Like Sheep Gone Astray [Paperback]

Leslie J. Sherrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2006

Anthony Murdock has a lot on his mind. He is a minister in training at Second Baptist Church of Shepherd Hills and a rising account executive at Shaw Enterprises. As a Christian man, Anthony finds himself caught up in deceit when he makes a decision - despite the gnawing feeling inside that warns him against it - to compromise his morals for a lot of fast cash. His wife, Terri, a snotty successful interior designer, is becoming increasingly nervous that she might one day have to live the life of a cash strapped preacher's wife. Regretful of his get rich quick scheme and on the verge of being exposed, Anthony decides to make things right only to find himself compromising again.


Disgusted with himself, he knows he must do more than confess his sin of greed; he must conquer it. Anthony, like Samson in the Bible, risks going down with his enemies to do the right thing, preserve his marriage and regain his reputation.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* A young African American minister-in--training falls into crisis at his day job as an account executive in a high-stakes development company. In the deep of night, more than a million dollars has come Anthony's way for his influence regarding construction of a downtown railroad corridor. Unfortunately, the railway would sink another, less-well-funded initiative to build a refuge for the poor. Unfortunately, also, the money is really a bribe, which Anthony has allowed himself to overlook in his lust for power and for his beautiful--though snotty and shallow--wife. At last, Anthony's conscience asserts itself, and he tries to find a way to atone for his sins without going to jail or losing the wife. This makes for a suspenseful story, but it's also a fine character study and a thoughtful examination of the modern John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

'A new thriller by this brilliant author is always an event.' Tim Manderson, Publishing News 'Her knowledge of the workings of the human mind - or more correctly the soul - is second to none.' Ian Rankin 'Undiluted brilliance.' The Times 'The best female crime writer in this country' Sunday Express --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Walk Worthy Press (July 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446697052
• ISBN-13: 978-0446697057
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,853,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Leslie J. Sherrod is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Her debut novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray (Grand Central Publishing, 2006), earned a Starred Review from Booklist. She is a contributor to the bestselling A Cup of Comfort series (Adams Media) and co-partner of Paintbrush Poetry Original Art & Gifts (www.PaintbrushPoetry.com). Before embracing writing full-time, she worked as a human services professional in the mental health field and is currently pursuing her masters in social work with an emphasis on maternal and child health. A wife and mother to three, Secret Place (Urban Christian/Kensington Publishing Corp, 2011), a poignant novel addressing mental illness in families, is her second project.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Debut Novel!, July 20, 2006

By 

M. Teague "MaRita Teague" (South Riding, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Like Sheep Gone Astray (Paperback)

Sherrod masterfully untangles a complex web of deceit that Anthony, the protagonist, has helped to create for himself. Anthony, though flawed, is an admirable and likeable character, one that comes across as very real in his struggle to redeem himself.

A particulary thought-provoking theme, among many, is how the destructive cycle of a generational curse can be broken through true relationship with Christ. Sherrod shows how this process of deliverance from them can take time, and although God's forgiveness is immediate, there are still consequences for falling into a snare.

The writing is skilled, fast-paced, and entertaining. Undoubtedly, as a reader you'll find yourself pondering what you would do if confronted with moral dilemnas and/or temptations similar to the ones Anthony confronts.

I anxiously await Sherrod's next novel!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The LOVE of Money is the Root of Evil, October 9, 2006

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Like Sheep Gone Astray (Paperback)

For Reverend Anthony Murdock, it began six month earlier. As a young and upcoming marketing executive, he was lured by big bucks to make a campaign against the Bethany Village development in favor of a new transit railway. The consequences of this act entangled Anthony in a world of politics and corruption, in Leslie Sherrod's debut novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray.

Anthony is miserable because his conscious is wearing him down. He is feeling guilty about accepting the bribe money in the past and again he is approached by the powers that be to sabotage the CASH foundation in their efforts to build Bethany Village. This time, he is saying no and no amount of money can change his mind. However, the powers do not accept no for an answer and start the wheels rolling to make it look as if Anthony is heading a new organization, Black Enterprise Alliance and fooling his wife into thinking they are millionaires. With all the wheels rolling and everything askew, Anthony goes to God for answers. His search for the truth takes him from Shepherd Hills, Maryland to Sharen, South Carolina. Along the way, Anthony reaches out to many to help in his search. Some who are worthy and on his side and others who may not have his best interests at heart. In the meantime, Anthony's wife Terri is of the opinion that church and Anthony's ministries have little to do with her happiness. Her happiness is dependent upon her becoming partner at the Interior Design Firm where she works and that Anthony forget about his ministry and return to bringing more money to the home. Because if Anthony will not, then multi-millionaire Reginald Savant will do just fine.

Sherrod has written a somewhat suspenseful novel with a "Christian Fiction" flair. Prayer and searching the scriptures helped Anthony solve the mystery of who is out to destroy him. There are a lot of characters in this book. Really, too many and at times if was difficult keeping up with who is who and their purpose. Cutting out some of the characters and unnecessary storylines would have made the book a little more suspenseful and the action flow more smoothly. All in all the book was able to hold my attention and I wanted to continue reading to find out who the culprits were and see the unexpected outcome.

Jeanette
APOOO Bookclub.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspiring!!, July 22, 2006

By 

Mata Elliott - See all my reviews

This review is from: Like Sheep Gone Astray (Paperback)

Everything is not what it seems in Shepherd Hills. Secrets are hidden below the surface of this small, peaceful community, and one man, Anthony Murdock is at the core. Like Sheep Gone Astray is the intriguing story of how one man's quest for wealth leads him down a path that slopes into the dark depths of destruction. Caught in an intricate web of deceit, central character, Anthony Murdock, is on the verge of losing everything--his ministry, his wife, and his integrity. It will take more than money to get him out of the mess he's made, and Anthony knows it. But will he surrender and call on God, or will he sink deeper into the pit that threatens to destroy him?

Like Sheep Gone Astray is an example of impeccable writing that takes you on a vivid journey from the first page to the final. Debut author, Leslie J. Sherrod, has given us a gift. Her characters are well-developed and her plot satisfying with the unpredictable. This unique, dramatic, and dynamic tale of the painful consequences that come when material gain becomes more important than God, family, and friends is highly recommended.

So looking forward to the next one, Leslie!!

Reviewed by M. Elliott for www.mataelliott.com with Soul Pen