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The Formula
A book purported to provide evidence regarding Christ's divinity (or lack thereof) has been lost for centuries.
The events that unfold when it is rediscovered threaten to shake the very foundations of civilization.
Allan Peterson, Chairman of Archeology at NYU, is murdered along with his colleague and intimate acquaintance, Dr. Lauren Remley. Salty Manhattan homicide detective Joe Tenacce and his partner, Jen Salito, are assigned the investigation.
Tenacce quickly realizes that, to solve the case, he will need to enlist the help of his son Danny, a theoretical physics-graduate-student-turned-religious-cryptologist whom he despises. Their quest for "the book" and its meaning takes the Tenacces and Salito on a harrowing journey over two continents, through layers of increasingly complex ciphers, all while being pursued by a clandestine cult who will stop at nothing to obtain the book for their own nefarious designs.
Can Danny and the detective duo find and decode the book? If so, what does the book say and can they keep it out of the hands of their enemy. Finally, what is the significance of the narrative—woven throughout the novel— that describes the tragic life of physicist Michael Richards?
These are the questions that arise as the plot winds and turns toward its surprising end.
A Dan Brown-like thriller, but with a twist!
The events that unfold when it is rediscovered threaten to shake the very foundations of civilization.
Allan Peterson, Chairman of Archeology at NYU, is murdered along with his colleague and intimate acquaintance, Dr. Lauren Remley. Salty Manhattan homicide detective Joe Tenacce and his partner, Jen Salito, are assigned the investigation.
Tenacce quickly realizes that, to solve the case, he will need to enlist the help of his son Danny, a theoretical physics-graduate-student-turned-religious-cryptologist whom he despises. Their quest for "the book" and its meaning takes the Tenacces and Salito on a harrowing journey over two continents, through layers of increasingly complex ciphers, all while being pursued by a clandestine cult who will stop at nothing to obtain the book for their own nefarious designs.
Can Danny and the detective duo find and decode the book? If so, what does the book say and can they keep it out of the hands of their enemy. Finally, what is the significance of the narrative—woven throughout the novel— that describes the tragic life of physicist Michael Richards?
These are the questions that arise as the plot winds and turns toward its surprising end.
A Dan Brown-like thriller, but with a twist!
- GenresThriller
524 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2017
454 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 31, 2018
This ain’t 3.14159
Could have been a good story but got bogged down and drowned in formulae, crytoanalysis algorythms, quantum physics, and religious postulations. Miraculously, two NY cops, with mangled NY accents, become instant neophysists.
I thought the author had some inferiority need to billboard his polymathic intelligence. I read it through, lousy narrative, and beastly in many spots, sophomoric in others. I found the science and religion connection intriguing but begging the ultimate question, is there a god? This would have been better as a theological text but a lousy piece of fictional literature.
Could have been a good story but got bogged down and drowned in formulae, crytoanalysis algorythms, quantum physics, and religious postulations. Miraculously, two NY cops, with mangled NY accents, become instant neophysists.
I thought the author had some inferiority need to billboard his polymathic intelligence. I read it through, lousy narrative, and beastly in many spots, sophomoric in others. I found the science and religion connection intriguing but begging the ultimate question, is there a god? This would have been better as a theological text but a lousy piece of fictional literature.
April 2, 2021
DNF 35%
This was a real snooze 😴
Slow and too detail orientated.
Unnecessary details... 🤭
This was a real snooze 😴
Slow and too detail orientated.
Unnecessary details... 🤭
October 1, 2018
Lieutenant Joe Tenacce is out of his element as this NYPD agent investigates murders in conjunction with a newly discovered artifact. Sam Artigliere keeps this mysterious crime fast pace but also you get to see a father who comes to accept his son who is extremely intelligent. The Formula keeps the reader focused on the investigation, but it becomes fascinating as the life of Dr. Peterson unfolds. He is smart, wealthy, and connected, but one of those men you either love or hate.
I found The Formula an interesting crime mystery. Lieutenant Joe Tenacce is a well-developed character who is a cliche with an older generation about to retire. Sam Artigliere does an excellent job entering the life of this police officer, you almost cringe at his strong opinions. The reader also gets to appreciate how the author worked the father and son together to solve this crime.
I found The Formula an interesting crime mystery. Lieutenant Joe Tenacce is a well-developed character who is a cliche with an older generation about to retire. Sam Artigliere does an excellent job entering the life of this police officer, you almost cringe at his strong opinions. The reader also gets to appreciate how the author worked the father and son together to solve this crime.
May 19, 2019
The concept and plot of this novel are intriguing but the writing and execution are awful. Cumbersome, inconsistent, and boring. Poorly written, internally contradictory, poor grammar, etc. I read about 20% of it before deciding not to bother with the rest... skimmed a few chapters to see how the plot moved (if it did) but finally just gave up. Bummer. I'd like to hear how other readers felt about it.
-- Sam, if this is your first book, I'm sorry to be so harsh... you had a great idea but you needed some serious editorial help.
-- Sam, if this is your first book, I'm sorry to be so harsh... you had a great idea but you needed some serious editorial help.
April 29, 2020
Numinous
This is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. Expect to think. The chapter on quantum physics and God is virtually numinous. That's the highest praise i can give. I highly recommend this book but be prepared to be intellectually challenged. I couldn't put it down.
This is one of the best books I've read in quite a while. Expect to think. The chapter on quantum physics and God is virtually numinous. That's the highest praise i can give. I highly recommend this book but be prepared to be intellectually challenged. I couldn't put it down.
July 14, 2020
This book fell short for me.
While I enjoy “fun” words, the author had a field day with his thesaurus, most of which seemed out of place in their usage by NYC PD and other characters. Instead of an homage to Dan Brown, there were literally insults to the world and characters Brown made. There were some incredibly graphic (and violent) sex scenes, which if I’m being honest, seem to be for the author’s benefit, not the readers’, as they added nothing to the story. Instead of a well researched, imaginative reality, the author (who granted tells us in the beginning), literally made up facts about the few organizations and places that were actually real, the details of which seemed like a very far stretch.
I’m not a physicist by any means, but I always did well in school. Most of the technical explanations were way above my head. The author Sam wishes to emulate breaks things down where a child could for the most part understand them and describe things in a way that even if you’ve never been there, you feel as if you are “seeing” it. This book was very wordy yet not there in it’s descriptions. I had to look up far more than I would’ve liked for basic understanding instead of true interest, and it made the book flow feel more choppy.
There were a lot of characters in the book many of whom were not developed nearly enough, and I feel that was due to the number of characters. Many were touched on very briefly and then all of a sudden had this huge role. And there were other characters we spent a lot of time, whom I don’t feel as if we heard their actual story.
I really struggled to finish this book, I just couldn’t get invested in the story now the characters. A lot of potential but again the book fell short for me personally; people who are less in to art and more into math would probably enjoy this read.
While I enjoy “fun” words, the author had a field day with his thesaurus, most of which seemed out of place in their usage by NYC PD and other characters. Instead of an homage to Dan Brown, there were literally insults to the world and characters Brown made. There were some incredibly graphic (and violent) sex scenes, which if I’m being honest, seem to be for the author’s benefit, not the readers’, as they added nothing to the story. Instead of a well researched, imaginative reality, the author (who granted tells us in the beginning), literally made up facts about the few organizations and places that were actually real, the details of which seemed like a very far stretch.
I’m not a physicist by any means, but I always did well in school. Most of the technical explanations were way above my head. The author Sam wishes to emulate breaks things down where a child could for the most part understand them and describe things in a way that even if you’ve never been there, you feel as if you are “seeing” it. This book was very wordy yet not there in it’s descriptions. I had to look up far more than I would’ve liked for basic understanding instead of true interest, and it made the book flow feel more choppy.
There were a lot of characters in the book many of whom were not developed nearly enough, and I feel that was due to the number of characters. Many were touched on very briefly and then all of a sudden had this huge role. And there were other characters we spent a lot of time, whom I don’t feel as if we heard their actual story.
I really struggled to finish this book, I just couldn’t get invested in the story now the characters. A lot of potential but again the book fell short for me personally; people who are less in to art and more into math would probably enjoy this read.
October 11, 2018
When you read the brief plot of this novel, the parallels are obvious – this is something that you can imagine hidden and unpublished in a drawer of Dan Brown’s desk for a few years before he dug it up again. But, it is not a ripoff. It has similar elements, key ones, it is a thriller, it is fast, full of action, some history, artifacts, treasures, race against time, not so impressive characters, sometimes clunky but sometimes good writing… I quite enjoyed it, I must say, maybe even more so than, for example, Da Vinci’s Code. I am aware that that is not a literary achievement in line with winning a Booker prize, but it is working for me. Like I said, not everything is perfect, it is a plot-driven novel so most of the characters feel like a fodder, but it is good enough in that regard. I liked it because it is exciting, tense and fun, not necessarily in that order. Recommendations, especially if you are into thrillers.
October 11, 2018
The Formula is a solid novel that will appeal to every Dan Brown reader.
This is my first book by Sam Artiglieri and I was surprised by how good it was. Don’t expect something original and out of the box: this is a solid book that follows a well-known formula that sells books and attracts readers everywhere in the book. It joins the religion, science, conspiracy theories and a family that doesn’t get along. Add a good writing style, well-written characters and a clear focus on what the author wants to deliver to the reader and you have a very good book, quite entertaining and with a strong pace that keeps evolving and showing new details that add to the quality of the story.
I will surely keep an eye on others books by Sam Artiglieri and will keep following his work.
This is my first book by Sam Artiglieri and I was surprised by how good it was. Don’t expect something original and out of the box: this is a solid book that follows a well-known formula that sells books and attracts readers everywhere in the book. It joins the religion, science, conspiracy theories and a family that doesn’t get along. Add a good writing style, well-written characters and a clear focus on what the author wants to deliver to the reader and you have a very good book, quite entertaining and with a strong pace that keeps evolving and showing new details that add to the quality of the story.
I will surely keep an eye on others books by Sam Artiglieri and will keep following his work.
October 9, 2018
An easy intriguing murder mystery.
This is a story of murder, mystery, and intrigue. This journey follows lieutenant Joe Tenacce as he finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation with the NYPD. The author uses a blend of scientific and mathematical writing combined with a great sense of characters and development of those characters and plot to create a story that pulls the reader in and keeps you turning the pages wanting more. I found this to be a good read and well presented which is why I would recommend this one to all the mystery fans as well as those who love a fast paced thriller.
This is a story of murder, mystery, and intrigue. This journey follows lieutenant Joe Tenacce as he finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation with the NYPD. The author uses a blend of scientific and mathematical writing combined with a great sense of characters and development of those characters and plot to create a story that pulls the reader in and keeps you turning the pages wanting more. I found this to be a good read and well presented which is why I would recommend this one to all the mystery fans as well as those who love a fast paced thriller.
March 27, 2019
Interesting read
The Formula was an interesting book. The characters were well developed and fit well into the narrative of the story. However, as written, one needs a degree in both advanced math and science. I have no idea if the theorems or the logic is based on fact or fiction, nor do I care. The novel could have been 100 fewer pages without all the technical drivel, and it would not have taken away from the story. If Mr. Artigiere gets another book deal for something similar to this, he needs to remember it is not a text book, and sometimes less is more.
The Formula was an interesting book. The characters were well developed and fit well into the narrative of the story. However, as written, one needs a degree in both advanced math and science. I have no idea if the theorems or the logic is based on fact or fiction, nor do I care. The novel could have been 100 fewer pages without all the technical drivel, and it would not have taken away from the story. If Mr. Artigiere gets another book deal for something similar to this, he needs to remember it is not a text book, and sometimes less is more.
September 27, 2018
Thriller, Mystery
This is fictional story well written as a Thriller Mystery. This is not a religious book as one might guess after reading the synopsis. The story revolves around this precious encrypted book, due to which there has been a murder and everyone wants it. The book is encrypted and needs to be decoded and detective father and son are on their way to this adventurous suspense journey. The book has good dialogues and easy to read. Interesting plot and ending!
This is fictional story well written as a Thriller Mystery. This is not a religious book as one might guess after reading the synopsis. The story revolves around this precious encrypted book, due to which there has been a murder and everyone wants it. The book is encrypted and needs to be decoded and detective father and son are on their way to this adventurous suspense journey. The book has good dialogues and easy to read. Interesting plot and ending!
November 28, 2018
This book has/had potential and could've rated higher. However, the author has difficulty determining if he want's to write thrillers, historical fiction or a technical journal. The plot and characters are good. Also, the over-the-top accents of some of the characters was somewhat distracting. Do people really speak that way?
December 18, 2018
I did not like this book.
The book was far to technical and tried to teach physics. The teaching took away from the flow of the story. It could have been described in a few sentences to keep the flow of the story, but I believe the author was actually using the book to teach physics.
It could have been good, but it wasn't.
The book was far to technical and tried to teach physics. The teaching took away from the flow of the story. It could have been described in a few sentences to keep the flow of the story, but I believe the author was actually using the book to teach physics.
It could have been good, but it wasn't.
May 12, 2019
Good story line
I thought the story line was good. However there seemed to be , what I considered filler full of math equation explanations that were there to support the plot. However, for me, it interrupted the story. Also it felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would have enjoyed the book more with less math/science explaining and more character driven dialogue.
I thought the story line was good. However there seemed to be , what I considered filler full of math equation explanations that were there to support the plot. However, for me, it interrupted the story. Also it felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would have enjoyed the book more with less math/science explaining and more character driven dialogue.
Read
September 12, 2019A little contrived
A considerable stretch of the phrase "with God all things all things are possible" . Complex physics written in binary code 2000 years ago to be translated into a language that did not exist at that time boggles the story. A simple translation of the book into Hebrew as it existed at the time then converted to English would not have changed the story.
A considerable stretch of the phrase "with God all things all things are possible" . Complex physics written in binary code 2000 years ago to be translated into a language that did not exist at that time boggles the story. A simple translation of the book into Hebrew as it existed at the time then converted to English would not have changed the story.
September 6, 2020
Great story, but . . .
I truly was intrigued by this book, in spite of the writer's style. His tendency to impress the reader with his extensive vocabulary sometimes had me laughing out loud. A good editor could help with simple errors in pronoun usage and homophones. The story line, however, was very good. The conflict resolution, although predictable, was satisfying.
I truly was intrigued by this book, in spite of the writer's style. His tendency to impress the reader with his extensive vocabulary sometimes had me laughing out loud. A good editor could help with simple errors in pronoun usage and homophones. The story line, however, was very good. The conflict resolution, although predictable, was satisfying.
December 22, 2018
Incredible story
Great read, very suspenseful. If only it was true I finding out about the book and Mary. However some where inside me I think there is some truth about the forces of good and evil. Well done!
Great read, very suspenseful. If only it was true I finding out about the book and Mary. However some where inside me I think there is some truth about the forces of good and evil. Well done!
February 19, 2019
Jesus Christ translation
A very good read, keeps you wondering. The book keeps you in suspense, but leaves you wondering why the author gave us a crash course in quantum physics, towards the end of the book.
A very good read, keeps you wondering. The book keeps you in suspense, but leaves you wondering why the author gave us a crash course in quantum physics, towards the end of the book.
March 7, 2019
Four out of five because the book was excellent in premise but I didn't really enjoy getting a lesson in math, string theory or whatever theory and quantum physics. It just made the book allot harder to concentrate on the overall story.
August 13, 2019
Over my head
Good premise but kind of gets lost with all the quantum physics explanations. Plus, we never really find out if they solved the encryption of the book so I was disappointed at the end. Maybe they'll be another book.
Good premise but kind of gets lost with all the quantum physics explanations. Plus, we never really find out if they solved the encryption of the book so I was disappointed at the end. Maybe they'll be another book.
September 3, 2019
Math lesson .
This booking was great for 2/3 of the story . Then the author lost a few protons in his mind for the final 1/3. I wanted to be entertained not be given an advanced math course.
,
This booking was great for 2/3 of the story . Then the author lost a few protons in his mind for the final 1/3. I wanted to be entertained not be given an advanced math course.
,
February 3, 2020
Good Read!
I loved the colloquial language in this book and the plotline was a bit complicated at times but very well done. I could have done without all the physics and charts and all, but I suppose they were necessary to the story.
I loved the colloquial language in this book and the plotline was a bit complicated at times but very well done. I could have done without all the physics and charts and all, but I suppose they were necessary to the story.
January 25, 2019
Good book
This was a good book full of a lot of formulas that I will never understand but I enjoyed it any way
This was a good book full of a lot of formulas that I will never understand but I enjoyed it any way
August 1, 2019
Worst book I’ve read in years!
Goes nowhere forever...get to the point already. Was this guy paid by the word or what? Just awful.
Dan Brown has nothing to worry about.
Goes nowhere forever...get to the point already. Was this guy paid by the word or what? Just awful.
Dan Brown has nothing to worry about.
August 13, 2019
Very good book! I didn't always understand the
technical terminology, but I still enjoyed the
book. The ending was surprising! I don't think
you can find a better read.
technical terminology, but I still enjoyed the
book. The ending was surprising! I don't think
you can find a better read.
August 20, 2019
Great story, too much math/ science!
October 17, 2019
Technical
l enjoyed the book but some of the technical jargon and math problems in the book were way over my head .. l had to really concentrate to follow along but l made it thru!
l enjoyed the book but some of the technical jargon and math problems in the book were way over my head .. l had to really concentrate to follow along but l made it thru!
October 25, 2019
Excellent Book
The computer science and physics were a little too detailed and drawn out but the main storyline was superbly crafted.
The computer science and physics were a little too detailed and drawn out but the main storyline was superbly crafted.
October 29, 2019
Well Done
Rarely does a complex novel also capture the characters only thing I’ll say is he must be from philly no one in BK calls it a grinder!
Good luck hope for more
Rarely does a complex novel also capture the characters only thing I’ll say is he must be from philly no one in BK calls it a grinder!
Good luck hope for more
November 30, 2019
Interesting read
Lots of action and theories bit even though the math was hard to follow Still a great storyline. Enjoyed the suspense
Lots of action and theories bit even though the math was hard to follow Still a great storyline. Enjoyed the suspense
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews