The Shroud of Turin is the most studied and controversial religious relic in human history.The ancient linen cloth bears the image of a man, alleged to be that of Jesus of Nazareth. What if it were real? What if it contained a secret powerful enough to alter the course of human history? And what if it fell into the wrong hands?Manny Lusum is convinced the Shroud is the genuine article and obsessed with proving it scientifically. Grace Barden is not only Manny's best friend, but also secretly in love with the physics student and soon-to-be Catholic priest. Across the globe, three grisly murders and the theft of a secret manuscript thrust Grace and Manny into a generations-old conspiracy of biblical proportions. From New York to Rome to the inner sanctum of the Vatican, they struggle to untangle a bizarre mystery surrounding the controversial artifact. In a dramatic confrontation between faith and the ultimate evil on the world stage, Grace and Manny are pushed to the edge of an abyss, balanced on the brink between heaven and hell.
This suspenseful and captivating thriller is perfect for fans of Dan Brown, John Grisham, Robert Ludlum, and David Baldacci. Order your copy today and experience a unique blend of history, science, conscience, religion and a battle of good versus evil that will keep you reading into the early morning hours!
“ . . . a wonderfully engaging, page-turning thriller.”—Doug Peterson, Award Winning Authorof The Vanishing Woman and The Puzzle People
Jim is a graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia and now spends his time crafting novels of suspense...stories designed to take the reader to places he or she may not have previously considered.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from JustRead Tours and Wayside Press. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (mystery, intrigue, suspense… there’s nothing too adult in this book for younger readers but it is aimed at an older audience)
Pages: 282
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The legendary Shroud of Turin is the most studied and controversial religious relic in human history. The ancient linen cloth bears the inexplicable image of a crucified man, alleged to be that of Jesus of Nazareth. What if it was real? What if the Shroud contained a secret powerful enough to alter the course of human history....and what if it fell into the wrong hands?
Manny Lusum is convinced the Shroud is the genuine article, and obsessed with proving it scientifically. Grace Barden is not only Manny’s best friend, but also secretly in love with the physics student and soon-to-be Catholic priest.
Across the globe, three grisly murders and the theft of a secret manuscript thrust Grace and Manny into a generations-old conspiracy of biblical proportions. From New York to Rome to the inner sanctum of the Vatican, they struggle to untangle a bizarre mystery surrounding the controversial artifact. In a dramatic confrontation between faith and the ultimate evil on the world stage, Grace and Manny are pushed to the edge of an abyss, balanced on the brink between heaven and hell.
I had never really read a Christian focused mystery book (not even the Da Vinci Code, don’t tell my momma), but I really enjoyed this one. I thought the plot was intriguing and the writing was superb. The book was mostly fast paced and heart pounding. There were a lot of twists and turns and in the end I was very surprised. I really liked this book and I really liked seeing the character development of the main characters.
However, I felt that the book could have focused a bit more on the side characters and some backstory. And I also felt that the plot slowed down a lot in some parts, so the pacing was a bit weird. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons for me in this one.
Verdict: A mystery you will love if you liked The Da Vinci Code.
A Biblical relic, the inner workings of the Vatican, a battle between good and evil, and a touch of romance combined to make The Linen God a page-turner I could not put down.
Jim O’Shea has written a captivating story with memorable characters and a fast-moving plot that grows more intense as it proceeds.
Other reviews mention comparisons to other authors (and I do see traces of Dan Brown and even Frank Peretti) in this book but with O’Shea’s ability to make all the details coalesce into a storyline that doesn’t get bogged down with any of the different happenings, this author needs no comparisons.
I love it when a new-to-me author takes me for this kind of delightfully surprising, highly entertaining, and intense read. If you’re a fan of action, adventure, science, church history, or a good story that pulls you in, don’t miss The Linen God.
Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Along the lines of Robert Ludlum, Jim O'Shea delves into the world of the Vatican, The Shroud of Turin, intrigue, and faith.
Definitely a page-turner, definitely a heart-pounding read, The Linen God explores the deepest part of humanity. Not even the most faithful of servants are truly faithful.
What if prophecies foretold came true? What if those prophecies were lies, the manipulation of men and evil forces?
Could Christ be cloned? Would that be the Anti-Christ and the fall of the Church and the rise to Evil?
Taking into account The Book of Revelations, the history of the Catholic Church, the spiritual warfare between Heaven and Hell, this books explores the depth of faith. Is your faith strong enough?
Each character was well developed. The twists and turns kept me reading well into the night. Just when I thought I had it figured out, a new twist threw me head long into a vortex of deceit, murder,love and hope.
The ending was most surprising of all, something I truly did not see coming, but was thrilled and satisfied that it did. It was what made a definite 3 star into a 5 star.
O'Shea does not mince his words. He does not shy away from the inconsistencies of faith that is prevalent in many organized churches. The mysteries of God, Christ, and The Shroud are examined and explained in a way that truly makes the reader think about the awesomeness of God. Science and religion are the forefront of faith at times in this book, showing a marriage of both and the reactions of characters to the thought. Although not the main part of the story, it heightens the action and climax of the story.
Thought provoking, adrenaline producing, and soul wrenching, The Linen God is a definite read for thriller fans. Forget Dan Brown and his elementary style writing that causes a lot of the faithful to spurn his books. Forget Robert Ludlum or Vince Flynn who uses foul language.
Jim O'Shea far surpasses these writers with his story. Action and Religion tied into one, The Linen God is more than a story, it is an experience.
I read a pre-publication version of The Linen God. I don't usually read thriller type books but the author contacted me about his plans to release this, his debut novel, and I requested to read it, even though it hadn't gone through final edits yet.
First off, I want to mention that I read the whole book, from start to finish - I don't do this unless a book has in some way captured me. And I was motivated to read the whole book in just a few days. I found the experience enjoyable and exciting. Also, because the story deals with The Shroud of Turin and the Vatican City, the Catholic Church headquarters, historically and culturally enriching. There's also a romantic thread running through the story which I thought fitted very well and added to the depth of the book.
I'm glad I read the book! I like it a lot! I can't reference other thriller writers because as I said I don't usually read them. But if you like a well written story that has one or more of the following - excitement, adventure, danger, crime, mystery, historical context, culture and romance - I recommend you give it a read when it's published.
Excellent! Well written and suspenseful. Once you start, it is hard to put down. Manny and Grace become your kids, your friends, you can't wait to turn the page to see what happens to them next. The book takes many turns and just when you think you have it figured out a new clue is dropped and forces you to rethink your conclusion. I love reading a book that pulls on your imagination and allows you to form the characters, the scenes, the action in your mind. Love it, what will Jim O'Shea write next?
I got this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed it. I like having strong women characters driving the action. This book has just enough twists to keep you guessing almost to the very end. I just wish the book had been a little bit longer so that a few more of the back stories could have been expanded upon for example the relationship between the brothers. All in all this was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to any of my friends to read.
I'll be honest. I wasn't sure where this book was going to take me. I was intrigued by the idea of this book and I enjoy faith-based suspense stories that take nuggets of real truth and real artifacts (like the Shroud of Turin) and weave them into something that could be, might be true. My concern lay in the idea that this book may focus so completely on the Catholic thread that I would quickly be lost in the sauce. I'm not Catholic, I have an aunt that is, and I don't really have Catholic friends so this branch of Christianity is so very foreign to me. I just know they do things differently than I've encountered in my faith path. However, despite my concerns I had to give it a go. And let me tell ya, yes it's very very very Catholic but it takes you places that you never anticipated coming to. Things, sadly, I won't share with you due to spoilers but let's just say. . .left field people. Left field.
Here's the nitty gritty of this book for me. I never really connected with the characters, I mean there was a rather large cast that I never really got straight. I never really connected with the storyline either. I spent a chunk of this book just confused. I was dangled just enough information to keep going but then not enough information to keep me engaged. The science game here was strong and the weaving of it with faith was strong as well. I do believe that in the right hands science and faith go hand in hand. The problem there is that many science minded folks turn away from the faith that goes with it. You don't have to prove everything to know it's true, but as we prove things it just goes back to solidifying faith. It's a circle. However, I digress here for a moment. Back to the story and lack of bonding. I also didn't really bond with the overall storyline either. It was jumpy in fragments and I just didn't get enough to buy in so to speak.
That all being said, however, I was still drawn to where it all lead. I was still drawn to the history and even the science. And we all know how unscience-y I am. But it drew me in. This book also took a turn to the supernatural aspect of faith. Good vs Evil. Angels and Demons. That part of the story drew me in. I didn't have a grip on the characters but I knew now where we were headed. I still didn't have a grip on the storyline itself but I knew where it was taking me. Or, rephrase that, I thought I did. This book took a back alley toward something so unimaginable there at the end that I was snapped back into this story. Yup, I still didn't have a connection to anything but I had a need to know that superseded everything else. This book did exactly what I was meant to do. It took a bumpy path to get there but wow, yup an amazing journey.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Just Read. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Having heard about the Shroud of Turin, along with controversies surrounding the legitimacy of the shroud truly belonging to Jesus Christ, I was rather unsure of what I would find in this debut novel by Jim O’Shea.
Pleasantly engaged with the storyline, but yet skimming through and even skipping small passages of the story due to my own squeamishness regarding demons and the like, I found I enjoyed the book. Despite the definite Catholic influence within the novel, and my lack thereof, I was able to follow along with the premise without much difficulty due to the writer’s skills. In the past, I have read novels set in the world of the Catholic Church; art; and historic artifacts which did provide some background as to the vast amount of these items the church maintains. One such author is James Rollins; I was much reminded of Rollin’s books with same theme as Mr. O’Shea’s The Linen God. Perhaps it is not nice to compare one author to another in this way, but the fast paced thriller that is The Linen God brought this to mind.
Disregarding my own squeamishness with an aforementioned topic, the novel kept me engaged and invested in the characters in such a way as to assure my need to find out how the book ended. Due to a my vivid imagination, plus the writer’s skill at conveying thoughts and ideas, I was able to clearly visualize the plot settings, to the point that my desire to someday visit Europe, especially the Vatican to see, well just to see, has been freshly renewed.
Normally, I would include a bit of more specific thoughts on the storyline itself, however, I do not see how I could do so without unwittingly revealing too much. Suffice it to say that I recommend The Linen God and look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via Just Read Publicity Tours, and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed, therein, are solely my own.
This is the first book by Jim O’Shea that I have read and it was riveting. I enjoy mysteries and suspense and this book had plenty of both, along with good doses of plot twists, memorable and lovable characters, and lessons on how faith can be lived out. Anyone who enjoys a well-written contemporary suspense novel with an element of the supernatural would love this book.
The characters Grace and Manny are relatable and lovable. Their dialogue is down-to-earth and refreshing, even in the midst of strange and unbelievable things that happen around them. Cardinal Lombardi is an incredible man of faith whom I found admiring more and more as the story unfolded.
The plot is intricately woven with many layers of details that slowly unwind to show the full picture at the end. The action is fast-paced; though the plot doesn’t necessarily involve fighting sequences or heroes on the run, the action in the plot moves the story along at a pace that sets the anticipation high. The twists and turns in the plot are gasp-worthy. Though I don’t know much about the Catholic Church, I learned a lot by reading this book and my ignorance didn’t hinder me from enjoying the book or following the plot. I also learned a little about the Catholic Church’s history, which is always fascinating.
I received a copy of the book from author/publisher through JustRead Publicity Tour and was under no obligation to publish a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
The Linen God by Jim O'Shea is a thrilling contemporary Christian suspense. It had me gripped from the start and I read it in just one sitting. Reminiscent of the movie of Dan Brown's Angels And Demons, the reader enters the shady world of the Vatican where forces of evil battle with the good. "The enemy mimics the things of God... to deceive and destroy." Life is a spiritual battle. We do not always understand it but we combat evil with prayer and standing on the Word of God. "The most powerful force in the universe is faith." We need to stand on our faith at all times. "Faith will overcome your fear." We need never fear, knowing that God has defeated the enemy. Sometimes we do feel abandoned by God. "God, where are You?... but the heavens remained silent." Silence is not absence. We need to lean closer to God and hear His whisper. Life may seem out of control. "What has happened to you does not define you." It is our response to situations that will show what we are made of - and Whose we are. The Linen God has a complex, well thought out plotline, grounded in Biblical teachings. It shows how forces of evil can and do, manipulate the truth. The story consumed me. I think it would make a marvellous blockbuster movie. I picture Antonio Banderas in the role of Manny. A fabulous tale that does not seem beyond the realms of possibility. I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
I received a free copy of this book for review. Opinions shared are 100% mine.
Apparently the shroud has a tremendously detailed history as a historic artifact and religious relic; however, the late 1980’s was the first time I’d heard of it. In the book The Linen God, the shroud is surrounded by all kinds of mystery and danger. The story reminded me of The DaVinci Code because of all the twists and turns. The romance seemed rather forced, though, and I think the book would have been better without that angle. Some of the conversations were monotonous and tempted me to skim to more active scenes. It’s clear that the author combed the shroud’s background and included much of this research in the story.
In terms of historic value, it’s difficult for me to determine what’s fact and what’s fiction. Since my prior knowledge about the shroud was so limited, The Linen God was pure entertainment for me. It’s amazing to think that any part of it could be true, though! This is a good read for those who like historic fiction, suspense, and mystery novels. Though you may enjoy it even if you’re not a believer, I think Christians would be most likely to buy into the story without being too skeptical.
The Linen God by Jim O’Shea is a supernatural thriller based on the Shroud of Turin. With action from the busy streets of New York to the hallowed halls of Vatican City, it combines obscure prophesies and modern technology to provide a fast-paced read. Cover-ups, conspiracies, spiritual warfare, and end-times references make this novel perfect for fans of both The DaVinci Code and the Left Behind series. The style is edgier than most CF; something I don’t have a problem with. Twists, turns, and unforeseen surprises keep this one interesting, but I would have liked a bit more character development and backstory. I was unfamiliar with many of the Catholic traditions and rituals, but the author does a good job of keeping the reader up to speed. However, I found some of the theological doctrine a bit off the mark. I can’t elaborate — spoilers — but I felt the novel strayed from scripture in some scenes.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to JustRead Blog Tours for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I received a copy of The Linen God in exchange for an honest review!
This book is shrouded in mystery..!
The opening chapter was very suspenseful, and captured my attention immediately. It was smart and thought provoking, and I couldn't put it down this weekend! I actually want to do some research and see what parts of the book are truth, and which are fictitious for the purpose of his writing!
There were secrets, and conspiracies, and I enjoyed seeing how all the characters and their stories finally intertwined. Shocking! I also liked reading the struggles some of the characters went through with their beliefs, and the strong bond between Grace and Manny!
The mystery and suspense was well thought out and written, and I think this is a good book for those strong in faith as well as those who don't believe. I'm honestly interested in researching more into the Shroud and the history behind the figures mentioned in this book! Thank you so much for my copy, I will be recommending it for sure!
If you enjoy books like The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, then you may want to check out O’Shea’s book. It’s a nice blend of mystery, drama, and suspense. There are three murders, the mystery surrounding the Shroud of Turin, and prophecies that keep the reader engaged and guessing, trying to sleuth things out with the characters.
Manny Lusum is fascinated with the Shroud of Turin, to the point that his thesis is about proving that the Shroud is genuine. He jumps at the chance to see it in person. He is surprised by what he discovers, and he soon finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy, along with his friend Grace and her mother. Everything seems to be linked to murders in Rome.
This a good debut novel for this author. It is well-written and suspenseful. It’s quite a thriller. The storyline takes many intriguing turns, and this book will keep you second-guessing everything until the very last chapter. Although this is a clean novel with religious overtones, I would not classify it as “Christian fiction”. I’d put it more into a “clean suspense” category.
However, to be honest, this is not a book that I would recommend. I did not care for the gruesome murders or demon possession that’s part of the storyline of this book. But this is the not the fault of the author, as it’s my personal preference. If you enjoy that type of fiction, you may enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The Linen God is Jim O’Shea’s debut novel. I really liked his writing style. It was crisp and flowed nicely, although due to the subject matter in the book, it had a dark feel. I also liked that the action literally started on page one. The story switched back and forth from a murder mystery to Manny, and his friend Grace, who are researching the Shroud of Turin. I really like the character of Manny.
I wish I could have finished this story. I was interested to see how both the murder mystery and the mystery surrounding the Shroud turned out, but I could not. I am just not comfortable reading some of the things that are a part of this storyline. I won’t give away any spoilers but, if you are curious, you can check out other reviews if you want to know what I am talking about.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
This was an incredibly thought-provoking, engaging read. Fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns. Be sure to start reading it when you have a good chunk of time available, because it’s hard to put down!
I felt like The Linen God was what DaVinci Code wanted to be. It’s well-researched, historically accurate to my knowledge, and makes me want to learn all I can about the Shroud of Turin!
The Linen God was also an interesting read for me as a Protestant. I learned so much about Catholicism while reading it, and appreciated the weaving of Scripture throughout—as well as characters’ sincere pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Tim O Shea is a ‘new-to-me’ author. Don’t let the cover put you off, this is a riveting read and it really reminds me of Frank Peretti’s Piercing the Darkness in that it deals with good vs. evil in a tangible way. Science and Faith converge in The Linen God and I am so very glad I read this book. It stretched my mind and faith. Okay, that’s an understatement, it BLEW my mind when it came to twists and turns and kept me guessing all the way to the end. Talk about a thrilling read, literally. It is one of those books that you think about long after the last page is turned.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, my opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and a positive review is not required.
Plenty of twists. Strong cast. Fast paced. I really enjoyed this Inspirational Suspense/Thriller. It started with a murder scene and captured my attention from page one. There are a couple of points of view but I feel like Manny Lusum is the main protagonist and everything centers around the linen death cloth that may have covered Jesus.
I really like that I learned something new. I honestly had never heard of the Shroud of Turin before reading this book but I became interested enough to google it and learn more.
I think we've all had a friend that was obsessed with something. Manny, who is in seminary to become a priest, has been studying the Shroud of Turin for years and really wants to scientifically test his theories. Horrific murders in Italy and the death of the Pope draws Manny to Rome earlier than anticipated. There is another POV with the Italian police trying to solve the Murder-Mystery which left me wondering who committed the crimes and why. There were a lot of history and conspiracy theories. Christians being deceived by the Catholic Church, withholding points of prophecies as well as having a science proving religion team gone rogue, added so much drama.
I did not guess a couple different surprise twists at the end, they weren't even on my radar.
In the vein of Dan Brown religious conspiracy novels, The Linen God weaves an interesting tale with the Shroud of Turin at its heart.
Overall this was an enjoyable read, though I did feel there were some threads started that weren't as resolved as I would have liked (e.g. the purpose behind Grace's childhood experience, the resolution of Grace and Manny's relationship felt abrupt, how they solved the basic conspiracy (particularly given the detail in which the conspiracy is outlined, when it's resolved it felt very rushed) and the Italian police officer who felt like his role was just about to make a huge amount of sense...and then that never materialized.) If a sequel is planned, then I suspect (hope!) those will be dealt with in more detail (and I'm trying to be somewhat vague because they'd be spoilery otherwise) and come to a fuller conclusion. But for now I'm a tad dissatisfied.
Other reviewers have said this was fast-paced and heart-pounding, which set my expectations very high. Because of those high expectations, I found several parts felt slow as some of the necessary history of the Shroud and the workings of the church were explained (they were well explained, it never felt like information dump, it just wasn't a page turner from start to finish.)
All that said, I enjoyed it quite a bit and would recommend it for people who enjoy religious relic based conspiracy novels (or conspiracy novels in general). Similar to Dan Brown's novels, it straddles the religious line - so you needn't be pro or con as far as Christianity goes in order to enjoy a romp through these pages.
I am probably not the best person to review this book, as it is the first thriller I have ever read, but I did enjoy the characters and the plot and overall think it was worth the time.
I did have a few complaints with the first part of the book. A few important scenes happened off page. A new chapter would begin, and I'd wonder if I had missed a page, but going back I hadn't. I would rather read an important plot development as it happens than be thrown in after the fact. I also felt more information could have been shown and too much was revealed through conversation. Finally, there were several coincidences that were just too coincidental, and never explained later in the book.
I am glad I kept reading. The last third of the book was fast-paced with one great reveal after the other. Definitely worth the wait.
3 stars for the first part of the book, 5 for the last, evens out to a solid 4.
This novel gripped me from the very beginning. I found myself drawn into the intense story following these characters through their journey to find answers. This story shows a meeting of modern day science and religion.
This novel takes you through unexpected twists and turns. As someone who likes to guess what is going to happen next, this novel provides an adrenaline rush driving me to not want to put the book down to get answers.
Readers who are drawn into Dan Brown's Da Vinci code or Angels and Demons should give Jim O'Shea's Linen God a read, you will not be disappointed!
I read the manuscript for this book and could not put it down. I have researched the Shroud of Turin somewhat extensively and found the premis of this book very plausible, which makes it excellent fiction and an exciting read. It makes one wonder, for what reason Christ left this indellible footprint of His ressurection on earth.
While much of the world doubts and discredits the authenticity of the Shroud, I found the impirical evidence in and on that linen to overwhelmingly support the Biblical record of the passion, crucifiction, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was indeed the Son Of God, and rose from the dead.
Swiftly as I read this book -- it cannot but be read quickly; you'll see why when you read it -- it has taken me time to review it. In order to give a fair review and remain true to my own voice, I must say that I'm not comfortable with some of the subject matter. But that's just me.
That's my disclaimer. Now for my review. "The Linen God" is interesting, fast-paced, extremely suspenseful. Yikes! The two main characters are immensely likable, which makes the story even more gripping. If you are ready to be grabbed by a page-turner that educates, horrifies, and ultimately satisfies, check out Jim O'Shea's "The Linen God".
Manny Lusum is obsessed with the Shroud of Turin. He’s almost finished his doctoral thesis, which will prove that the Shroud is genuine, when he has the chance to see the Shroud during its visit to New York.
Manny’s discovery that the Shroud there is not the original Shroud rocks his world – until he’s swept into a conspiracy by his best friend, Grace, and her mom, a journalist tracking down the story behind three grisly murders in Rome.
I highly recommend this book. One of the best books on this subject with the background information I needed for a study of the authenticity of the Shroud of Jesus Christ. Each page kept me eager to keep on reading even far into the night. When I thought I knew where this story was leading, along came a twist so unexpected I had to read more. Thanks to this author for an exciting good book and keep on producing. I look forward to adding more of these O'Shea novels to my bookshelves.
Although very well written, it does give one to think about the where about s of the shroud of Turin. The whole book itself was the work of Satan trying to weasel his way back into my life. My faith in Jesus Christ is stronger than Satan or any wicked thing he throws at.me. The Lord is my Savior, I shall not want ...
The author skillfully uses suspense, drama, and mystery to provide the reader with a fascinating and unexpected journey. Three mysterious murders, the mystic of the Shroud of Turin, and prophecies of St. Malachy make this a page-turning read. The Linen God is an excellent book.
I love any book that points to how easily the church can be deceived. Excellent thriller with plenty of tension to draw the reader from one scene to the next. I dropped a star because I thought he could have held me captive for a while longer before resolving the conflict, but overall a good read.