who love edge-of-your-seat suspense tinged with horror without the gore. Mr. Thrasher is a new-to-me author and I’ve already gone to Amazon and wish listed a couple of his other books. I’m looking forward to reading his new novel, Broken, to be released in 2010. Just a couple of months ago I read Ted Dekker’s BoneMan’s Daughter. At the time Mr. Dekker was another new-to-me author who landed on my suspense/horror favorites list after reading that one novel. What I enjoyed most about both these novels was the intense level of good/evil, suspense/horror without any heavy-handed religious overtones coming from these faith-based authors. I”m not familiar with other faith-based authors who write in this genre. So here’s my question: what faith-based authors would you recommend who write terrific suspense/thriller/horror novels without being preachy? I know I must be missing out on some great novels. Also gore level isn’t a factor as I love true gory, gut-spilling horror though no vampires, werewolves, zombies or fantasy.
Let me know which faith-based author(s) gets your pulse racing, your heart pounding, who keeps you on the edge of your seat and throws in a twist or two you don’t see coming. Even if someone else names one of your favorites go ahead and include that same author in your comments. Repeated mentions must be a sign of good things.
I’m so glad to see Ghostwriter is good because I bought a copy of it when Travis Thrasher did a signing here. I don’t read a lot of this genre, so I really don’t have any recommendations for you.
Dean Koontz. Dean Koontz. Dean Koontz. LOL! He’s the best guy all around for suspense and keeping you wondering just what the heck can possibly happen next. You simply MUST try Lightning by him if you haven’t already. It was so good that when I finished it I just sat there stunned and said “Wow!” Truly awesome!
Actually I’m a big fan of Mr. Koontz’s novels having read almost every novel he’s written. Thanks for the recommendation though.
Well these are my two favorite faith based suspense writers, but I’ve heard John Olson is also quite good, though I haven’t read his books. I’ll check back to see who everyone else recommends!
Hi Amy ~ I’ll have to check out his novels. Thanks for the recommend. Miriam, from Hachette, recommended James Scott Bell. She’s sending out 3 of his novels. Once I’m done I’ll send them your way. Drop me an email, marcia [at] printedpage [dot] us, with your address.
I have no idea really, but I will surely check these out
I loved both books!!
I really like Ted Dekker, but he has also written a number of fantasy-type novels, so be careful when picking up more of his work. That’s really all I’ve got….=)
I’m glad to hear you liked both of these as I have them both in my tbr pile. I don’t know of any other faith-based horror writers, I was actually surprised and compelled to get both of these because of the Christian/horror combo. I was telling my sister about them and she said that her husband reads a lot Frank Perretti and he recommended them, so you might want to look into him.
Thanks. I will check out Mr. Perrett’s novels.
I know what you mean by the edge-of-your-seat thriller. I’ll get Ghostwriter in the mail soon and I’m starting to wonder if I should avoid reading it at night. =P
I’ve enjoyed all those mentioned above: Ted Dekker, Travis Thrasher, John Olson. Also Frank Peretti (I’ve seen him listed as christian-fic) I hadn’t realized there were so many faith-based authors writing thriller/horror until I visited out local Christian bookstore, but I discovered a series by Melanie Wells that looks very good too called The Dylan Foster series. Jenkins and LaHayes’ Left Behind series is worth a mention, some of the series was excellent while others were pretty boring. Oh and Robert Liparulo’s Dreamhouse Kings YA series is amazing.
Looks like another trip to Amazon is in order. Thanks for the recommendations.
Marcia, you probably have this award already, but I’m nominating you still. =)
http://bambireads.blogspot.com/2009/07/kreativ-award.html#comments
I have read Decker and like most of hi writing, but not all. Frank Pereti is another good one that can you give a scare and make you think… all in one.
It’s definitely Ted Dekker for me! I’ve been reading his stuff for years, and what I haven’t read, is on my shelf. I buy them as soon as they come out and read them when I can because I know they’ll be good. My favorites were Three, Obsessed, and Saint but all were really good!
Your blog looks great Marcia! I’ve been away from all of this for a few weeks because of a death in my family but I’m glad to be back now. I love the photo of you with your Kindle on the beach.
I have Ghostwriter and will get to it soon. Glad to know others have liked it. I haven’t read Dekker yet but have heard such good things about him. I requested that book to review but it never came. I’ll get it eventually. I love the creepy, gory books too. They are a fun escape from the real creepy stuff in the world. I agree with the authors mentioned but one or two I haven’t read yet. I’ll be looking for those as well. Harlan Coben and has great thriller/suspense stories. I think you already read Afraid by Jack Kilborn but that has plenty of very scary stuff too.