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Pastor Stephen Grant #4
The River: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
Some refer to Las Vegas as Sin City. But the sins being committed in The River are not what one might typically expect. Rather, it’s about murder. Stephen Grant once used lethal skills for the Navy SEALs and the CIA. Now, years later, he’s a pastor. How does this man of action and faith react when his wife is kidnapped, a deep mystery must be untangled, and both allies and suspects from his CIA days arrive on the scene? How far can Grant go – or will he go – to save the woman he loves? Will he seek justice or revenge, and can he tell the difference any longer?
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 3, 2026
2.5 stars rounded down for a mystery thriller with pros and cons. This is book 4 in Pastor Stephen Grant series, and it is the only book that I have read in the series. Stephen Grant is an ex CIA agent/spy who ran many covert operations in partnership with other CIA agents. He left the CIA and went to a school for Lutheran Ministers and is now pastor to St. Mary's Lutheran Church on Long Island, NY. He and his wife Jennifer go to Las Vegas, where she is giving a speech at the "State of Economic Freedom Conference." She is also reconnecting with her estranged father, Dixon Shaw, owner of a Las Vegas casino. She is estranged from Dix because he cheated on her mother for years.
But then Jennifer is kidnapped and Stephen calls on his CIA buddies for help. Both Stephen and Dix have made enemies in the past, and determining who kidnapped Jennifer makes for an exciting thriller/mystery.
Pros: The thriller/mystery part moved along well. The characters were believable.
Cons: There were lengthy prayers in many chapters. There were prayers before meals, when comforting a bereaved person upon a death in the family, and more. There was a whole chapter devoted to a prayer vigil for Jennifer.
In addition, Jennifer's speech on "Economic Freedom" was about the US going in the wrong direction, in restricting economic freedom. This book was published in 2014. The President of the US in 2014 was Barack Obama, whose signature achievement was the Affordable Care Act(ACA). This law dramatically expanded access to health care in the US. There are 3 provisions in this law relevant to my 2 Cystic Fibrosis grandchildren: 1 Pre-existing condition clause, which prohibited health insurance companies from denying health insurance or charging them a higher premium. 2 Prohibition of expenditure caps--some insurance companies wrote policies with yearly /lifetime expenditure caps. One of the drugs that my CF grandchildren take, Trikafta, costs $300,00+ annually. 3 Age out clause, whereupon children can stay on a parent's policy until age 26.
The author bio states that he has written articles for numerous publications, including the National Review, a longtime proponent of less government on all 3 levels of government(federal, state and local.) I don't agree with this viewpoint.
I don't recommend this book. I won't read any more books by this author.
If you are a person of faith, you might like this book. When I described it to my wife, she said "I'm not going to read it."
This was a library display book. Since it is book 4 in the series, and my library put it on display, I suspect the author does have fans.
The current US president has signed waivers, allowing health insurance companies to offer policies without the above 3 provisions that protect my CF grandchildren. There are probably people who disagree with me. I can live with that. What I cannot live with, is supporting in any way, shape or form, people or policies who endanger my grandchildren.
I debated rounding up or down, but decided that the cons outweighed the pros.
But then Jennifer is kidnapped and Stephen calls on his CIA buddies for help. Both Stephen and Dix have made enemies in the past, and determining who kidnapped Jennifer makes for an exciting thriller/mystery.
Pros: The thriller/mystery part moved along well. The characters were believable.
Cons: There were lengthy prayers in many chapters. There were prayers before meals, when comforting a bereaved person upon a death in the family, and more. There was a whole chapter devoted to a prayer vigil for Jennifer.
In addition, Jennifer's speech on "Economic Freedom" was about the US going in the wrong direction, in restricting economic freedom. This book was published in 2014. The President of the US in 2014 was Barack Obama, whose signature achievement was the Affordable Care Act(ACA). This law dramatically expanded access to health care in the US. There are 3 provisions in this law relevant to my 2 Cystic Fibrosis grandchildren: 1 Pre-existing condition clause, which prohibited health insurance companies from denying health insurance or charging them a higher premium. 2 Prohibition of expenditure caps--some insurance companies wrote policies with yearly /lifetime expenditure caps. One of the drugs that my CF grandchildren take, Trikafta, costs $300,00+ annually. 3 Age out clause, whereupon children can stay on a parent's policy until age 26.
The author bio states that he has written articles for numerous publications, including the National Review, a longtime proponent of less government on all 3 levels of government(federal, state and local.) I don't agree with this viewpoint.
I don't recommend this book. I won't read any more books by this author.
If you are a person of faith, you might like this book. When I described it to my wife, she said "I'm not going to read it."
This was a library display book. Since it is book 4 in the series, and my library put it on display, I suspect the author does have fans.
The current US president has signed waivers, allowing health insurance companies to offer policies without the above 3 provisions that protect my CF grandchildren. There are probably people who disagree with me. I can live with that. What I cannot live with, is supporting in any way, shape or form, people or policies who endanger my grandchildren.
I debated rounding up or down, but decided that the cons outweighed the pros.
January 31, 2017
Ok, so there's been a bit of bad language in the series. Still, The River is another fine novel, exploring both the human side of a Lutheran pastor (or CIA agent!) and the adventures of a formidable figure. Some may be confused by the initial flashback opener. It does set up both character and plot development. Some might find this book a little darker than previous books, but I see this as opening up a lot of possibilities for later revelations and hopefully reconciliations in the series.
February 21, 2023
Book 4 in the Pastor Grant Series by Ray Keating. Probably my favorite to this point as I work through the series from the beginning. Great plot and setting. Ray continues to broaden his character development of Pastor and his group. Great discussion of the dilemma of our actions between when killing might be justified or not. Another thumbs up for Ray.
May 18, 2018
The River's Edge
What a delightful bloom in the desert heat, this wonderful tale of Grant and Jennifer find the right balance of action and intrigue. Keating's gift of description shows a real growth in his ability to craft a story. Well done! Well dine!
What a delightful bloom in the desert heat, this wonderful tale of Grant and Jennifer find the right balance of action and intrigue. Keating's gift of description shows a real growth in his ability to craft a story. Well done! Well dine!
December 10, 2020
Best read of the series so far. I give it 4-1/2 🌠
July 30, 2025
A wonderful heart warming series!
August 7, 2015
Beatings best novel yet in the Stephen Grant series.
I chose five stars because the action in the book occurred more often than the previous books. All of the characters are becoming so real and familiar to me that you can't put the book down because you are so concerned as to what may happen to them in the next few pages. As always I like how Stephen must wrestle with his will and what he knows what God's will would have him do. The Paige character as always is sexy and alluring but always faithful in the deadly encounters that face her and Stephen. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers. Also the Lutheran doctrine sprinkled throughout the book gives a good Christian witness of Christ love for all sinners.
I chose five stars because the action in the book occurred more often than the previous books. All of the characters are becoming so real and familiar to me that you can't put the book down because you are so concerned as to what may happen to them in the next few pages. As always I like how Stephen must wrestle with his will and what he knows what God's will would have him do. The Paige character as always is sexy and alluring but always faithful in the deadly encounters that face her and Stephen. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers. Also the Lutheran doctrine sprinkled throughout the book gives a good Christian witness of Christ love for all sinners.
October 6, 2016
This is the fourth Pastor Stephen Grant Novel, and I got to say, it's the best one yet. In this volume, Ray Keating delivers an action-packed adventure set in Las Vegas that's full of God, goons, girls, gambling, and of course, gunplay. It's brimming with ministers, mobsters, and military maneuvers. Okay, enough alliteration. You get what I'm saying. It's a great read!
Your favorite (fictional) Lutheran pastor, Rev. Stephen Grant, and Mrs. Grant find that Sin City lives up to its name. Pastor Grant struggles against the sins of others and his own as life and love hit with intensity. If it wasn't the Hollywood-esque action that kept me turning the page, it was the intrigue surrounding how God's Law and Gospel worked on the pastor and those in his life.
Your favorite (fictional) Lutheran pastor, Rev. Stephen Grant, and Mrs. Grant find that Sin City lives up to its name. Pastor Grant struggles against the sins of others and his own as life and love hit with intensity. If it wasn't the Hollywood-esque action that kept me turning the page, it was the intrigue surrounding how God's Law and Gospel worked on the pastor and those in his life.
February 5, 2017
Good interesting story
After reading the previous Stephen Grant stories I enjoy the continuing progression of the separate characters. It was exciting and I suspect there will be fallout on what will happen to the people in the future. The only thing is that I would have liked a little more theology in the story. I really like it when he full practices his pastoral vocation.
After reading the previous Stephen Grant stories I enjoy the continuing progression of the separate characters. It was exciting and I suspect there will be fallout on what will happen to the people in the future. The only thing is that I would have liked a little more theology in the story. I really like it when he full practices his pastoral vocation.
July 26, 2014
An Entertaining Thrilller
Pastor Stephen Grant is an enigmatic character. Ray Keating masterfully weaves his character's past and present lives, always keeping the reader involved in both the action and Grant's emotional struggle. Although I do not like the short chapter style, I was otherwise held captive from start to finish. I certainly recommend this book to anyone that likes a good, fast-moving thriller.
Pastor Stephen Grant is an enigmatic character. Ray Keating masterfully weaves his character's past and present lives, always keeping the reader involved in both the action and Grant's emotional struggle. Although I do not like the short chapter style, I was otherwise held captive from start to finish. I certainly recommend this book to anyone that likes a good, fast-moving thriller.
March 16, 2016
Pastor Stephen Grant has run into trouble multiple times near the home front of New York City in recent years. Trouble finds him again in Las Vegas when what should be a business and pleasure trip turns dangerous and deadly.
Ray Keating delivers lots of excitement in this fast-paced thriller. Action, character development, and plot are all solid in this 4th installment of the Pastor Stephen Grant series. "The River" may be my favorite so far.
Ray Keating delivers lots of excitement in this fast-paced thriller. Action, character development, and plot are all solid in this 4th installment of the Pastor Stephen Grant series. "The River" may be my favorite so far.
September 25, 2016
Great read
This book was engaging from start to finish. The premise that a former SEAL and CIA man would become a pastor peaked my interest. Read it for yourself to see what I mean.
This book was engaging from start to finish. The premise that a former SEAL and CIA man would become a pastor peaked my interest. Read it for yourself to see what I mean.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews