This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.
Redemption at the Eleventh Hour by Andrew Crown - Dismas can't seem to catch a break. He's had a hard time as little more than slave laborer for an olive grower, and finally steals some money and a horse and runs away. While avoiding capture, he stumbles into a fishing village and meets Leah and her father Asher. Asher takes him on as a hired hand and once Dismas adjusts to his new life, he finds it quite peaceful and satisfying. And he is falling in love with Leah too. When Leah becomes deathly ill, Dismas makes the trip to find Jesus - a man who is said to be capable of miracles - and is amazed when Jesus speaks words of healing.
Dismas attacks a Roman centurion to protect Leah and her father and as a result he is a fugitive again. This time he runs to Jerusalem in hopes of finding his brother and avoiding any Roman soldiers that might recognize him. He arrives in the great city just before Passover, and meets Jesus once again. As the world-changing events of that Passover week unfold, Dismas finds himself at Jesus' side right to the end.
Well written and compelling, the story brings perspective to a historical figure mentioned but not named in the Bible. The story telling is simple and straightforward, with enough action to keep it moving and enough character development to make it relatable. As with most historical novels, the outcome is already known, but the details in getting there creates the tension. Most readers will guess what final role Dismas plays early on, but the twists and turns along the way are not as predictable. I did not expect a fairy tale style happy ending, of course, but found that the wrap-up and final chapters balanced the inevitable tragedy with comfort and hope so that the closing was satisfying even in its realism.
Well written and compelling, the story brings perspective to a historical figure mentioned but not named in the Bible. The story telling is simple and straightforward, with enough action to keep it moving and enough character development to make it relatable. As with most historical novels, the outcome is already known, but the details in getting there creates the tension. Most readers will guess what final role Dismas plays early on, but the twists and turns along the way are not as predictable. I did not expect a fairy tale style happy ending, of course, but found that the wrap-up and final chapters balanced the inevitable tragedy with comfort and hope so that the closing was satisfying even in its realism.
From the publisher:
Living off thievery and evading the Roman authorities, Dismas is a man who looks out only for himself. But when a sudden misfortune leaves him stranded in a small village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Dismas has an opportunity to leave his fugitive existence behind. As a hired hand on a fishing boat, Dismas finds pleasure in work for time, and peace out on the sea. It's an honest life -- and he may have even found a woman to share it with.
But then tragedy strikes, and Dismas sets out on the road again to seek a man he's been told is capable of miracles. However, being touched by the divine grace of this man cannot save Dismas from the Roman authorities if they finally catch up with him for his past misdeeds. As Passover approaches, Romans and Jews alike converge on the chaotic city of Jerusalem, where Dismas navigates trials of persecution, conspiracy, and murder that ultimately lead him to be an eyewitness to the most pivotal moment in human history.
With vividly imagined depictions of familiar events from the New Testament, Redemption at the Eleventh Hour is the exciting and heart-wrenching tale of one man's difficult journey towards salvation.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
