Stephen Grant is the pastor at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church on eastern Long Island. Grant is one of the more unique second-career clergy around, as he once worked for the CIA. Besides theology, his interests include archery, golf, writing, classic films, the beach, poker, baseball, and history. Grant also knows his wines, champagnes and brews. Oh yes, he generally dislikes politicians, and happens to be an expert marksman with a handgun and a rifle, while being pretty handy with a combat knife as well.
One reviewer calls Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant
thrillers/mysteries “Great Christian adventure novels!” And they’re offered at
a great price for the Kindle.
Amidst the flood of thumbs-up reviews, Kirkus Reviews
said the following about WINE INTO WATER: “A first-rate mystery makes this a
series standout…”
One reviewer calls Ray Keating’s Pastor Stephen Grant
thrillers/mysteries “Great Christian adventure novels!” And they’re offered at
a great price for the Kindle.
About the latest in the series, LIONHEARTS, Kirkus
Reviews said, “In this seventh entry of a series, terrorists attacking
Christians in the United States must contend with the proficient recurring
protagonist armed with Scripture and a Glock… By now, fans of Keating’s
thriller series will anticipate skillfully drawn characters… First-rate
supporting characters complement the sprightly pastor, who remains impeccable
in this thriller.”
With so many channels and online viewing options, some might
argue that we’re in the midst of a new golden age of television. Then there’s
the view that while choices abound, there’s still nothing good on to watch. Of
course, the truth lies somewhere in between.
At the high-quality end is a show that first hit TNT in the
summer of 2014, and just finished up its fourth season on Sunday night (October
8th) with a two-hour finale. The
Last Ship was launched in impressive fashion, and has maintained excellence
throughout each season.
In fact, in my humble opinion, The Last Ship quite simply ranks as the best show on television.
I know, I know, that’s a bold claim, and countless people
will scoff, but I will not relent.
For those who have not watched, the basic premise of The Last Ship is that a viral pandemic
has wiped out some 80 percent of the human race. Those onboard the ship – the
U.S.S. Nathan James – must find a cure and save the world. Along the way, the
show shines in a variety of ways.
First, everything flows from excellent writing and
storytelling, and a top-notch cast. That cast includes Eric Dane as Captain Tom
Chandler, Rhona Mitra as Dr. Rachel Scott, Adam Baldwin as Captain Mike
Slattery, Charles Parnell as Master Chief Russ Jeter, Travis Van Winkle as Lt.
Danny Green, Marissa Neitling as Lt. Commander Kara Green, Bridget Regan as
Sasha Cooper, former Navy Intelligence, and many others.
Second, it’s easy to care about the men and women serving on
the Nathan James. Not only are they brave members of the U.S. Navy risking it
all for mankind, but they each have their unique backgrounds, strengths,
weaknesses, loves, flaws, and losses. For good measure, the reality of serving under
fire means that everyone doesn’t make it out in the end. Sacrifice for others
is powerfully portrayed.
No doubt, and to its credit, The Last Ship serves as a salute to the men and women who serve in
the U.S. military, but it does so not in a corny, the-characters-are-perfect
kind of way, but rather through superior narrative.
Third, during this time when the human race is at risk, all
aspects of human nature come to the fore. True leaders emerge, inspiring others
to do what’s right. There are those who tap into courage, and seek to help and
save others, while some act selfishly or ruthlessly, guided by fear, hatred,
mistrust, and even petty politics. And still others do the wrong thing but for
what they truly believe is the right reason.
Fourth, the show acknowledges and offers glimpses of the
faith life of the men and women of the Nathan James. Master Chief Jeter serves
as the ship’s unofficial chaplain, and provides powerful moments, particularly
earlier in the show, when leading prayers and offering guidance to members of
the crew.
Finally, The Last Ship
offers the right balance between action and characters. Yes, there’s plenty of
adventure and conflict at sea and on land in this military-rooted show. But the
action is not mindless. Instead, some quality special effects for a TV show
combine with the fact that the emotional impact of the action is significant because
viewers care about the characters involved.
Four seasons of great TV – generating feelings of joy,
excitement, caring, reflection, suspense and sorrow among those tuning in – is
quite the accomplishment. Fans have at least one more season coming next
summer. I, for one, can’t wait. And let’s hope that TNT has the good sense to
let The Last Ship continue sailing
for a few more seasons after that.
_______________
Ray Keating is the author
of the PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVELS. The latest in the series is LIONHEARTS.
LIONHEARTS: A PASTOR STEPHEN GRANT NOVEL received a big thumbs-up review from Kirkus Reviews:
“In this seventh entry of a series, terrorists attacking Christians in the United States must contend with the proficient recurring protagonist armed with Scripture and a Glock… By now, fans of Keating’s (Wine Into Water, 2016, etc.) thriller series will anticipate skillfully drawn characters. [Stephen] Grant, for one, is a considerate husband and unquestionably capable in action… The narrative’s swift momentum is retained even during profound moments, like a scene in which terrorists debate their cause after murdering two men that’s intercut with clergymen reciting biblical passages. Though sequences of Grant or [Paige] Caldwell and her team engaged in combat are exhilarating, the story’s brimming with everyday heroes. One political figure, for example, is rescued by a neighbor whose courage is measured by the hefty Desert Eagle gun he brandishes. First-rate supporting characters complement the sprightly pastor, who remains impeccable in this thriller.”
David Keene, opinion editor at The Washington Times, observed: “Thriller and mystery writers have concocted all manner of main characters, from fly fishing lawyers to orchid aficionados and former ballplayers, but none has come up with anyone like Stephen Grant, the former Navy Seal and CIA assassin, and current Lutheran pastor. Grant mixes battling America's enemies and sparring with enemies of traditional Christian values, while ministering to his Long Island flock. The amazing thing is that the character works. The Stephen Grant novels are great reads beginning with WARRIOR MONK, which aptly describes Ray Keating's engaging hero.”
