'Riveting Suspense,' Says Reviewer of 'Lion of Babylon'

By Pamela Morrisson

Guest Reviewer

*This review was originally published on Pamela's blog, Daysong Reflections. Reprinted with permission from the author.

I have always enjoyed books by Davis Bunn but once I saw the setting for Lion of Babylon, I wasn't sure I was really interested in a story about Iraq. But being the mostly dedicated reviewer that I am, I decided to give it a try.

I am so glad that I did. As in his previous books, I was quickly drawn into the story and found it difficult to put down. I finally turned the last page at 1:00 a.m. and then could not sleep because I kept thinking about what I had read.

Lion of Babylon is a riveting suspense featuring a covert search for four missing people, both American and Iraqi. Neither government seems to be interested in finding them. In fact they seem to be doing everything they can to hinder the mission. But Marc Royce, Iraqi lawyer Sameh, several select American military, and a team of former Iraqi police do not intend for anything to stand in their way.

Not only is Lion of Babylon a page turner but I felt that my understanding of the Iraqi people and their situation was greatly enhanced by reading it.

If certain facts illustrated in this story are more than just good fiction, then we have been sold a bill of goods by our government.

I am aware that Lion of Babylon is a novel but most good novels have an element of truth and my intuition tells me that this one was well researched and is filled with truth.

There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I really liked the way Marc and Sameh were portrayed and loved the way the people of Iraq responded to their integrity. Details about the underground church and about references to Jesus in the Koran were of particular interest.

My only complaint is that the book ended much too soon. I hope that Mr. Bunn is planning a sequel and that it will be available soon.

*Pamela's review also contains a video trailer for Lion of Babylon, plus a Q & A interview with me. The review copy was provided by Bethany House Publishers.