THROUGH WATERS DEEP by SARAH SUNDIN

THROUGH WATERS DEEP by SARAH SUNDIN takes place in Boston just before the United States officially entered the Second World War. The author has obviously done a great deal of research as she describes life at that time and the tension in the country between those who wanted to help Britain and those who didn't want to fight for Britain at any cost! The Christian message that runs throughout is expertly woven into the story.
Mary Stirling works as Mr Barton Pennington's secretary at the Boston Navy Shipyard. She loves her job and takes it seriously. She is friendly and efficient. When there is unrest at the shipyard and the strong possibility of sabotage, Mary, who was brought up on Nancy Drew mysteries as a child, takes notes as she observes people's actions and listens to their conversations. She feels she can help the F. B. I. in their investigation and is mortified when they fail to take her seriously to start with.
The one person who does take her seriously is Jim Avery who was at school with Mary. They become very good friends and secretly fall in love with each other!
Mary doesn't have a very good self image and is afraid of becoming proud. She definitely doesn't want to stand out and be noticed in any situation. At first she feels that it is prideful to think that her observations could be of any help to the F. B. I. and the shipyard, and then she realizes that she is not being motivated by pride at all but by the desire to save lives. In the same way she sees that by singing in the choir with the lovely voice He has given her is glorifying to God and helping the congregation to worship Him.
Jim is a "floater" going through life without wanting to make waves. He wonders which path he will be led on until he takes action and asks the Lord to show him what to do. It is when his Naval Commander tells his men to all read Nehemiah that a real change comes over Jim, both at sea where he has to make hard decisions, and in his relationships.
Both Mary and Jim show great courage, not only in facing danger, but also in the way they each overcome their deepest fears.
I love the Nehemiah theme and the verses from Isaiah chapter forty-three that encourage both Mary and Jim in their Christian walk. The novel is full of depth and the characters true to life. The story is riveting and I am sure you won't be able to put it down!


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