Intrigue, Hidden Agendas and Powerplays Mark Thrilling 'Lion of Babylon' (Review)
By Kevin Bunn
Guest Reviewer
As Baghdad recovers and moves forward from the tumultuous war, on the other side of the globe, Marc Royce, former CIA Intelligence Analyst, seeks solace from the loss of his beloved wife, Lisbeth.
Two seemingly unrelated pieces of information are inevitably connected, however, by the Ambassador Walton, a "retired" member of the CIA, who operates at, and among, a level of government with the ability to listen, analyze and respond in ways that are normally not available.
Ambassador Walton pulls Marc back into the world of intrigue, secrecy, hidden messages, underlying agendas and life-threatening danger as Marc is sent to Iraq to find the answers to "why" three Americans and an Iraqi have gone missing.
Though seemingly unrelated, Marc uncovers a much more sinister plot to create turmoil in Iraq as children are being kidnapped and held for reasons other than money. But how are the two connected?
In Lion of Babylon, Marc teams up with characters taken from many levels of Iraqi society, as well as friends and associates among the American diplomatic, intelligence and military community.
In this thrilling book, I was given a look into the background of the different characters and the underlying history which drives the social and religious perspective of both Iraqis and Americans who seek to find a measure of peace in a world turned upside down by the lust for power. Beneath the surface, long-standing traditions and religious thought have been manipulated by the differing groups to achieve an insidious goal of rule over people seeking peace.
Fortunately, there are many who seek the peace of Jesus and recognize that they have a burden to bear which may well cost them their lives, but they follow in faith, providing the means necessary to overcome the enemy.
As Marc's connection to one Iraqi family builds, so also does the trust needed to depend on each other for safety and yet, to enter into extremely dangerous situations in order to find answers which connect the seemingly unconnected.
Marc's training and mental resources contribute to him being ultimately identified as a "lugal," a champion, a hero, like a lion but much more than that; it is a term virtually never used except to describe a person upon whom a nation can depend to save those most in need, a person who could be trusted with the fate of a nation.
Any reader who enjoys a tension-filled "thriller" will enjoy Lion of Babylon. The story has mystery, intrigue, background, history and victory. I am looking forward to know "what happens next?"
Does Marc go back to Washington, only to find that he is so connected to Iraq that he must return?
Does his relationship with certain male and female characters grow to a point where his life changes in ways that he could not predict?
Will he find the peace he desires as he comes to understand the power of God to help him heal from the death of Lisbeth?
Do the Iraqis prevail in establishing a government of peace?
I wonder and wait.
*Note: Lion of Babylon releases July 2, 2011 from Bethany House Publishers. Click here to pre-order your copy.
About Kevin Bunn (no relation to Davis Bunn): From early childhood I have been associated with the Christian faith. I have always been an avid reader, starting before kindergarten reading the newspaper and anything else I could get my hands on. I remember reading the Bible during church services, especially the Old Testament stories, mostly because when I was young, the sermons were "over my head" in terms of subject matter and theology.
Over the years I absorbed the Biblical history and learned how important these stories are to our ongoing battle with sin, as well as the thread of God's plan for our salvation.
This understanding has helped me as a Bible class teacher, study and home group leader and from time to time, a speaker delivering the message of our faith. More importantly, as a father and husband, I learned how to help my children develop their faith in God and Christ, as well as supporting my wife during her journey to become a Marriage and Family Therapist and Bereavement Counselor.
I am presently a businessman in the construction industry, searching out and developing a focused, niche business to recycle construction debris into marketable product.
