TIGER IN THE SHADOWS

In this well-intentioned suspense novel for the inspirational market, Wilson succeeds in showing the abuses and restrictions imposed on Christians in China, but is less adept at crafting believable, compelling fiction. Stefanie Peng has made a promise to her Nanai (grandmother) that she will leave their comfortable home in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and travel to China to attempt to locate her grandfather, imprisoned there for many years for his beliefs. Troy Hardigan, a (refreshingly!) homely friend who has a keen romantic interest in Stefanie, senses trouble and follows her to China, presumably to help. Things quickly unravel, and Stefanie finds herself on the run from the nefarious Beijing Tiger, a spy who, improbably, is involved in stamping out the "cult" of Christianity while also engaging in international espionage. Wilson pairs scenes from the persecuted church with scenes from the lives of Troy and Stefanie, as the two story lines converge. She relies heavily on genre devices and information on the state of Christianity in China to move the plot along, not always smoothly. The deletion of extra scenes, superfluous plot threads and unnecessary characters would have resulted in a focused, cleaner read. Characters tend to be one-dimensional, and some scenes are unconvincing, including a contrivance in which the Beijing Tiger's door is left unlatched. However, with its themes of forgiveness and steadfast faith, this novel should appeal to CBA readers who are interested in broadening their knowledge of religious persecution in China. (May)