I have to admit, I wasn’t too interested in reading Playing Saint. Zachary Bartels is a new author, and this is his first book as far as I know. I’m usually skeptical of such books, simply because the author doesn’t have any track record, and first books are often a bit… well, cheesy.

I was totally surprised when I started reading Playing Saint. This book is well written, and captures the attention very quickly. And then it holds it until the very end.

Here is a brief synopsis. Parker Saint is a successful televangelist, serving at a megachurch that is exploding with growth. On top of all of that, he is close to launching his first book. Saint’s star is on the rise.

But when he becomes embroiled in helping the police solve a string of murders with religious symbols found at the scenes, his life turns upside down. He starts to slip, and soon discovers that he is in over his head. Between helping the police, being drawn into a search for an ancient relic with several mysterious Jesuits, and his own personal struggles, Parker Saint discovers that there really is a spiritual battle going on. And he finds that he is in the cross hairs of the killer.

Playing Saint is an exceptionally well written book, with a plot that twists and turns and leaves you completely surprised. It’s intense, and difficult to put down. Very few authors can create such an exceptional novel right off the bat, but Bartels has done it, and done it well. Along with Ted Dekker, Bartels will be an author to watch. I will be looking intently for his next novel.

Playing Saint was so intriguing that I could not put it down. I read the entire book in one evening, hardly able to tear my eyes away from the page. This is easily one of the most intriguing books I’ve read recently.

If you love suspense fiction, with an element of good versus evil, and a solid faith-based plot line, then you will enjoy reading Playing Saint. Grab a copy and read it. You’ll be glad you did.

Question: Do you enjoy suspense fiction? Who is your favorite author? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

I received this book free from Harper Collins Christian Publishing as part of their BookLook Bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.