The Girl Behind The Red Rope {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

"In this mind-bending thriller, father-daughter writing team Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker triumph in their faultlessly structured and deconstructed world of religious extremism. . . . the book's suspenseful plot drives the story forward at a racing pace, making this a riveting novel that will long haunt readers."--

Ten years ago, Grace saw something that would forever change the course of history. When evil in its purest form is unleashed on the world, she and others from their religious community are already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure--and alive. As long as they stay there, behind the red perimeter.

Her older brother's questions and the arrival of the first outsiders she's seen in a decade set in motion events that will question everything Grace has built her life on. Enemies rise on all sides--but who is the real enemy? And what will it cost her to uncover the truth?

For the first time, bestselling authors Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker team up and deliver an intense, tightly focused ride through the most treacherous world of all.

TED DEKKER is a New York Times bestselling thriller author. Heralded as a "master of suspense" by Library Journal, Dekker has sold millions worldwide, establishing himself as one of the most widely recognized author brands.

He began his career writing fantasy novels that explored spirituality (Black, Red and White) and has since become a major force in the mainstream fiction arena with his recent thrillers, "Adam," "Thr3e," "Skin," "Obsessed," "BoneMan's Daughters," which landed in the #10 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list in 2009, and "The Bride Collector". Dekker has been honored with a Christy Award as well as a Gold Medallion Award for Best Fiction. "Thr3e" and his novel "House" became feature films.

Dekker was born to missionaries and grew up among cannibals of Indonesia, and his peculiar upbringing gives him a unique perspective outside the cultural bubble, allowing him the freedom to share provocative insights in his fiction. After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from a multi-cultural high school and took up permanent residence in the United States, earning his B.A. in philosophy and religion, and then went into business.

In the early nineties, Dekker decided to pursue his desire to write fiction, selling his company, moving his family to the mountains of western Colorado, and writing full-time. Two years and three books later his first novel, a supernatural thriller called Heaven's Wager, was published. Dekker proceeded to write 6 more supernatural thrillers, rising to the top of many bestsellers lists and earning himself critical acclaim and legions of fans. "Thr3e" heralded his launch into mainstream fiction and was followed by "Obsessed," "Skin," "Adam," and "BoneMan's Daughters," all of which hit the New York Times bestseller list.

Ted Dekker's fans are comprised of readers of all ages, backgrounds, and belief systems who love his compulsively readable stories, authentic characters, and universal and relatable themes that he explores from a unique point of view.

He resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and children. You can find him at Teddekker.com and Facebook.com/teddekker.

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The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She writes full time from her home in Nashville, where she lives with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair.

Connect with Rachelle online at her website (www.rachelledekker.com) or on any of these social media platforms:

Facebook.com/rachelledekkerauthor
Instagram.com/rachelle_dekker
Twitter.com/rachelledekker

The Girl Behind The Red Rope is quite different than my typical book of choice, but the description intrigued me and I knew I had to give it a try. I was not disappointed. Right from the start I was drawn into this unique world that the authors had created.

The story takes us to Haven Valley, a religious community whose inhabitants are cut off from the outside world through the boundary of a red rope, and who are held to strict religious rules designed to keep them pure and safe from the monsters lurking beyond the rope. Oh you know, just your basic, every day cult like environment, right?  Readers who are intrigued by the cult mindset will certainly enjoy this story for that reason alone. But what happens to this safe haven when for the first time in 13 years a stranger crosses the boundary? The Girl Behind The Red Rope tells us just that story in a thrilling tale.

The Girl Behind the Red Rope won't just keep you on the edge of your seat, it will really make you think too. I must admit, early on I thought I had it all figured out. I found myself thinking that we would discovered that the monsters weren't real at all, and they'd all been duped into conforming to these religious guidelines. But I found that I didn't have it quite figured out as much as I'd thought. The story created a fantastic allegory for the fear that tends to hold us all in its grips, holding us hostage and not allowing us to fully live in the light. This is true in both Christians and non-Christians alike. It was a powerful message to the power that our fears can have over us, but also a really enlightening look at the dangers of legalism in Christianity--all told through a fantastic fictional world. The story is definitely more of the supernatural variety that I am sure won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it was a great overall message and a story I really enjoyed myself.

If you're looking for a book that will make you think and enjoy a good dose of supernatural, this is certainly one worth reading.