What do you think?
Rate this book
Tiger in the Shadows: A Novel
Stefanie Peng abandons her comfortable American life for a desperate quest—gaining the release of her grandfather, an underground pastor, from an oppressive Chinese labor camp. But the "Beijing Tiger," a Chinese master spy, stalks her every move; clawing for leverage over America through her father, a world-renowned physicist, and the leaders of the Chinese church. Only the courage of the enigmatic man who loves her can save her. From the labor camps to illegal union meetings, from prison to the underground church, Stefanie comes face-to-face with the value of her freedom and the cost so many pay for the faith.
- GenresFiction
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Wilson
19 books10 followersBorn in Florence, AL. Graduated high school at Wilson High (named after my great-grandfather). BA in Political Science at the University of North Alabama http://www.una.edu Worked as a radio news anchor at a station, WQLT, owned by SUN Recording Studios owner, Sam Phillips, moved to Nashville to work for Kmart Corporation in management, then owned a personal services company with a friend. Moved to Los Angeles in 1989 and started working in the hospitiality industy at the LA Bonaventure Hotel. Worked in PR, Marketing and Location Filming. Most fun film that I worked on - In the LIne of Fire! After the death of my brother in 1992 from AIDS, I moved back to Alabama and worked at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for a year before being hired as the Executive Director of Florence, AL Tourism. Love traveling and getting people to our area and making our community a better place to live, work and play. Through a great songwriter friend I hooked up with a great Agent through MySpace and ultimately with a small publishing company http://www.bellismiapublishing.com and my dream of becoming a published author was realized. With a full time job, family caregiving committments it is tough to promote but I am enjoying the time I have engaging with other authors and in helping educate the public about AIDS.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 21, 2017
Wow. That. Was. Superb!
OK, so my first complaint is. . .this was not written by an"Debra" Wilson. It was written by a DEBBBIE Wilson. I should know. She's my mum. And I did not give it a five star because she's my mum. Every rating I give must be earned.
I loved the names. They were super well thought out and very authentic. The description was very clear and helped me visualize. The horrors of Christian persecution almost had me in tears. The plot was well thought and drawn out.
The only things I disliked was so many people. I had trouble keeping track of who was who. I also thought Troy came on too strong on Stefanie. He confused her and all and I thought that was a tad creepy.
I usually dislike thrillers. I couldn't get super into it because of that. That, however, does not mean I won't acknowledge the wonderful aspects, even if it is a genre I dislike.
Anyone who likes thrillers, historical fiction, and Christian fiction will like this. I highly recommend it.
OK, so my first complaint is. . .this was not written by an"Debra" Wilson. It was written by a DEBBBIE Wilson. I should know. She's my mum. And I did not give it a five star because she's my mum. Every rating I give must be earned.
I loved the names. They were super well thought out and very authentic. The description was very clear and helped me visualize. The horrors of Christian persecution almost had me in tears. The plot was well thought and drawn out.
The only things I disliked was so many people. I had trouble keeping track of who was who. I also thought Troy came on too strong on Stefanie. He confused her and all and I thought that was a tad creepy.
I usually dislike thrillers. I couldn't get super into it because of that. That, however, does not mean I won't acknowledge the wonderful aspects, even if it is a genre I dislike.
Anyone who likes thrillers, historical fiction, and Christian fiction will like this. I highly recommend it.
December 15, 2022
This is a fascinating look at espionage. It also gives the reader a feeling of the horrible abuse and fear of capture endured by the persecuted church in China. It is very impactful to get a firsthand glimpse of what the believers in underground churches go through and how very precious the Word of God is to them. I asked myself how strong their faith must be to stay true to the Lord.
November 14, 2013
An excellent novel based on the realities of Christians in China today. A story of adventure, intrigue, mystery,faith, and love.
January 22, 2015
Fabulous book! Loved the details and the storyline.
Read
March 18, 2024Fascinating read and I kept wondering with all of C's security cameras could the story even happen in 2024?
July 2, 2025
Okay, I don’t even know where to begin — except to say: this book broke me in the best kind of way.
Tiger in the Shadows isn’t just a gripping suspense novel (though it definitely is that) — it’s a story that reaches into your chest and tugs at your soul. I wasn’t ready for how deeply it would affect me. Honestly, I went in expecting an inspiring story with some action and Christian themes… but what I got was something far more raw, urgent, and emotionally wrecking.
There were moments — quiet, beautiful, and brutal ones — where I found myself crying without even realizing it. It wasn’t always the big scenes, either. Sometimes it was a whispered prayer in the dark. Sometimes a glance, a small act of courage, or a character clinging to a scrap of hope when everything else had been stripped away. It caught me off guard — in the best way. This book reminded me that real faith often looks like fear and trembling, not triumph.
What I loved most is how it decenters the usual Western hero narrative. Instead of the story being about saving the “voiceless” or swooping in to fix things, it gives voice to those we rarely hear — the persecuted, the faithful underground church, the ones holding onto belief when it costs them everything. The story puts them at the center, not the margins, and lets their resilience speak louder than any sermon could. That right there? That’s what hit me the hardest.
I don’t want to spoil everything, because I think part of the impact comes from not knowing what’s around the corner. But I will say: the stakes are high — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. It’s about a young woman, Stefanie, caught between cultures, trying to find her grandfather who’s been imprisoned for his faith in China. But it’s also about identity, loss, family, and the long, costly journey of believing in something bigger than yourself.
There’s romance, yes. There’s espionage, definitely. But it’s all grounded in something real and weighty. It never feels like drama for drama’s sake. Everything matters.
The writing is also beautifully done. It’s immersive, richly researched, but still so readable. Debbie Wilson does this incredible job of drawing you into the world without ever losing the heartbeat of her characters. The underground church scenes especially… they’ll stay with me. They’re full of danger and grace.
This is not a “safe” Christian novel. It doesn’t play nice. It shows the cost of belief, the risks of love, and the terrifying reality of living in the shadows — and still choosing light.
By the end, I wasn’t just moved — I was convicted. Humbled. Inspired. It made me want to pray harder, love deeper, and remember the brothers and sisters out there still walking through fire.
In short: Tiger in the Shadows is brilliant, heartbreaking, and incredibly necessary. I’m so grateful this book exists. If you’re looking for a story that will grip you, move you, and challenge your perspective — read this. Just… maybe keep tissues nearby.
Tiger in the Shadows isn’t just a gripping suspense novel (though it definitely is that) — it’s a story that reaches into your chest and tugs at your soul. I wasn’t ready for how deeply it would affect me. Honestly, I went in expecting an inspiring story with some action and Christian themes… but what I got was something far more raw, urgent, and emotionally wrecking.
There were moments — quiet, beautiful, and brutal ones — where I found myself crying without even realizing it. It wasn’t always the big scenes, either. Sometimes it was a whispered prayer in the dark. Sometimes a glance, a small act of courage, or a character clinging to a scrap of hope when everything else had been stripped away. It caught me off guard — in the best way. This book reminded me that real faith often looks like fear and trembling, not triumph.
What I loved most is how it decenters the usual Western hero narrative. Instead of the story being about saving the “voiceless” or swooping in to fix things, it gives voice to those we rarely hear — the persecuted, the faithful underground church, the ones holding onto belief when it costs them everything. The story puts them at the center, not the margins, and lets their resilience speak louder than any sermon could. That right there? That’s what hit me the hardest.
I don’t want to spoil everything, because I think part of the impact comes from not knowing what’s around the corner. But I will say: the stakes are high — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. It’s about a young woman, Stefanie, caught between cultures, trying to find her grandfather who’s been imprisoned for his faith in China. But it’s also about identity, loss, family, and the long, costly journey of believing in something bigger than yourself.
There’s romance, yes. There’s espionage, definitely. But it’s all grounded in something real and weighty. It never feels like drama for drama’s sake. Everything matters.
The writing is also beautifully done. It’s immersive, richly researched, but still so readable. Debbie Wilson does this incredible job of drawing you into the world without ever losing the heartbeat of her characters. The underground church scenes especially… they’ll stay with me. They’re full of danger and grace.
This is not a “safe” Christian novel. It doesn’t play nice. It shows the cost of belief, the risks of love, and the terrifying reality of living in the shadows — and still choosing light.
By the end, I wasn’t just moved — I was convicted. Humbled. Inspired. It made me want to pray harder, love deeper, and remember the brothers and sisters out there still walking through fire.
In short: Tiger in the Shadows is brilliant, heartbreaking, and incredibly necessary. I’m so grateful this book exists. If you’re looking for a story that will grip you, move you, and challenge your perspective — read this. Just… maybe keep tissues nearby.
September 28, 2024
*4.5 stars*
Immensely riveting and impactful, Tiger in the Shadows by Debbie Wilson is a thrilling story that fuses themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption into a masterful novel.
Tiger in the Shadows is a page-turning, suspenseful novel, that depicts the adversity and persecution of Christians in China. This story is both plot and character driven and includes an array of outstanding characters that each contribute to the intrigue of the story. Set in the early 2000’s, main characters Stefanie Peng and Troy Hardigan are long time close friends, residing in Chicago. Stefanie receives devastating news about her grandmother, Nanai, and decides to fulfill a promise she made to her. This involves her traveling to China to seek the release of her grandfather, who has been unjustly held in a brutal China prison for decades, following his exposure as an underground Christian pastor. With strict religious laws and views concerning Christianity in China, it is extremely dangerous for one to freely practice the faith.
Stefanie’s time in China will prove tumultuous in her quest to find and aide in the release of her grandfather. She experiences many challenges, which inclines the help of Troy, a Marine veteran currently working for a high-tech company as a multinational salesman, who often travels internationally for business. Troy’s arrival and assistance in China, combined with the dangerous task at hand, will prove to be a dangerous mission for both Stefanie and Troy to overcome. Their faith, admiration for one another, and love for family are anchors they hope will help them to prevail.
Author Debbie Wilson is a skillful writer, who created a very intriguing story. I was impressed by her ability to take such a heavy topic concerning the persecution of Christians, and skillfully weave elements of suspense within the plot, that ultimately created an explosive story, that keeps the reader engaged. The Christian faith content was exceptionally captured within the story. The novel highlights the significance of faith and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although many Christians in China were persecuted or endured a life of hardships due to their beliefs, they remained relentless in their pursuit of Christ. This made for a hopeful story that will inspire Christians to grow closer to Christ.
I absolutely loved this story and was honored to read it. This book was thoughtfully gifted to me by the author; however, all opinions are unbiased and my own. I highly recommend this book to others.
Immensely riveting and impactful, Tiger in the Shadows by Debbie Wilson is a thrilling story that fuses themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption into a masterful novel.
Tiger in the Shadows is a page-turning, suspenseful novel, that depicts the adversity and persecution of Christians in China. This story is both plot and character driven and includes an array of outstanding characters that each contribute to the intrigue of the story. Set in the early 2000’s, main characters Stefanie Peng and Troy Hardigan are long time close friends, residing in Chicago. Stefanie receives devastating news about her grandmother, Nanai, and decides to fulfill a promise she made to her. This involves her traveling to China to seek the release of her grandfather, who has been unjustly held in a brutal China prison for decades, following his exposure as an underground Christian pastor. With strict religious laws and views concerning Christianity in China, it is extremely dangerous for one to freely practice the faith.
Stefanie’s time in China will prove tumultuous in her quest to find and aide in the release of her grandfather. She experiences many challenges, which inclines the help of Troy, a Marine veteran currently working for a high-tech company as a multinational salesman, who often travels internationally for business. Troy’s arrival and assistance in China, combined with the dangerous task at hand, will prove to be a dangerous mission for both Stefanie and Troy to overcome. Their faith, admiration for one another, and love for family are anchors they hope will help them to prevail.
Author Debbie Wilson is a skillful writer, who created a very intriguing story. I was impressed by her ability to take such a heavy topic concerning the persecution of Christians, and skillfully weave elements of suspense within the plot, that ultimately created an explosive story, that keeps the reader engaged. The Christian faith content was exceptionally captured within the story. The novel highlights the significance of faith and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although many Christians in China were persecuted or endured a life of hardships due to their beliefs, they remained relentless in their pursuit of Christ. This made for a hopeful story that will inspire Christians to grow closer to Christ.
I absolutely loved this story and was honored to read it. This book was thoughtfully gifted to me by the author; however, all opinions are unbiased and my own. I highly recommend this book to others.
July 29, 2014
This book was really hard for me to get into. I had to push through the beginning, but I'm glad I held out because once the excitement picked up, I was in for the ride of my life. Very good story and super informative about the underground church in China.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews