Set in the troubled region of Iraq Lion of Babylon is a thriller in the style of Tom Clancy, John Le Carr? and Fredrick Forsyth. As such it carries the standard thriller fayre of kidnapping, terrorism and threats to global peace. While it would be easy to dismiss Lion of Babylon as just another novel in this genre, which is how it comes across for the first few chapters, the story goes deeper into issues than many secular equivalents. It deals, not just with the faith and accompany doubts of the American protagonist but also the realities of being a Christian in post-Saddam Iraq as well as the many streams of Islam in that country along with their ability or inability to work with each other and foreigners. It also deals with the willing sacrifices made by aid workers, military personnel and government officials in such a situation. Unlike many novels of the type Lion of Babylon does not set out to argue either for or against the war in Iraq instead focussing on the individuals and how their lives play out. Because of the subject this is not an easy read and takes a lot of effort to get into but is worth sticking with.

Set in the troubled region of Iraq Lion of Babylon is a thriller in the style of Tom Clancy, John Le Carré and Fredrick Forsyth. As such it carries the standard thriller fayre of kidnapping, terrorism and threats to global peace. While it would be easy to dismiss Lion of Babylon as just another novel in this genre, which is how it comes across for the first few chapters, the story goes deeper into issues than many secular equivalents. It deals, not just with the faith and accompany doubts of the American protagonist but also the realities of being a Christian in post-Saddam Iraq as well as the many streams of Islam in that country along with their ability or inability to work with each other and foreigners. It also deals with the willing sacrifices made by aid workers, military personnel and government officials in such a situation. Unlike many novels of the type Lion of Babylon does not set out to argue either for or against the war in Iraq instead focussing on the individuals and how their lives play out. Because of the subject this is not an easy read and takes a lot of effort to get into but is worth sticking with.

If, like me, you have bemoaned the lack of good fiction, with a Christian viewpoint, for men then you'll welcome this one with open arms. Set outside the 'Green Zone' in today's Baghdad the story revolves around the attempts of a former CIA operative to rescue a group of Americans and influential Iraqis. The plot involves working outside of the official US Secret Service channels, the involvement of a very senior Iraqi cleric, a local Christian lawyer, snatch squads and an underground church in the centre of Baghdad. The action moves dramatically from the first pages to the last and I wanted to keep reading. I often judge thriller fiction on whether or not it would make a film I would want to see and for me this ticks all the boxes; not surprising as David Bunn is an accomplished screenwriter as well. The faith angle is important but not too intrusive and non-believers will be able to engage with this all-action thriller.