10 Exciting & Suspenseful Works of Christian Fiction

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 23 April 2019

Many Christian readers crave exciting, action-packed stories that aren't riddled with loose morals and excessive, graphic violence. If you're looking for a faith-based read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you've come to the right place. The ten novels listed here are sure to leave your heart pounding in your chest. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Christian Thrillers: Our 10 Picks

Title Author
1. Enemy In The Room Parker Hudson
2. Extreme Measures Michele Ashman Bell
3. The Falling Away Cliff Ball
4. Hiding Places Erin Healy
5. Sadie Rebecca Belliston
6. Compromised Identity Jodie Bailey
7. Frozen Footprints Therese Heckenkamp
8. The Fragment Davis Bunn
9. A Light into the Darkness Shelly Goodman Wright
10. Conspiracy of Silence Ronie Kendig

The History of the Thriller

Some of the world's oldest known stories used the same elements that make modern thrillers so enticing. Homer's famous epic poem The Odyssey is something of a prototype of the genre. The hero's life is in constant danger as he uses his cunning to overcome his enemies. But the genre isn't exclusive to Western culture. One of the stories in One Thousand and One Nights (commonly known as Arabian Nights) is considered to be the oldest known murder mystery. This tale, The Three Apples, is full of plot twists and revolves around a mysterious death. Centuries later, the 1844 novel The Count of Monte Cristo popularized the action thriller with it's swashbuckling revenge plot. Eventually, of course, the genre made its way from the pages of books to the big screen. Some of the most famous of these movies were directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who worked on several classics throughout his career, including Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window.

Different Ways to Read the Bible

If you're a Christian, you can never be too familiar with the holy book. But not every version of it works for everyone. Luckily, there are many different ways to experience the word of God. Here are a few:

How to Make Your Writing Suspenseful

In Depth

When you're looking for a book that's going to upend all your expectations and get your heart racing, not just anything will fit the bill. If you love faith-based reads just as much as the latest pulse-pounding thrillers, you'll be glad to know that there are tons of incredible Christian books out there that combine spirituality with suspense for a hair-raising ride. We've gathered ten great novels that blend these two genres, listed here in no particular order.

In the #1 spot we have "Enemy In The Room" by Parker Hudson. To the untrained eye, Trevor Knox might look like your average CEO. But beneath his genteel facade, he's planning the downfall of an entire country. The wealthy extremist is in the perfect position to topple the government and end American democracy as we know it. There's just one little problem: David Sawyer, one of Knox's trusted employees, has a strong moral compass, and he's going to use it even if it leads him into danger.

At #2 is Michele Ashman Bell's "Extreme Measures." Some people have ex-boyfriend issues. But for Emma, the real problem is her ex's mom. After getting engaged for a second time, Emma receives an invitation from her ex-mother-in-law Margaret to come to the old family log cabin. She soon realizes that this isn't going to be an ordinary pilgrimage. Margaret seems to be unraveling, and now, Emma is trapped deep in the woods with her. Is the old woman spinning out of control, or was this all part of her sinister plan?

Is the old woman spinning out of control, or was this all part of her sinister plan?

For #3 we have "The Falling Away" by Cliff Ball. In the future, race wars and deadly viruses threaten to tear our world apart. When Dr. Neal Kirkland stumbles upon a rare family of churchgoing Christians, he embarks on a new, enlightened path. Politicians and journalists keep blaming Christians for the world's decline, but Kirkland wants to learn more about the deadly Ebola plague that's threatening to destroy humanity. If he can find out who created the virus, he could end up uncovering one of the most incredible conspiracies the world has ever known.

At #4 is Erin Healy's "Hiding Places." Kate may only be eleven years old, but she's used to carrying her whole family on her shoulders. When street urchin Charlie Fuse wanders into her flock, however, Kate wonders if she's taking on too much. Charlie is being framed for murder and hunted by the most notorious gang in town. Still, Kate is committed to protecting him, no matter what it takes. Now, as the criminals close in on the fugitive, Kate has to do the impossible: trust her crazy family to keep her safe.

At #5 is "Sadie" by Rebecca Belliston. One fateful Christmas Day, Sadie's life gets turned around. Her romantic getaway with her boyfriend takes a horrifying turn, and she's forced to wait out a Montana blizzard in the cabin of four strangers on a ski trip. Terrified of being found by her violent ex and struggling to come to grips with reality, Sadie soon finds herself learning to love again. But will she be able to do what it takes to be part of her new beau's faith-based life, or will she buckle under pressure?

But will she be able to do what it takes to be part of her new beau's faith-based life, or will she buckle under pressure?

Coming in at #6 is Jodie Bailey's "Compromised Identity." Jessica Dylan knows she's under investigation. She just doesn't know why. That is, until a devastatingly handsome army sergeant named Sean tells her that a gang of cyber terrorists is targeting her. The danger to Jessica is real, but she's not ready to be sidelined just yet. As she works with Sean to uncover the reason she's being targeted, foul truths come to light, and the two grow closer than ever despite themselves.

For #7 we get Therese Heckenkamp's "Frozen Footprints." At eighteen, twins Charlene and Max have led a sheltered, privileged life under the care of their rich grandfather. When Max is suddenly kidnapped, however, Charlene springs into action, leaving her pampered life behind to search for her brother in a frozen, isolated wasteland. With only faith to guide them through the cold, dark night, the twins must find a way to survive the terror that's in store.

At #8 is "The Fragment" by Davis Bunn. When photographer Muriel bursts onto the Parisian scene in 1923, she doesn't know what she's in for. The City of Lights dazzles her, almost enough to make her forget the fact that her boss, a United States senator, is out of the country on potentially deadly business. He's hunting down an artifact believed to be a part of the True Cross, and he'll stop at nothing to get it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dangerous people with the same goal.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of dangerous people with the same goal.

#9 is "A Light into the Darkness" by Shelly Goodman Wright. Jess is fighting for her father's life. If she doesn't give in to a series of demands, her mother will unplug the machines that are keeping him alive. Jess even agrees to enter into a loveless marriage, but hours later her dad passes away, leaving the young woman with no reason to stick around. Her father always told her that God had a plan, but she's not so sure anymore. To find her faith again, she'll have to risk losing herself along the way.

Finally, at #10, is Ronie Kendig's "Conspiracy of Silence." Once upon a time, Cole "Tox" Russell was at the top of his field. One botched mission ended all that. Now, Tox has a chance to get back in action by teaming up with an FBI agent and an archaeologist to find a rare religious artifact. The trouble is, they're not the only ones looking for it. In fact, there's a secret society watching their every move, and they'll do just about anything to make sure Tox and his team don't make it out alive.