Review: Blood Ransom

Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris. Zondervan ISBN 978-0-310-31905-4

Summary: Two American volunteers, Natalie Sinclair and Dr. Chad Talcott, stay busy treating the diseases that ravage entire villages in the country of Dhambizao, Africa. With the country on the eve of a national election, they don't need any additional drama in their lives.

However, when one of Natalie's village helpers comes to her with proof of slave trafficking and a plot to overturn the upcoming election, they feel compelled to act. The enemy chases them from the jungle down the river to the capitol, leaving a string of deaths behind. Will it take a Blood Ransom to prevent terrorists from taking over their adopted homeland?

Lisa lives in Mozambique, where she and her husband serve as church-planting missionaries. Her love and knowledge of the land and its people shines on every page. She has woven a story that leaves the identity of the hero and the villain in doubt until the final chapter. Natalie and Chad's struggle with "why does God allow bad things to happen to His people" reaches new depths in their struggle with an enemy with no regard for human life.

In general, I don't find thrillers by Christian authors as compelling as those by secular authors. Blood Ransom is a welcome exception. Pick it up today.