The Shroud

by Steven Meloan, Michael Meloan

It is the near future, and a genetic research team from the NIH is asked by the Vatican to use the latest findings of the Human Genome Project to shed new light on the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. The lead researcher, Robert Strickland M.D., is an agnostic with spiritual leanings. But as the inquiry proceeds, it appears that this is indeed the burial cloth of the historical Jesus—and the vestment's bloodstains open up the possibility of cloning. The ensuing investigative journey—from Washington D.C., to Israel, to Belize—has global repercussions, and transforms the lives of all involved. The Shroud is an adventure novel in the vein of Carl Sagan's Contact—exploring many of today's news-making scientific, spiritual, and ethical questions. The story has no sectarian agenda. At bottom, the message is one of decoupling spirituality from religious dogma, while better exploring mystical and transcendent pursuits with cutting edge technology. The Shroud resonates with the works of Deepak Chopra, Michael Crichton, and Stephen Hawking.

400 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2010

About the author

Steven Meloan has written for Wired, Rolling Stone, the Huffington Post, Los Angeles, BUZZ, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SF Weekly. His fiction has appeared in SOMA Magazine, the Sonoma Valley Sun, Lummox Press, and Roadside Press, as well as at Litquake, Quiet Lightning, and other literary events. He is a recovered software developer, and a former busker in London, Paris, and Berlin.
Instagram: @slmeloan

Reviews

[Nicholas Lubofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friends (Steve and Mike Meloan) wrote this book, so I had to read it. ;-) But it turned out to be incredible! I seriously found it interesting, exciting, and even riveting. If you like this kind of a book (mystery? thriller? adventure?), I highly recommend this novel!

[Emlyn Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating novel!

A skilful blend of science fact and fiction. Well worth reading! It certainly gave me food for thought and further reading.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that was long on ideas and content, but which, in my opinion, could have used some editing. I found myself intrigued by the scenario and really wanting to know what was going to happen next. But I also found myself confused at times as to exactly what was happening to who, just because of the writing. I'm not saying the brothers Meloan are bad writers; just that I think this book could have been edited better. That said, the ideas and content are strong enough for me to still give it 4 stars.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good suspense story up to the climax. The ending seemed to not have as much thought put into it as the rest of the book did. The last few pages didn't add anything to the story and seemed disconnected. I wanted to know what happened to one group of instigators. A loose end left hanging.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting idea. Some parts dragged. Liked the open ended ending.