Thr3e
Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Year of release: 2003
Available in: Hardcover

Book Introduction

A young man named Kevin Parson is driving his car late one summer day, when suddenly his cell phone rings. A man who identifies himself as Slater speaks in a breathy voice. ”We’re going to play a little game, Kevin. You have exactly three minutes to confess your sin to the world. Refuse and the car your driving will be blown sky high. Three minutes Kevin.” End of call.

Kevin panics. Who would make such a call? What sin? He ditches the car. Precisely three minutes later a massive explosion sets the city on a collision course with a madman. Immediately Kevin receives another call. Another riddle, another deadline, another bomb… a bigger bomb, if Kevin doesn’t confess his sin. Together with F.B.I. agent Jennifer Peters and C.B.I. agent Samantha Sheer, Kevin scrambles to beat Slater at his own game, but Slater is always one step ahead. With each threat intensifying and the country screaming for answers, the game will push them beyond themselves.

Enter a world where nothing is what it seems, where your closest friend could be your enemy, where black is white and white is black. Enter the world of Thr3e…


Overview

Before reading Thr3e, I hadn’t heard of Ted Dekker as an author. While wandering through the bookstore, I noticed a stack of books with alternating jacket colors. One row was black, the next row white, followed by black, and so on. After noticing the odd title of the book, I picked it up and browsed the cover and first few pages. The plot sounded interesting enough, so I decided to take a copy home. I have to say Ted Dekker is now on my list of writers to keep an eye on. If he can write more novels with the quality of Thr3e, I won’t hesitate to snatch them up.

Dekker has written several other novels before Thr3e. The #1 bestseller Blink, Blessed Child, and Heaven’s Wager to name a few. His novels lean towards combining adrenaline laced stories with unexpected plot twists, and mixing these with incredible confrontations between good and evil.

My Comments

Due to my line of work, I often find 10 - 20 minutes to read while waiting for certain things throughout the workday. Sometimes I get an hour or so to read in a day, some days I get no time at all. This proved to be a major problem with Thr3e since I didn’t want to put it down, it began to interfere with my job. For a thriller novel, the first few pages start out a bit slow. Dekker introduces several of the main characters while they go about their daily lives, and waits a bit to pull the rug out from under the reader.

Is it exciting?

It’s been several years since I read a book that pulled me in so many directions. Suspense, confusion, anger, even fear were nonstop companions from page 7 to page 352. The author repeatedly builds tension over a chapter or two, then releases in a series of explosive events. Dekker also has a few surprises up his sleeve concerning the main antagonist. Let’s just say I pride myself on out-guessing the author, and I missed most of the plot twists completely. Even though it’s more of a mind game than a combat themed book, there is plenty of action to satisfy any guy.

----- Final Recommendation -----

Thr3e is a rare suspense story that is truly suspenseful, and nearly impossible to put down. Dekker has an undeniably addictive writing style that bodes well for his future as a fiction writer. Unless you don’t care for novels in the suspense/crime drama/thriller category, I know most anyone would enjoy this book. I would have to place Thr3e up there with the latest from the likes of Koontz and King. I’m not familiar with Dekker’s earlier books, but if they’re as good as his latest work, I’ll be a happy reader.

One comparison I couldn’t help but make. The basic premise and even large portions of the story almost mimic the movie Phone Booth. I watched the movie not long after finishing the book, and was immediately struck by the parallels between the two. The plotline is deeper and more complex in Thr3e, but if you are a fan of Phone Booth, or movies of it’s type then I can assure you that Thr3e is right up your alley.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!
Openroad


Recommended: Yes