The Lambda Conspiracy, A Review

by Lindele Elliott                                                                                            Vol. VII, No. 1, January 1994

In The Lambda Conspiracy Spenser Hughes pictures a world of the not-too-distant future when an amendment to the U.S. constitution codifying gay rights is on the verge of being approved by the states. The power of the homosexual lobby has increased while the influence of the religious right has all but vanished. Into this hostile atmosphere come Branch Trumbull, one of the few remaining conservative senators with any backbone, and Chase McKenzie, a nationally known television reporter who discovers a hidden coalition between various New Age, feminist, philanthropic, and gay activist organizations. Trumbull and McKenzie forge an alliance in an attempt to warn the American people of the conspiracy in their midst, and to prevent the passage of the Human Rights Amendment. When they begin to have an impact, they incur the wrath of the powerful Percival Garden Monnoye, leader of the Lambda conspiracy. What follows is a chilling portrayal of depravity in action, set against the faithfulness of God, Whose ways are not always our ways.

Like many political thrillers, The Lambda Conspiracy leaps from character to character and from one situation to another, with a rapidity which can leave the reader dizzy from the sheer quantity of information presented. About halfway through, however, the threads begin to weave together, and the focus sharpens on Chase McKenzie and his spiritual journey. Chase has hated homosexuals and considered them the worst of sinners, but during the course of the book he comes to realize that he is as far from God, and as wicked in His sight, as the most promiscuous of gays. His pilgrimage from proud self-reliance to humble surrender is stirring and believable.

One of Spenser Hughes' greatest achievements in The Lambda Conspiracy is the manner in which he portrays perfectly despicable characters in ways that are not offensive yet communicate utter depravity and evil. The worst thing anyone ever says is "bleeping." and no perversions are described, yet there are scenes which will turn your stomach and may give you nightmares. There is a lesson in this for other contemporary writers: Talent does not require explicitness.

There is not much grey area in The Lambda Conspiracy; the bad guys are really bad, and the good guys are really good. If you enjoy political thrillers with a Christian world view, check out The Lambda Conspiracy by Spenser Hughes.