“The office had no windows, only electric lanterns to light the hundreds of spines standing in their cherry wood bookcases.”

From Ted Dekker’s Thr3e.
Kevin is doing all he can to do what is right and make the world a better place; he is attending seminary, spending most of his days leaving people alone while they, in turn, leave him mainly undisturbed. Kevin’s peaceful life is shattered when a mysterious man named Slater threatens to kill Kevin unless Kevin confesses his “sin” to the world. Kevin has nothing to confess, so he begins to play a deadly game of wits with the elusive Slater; the stakes are constantly being raised with mysterious calls, hidden bombs, childhood friends (a lady named Samantha, who just so happens to be a love interest for Kevin), countless near-misses, questioning federal agents (FBI agent Jennifer Peters), relentless puzzles, and a strong fascination of the number three. It is impossible to know who Slater is without looking to the past for answers, and Kevin has to question every relationship, friendship, and acquaintance in his life. Until he can stop Slater or figure out what sin he is supposed to confess, Kevin’s life hangs in the balance of this terrible, twisted fight to survive.

Dekker is definitely an under-appreciated suspense writer for this generation. He creates fear, suspense, and physiological disturbances with ease. The story is captivating and full of thrills for all types of readers. The characters are divided in personality in a way that enhances the story in a realistic way; Kevin is open and raw in his confusion, while other characters (like Samantha) are very guarded in what they reveal to the reader. Several sections of the story drag a bit more than necessary, but they do not make the story unbearable. The twist at the end will cause the reader to change their perspective of the entire book, whether or not they were able to pick up on the clues hidden throughout the story. Thr3e is definitely worth the read (or watch with the movie adaptation), if a you’ve got a boring weekend coming up and want to fill it with some excitement.