The Hidden Saboteur

A Christian Psychological Thriller

By: Charles Besondy

Narrated by: Shawn Saavedra

Length: 20 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Two-Time Literary Award Winner for Christian Fiction, 2020

Clay Austin’s career has taken off, but the nightmares and hallucinations are taking over.

No place is safe for Clay. He is besieged. Voices from the past haunt his Seattle houseboat. Demonic machines attack him on the street and in his dreams.

Clay becomes a confused, weakened man fighting a losing battle for the very essence of who he is.

On one drizzling night in a parking lot his loyal assistant, Sheryl Landing, hears a voice telling her to “protect him; bring him to me".

The spiritual battle is on. Clay bounces back and forth like a ping pong ball in a high stakes game of good versus evil. The winner takes all. The winner takes Clay.

Events draw him to a small town on the Washington coast where the final showdown between God and the Deceiver will seal Clay’s fate.

Is Sheryl's determined love going to be strong enough to lead him to faith?

From the rain-drenched streets of Seattle, across the dry plains of Texas, and back to the wind-swept bluffs of the rugged Washington coast, Clay experiences the hidden destructive power of the Deceiver and the light of God’s love flowing through those around him. Which force will prevail?

This award-winning novel is the first in the Clay Austin Series by Charles Besondy.

©2018 Charles Besondy (P)2020 Charles Besondy

Good, but a bit drug-out

Advertising executive Clay Austin's company is on the brink of financial collapse, and a merger with a much larger company seems inevitable. Clay knows it's the smart thing to do, but that would involve giving up control and working for somebody else, which he is loath to do. To add to this stressful situation, he starts to experience hallucinations and flashbacks to his troubled youth and his stern stepfather, coming close to a mental breakdown. He doesn't feel like he's good enough to work with the bigger company, not good enough for his love interest Cheryl, not good enough for anything... just like his stepfather used to make him feel so long ago. Will he turn his life over to God and find the confidence he needs to better serve Him? Oh yeah, and he inherits a lighthouse along the way. And there's a murder mystery. Lots going on here.

I enjoyed the audiobook very much. The characters were interesting, as were the many twisting storylines at play. The narrator was fantastic and really put you into the story. The themes of the story were Godly and good. However, the story could have been improved a good deal with the help of a skilled editor. Some of the details in the story were unnecessary, there was too much going on at once, and with over 120 chapters the book really should have been tightened up a bit. The POV made some unnecessary shifts, the drama in places was a bit over-the-top and made the characters appear unhinged or flaky, and sometimes the "Christian" characters would do very unChristianly things (like cuss, lie and deceive, kiss a lover on the lips, or flirt with somebody to get what they want).

That all said, I REALLY enjoyed the book despite its downfalls, and I'm greatly looking forward to giving the next book in the series a try.

Gripping

Excellent writing. Moved me with emotion. I’m starting the second book now.

Reminded me of Frank Perretti.

Not to be missed!

Strap yourself in. You’re in for a fascinating trip!
I was a little reluctant to enter into a “Christian Psychological Thriller”. Wasn’t sure what it entailed. But I’m glad I did.
Absolutely one of my top 10 reads.
You’ll learn a lot about the lead character Clay and even more about yourself through this beautifully written book. And what a bonus—the light of the Lord shines through it.
Also, Kudos to the reader. He does a great job. He presents the story just as it should be presented.
And something else to look forward to. The author’s second book just came out. Can’t wait for it to be available onAudible.

The Spirit behind Business and Life dramas

The story captures so many real
Life details sailing Baird rooms with a natural understanding at walking in faith.