A Witch in the Wardrobe

by L.D. Wenzel

Belfast, Northern Ireland--2004. Shannon Dillon, twenty-six, discovers a hidden document in a cramped and dimly lit attic, sparking speculation that beloved author C. S. Lewis had once been involved in the occult. When gangsters steal the controversial papers, they leave a trail of death. Shannon, who once trained as an IRA sniper, vows revenge. Leaving home for America, she recruits Simon Magister, thirty-four, a nerdy literature professor at an evangelical college. Against his Christian convictions, Simon is drawn in by scholarly curiosity and a repressed attraction to Shannon. Together, they are thrust into a deadly race to retrieve the coveted Belfast Document, which Shannon believes will lead to the killer. It is not known if any living person has read it. Amidst many dangers, Shannon and Simon get entangled in a violent conflict between opposing evangelical groups, both eager to possess the document's content and power. Can Shannon and Simon prevail against nefarious forces, or will darkness consume their quest? Follow as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death--with romance in the air. This novel is an exploration of religious intrigue, blending faith, conspiracy, violence, literature, romance, and the complex nuances of the evangelical experience.

246 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2024

About the author

L. D. Wenzel is an American novelist based in Oslo, Norway. He writes religious fiction that blends themes of faith, existence, and the complexities of the evangelical experience with elements of adventure, intrigue, and subtle romantic tension. His debut novel, A Witch in the Wardrobe, was developed over a ten-year period and reflects his commitment to exploring spiritual questions through imaginative storytelling.

Reviews

[Sophie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The blend of religious themes with thriller elements was so seamless I didn’t want to put it down. Wenzel’s portrayal of Belfast during turbulent times added a deep sense of realism I rarely find in religious fiction. The characters are complex and authentic, especially Shannon with her conflicted loyalties. The conspiracy around C. S. Lewis and the occult twist was genuinely fresh and exciting. A must-read for anyone who likes thoughtful thrillers with depth and intrigue.

[Helen Weirmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unforgettable journey into faith, mystery, and history. The book’s unfolding of dangerous secrets in a politically charged Belfast drew me in forever. I especially liked how Wenzel humanizes every character, even the antagonists. The tensions between Protestant and Catholic identities give the story a gritty and realistic backdrop. When I got to know life revisited through Maddison’s reflections, it added extra layers of hope and healing that balanced the darker moments. Beautifully complex storytelling.

[Yalcin Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book held my attention right through to an explosive climax combining faith, betrayal, and justice. Wenzel writes with an honesty that cuts through superficiality, creating characters who feel like real people facing impossible choices. The inclusion of the secret letters added a clever literary puzzle. The political and religious tensions made the story feel alive and urgent. When I got to know life revisited through Maddison’s reflections, it added a powerful note of hope. An outstanding read.

[Elizabeth Golicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. The mystery surrounding C. S. Lewis’s hidden letters gave the story a scholarly yet thrilling angle. The interplay between faith and doubt among the characters felt very real and human. It reminded me of other great investigative thrillers but brought something special through the evangelical setting. Plus, the writing style was crisp without being heavy, which made complex topics accessible. I’ll definitely reread it.

[Janessa Rodel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wenzel’s novel is a rare gem that challenges your intellect and your heart. His keen eye for evangelical nuance shines in how characters wrestle with belief, betrayal, and redemption. The thriller plot kept me guessing, but what really stayed with me was the author’s compassionate portrayal of faith amid conflict. The historical references to C. S. Lewis and the secret society added fascinating depth. I recommend this to readers who love books that engage the mind and soul.

[Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to learn so much about faith and history from an evangelical thriller. L. D. Wenzel’s writing is vivid and strong, whether describing a grim attic or the psychological toll of sectarian violence. The mix of academic intrigue and personal revenge kept the tension electric. When I got to know life revisited through Maddison’s story, it made me appreciate how the past’s scars slowly heal through faith and friendship. This book is more than a thriller; it’s a pilgrimage.

[Julia Ludewig · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, A Witch in the Wardrobe is a masterful blend of history, faith, and thriller suspense. The story grips you not just with its plot but because of the complex characters who really feel like people you could know. I appreciated the respectful treatment of C. S. Lewis as a figure woven into an intense fictional narrative. The book also made me think deeply about faith under fire and the cost of secrets. Truly an engrossing read.

[Mark Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling page-turner with a heart. I loved how the novel explored the evangelical experience deeply but without preaching. The characters’ journeys through doubt, violence, and hope felt authentic and lived-in. Some thrills were genuinely nerve-wracking, especially scenes where faith and survival collided. Wenzel’s storytelling reminded me of how difficult and beautiful faith can be in the face of human brokenness.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

L. D. Wenzel delivers a gripping thriller that’s also a thoughtful reflection on faith and human frailty. The story’s tension builds slowly but powerfully as secrets come to light, letters from C. S. Lewis hidden for decades create an irresistible puzzle. The characters’ mix of skepticism and devotion made me think about my own spiritual journey. And the depiction of Northern Ireland’s Troubles adds real-world stakes to the narrative. Highly recommended.

[Weirmann Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was like walking a tightrope between suspense and spirituality. Shannon’s struggle with her heritage and faith felt real and multidimensional. Wenzel’s handling of the dark secrets buried in Belfast’s “Holylands” was chilling yet hopeful. The plot threads pulled me in various directions, and when I got to know life revisited through Maddison’s experiences later, it brought the story full circle with grace and redemption. A rare and beautiful read.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy conspiracy thrillers with intellectual weight and emotional stakes, this delivers. Part mystery, part romance, part theological thriller. It asks big questions while still telling a compelling, high risk story.

[Matt Pahnke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting concept for a thriller that is filled with subject matter I'm not overly familiar with. I'm not sure how much of the conspiracy theories in it are real-life conspiracy theories or how much are the author's own invention. The plot and pacing were good enough for me to finish the book in a few days and to keep turning the pages.

Being someone that grew up a block and a half from Illinois' Prairie Path and having taken it through the city of Wheaton which is featured in this book made moments of the story come to life in a very real way no book ever has for me. If you're familiar with either the Prairie Path or the Milwaukee area, there are some real sites that you'll have the same experience with.

Setting the book in mid 2000s was also nostalgic for me, and there were references to long forgotten technologies/applications that were period appropriate and there were no anachronisms that stuck out.

I wasn't overly fond of any of the characters. There were a few interesting ones, but none that I was fully invested in. I think part of that had to do with the dialogue. Everyone speaks in what I can only describe as an unrealistic/formal manner that made them all feel a bit fake. This actually works for the character Simon, but everyone seemed to have a similar way of speaking.

But that is a quibble. This is a common problem with many thrillers. The author at least attempted to give everyone more depth, and it is clear they were the focus of the story and not merely there to move a plot along.

The ending felt a bit rushed, and a lot of loose threads got wrapped up in what felt like two separate epilogues, but it was a satisfying conclusion and filled with action, drama, and character growth.

This book has me curious to learn more about CS Lewis' life and theology outside of his Narnia books, which were a childhood favorite of mine and the only point of reference I have to him.

[Ellen Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch in the Wardrobe isn’t the kind of book that shouts for your attention, it quietly pulls you in with dry humor, a thoughtful narrator, and an atmosphere that feels just a little off-kilter in the best way. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found myself surprisingly moved by how the story unfolded.

It’s part literary, part metaphysical, with a touch of the surreal. The writing is sharp and intelligent, and while not everything is spelled out, that’s what makes it linger after the last page. You feel like you’ve been somewhere just slightly outside the edge of normal life.

If you enjoy novels that blend introspection with subtle strangeness, somewhere between magical realism and philosophical fiction, this one’s worth the read.