random thoughts... My name is Aaron, sometimes called Max because it's my middle name. I recently married a beautiful woman who just so happens to be the love of my life.

The Canary List, a novel by Sigmund Brouwer, is a non-stop adrenaline rush read. The chilling and slightly disturbing prologue sets the tone for the book: a young girl finds herself in the midst of child abuse at the hands of a Demon-worshipping priest.

The reader is then introduced to the two main characters, Jaimie Piper, a 12 year old foster child, and Crockett Grey, a divorced, middle-aged teacher who still grieves the loss of his daughter. Crockett’s life is turned completely upside down when a scared and desperate Jaimie seeks his help in the middle of the night.

Although she is only 12 years old, Jaimie is street-smart and a quick judge of character, due in large part to an ability that haunts and confuses her. Yet, little does she know that she is at the center of a plan to keep an evil man from becoming a very powerful political leader: the Pope.

Crockett finds himself plunged into one bizarre moment after the next. He barely has a chance to recover from one blow before he is blasted by the next. Crockett responds as best he can and his greatest saving grace is that, despite his lack of faith, he is a good man trying to do the right thing.

I read this fiction-thriller in almost one sitting. After I got past the creepy demon worship parts, I couldn’t put the book down; I had to find out what happened next. Crockett’s emotional and physical states are palpable and dizzying; frustration, surprise, adrenaline, and exhaustion jump out of the pages. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a thrilling read.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.