The Thief - (Living Water) by Stephanie Landsem (Paperback)

About the Book

Includes excerpt from the first book in The living water series: The well.

Book Synopsis

A Roman centurion longing for peace and a Jewish woman hiding a deadly secret witness a miracle that transforms their lives and leads them to the foot of the cross.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Abandoned by the God she once loved, her only recourse is to depend upon Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, to keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and the landlord satisfied.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure and is desperate to escape the accursed Judean province. Accepting a wager that will get him away from the aggravating Jews and their threats of revolt, he sets out to catch the thieves harassing the marketplace.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Nissa hopes for freedom from her life of lies. But the supposed miracle brings only more misfortune, and Longinus, seeking to learn more about the mysterious healer, finds himself drawn instead to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Cedron, Longinus, and Nissa are unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. As danger closes in on them from every side, they must decide if the love and redemption Jesus offers is true or just another false promise. How can the so-called Messiah save them from their shackles, when he cannot even save himself?

Review Quotes

"A compelling story and vivid characters immediately come off the page and into your heart as Stephanie Landsem brings ancient Jerusalem to life in her enthralling second novel, The Thief. As you run through the streets with the little thief, Mouse, or dip in the Pool of Siloam with the secretive Nissa, a masterful tale full of adventure, heartbreak, and hope unfolds. A must-read for anyone who loves a good book they simply can't put down." --Laura Sobiech, author of Fly a Little Higher--Laura Sobiech, author of Fly a Little Higher

"Filled with memorable characters, The Thief is a tale of hopelessness turned to hope, of high stakes made higher, and ultimate love. What happens when a character at the lowest rung of society crosses paths with the most well-known figure in history? The story of The Thief. I couldn't stop reading." --Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot

"Nissa's tough demeanor as a cover for her fear and Longinus' desire for a life of peace in his mother's homeland of Gaul are achingly believable. Both characters are truly lost souls brought together by Jesus' act of mercy. Their discovery, through Him, that mercy is the true power that leads to peace is a reassurance Christian readers can appreciate." --Romantic Times, 4.5 stars-- "Romantic Times, 4.5 stars"

"Powerful and moving, Landsem grabs hold of the soul and never lets go. As compelling a portrait of mercy as I have ever read. Don't miss this one!" --Siri Mitchell, author of The Messenger--Siri Mitchell, author of The Messenger

"To read The Thief is to be completely transported to another time and place. Landsem's impeccably researched novel moves at breakneck speed toward a climax that doesn't disappoint." --Rebecca Kanner, author of Sinners and the Sea--Rebecca Kanner, author of Sinners and the Sea

"WOW! LOVE IT!!! I started reading on my way home from a conference and was so engrossed in the book I almost missed the flight! The Thief stole my heart and lifted my spirit. Masterfully told, this story of a Roman centurion and a Jewish girl explores familiar New Testament passages but plumbs new spiritual depths. A powerful message of faith and hope intersecting at the foot of the cross." --Mesu Andrews, author of In a Broken Vessel--Mesu Andrews, author of In a Broken Vessel

"You know the feeling you get looking at a mountain sunset, listening to sacred music while James Earl Jones reads the Sermon on the Mount? The Thief captures that emotion in an unforgettable story of desperation and beauty." --Regina Jennings, author of Caught in the Middle and Sixty Acres and a Bride--Regina Jennings, author of Caught in the Middle and Sixty Acres and a Bride