The 13: Fall (Book One)

Title:  The 13:  Fall (Book One)

Author:  Robbie Cheuvront and Erik Reed with Shawn Allen

Pages:  313

Year:  2012

Publisher:  Barbour Publishing

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

An unlikely trio of a former military chaplain, an FBI agent and computer whiz along with a former Black Ops now CIA member are forced to work together to track down a threat to the President of the United States.  The Prophet, as he calls himself, has contacted the President and warned him that our nation has turned from God and needs to repent and return to God or things will get dramatically worse.  At first, the President ignores the threats.  However, soon the Prophet’s predictions become a reality when the economy tanks and the U.S. is unexpectedly attacked on its own soil.  The President calls in this team to track down the Prophet to stop the descent into chaos before it is too late.

The CIA agent, Jon Keene, lets everyone know he has the most experience and will take the lead on the manhunt.  FBI agent Megan Taylor is Christian and a computer whiz, but doesn’t have much field experience.  Boz Hamilton is the older veteran who has lots of military experience, but has learned to follow God’s lead.  Jon is angry at God for allowing his young wife to be killed a few years ago and has made it his personal vow to bring every criminal he can to justice.  Jon will do whatever is necessary to get his man, but Boz begins talking to Jon about Jesus.  At first, Jon dismisses Boz’s comments, but in his solitary moments Jon wonders if Boz might have said some things worthwhile.  As they begin to work together as a team to track down this very clever man, they begin to appreciate each other’s strengths but also wonder if what the Prophet is telling them might be the truth.

This is a great story that is full of action, adventure, mystery and suspense.  The pages will turn quickly as the chapters are short so the pace is fast.  The premise for this story is intriguing to me.  What would our nation do if it was told to repent and seek God?  We, as a nation, have traveled far from the morals and tenets this country was founded upon and this story really brought that home to me.  Readers will see each member of the team bring their strengths into play in order to track down the Prophet.  However, when adversity is met we also see how each reacts.  Who do you turn to when adversity strikes?