The Girl Behind the Red Rope

Authors: Ted Dekker/Rachelle Dekker
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Release Date: September 3, 2019

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.

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker kept me turning pages for less than two days. If I didn't need the sleep, I would have liked to have read  this 330-page book straight through!

I found the struggle between fear and faith throughout The Girl Behind the Red Rope to be fascinating. I just couldn't take my eyes off of the struggle.  I don't know what it is like to be in a cult, but I do understand what it is like to struggle with fear. I could see how people could be controlled and bound by their fears through a cult leader--and how the cult leader could also be bound by evil. I just felt like I was living in this story right alongside Grace. 

The Girl Behind the Red Rope is beautifully written with a lot of depth, just as the cover is a beautiful illustration with depth to the picture. I think I will be pondering this book for some time. There were a couple of little things I didn't quite understand at the end that I am thinking about, but I don't want to give away any spoilers, and I like that they make me think about the story.

If you are a Dekker fan, I am sure you will give this book a try. However, even if you are not a regular Dekker reader, I would recommend The Girl Behind the Red Rope if you like Christian suspense novels.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group. 

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Reviewer: Jill Jones

Ted Dekker, along with his daughter Rachelle, take theology to a new level with their fictional story of a town controlling its residents with a system of fear. Placing boundaries and rules on the citizens of Clarksville, a small town in the hills of Tennessee, its leaders demand obedience to an impossible set of rules and regulations in order to keep them safe from a monster known only as the Fury.

As always, I was captivated by the Dekkers' imagination by a world where fiction and theology meet.  Through this story of fear and control, the courage of one young girl shows us that we can't allow our fears of this world to dominate our mind so much that faith does not have room to live and breathe.

While Clarksville creates a boundary around their fears, we see that the only way to deal with our fears is to place a boundary around our mind and only allow faith to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, and Interviews and Reviews, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Reviewer: Robert Morton

I really was interested in this book as I had read books by the co-author, Ted Dekker, though not by Rachelle Dekker the other author. Was the book good, in its own way, yes. It however was not what I have come to expect from Mr. Dekker. In fact, his style is no where near evident. I am curious how much of this he authored.

First up, I am not a politically correct person, but the 'girl' in the title is a bit misleading. When we first meet her, Grace is a child, but that lasts a chapter. After that she is a grown woman. She is 'married' and pregnant. The title should reflect that, but that is a minor point.

Is the book good? In it's own way, but it is not what I would call a never put it down book. In fact, I put it down often. The characters appeared to be stereotypical caricatures of Christianity. The questioning person, Grace, our hero, is right to question all that is going on. Her brother starts that way but ends up not questioning. The rest of the people, both seen and unseen, are representations of where many people are in their faith. I was waiting for the Jesus figure to appear, and I was not disappointed. The only surprise was who it was. That was not a big one for me, as I saw no other reason to create this one person for the story. The whole thing was a bit predictable. That may be why I did not enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

The story was meant as an allegory, like maybe, C.S. Lewis' books. So, many people may enjoy it, if they are of the questioning mind about being a follower of Christ. That and the message that love will cast out fear are the two things that give this book the rating I gave it.

Christian book, no sex scenes. Violence, there is a taking of a life but done in a non-violent way, though I would be hesitant to let young people read it, your millage may vary. Fans of Decker may or may not like it. 

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through NetGalley.

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Reviewer: Beverly Laude

The beginning of the book really grabbed my attention and intrigued me as to what would transpire as the story was told.  Grace and her family are part of a cult, led by a woman named Rose, who hide away in the hills of Tennessee in order to hide from the evil that is going to be unleashed on the world.  However, Grace's father isn't buying into the rhetoric and Grace and her brother Jamie are raised by their Mother in this strict world that is governed by a being named Sylous.  

Haven Valley is a place of rules that nobody is allowed to question.  The community is surrounded by a red rope, which symbolizes safety and must never be crossed.  However, Jamie ventures out into the world and soon has Grace wanting to know more.  Can they face the Fury and live to tell about it?  Or, will they bring destruction down upon themselves and everybody else in the community?

The story seems to be based on Biblical principles in a way, but there is also a heavy supernatural element throughout the book.  It is never explained who or what the Fury are and the "imaginary" beings of Bobbie (whom only Grace can see) and Sylous (Rose's special spiritual guide) are never revealed as to whether they are good or evil.  The Fury are the beings that are supposed to bring about the world's destruction, but we are never told what they are or where they came from.

Then, you have the reappearance of Grace and Jamie's father, accompanied by a mysterious boy named Eli.  Is Eli really Lukas, their (supposedly) dead brother? Or is he something more?

There is a recurrent theme throughout the book: "There is no fear in love.  Only love casts out fear."

"Even here, in a place with perfect laws to keep you safe, there is danger." 

"Sin is a choice you make. Just follow the rules and you'll be safe."

"Fear can't save you.  Only love can, and God is love."

I felt like the authors went out of their way to pound this theme into the reader's head.  I can't tell you how many times the above quotes were repeated in various ways throughout the book.  All in all, I found myself becoming bored during some of the long discussions of good and evil.  It seemed like the authors were trying a little too hard to drive home the point that Fear is bad and won't keep you safe.  

Also, some of the characters switched their convictions very quickly without enough explanation for their actions.  At first, Jamie is the rebel who is questioning everything, but after one night outside the community, he becomes the biggest robot of all, blindly following Rose and Sylous.

The story is fairly entertaining, but I feel very conflicted about it in a lot of ways.  It isn't truly a Christian book, but it also isn't really a supernatural book either.  I guess that sums up my feelings about the book:  not sure what to make of it!

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Evil is cunning and lurks in the places you’d least expect it.

This is a great book that pits us against our own human frailties. When fear becomes your constant companion what lengths will you go to in order to feel safe?

This book was thought provoking and I found myself contemplating the concept of religious rules verses the message of love. Do I conduct myself according to my perceived fears or do I seek truth?

Haven Valley has separated itself from the rest of the world in anticipation of a cleansing that is to come in the form of the Fury. The community adheres to strict religious rules, hoping that by doing so they will avoid the retribution that is to come.

They live in fear that they will not be holy enough, and the fear increases when they find out one of their own has been going beyond the red rope perimeter.

When a young boy from outside shows up in their town, innocent and fearless at the same time, they can’t see the love that radiates from him. All they see is their own fear. Is the boy an angel? A demon? Or is he something else?

Grace must face these questions and more when she is caught in the middle of the battle between good and evil. Where will deception end and truth begin?

As tension behind the red rope increases, the citizens must each examine themselves and decide what to believe. Choices must soon be made that will determine the future.

Will the people of Haven Valley find freedom in their perceived faithfulness? Or will their choices hold them in bondage? How far will the people go to protect their way of life? 

A gripping story that had me examining myself, holding my breath and guessing to the end. I highly recommend this book.

This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group.

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