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A Trevor Black Novel #1
The Occupied
From "New York Times" bestselling author Craig Parshall comes a riveting story of supernatural suspense.As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn't comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.When one of Trevor's hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer's path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.
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First published September 1, 2016
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About the author
Craig Parshall
32 books73 followersCraig Parshall is a bestselling fiction author with twelve suspense novels to his credit. His tales of human drama and spiritual encounter have garnered rave reviews from critics and readers alike. Craig is also a Washington insider serving as special counsel to the American Center for Law and Justice on matters before the US Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill, and before state supreme courts. As a constitutional lawyer, Craig has testified frequently before committees of Congress and the FCC, and has been interviewed on a wide range of cultural issues by most of the major media networks and newspapers nationwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 24, 2016
** “But you, on the other hand, are occupied by Christ. By God’s grace, and your faith. You see, it is not what comes against you that matters. It is who occupies you that counts. Christ, the guardian of your soul.” **
I am new to Craig Parshall’s novels, but wow did I start with a bang with “The Occupied,” a tale of spiritual warfare.
Trevor Black is a former criminal defense lawyer who develops a unique gift — the ability to sense demons, or horribles as he calls them, and their presence in humans. Using this gift, he is dragged into investigating some horrific murders and figuring out the connection between them and himself.
Three distinct sections make up “The Occupied.” The Flesh deals with Trevor’s teen years and his introduction to the dark side of the spirit world. We will eventually see how giving into the flesh impacts Trevor’s future.
The World deals with Trevor’s life as a high-level attorney, some brutal murders, Trevor’s loss of career, and his gain of Christ in his life. It is during this time Trevor learns there is a higher purpose in life, his weapon is the word of the Spirit (the Bible), and that God is always stronger than the enemy.
During The Devil section, Trevor returns home to investigate the murder of a high school friend — and if it is connected to the recent murders in New York City. He begins to realize that he can truly “visualize the true ugliness of the other side,” and learns that Jesus has overcome the world, and through that power Trevor can overcome the dark side.
Parshall does a great job of tying together the three eras in Trevor’s life, and throwing in many awesome spiritual truths. He reminds us that if we truly have faith in God, He will never leave us and will always provide us the tools we need to defeat the enemy. As Rev. John Cannon encourages Trevor: “God’s Word is the road map. But the walking is left up to you. You are not alone. God does not fail. He empowers you. Christ in you, the everlasting hope. But the way is narrow. Sometimes daunting. A thin line, like a razor’s edge.”
“The Occupied” is a great murder mystery and an awesome spiritual warfare novel, with a little bit of legalese and a touch of potential romance. It will send chills down your spine and keep you guessing until the very end. So the only other question to ask is: Who occupies you?
If you are a fan of Frank Peretti, Mike Dellosso or Ted Dekker, you will love Craig Parshall’s newest novel. I really hope there are more Trevor Black novels to come!
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
I am new to Craig Parshall’s novels, but wow did I start with a bang with “The Occupied,” a tale of spiritual warfare.
Trevor Black is a former criminal defense lawyer who develops a unique gift — the ability to sense demons, or horribles as he calls them, and their presence in humans. Using this gift, he is dragged into investigating some horrific murders and figuring out the connection between them and himself.
Three distinct sections make up “The Occupied.” The Flesh deals with Trevor’s teen years and his introduction to the dark side of the spirit world. We will eventually see how giving into the flesh impacts Trevor’s future.
The World deals with Trevor’s life as a high-level attorney, some brutal murders, Trevor’s loss of career, and his gain of Christ in his life. It is during this time Trevor learns there is a higher purpose in life, his weapon is the word of the Spirit (the Bible), and that God is always stronger than the enemy.
During The Devil section, Trevor returns home to investigate the murder of a high school friend — and if it is connected to the recent murders in New York City. He begins to realize that he can truly “visualize the true ugliness of the other side,” and learns that Jesus has overcome the world, and through that power Trevor can overcome the dark side.
Parshall does a great job of tying together the three eras in Trevor’s life, and throwing in many awesome spiritual truths. He reminds us that if we truly have faith in God, He will never leave us and will always provide us the tools we need to defeat the enemy. As Rev. John Cannon encourages Trevor: “God’s Word is the road map. But the walking is left up to you. You are not alone. God does not fail. He empowers you. Christ in you, the everlasting hope. But the way is narrow. Sometimes daunting. A thin line, like a razor’s edge.”
“The Occupied” is a great murder mystery and an awesome spiritual warfare novel, with a little bit of legalese and a touch of potential romance. It will send chills down your spine and keep you guessing until the very end. So the only other question to ask is: Who occupies you?
If you are a fan of Frank Peretti, Mike Dellosso or Ted Dekker, you will love Craig Parshall’s newest novel. I really hope there are more Trevor Black novels to come!
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
September 7, 2016
***"... a modern spiritually based crime thriller of good versus evil..."***
Craig Parshall's intriguing new "Trevor Black" suspense series, "The Occupied" released September 1 from Tyndale House Publishers. The complex thriller wraps mystery, murder and spiritual warfare into a thought-provoking, faith-filled story that gives new meaning to the term "occupied." The story was inspired by an experience Parshall writes about in Mystery and True Crime News, Prose n' Cons, "He Scared the Wits Out of Himself and Out Came a Novel."
And what a novel of suspense it is once characters are drawn and the stage set that lifts the veil on unseen spiritual forces only understood through the Holy Spirit's "gift of discernment." However, that would come 25 years later from seeds sown by Trevor and Augie when they were bored and innocent teens in this book of three parts, "the Flesh, the World and the Devil."
There might not have been a story to tell if Trevor and Augie hadn't gone to creepy old Mason Krim's corner mansion after he died. If they hadn't tried to recite the Latin incantations from Krim's aged book that led Trevor to ask, from the living room of his musty, very creepy corner mansion, "Is anyone there? Is anyone listening?"
That's when the "jangling of the telephone" began, Augie went bug-eyed and Trevor thought Why doesn't it stop? Why is it still ringing? When he picked up the receiver Trevor heard a
Then Augie "grabbed the phone" and listened intently before he very slowly "placed the receiver back onto the base." Even though Trevor asked him what he had heard many times "Augie would never tell him" then or ever.
Thus begins a modern spiritually based crime thriller of good versus evil that keeps pages turning long after lights should go out. Complete with brutal murders, detectives, demons, and a bit of romance and divine truth wrapped in a story of spiritual warfare and belief in God.
Belief in Christ and other Scriptural truths weave throughout a "clean-read" story that contains no bad language, sexual scenes or grim and gory crime scenes. It's simply a well-written mystery that leaves readers wanting more. The sequel hasn't been announced but I'm sure there is one in the not too distant future because of the way "The Occupied" ends.
Fans of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker or Steven James would enjoy "The Occupied."
'The Occupied (A Trevor Black Novel),' by Craig Parshall, Hardcover, Tyndale House Publishers, September 1, 2016, 425 Pages, 978-1496419187, $22.99
Midwest Book Reviews: "Gail's Bookshelf" August 2016
Pinterest: GailWelborn
Twitter: @GailWelborn
FaceBook: Gail Welborn
Craig Parshall's intriguing new "Trevor Black" suspense series, "The Occupied" released September 1 from Tyndale House Publishers. The complex thriller wraps mystery, murder and spiritual warfare into a thought-provoking, faith-filled story that gives new meaning to the term "occupied." The story was inspired by an experience Parshall writes about in Mystery and True Crime News, Prose n' Cons, "He Scared the Wits Out of Himself and Out Came a Novel."
And what a novel of suspense it is once characters are drawn and the stage set that lifts the veil on unseen spiritual forces only understood through the Holy Spirit's "gift of discernment." However, that would come 25 years later from seeds sown by Trevor and Augie when they were bored and innocent teens in this book of three parts, "the Flesh, the World and the Devil."
There might not have been a story to tell if Trevor and Augie hadn't gone to creepy old Mason Krim's corner mansion after he died. If they hadn't tried to recite the Latin incantations from Krim's aged book that led Trevor to ask, from the living room of his musty, very creepy corner mansion, "Is anyone there? Is anyone listening?"
That's when the "jangling of the telephone" began, Augie went bug-eyed and Trevor thought Why doesn't it stop? Why is it still ringing? When he picked up the receiver Trevor heard a
Then Augie "grabbed the phone" and listened intently before he very slowly "placed the receiver back onto the base." Even though Trevor asked him what he had heard many times "Augie would never tell him" then or ever.
Thus begins a modern spiritually based crime thriller of good versus evil that keeps pages turning long after lights should go out. Complete with brutal murders, detectives, demons, and a bit of romance and divine truth wrapped in a story of spiritual warfare and belief in God.
Belief in Christ and other Scriptural truths weave throughout a "clean-read" story that contains no bad language, sexual scenes or grim and gory crime scenes. It's simply a well-written mystery that leaves readers wanting more. The sequel hasn't been announced but I'm sure there is one in the not too distant future because of the way "The Occupied" ends.
Fans of Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker or Steven James would enjoy "The Occupied."
'The Occupied (A Trevor Black Novel),' by Craig Parshall, Hardcover, Tyndale House Publishers, September 1, 2016, 425 Pages, 978-1496419187, $22.99
Midwest Book Reviews: "Gail's Bookshelf" August 2016
Pinterest: GailWelborn
Twitter: @GailWelborn
FaceBook: Gail Welborn
August 19, 2016
Once again I've come across a book that leaves me with a deeper meaning to spiritual warfare. The Occupied is more than mere thriller or horror; it is also a book on truth about the unseen forces that influence the world today just as it did in the past.
Because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. The character Trevor Black (and I started to see a little symbolism about his name as I read more) is blessed with the gift of discernment. Discernment meaning he can smell and sense the evil of demons around him and at times see them as they "occupied" a person.
Although the Christian aspect is not heavy or layered thickly throughout the book, the belief in Christ is made evident. As is the Scriptural truths about the battle that we cannot see.
Some people may scoff and say that this is truly a work of fiction, but lessons and truth are often threaded through fiction. Can anyone smell demons? Yes, they can. Can anyone see demons? Most assuredly. Is there a way to be protected from them? A definite and resounding yes. And in the book this is shown multiple times.
It is a book that leaves you wanting more of Trevor's story; leaves you with questions and the need to understand more; leaves you with a veil lifted from your eyes and the desire to understand more about the full armor of God.
Craig Parshall has brought to readers a solid book of mystery, thrills, passion, hope, and above all love. Emotions ride high in The Occupied. And I will repeat this, buy the book! It's a book that will stay with you for days to come.
***I received this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange of a full and honest review***
Because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. The character Trevor Black (and I started to see a little symbolism about his name as I read more) is blessed with the gift of discernment. Discernment meaning he can smell and sense the evil of demons around him and at times see them as they "occupied" a person.
Although the Christian aspect is not heavy or layered thickly throughout the book, the belief in Christ is made evident. As is the Scriptural truths about the battle that we cannot see.
Some people may scoff and say that this is truly a work of fiction, but lessons and truth are often threaded through fiction. Can anyone smell demons? Yes, they can. Can anyone see demons? Most assuredly. Is there a way to be protected from them? A definite and resounding yes. And in the book this is shown multiple times.
It is a book that leaves you wanting more of Trevor's story; leaves you with questions and the need to understand more; leaves you with a veil lifted from your eyes and the desire to understand more about the full armor of God.
Craig Parshall has brought to readers a solid book of mystery, thrills, passion, hope, and above all love. Emotions ride high in The Occupied. And I will repeat this, buy the book! It's a book that will stay with you for days to come.
***I received this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange of a full and honest review***
November 24, 2016
Trevor Black is a high flying criminal defence lawyer in New York. And he gets to defend people who have committed some heinous acts.
Through a series of circumstances Black's life is turned upside down. He loses his job, his marriage and his NYC lifestyle. And then he finds God.
Told in first person across three sections: The Flesh, The World and The Devil, we see Black's life from when he was a kid through to his high-flying days and finally to being chased by evil which takes him back to where it all began: his home town. Evil chases Black in the form of a series of copycat murders that lead him from NYC to his hometown and draw him into a web of small town politics and satanic rituals.
This is a classic detective story but with a supernatural add-on. Black along the way develops the gift of seeing the demonic in people. Parshall does an excellent job revealing the thin veil between the natural and supernatural worlds. And he has a vivid imagination in creating some fabulously scary demonic creatures.
I liked Trevor Black and there's good development in his character through this story. It's a challenge for an author to write in first person as the entire story is told from the eyes of the one person. But Parshall does this really well and it adds to the feel of it being a classic detective story which are often shown from the eyes of the detective.
Black develops a romantic interest which adds to the story and the lady in question Ashley is another excellent well rounded character who struggles with anxiety. I hope we see more of Ashley in the next story.
This is the first Parshall novel I've read and I'm excited about reading the second book in the series.
Through a series of circumstances Black's life is turned upside down. He loses his job, his marriage and his NYC lifestyle. And then he finds God.
Told in first person across three sections: The Flesh, The World and The Devil, we see Black's life from when he was a kid through to his high-flying days and finally to being chased by evil which takes him back to where it all began: his home town. Evil chases Black in the form of a series of copycat murders that lead him from NYC to his hometown and draw him into a web of small town politics and satanic rituals.
This is a classic detective story but with a supernatural add-on. Black along the way develops the gift of seeing the demonic in people. Parshall does an excellent job revealing the thin veil between the natural and supernatural worlds. And he has a vivid imagination in creating some fabulously scary demonic creatures.
I liked Trevor Black and there's good development in his character through this story. It's a challenge for an author to write in first person as the entire story is told from the eyes of the one person. But Parshall does this really well and it adds to the feel of it being a classic detective story which are often shown from the eyes of the detective.
Black develops a romantic interest which adds to the story and the lady in question Ashley is another excellent well rounded character who struggles with anxiety. I hope we see more of Ashley in the next story.
This is the first Parshall novel I've read and I'm excited about reading the second book in the series.
December 9, 2016
About the Book
From New York Times bestselling author Craig Parshall comes a riveting story of supernatural suspense.
As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn't comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.
When one of Trevor's hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer's path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.
My Review
The Occupied by Craig Parshall was my very first of his books and I enjoyed it very much. If you're a fan of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness than this would be a book for you. It's a mix of mystery, suspense, warfare, and the supernatural. This is a novel that will satisfy all fans of these genres. Even the pickiest like myself.
From New York Times bestselling author Craig Parshall comes a riveting story of supernatural suspense.
As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn't comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.
When one of Trevor's hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer's path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.
My Review
The Occupied by Craig Parshall was my very first of his books and I enjoyed it very much. If you're a fan of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness than this would be a book for you. It's a mix of mystery, suspense, warfare, and the supernatural. This is a novel that will satisfy all fans of these genres. Even the pickiest like myself.
March 17, 2018
Excellent Christian supernatural thriller. My favorite quote from the book is this one: “But you, on the other hand, are occupied by Christ. By God’s grace, and your faith. You see, it is not what comes against you that matters. It is who occupies you that counts. Christ, the guardian of your soul.”.
December 1, 2019
4.5 Stars
I'm always in the mood for a good book that deals with spiritual warfare and this one was excellent. From the first line I was hooked.
The Occupied takes the reader on a journey through Trevor Black's life divided into three sections titled The Flesh, The World, and The Devil.
First in The Flesh we get a glimpse at when Trevor was a teenager and first came into contact with the supernatural veil. Then, The World, takes a peek into his life in New York City as a lawyer, his deteriorating marriage, his first encounter with “the horribles”, and becoming a Christian. And finally, The Devil, where he makes his return home to solve a mystery and fight “the horribles”.
Powerful, compelling, and, at times, chilling, The Occupied was fast paced and impossible to put down. I can't recommend it enough.
I'm always in the mood for a good book that deals with spiritual warfare and this one was excellent. From the first line I was hooked.
"I keep monsters in my peripheral vision. When you've been attacked by the horribles, you never forget."
The Occupied takes the reader on a journey through Trevor Black's life divided into three sections titled The Flesh, The World, and The Devil.
"First, there's the world, and all that's in it and all that we see, but also what we can't. Second, the flesh - all those desires, arrogances, strivings - when we let it rule us. Last, but definitely not least, there's the devil. That's in reverse threat level."
First in The Flesh we get a glimpse at when Trevor was a teenager and first came into contact with the supernatural veil. Then, The World, takes a peek into his life in New York City as a lawyer, his deteriorating marriage, his first encounter with “the horribles”, and becoming a Christian. And finally, The Devil, where he makes his return home to solve a mystery and fight “the horribles”.
"Even in all the mud and mire through which we plow, there is a benevolent heavenly Father holding us up with an invisible hand, guiding our ends from our beginnings and nudging us toward the light rather than the darkness. Giving us a thousand chances to make a thousand good choices if we will only take them."
Powerful, compelling, and, at times, chilling, The Occupied was fast paced and impossible to put down. I can't recommend it enough.
"You see, it is not what comes against you that matters. It is who occupies you that counts. Christ, the guardian of your soul."
March 19, 2025
Solid spiritual warfare book with screwtape vibes 4.5!
December 7, 2016
Wow! Where do I start with this captivating and intriguing book. It is not for the faint of heart but it sure packs a punch with adventure into good vs evil that explodes at every turn. I have read some of the authors other books which have always captivated me . This book is the best I have read about the demonic spirit with realism. It is a story that had me looking over my shoulder a few times. The graphic descriptions of the demons are superior to anything I have ever read. I could picture them in their grotesque form as they came to invade and torture Trevor.
Trevor is a very well developed character that takes on the dark forces with strength and trust in God. I'm not sure I could be that brave. Would you be prepared to fight against the evil spirits and not back down? I'm sure Trevor never thought when he was messing with the supernatural as a teenager that when he became older he would be fighting them. I absolutely loved the writing and intense scenes as they drew me into the story with goosebumps going up and down my arms. When Trevor discovers that he can not only smell the demons but see them, he uses his abilities to help solve a murder. Did he know the person who was killed? Did it have anything to do with his past?
Not everyone is pleased when he starts investigating on his own and finds himself not liked with the local police. Ashley comes in contact with Trevor as she is investigating the same crime . There was definitely not a love at first sight between these two. Her character is strong but not very trusting. She has some personal issues that will pose a roadblock for her. Can she overcome her trauma and help Trevor ? Their relationship is slow to develop which was very nice and I loved how Trevor witnessed to Ashley. Will she believe that there is a God?
This book takes a subject that many people won't talk about and brings it to the surface with spine tingling realistic dialogue and scriptures that are brilliantly placed throughout the story. I am hoping that the author continues Trevor's story . I highly recommended this book to anyone wanting to read a fictional account about demonic spirits that explodes with action and intensity.
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.
Trevor is a very well developed character that takes on the dark forces with strength and trust in God. I'm not sure I could be that brave. Would you be prepared to fight against the evil spirits and not back down? I'm sure Trevor never thought when he was messing with the supernatural as a teenager that when he became older he would be fighting them. I absolutely loved the writing and intense scenes as they drew me into the story with goosebumps going up and down my arms. When Trevor discovers that he can not only smell the demons but see them, he uses his abilities to help solve a murder. Did he know the person who was killed? Did it have anything to do with his past?
Not everyone is pleased when he starts investigating on his own and finds himself not liked with the local police. Ashley comes in contact with Trevor as she is investigating the same crime . There was definitely not a love at first sight between these two. Her character is strong but not very trusting. She has some personal issues that will pose a roadblock for her. Can she overcome her trauma and help Trevor ? Their relationship is slow to develop which was very nice and I loved how Trevor witnessed to Ashley. Will she believe that there is a God?
This book takes a subject that many people won't talk about and brings it to the surface with spine tingling realistic dialogue and scriptures that are brilliantly placed throughout the story. I am hoping that the author continues Trevor's story . I highly recommended this book to anyone wanting to read a fictional account about demonic spirits that explodes with action and intensity.
I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.
January 29, 2017
The Occupied, A Trevor Black Novel, by author Craig Parshall is a contemporary Christian novel by Tyndale publishing. This 448 page paperback is chocked full of intrigue, suspense, action, adventure, and spiritual warfare. It is captivating and very hard to put down.
Author Parshall has done a super job with this book. It is well thought, well planned, and extremely well written. The author throws in some twists and turns to keep readers guessing. He provides descriptive details that bring frightening repulsive demons to life on the pages of his book.
The novel is divided into three sections. The Flesh gives us background on main character Trevor Black. He grew up a small Wisconsin town. We are introduced to neighbor, Mason Krim, a recluse that no one knows any details on. We also meet Trevor's friend Augie. He and Trevor have a seance after someone dies.
The World is section two and starts twenty years after in New York. Trevor is married to Cortney and is a successful lawyer. We meet his wife and Elijah White, a Christian that has prophetic dreams and assists Trevor. In this part of the book, Trevor begins to see the demons and the people they inhabit. Through some unfortunate activities, his life drastically changes. Then Trevor learns about the death of a childhood friend in this part of the book.
The third section is entitled, The Devil. Trevor ventures back to his hometown in search of information about his childhood friend's death. In this section we meet Ashley, investigating the murder, also.
"It is who occupies you that counts." is one of my favorite sentences in this book. The inspirational message is clear. Christ, our Savior, is the one that occupies us or should.
I would definitely and highly recommend this book. It is a captivating nail biter to be sure. Anyone interested in spiritual warfare, good vs. evil, or likes suspense and intrigue will love this contemporary Christian novel. It would make a nice book club book. Readers will want to discuss it with someone else that has read it, too. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review. I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review.
Author Parshall has done a super job with this book. It is well thought, well planned, and extremely well written. The author throws in some twists and turns to keep readers guessing. He provides descriptive details that bring frightening repulsive demons to life on the pages of his book.
The novel is divided into three sections. The Flesh gives us background on main character Trevor Black. He grew up a small Wisconsin town. We are introduced to neighbor, Mason Krim, a recluse that no one knows any details on. We also meet Trevor's friend Augie. He and Trevor have a seance after someone dies.
The World is section two and starts twenty years after in New York. Trevor is married to Cortney and is a successful lawyer. We meet his wife and Elijah White, a Christian that has prophetic dreams and assists Trevor. In this part of the book, Trevor begins to see the demons and the people they inhabit. Through some unfortunate activities, his life drastically changes. Then Trevor learns about the death of a childhood friend in this part of the book.
The third section is entitled, The Devil. Trevor ventures back to his hometown in search of information about his childhood friend's death. In this section we meet Ashley, investigating the murder, also.
"It is who occupies you that counts." is one of my favorite sentences in this book. The inspirational message is clear. Christ, our Savior, is the one that occupies us or should.
I would definitely and highly recommend this book. It is a captivating nail biter to be sure. Anyone interested in spiritual warfare, good vs. evil, or likes suspense and intrigue will love this contemporary Christian novel. It would make a nice book club book. Readers will want to discuss it with someone else that has read it, too. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review. I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review.
May 11, 2016
Review: THE OCCUPIED
THE OCCUPIED is solid Christian fiction with a bite, a complex mystery, with an undertone of demonic [literally] horror. Trevor Black has lived a life of uproar. Musically talented as an adolescent, but emotionally bereft, eventually he becomes an efficient criminal defense attorney, partner in a Wall Street firm. He still can't make a valid emotional connection, though, falling out of touch with his close high school friends, and ignoring his trophy wife in favor of his cases. Then one attempted defense opens his eyes and heart to the spiritual, and Trevor finds himself at a metaphysical crossroads. THE OCCUPIED is an engrossing page turner, a constant "what's next?"
THE OCCUPIED is solid Christian fiction with a bite, a complex mystery, with an undertone of demonic [literally] horror. Trevor Black has lived a life of uproar. Musically talented as an adolescent, but emotionally bereft, eventually he becomes an efficient criminal defense attorney, partner in a Wall Street firm. He still can't make a valid emotional connection, though, falling out of touch with his close high school friends, and ignoring his trophy wife in favor of his cases. Then one attempted defense opens his eyes and heart to the spiritual, and Trevor finds himself at a metaphysical crossroads. THE OCCUPIED is an engrossing page turner, a constant "what's next?"
June 15, 2016
This Christian fiction book is a fantastic read with the theme of battling evil. Trevor unveils a troubling talent as a young boy, he can see the invisible, evil forces trying to end his life. He is a devout Christian and hopes that he is safe when he confronts these invisibles. Trevor returns to his home town to investigate the murder of a friend and uncovers a deadly group that doesn't want their secrets revealed. I hope Craig Parshall has additional books with Trevor, I'd like to see how he handles what life has to offer.
March 17, 2018
ok so, this book left me a bit speechless. everything in this is So earth shatteringly accurate. this book was not only Beautifully written but so spiritually on point. if you're looking for some truth..... start here.
April 9, 2017
An engaging look at spiritual warfare. Looking forward to more in this series.
January 2, 2026
I usually don't do negative reviews, but you know, sometimes you have to. I did read this book all the way through, since I wanted to see what happened.
First of all, this title. It sounds like my realtor describing a new development in the town, not an irresistible yarn about a man battling demons. Why not simply, "The Possessed"? That's what Parshall is talking about. Various characters in this yarn are possessed (temporarily) by demons. Just say that.
Without giving away the ending, this is a tale about a lawyer who finds himself entangled in a series of supernatural murders which have a Christian angle--in this case, wounds on the deceased (several of them) appear to mimic in some way the stabbing of Christ on the cross by a Roman soldier's spear; except, the wounds are probably on the wrong side (which side Christ was stabbed on, is still under discussion).
There are a number of areas where this story doesn't develop much interest or tension. Let's review some of them.
Although the author is a lawyer, this tale has a consistent lack of any legal or procedural traction--such as we might expect in, say, a Grisham novel. No interesting tidbits here on how the legal system works or doesn't work.
Trevor's first wife, Courtney, who dies early in the story, doesn't seem to claim much interest of the lead character, and we only meet her briefly before she dies of an overdose. Since the author treats her so off-handedly, readers can't feel her loss to much either. This undermines the story.
When Trevor is disbarred (I won't go into why), this should be a jarring, personally shattering situation, similar to Mikael Blomkvist's loss of his legal case in the beginning of "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (to name a bestseller), but it isn't. Parshall underdescribes this entire scenario.
Later in the book (again, no spoilers on the ending), Parshall develops a friendship with a female detective named Ashley in Manitou, his old town. Although there is a romantic attraction, this relationship proceeds set on "low." Many readers will be disappointed.
There seems to be an authorial pattern here.
Finally, when Trevor comes around to his religious "mission," (Trevor is battling the demons; he has been given a gift to recognize them), the description of this realization is so gradual, the reader almost might miss it. It's also related with few references to scripture--which you might be waiting for, given this topic. This is odd.
I found this work puzzling and underwhelming. However, if you are into fiction or horror with a Christian baseline, you might find this your cup of tea.
First of all, this title. It sounds like my realtor describing a new development in the town, not an irresistible yarn about a man battling demons. Why not simply, "The Possessed"? That's what Parshall is talking about. Various characters in this yarn are possessed (temporarily) by demons. Just say that.
Without giving away the ending, this is a tale about a lawyer who finds himself entangled in a series of supernatural murders which have a Christian angle--in this case, wounds on the deceased (several of them) appear to mimic in some way the stabbing of Christ on the cross by a Roman soldier's spear; except, the wounds are probably on the wrong side (which side Christ was stabbed on, is still under discussion).
There are a number of areas where this story doesn't develop much interest or tension. Let's review some of them.
Although the author is a lawyer, this tale has a consistent lack of any legal or procedural traction--such as we might expect in, say, a Grisham novel. No interesting tidbits here on how the legal system works or doesn't work.
Trevor's first wife, Courtney, who dies early in the story, doesn't seem to claim much interest of the lead character, and we only meet her briefly before she dies of an overdose. Since the author treats her so off-handedly, readers can't feel her loss to much either. This undermines the story.
When Trevor is disbarred (I won't go into why), this should be a jarring, personally shattering situation, similar to Mikael Blomkvist's loss of his legal case in the beginning of "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (to name a bestseller), but it isn't. Parshall underdescribes this entire scenario.
Later in the book (again, no spoilers on the ending), Parshall develops a friendship with a female detective named Ashley in Manitou, his old town. Although there is a romantic attraction, this relationship proceeds set on "low." Many readers will be disappointed.
There seems to be an authorial pattern here.
Finally, when Trevor comes around to his religious "mission," (Trevor is battling the demons; he has been given a gift to recognize them), the description of this realization is so gradual, the reader almost might miss it. It's also related with few references to scripture--which you might be waiting for, given this topic. This is odd.
I found this work puzzling and underwhelming. However, if you are into fiction or horror with a Christian baseline, you might find this your cup of tea.
May 6, 2018
You know how sometimes I get bored reading the same genre of book too many in a row? Yeah, about that. Not this month. I've been all over the place and it's been a bit like happy whiplash. I'm reading genres that are outside my norm (which can be hit and miss) and I'm reading genres that I really like but there aren't a lot of good ones out there. This is that second time of book. I mean come on people, at heart I'm a mystery girl. I like a good suspense, even a thriller, and combining that with Christian themes, well there just aren't enough of them to pick from. I picked up the next book in this series, 'The Empowered' from Tyndale not realizing that it was a series. That is totally on me for not paying attention. Anyway, I had to back-burner it for a minute only because I felt I needed to read this book first. Sometimes you don't have to (and it's possible this is one of those times) but sometimes you feel like it might be important. This was that second time.
That all being said when it comes to Christian Supernatural Suspense Thrillers I have certain expectations. This one fell short of the mark for a large one. When you add Christian to that list of a specific genre the faith element is vital and that's what I felt was not there with this book. I mean there was faith, and even a 'come to Jesus' experience sorta and Biblical reference but outside a secondary character who was pretty intense with his faith I felt like there wasn't enough. When you set someone up to do battle with the demons you have an expectation that they will be prepared for such a spiritual battle. I just didn't get that. I got faith, I got Bible, but I just didn't get any depth of Spiritual preparedness. That kinda bothers me, actually bothers me enough that it is the only reason this book is 4 star.
All that aside I loved this book. I mean come on, legal thriller meets supernatural suspense and yet it still remains true to it's Christian roots as a clean read. Well, as clean as you can get with demons and possession and murder. I was drawn into the book from page one and seriously way way to late into the um morning one night. The book broke it down into the three battlefields we all face (perhaps not in actually seeing demons but you know) the world (and worldly things) the flesh (and our own desires), and the devil (the big one). It did so while keeping true to the timeline of Trevor's life and never breaking away from it's fictional base. From teen with an attitude who accidentally dabbles into the occult, to high profile defense attorney with all the world has to offer in New York where his past indiscretions come into play), to back to his hometown where it all started and needed to end. I really am excited to read the next book in this series and see where it takes us next.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/the-oc....
That all being said when it comes to Christian Supernatural Suspense Thrillers I have certain expectations. This one fell short of the mark for a large one. When you add Christian to that list of a specific genre the faith element is vital and that's what I felt was not there with this book. I mean there was faith, and even a 'come to Jesus' experience sorta and Biblical reference but outside a secondary character who was pretty intense with his faith I felt like there wasn't enough. When you set someone up to do battle with the demons you have an expectation that they will be prepared for such a spiritual battle. I just didn't get that. I got faith, I got Bible, but I just didn't get any depth of Spiritual preparedness. That kinda bothers me, actually bothers me enough that it is the only reason this book is 4 star.
All that aside I loved this book. I mean come on, legal thriller meets supernatural suspense and yet it still remains true to it's Christian roots as a clean read. Well, as clean as you can get with demons and possession and murder. I was drawn into the book from page one and seriously way way to late into the um morning one night. The book broke it down into the three battlefields we all face (perhaps not in actually seeing demons but you know) the world (and worldly things) the flesh (and our own desires), and the devil (the big one). It did so while keeping true to the timeline of Trevor's life and never breaking away from it's fictional base. From teen with an attitude who accidentally dabbles into the occult, to high profile defense attorney with all the world has to offer in New York where his past indiscretions come into play), to back to his hometown where it all started and needed to end. I really am excited to read the next book in this series and see where it takes us next.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/the-oc....
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April 27, 2020Audiobook--Loved this book--hard to stop listening! If you believe in spiritual warfare, you'll probably enjoy this book.
As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn’t comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.
When one of Trevor’s hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer’s path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.
old in first person across three sections: The Flesh, The World and The Devil, we see Black's life from when he was a kid through to his high-flying days and finally to being chased by evil which takes him back to where it all began: his home town. Evil chases Black in the form of a series of copycat murders that lead him from NYC to his hometown and draw him into a web of small town politics and satanic rituals.
This is a classic detective story but with a supernatural add-on. Black along the way develops the gift of seeing the demonic in people. Parshall does an excellent job revealing the thin veil between the natural and supernatural worlds. And he has a vivid imagination in creating some fabulously scary demonic creatures.
I liked Trevor Black and there's good development in his character through this story. It's a challenge for an author to write in first person as the entire story is told from the eyes of the one person. But Parshall does this really well and it adds to the feel of it being a classic detective story which are often shown from the eyes of the detective.
As a youth, Trevor Black unleashed spiritual forces he couldn’t comprehend. Years later, Trevor is a high-flying criminal defense lawyer in New York City, with a six-figure Aston Martin and a trophy wife. But in an extraordinary turn of events, he receives a burdensome gift: the ability to perceive the invisible. And the dark forces he now sees are all gunning for him.
When one of Trevor’s hometown friends is murdered, the MO is eerily similar to a shocking trail of murders that have already crossed the lawyer’s path. So Trevor must return home to find the killer. . . and face not only his own personal demons, but supernatural ones as well.
old in first person across three sections: The Flesh, The World and The Devil, we see Black's life from when he was a kid through to his high-flying days and finally to being chased by evil which takes him back to where it all began: his home town. Evil chases Black in the form of a series of copycat murders that lead him from NYC to his hometown and draw him into a web of small town politics and satanic rituals.
This is a classic detective story but with a supernatural add-on. Black along the way develops the gift of seeing the demonic in people. Parshall does an excellent job revealing the thin veil between the natural and supernatural worlds. And he has a vivid imagination in creating some fabulously scary demonic creatures.
I liked Trevor Black and there's good development in his character through this story. It's a challenge for an author to write in first person as the entire story is told from the eyes of the one person. But Parshall does this really well and it adds to the feel of it being a classic detective story which are often shown from the eyes of the detective.
January 1, 2017
“Occupied” by Craig Parshall was a very interesting read. This was one of those books that I had a hard time putting down. It had twists and turns along the way. I couldn’t wait to find out “who did it”.
This story is about a criminal defense lawyer, Trevor Black. The story starts out with the life of Trevor as a young, wild teenager. Then it moves to present day Trevor. Trevor has all the things the world calls successful, but one day he loses it all. After all of this he encounters forces of another world. Then a childhood friend is murdered. Trevor is bent on finding out who the murderer is.
If you enjoy good, clean, suspense-filled novels, you will love this one. It may keep you up at night.
"I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review."
This story is about a criminal defense lawyer, Trevor Black. The story starts out with the life of Trevor as a young, wild teenager. Then it moves to present day Trevor. Trevor has all the things the world calls successful, but one day he loses it all. After all of this he encounters forces of another world. Then a childhood friend is murdered. Trevor is bent on finding out who the murderer is.
If you enjoy good, clean, suspense-filled novels, you will love this one. It may keep you up at night.
"I was given the book by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review."
March 27, 2021
I had actually forgotten that this was christian fiction, I had gotten it at a thrift store of all places. Now before you scroll past, I will say that even if you don't believe in the judeau christian values being not subtly put in the story I find it easy to ignore and appreciate the story for what it is. As a person who is very much not quite sure what to believe I did not get annoyed or struggle through this. In fact it surprised me with all the chaotic things that in fact do happen in the early onset of the story. Admittedly Ted Dekker does a better job of just calmy offering christianity as an option without being forceful, if anything you can take away from this, is a unique supernatural thriller. Yes there is an absence of expletives ( refreshing for me ) and the characters are quite devout without meaning to.
Give it a shot, that's all I can say.
Give it a shot, that's all I can say.
June 14, 2019
The first part of the book was very interesting...A childhood warning about an evil lurking just outside the human range of vision...a strange old man...a house that everyone avoided...a young man given a task that he didn't want to begin with but quickly became intrigued with... perhaps TOO intrigued. You knew something really nasty was there but it was shadowed in the background waiting for just the right moment. The right moment came 15 years later when Trevor...a trial lawyer with a big law firm, saw IT for the first time in a client accused of the gruesome murder of a young girl. From then on the took on a really religious tone that spoiled the premise of the starting story. 3 stars for the great beginning.
December 6, 2020
Years ago I got this book at a concert where I heard the author's wife speak. However, I never actually picked the book up to read it until a few months ago. The book an excellent commination of crime, suspense, sci fi, a thriller. This was my first experience reading a sci fi book and it was the perfect book to easy me into the category. I was engaged through the book and the storyline was well written overall. From a stand point of looking at the book from a high-level, some parts seemed drawn-out and repetitive but the story was still entertaining and held my attention. Another thing I appreciated about this book was that it was sprinkled with Christian truth throughout. Overall a worthwhile read.
December 30, 2021
Mr. Parshall is trying to cover a lot of genres at once. Supernatural/horror, legal, mystery, each one of these is an ingredient. Instead of gumbo, however, The Occupied ends up more like pizza and ice cream soup. The reader is pulled in many different directions entirely too quickly, with the resulting whiplash and timeskips being detrimental to the experience. There's also a sheen of Christianity that you may like. I am Catholic so I should like it, but it comes off as very heavy-handed at times and others it's ham-fisted in.
I don't think Parshall is a bad writer. I can see what he's trying to do. I'm just not amazed by the result.
I don't think Parshall is a bad writer. I can see what he's trying to do. I'm just not amazed by the result.
July 9, 2020
Good plot to a largely overlooked perspective of the demonic realm of created beings. I found the writing style a little too simplistic, unless the author's target audience is the YA group of readers. Christian presentation of the gospel is, in my opinion, lacking in both the need for salvation as well as the how of salvation. That said, it can be read without feeling like you've been hit over the head with 'religion'. It's my understanding that this is the first in a series of Trevor Black novels which softens my dislike for the ending, which in my opinion is abrupt an unrefined.
August 8, 2021
This supernatural thriller probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I greatly enjoyed it. The story was easy enough to follow along, even without having read any other Trevor Black novels. The supernatural aspect was one focus of the book, but a good portion focuses on Trevor’s personal life. Parshall keeps the reader guessing at every turn, and although I could predict part of the ending, it was interesting to see how it all played out.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 29, 2022
Excellent Supernatural Thriller from Craig Pars
I liked how I didn’t figure out the end twist, as a pretty cynical reader. This novel has long stretches of smooth passages that make you forget you are reading a book. I think Mr. Parshall skillfully narrates. In The Occupied he also incorporates his real life experiences as a defense attorney to create brilliant art. I think Trevor Black is a badass, God-glorifying character. Can’t wait for the other two books in the series!
I liked how I didn’t figure out the end twist, as a pretty cynical reader. This novel has long stretches of smooth passages that make you forget you are reading a book. I think Mr. Parshall skillfully narrates. In The Occupied he also incorporates his real life experiences as a defense attorney to create brilliant art. I think Trevor Black is a badass, God-glorifying character. Can’t wait for the other two books in the series!
January 14, 2023
The book description appealed to me, even though I had never read this type of books. I thought maybe I would discover a new genre I would enjoy… not the case. Even though I believe evil forces exist.
I liked that the book didn’t sound preachy. It doesn’t want to convince the readers of the existence of demons. It doesn’t ask the reader to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. No pressure at all.
If you like the genre, I think you will enjoy the book. I discovered it is not for me.
I liked that the book didn’t sound preachy. It doesn’t want to convince the readers of the existence of demons. It doesn’t ask the reader to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. No pressure at all.
If you like the genre, I think you will enjoy the book. I discovered it is not for me.
September 17, 2023
I started this book before and didn’t immediately love it. So when I found it in Audible + I began it again expecting to not like it and I was pleasantly surprised. It is genuinely creepy. Trever is able to see actual demons and they are not friendly. I won’t spoil it further but I’d recommend checking it out.
November 4, 2017
Good read
Interesting mystery. I enjoyed the author’s voice. He is a good writer, which made the book hard to put down. Sorta kinda reminded me of a Robert Crais novel, but with a supernatural layer to it.
Interesting mystery. I enjoyed the author’s voice. He is a good writer, which made the book hard to put down. Sorta kinda reminded me of a Robert Crais novel, but with a supernatural layer to it.
May 22, 2025
An enthralling thriller that combines Frank Peretti with John Grisham. Chilling novel, but expertly written with a well crafted plot and bone chilling scenes. A battle between one man who is "occupied" and the forces of evil. Not for young audiences.
February 2, 2026
The story is great and has you hooked. The final climax scene was a bit less impactful than I would've hoped for but still a great read.
This is the first book I read while starting book-reading as a hobby, and it had me reading 70-80 pages a day which astonished even myself.
This is the first book I read while starting book-reading as a hobby, and it had me reading 70-80 pages a day which astonished even myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews