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The Apocalypse Stone
"Judge not, lest ye be judged."
These words have rarely if ever crossed the mind of Aberlene county judge Evan Spencer. From a middle class background, he graduated law school, married into wealth, and now has his eye on a Supreme Court seat. All seemed to be going well for Judge Spencer, until he received a package from an old college friend he hadn't heard from in years containing a cryptic note and a small stone. But in trying to track down his old friend, Spencer learns of the man's suicidal leap from the roof off a 20-story balcony.
Evan Spencer now has control of an object whose power is beyond anything he could possibly imagine--an object whose very existence has been kept under wraps by the Vatican for decades. Spencer has been given the Apocalypse the actual stone Christ used when he stated "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." Throughout history this stone has been passed along, inflicting its possessor with stigmatic wounds and vivid visions of their sinful life.
Enlisting the help of Reverend Angelo Grasso, a seventy-two year-old expert on the history of stigmatic cases, Spencer must uncover the secrets behind this strange stone, or watch his family, career, and possibly his life be destroyed.
These words have rarely if ever crossed the mind of Aberlene county judge Evan Spencer. From a middle class background, he graduated law school, married into wealth, and now has his eye on a Supreme Court seat. All seemed to be going well for Judge Spencer, until he received a package from an old college friend he hadn't heard from in years containing a cryptic note and a small stone. But in trying to track down his old friend, Spencer learns of the man's suicidal leap from the roof off a 20-story balcony.
Evan Spencer now has control of an object whose power is beyond anything he could possibly imagine--an object whose very existence has been kept under wraps by the Vatican for decades. Spencer has been given the Apocalypse the actual stone Christ used when he stated "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." Throughout history this stone has been passed along, inflicting its possessor with stigmatic wounds and vivid visions of their sinful life.
Enlisting the help of Reverend Angelo Grasso, a seventy-two year-old expert on the history of stigmatic cases, Spencer must uncover the secrets behind this strange stone, or watch his family, career, and possibly his life be destroyed.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Pete Earley
26 books116 followersPete Earley is a storyteller who has penned 13 books including the New York Times bestseller The Hot House and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness.
After a 14-year career in journalism, including six years at The Washington Post, Pete became a full-time author with a commitment to expose the stories that entertain and surprise.
His honest reporting and compelling writing helped him garner success as one of few authors with ”the power to introduce new ideas and give them currency,” according to Washingtonian magazine.
When Pete’s life was turned upside down by the events recounted in his book Crazy, he joined the National Alliance of Mental Illness to advocate for strong mental health reform on the public stage.
After a 14-year career in journalism, including six years at The Washington Post, Pete became a full-time author with a commitment to expose the stories that entertain and surprise.
His honest reporting and compelling writing helped him garner success as one of few authors with ”the power to introduce new ideas and give them currency,” according to Washingtonian magazine.
When Pete’s life was turned upside down by the events recounted in his book Crazy, he joined the National Alliance of Mental Illness to advocate for strong mental health reform on the public stage.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 9, 2019
Couldn't put it down.
May 30, 2014
In the beginning of the read, the writing is a bit stoic for my liking but some parts kept my interest and quite intriguing to read the rap part, and how this stone has some connection and significance to the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ where the weight of one's sins is shown to that person who touches the mystical stone. Grasso looks at Patrick McPherson's suicide from a scientific and biblical/historical standpoint, trying to connect the dots to see if this is fake or real. Judge Spencer has married Melissa, who comes from a wealthy family, but he worked hard for everything he's accomplished. Yet he has an eye for a new defense attorney who doesn't have a sense of style, Atty. Delaney. She's never dealt with a capital murder case before and gets help from a retired attorney (and believe was once in the police force), who has a gut feeling that Lester Amil is innocent. I surely do not want to see this young black man go down for a crime that he didn't commit. It also makes you wonder why was he welcomed and so close with the Arnolds' family in the first place. The wife definitely took a special liking to him that shows how the murder was planted strategically against him as well.
I'm so glad I got past a few pages and really start grasping in the story and loving the suspense as well as mystery being unleashed. Some may not want to read into the historical research aspects of the novel, but it does tie into the skepticism of whether or not this is based on a mystical stone from 70 AD tied to the crucifixion of Christ, and payment for one's sins; or just a facade for those who have become religious freaks to make it look as such the stigma.
This book took a bit longer and some nights, I wanted to stay up later to read because of the "whodunnit" was piquing my curiosity to a great height. This is one author who was definitely not predictable and left me wondering who did it! When you think you figured it out, Earley creatively wrote it as such, and then you are like...wth. Furthermore, the last page was expected or evident to happen, she touched the stone. Is there another book or this is it?
Leisure read 2014.
Adrienna Turner
www.dream4more.org
I'm so glad I got past a few pages and really start grasping in the story and loving the suspense as well as mystery being unleashed. Some may not want to read into the historical research aspects of the novel, but it does tie into the skepticism of whether or not this is based on a mystical stone from 70 AD tied to the crucifixion of Christ, and payment for one's sins; or just a facade for those who have become religious freaks to make it look as such the stigma.
This book took a bit longer and some nights, I wanted to stay up later to read because of the "whodunnit" was piquing my curiosity to a great height. This is one author who was definitely not predictable and left me wondering who did it! When you think you figured it out, Earley creatively wrote it as such, and then you are like...wth. Furthermore, the last page was expected or evident to happen, she touched the stone. Is there another book or this is it?
Leisure read 2014.
Adrienna Turner
www.dream4more.org
September 16, 2012
It was a good read at times, but felt like some chapters and characters were well constructed while others were rushed, making some of the book "choppy". It had a lot of R rated language and left me wishing some parts of the story had taken a different direction. It was easy to see similarities to the genre of The Da Vinci Code. However, it was entertaining and worth reading.
May 14, 2012
Absolutely LOVE this book! The perfect mix of religion, mystery, and universal justice! I couldn't put it down, and read it cover to cover in a day and a half! One of my all time favorites, just awesome!
December 7, 2015
Judge Evan Spencer has a problem. He has touched this special stone which causes stigmata. He can learn what caused various crimes. What happened to his daughter? Did he or his wife kill her? Very strange--and not logical.
August 26, 2007
This is a quick and interesting read. Sure, it is another book born of the DaVinci Code, but the plot is entertaining and the characters rather likable.
July 31, 2008
Really enjoyed this one!!
December 29, 2013
Good plot.It really surprise me at the end.
August 28, 2011
Clever, and "religious" without being "preachy."
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews