RAYMOND SEBASTIAN

Raymond Sebastian is a man of the cloth.

In an occupation where hedonism often seems a conservative outlook, at least compared to the wild actions of some of the agents, the idea that an espionage series could exist where the agent is not only not a dedicated lecher but is actually a confirmed and avowed Christian seems improbable. That the series could actually be very good seems, unfortunately, remarkable. I said 'unfortunately' because the quality of the six-book series written by Mr. Johnson is enough to make a spy-fi fan wish for there were a lot more like these.

Sebastian is definitely not anyone's idea of a secret agent, standing six-foot-two and having a slender almost ungainly build. His nose is like that of an eagle and his eyes, greenish-blue in color, are located in receded sockets. His wiry bushy black hair would tend towards being unruly if he did not make a habit of keeping it cut very short.

Sebastian enjoys being a minister but he has a fairly low opinion of himself as he indicates more than once that he thinks he is a "poor excuse". Adding to that complex is the fact that he got his current position in the small city of Nashville, Wisconsin due not to his ability but because his father was such a famous minister around the country that he was naturally expected to be great as well.

He is a widower having lost his wife in a car accident that he still blames himself for, without justification. He misses her a lot and has no inclination of finding someone new.

The adventures of Raymond Sebastian are definite proof that one does not have to be immoral to survive in the world of the wicked. Sebastian maintains his religious beliefs throughout his ordeals but, and this is a key point to remember, never with any sort of holier-than-thou attitude. He is what he is. He responds to questions and criticisms about his beliefs and his god with frankness and honesty. He is so confident that he doesn't feel the need to argue.

Sebastian does not like violence and he never goes out looking for it but he is no shrinking violet, cowering when threatened. He can and does take care of himself.

A sad comment on the world we live in is that a series of adventures about a religious man should be considered so uncommon that it would stand out for that fact alone. Even sadder is that the series didn't sell well enough to continue even though the stories are good, the action terrific, the characters realistic, and the overall feel of the books very enjoyable.

As for the adventures themselves, they are very well done. Each situation that Sebastian finds himself in comes to pass through logical steps, building up quickly but sensibly so the reader is brought along comfortably. And each ends very intelligently, which is often a miracle in this genre.

It is hard to describe my reaction to this series other than to just call it 'very positive'. They have none of the sappy 'feel-good' endings that is commonly associated with spiritual stories. People you like sometimes die and others you wouldn't miss sometimes get through.

But during it all, you get the attitude that a good man was working for a good cause and along the way was a quiet example to others. I liked him. And the series.