Sheriff's deputy Reed Shelton and his wife Beck set out for a two-week excursion in the wilds of the American Northwest along with their friends Cap and Sing. Before the adventure even gets started, Reed and Beck are beset by a terrifying monster in the pitch-black of forest night. Beck is carried off by one of the beasts and Reed, along with help from Cap, Sing, and a slew of other supporting characters -- some with agendas of their own -- embark on a search-and-rescue mission to bring Beck back. Behind all the carnage is a scientific mutation gone amuck. Frankly, I was disappointed. As much as I love Peretti's writing, Monster lacked the depth and impact of his other novels. As a thriller, the novel starts out rather well -- Beck's wilderness abduction by an unseen monster builds delightful suspense – but it quickly becomes predictable. However, it was with righteous indignation that I read the scientist's cold accusation of former-professor Michael Capella: "You are a Creationist!" Knowing that neither Creation nor evolution can be "proven" by modern science (since true science is made by the ongoing observation of events), I understand that proponents of either side take their stance by faith. With that said, as a believer in Creation by Intelligent Design, I cannot help but cheer whenever creationism is touted over evolution. However, Peretti does so very mildly. He makes it the view of his character, but doesn't push it on the reader. One reviewer compared his treatment of science with Dan Brown's treatment of religion in The Da Vinci Code. I would have to agree that the comparison is well-made: treated as fact, the arguments are easily taken as fiction. This book received not a few poor reviews, but the vast majority came from those who bellyache whenever their pet theory is discredited to any degree. Somehow they feel cheated and tricked into buying a "conservative anti-evolution piece of Christian fiction." All in all, it was an entertaining read, not life-changing or eye-opening like many other books of this genre, but Peretti did make some interesting points regarding the assumptions of evolution.