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Twisted Linen
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166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 23, 2014
Twisted Linen by C. W. Cook is a first reads win and I ca giving my honest opinion. This book reads as a manuscript for a movie. So much action. There is a diabolical ending. The US has ceased as an entity. Seven out of every ten people are dead. It started as a cyberspace attack and the infrastructure went. This lead to an economic crisis as paper money drops in value every day. Real wealth is judged by the precious metals and gems. Simon is a Vatican Detective. His boss is Cardinal. Genovi. Simon's wife has a job lined up for them that would pay enough for them to retire. He has one more mission for Genovi. When he enters Genovi's quarters at the Vatican, Genovi tells him they have to leave foe San Sebastian in Spain. Simon returns to Grace and both Grace's job and Genovi's mission are the same. Grace insists on going. Grace wins. What is the mission and how does it turn diabolical?
December 18, 2014
I always pick up new books for review with a bit of hesitation. I wish all books would thrill me as much as this debut author.
Cook chose the near dystopian future as his setting for the beginning of the end--the big one, the biblical one, where not even the roaches survive.
Using scriptural references from the Revelation to set up what many scholars and faithful call the Tribulation period, Cook begins his story with murder - first of the operator of a failed mission, second of the newly chosen leader of Israel. Quickly moving right along between what's left of Europe and the Vatican, and Spain, the author introduces us to a prominent Cardinal, the keeper of the mysterious Shroud of Turin of the title, and the La Croixes, husband and wife, who are master thieves, doing anything they can to get away from the misery and find a last paradise on earth.
Mixing conspiracies, old order cults the likes of Dan Brown, but with a contemporary scientific spicy addition, Twisted Linen is not exactly the same-old, same-old story of a once and future bad guy king rising from an assassination to pretend to bring order and reunification before the Last Battle. Readers who enjoy well-detailed, fast-paced life and death stories will enjoy this book. It's a clean read, but not completely free of foul language--just a caveat to those readers of Christian fiction. Also some potentially disturbing violence. Told from multiple viewpoints, there are twists and shocks in each short chapter. This writer has nowhere to go but up.
Cook chose the near dystopian future as his setting for the beginning of the end--the big one, the biblical one, where not even the roaches survive.
Using scriptural references from the Revelation to set up what many scholars and faithful call the Tribulation period, Cook begins his story with murder - first of the operator of a failed mission, second of the newly chosen leader of Israel. Quickly moving right along between what's left of Europe and the Vatican, and Spain, the author introduces us to a prominent Cardinal, the keeper of the mysterious Shroud of Turin of the title, and the La Croixes, husband and wife, who are master thieves, doing anything they can to get away from the misery and find a last paradise on earth.
Mixing conspiracies, old order cults the likes of Dan Brown, but with a contemporary scientific spicy addition, Twisted Linen is not exactly the same-old, same-old story of a once and future bad guy king rising from an assassination to pretend to bring order and reunification before the Last Battle. Readers who enjoy well-detailed, fast-paced life and death stories will enjoy this book. It's a clean read, but not completely free of foul language--just a caveat to those readers of Christian fiction. Also some potentially disturbing violence. Told from multiple viewpoints, there are twists and shocks in each short chapter. This writer has nowhere to go but up.
August 22, 2025
This was a fantastic read. So well written, scarily believable and full of scripture references.
One of the best books of its kind that I’ve read.
Brings prophetic events in scripture to life and gives hope to Christians who may be floundering with their faith.
Simon and Grace’s journey and all the twists and turns in the story, will keep you reading til the end.
Highly recommended.
Reader in Australia.
One of the best books of its kind that I’ve read.
Brings prophetic events in scripture to life and gives hope to Christians who may be floundering with their faith.
Simon and Grace’s journey and all the twists and turns in the story, will keep you reading til the end.
Highly recommended.
Reader in Australia.
November 10, 2025
Good storyline, not so good writing
The storyline was very interesting but the writing was not great. I read another review that said it read like a screenplay and I totally get that. If the storyline hadn't been as good, I might not have been able to get through the bad writing.
The storyline was very interesting but the writing was not great. I read another review that said it read like a screenplay and I totally get that. If the storyline hadn't been as good, I might not have been able to get through the bad writing.
September 27, 2014
I was drawn to this book immediately because the cover art in combination with the title was compelling. The mention of linen in combination with the cross, the beautiful woman, and the church brought me back to the earliest biblical mention of linen in both the books of Genesis (41:42) and Isaiah (19:9). We all have our own experiences with the church, religion, and reality as we know it. The struggle to make those things a cohesive unit is universal and affects nearly every person as they try to answer the timeless questions of existence and purpose.
C.W. Cook is a new and impressive author who has created a extremely readable and enjoyable book. It is a fast read that will keep you engaged and and encouraged to continue reading. There are messages that have deeper meaning than the fictional plot. Mr. Cook is clearly a believer in a greater power, prophecies, and the book of Revelation.
The book is fueled by modern day current world events that will scare you into reading more after the first couple of pages! It is full of intrigue, suspense, and has paranormal elements that are believable. Mr. Cook's character development is excellent and I had a particular affinity for Grace. The story of the love between Grace and Simon is so well done that we are able to share in their intimacy with passages so well written as to let us feel their affection without making it smutty. A sentence near the end of the book comes to mind ..."Simon and Grace roll on the ground in each other's arms, chest to chest, unmindful of the surrounding threat". There are few authors who can modestly impart intimacy and Mr. Cook has done a great job.
For those who enjoy the Book of Revelation there is particular interest in 12:1-2 embedded in this book which is brilliant. If Mr. Cooks true beliefs are being voiced in his book then we should all take a greater look at the signs in the heavens and understand that the 7 years of tribulation may very soon be upon us. Our culture is is fueled by money, greed, and the quest for power and this book, even though it is fiction, can serve to open our eyes to some basic truths we should remember that start with our creation.
I highly recommend this book as an avid reader and know that if you like to be entertained while your mind is engaged then you will love it too.
C.W. Cook is a new and impressive author who has created a extremely readable and enjoyable book. It is a fast read that will keep you engaged and and encouraged to continue reading. There are messages that have deeper meaning than the fictional plot. Mr. Cook is clearly a believer in a greater power, prophecies, and the book of Revelation.
The book is fueled by modern day current world events that will scare you into reading more after the first couple of pages! It is full of intrigue, suspense, and has paranormal elements that are believable. Mr. Cook's character development is excellent and I had a particular affinity for Grace. The story of the love between Grace and Simon is so well done that we are able to share in their intimacy with passages so well written as to let us feel their affection without making it smutty. A sentence near the end of the book comes to mind ..."Simon and Grace roll on the ground in each other's arms, chest to chest, unmindful of the surrounding threat". There are few authors who can modestly impart intimacy and Mr. Cook has done a great job.
For those who enjoy the Book of Revelation there is particular interest in 12:1-2 embedded in this book which is brilliant. If Mr. Cooks true beliefs are being voiced in his book then we should all take a greater look at the signs in the heavens and understand that the 7 years of tribulation may very soon be upon us. Our culture is is fueled by money, greed, and the quest for power and this book, even though it is fiction, can serve to open our eyes to some basic truths we should remember that start with our creation.
I highly recommend this book as an avid reader and know that if you like to be entertained while your mind is engaged then you will love it too.
January 12, 2015
I think the best thing I can say about this book is that it kept my interest in seeing how all the strange plots and relationships were going to be resolved — I kept reading. "Twisted Linen" is an apocalyptic, end times novel. If you like that genre and the weaknesses of the overall book don't bother you, it's a fairly engaging read. And there were some good quotes from other authors. However … this is, apparently, a self-published book and it occasionally shows in odd phrasing and the writing style. First, the most annoying thing was the constant use of the present continuous tense by an unidentified 3rd person narrator — for example, "Sleep deprivation and stress are making it very difficult to think clearly, and critical thinking will be vital for Genovi and Simon to navigate the next 24 hours. they now walk side-by-side down a quiet hallway." That just grates on my sense of rightness. Or, odd uses of adjectives -- "...unsuspecting Spanish villa..." -- can a villa be unsuspecting? Or, attributing things to the wrong object -- i.e., "...Hummer's tires make a crackling sound as they slowly roll over the gravel drive..." -- it's not the tires that make the crackling sound, it's the gravel as the tires roll over it. Then, there are the comparisons that just don't work -- "...he believes Cohen's resurrection is prophetically parallel to Jesus' transfiguraton." -- those two things just have no connection (perhaps there is a strain of prophetic ministry that relates the Transfiguration and resurrection?). The context of the book is Roman Catholicism -- a Cardinal is one of the main characters, Simon is the Cardinal's chief of security, the Shroud of Turin is being protected in the Vatican. In spite of that, Cook describes Cardinal Genovi's salvation in evangelical terms, not in Catholic terms. Finally, I just didn't like the main characters, Grace and Simon. They were involved in international thievery of relics in order to finance a leisurely life in Tahiti away from the problems of a world gone to Hades in a handbasket -- as if the problems wouldn't touch them there and as if it's perfectly legitimate for two believers to be intimately involved with underworld criminality. All of those were just too jarring for me to give the book more than 3 stars.
September 22, 2014
September 22, 2014
A review of Twisted Linen by C.W. Cook by Anthony T. Riggio
I was contacted by e-mail by the author and asked to review his draft of the above book. I do not know the author and advised him that I could not review this book for two weeks. After this time,
I read the draft of the book on my kindle in .pdf format. At times it was a bit of a struggle to read the .pdf format and had to then use my Kindle Fire to read the book which was a better presentation than my Paperwhite Kindle.
After reading Twisted Linen, I was somewhat hesitant to review the book because of my Catholic upbringing but after some thought and reflection I concluded that this was an excellently written book, irrespective of some issues. The author C.W. Cook wove an interesting tale involving a corrupt Cardinal, A fanatical group, known as the “Golden Dawn”, and two heroes who are in love.
The story is apocalyptical in its outcome and the story line, for me, crossed the threshold of believability as long as I suspended my Belief. It is an intriguing tale of both science and the occult and, I believe this would make an interesting movie if it is read by the right people.
There is the involvement of the Catholic Church, in its sinister plot and the story points out all the intriguing thoughts many non-Catholics have of the mysteries of the Church and its clergy.
The book is a very short read and it is divided up into very short chapters, which I personally like, and the story and the characters were well developed and believable.
It is fast paced and if I read it in its printed form, a “page turner”.
I gave this book five Stars out of five and recommend it as good interlude reading. I believe the author will succeed in his writing efforts and improve with each new book he publishes.
After reading this book in the .pdf draft, I purchased it on Amazon in the Kindle format so that I will have a completed edition in my collection of “Good Reads”.
A review of Twisted Linen by C.W. Cook by Anthony T. Riggio
I was contacted by e-mail by the author and asked to review his draft of the above book. I do not know the author and advised him that I could not review this book for two weeks. After this time,
I read the draft of the book on my kindle in .pdf format. At times it was a bit of a struggle to read the .pdf format and had to then use my Kindle Fire to read the book which was a better presentation than my Paperwhite Kindle.
After reading Twisted Linen, I was somewhat hesitant to review the book because of my Catholic upbringing but after some thought and reflection I concluded that this was an excellently written book, irrespective of some issues. The author C.W. Cook wove an interesting tale involving a corrupt Cardinal, A fanatical group, known as the “Golden Dawn”, and two heroes who are in love.
The story is apocalyptical in its outcome and the story line, for me, crossed the threshold of believability as long as I suspended my Belief. It is an intriguing tale of both science and the occult and, I believe this would make an interesting movie if it is read by the right people.
There is the involvement of the Catholic Church, in its sinister plot and the story points out all the intriguing thoughts many non-Catholics have of the mysteries of the Church and its clergy.
The book is a very short read and it is divided up into very short chapters, which I personally like, and the story and the characters were well developed and believable.
It is fast paced and if I read it in its printed form, a “page turner”.
I gave this book five Stars out of five and recommend it as good interlude reading. I believe the author will succeed in his writing efforts and improve with each new book he publishes.
After reading this book in the .pdf draft, I purchased it on Amazon in the Kindle format so that I will have a completed edition in my collection of “Good Reads”.
February 22, 2015
The writing is awkward. Parts are quiet good, descriptive and compelling but the third person present case makes it off putting. The plot has plenty of twists and turns, possibly too many twists and turns.
Set in a dystopian near future where EMPs have turned the US into a depopulated waste land. The Ultimate battle of Good Verses Evil come down to the Shroud of Turin. Agents from the Vatican battle against members of the Golden Dawn in a quest to bring on the end of Days. Yes it is that fecking silly Simon La Croix (the Cross)and his wife Grace are thieves who want to escape Europe. Simon is also the head of security for the Vatican. David Cohen is a rising star in Israel who is gunned down by a bullet to the head at his post election celebration.
Mixing theology, science and adventure can go many ways. This story just collapses in upon itself. You have to accept an incredible level of coincidences and conspiracies as well as ignore some scientific principles. Additionally what is driving the plot is the need for certain scientific samples which the baddies had 34 years earlier. So the lesson is save your work people.
But my biggest complaint about this book is a theological one. Where a character who 40 years earlier accepted Jesus and then proceeded to sin, cheat, protect criminals and lie will go straight to heaven because he had previously accepted Jesus. So I guess if you get to heaven you'll be hanging with people like Hitler, Ted Bundy and Pol Pot.
Set in a dystopian near future where EMPs have turned the US into a depopulated waste land. The Ultimate battle of Good Verses Evil come down to the Shroud of Turin. Agents from the Vatican battle against members of the Golden Dawn in a quest to bring on the end of Days. Yes it is that fecking silly Simon La Croix (the Cross)and his wife Grace are thieves who want to escape Europe. Simon is also the head of security for the Vatican. David Cohen is a rising star in Israel who is gunned down by a bullet to the head at his post election celebration.
Mixing theology, science and adventure can go many ways. This story just collapses in upon itself. You have to accept an incredible level of coincidences and conspiracies as well as ignore some scientific principles. Additionally what is driving the plot is the need for certain scientific samples which the baddies had 34 years earlier. So the lesson is save your work people.
But my biggest complaint about this book is a theological one. Where a character who 40 years earlier accepted Jesus and then proceeded to sin, cheat, protect criminals and lie will go straight to heaven because he had previously accepted Jesus. So I guess if you get to heaven you'll be hanging with people like Hitler, Ted Bundy and Pol Pot.
September 30, 2015
Good story based on incorrect science
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The main plot concerns cloning, even mentioning Dolly the sheep at times. Unfortunately, when the explanation of the cloning process is given, as it is at multiple times, it is incorrect. A clone is an exact replica made from the cells of one living thing. The fetus may then be implanted in a woman's uterus, but the woman's egg is not used. Combining a sperm from the being to be cloned with an egg from a woman, as is explained by this author, is in-vitro fertilization. Not cloning! Once again, a clone is a duplicate made from only the cells of the creature being cloned! Not from two beings.
Despite this massive error I completed the book. It did not redeem itself in the end. I will not read any of the other books in this series or by this author.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The main plot concerns cloning, even mentioning Dolly the sheep at times. Unfortunately, when the explanation of the cloning process is given, as it is at multiple times, it is incorrect. A clone is an exact replica made from the cells of one living thing. The fetus may then be implanted in a woman's uterus, but the woman's egg is not used. Combining a sperm from the being to be cloned with an egg from a woman, as is explained by this author, is in-vitro fertilization. Not cloning! Once again, a clone is a duplicate made from only the cells of the creature being cloned! Not from two beings.
Despite this massive error I completed the book. It did not redeem itself in the end. I will not read any of the other books in this series or by this author.
March 4, 2015
The target audience of this book is obviously Christians who are interested in prophecies about the End Times. Given that, I am very ambivalent about the message delivered. In some ways , too graphic, salacious, and violent - but depictions of Satan should show all of that! Not sure which end times interpretation is depicted here nor which is correct , but do not see this as a book to edify Christians. More a book of mystery and pagan influences to mislead - though I could be wrong ... Not the best investment of our time - there are better resources on end time prophecies!
November 28, 2014
This book was an awesome suspense book!
It freaked me out a little bit, learning that someone in the Vatican was involved in creating the Anti-christ. It makes you question that if the world does begin to fall, are things like this really going to happen? I love how an actual historical artifact, was factored into this story. C.W. did a wonderful job in creating this story!
I just couldn't put it down.
It freaked me out a little bit, learning that someone in the Vatican was involved in creating the Anti-christ. It makes you question that if the world does begin to fall, are things like this really going to happen? I love how an actual historical artifact, was factored into this story. C.W. did a wonderful job in creating this story!
I just couldn't put it down.
February 26, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway for an honest review. I liked this book. In the beginning some of the references to biblical events were a little lengthy and I found myself needing to re-read so I wouldn't miss anything. The story itself is very clever and interesting; different from many books out there. I will say, I hate cliff hangers. This book definitely has it. Some people like to think about the possible scenarios, but I want to read it!
January 7, 2015
Unoriginal Sin
Twisted Linen presents an interesting, though predictable, story about the inception of Antichrist. I'm not sure why the author chose to first tell of the demise if the United States. I actually think the U.S. might be the most fitting setting for this tale. The story is not too far fetched; clearly man's sinful nature could contrive a method to use science as a means to control a misinterpretation of scripture.
Twisted Linen presents an interesting, though predictable, story about the inception of Antichrist. I'm not sure why the author chose to first tell of the demise if the United States. I actually think the U.S. might be the most fitting setting for this tale. The story is not too far fetched; clearly man's sinful nature could contrive a method to use science as a means to control a misinterpretation of scripture.
October 3, 2014
This is an interesting look into the Catholic church and it's clergy. This involves a corrupt Cardinal, a fanatical group who call themselves "Golden Dawn" and the hero and heroine who are very much in love. I like the fact that the chapters are short and the book stays on point, it doesn't wander off on dozens of tangents. I think that C.W.Cook is an author to watch.
January 31, 2015
Twisted story
So disappointed in this book! The plot lead me to believe although a work of fiction, the story was not secular and base. Profanity, blatant sexuality, disgusting and derogatory dialogue ruined the truth of a scriptural storyline. I couldn't read it. So disappointed!
So disappointed in this book! The plot lead me to believe although a work of fiction, the story was not secular and base. Profanity, blatant sexuality, disgusting and derogatory dialogue ruined the truth of a scriptural storyline. I couldn't read it. So disappointed!
December 28, 2014
Just not my thing. The characters are a too two dimensional, the violence is over the top, however it will appeal as a film script and may it find success with the target audience. If you love the Rapture books you'll probably enjoy this.
March 11, 2015
Yes yes yes
Wow, what a great story. Definitely didn't see that ending coming! Enter Simon, Grace, The Shroud and one seriously twisted plot! I sure hope there is more to this story.
Wow, what a great story. Definitely didn't see that ending coming! Enter Simon, Grace, The Shroud and one seriously twisted plot! I sure hope there is more to this story.
February 22, 2015
This book had an interesting take on the "end times". If you are familiar with Revelation in the Bible, you have an idea where the antagonists are going with the Shroud. But it is an interesting ride to get there.
March 15, 2015
tense
This book grabs the reader from the start. It is somewhat lacking continuity as it jumps about rather quickly. But is is so action filled that the reader can't put it down. It was quite unpredictable. I just hate it ended with a cliff hanger.
This book grabs the reader from the start. It is somewhat lacking continuity as it jumps about rather quickly. But is is so action filled that the reader can't put it down. It was quite unpredictable. I just hate it ended with a cliff hanger.
December 3, 2014
Checkout my review of this book on my book blog: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/...
January 14, 2015
A cross between Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series and the LaHaye/Jenkins Left Behind series but without all the details. It's a quick read but I would have appreciated more detail.
January 23, 2015
Deception
Interesting perspective, no one knows what is happening next, which makes for an interesting read. Another end of the age book.
Interesting perspective, no one knows what is happening next, which makes for an interesting read. Another end of the age book.
April 14, 2015
is there a sequel?
Too many loose ends throughout the book. Cohen was dead for only 3 days. Yet the time to get the shroud and save grace was more like 7 or 10.
Too many loose ends throughout the book. Cohen was dead for only 3 days. Yet the time to get the shroud and save grace was more like 7 or 10.
February 13, 2015
very very good
March 12, 2015
Was not impressed with this book at all and Biblically this book was wrong in a lot of areas
July 17, 2016
Interesting story.
January 13, 2015
A gripping story with a disappointing ending.
March 4, 2015
Interesting quick read that a had fair amount of suspense.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews