Lion of Babylon
-
-
4.5 • 19 Ratings
-
-
- $5.99
-
- $5.99
Publisher Description
Marc Royce works for the State Department on special assignments, most of them rather routine, until two CIA operatives go missing in Iraq--kidnapped by Taliban forces bent on generating chaos in the region. Two others also drop out of sight--a high-placed Iraqi civilian and an American woman providing humanitarian aid. Are the disappearances linked? Rumors circulate in a whirl of misinformation.
Marc must unravel the truth in a covert operation requiring utmost secrecy--from both the Americans and the insurgents. But even more secret than the undercover operation is the underground dialogue taking place between sworn enemies. Will the ultimate Reconciler between ancient enemies, current foes, and fanatical religious factions be heard?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Novelist Bunn (To the Ends of the Earth) does for readers what keeps them coming back: he offers the expected and the totally unexpected. An unlikely American operative has to infiltrate the inner circles of Iraqi politics and culture to save the life of a friend and three companions who have gone mysteriously missing. Marc Royce is surprised to be taken in by an Iraqi family that thinks the disappearances may be connected to the kidnapping of dozens of children. Description is so vivid you can smell the food and choke on the desert sand. With many complex Iraqi characters, the story is broad, eschewing melodramatic focus on a few American characters pitted against Iraqi enemies. Bunn also breaks the mold of Christian fiction that views conversion as following a formula of simplistic prayers and belief statements. Says an underground pastor, "We look only to befriend. To illuminate and represent Jesus." Bunn's fans will leap for this precise and intricate tale of cross-cultural friendship and loyalty in the heart of the Red Zone. 60,000 first printing.
Customer Reviews
Lion of babylon
Hard to put down. Easy, exciting, informative read.
Powerful
This is my favorite book. So many Christian suspense novels are filled with shallow meanings or just downright false portrayals of faith. This book has an amazing plot, executes it extremely well, and yet remains true to Christianity. It feels so real I forget I’m reading fiction!
Great Thriller in Iraq
Davis Bunn's 1st book in his Marc Royce series is Published by Bethany House, Center Point Large Print, and Christian Audio. As with all audiobooks the narrator can make or break a book by their presentation. Paul Boehmer has done as well as any I have heard recently when it comes to this dramatic character rich genre. His comand of accents and clarity of speach raise this audiobook title from good to great.
David Bunn's character Marc Royce has been fired from his job in intelligence for taking 9 months off to be with his dieing wife. When the man who fired him asks him to come back for one off the books mission Marc only agrees because his mission is to find his best friend who has gone missing in Iraq, along with two other Americans.
When during Marc's investigation he finds that 40+ Iraqi children have been kidnapped as well he joins forces with a local Iraqi who will help him find the Americans only after the children are found makes for a quick paced against the clock thriller.
The tug-of-war between political factions from the United States and Iraq, as well as the religious communities within the Middle East add a new level of intrigue to a story in this genre.
This book is as well written as any Vince Flynn "Mitch Rapp" novel and also includes faith as an integral part of the story. The story alone draws the listener in well before Jesus is mentioned. I only mention this because Islam and Judiasm are often spoken of in literature but Jesus is rarely mentioned in a way that sounds like a normal religious choice. David Bunn does this expertly within his book without being preachy.
On the story alone I recommend this audiobook, the fact that it represents Christians in a honorable way makes it unique. I am glad to have found this series and hope to review "Rare Earth" and "Straight of Hormuz" Books 2&3 in this series soon.