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The Esther Code
Silence of the Lambs meets the Da Vinci Code in this psychological thriller where FBI agent Jamie Golding is on the trail of a serial killer who is murdering elderly men and leaving cryptic messages from a 2,500 year-old hidden code. Jamie must decipher the code in order to stop the killer in this suspenseful page-turner. The killer's intention is to "play the FBI like a violin" as a game of cat and mouse ensues. The Esther Code that Jamie discovers is real and is masterfully presented in a way that will leave the biggest skeptic scratching their head.
284 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 8, 2021
I picked up The Esther Code from my to-be-read pile, and was immediately hooked. I figured it out. I had my suspicions early on that were all but confirmed about halfway through (spoilers below). But that did not take away from the suspense. Not at all. If anything, it made the novel more tantalizing as I obsessively turned pages to see how it all played out. This is a cleverly written mystery thriller that should be picked up by a mainstream publisher.
Michael Danneman's sharp attention to detail made for a truly engrossing novel that I literally read under the bed covers with a flashlight. (Ok, the flashlight part was because our old ceiling fan/light finally came apart after 15 plus years of keeping our bedroom lit and cool ) Characters are well developed, the plot is thorough, dialogue is realistic as is the FBI setting. Upon the last page of The Esther Code, I made a beeline to my to-be-read pile for its sequel, The Golem. I am giddy for another adventure with FBI Agent Jamie Golding!
The Hebrew Alphabet and its corresponding numbers, hence The Esther Code, go way over my head as do obscure Jewish holidays. Danneman, though, does an excellent job in writing for the layperson, or the gentile if you will. About Jewish holidays, He wrote:
Although she was raised Jewish, Jamie can remember hardly anything about Purim. Why celebrate a holiday of people trying to kill Jews? Her father used to tell her that all Jewish holidays are the same. Someone tried to kill us. God miraculously saved us. Now, let’s eat!
The story of Esther is smoothly summarized for readers not familiar with it, and there is also a well written scene in the book in which a rabbi patiently explains Hebrew Scholar material to an FBI agent with no background in the ancient language. Danneman even adds the kollel as a way to enlighten readers of intellectuals who study this stuff full time. And, of course, another rabbi in the novel says The Esther Code is mere science fiction which adds a necessary component of underlying conflict. No element is overlooked in this story.
Overall, Michael Danneman is a great narrator as The Esther Code is a fast moving thriller from its first page to the last. Meanwhile, in the midst of cat-and-mouse action, characters' thoughts are effectively chronicled. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this passage below.
"There is nothing like a bunch of fat old women bouncing in the water at the YMCA, thinking they are exercising. They probably get more exercise from walking across the parking lot, changing into their bathing suits, and getting into the pool, than they actually do in the water. He assumes it gives them something to look forward to other than doctor visits."
Beware! Spoilers Below!
Only Child Clue:
[Seth] “Well, since I’m an only child, my mother just wants me to get married. She wants grandchildren so badly, but really she still expects my wife to be Jewish.”
“Simon W.” was clearly an only child in a family that strongly retained its Jewish heritage.
Hair Clue: It did not escape my notice that both Simon and Seth were described as having dark hair.
A possible plot hole: As hyper observant as Jamie supposedly was an FBI agent, she did not notice that Seth’s attentiveness went beyond platonic friendship? Oh, please! Then again, Seth expertly covered his tracks, and career-focused women like Jamie can be similarly oblivious in real life. It worked for me, so Michael Danneman managed to pull that off with good writing.
Michael Danneman's sharp attention to detail made for a truly engrossing novel that I literally read under the bed covers with a flashlight. (Ok, the flashlight part was because our old ceiling fan/light finally came apart after 15 plus years of keeping our bedroom lit and cool ) Characters are well developed, the plot is thorough, dialogue is realistic as is the FBI setting. Upon the last page of The Esther Code, I made a beeline to my to-be-read pile for its sequel, The Golem. I am giddy for another adventure with FBI Agent Jamie Golding!
The Hebrew Alphabet and its corresponding numbers, hence The Esther Code, go way over my head as do obscure Jewish holidays. Danneman, though, does an excellent job in writing for the layperson, or the gentile if you will. About Jewish holidays, He wrote:
Although she was raised Jewish, Jamie can remember hardly anything about Purim. Why celebrate a holiday of people trying to kill Jews? Her father used to tell her that all Jewish holidays are the same. Someone tried to kill us. God miraculously saved us. Now, let’s eat!
The story of Esther is smoothly summarized for readers not familiar with it, and there is also a well written scene in the book in which a rabbi patiently explains Hebrew Scholar material to an FBI agent with no background in the ancient language. Danneman even adds the kollel as a way to enlighten readers of intellectuals who study this stuff full time. And, of course, another rabbi in the novel says The Esther Code is mere science fiction which adds a necessary component of underlying conflict. No element is overlooked in this story.
Overall, Michael Danneman is a great narrator as The Esther Code is a fast moving thriller from its first page to the last. Meanwhile, in the midst of cat-and-mouse action, characters' thoughts are effectively chronicled. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this passage below.
"There is nothing like a bunch of fat old women bouncing in the water at the YMCA, thinking they are exercising. They probably get more exercise from walking across the parking lot, changing into their bathing suits, and getting into the pool, than they actually do in the water. He assumes it gives them something to look forward to other than doctor visits."
Beware! Spoilers Below!
Only Child Clue:
[Seth] “Well, since I’m an only child, my mother just wants me to get married. She wants grandchildren so badly, but really she still expects my wife to be Jewish.”
“Simon W.” was clearly an only child in a family that strongly retained its Jewish heritage.
Hair Clue: It did not escape my notice that both Simon and Seth were described as having dark hair.
A possible plot hole: As hyper observant as Jamie supposedly was an FBI agent, she did not notice that Seth’s attentiveness went beyond platonic friendship? Oh, please! Then again, Seth expertly covered his tracks, and career-focused women like Jamie can be similarly oblivious in real life. It worked for me, so Michael Danneman managed to pull that off with good writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2024
Elderly people are being murdered by an accomplished killer that leaves no evidence. The killer DOES leave coded messages. FBI detective Jamie discovers the code is connected to the story of Esther (Magillat Esther). The ending blew me away! Who would have guessed it? Unfortunately, this book is self-published meaning you will not find it in the library.
October 5, 2024
I was very disappointed with the book. A friend said she couldn't put it down. I was excited to read it. I thought the plot was interesting, but the characters were dull.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2014
This book was intense. It kept me on my toes and wanting more with each new page. Jamie who lives an ordinary FBI agent life is given a case in which she must link the murders of elderly white males. In which at each scene of the crime, a note with a code and an initial is left somehow connecting to the bible. This untraceable Jewish Serial killer as said before, plays a game of cat and mouse with the FBI. However, he is always one step ahead. He wants to be known but not found. In this Psychological thriller, the author drags us into a heart breaking twist. Things are never what you should expect. Meanwhile, Jamie and her best friend Seth(he man of any woman's dreams) must determine whether risking a friendship for love is worth it or whether they should just stick with there selfish, unloving boyfriend and girlfriend.
This book is well written. I advise all to read it. Its suspenseful and at times a bit emotional. You will enjoy it.
This book is well written. I advise all to read it. Its suspenseful and at times a bit emotional. You will enjoy it.
June 8, 2014
Could not put this book down
Fantastic thriller, twists and turns, the ending is mind blowing. Old men are being murdered across the country. There is a serial killer with a noble cause at large. As the pieces come together, a sad testament to the indifference of "justice" and the sins of the past are resolved.
Fantastic thriller, twists and turns, the ending is mind blowing. Old men are being murdered across the country. There is a serial killer with a noble cause at large. As the pieces come together, a sad testament to the indifference of "justice" and the sins of the past are resolved.
May 18, 2014
A real thriller and page turner. I couldn't put it down! It was compelling and intriguing. I love the historical connections and insights. This guy must be a genius!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews