[Book Review] "The Canary List" by Sigmund Brouwer

Note: this book was provided by Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review. The book will be released on 6/21/11 and is available for pre-order from Amazon.

What do Satanism, demons, Dan Brown, an atheist school teacher, foster children, Vatican City, conspiracy theories, and the Catholic Church have in common? Author Sigmund Brouwer use all of the above to draw you into this quick read of a fiction book. While you may think of Frank Peretti when you think of demons being used in a fiction book, that's not Brouwer's intention here, with one exception. What Brouwer does do is weave a tale about a 12 year old foster child's unique ability to sense evil and the Catholic Church wanting to either use that power or get rid of it. Conspiracy theories abound as you find the school teacher that Jaimie Piper runs to , accused of pedophilia, losing all he loves in the process, going all over California attempting to clear his name.

 

A high-profile lawyer gets hired by the very people who framed him and he hires a computer hacker in the process. Meanwhile, plans are being made for Piper to go to Vatican City for who knows what. The chapters are short and jump back and forth to keep you reading. Many surprise twists happen along the way, keeping you guessing even if you think you've figured it out, which you may never due to an even more surprising twist at the end.

 

I enjoyed this quick read. It reminded me quickly of Dan Brown's "DaVinci Code", especially once the story shifted to Italy where even more of the Catholic Church conspiracy theory started cropping up. Brouwer is not one to try to turn Christianity on it's head, however, with some theory about Jesus being married. It's more of a subtle theory, though, there is a direct reference to Dan Brown in the book. Even though Brouwer is a Christian, this book should not be thought of as a Christian book. You will be sorely disappointed if you think of it that way. The premise of the book however does it make it's point well in that if demons exist, then God must exist.

 

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book over about 3 to 4 days. I haven't read a short, captivating book in a while and this one held my interest. It releases on 6/21/11 and should be a good summer read while sitting on the beach.