Accurate portrayal of secret underworld
Inside stories of human trafficking
Tense thriller in international setting
Journeys from enslavement to liberty
Shows gospel power to change lives
A novel suffused with hope
Inspires steps of faith
For many of us, human trafficking is seen as something that happens somewhere else, usually far away. But according to a recent BBC report,[i] figures from the National Crime Agency reveal that potential incidences of human trafficking and slavery in the UK have risen by around one-third since 2017 and almost doubled since 2016.
It is difficult to imagine the lives of those who are its victims, as this is an underworld invisible to most of the population. But author and high-profile Elim minister John Glass takes us on a journey, showing us the modern inside story of a crime that has existed throughout recorded history but which, like all forms of entrapment, can give way to liberty.
This is the central theme of Four, a story that centres on the devastating consequences of human trafficking. Other themes portrayed are betrayal, loss and enslavement, but the overriding message is one of redemption, hope and fulfilment. Set in Estonia, the UK and New York, the action includes many diverse issues such as assassination, betrayal, murder, romance, marriage, abduction, homosexuality and corrupt law enforcement. It highlights the power of the Scriptures to transform lives, and woven throughout the fabric of the novel is a clear presentation of the gospel.
It begins when Reverend Albert Porter wants to trust God’s sovereignty regarding the use of some worn-out Bibles to touch lost lives. When young expat businessman Jack Troughton’s girlfriend tells him about the Bible she found on a Cheltenham bench, his life is turned upside down. Challenged by Celia’s faith, and brought face to face with terrifying Estonian sex-traffickers when tragedy strikes, his response impacts countless lives and threatens all he holds most dear. But Celia was not the only one to come across a Bible that day. A PR guru and a Ghanaian care-worker are among others who are impacted by the discoveries that will prove to revolutionise their lives and heal painful wounds. Moving swiftly from Tallinn to the Cotswolds, and from Glasgow to New York, the story around Reverend Porter’s Bibles culminates years later in an extraordinary set of circumstances as the disparate characters’ lives begin to interweave. Four is a faith-filled thriller embracing the pain of loss and inspiring with all God can do to redeem and restore.
Reviewer Gary Gibbs says, ‘Throughout the pages, John develops the main characters in such a way that I began to care what was going to happen to them. Would they make it? Was there a way out of the terrible difficulties they were in?’
A valuable tool to give to friends who are not yet people of faith but want to know more about what it means to be a Christian.
What reviewers say:
‘A fantastic novel with wonderful characters you will love, but, more importantly, a clear reminder of the unstoppable power of the Word of God.’
Gavin Calver, Director of Mission, Evangelical Alliance; Chair, Spring Harvest
‘A moving story and gripping read that highlights the awful atrocity of human trafficking in our generation.’
Ben Cooley, CEO, Hope for Justice