The Assignment

Title: The Assignment
Author: Mark Andrew Olson
Genre: Fiction/Suspense


This is a story about a man who has walked on earth for the last two thousand years, an order of priests whose purpose is his sole protection, a graduate student, throw a very powerful enemy to the mix and you have all the makings for an astounding collision of spiritual forces.

The story takes you literally around the world starting off near the ruins of Auschwitz where a mysterious 52 year old grave site has been dug up, and a living man, Lazarus, walks out of the casket. (I'll let you think about that for a minute.) This find sets off an international situation that includes the CIS, the Israeli Mossad, the Hamas terrorists, and the Pope himself.

As Lazarus winds his way around Normandy, Ireland, and Paris, he is accompanied by Nora, a grad student who has several questions, and would also like to know why Hamas terrorists are after her. After Nora is captured a second time, Lazarus finds himself in Rome and eventually back to Jerusalem, where he feels that he can fulfill his purpose, and also rescue Nora from the hands of a supernatural enemy.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the idea of the plot. However, in my personal opinion, it felt like there was a lot to follow, however, it may have been easier to read (on my part) if I had read it in fewer sittings. I enjoyed the suspense and international intrigue, even though some of the scenes were a bit rough for my personal taste.

When I first started reading the book, I was excited because it reminded me a bit of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, with the whole angles, demons and warfare theme. However, as the plot deepened, I was drawn into Mr. Olson's story and forgot about the previous novels I had read.

I was a bit disappointed in the ending. It seemed to just "come together" and I felt hanging a little bit. Without giving the ending away, I just feel like Nora's story and Father Stephens store should have come together a little more.

Mark Andrew Olson has made is first solo debut with this book The Assignment. (His previous novel, Hadassah, One Night with the King, was written with Tommy Tenney.) I thought the author may be continuing this story in another book, but based on this interview, there is no sequel planned for now. His new book, The Watchers, was released earlier this year. Also, Mr. Olson co-wrote Rescued with John Bevere and the audio version is on my "to listen" pile here on my desk and I look forward to my vacation time when I can enjoy listening to that book. I personally think it's neat that Mark Andrew Olson is writing fiction books with two of my favorite preachers!