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Puzzle Master #1
Puzzle Master
Cephas Paulson was born to solve puzzles that nobody else can solve, a talent the U.S. government has exploited with deadly results. Living in 2202 A.D., his is a world dominated by apathy and hedonism where religion is banned and the few remaining Christians hide in the shadows. Known worldwide as “The Cult Hunter”, Cephas is largely responsible for putting them there. Now living a quiet life as a Religious History professor, Cephas is reluctantly called out of retirement when the government sends him on a high stakes mission designed to crush Christianity once and for all. As the puzzles begin to unravel, Cephas struggles to find the one answer that has always eluded him, the solution to his own desire to explore faith rather than destroy it. To do so, he finds himself walking a dangerous line between two worlds and two beautiful women. One represents the temptations of the outwardly utopian world of man while the other the Godly world that he’s secretly trying to understand. Unfortunately, neither these worlds nor these women are truly what they appear to be, leaving Cephas to wonder if “The Cult Hunter” has become the hunted. Luckily, like the Apostle Paul, Cephas’ learns that God often chooses His champions from the least likely among us and even “The Cult Hunter” has a place in His plan.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2016
85 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 26, 2017
I loved this book. It's the first by this author so I downloaded not knowing what to expect. The story was unique and original. It certainly kept me thinking. The story is about 200 years into the future. Society then is pretty much how we are headed. religion is outlawed. Society will do anything to stay young and beautiful. Drugs are freely given. Everybody looking for fun, entertainment and to be fulfilled. When a cult hunter gets the chance to go back and see Christ crucified to once and for all prove that Jesus was not who he said, he takes it. As he talks about Christ being crucified it was very emotional.
As each day passes I see our society becoming more like the society in this book. I expect Christians to start getting really persecuted in this Country. I highly recommend this book.
Don't think you will get hooked and have to purchase 2 more books. All are free downloads.
As each day passes I see our society becoming more like the society in this book. I expect Christians to start getting really persecuted in this Country. I highly recommend this book.
Don't think you will get hooked and have to purchase 2 more books. All are free downloads.
June 3, 2017
Excellent
It' s the year 2022 and all religion has been banned and every sort of vice is condoned. Enter a history professor, Cephas, who not only loves puzzles, but is known as the Cult Hunter...famous for breaking the codes that leads the government to track down "hidden Christians". Now in order to stop them once and for all, Cephas is given the chance to go back in time to prove, once and for all, that Jesus was not the Messiah and did not come back from the dead.
We are quickly heading to the future laid out in this book, and it's quite frightening.
Great book with a great message and should be read by all. Highly recommended!
It' s the year 2022 and all religion has been banned and every sort of vice is condoned. Enter a history professor, Cephas, who not only loves puzzles, but is known as the Cult Hunter...famous for breaking the codes that leads the government to track down "hidden Christians". Now in order to stop them once and for all, Cephas is given the chance to go back in time to prove, once and for all, that Jesus was not the Messiah and did not come back from the dead.
We are quickly heading to the future laid out in this book, and it's quite frightening.
Great book with a great message and should be read by all. Highly recommended!
September 9, 2017
Reading Puzzle Master is truly reading a puzzle. Through the eyes of Cephas, a well known atheist who takes down religious cults with the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes and the wonder of a child. I found Cephas an engaging character. Through his eyes, we learn about world with no war, no sickness, no illness, and no life. We find a world searching for meaning. Whatever anyone wants to do is legitimate. I like how Cephas is intrigued by puzzles and how it relates to the puzzle God puts in all of us. I'm so glad book 2 is out. I'm excited to read it.
March 1, 2018
A well-written and intriguing book. As a presentation of a possible future, it is credible and though-provoking. I don't find it hard to imagine the world heading in this direction, if the king does not return first.
The characters presented are believable and develop through the book as Cephas' own understanding of the unfolding puzzles increases.
My reason for giving only 4 stars instead of 5 is the very frequent reference to the universal availability and publicly promiscuous nature of sex in Cephas' time – although it is generally presented as part of a matter-of-fact description of a world gone badly wrong. I would have preferred this aspect of the book to be toned down: it very nearly stopped me reading it quite early on.
Some very helpful thoughts, ideas and insights are presented through a story which is very easy to read and hard to put down.
The characters presented are believable and develop through the book as Cephas' own understanding of the unfolding puzzles increases.
My reason for giving only 4 stars instead of 5 is the very frequent reference to the universal availability and publicly promiscuous nature of sex in Cephas' time – although it is generally presented as part of a matter-of-fact description of a world gone badly wrong. I would have preferred this aspect of the book to be toned down: it very nearly stopped me reading it quite early on.
Some very helpful thoughts, ideas and insights are presented through a story which is very easy to read and hard to put down.
June 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this, and will be reading the 2nd book in the series.
It is a great picture of what the enemy has done, is doing and if God allows will continue ( for a time).
I like how scripture is woven in and the application of it.
If i had a criticism, it would be less of the sexual description.
It is not bad, and it does really point to exactly where society is going and no doubt will continue, if the Lord delays awhile longer.
So I understand 'some' sort was necessary, but still, less is more.
Other than that, I loved it and would recommend it!
It is a great picture of what the enemy has done, is doing and if God allows will continue ( for a time).
I like how scripture is woven in and the application of it.
If i had a criticism, it would be less of the sexual description.
It is not bad, and it does really point to exactly where society is going and no doubt will continue, if the Lord delays awhile longer.
So I understand 'some' sort was necessary, but still, less is more.
Other than that, I loved it and would recommend it!
October 2, 2017
This is definitely a book to make you think, but it's also enjoyable and reasonably well written (though some polish by an editor would help still). If you're looking for a light read, this probably isn't it, but if you want a good read that will make you think about the way things are now and will be in the future, as well as your place in it all, this is for you. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2023
This was so interesting to read. It's rare that you can find a plot that is different from the same-old story with different names plugged in. "Widow moves to a house at the coast that she inherited and falls for the handy-man who just happens to be her old boyfriend..."
This story is set a couple hundred years in the future. Religion of all sorts is illegal. Cephas, the main character, is a puzzle genius who works for the government to help find and destroy Christians. The world is supposedly a perfect Eden with no illness or poverty, yet Cephas feels an emptiness inside. He is chosen to take a trip back in time to finally prove to the world that Jesus either didn't exist or He never rose from the dead.
This story is set a couple hundred years in the future. Religion of all sorts is illegal. Cephas, the main character, is a puzzle genius who works for the government to help find and destroy Christians. The world is supposedly a perfect Eden with no illness or poverty, yet Cephas feels an emptiness inside. He is chosen to take a trip back in time to finally prove to the world that Jesus either didn't exist or He never rose from the dead.
September 26, 2021
A soul
I was brought up in the church & was a nurse for 23 yrs. Mr McKenna speaks of a twinkle in some peoples eye & relates it to a soul. As a nurse I have seen death many times & I have watched as some people take their last breath & you can see the light leave their eyes. I have always thought it was their soul leaving their body. Mr McKenna has confirmed that for me. It was a very moving book & I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the second book.
I was brought up in the church & was a nurse for 23 yrs. Mr McKenna speaks of a twinkle in some peoples eye & relates it to a soul. As a nurse I have seen death many times & I have watched as some people take their last breath & you can see the light leave their eyes. I have always thought it was their soul leaving their body. Mr McKenna has confirmed that for me. It was a very moving book & I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the second book.
September 8, 2024
KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT
Great read! This is my second time reading it. My last time was in real book form. this time on my tablet. Technology is changing everything we do. We will be where Cephas was in no time. Which is just one of the signs o he last days. Praise God as we live in the world during this time.
I now leave you with a phrase I read in another Christian fiction book book. "Keep up the good fight, pray for me as I pray for you. God is with us!
Great read! This is my second time reading it. My last time was in real book form. this time on my tablet. Technology is changing everything we do. We will be where Cephas was in no time. Which is just one of the signs o he last days. Praise God as we live in the world during this time.
I now leave you with a phrase I read in another Christian fiction book book. "Keep up the good fight, pray for me as I pray for you. God is with us!
September 24, 2017
It is a puzzle...
True belief requires conviction... how weak that conviction becomes, confronted by opposition.. I love that this book illustrated the exact same affect is found with comfort and ease. The material world has so much influence upon us, as we misplace true value. This book does a great job illustrating that:)
True belief requires conviction... how weak that conviction becomes, confronted by opposition.. I love that this book illustrated the exact same affect is found with comfort and ease. The material world has so much influence upon us, as we misplace true value. This book does a great job illustrating that:)
March 7, 2018
Outstanding
As a Christian writer, I love Christian fiction. When I saw this was a time travel piece as well, I was intrigued. Th The book keeps you guessing from the first page to the last. The characters are well developed and the plot moves at good pace. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. This is a winner
As a Christian writer, I love Christian fiction. When I saw this was a time travel piece as well, I was intrigued. Th The book keeps you guessing from the first page to the last. The characters are well developed and the plot moves at good pace. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. This is a winner
April 17, 2019
This book had me captured from the beginning!
I actually ordered book 2 before I started reading book 1. I stopped and ordered book 2. I cried through the journey that Cephus made back in time. My suggestion, is that ALL those that want an insight into living and during for Christ, should read this book.
I actually ordered book 2 before I started reading book 1. I stopped and ordered book 2. I cried through the journey that Cephus made back in time. My suggestion, is that ALL those that want an insight into living and during for Christ, should read this book.
May 10, 2024
Puzzle Master
Very interesting. It's right on about 2020 and 2030. The theory presented is definitely a possibility if the Christians in the church continue to look to the government to do their business. Complacency has cost us dearly. So much goes on that I'm ignorant to and to think my lack of participation is the cause of where we are in this story. It's scary.
Very interesting. It's right on about 2020 and 2030. The theory presented is definitely a possibility if the Christians in the church continue to look to the government to do their business. Complacency has cost us dearly. So much goes on that I'm ignorant to and to think my lack of participation is the cause of where we are in this story. It's scary.
July 1, 2018
Projected consequences for today's follies
Where today's societal missteps clearly lead are vividly portrayed in this book. Cephus' time with Jesus is awesome. On to the next book. Highly recommended
Where today's societal missteps clearly lead are vividly portrayed in this book. Cephus' time with Jesus is awesome. On to the next book. Highly recommended
July 2, 2018
Gripping
McKenna grasps the real meaning of being a Christian when it isn't a popular thing to do. The author relates the struggle of Christianity in a modern way and also gives emotion to the last week of Christ's life through the eyes of an outsider. Well done!
McKenna grasps the real meaning of being a Christian when it isn't a popular thing to do. The author relates the struggle of Christianity in a modern way and also gives emotion to the last week of Christ's life through the eyes of an outsider. Well done!
March 4, 2020
Something different!
An interesting view into our own future, with a surprising visit to our past. A good read no matter your affiliation.
An interesting view into our own future, with a surprising visit to our past. A good read no matter your affiliation.
November 13, 2021
Great book! Very different but very good. I really enjoyed it. Starting the next book in the series already.
January 18, 2023
Darn Good
This book was not what I expected and I was thoroughly pleased. Caught my attention immediately and held it!! GOOD JOB
This book was not what I expected and I was thoroughly pleased. Caught my attention immediately and held it!! GOOD JOB
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews