A serial killer is hunting seven women to present to God as brides, and one FBI agent soon discovers that he is connected to this case in a very personal way. Those who have read Dekker for some time will figure out where things are going early on (with a couple of twists thrown in). In all, the story felt a bit bland in terms of plot and character depth; an entertaining read, but not gripping.  

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The latest tag-team effort from Dekker and Healy focuses on Janeal Mikkado, a young woman whose choices lead her to be faced with a life-or-death decision concerning her best friend...and what she does in that moment will alter the course of her life forever. Although conceptually intriguing, this book falls flat. The major ‘twist’ of this book is so improbable (and never fully explained) that it simply fails to hold together what little story there is.  

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Green is the beginning and the ending of the Circle saga, and while that’s a bit confusing, it does an admirable job of both explaining what has happened in the previous books and setting the stage for those events at the same time. Although the conclusion was a bit unsatisfying, it seems Dekker’s vast fantasy universe was carefully thought out from the start. In all, Green is an enjoyable read, a step closer to vintage Dekker.

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A serial killer called BoneMan breaks the bones of his victims without piercing their skin. Meanwhile, Naval Intelligence officer Ryan Evans faces up to his own failures as a father. When BoneMan strikes against Evans’ family, their worlds become intertwined in this suspenseful thriller. Dekker has crafted another engrossing tale, weaving a very important theme of what it means to be a father. His writing is tighter and flows better than previous stories; a solid effort.

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Dekker returns to form in this gripping tale of a woman who loses six months of her memory following a car crash. As she tries to regain lost time, she discovers her memory loss might not be accidental, and the list of people she can trust is growing smaller. Dekker delivers a solid work of fiction (though I’m guessing Healy did most of the writing) that avoids the twin pitfalls of heavy-handed plot and shallow characters. 

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A Constitutional amendment makes any form of religious intolerance a hate crime – a problem for Christians, since Christ made very exclusive claims. Amidst this upheaval, three unique individuals become connected in surprising ways. Although the climactic showdown with Marsuvees Black (a long-time Dekker villain) came across as a bit too anticlimactic for so powerful a foe, Sinner’s premise is very relevant in this postmodern world, and is worth the read just to think about these things.  

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Dekker’s last few books have seemed a bit rushed, and Adam is no exception. One big twist is saved for the end, but it fizzles since there was no hint of it throughout the book. I understand not wanting to telegraph the big reveal, but the result is less of a twist and more of a jarring out-of-the-blue moment. An average book from an above-average writer, which makes it a decent read but a bit disappointing.

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This book is a slight rewrite of Dekker’s 2002 novel Blink. Unlike some of his later works, this story feels more like a whole story -- complete with character development, story arcs, and a decently satisfying conclusion. It's a strong testimony to the page-turning prowess that Dekker clearly possesses. Blink remains a clever, solid read that, while enjoyable, had the unfortunate side-effect of making me wish that Dekker would once again start writing more like it.

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As the number of Dekker books goes up the quality, sadly, continues to plummet. He is, without question, a talented writer, but this was more of a ‘good idea for a story’ than a ‘good story’. There's not enough weight in the dialogue or the characters and the plot is thin. The result is a book that's easy and quick to read but one that doesn't stay with you very long after you close the cover.

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Trained to be a world-class assassin, Carl has been given a new identity and a new past. But something lies beneath the surface – something that makes Carl pursue the truth of who he used to be. As he begins unraveling the mystery, his world spirals out of his control, causing him to question everything he thinks he knows. Dekker cleverly builds suspense, only to let it slip away as the ending breaks down into standard fare.

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For fans of Christian fiction (although that is an admittedly ambiguous label), the teaming up of heavyweights Dekker and Peretti held tremendous promise. The hype, however, was not lived up to. What starts as a promising thriller quickly devolves into cliché-ridden genre stereotypes they would have been wise to avoid. Although it was obvious that the supernatural was going to flavor their work, it nearly hijacks it and only their strength as writers salvages the story.

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Paradise, Colorado, is a quiet little town in the mountains. Until Marsuvees Black shows up claiming to be a preacher sent from God. But is he who he claims to be? Dekker continues his trademark blend of suspense and mystery but once again, the result feels rushed. Instead of churning out so many books per year, Dekker ought to pace himself and more fully flesh out his stories, lest he fall into comparison with James Patterson.  

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How much would you give for something you wanted? What if you wanted it more than anything else? Ted Dekker unleashes this modern-day parable of a man who finds himself consumed by an obsession. As his desire grows, his actions become more desperate, and he soon discovers that he isn’t alone in his pursuit. Dekker weaves a story that, while flawed, raises some interesting questions about how far a person should go to uncover the truth.

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As the final chapter in the Circle Trilogy, White has the unenviable task of bringing a satisfactory resolution to a magnificent first and second act. Amazingly enough, it nearly achieves that goal. However, as the mysteries of the story give way to character growth, the suspense fades and interest levels off. It lacked the crispness of the first two volumes. Not a perfect book, but better than most, and a solid conclusion to an epic story.

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The second part of the Circle trilogy takes the characters and worlds of the first novel and raises the stakes. The pacing works well, and the story is engaging, to the point where it's hard to put down. Dekker is two-thirds of the way to completing one of the most powerful trilogies of books in the last 50 years. He has crafted a fitting companion to Black, and like that book, this one is highly recommended.

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While Dekker showed promise in earlier works, he's firing on all cylinders here. It combines deft, entrancing storytelling with a fast-paced plot that generates genuine tension. It’s a remarkable blend of two worlds, their effects on each other, and the man caught straddling them both. This book is part one of a trilogy, and I hope Dekker can stay in stride with what is (at this point) his career-defining work. This book is highly, highly recommended.

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A strong setup followed by a letdown at the story’s climax. An interesting book, but whether or not the interest will last for 300 pages is in question. Still, this remains an engaging tale with a twist many won't see coming. (Whether or not they'll like it is less clear...) There are moments that hint of great potential from Dekker. Overall, a mediocre read, with too few successes to merit anything other than a cautious recommendation.

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