This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti, is among the classic novels of the Christian thriller genre. First published in 1986, Peretti's book set a suspenseful standard in spiritual warfare story-telling that has rarely been met by his contemporaries. Set in the apparently innocent small town of Ashton, This Present Darkness follows an intrepid born-again Christian preacher and newspaper reporter as they unearth a New Age plot to take over the local community and eventually the entire world. Nearly every page of the book describes sulfur-breathing, black-winged, slobbering demons battling with tall, handsome, angelic warriors on a level of reality that is just beyond the senses. However, Christian believers and New Age demon-worshippers are able to influence unseen clashes between good and evil by the power of prayer. Peretti's violent descriptions of exorcisms are especially vivid: "There were fifteen [demons], packed into Carmen's body like crawling, superimposed maggots, boiling, writhing, a tangle of hideous arms, legs, talons, and heads." This book is not for the squeamish. But for page-turning spiritual suspense, it's hard to beat.


From Library Journal
The small town of Ashton is the scene of a terrific battle between evil demons led by Rafar and angelic forces let by Tal in this Christian suspense tale by a best-selling author. Leaders of the human participants are Marshall Hogan, editor of The Clarion, Pastor Hank Busche, their friends, and groups of praying Christians. The battle wages fiercely, working up to a thrilling and satisfying climax. However, the superbly fiendish reading by Jack Sondericker, employing an incredible range of voices, reaches greater heights of horror than does the author's prose. Recommended for popular collections with a wide Christian audience.?Sister Avila, formerly with Acad. of the Holy Angels, MinneapolisCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Ashton is just a typical small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous plot to subjugate the townspeople--and eventually the entire human race. A riveting thriller, This Present Darkness offers a fascinating glimpse into the unseen world of spiritual warfare.

ANNOTATION

When the fictional town of Ashton runs up against the sinister Omni Corporation, all hell breaks through - literally.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This powerful audio abridgement, read by the author himself, brings to life all the thrills an excitement, as well as the deep spiritual insights, of Frank Peretti's beloved novel. Presented in production with dramatic sound and musice effects.

SYNOPSIS