I think Travis Thrasher is a super cool name for a writer, albeit relatively unknown to me. Apparently Mr. Thrasher has authored at least ten books in the Christian industry ranging from love stories to suspense novels. His latest novel, Isolation definitely falls into the suspense bracket and could easily be one of the best books I have read so far this year. This page turner has placed Thrasher on the same level as Christian fiction authors Frank Peretti and Ted DeKker. Isolation is going to the novel that I think is going to make Travis Thrasher a staple name in the Christian fiction genre.
James Miller and his family are on a sabbatical from the missions field. Miller and family spent time in Papua New Guinea as missionaries and they witnessed some of the most horrific things that challenged their faith and questioned how such a loving God could allow such evil to happen in this world. Burned out from their stay on the field the Miller’s have come back to the states and hopeful that things will turn for the better for this family they find that things in fact are about to get worse. Stephanie, James’ wife, is experiencing strange dreams that seem like premonitions and she and others around her are certain she is losing her mind. Hoping to bring the family some peace and stability James takes his family to North Carolina to a missionary retreat house; unbeknownst to him a source of evil has followed the Millers and is determined destroy their family and anyone who gets in the way.
Isolation is a fantastic novel that had me in its grip from the opening pages to its suspenseful conclusion. It is reminiscent at times to a milder and cleaner version of Stephen King’s The Shining, and it certainly gives that story a run for its money. However this is not a perfect novel as some spots seem predictable and cliché and other parts are a bit annoying. I think Thrasher puts a little too much emphasis on the “Why is God allowing this to happen?” aspect of the story. The family blames everything on God from the bad weather to why such an evil force would even think of touching this family who has faithfully served him. I of course have some minor discrepancies with the theology behind this book, but not enough to make a big deal out of it. Overall, Isolation is a well written and suspenseful novel that will keep the reader up at night until he gets to the dramatic conclusion.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
