Arius

by John Rather

This novel, often compared to the work of Dan Brown, is about Arius of Alexandria who was murdered for his opposition to the Nicene Creed adopted at the Nicene Council, after which the fundamental doctrines of Christianity were never the same. Christianity's greatest philosophical secret was lost. Forever? Mention Arius today and you’re still branded as a blasphemous heretic, or worse. All known copies of his writings were burned; his ideas destroyed; and his name defamed by those who poisoned him. Sixteen hundred seventy-five years later, Harrison Pearce, an architect, is asked to travel in England to do research on behalf of a client, Michael Stern. Following his arrival in London, Michael, who is both a banker and a collector of ancient documents, phones Harrison, asking him to go to Oxford to pick up a small package from a professor at the university. When Harrison arrives at the scholar’s office at Christ Church College, he is shocked to find that the man has been shot only moments before his arrival and is now slumped over his desk in an expanding pool of blood, with the package nowhere in sight. As events unfold at a rapid pace, Harrison faces one threat after another—leading him from Oxford to Glastonbury; from Dover to Paris; from Jackson, Wyoming, to New York City. To survive, he must find out why the professor was killed and why unknown persons, even today, are so vigorously opposed to publication of Arius’s last letter to a friend.

Genres: Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2012

Reviews

[Amanda Almeida · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has great potential

This book has great potential to be much better than it is. Some parts need fleshed out and some parts just need deleted but the characters were all well written. And Anne and Harrison’s relationship was very refreshing.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

An architect and a historian are thrown together in an adventure featuring ancient manuscripts and modern murders.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arius -- 4th century bishop and theologian who is later declared a heretic, was murdered and his writings destroyed after opposing the Nicene Creed. But someone has the original document written by Arius in Greek and the race is on . . . one group wants to destroy the long hidden letter and others want to publish the original and the translation and display it in the British Museum.

No sex
Several non-graphic killings while trying to obtain the document

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a 3.5 not a 3. I wish that there were half ratings. I felt like it was slow to build up and then the last 1/3 had my interest completely. This is actually written by my sister in laws father and I was really impressed with how cohesive and fluent the story went. I enjoyed his writing style. I am impressed with anyone who can string words together into a story.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real page turner. It is a thrilling look at Christian history and will make you reconsider what you learned in your history classes. It is also an exciting adventure around Western Europe and the good ole' USA. I would recommend this book to anyone.