Adam (Dekker Thriller) - Suspense Novel by Ted Dekker - Perfect for Mystery Lovers & Book Club Discussions

This book was my introduction to Ted Dekker's writings. I had seen his books at Christian bookstores here in Australia but for some reason had not picked them up - big, big mistake! Now, having an extended holiday over the summer months, I had time to do some reading and picked this novel up from the library.I was gripped from the fist page and almost became a recluse reading it - it was one of those books I could not put down. Suspense, thrills and a good plot are all in place but it also makes some thought-provoking points about the effects of abuse in childhood.Dekker opens with a story of the kidnapping of two children which occurred some years prior to the main storyline of the book and then interweaves that event (the kidnapping) into the hunt for a serial killer named Eve. The fact that it becomes apparent fairly early on in the book who the serial killer is, does not detract at all from the suspense or from the story.I liked the way a supposed article about the serial killer was weaved into the main story and Dekker's use of supposedly real photos from that killer's past is another nice touch.The Christian message is certainly there but is softly done. I believe the book would also make non-Christians think about the impact and influence of evil in the life of a person and the ways in which that evil may gain a foothold. It is this aspect which makes the novel thought-provoking, and issues such as the impact of abuse in childhood and its effects upon the individual when they are grown, should make people think as they enjoy the suspense and thrills.I do not want to say too much about the plot because that may ruin the book for those who have not read it but the characters are well written, the writing is very tight and the story is full of suspense from the start. The absence of any swearing or blasphemy is a great relief to me, as this often ruins the efforts of other thriller writers for me and the fact that Ted delivers such a superb effort without use of language such as that, shows it can be done.With this - my first Dekker book - I have become a great fan and have now read Kiss and am onto Skin, with Sinner and Three lined up to follow.Anyone looking for a novel combining suspense and thrills with a thought-provoking theme should certainly read Adam. It is well worth it!