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Playing Saint
Rising mega-pastor Parker Saint was wrapped up in his ratings and his book deal. But that was before the cops and the serial killer, the Vatican operatives, and the centuries-old plot to conceal an ancient relic. Now he's just trying to stay alive.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted--including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.
As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.
Building to an intense climax, "Playing Saint" is a timely exploration of what compels us, what defines us, and what redeems us. With its combination of suspense, humor, and intriguing characters, it will captivate readers until the final twist.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted--including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.
As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.
Building to an intense climax, "Playing Saint" is a timely exploration of what compels us, what defines us, and what redeems us. With its combination of suspense, humor, and intriguing characters, it will captivate readers until the final twist.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
22 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Zachary Bartels
16 books60 followersAn award-winning preacher and Bible teacher, Zachary Bartels serves as senior pastor of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Lansing, MI. He earned a BA in world religions from Cornerstone University and his Masters of Divinity from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Zachary enjoys film, fine cigars, stimulating conversation, gourmet coffee, reading, writing, and cycling. He lives in Lansing, MI, with his wife Erin and their son. Facebook: AuthorZacharyBartels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 24, 2014
This should be a movie. It would be sooo killer.
I used to love those crazy supernatural movies when I was younger. I still do. Something about the mysticism that goes along with the Catholic church and the premise of demons and horrors that are unseen creep me out. And it's an addictive kind of creepiness. I saw them all: The Exorcist, The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, Poltergeist (different but definitely included), The First Power with Lou Diamond Philips.
Playing Saint is like The First Power, but infinitely better.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming TV evangelist and he's doing well. He's a good guy, but a small lawsuit threatens to destroy everything he has built. The DA decides to let him walk if he helps the sheriff's office with a new case involving a serial killer, one who leaves satanic symbols with the bodies. They need someone who can shed religious light on the investigation.
Enter three members of a secret Jesuit priesthood sent directly from the Vatican. They are from a militant sect - priests packing heat. Yes! They've been sent to investigate the same case and do so surreptitiously, right under the noses of the detectives and while armed with diplomatic immunity. While the detectives drag Parker around by day, he pairs with the mysterious priests by night.
Pretty soon, a disbelieving Parker is drawn into a battle with demons right here on planet earth.
Hollywood: Please make this into a movie and cast Terrence Stamp as Father Iglesias (the oldest of the three ninja-like warrior priests).
The dialogue is the best part of this book. It's realistic and at times, absolutely hysterical. Witty and pulling, I couldn't get enough of the Priest trio. Father Iglesias was definitely my favorite. He refused to call Parker by his name, instead only referring to him as, "Protestant." He was old school and never failed to let everyone know it. He might be seventy or so, but he is a trained militant. Don't f*** with him.
Absolutely fascinating read! Highly, highly, highly, highly recommended.
I used to love those crazy supernatural movies when I was younger. I still do. Something about the mysticism that goes along with the Catholic church and the premise of demons and horrors that are unseen creep me out. And it's an addictive kind of creepiness. I saw them all: The Exorcist, The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, Poltergeist (different but definitely included), The First Power with Lou Diamond Philips.
Playing Saint is like The First Power, but infinitely better.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming TV evangelist and he's doing well. He's a good guy, but a small lawsuit threatens to destroy everything he has built. The DA decides to let him walk if he helps the sheriff's office with a new case involving a serial killer, one who leaves satanic symbols with the bodies. They need someone who can shed religious light on the investigation.
Enter three members of a secret Jesuit priesthood sent directly from the Vatican. They are from a militant sect - priests packing heat. Yes! They've been sent to investigate the same case and do so surreptitiously, right under the noses of the detectives and while armed with diplomatic immunity. While the detectives drag Parker around by day, he pairs with the mysterious priests by night.
Pretty soon, a disbelieving Parker is drawn into a battle with demons right here on planet earth.
Hollywood: Please make this into a movie and cast Terrence Stamp as Father Iglesias (the oldest of the three ninja-like warrior priests).
The dialogue is the best part of this book. It's realistic and at times, absolutely hysterical. Witty and pulling, I couldn't get enough of the Priest trio. Father Iglesias was definitely my favorite. He refused to call Parker by his name, instead only referring to him as, "Protestant." He was old school and never failed to let everyone know it. He might be seventy or so, but he is a trained militant. Don't f*** with him.
Absolutely fascinating read! Highly, highly, highly, highly recommended.
March 9, 2015
Not many books get me to stay up late anymore. This one did. As a Grand Rapidian (yes, that's a thing) I loved the setting of this book. But more than that, this book is good because the plot is intricate, the characters are believable (great dialogue!) and the spiritual warfare and violence are neither sensationalized, nor are they too tidy. The pace of this story will interrupt your sleep time and keep you turning pages. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys detective shows, or books on spiritual warfare in the real-world, or books that make you think broadly about the church (as in, beyond just your tradition). This is a great story from a first time novelist. I hope we get to read more Brian Parker Saint stories down the road.
July 27, 2015
Christian fiction/suspense; first book I have read by Mr. Bartels. As I started the book, I wondered if I would really like it. The book has a solid message even if the plot was a bit thin at times. There were a few characters I became invested in, like Parker Saint, Paige, and Father Ignatius (hilarious fellow!). Admittedly, I have read a lot of mystery novels so the ending did not surprise me. The best parts of the book were the humor--surprisingly funny--and the message about having true faith and needing the cross. The message about surrendering everything and acknowledging God was given in numerous ways and it was very welcome. Will definitely read more of, Mr. Bartels work. Recommend to those who are fond of Christian suspense.
June 24, 2015
Unique. That's the best description of all for Playing Saint.
Playing Saint began as a mystery novel and turned into a suspense novel in the final quarter.
I enjoyed the spiritual growth that developed alongside solving the mystery.
I initially became interested in this novel due to an author's endorsement and then it was nominated for an INSPY pushing it up on my TBR list. I'm definitely glad I gave this novel a try. It was a good read and I look forward to reading other novels by Zachary Bartels.
Playing Saint began as a mystery novel and turned into a suspense novel in the final quarter.
I enjoyed the spiritual growth that developed alongside solving the mystery.
I initially became interested in this novel due to an author's endorsement and then it was nominated for an INSPY pushing it up on my TBR list. I'm definitely glad I gave this novel a try. It was a good read and I look forward to reading other novels by Zachary Bartels.
September 26, 2014
This book was a great little surprise. Really enjoyed it, couldn't put it down. I think I'm in love with Parker Saint. Certainly hope the author has more books up his sleeve, if Parker and I are to continue our relationship.
December 30, 2014
I have looked and looked for well-written Christian fiction, and I often come away disappointed. Imagine my glee when I actually enjoyed reading this book! The characters were lifelike and fun, the plot kept me interested, and I can't wait until Bartels writes another book.
August 3, 2016
Full review was first posted on my blog: https://sorryiambooked.wordpress.com/...
Not. Thrilling. At. All.
I think I hyped it up too much - thought I get why the focus was more on Parker. I just wished for more of the suspense. I didn't get the suspense feeling until right as the climax was happening. I didn't feel like it built up at all for me.
The writing was good, but I didn't find it amazing. Same thing with Parker Saint as a character - he seemed very mediocre/ in the middle.
I will say both the writing and the plot made sense and flowed, although I did not get the point of the Vatican operatives (that part just didn't seem realistic to me either). I really enjoyed the chapters from the killer's POV and how it starts from the beginning of their journey and then leads up to the climax and it kept me guessing until the big reveal.
It was at least entertaining.
Not. Thrilling. At. All.
I think I hyped it up too much - thought I get why the focus was more on Parker. I just wished for more of the suspense. I didn't get the suspense feeling until right as the climax was happening. I didn't feel like it built up at all for me.
The writing was good, but I didn't find it amazing. Same thing with Parker Saint as a character - he seemed very mediocre/ in the middle.
I will say both the writing and the plot made sense and flowed, although I did not get the point of the Vatican operatives (that part just didn't seem realistic to me either). I really enjoyed the chapters from the killer's POV and how it starts from the beginning of their journey and then leads up to the climax and it kept me guessing until the big reveal.
It was at least entertaining.
November 2, 2016
**This review was originally published in my church's newsletter where I serve as a pastor.
On rare occasions I stumble into the genre of Christian Fiction. I am usually disappointed. Most Christian fiction in my experience is clichéd and sappy with unrealistic characters and stories of conversion that miss the mark both theologically and existentially.
I ran into this volume by accident perusing the shelves of the public library. I enjoy the occasional thriller, so when I saw that a Christian Baptist pastor had written a suspenseful murder mystery I was intrigued. I was also skeptical.
"Playing Saint", is the story of a pastor who is at a crisis in his life and ministry. Saint is successful with an up and coming television ministry that would be the envy of many preachers. His church’s success would garner the praise of many people. Still he is at first unaware of how he was spiraling away from the orthodoxy of his forefathers, but early in the story he is thrown into a world of murder and ecclesial intrigue that his shallow theology and weak piety is unable to handle.
Pastor Saint is blackmailed into assisting the police with an investigation lest they reveal an ill-tempered outburst they caught on tape and for which he would be sued. Though the circumstances of the plot at this point are implausible and silly it is worth suspending reality to come along for the ride that follows. A murderer is leaving their victims with cultic marks while churches are also being vandalized. Pastor Saint is tasked with helping the detectives decipher the religious elements of the crimes. The plot thickens when he is acquainted with three Jesuit priests from the Vatican who are doing an investigation of their own. The novel then takes you on a ride of twists and turns that should keep the pages turning for most readers.
In short Playing Saint is a fast paced and fun adventure. What surprised me about this book is that it did not take itself too seriously like other books in this genre. Zachary Bartel obviously wants to right humorous and suspenseful fiction. He does not become too preachy, though his opinions about the doctrine of popular television preachers are quite apparent. I happen to agree with Bartel’s summation of the dangers of emphasizing popularity over faithfulness to God in the character of Pastor Saint. He takes the time in an epilogue to discuss what theological ideas he wanted to convey in the book and to sort out historical truth from fiction in some elements of the plot.
If I have one criticism of Bartel’s work is one must be careful with his interpretation of some Bible passages surrounding demon possession. While these passages are discussed to move the plot I would advocate further study of these texts with good commentaries and study Bibles. After all, this is a work of fiction and the discussion about these passages is more for plot development than Biblical instruction. So, lest I give a spoiler by over explaining my point may the reader be ever mindful this is fiction and not a theological work. I would not draw conclusions about demoniacs and what they can or cannot do from this book.
If you like murder mysteries and you do not mind mild depictions of violence you may want to give "Playing Saint" a try. I entered the book expecting it to try to be something it was not, a preachy book written by a Christian with an agenda, but I was pleasantly surprised to walk away concluding the opposite. Quite simply, I was entertained.
On rare occasions I stumble into the genre of Christian Fiction. I am usually disappointed. Most Christian fiction in my experience is clichéd and sappy with unrealistic characters and stories of conversion that miss the mark both theologically and existentially.
I ran into this volume by accident perusing the shelves of the public library. I enjoy the occasional thriller, so when I saw that a Christian Baptist pastor had written a suspenseful murder mystery I was intrigued. I was also skeptical.
"Playing Saint", is the story of a pastor who is at a crisis in his life and ministry. Saint is successful with an up and coming television ministry that would be the envy of many preachers. His church’s success would garner the praise of many people. Still he is at first unaware of how he was spiraling away from the orthodoxy of his forefathers, but early in the story he is thrown into a world of murder and ecclesial intrigue that his shallow theology and weak piety is unable to handle.
Pastor Saint is blackmailed into assisting the police with an investigation lest they reveal an ill-tempered outburst they caught on tape and for which he would be sued. Though the circumstances of the plot at this point are implausible and silly it is worth suspending reality to come along for the ride that follows. A murderer is leaving their victims with cultic marks while churches are also being vandalized. Pastor Saint is tasked with helping the detectives decipher the religious elements of the crimes. The plot thickens when he is acquainted with three Jesuit priests from the Vatican who are doing an investigation of their own. The novel then takes you on a ride of twists and turns that should keep the pages turning for most readers.
In short Playing Saint is a fast paced and fun adventure. What surprised me about this book is that it did not take itself too seriously like other books in this genre. Zachary Bartel obviously wants to right humorous and suspenseful fiction. He does not become too preachy, though his opinions about the doctrine of popular television preachers are quite apparent. I happen to agree with Bartel’s summation of the dangers of emphasizing popularity over faithfulness to God in the character of Pastor Saint. He takes the time in an epilogue to discuss what theological ideas he wanted to convey in the book and to sort out historical truth from fiction in some elements of the plot.
If I have one criticism of Bartel’s work is one must be careful with his interpretation of some Bible passages surrounding demon possession. While these passages are discussed to move the plot I would advocate further study of these texts with good commentaries and study Bibles. After all, this is a work of fiction and the discussion about these passages is more for plot development than Biblical instruction. So, lest I give a spoiler by over explaining my point may the reader be ever mindful this is fiction and not a theological work. I would not draw conclusions about demoniacs and what they can or cannot do from this book.
If you like murder mysteries and you do not mind mild depictions of violence you may want to give "Playing Saint" a try. I entered the book expecting it to try to be something it was not, a preachy book written by a Christian with an agenda, but I was pleasantly surprised to walk away concluding the opposite. Quite simply, I was entertained.
July 16, 2016
I have been interested in reading this book ever since I saw a blurb about it a few months back. Even though it is a new author with his debut novel, it sounded good enough that I was going to buy it. Then I got a chance to review it, so of course I grabbed it.
This book is not for the faint of heart. Even though the author doesn't get overly graphic, there are a lot of crime scene descriptions in the book. And although he doesn't get too descriptive with it, the issue of demon possession is covered a lot in the book.
It is a very suspenseful and exciting read. I had a hard time putting it down, and read through it in one sitting, and if I still chewed my fingernails, I'd have been doing it. This book is a nail biter. And worth every minute I spent reading it.
I found nothing in the book to dislike. I wasn't too crazy about the main character, Parker Saint, one of those fake preachers who are all about show, but by the time the book ended, had come to like him. I loved the armed priests in the book and thought they added a lot to the story. And I really liked the double play on words with the title. I can't give any spoilers away, but the title is pure genius.
An interesting idea was approached in the book. There is a Scripture verse that talks about demons coming out of a person, and if they don't stay true to God, the demons coming back with seven times as many demons. I don't think it is possible in real life, but one of the characters in the book would have demons cast out of him over and over just so he could get more back later. It did show how real demon possession is, and that it is nothing to mess around with, and also that if someone is trying to cast demons out, they had better have their heart right with God.
The book did have a twist that totally surprised me, which I enjoyed. If a book is too predictable, it isn't as fun to read. And this one was fun to read. I highly recommend it. This is an author to watch.
This book is not for the faint of heart. Even though the author doesn't get overly graphic, there are a lot of crime scene descriptions in the book. And although he doesn't get too descriptive with it, the issue of demon possession is covered a lot in the book.
It is a very suspenseful and exciting read. I had a hard time putting it down, and read through it in one sitting, and if I still chewed my fingernails, I'd have been doing it. This book is a nail biter. And worth every minute I spent reading it.
I found nothing in the book to dislike. I wasn't too crazy about the main character, Parker Saint, one of those fake preachers who are all about show, but by the time the book ended, had come to like him. I loved the armed priests in the book and thought they added a lot to the story. And I really liked the double play on words with the title. I can't give any spoilers away, but the title is pure genius.
An interesting idea was approached in the book. There is a Scripture verse that talks about demons coming out of a person, and if they don't stay true to God, the demons coming back with seven times as many demons. I don't think it is possible in real life, but one of the characters in the book would have demons cast out of him over and over just so he could get more back later. It did show how real demon possession is, and that it is nothing to mess around with, and also that if someone is trying to cast demons out, they had better have their heart right with God.
The book did have a twist that totally surprised me, which I enjoyed. If a book is too predictable, it isn't as fun to read. And this one was fun to read. I highly recommend it. This is an author to watch.
March 5, 2016
I had high hopes for this book...and it didn't dissapoint! Come on, with a recommendation from Steven James, I had a pretty good idea Playing Saint was going to be good.
Parker Saint is a pastor rising quickly to fame by telling people what they want to hear. He hasn't lost touch with truth, but with the influence of his mentor, he's realizing it doesn't sell. When faced with the loss of his reputation, Parker agrees to work as a consultant with the Grand Rapids PD, and the walking-cliche, Detective Ketchem.
Filled with a fantastic cast of believable characters, a psycho-killer on the loose, and refreshing humor, you can't go wrong with Playing Saint. I found myself comparing it to Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti with the added bonus of humor that didn't take away from the intrigue, but only added interest.
This is a definite must read from me! If you like a good thriller* that weaves in faith realistically and keeps you guessing, look no further. I'm anticipating more from Zachary in the future and will definitely make time to read what he puts out next.
*One note here: There are elements of the demonic represented in this book. I found that it aided the story and in no way created nightmares for me, but I understand some readers could be sensitive to that - thus the slight warning.
Originally posted on my blog: http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2015/02...
_______________________
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
Parker Saint is a pastor rising quickly to fame by telling people what they want to hear. He hasn't lost touch with truth, but with the influence of his mentor, he's realizing it doesn't sell. When faced with the loss of his reputation, Parker agrees to work as a consultant with the Grand Rapids PD, and the walking-cliche, Detective Ketchem.
Filled with a fantastic cast of believable characters, a psycho-killer on the loose, and refreshing humor, you can't go wrong with Playing Saint. I found myself comparing it to Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti with the added bonus of humor that didn't take away from the intrigue, but only added interest.
This is a definite must read from me! If you like a good thriller* that weaves in faith realistically and keeps you guessing, look no further. I'm anticipating more from Zachary in the future and will definitely make time to read what he puts out next.
*One note here: There are elements of the demonic represented in this book. I found that it aided the story and in no way created nightmares for me, but I understand some readers could be sensitive to that - thus the slight warning.
Originally posted on my blog: http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2015/02...
_______________________
I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
January 2, 2015
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels is just an all-around great and exciting story. A fast-paced thriller full of mystery, suspense and interesting characters, it is a novel that is nearly impossible to put down. The character of Parker Saint, in particular, fascinated me. I definitely did not like Parker when I first met him, but his character development throughout the novel is both intriguing and thought-provoking. His story kept me on my toes and definitely threw a few surprises at me. An overall fun read, I definitely recommend Playing Saint for lovers of thrillers and will be looking out for more from Zachary Bartels in the future.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Playing Saint and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels is just an all-around great and exciting story. A fast-paced thriller full of mystery, suspense and interesting characters, it is a novel that is nearly impossible to put down. The character of Parker Saint, in particular, fascinated me. I definitely did not like Parker when I first met him, but his character development throughout the novel is both intriguing and thought-provoking. His story kept me on my toes and definitely threw a few surprises at me. An overall fun read, I definitely recommend Playing Saint for lovers of thrillers and will be looking out for more from Zachary Bartels in the future.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Playing Saint and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
May 31, 2021
Parker Saint has strong ideas about God and church. While he is continuing in the tradition of being a pastor like his father and his grandfather, he feels like their presentation of God is stuffy. He feels like Jesus needs to be livened up. Based on the size of his mega church, his happy sermons are working. But is he missing the point?
Parker is cornered into being a consultant for the police on a series of crimes that include religious symbols. He ends up being over his head in so many areas. Over time, he ends up seeing the truth.
This book went in so many unexpected directions. I definitely do not suggest that you listen to it alone in the car on a highway with slow traffic. :-) Many moments kept me on the edge of my seat. I would classify this as a thriller. While the book did not get overly descriptive, the focus is on finding a serial killer. This is not one that I would recommend to an audience younger than high school.
I appreciated the overriding theme - that the message matters. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Parker's character is definitely transformed.
I listened to this book entirely on the encouragement of the author. After I shared about his book, "The Last Con" on Instagram, Zachary Bartels contacted me and suggested that I listen to his original recording of his other books. He definitely has a great audio book voice! While occasionally there were a few too many sound effects (the first 2 minutes definitely concerned me,) in the end, I thought that they added to the telling of the tale. I will definitely listen to more of his books and hope to listen to the sequel in June.
Parker is cornered into being a consultant for the police on a series of crimes that include religious symbols. He ends up being over his head in so many areas. Over time, he ends up seeing the truth.
This book went in so many unexpected directions. I definitely do not suggest that you listen to it alone in the car on a highway with slow traffic. :-) Many moments kept me on the edge of my seat. I would classify this as a thriller. While the book did not get overly descriptive, the focus is on finding a serial killer. This is not one that I would recommend to an audience younger than high school.
I appreciated the overriding theme - that the message matters. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Parker's character is definitely transformed.
I listened to this book entirely on the encouragement of the author. After I shared about his book, "The Last Con" on Instagram, Zachary Bartels contacted me and suggested that I listen to his original recording of his other books. He definitely has a great audio book voice! While occasionally there were a few too many sound effects (the first 2 minutes definitely concerned me,) in the end, I thought that they added to the telling of the tale. I will definitely listen to more of his books and hope to listen to the sequel in June.
January 29, 2022
I had pretty high hopes for this book. It begins off with a brilliant hook and you immediately are intrigued with the main character, Parker. As it goes on though, when topics such as religion come up and someone challenges his views, it’s not actually a good representation of atheism or other religions and, Parker has the perfect witty comeback to make them look stupid. The author had the perfect opportunity to make people think and to add contrast to the book, but instead he made it flat.
The next qualm i have is that he uses some of the tropes that are just old and reused over and over. This is more of a personal preference then anything else.
The main character is pretty well-rounded character, but every other character was so off. The author didn’t know how to write a character that wasn’t a middle aged man. The women in this book are completely off (throw themselves at him and when he would do something wrong, they’d forgive him after a day if he bought flowers in an EXTREMELY cliché way), the way he describes teens is honestly offensive(“Three stoned hooligans whooping their way…” “And there’s the way he dresses and all his piercings and such. I mean, I try not to judge people, but I mean look at this man”), and the way he describes his boss(ish) is just flat as hell.
On a positive note, the story is paced pretty good, and he makes the ending unexpected but not completely unbelievable.
The next qualm i have is that he uses some of the tropes that are just old and reused over and over. This is more of a personal preference then anything else.
The main character is pretty well-rounded character, but every other character was so off. The author didn’t know how to write a character that wasn’t a middle aged man. The women in this book are completely off (throw themselves at him and when he would do something wrong, they’d forgive him after a day if he bought flowers in an EXTREMELY cliché way), the way he describes teens is honestly offensive(“Three stoned hooligans whooping their way…” “And there’s the way he dresses and all his piercings and such. I mean, I try not to judge people, but I mean look at this man”), and the way he describes his boss(ish) is just flat as hell.
On a positive note, the story is paced pretty good, and he makes the ending unexpected but not completely unbelievable.
May 25, 2017
It's rare to find a book that melds action, adventure, conspiracy and murder with a strong and important Christian message. But since Zachary Bartels is a pastor, in fact and in heart, he cannot but speak-forth into the lives of readers things that need to be said. Every member of the Church will be held accountable for how they spent their lives, how they spent their free-time, how they used the talents and gifts they were given. So when we make reading choices, we need to do this with accountability. This is a book that you will be better for having read. As you live life through the main character's eyes you will recognize what is good and right to have in your own life. The fantastic aspects, of conspiracies and murders, are merely context for the essential message. This is what makes it the kind of Christian book that should be out there. I was so pleased to read this. Written by a man of integrity to build up integrity and faith in the Church. Thank you to the author for his hard work on our behalf.
April 19, 2018
I liked this book quite a bit. I enjoyed the suspense. By the end, I had narrowed it down to 2 people. I was correct about one of them; how it all came about still kept me in suspense. I liked that this did not really have any romance. It was nice to read a suspense/mystery which was just that and not a romantic suspense. I enjoy romantic suspense, as well, but it is nice to read books without the romance at times. What I did not enjoy was the amount of Catholic beliefs included. For a believer who is not familiar with Biblical doctrine, the false doctrine spoken of by the priests could easily confuse them. I wish it had been clearly explained what was Biblical truth and what was just false Catholic teaching. Overall, a good book, especially if one is well-grounded enough in good doctrine not to be swayed by the erroneous beliefs spouted by the priests.
January 1, 2023
What's right: I liked the character of Parker Saint. A megachurch pastor who preaches vague sermons about destiny and abundance, he finds his faith challenged when he is coerced into consulting for the police on a series of murders. What's not-so-great: The characterization in this book is good; unfortunately, the story is very gory with too many deaths. I regret reading it. However, someone with a stronger stomach might appreciate the unusual plot of megachurch pastor vs. occult killer.
November 5, 2022
Enjoyed this novel quite a bit. The pace is well done for a thriller, and Bartels does an excellent job narrating the audio book himself. I enjoy the humor, and how quickly the shifts into slapstick can be, then returning to serious drama. These sorts of tonal shifts put some people off who seem to focus on traditional formula and structure, but it reminds me of Korean film director Bong Joon-ho's style, in a good way. Highly recommend this, especially since there is such a dearth of fiction written with a focused Christian worldview. Hoping to see Bartels write more fiction in upcoming years.
December 28, 2017
I loved the book and the pace was great. Kind of reminded me of Ted Dekker. The only downfall was that it seemed a little slow at times.
January 2, 2018
Loved the suspense!
The last few chapter will make your heart race! Loved the spiritual journey of Parker Saint and his coming to terms with the fact that the gospel is offensive.
The last few chapter will make your heart race! Loved the spiritual journey of Parker Saint and his coming to terms with the fact that the gospel is offensive.
March 28, 2018
The perfect blend of humor, suspense, action, theology, and page-turning reading. I really mean it, Zachary Bartels is my favorite Christian fiction author.
October 23, 2018
Amen
Is a well written book. I enjoyed reading this book. Was sometimes hard to follow. A good read for any adult
Is a well written book. I enjoyed reading this book. Was sometimes hard to follow. A good read for any adult
October 15, 2019
Wow!! Did not see that ending coming!
March 30, 2021
Solid book. I really enjoy the writing style and the Christianity in it. It is Christian themed without being cheesy and sappy and having the same plot every other christian novel.
August 31, 2024
I hope the author doesn't mind if I say that the book is a bit Dekkeresque, with some overtones of Peretti and Grantchester. A fun read about clerical hypocrisy, murder, and demon possession.
January 29, 2025
Knew i didnt like this book around the middle but i still finished it so idk what that says about me
September 26, 2017
I really liked this book. It had some twists that took me by surprise. The ending was great.
May 16, 2022
good read
Very suspenseful, humorous and undergirded with spiritual truths. Hard to put down. Interesting characters and lots of twists and turns.
Very suspenseful, humorous and undergirded with spiritual truths. Hard to put down. Interesting characters and lots of twists and turns.
January 9, 2015
Reverend Parker Saint has led a very comfortable lifestyle, with a dream job broadcasting his sermons and writing novels. He’s widely known for his positivity and famous saying, “God is awesome and so are you!” Life is good…or at least until an altercation leaves him with no other choice but to make a deal with the police in order to avoid a public scandal. The deal turns out to be helping a group of detectives solve a series of murders linked only by ominous religious symbols left at the crime scenes. Only problem is, Parker is no expert and his only hope at getting out of his mess is by pretending he is…something he’s gotten quite good at over the years. Add to that some funny secret agent priests and a centuries old conspiracy similar to the Holy Grail, Parker soon finds out that he is in way over his head with more evil forces at play than he can imagine. Will he survive long enough to get his life back on the track it was meant to all along?
A novel not for the queasy, Playing Saint slams us into intense suspense right from the get-go. It pulled me in with it’s entertaining characters, crazily intriguing plot, and just the unique overall “feel” of the story. The writing is spectacularly well done—this is a debut author to watch out for. If you’re wondering why I started with mentioning this book wasn’t for the queasy, here’s why. This story revolves in large part around spiritual warfare, including occult symbols, exorcisms, demonic possession, and evil curses to name a few. There are parts that are absolutely grisly, like crime scenes and the killer’s flashbacks. Speaking of, we get many chapters with different character’s point-of-views—including but not limited to the detective working the case, victims, victim’s families, and the killer himself. I really prefer having a strong focus on the main character, but I do understand why it was important to include other perspectives in this story. However, it did still confuse me at times and was especially difficult to remember everyone and everything going on, especially if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t finish a book in one sitting. These things made the book a little less than it could have been for me…hence the 3.5 stars. I have only one more thing to mention—the ending was explosive. And by that, I mean it was crazy exciting and I couldn’t have stopped reading even if I tried. And that is the sign of a good read.
If you’re looking for something refreshingly different from this genre, this is it. A thought-provoking crime drama, Playing Saint will put you on the edge of your seat with it’s twists and turns and suspenseful mystery. Side note—don’t forget to read the author’s note as it had an impactful message that made the perfect ending.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2015/...
A novel not for the queasy, Playing Saint slams us into intense suspense right from the get-go. It pulled me in with it’s entertaining characters, crazily intriguing plot, and just the unique overall “feel” of the story. The writing is spectacularly well done—this is a debut author to watch out for. If you’re wondering why I started with mentioning this book wasn’t for the queasy, here’s why. This story revolves in large part around spiritual warfare, including occult symbols, exorcisms, demonic possession, and evil curses to name a few. There are parts that are absolutely grisly, like crime scenes and the killer’s flashbacks. Speaking of, we get many chapters with different character’s point-of-views—including but not limited to the detective working the case, victims, victim’s families, and the killer himself. I really prefer having a strong focus on the main character, but I do understand why it was important to include other perspectives in this story. However, it did still confuse me at times and was especially difficult to remember everyone and everything going on, especially if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t finish a book in one sitting. These things made the book a little less than it could have been for me…hence the 3.5 stars. I have only one more thing to mention—the ending was explosive. And by that, I mean it was crazy exciting and I couldn’t have stopped reading even if I tried. And that is the sign of a good read.
If you’re looking for something refreshingly different from this genre, this is it. A thought-provoking crime drama, Playing Saint will put you on the edge of your seat with it’s twists and turns and suspenseful mystery. Side note—don’t forget to read the author’s note as it had an impactful message that made the perfect ending.
http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2015/...
May 11, 2023
I wouldn't consider this book a letdown, but mostly because it never got my hopes up very high.
There is some promising stuff here. The little touches of humor worked well, the characters didn't feel like tired old cliches dragged out of cop shows and horror films, and it got somewhat more interesting as it went on. Unfortunately, that was not near enough to make it good.
The first problem is the main character, Parker Saint. The side allusions to his televised ministry, his expressed desire to "save Jesus" from the über-conservatives, the "destiny" drinking game suggest that we're supposed to find him shallow, absorbed with fame, and theologically questionable, but that's all we're given. I'm not sure someone outside of evangelical Christianity would get why we're supposed to consider Parker's ministry bad. His return to a deeper faith is as flat and meaningless as it is predictable.
I give Pastor Bartels kudos for making his militant Jesuits interesting and believable, at least within the context of the book, but he never used them to their full potential. Honestly, considering how he ended their storyline, i'm confused as to why he included them at all. What purpose did even have?
His female characters felt pretty well-developed, but almost immediately after i was thinking about women in refrigerators. Was there any point to her character besides giving Parker angst? Why did the other female character more or less drop out of the story halfway through?
There was a bit of mystery and surprise with the identity of the "Blackjack killer", but honestly i'm not convinced that could really have been as convincing as he was. If we're going with a form of demon possession based more on Biblical record, demoniacs didn't exactly blend in with the rest of the populace. And while i'm no expert on the aspirations of demons who possess people, i find his motivation and methods both puzzling and unconvincing.
The 'climactic' final battle between good and evil was about as dramatic as watching paint dry, and took about as long. At no point did i feel that the killer was a true threat or that Parker was in any real danger, not even when . And while i appreciate that the demon-possessed bad guy didn't act like someone in a cheap horror film, if your final battle is going to be resolved with strategy and guns, why are you including demons in the first place?
Playing Saint avoids many of the problems Christian fiction is accused of having, such as the cheesy conversion scene or an abundance of cliched characters. Unfortunately, in my opinion they were not replaced with substance or quality.
There is some promising stuff here. The little touches of humor worked well, the characters didn't feel like tired old cliches dragged out of cop shows and horror films, and it got somewhat more interesting as it went on. Unfortunately, that was not near enough to make it good.
The first problem is the main character, Parker Saint. The side allusions to his televised ministry, his expressed desire to "save Jesus" from the über-conservatives, the "destiny" drinking game suggest that we're supposed to find him shallow, absorbed with fame, and theologically questionable, but that's all we're given. I'm not sure someone outside of evangelical Christianity would get why we're supposed to consider Parker's ministry bad. His return to a deeper faith is as flat and meaningless as it is predictable.
I give Pastor Bartels kudos for making his militant Jesuits interesting and believable, at least within the context of the book, but he never used them to their full potential. Honestly, considering how he ended their storyline, i'm confused as to why he included them at all. What purpose did even have?
His female characters felt pretty well-developed, but almost immediately after i was thinking about women in refrigerators. Was there any point to her character besides giving Parker angst? Why did the other female character more or less drop out of the story halfway through?
There was a bit of mystery and surprise with the identity of the "Blackjack killer", but honestly i'm not convinced that could really have been as convincing as he was. If we're going with a form of demon possession based more on Biblical record, demoniacs didn't exactly blend in with the rest of the populace. And while i'm no expert on the aspirations of demons who possess people, i find his motivation and methods both puzzling and unconvincing.
The 'climactic' final battle between good and evil was about as dramatic as watching paint dry, and took about as long. At no point did i feel that the killer was a true threat or that Parker was in any real danger, not even when . And while i appreciate that the demon-possessed bad guy didn't act like someone in a cheap horror film, if your final battle is going to be resolved with strategy and guns, why are you including demons in the first place?
Playing Saint avoids many of the problems Christian fiction is accused of having, such as the cheesy conversion scene or an abundance of cliched characters. Unfortunately, in my opinion they were not replaced with substance or quality.
March 24, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Rising mega-pastor Parker Saint was wrapped up in his ratings and his book deal. But that was before the cops and the serial killer, the Vatican operatives, and the centuries-old plot to conceal an ancient relic. Now he’s just trying to stay alive.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted—including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.
As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.
This book was a solid 3.5 stars...
I don't normally read Christian fiction - it can be filled with cliched characters and those "conversion" scenes that make you cringe. There always seems to be a "message" that the author is trying to ram down our throats and that can get very tedious...very quickly.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I am deep into this book and start to think "Is this Christian fiction? It can't be..." and then, finally, "Who cares? Read on!!" I knew, somewhere in the back of my mind, that it had been published by Thomas Nelson (that should have been a clue) but at no stage did this really feel like one of those novels that make you cringe. Why?
The story was there, all the way. I love a book with a good plot, something that keeps moving along and not get bogged down in useless details. The idea of a TV evangelist taking on earthly demons was just too good to pass up.
Parker Saint is a great character - all flair and flash at the get-go, he really does fill out to be a character you can cheer for (if you are that way inclined), with a wicked sense of humour and some of the scenes with the militant priests are great.
I felt, at times, that some of the other characters weren't given as much time as Parker. Also, I never felt that Parker was in any real danger from the killer. The tension wasn't as good as it could have been but I guess that must be hard when the story is filled with light-hearted dialogue.
Anyway, not my usual fare but I am very glad I read this one.
Paul
ARH
Rising mega-pastor Parker Saint was wrapped up in his ratings and his book deal. But that was before the cops and the serial killer, the Vatican operatives, and the centuries-old plot to conceal an ancient relic. Now he’s just trying to stay alive.
Parker Saint is an up-and-coming superstar pastor on the verge of achieving everything he's wanted—including a national TV program and major book deal. His success seems all but guaranteed until an angry incident with a flight attendant. To keep his growing empire from collapsing, Parker cuts a deal and agrees to serve as a police consultant on the trail of a twisted serial killer who marks his victims with religious symbols. The problem is, Parker's anything but an expert, faking his way through the investigation by slipping away to consult his smart phone.
As he is drawn deeper into a web of intrigue involving an obsessive and demanding detective, a trio of relentless Vatican operatives, a string of botched exorcisms, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, Parker finds himself questioning everything he has been trying so hard to protect.
This book was a solid 3.5 stars...
I don't normally read Christian fiction - it can be filled with cliched characters and those "conversion" scenes that make you cringe. There always seems to be a "message" that the author is trying to ram down our throats and that can get very tedious...very quickly.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I am deep into this book and start to think "Is this Christian fiction? It can't be..." and then, finally, "Who cares? Read on!!" I knew, somewhere in the back of my mind, that it had been published by Thomas Nelson (that should have been a clue) but at no stage did this really feel like one of those novels that make you cringe. Why?
The story was there, all the way. I love a book with a good plot, something that keeps moving along and not get bogged down in useless details. The idea of a TV evangelist taking on earthly demons was just too good to pass up.
Parker Saint is a great character - all flair and flash at the get-go, he really does fill out to be a character you can cheer for (if you are that way inclined), with a wicked sense of humour and some of the scenes with the militant priests are great.
I felt, at times, that some of the other characters weren't given as much time as Parker. Also, I never felt that Parker was in any real danger from the killer. The tension wasn't as good as it could have been but I guess that must be hard when the story is filled with light-hearted dialogue.
Anyway, not my usual fare but I am very glad I read this one.
Paul
ARH
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