The Ambition, Book review

Book description:

A corrupt judge in a mob murder case. A disillusioned pastor, hungry for power. A cynical reporter, sniffing for a scandal. A gambling addict whose secret tape threatens the lives of everyone who hears it. New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel weaves these edgy characters into an intricate thriller set in a gleaming, suburban mega church, a big-city newspaper struggling for survival, and the shadowy corridors of political intrigue. The unexpected climax is as gripping as the contract killing that punctuates the opening scene. 

My review:

'Deceit - Danger - Death, All in a day's work' is definitively not the usual approach of Lee Strobel's masterful bestsellers but I must admit I was intrigued by his first work of fiction, thus the reason for my choice of book to review!

Lee Strobel's work is always clear, concise and very well researched. Anyone not yet familiar with his non fiction books should know upfront his writing reflects his work ethic: factual, impeccably documented and always family oriented.

With a very entertaining plot and intriguing characters, almost eerily so, 'The Ambition' is everything I anticipated from such a well known author. Interestingly enough, Lee Strobel tells us this is a work of fiction:

"Given my role as a pastor at two of the country's largest churches, it would be natural for people to try to guess who the book's characters most resemble. But it would be a futile effort, because they are the creation of my imagination."

Still, here you will discover the inner work of a mega church, a not so surprising corrupted legal system, the  seediness of the underworld of a large city, a floundering newspaper and yes, a secret tape...

I should add I have been to Chicago the 'Windy City' but as I have never tasted one of the Chicago 'best dogs', I will have to take his word when describing these! 

Best of all and with his usual acute writing skills, the author clearly teaches without seeming to preach, not an easy task!

I will close this by telling you this is a gripping thriller which I found myself having a hard time to put down. Perhaps we can anticipate a sequel in the future?

I for one would enjoy more of Strobel's fiction work!

An excellent 5 stars!

About the Author:

'Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel, the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty books and has been interviewed on numerous national TV programs, including ABC, Fox, PBS, and CNN'.

For more on this formidable author visit his website @ http://www.leestrobel.com/

I received this book free from ZONDERVAN as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.