I read many Christian books. Most of them are very inspirational with a strong Christian message. These are great but sometimes I like to read for escape – simple enjoyment – to take me away to another place. However, many contemporary secular books that contain good stories also offend my Christian heart. They contain so much sexual immorality, cursing, or wrong beliefs that I am continually startled out of the story, wondering why the author thought the plot needed that particular thing. I want to read a good story without having to become accustomed to ungodly, immoral behavior. The more we see it or read about it, the more such behavior seems to be acceptable.

I found a book at the library that fits into what I’m looking for. The book, Monster, by Frank Peretti tells a story that is exciting enough that it kept me interested from start to finish. The main characters are Christian. They pray, they don’t take God’s name in vain and they are in successful monogamous marriages. They also lived through a terrifying weekend.

Reed Shelton arranged for a survival weekend for him and his not so enthusiastic wife. He studied, trained and hired the best guide in the region hoping his wife Beck would gain self-confidence and get over her shyness. The first night in the wilderness turned to horror as they heard an unearthly wail coming from somewhere in the forest. It was pitch black when they started hearing something creeping up on them. Soon they were running for their lives through the darkness. Beck fell and was carried off by someone or something very large. All that Reed could see is a huge furry creature that seemed to be walking upright.

Peretti is an expert at building suspense. I was trembling by page 35, calmed myself down through the body of the book and was put on edge again as the book drew to a close. Monster is a very satisfying thriller.

Many Christian novels are good reading although I have read very few that that are this exciting and hard to put down. Most Christian novels spend a good part of the book developing a Christian theme and moral. There is nothing wrong with that – it is a good thing. Monster is a thriller in which the characters are Christian. It contains not so much profound Christian teaching as exciting story in which the main characters live by Christian principles. I recommend it for Christians and anyone else looking for a good thriller without the distraction of immoral behavior by the main characters.

I picked up my copy of Monster at the library. It can also be purchased in print, CD or for Kindle at Amazon.com.