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Empire of Lies (Otto Penzler Book) | 
| Author: Andrew Klavan
Publisher: Harcourt
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
Buy New: $12.50
You Save: $12.50 (50%)
New (35) Used (13) from $10.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 17675
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.3 x 1
ISBN: 0151012237
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780151012237
ASIN: 0151012237
Publication Date: July 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Z-2
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Product Description
Sustained by a deep religious faith, Jason Harrow has built a stable family and become a pillar of principle and patriotism in the Midwest. Then the phone rings, and his past is on the other end of the line. A woman with whom he once shared a life of violence and desire claims her daughter is missing—and Jason is the one man who can find her. Returning to New York City, Jason finds himself entangled in a murderous conspiracy only he can see and only he can stop—a plot that bizarrely links his private passions to the turmoil of a world at war. Hunted by terrorists and by the police, Jason has only hours to unravel an ex-lover’s lies and face the unbearable truth: In order to prevent a savage attack on his country, he’s going to have to risk his decency, his sanity, and his life.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Talk about a rarity! October 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When was the last time you read a pro-Christian, pro-American thriller?
I was trying to recall another book like this, but couldn't come up with anything. (And by the way, if you do know of a pro-Christian, pro-American thriller would you please do us all a favor and tell us the title).
The author actually takes seriously the possibility of God, of God working in human circumstances, and of reforming your life through grace. The main character is flawed--and certainly his earlier life was darkened by sin--but the author never portrays doing what is wrong as anything other than sin. And the sin has consequences, some of them terrible.
Yes, there are going to be some Christians who will not be happy with some of the sexual mentions, but they do seem to be integral and important to the plot.
Conservatives are going to be happy with the snappy lines aimed at the New York Times and the liberal media.
This book is a unique combination of thrills, mystery. politics, and humor. Yes, you want to read it.
 Politically and culturally relevant October 7, 2008
The book is about 100 pages too long (slight exaggeration). His very lengthy descriptive narratives about every location, structure, person, feeling, thought, fantasy, etc. seriously detracts from what otherwise is a great thriller, which is politically and culturally relevant.
 What -- pray tell -- does he call "Christian"? September 23, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I ordered Andrew Klavan's book, Empire of Lies (Otto Penzler Book), because it sounded like an interesting story idea and was supposedly from a Christian perspective. The main character in the book even states flat out that he is a Christian. But, as a Christian, I found this book to be beyond disappointing. In fact, I never got through the first chapter.
I realize that, in a world where it is said that there are 2.5 billion Christians, the meaning of that term must be somewhat diluted. But, even so, I found the "heart" of this Christian character to be very dark indeed, and his language not fit for a Christian to utter, even in describing a very dark past.
A Christian is first and foremost, in biblical terms, someone in whom the Spirit of a Holy God resides. By that Spirit, he is delivered out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's Son. He is delivered from sin, both its penalty and its power, to walk in a newness of life that is marked by holiness. He is to be set apart unto God.
Did I mention holiness?
There was nothing of this in Klavan's book. It was very dark: a dark, depraved past (it was suggested, as least) and a dark present.
I would recommend that no one read this book. If you are a Christian, in any sense, this book can only stain your soul. Don't be fooled by the Christian label; it has nothing to do with Christ -- at least, not the Christ of the Bible.
Could we look at the actual story? September 22, 2008
Disregarding for the moment the politics of the story, I'd like to point out that the writing is quite good. The descriptions are so colorful -- describing a toupee as looking like a flying squirrel flew above the actor's head and got shot down onto his head. The film noir style narration is a lot of fun, and the characterizations (check the description of the affair between Jason's father and his girlfriend) are hilarious and poignant. Bold writing -- terrific read!
I Dare You September 18, 2008
Liberal, Conservative or somewhere in between, I dare you not to find yourself agreeing with at least one un-PC statement expressed in this book.
After reading literally hundreds of novels, encompassing a variety of genres, it's refreshing to come across one containing opinions that I can agree with.
However, that was only a small aspect of what I enjoyed about this story. As usual, Mr. Klavan has skillfully written a fast-paced, intense plot. I also enjoyed the insight we're given into the main character's inner struggles. Whether or not one can personally identify with the specifics of Jason Harrow's struggles, I found myself relating to the process itself - Will he give in to or resist his base nature?
I for one, not only did not have a problem with the parody of "Bill Shatner," but enjoyed the humor of it immensely. And certainly not at Mr. Shatner's expense since he seems willing to laugh at himself while participating in self-deprecating commercials. Hopefully this book's character might even give him a chuckle.
While satisfied with the book's ending, the last paragraph left me puzzled, as well as an earlier allegory of "the two Gods." I read them both several times but failed to understand the premise. Not finding fault with the author - it could be that the description was a little too mystical or ethereal for my simplistic understanding.
All that being said, whether or not one agrees with the opinions written into the plot-line - a practice all authors follow - one cannot dispute that Empire of Lies is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.
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