Fred Stoeker and D.W. Smith, The Hunted

The Hunted

Fred Stoeker and D.W. Smith

WaterBrook, Apr 2006, $13.99

ISBN: 1400070384

For fifteen years the four Oregonians, John, Mike, Hollis and Dave have gone on rafting vacations together. This year they choose Thailand for a bit of a different adventure. However, they get more than expected when they journey into the Mae Hong Son Province. Mike, who understands Thai, overhears their guides planning to kidnap them for ransom. The four Americans flee into the jungle with their former escorts chasing them with AK-47's.

John prays to God to not let him die here, while thinking about his fianc e telling him his faith has never been challenged. They find a cave to gain temporary respite, but their adversaries are nearby and ready to kill them. The quartet has little hope to escape alive, though each prays to God. Their last Hail Mary rests with John sneaking off to find help, as Mike and Dave are hurt and Hollis is too out of shape to go any further. John prays this time for the safety of his friends.

The Every Man guides are well written inspirational guides, but as far I know this is the first Every Man fiction. The fast-paced storyline is filled with action, as the four vacationing Americans are in deep trouble from the onset. Interestingly, the Oregonians will remind the audience of the maxim that there are no atheists in the foxhole, as they each pray to God that they do not die in the Thai jungle. John's musing to his fianc e's commentary that his faith has never been tested becomes his mantra as he modifies his prayers to that of save his teammates. THE HUNTED is a fabulous thriller that never slows down, yet the audience also sees deep inside the souls of the beleaguered quartet who pray for deliverance.