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Dark Steps #1
Monk
An ancient secret. A deadly conspiracy.
Early in its history, the Roman Catholic Church established a secret sect of elite spies and killers tasked with protecting the Church, its secrets, and its treasures - known as the MK. Members of the MK are, to this day, contemplative monks highly trained in mystical practises, spying and assassination. They do whatever the Church demands. Raphael Ward, the most accomplished member of the MK, is charged with the most important mission of his life - recovering the real Turin Shroud, secretly stolen from the Church by the Nazis during World War II. It is a mission that forces Raphael to engage with the world's darkest, most violent underbelly, and to question the very faith that has driven and sustained him for so long. When he discovers the shocking truth about the Shroud, Raphael Ward is faced with a decision that could change the Church - perhaps, even the world - forever.
Monk is a compelling, clever and page-turning thriller in the best traditions of Dan Brown and Michael Byrnes.
Early in its history, the Roman Catholic Church established a secret sect of elite spies and killers tasked with protecting the Church, its secrets, and its treasures - known as the MK. Members of the MK are, to this day, contemplative monks highly trained in mystical practises, spying and assassination. They do whatever the Church demands. Raphael Ward, the most accomplished member of the MK, is charged with the most important mission of his life - recovering the real Turin Shroud, secretly stolen from the Church by the Nazis during World War II. It is a mission that forces Raphael to engage with the world's darkest, most violent underbelly, and to question the very faith that has driven and sustained him for so long. When he discovers the shocking truth about the Shroud, Raphael Ward is faced with a decision that could change the Church - perhaps, even the world - forever.
Monk is a compelling, clever and page-turning thriller in the best traditions of Dan Brown and Michael Byrnes.
244 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2021
10 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Chris Parker
20 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Chris Parker is a specialist in Communication and Influence. His fascination with the power of words and how they can be used to create intrapersonal and interpersonal change began in 1976. It became a lifelong study that has underpinned almost four decades of work in a variety of professional roles and contexts.
A Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Chris is a highly experienced management trainer, business consultant, lecturer and writer. He has provided Communication Skills and Influencing Performance training for a wide range of clients including blue-chip organisations, politicians, actors, sportsmen and women, LEAs, public and private leisure providers and healthcare professionals. He has taught on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes throughout the UK and Europe, and worked with many individuals to help create personal and/or professional change.
Chris is also an experienced martial artist. He began training in 1973 and is widely regarded as a leading practitioner and teacher of Pencak Silat, a Malaysian martial art. His particular interest is in the application of martial principles to improve corporate performance and enhance personal wellbeing.
Chris Parker is a specialist in Communication and Influence. His fascination with the power of words and how they can be used to create intrapersonal and interpersonal change began in 1976. It became a lifelong study that has underpinned almost four decades of work in a variety of professional roles and contexts.
A Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), Chris is a highly experienced management trainer, business consultant, lecturer and writer. He has provided Communication Skills and Influencing Performance training for a wide range of clients including blue-chip organisations, politicians, actors, sportsmen and women, LEAs, public and private leisure providers and healthcare professionals. He has taught on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes throughout the UK and Europe, and worked with many individuals to help create personal and/or professional change.
Chris is also an experienced martial artist. He began training in 1973 and is widely regarded as a leading practitioner and teacher of Pencak Silat, a Malaysian martial art. His particular interest is in the application of martial principles to improve corporate performance and enhance personal wellbeing.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 28, 2023
Monk tells the story of Raphael Ward. He's a member of a sect within the Church called the MK, a group that locates and liberates Holy Relics. Raphael is the best killer the MK have on their books. He feels nothing for those he disposes of, until he meets a young female detective, hunting her brother's murderers. Doubts begin to play on Raphael's mind and he makes some bad decisions, including leaving opponents alive, when they should have expired.
Raphael is tasked with finding the true Shroud of Turin, no matter what the cost. Along the way, he is distracted by a young female detective, who is not very good at shadowing the people she believes killed her policeman brother. The two investigations seem to run parallel to each other. As Raphael gets closer to his target, his judgement is not as good as it should be. He makes bad decisions and nearly gets himself killed.
The story moves along at a good pace, with highs and lows and just the right amount of violence. There's a slight twist at the end of the book, which lends itself to the possibility of another Raphael Ward story.
Chris Parker is a new author to me, and one I enjoyed reading. I'll be looking for more of his books in the future.
Raphael is tasked with finding the true Shroud of Turin, no matter what the cost. Along the way, he is distracted by a young female detective, who is not very good at shadowing the people she believes killed her policeman brother. The two investigations seem to run parallel to each other. As Raphael gets closer to his target, his judgement is not as good as it should be. He makes bad decisions and nearly gets himself killed.
The story moves along at a good pace, with highs and lows and just the right amount of violence. There's a slight twist at the end of the book, which lends itself to the possibility of another Raphael Ward story.
Chris Parker is a new author to me, and one I enjoyed reading. I'll be looking for more of his books in the future.
December 9, 2019
Excitement and Tension throughout
An exciting race to find the Turin Shroud before it is lost forever.
Raphael Ward trains guard dogs, meditates and is a martial arts expert. He is also a top level operator for a sect whose sole aim is to protect the Roman Catholic Church. He has been given the task of finding, and returning to the Church, the Turin Shroud. His fast moving mission takes him from London to Berkshire (England), and from efficiently working alone to suddenly finding he has a partner - which complicates things.
A great story which keeps the excitement and tension running throughout. Well written, with very few characters, this is a fun, entertaining and riveting read, which adds a great twist to the mystery of the Turin Shroud.
This is Book 1 of a series, but is a completely stand-alone read. However I can’t wait for Book 2 to find out what happens next in Raphael’s life.
5*s from me as this is a great read, involves a true life mystery, and the whole book has been well researched. I also enjoyed Chris Parker’s previous books Influence, Belief and Faith (a trilogy).
An exciting race to find the Turin Shroud before it is lost forever.
Raphael Ward trains guard dogs, meditates and is a martial arts expert. He is also a top level operator for a sect whose sole aim is to protect the Roman Catholic Church. He has been given the task of finding, and returning to the Church, the Turin Shroud. His fast moving mission takes him from London to Berkshire (England), and from efficiently working alone to suddenly finding he has a partner - which complicates things.
A great story which keeps the excitement and tension running throughout. Well written, with very few characters, this is a fun, entertaining and riveting read, which adds a great twist to the mystery of the Turin Shroud.
This is Book 1 of a series, but is a completely stand-alone read. However I can’t wait for Book 2 to find out what happens next in Raphael’s life.
5*s from me as this is a great read, involves a true life mystery, and the whole book has been well researched. I also enjoyed Chris Parker’s previous books Influence, Belief and Faith (a trilogy).
February 18, 2024
A journey into another world
When I had finished the Reacher books I had trouble finding a thriller that was not law based. Until now. The Monk series of books has had me turning from page to page with the excitement of days gone by. A good strong character, with layers of personality that even the character himself did not know existed. As you read on and learn more about him, he learns more about himself. A very easy read, thrilling and intellectual, I have learned more that I thought I needed to. Highly recommended.
Simon Blenkinship
When I had finished the Reacher books I had trouble finding a thriller that was not law based. Until now. The Monk series of books has had me turning from page to page with the excitement of days gone by. A good strong character, with layers of personality that even the character himself did not know existed. As you read on and learn more about him, he learns more about himself. A very easy read, thrilling and intellectual, I have learned more that I thought I needed to. Highly recommended.
Simon Blenkinship
May 23, 2024
Absolutely amazing!
Another brilliant book by Chris Parker.
Couldn’t put it down as hard as I tried!
Gripping, exhilarating and really brings out the best of your imagination.
The depth and secrecy of the characters just cannot be captured better by any other author!
Brilliant!
Another brilliant book by Chris Parker.
Couldn’t put it down as hard as I tried!
Gripping, exhilarating and really brings out the best of your imagination.
The depth and secrecy of the characters just cannot be captured better by any other author!
Brilliant!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews