To Know Evil

by Stephen Gaspar

The source of evil and the conflict between faith and knowledge are among the themes examined in this complex intellectual puzzle set in a medieval monastery. An Irish monk dies in a Benedictine abbey in northern Italy on the eve of the second millennium. When Brother Thomas of Worms attempts to investigate the murder, his abbot accuses him of inventing trouble to avoid his duty to God and assigns Thomas the chore of copying a Biblical text as penance. Neither copying nor humility comes easily to an intelligent man like Thomas, who struggles with his commitment to obey his abbot. While in the library, Thomas is drawn to a gnostic book that leads him to a discovery that threatens the very fabric of the Church. When more monks perish, Thomas's loyalty to the monastery and its rites is tested, and he risks expulsion as he seeks to uncover the link between the murders and the hidden codex that has shaken his faith.

226 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my experience, very few books manage to balance a compelling story, interestingly flawed but likeable characters, and a vivid world as well as this one. I've read a fair number of books set in monasteries (which surprises me in retrospect), but this one was the first that infected me with the author's enthusiasm for his period. He lovingly details the more fascinating day-to-day activities of his characters without dragging on or making the reader slog through dense paragraphs to get to the mystery part of the story.

The main character is almost charmingly flawed, if such a thing is possible. He is impatient and perhaps too aware of his mental prowess, but is both aware of and penitent for his sins, for all that he is simply too enthusiastic to overcome them for long.

The mystery is entertaining and led in directions I loved, but did not expect. I was wary my first time through because I thought I could see where the plot twists were headed and I felt I'd seen them before, but then they twisted and turned my expectation of cliches on its head.

Overall a very fun book, and I felt smugly educated at the end of it.

I would recommend reading this: anywhere.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not going to give this book even three stars. Although the reviews on the back of the book equated it with Brother Cadfael, "The name of the Rose and "Da Vinci Code", I couldn't see it. It wasn't until I got to the last three chapters that I changed my mind. It actually is a pretty good story line.