Ted Dekker
Encyclopedia
Ted Dekker is a New York Times best-selling
Christian author best known for mystery
and thriller novels, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy
fans. Early in his career he wrote a number of books that would best be categorized as Religious thrillers. His later works are a mix of mainstream novels such as Thr3e
, Obsessed
, Skin
, Adam
, and BoneMan’s Daughters; and fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore redemptive history. Best known among these is his mega-series, the Books of History Chronicles, which comprises the Circle series (Black, Red, White, Green), The Lost Books series (Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon), and the Paradise series (Showdown, Saint, and Sinner), as well as several other books, including House (with fellow Christian author, Frank Peretti).
tribes of Indonesia. "Throw a pair of shorts on, no shoes, no shirt and take off into the jungle. That’s how I grew up. It was a completely different culture.” As a result his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children.
After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study Philosophy and Religion. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in philosophy, he entered the corporate world. But his personal drive left him restless and he traded corporate life for a wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits.
In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full-length novels before scrapping both. He eventually sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado, and began writing full-time on his third novel.
Because of Dekker's general distaste for organized American Christianity
, he often finds himself at the heart of controversy in certain conservative circles. It is Dekker's dark subject matter that most irritates some traditionalists. His characters often descend into deep valleys of tremendous struggle and despair before finding hope. Dekker has rejected the labeling of his works as merely "religious" fiction - many of his books have little to do with religion. His refusal to be put in a traditional religious box draws some fire, and yet it is this very authenticity in his work that draws millions of readers. As such, he is an anomaly, often misunderstood by those traditionalists who have not taken the ride with him on stories filled with serial killer
s, deeply conflicted characters, death, and ultimately resounding hope and love. None of his books look too kindly on mainstream Christianity, but rather focus on core Christian themes such as loving the unlovely, hope where there is none, not judging others, and redemption when all is lost.
The fact that his novels have sold over 5 million copies in the United States and over 1 million in 2010 alone is testament enough that he is not alone.
, along with To Kill with Reason. Dekker's first published work, Heaven’s Wager, is a supernatural thriller that was written just after his brother's death.
Dekker proceeded to write 6 more supernatural thrillers and quickly rose in popularity. These titles included: When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child (with Bill Bright
), A Man Called Blessed (with Bill Bright), and Blink
(the title was later changed to "In the Blink of an Eye"). All explored themes of death and life within a supernatural/religious context.
In recent years, Dekker has released some of his earliest manuscripts as exclusive promotional material.
, his first mainstream novel. The book won several awards and landed at the top of several bestseller lists. It was later made into a movie
.
Since then Dekker has written in two primary genres, mainstream thrillers and fantasy. He has also co-authored books with other bestselling authors, including Bill Bright
, Frank Peretti
, Erin Healy, Carl Medearis, and Tosca Lee
.
Beginning in June 2007, fans gathered in Nashville, TN
of their own accord to discuss all things Dekker with a focus on the Circle Series. They dubbed the event "The Gathering", and it became an annual tradition. In 2008, over 200 people showed up. In 2009, over 500 bought tickets and congregated for the first professionally organized Gathering. In 2010, two smaller events were held in both Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL
, nicknamed "The Gathering 2.0". Roughly 1,000 fans came out to hear Dekker speak for a three-hour session in each city.
Dekker has frequently described his novels as pure escapism in which he often plumbs humanity’s ongoing struggle outside the context of religion. As many of his novels are set in the darkest of settings, common thematic elements that appear in his novels include:
The Lost Books series
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
Christian author best known for mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
and thriller novels, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
fans. Early in his career he wrote a number of books that would best be categorized as Religious thrillers. His later works are a mix of mainstream novels such as Thr3e
Thr3e
Thr3e is a 2003 suspense novel written by author Ted Dekker.-Plot:Kevin Parson, a 28 year old seminary student, has his life turned upside-down when a killer named Richard Slater decides to stalk him. If he can "confess his sin", Slater will stop killing...
, Obsessed
Obsessed (novel)
Obsessed is a 2005 thriller novel by Christian author Ted Dekker.-Plot summary:“Obsessed” by Ted Dekker tells a story of Stephen Friedman, a Jewish immigrant and an orphan who had tried to find out who his parents were for a long time and at last gave up...
, Skin
Skin (novel)
Skin is a contemporary Christian fiction science fiction/horror novel released in April 2007 by Ted Dekker. Dekker's novel, Skin was published by Thomas Nelson with the purpose to connect the Circle Trilogy, the Project Showdown books, and an upcoming series of books.* Tagline: Don't trust your...
, Adam
Adam (2008 novel)
Adam, a novel by renowned author Ted Dekker, was released on April 1, 2008. This book is not directly tied to any others, as many of Dekker's novels are.-Christian Retail Version:...
, and BoneMan’s Daughters; and fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore redemptive history. Best known among these is his mega-series, the Books of History Chronicles, which comprises the Circle series (Black, Red, White, Green), The Lost Books series (Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon), and the Paradise series (Showdown, Saint, and Sinner), as well as several other books, including House (with fellow Christian author, Frank Peretti).
Biography
Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunterHeadhunting
Headhunting is the practice of taking a person's head after killing them. Headhunting was practised in historic times in parts of China, India, Nigeria, Nuristan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Borneo, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Micronesia, Melanesia, New Zealand, and the Amazon Basin, as...
tribes of Indonesia. "Throw a pair of shorts on, no shoes, no shirt and take off into the jungle. That’s how I grew up. It was a completely different culture.” As a result his parents’ work often included extended periods of time away from their children.
After leaving Indonesia, Dekker graduated from high school and took up permanent residence in the United States to study Philosophy and Religion. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in philosophy, he entered the corporate world. But his personal drive left him restless and he traded corporate life for a wide range of entrepreneurial pursuits.
In the early nineties while visiting a friend who had just written a book, Dekker decided to pursue a long held desire to be a novelist. Over the course of two years he wrote two full-length novels before scrapping both. He eventually sold his business, moved his family to the mountains of Western Colorado, and began writing full-time on his third novel.
Readers
According to Dekker's website, his core fanbase consists of readers under the age of 45, split nearly evenly between male and female, which skews young for a thriller market that is typically heavily weighted toward middle-aged females.Because of Dekker's general distaste for organized American Christianity
Christianity in the United States
Christianity is the largest and most popular religion in the United States, with around 77% of those polled identifying themselves as Christian, as of 2009. This is down from 86% in 1990, and slightly lower than 78.6% in 2001. About 62% of those polled claim to be members of a church congregation...
, he often finds himself at the heart of controversy in certain conservative circles. It is Dekker's dark subject matter that most irritates some traditionalists. His characters often descend into deep valleys of tremendous struggle and despair before finding hope. Dekker has rejected the labeling of his works as merely "religious" fiction - many of his books have little to do with religion. His refusal to be put in a traditional religious box draws some fire, and yet it is this very authenticity in his work that draws millions of readers. As such, he is an anomaly, often misunderstood by those traditionalists who have not taken the ride with him on stories filled with serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
s, deeply conflicted characters, death, and ultimately resounding hope and love. None of his books look too kindly on mainstream Christianity, but rather focus on core Christian themes such as loving the unlovely, hope where there is none, not judging others, and redemption when all is lost.
The fact that his novels have sold over 5 million copies in the United States and over 1 million in 2010 alone is testament enough that he is not alone.
Early writing career
His first propositions to publishers were all rejected, possibly because of their dark content. These rejected offerings consisted of three incarnations of what would later be BlackBlack (novel)
Black: The Birth of Evil is a novel by author Ted Dekker. It is the first book in the Circle Series, and is a part of the Books of History Chronicles.-Plot summary:...
, along with To Kill with Reason. Dekker's first published work, Heaven’s Wager, is a supernatural thriller that was written just after his brother's death.
Dekker proceeded to write 6 more supernatural thrillers and quickly rose in popularity. These titles included: When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child (with Bill Bright
Bill Bright
William R. "Bill" Bright was an American evangelist. The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, he wrote The Four Spiritual Laws in 1952 and produced the Jesus Film in 1979.-Early life:...
), A Man Called Blessed (with Bill Bright), and Blink
Blink (novel)
Blink is a 2003 novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It was re-released in November 2007 under the title Blink of an Eye, featuring new content and a more expedient storyline. It follows two main characters from a 3rd person perspective...
(the title was later changed to "In the Blink of an Eye"). All explored themes of death and life within a supernatural/religious context.
In recent years, Dekker has released some of his earliest manuscripts as exclusive promotional material.
Later writing career
Dekker then turned back to his roots and penned Thr3eThr3e
Thr3e is a 2003 suspense novel written by author Ted Dekker.-Plot:Kevin Parson, a 28 year old seminary student, has his life turned upside-down when a killer named Richard Slater decides to stalk him. If he can "confess his sin", Slater will stop killing...
, his first mainstream novel. The book won several awards and landed at the top of several bestseller lists. It was later made into a movie
Three (film)
Three is a 2002 horror film collaboration consisting of three omnibus segments by directors from three Asian countries...
.
Since then Dekker has written in two primary genres, mainstream thrillers and fantasy. He has also co-authored books with other bestselling authors, including Bill Bright
Bill Bright
William R. "Bill" Bright was an American evangelist. The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, he wrote The Four Spiritual Laws in 1952 and produced the Jesus Film in 1979.-Early life:...
, Frank Peretti
Frank E. Peretti
Frank Edward Peretti is a New York Times best-selling author of Christian fiction, whose novels primarily focus on the supernatural. To date, his works have sold over 15 million copies worldwide. Peretti is best known for his novels This Present Darkness and The Oath...
, Erin Healy, Carl Medearis, and Tosca Lee
Tosca Lee
Tosca Lee is a critically acclaimed American novelist of speculative fiction. Her sometimes controversial books are best known for their lyrical prose, extensive research, and vivid imagery....
.
Beginning in June 2007, fans gathered in Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
of their own accord to discuss all things Dekker with a focus on the Circle Series. They dubbed the event "The Gathering", and it became an annual tradition. In 2008, over 200 people showed up. In 2009, over 500 bought tickets and congregated for the first professionally organized Gathering. In 2010, two smaller events were held in both Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, nicknamed "The Gathering 2.0". Roughly 1,000 fans came out to hear Dekker speak for a three-hour session in each city.
Recurring themes
Ted Dekker is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories packed with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil.Dekker has frequently described his novels as pure escapism in which he often plumbs humanity’s ongoing struggle outside the context of religion. As many of his novels are set in the darkest of settings, common thematic elements that appear in his novels include:
- A desperate struggle that typically plunges the protagonist into a hopeless situation from which they must find their way out, such as being stalked by a serial killer.
- Stark imagery of darkness and hopelessness contrasted with light and love.
- The failure of religion.
- The ideal that love and self-sacrifice are life’s greatest discovery and highest purpose.
The Circle Series
- Black: The Birth of EvilBlack (novel)Black: The Birth of Evil is a novel by author Ted Dekker. It is the first book in the Circle Series, and is a part of the Books of History Chronicles.-Plot summary:...
(February 2004, August 2009) - Red: The Heroic RescueRed (novel)Red: The Heroic Rescue is a novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It is the second book in the Circle Series, and is a part of the Books of History Chronicles.-Plot summary:...
(May 2004, August 2009) - White: The Great PursuitWhite (novel)White: The Great Pursuit is a novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It is the third book of four in "the Circle" series.-Plot summary:...
(September 2004, August 2009) - Green: The Beginning and the EndGreen (novel)Green: The Beginning and the End is a novel. It is considered book 0 of the Circle Series of Black, Red, and White. It was written by Ted Dekker, and published by Thomas Nelson in the United States on September 1, 2009.-Advertising:...
(September 2009)
The Paradise series
- Showdown (January 2006)
- SaintSaint (novel)Saint is a 2006 mystery novel written by Ted Dekker. It is the second in the series of the 'Project Showdown' Books which are also called 'The Paradise Novels'.-Plot summary:...
(October 2006) - SinnerSinner (Dekker novel)Sinner is a Ted Dekker mystery novel released in September 2008. It is the third in the series of the 'Project Showdown' , which includes Showdown and Saint. Set in the thirteen years after Saint, this book focuses mainly on Billy and Darcy from the first book, and Johnny from the first and the...
(September 2008)
The Lost Books seriesThe Lost Books (novel series)The Lost Books series is a group of six novels written by Ted Dekker. When the first letter of each books is taken individually, they spell "Circle". These 6 young-adult novels span the 15-year gap between Black and Red in Dekker's popular Circle Trilogy, and also beyond.-Chosen :This takes place...
- ChosenChosen (novel)Chosen was written by Ted Dekker and was released on December 15, 2007. It is the first young adult novel in the new Lost Book series. These new novels span the fifteen-year period that is gapped in the Circle Trilogys Black and Red. Thomas Hunter is still the commander of the Forest Guard when...
(December 2007) - InfidelInfidel (novel)Infidel was written by Christian author Ted Dekker and was released on December 15, 2007. It is the second young adult novel in The Lost Book series. These new novels span the fifteen-year period that is gapped in the Circle Trilogys Black and Red...
(December 2007) - Renegade (May 2008)
- Chaos (May 2008)
- LunaticLunatic (novel)Lunatic is the fifth book in the Lost Books series, written by Ted Dekker. It is set at the beginning of White, from Dekker's Circle Trilogy. It, along with the sixth book, Elyon, was released on June 2, 2009.-Summary:...
(with Kaci Hill, May 2009) - Elyon (with Kaci Hill, May 2009)
Other books
- House (with Frank PerettiFrank E. PerettiFrank Edward Peretti is a New York Times best-selling author of Christian fiction, whose novels primarily focus on the supernatural. To date, his works have sold over 15 million copies worldwide. Peretti is best known for his novels This Present Darkness and The Oath...
, March 2006) - SkinSkin (novel)Skin is a contemporary Christian fiction science fiction/horror novel released in April 2007 by Ted Dekker. Dekker's novel, Skin was published by Thomas Nelson with the purpose to connect the Circle Trilogy, the Project Showdown books, and an upcoming series of books.* Tagline: Don't trust your...
(April 2007) - Immanuel's VeinsImmanuel's VeinsImmanuel's Veins is a Christian novel by the New York Times Bestselling Author Ted Dekker that was released in America on September 7, 2010. It follows the life, love, and death of Saint Thomas the Beast Hunter of Russia in the 1st person...
(September 2010) - The Blood BookThe Blood BookThe Blood Book: Tales, Confessions and Rumors of the Worlds is a novel by New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, along with Kevin Kaiser and Josh Olds . It is a part of Dekker's mega-series, The Books of History Chronicles...
(with Kevin Kaiser and Josh Olds, June 2011, promotional item no longer available) - Genesis: The Birth of an Idea (June 2011, promotional item no longer available)
The Books of Mortals
- ForbiddenForbidden (2011 novel)Forbidden is a science fiction fantasy novel by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, published in September 2011. It is the first book in a trilogy, and will be followed by the novels Mortal and Sovereign in 2013.-Plot:...
(with Tosca LeeTosca LeeTosca Lee is a critically acclaimed American novelist of speculative fiction. Her sometimes controversial books are best known for their lyrical prose, extensive research, and vivid imagery....
, September 2011)
Thrillers
- BlinkBlink (novel)Blink is a 2003 novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It was re-released in November 2007 under the title Blink of an Eye, featuring new content and a more expedient storyline. It follows two main characters from a 3rd person perspective...
(January 2003, as Blink of an EyeBlink (novel)Blink is a 2003 novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It was re-released in November 2007 under the title Blink of an Eye, featuring new content and a more expedient storyline. It follows two main characters from a 3rd person perspective...
November 2007) - Thr3eThr3eThr3e is a 2003 suspense novel written by author Ted Dekker.-Plot:Kevin Parson, a 28 year old seminary student, has his life turned upside-down when a killer named Richard Slater decides to stalk him. If he can "confess his sin", Slater will stop killing...
(September 2003) - ObsessedObsessed (novel)Obsessed is a 2005 thriller novel by Christian author Ted Dekker.-Plot summary:“Obsessed” by Ted Dekker tells a story of Stephen Friedman, a Jewish immigrant and an orphan who had tried to find out who his parents were for a long time and at last gave up...
(February 2005) - AdamAdam (2008 novel)Adam, a novel by renowned author Ted Dekker, was released on April 1, 2008. This book is not directly tied to any others, as many of Dekker's novels are.-Christian Retail Version:...
(April 2008) - Kiss (with Erin Healy, January 2009)
- BoneMan's Daughters (April 2009)
- Burn (with Erin Healy, January 2010)
- The Bride Collector (April 2010)
- The Priest's GraveyardThe Priest's GraveyardThe Priest's Graveyard is a thriller novel by Ted Dekker, published in April 2011.-Synopsis:Renee Gilmore is a former heroin addict, living with her lover Lamont Myers in a glass house, by the sea in Malibu. They live a nearly perfect life, until Lamont disappears one day. Lamont had recently told...
(April 2011)
The Caleb Series
- Blessed Child (with Bill BrightBill BrightWilliam R. "Bill" Bright was an American evangelist. The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, he wrote The Four Spiritual Laws in 1952 and produced the Jesus Film in 1979.-Early life:...
, April 2001) - A Man Called Blessed (with Bill Bright, September 2002)
The Martyr's Song Series
- Heaven's WagerHeaven's WagerHeaven's Wager is the first novel written by American author Ted Dekker and his third published. It was first released in 2000 by WestBow Press.-Plot Overview:...
(October 2000) - When Heaven Weeps (May 2001)
- Thunder of Heaven (February 2002)
- The Martyr's Song (2005)
Other titles
- The Promise (September 2005)
- The Drummer Boy (October 2006)
- To Kill with Reason (April 2010, promotional item no longer available)
Non-fiction
- The Slumber of Christianity: Awakening a Passion for Heaven on Earth (July 2005)
- Tea with Hezbollah (with Carl Medearis, January 2010)
Graphic novels
- Black (2007)
- Red (2007)
- White (2007)
- Chosen (2008)
- Infidel (2008)
- Renegade (2009)
- Chaos (2009)
Upcoming
- Mortal (with Tosca Lee, June 2012)
- Sovereign (with Tosca Lee, September 2012)
- The Sanctuary (TBA 2013)