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Pastor Stephen Grant #2
Root of All Evil? A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel
KFUO radio’s “BookTalk”: Ray Keating is a “great novelist.”
Do God, politics and money mix? In ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating, the combination can turn out quite deadly.
Keating introduced readers to Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative and current parish pastor, in the fun and highly praised WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Now, Grant is back in ROOT OF ALL EVIL?
It's a breathtaking thriller involving drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, the Church, and money. In this page-turner, plots are hatched, lives are lost, accusations are made, friends need and provide help, and relationships change. Money is used and pursued for both good and ill. Charity, envy and greed are on display. Throughout, action runs high.
Find a unique character and story, and lose yourself in ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.
Keating said, "Since I wrote WARRIOR MONK, I've received surprising feedback from members of the clergy who once were in the intelligence community or know fellow pastors who did such work. It's been fascinating. In ROOT OF ALL EVIL?, Pastor Grant, his family and friends, and some former co-workers have to deal with the consequences of how money, politics and religion mix, for better or for worse."
Do God, politics and money mix? In ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL by Ray Keating, the combination can turn out quite deadly.
Keating introduced readers to Stephen Grant, a former CIA operative and current parish pastor, in the fun and highly praised WARRIOR MONK: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL. Now, Grant is back in ROOT OF ALL EVIL?
It's a breathtaking thriller involving drug traffickers, politicians, the CIA and FBI, a shadowy foreign regime, the Church, and money. In this page-turner, plots are hatched, lives are lost, accusations are made, friends need and provide help, and relationships change. Money is used and pursued for both good and ill. Charity, envy and greed are on display. Throughout, action runs high.
Find a unique character and story, and lose yourself in ROOT OF ALL EVIL? A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL.
Keating said, "Since I wrote WARRIOR MONK, I've received surprising feedback from members of the clergy who once were in the intelligence community or know fellow pastors who did such work. It's been fascinating. In ROOT OF ALL EVIL?, Pastor Grant, his family and friends, and some former co-workers have to deal with the consequences of how money, politics and religion mix, for better or for worse."
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2012
32 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 10, 2017
This is a worthy novel to follow Warrior Monk. Offering more complex scenarios and writing structure, I enjoyed it even more than its predecessor. Well written, fast paced, it held my attention well while merging drama, adventure, theology, and economics.
It's interesting to see how economics is becoming an increasingly important theme throughout this series. I look forward to reading as many as Ray Keating writes.
It's interesting to see how economics is becoming an increasingly important theme throughout this series. I look forward to reading as many as Ray Keating writes.
November 26, 2020
Second volume in the series as good as the first. Mystery, intrigue, unexpected twist, decent character development, hired assassin, and Lutheran ethos. And even a solid sermon in the mix. Stephen Grant: the cleric James Bond. Look forward to reading the next one.
March 6, 2023
The second book is as interesting as the Warrior Monk. It is full of mystery and intrigue laced with how money and power corrupt. It is a fairly quick read with a strong Lutheran moral background.
February 27, 2023
Enjoyable read
I like how quick the storyline flows. A nice release for me from pastoral duties, that let’s me unwind as Pastor Grant faces down the bad guys inside and outside the parish.
I like how quick the storyline flows. A nice release for me from pastoral duties, that let’s me unwind as Pastor Grant faces down the bad guys inside and outside the parish.
December 3, 2023
A Quirky Combination that Works
What’s not to like about Stephen Grant novels? A mixture of espionage, theology, pastoral care, orthodox ecumenism, humor, action, and raw humanity. I’m hooked.
What’s not to like about Stephen Grant novels? A mixture of espionage, theology, pastoral care, orthodox ecumenism, humor, action, and raw humanity. I’m hooked.
June 17, 2018
Good Read
I am becoming a Pastor Stephen Grant fan. This was a fun easy read. The characters are fun and different. I am off to find the next novel in this series.
I am becoming a Pastor Stephen Grant fan. This was a fun easy read. The characters are fun and different. I am off to find the next novel in this series.
December 27, 2024
3.5; A little slow in places, hard to keep track of characters at times, but good series.
January 26, 2025
A fun read!
May 28, 2016
"Root of All Evil?" by Ray Keating is the second novel in his series with the character Pastor Stephen Grant. I love a book that can make me smile, frown - and maybe even wince, get teary, and laugh. The characters are realistic, lovable, relatable, and memorable.
In this installment, Pastor Stephen Grant is thrust into the middle of another sinister plot, but this time he has a new wife to worry about him. I can really relate to Jennifer Grant's character because I am a pastor's wife. I know how it feels to have plans interrupted by important work matters, but I can't imagine how I would feel if I knew my husband was going off with a CIA team to apprehend a suspect in a potential gun fight.
I really enjoyed reading "Root of All Evil?" just like I really enjoyed reading "Warrior Monk." As a Lutheran, I appreciate the worldview and Gospel proclamation in the novels. If you like crime novels, Christian fiction with more realistic to life characters (warning: some bad language, violence, and general human sinfulness), or simply good storytelling, then Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant novels are for you.
In this installment, Pastor Stephen Grant is thrust into the middle of another sinister plot, but this time he has a new wife to worry about him. I can really relate to Jennifer Grant's character because I am a pastor's wife. I know how it feels to have plans interrupted by important work matters, but I can't imagine how I would feel if I knew my husband was going off with a CIA team to apprehend a suspect in a potential gun fight.
I really enjoyed reading "Root of All Evil?" just like I really enjoyed reading "Warrior Monk." As a Lutheran, I appreciate the worldview and Gospel proclamation in the novels. If you like crime novels, Christian fiction with more realistic to life characters (warning: some bad language, violence, and general human sinfulness), or simply good storytelling, then Ray Keating's Pastor Stephen Grant novels are for you.
October 25, 2015
Pr. Stephen Grant and Jennifer get married. While on their honeymoon in Nappa Valley, Stephen recognizes a bad guy with a politician that recognizes Jennifer and comes over to greet her at a restaurant. Stephen calls his old friends at the CIA to alert them of the bad guy and who he is with.
Grant and Jennifer get involved in political and international intrigue. They had visited a pastor friend from Stephen's seminary days. Just after they left the house, the pastor and his wife are brutally murdered.
It's all about money and who will benefit when the policy of supporting new businesses internationally is changed in congress.
The excitement builds as Stephen and Jennifer are drawn into the mystery and violence.
Great read!
Grant and Jennifer get involved in political and international intrigue. They had visited a pastor friend from Stephen's seminary days. Just after they left the house, the pastor and his wife are brutally murdered.
It's all about money and who will benefit when the policy of supporting new businesses internationally is changed in congress.
The excitement builds as Stephen and Jennifer are drawn into the mystery and violence.
Great read!
August 16, 2016
Ray Keating’s second Pastor Stephen Grant novel, Root of All Evil? is a fantastic follow up to Warrior Monk. It’s a well crafted political thriller full of intrigue and theological truth. Keating’s world has proven profitable for contrasting good theology with bad.
In this book he tackles money and how it impacts the Church. I was impressed with the skillful and varied way the author deposited the money theme into the story: from global economics, to the prosperity gospel, to expenses that come with operating a parochial school, to the concerns laity have regarding their pastor’s salary. Keating’s economist background pays offs big!
I can’t wait to crack open the next book!
In this book he tackles money and how it impacts the Church. I was impressed with the skillful and varied way the author deposited the money theme into the story: from global economics, to the prosperity gospel, to expenses that come with operating a parochial school, to the concerns laity have regarding their pastor’s salary. Keating’s economist background pays offs big!
I can’t wait to crack open the next book!
February 6, 2014
Root of All Evil is the second Pastor Stephen Grant novel -- and I wish I had read the first one, because this book contains so many references to events about which I had no understanding. However, I did enjoy this book about an ex CIA operative turned Lutheran pastor. The author includes just enough theology to legitimize his character, and plenty of fast moving action and intrigue to keep his reader engaged. It's a very quick read and worth your time.
November 23, 2014
Excellent Read
Pastor Stephen Grant is a man firmly rooted in his faith to Christ and also his devotion to country. His pastorate is his second career, coming after retiring from the CIA. He just keeps getting pulled back in, though.
This book is full of action as well as obstacles to his faith that he overcomes better than any ordinary action hero. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading.
Pastor Stephen Grant is a man firmly rooted in his faith to Christ and also his devotion to country. His pastorate is his second career, coming after retiring from the CIA. He just keeps getting pulled back in, though.
This book is full of action as well as obstacles to his faith that he overcomes better than any ordinary action hero. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading.
April 5, 2015
Intriguing combination
Multiple plots and unlikely interactions kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Might be helpful to keep a log of all the characters as it could get confusing
Multiple plots and unlikely interactions kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Might be helpful to keep a log of all the characters as it could get confusing
April 8, 2016
Pastor Grant does it again
Adventure with solid Christian theology. How can you top that? To have an adventure hero who wants to help save souls through Christ and faith is to say the least unique.
Adventure with solid Christian theology. How can you top that? To have an adventure hero who wants to help save souls through Christ and faith is to say the least unique.
September 9, 2013
Fast paced summer read.
January 28, 2017
An ok book. Some of it just wasn't believable.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews