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The Genesis Code
A phone call in the dead of night brings Joe Lassiter shattering news. His sister and young nephew have died in a fire in their home near Washington, D.C. Yet Lassiter soon learns a chilling fact: His loved ones were brutally murdered before the blaze was set. . . .
The mysterious suspect's identity only raises more questions. Then Lassiter uncovers another crime--another innocent mother and child murdered. The more he unearths, the larger the web of conspiracy grows, as his search for answers leads him on a dangerous international chase toward a truth that will shock him--and the world--to the very bone. . . .
The mysterious suspect's identity only raises more questions. Then Lassiter uncovers another crime--another innocent mother and child murdered. The more he unearths, the larger the web of conspiracy grows, as his search for answers leads him on a dangerous international chase toward a truth that will shock him--and the world--to the very bone. . . .
747 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
81 people are currently reading
2950 people want to read
About the author
John Case
102 books140 followersWriting as 'John Case,' Jim and Carolyn Hougan are The New York Times best-selling authors of The Genesis Code and five other thrillers.
An award-winning investigative reporter, Jim is the author of The Magdalene Cipher, a novel of conspiracy, and two non-fiction books about the CIA: Spooks and Secret Agenda.
Carolyn is the author of four novels, including The Romeo Flag.
The name John Case is actually that of Carolyn's grandfather ( John F Case), a journalist and author of Tom of Peace Valley (Boy Knight of Agriculture).
An award-winning investigative reporter, Jim is the author of The Magdalene Cipher, a novel of conspiracy, and two non-fiction books about the CIA: Spooks and Secret Agenda.
Carolyn is the author of four novels, including The Romeo Flag.
The name John Case is actually that of Carolyn's grandfather ( John F Case), a journalist and author of Tom of Peace Valley (Boy Knight of Agriculture).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
August 7, 2025
Science and right wing religion clash in a first rate thriller!
THE GENESIS CODE opens in a quiet Italian village with the local parish priest hearing confessions. Ministering to his flock with a jaded stultifying boredom born out of years of listening to the same sins repeated and confessed over and over again, the priest's life is suddenly shattered when he hears a confession so shocking that he knows it will reach to the very roots of the Roman Catholic religion.
Despite his lowly status in the political heirarchy of the church, Father Azetti instinctively understands that this problem can be dealt with only by the Vatican's Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Ominously, the reader is told that the CDF - as it is popularly known - is responsible for the investigation of heresy and threats to the faith.
Some months later, in Washington DC, Joe Lassiter, a former police detective and now CEO of one of the largest private investigation agencies in the world, is shattered to hear that his sister and young nephew have died in a fire in their home. The news is made even more stunning when an autopsy determines that they had been murdered before the fire which was, in fact, the work of an arsonist. Determined to discover the reasons for this heartless brutal murder, Lassiter uncovers a series of similar crimes and a conspiracy that takes him on an international chase and slowly but surely leads him to a medical clinic located in a certain small Italian village.
Science vs right-wing religion? Hmmm ... haven't we heard that somewhere before? While Case's basic theme certainly has the flavour of a Da Vinci Code novel, readers will be pleased to learn that's where the resemblance ends. THE GENESIS CODE is a first rate thriller and an excellent police procedural. The plot line, while being reasonably predictable as the climax approaches, is nevertheless exciting and actually quite thought-provoking. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller, as I do, will be unable to avoid some fast-paced page turning. The dialogue is quite extraordinary and stands head and shoulders above the competition. It is absolutely razor sharp and I believe outshines virtually any novel that I've read in any genre for clarity, flow and an absolutely natural and realistic sound that is appropriate to every circumstance in the story.
And that ending little twist in the final sentence ... positively brilliant! Readers will ponder that one for a long time after they've closed the book.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
THE GENESIS CODE opens in a quiet Italian village with the local parish priest hearing confessions. Ministering to his flock with a jaded stultifying boredom born out of years of listening to the same sins repeated and confessed over and over again, the priest's life is suddenly shattered when he hears a confession so shocking that he knows it will reach to the very roots of the Roman Catholic religion.
Despite his lowly status in the political heirarchy of the church, Father Azetti instinctively understands that this problem can be dealt with only by the Vatican's Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Ominously, the reader is told that the CDF - as it is popularly known - is responsible for the investigation of heresy and threats to the faith.
Some months later, in Washington DC, Joe Lassiter, a former police detective and now CEO of one of the largest private investigation agencies in the world, is shattered to hear that his sister and young nephew have died in a fire in their home. The news is made even more stunning when an autopsy determines that they had been murdered before the fire which was, in fact, the work of an arsonist. Determined to discover the reasons for this heartless brutal murder, Lassiter uncovers a series of similar crimes and a conspiracy that takes him on an international chase and slowly but surely leads him to a medical clinic located in a certain small Italian village.
Science vs right-wing religion? Hmmm ... haven't we heard that somewhere before? While Case's basic theme certainly has the flavour of a Da Vinci Code novel, readers will be pleased to learn that's where the resemblance ends. THE GENESIS CODE is a first rate thriller and an excellent police procedural. The plot line, while being reasonably predictable as the climax approaches, is nevertheless exciting and actually quite thought-provoking. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller, as I do, will be unable to avoid some fast-paced page turning. The dialogue is quite extraordinary and stands head and shoulders above the competition. It is absolutely razor sharp and I believe outshines virtually any novel that I've read in any genre for clarity, flow and an absolutely natural and realistic sound that is appropriate to every circumstance in the story.
And that ending little twist in the final sentence ... positively brilliant! Readers will ponder that one for a long time after they've closed the book.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
March 18, 2008
True story--about 10 years ago, the parents' of a good friend of mine bought a car while wintering in Florida. They didn't want to drive it home, so they flew us down and we did the honors. My friend's mom gave us a stack of books on tape for the ride back. We had planned a bunch of stops and sightseeing, but after putting this on, we essentially drove straight through from Savannah, Ga, to Columbus, Oh. because we just couldn't bear to leave the story.
If that's not high praise for a thriller, I dunno what is.
If that's not high praise for a thriller, I dunno what is.
June 13, 2018
Fab commercial crime thriller that reads like something Michael Crichton or Dan Brown might've come up with. I read this a bazillion (20?) years ago and out of the blue, it was nominated for our co ed book club. That I just got back last week from Italy where part of the story is set was a boon.
DO NOT READ THE BLURB. If you know me well enough to understand my book snobbery and if you're in the mood for a beach book or imaginative thriller, just grab this and launch into it.
Without revealing too much, what we have here is how we should tie a confession made by one very well educated man to a priest in some tiny village in Italy to the death of innocents in suburban USA. We've got a confused and grieving cop chasing leads and really, just a fun commercial thriller. John Case, by the way, is not an author but a married duo who have written some really successful suspense novels. I've read at least two more by them but it has been so long, there's no telling if I remembered to even stick them on my 'Read' shelf upon joining GR. I'm about to go look up some of their others and grab them for my 15 year old. John Case makes reading FUN.
Loved this old beach book!
DO NOT READ THE BLURB. If you know me well enough to understand my book snobbery and if you're in the mood for a beach book or imaginative thriller, just grab this and launch into it.
Without revealing too much, what we have here is how we should tie a confession made by one very well educated man to a priest in some tiny village in Italy to the death of innocents in suburban USA. We've got a confused and grieving cop chasing leads and really, just a fun commercial thriller. John Case, by the way, is not an author but a married duo who have written some really successful suspense novels. I've read at least two more by them but it has been so long, there's no telling if I remembered to even stick them on my 'Read' shelf upon joining GR. I'm about to go look up some of their others and grab them for my 15 year old. John Case makes reading FUN.
Loved this old beach book!
January 30, 2008
This is my absolute favorite of all of John Case's books. My mom even loved it, and she's hard to please!
I'm just waiting to forget the story so I can read it again!
I'm just waiting to forget the story so I can read it again!
October 18, 2013
Private detective Joe Lassiter suspects more than a simple murder, when his sister and her son are burned to death in a manmade fire. He uses his company and contacts to find some explanation, and it leads him all over the world to a small community in Italy, where a priest has received a mindblowing confession.
My review
http//www.thereaderdiary.blogspot.com
My review
http//www.thereaderdiary.blogspot.com
June 28, 2014
The author keeps the suspense going till the very last. Partly because this is what has been called a biomedical thriller and the clue is in the realm of science fiction, so its nothing that you can predict. The book has enough twists and turns.
The negative is the lead character. He is supposed to be an investigator, but is not very good at it. He just goes in and asks questions that you and I will ask, without ever thinking that the person answering might be compromising him. And he is very weak in the physical action department. I mean, he gets battered and bruised quite a lot, without doing much in the form of hitting back. With a stronger hero, the story could have been tauter and the book racier.
The negative is the lead character. He is supposed to be an investigator, but is not very good at it. He just goes in and asks questions that you and I will ask, without ever thinking that the person answering might be compromising him. And he is very weak in the physical action department. I mean, he gets battered and bruised quite a lot, without doing much in the form of hitting back. With a stronger hero, the story could have been tauter and the book racier.
January 9, 2026
Ich bin einfach Fan von kirchlicher Geschichte. Und dann mit einem aktuellen Thema verknüpft. Das hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Das Buch hat einen super Einstieg. Es gibt einen guten Spannungsbogen und man zerbricht sich den Kopf darüber welches Geheimnis da gemeint ist. Diese Spannung hält einen auch aufmerksam in der Story.
Leider hat die zu Beginn eingeführte und von mir sehr gemochte Figur nur noch einen sehr kurzen passiven Abschnitt im Rest des Buches. Die Hauptfigur gefiel mir dann aber auch.
Das Ende war mir dann aber ein bisschen drüber. Schon überraschend, aber irgendwie zu unrealistisch. Auch diese eigentlich ganz lustige mini-Fisch-Story ganz am Ende des Buches passte für mich nicht so ganz zum Buch.
Ich empfehle das Buch trotzdem weiter, aber die Idee hatte aus meiner Sicht noch mehr Potenzial. Deshalb irgendwas zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen.
Das Buch hat einen super Einstieg. Es gibt einen guten Spannungsbogen und man zerbricht sich den Kopf darüber welches Geheimnis da gemeint ist. Diese Spannung hält einen auch aufmerksam in der Story.
Leider hat die zu Beginn eingeführte und von mir sehr gemochte Figur nur noch einen sehr kurzen passiven Abschnitt im Rest des Buches. Die Hauptfigur gefiel mir dann aber auch.
Das Ende war mir dann aber ein bisschen drüber. Schon überraschend, aber irgendwie zu unrealistisch. Auch diese eigentlich ganz lustige mini-Fisch-Story ganz am Ende des Buches passte für mich nicht so ganz zum Buch.
Ich empfehle das Buch trotzdem weiter, aber die Idee hatte aus meiner Sicht noch mehr Potenzial. Deshalb irgendwas zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen.
August 1, 2018
When I finished reading John Case’s The Genesis Code, the first thought that came to my mind was how come I didn’t read it earlier! A thriller, with unthinkable twists and turns, delving deep into religion, theology and history— a reader couldn’t have asked for more. Being an avid lover of this particular genre, I felt sorry for depriving myself of this treat for so many years.
John Case is actually the pseudonym for the couple Jim and Carolyn Hougan. The Genesis Code was their first and most famous publication. Together, the couple has authored a few more books and I’m planning to read The Murder Artist as the next.
The Genesis Code begins with the confession of a doctor at the church in one of the remotest and most beautiful hill towns of Italy which immediately makes Father Azetti rush to the Vatican, so that, going beyond all the norms, he could deliver the message of the confession he heard to one of the Cardinals.
A few months later, in McLean, Joe Lassiter wakes up to a phone call in the wee hours of the morning only to be informed that his sister Kathy and nephew Brandon have been killed in a fire at their residence. The police suspect arson as a man with an ambiguous identity and a third-degree burn has been rescued on the spot.
Private investigator Joe probes deeper as he wants to know the reason behind the crime. With all his power, contacts and money, as he tries to unearth the secret behind the gruesome murders, he finds himself in a maze of conspiracy, constant chase around the globe and even a series of murders.
Different women and their kids have been ruthlessly murdered in different countries following the same MO. Things get worse when Joe suspects a conservative but enormously powerful religious group, Umbra Domini’s involvement in this mad crime. (Remember Opus Dei of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? Umbra Domini is their equivalent)
Why are the ruthless, savage, shadowy killers hunting down innocent mothers and their kids? What is the connection among this murder mayhem? What is the truth so powerful that some people can go to any extreme to bury it?
The nexus between religion and science, a macabre series of incidents that follow will keep the readers on the edge of their seat. It took me two sittings to finish the 530-page book. Actually, you won’t be able to put it down till the truth is unravelled.
It’s difficult to find a flaw in the book. The dialogues are crisp and fitting to the characters. The research is vivid, the language, lucid. However, I think, at places, there are descriptions which are unnecessarily long and dragging. And, as the reader badly wants the mystery to be unearthed, she/he would feel an urge to skip a few pages.
The Genesis Code was published way before the Dan Brown era, in 1997. While reading the book, it must be kept in mind that the internet, Google search engine, mobile handsets and the ilk were not in vogue at that time.
For more reviews visit maniparna.com
John Case is actually the pseudonym for the couple Jim and Carolyn Hougan. The Genesis Code was their first and most famous publication. Together, the couple has authored a few more books and I’m planning to read The Murder Artist as the next.
The Genesis Code begins with the confession of a doctor at the church in one of the remotest and most beautiful hill towns of Italy which immediately makes Father Azetti rush to the Vatican, so that, going beyond all the norms, he could deliver the message of the confession he heard to one of the Cardinals.
A few months later, in McLean, Joe Lassiter wakes up to a phone call in the wee hours of the morning only to be informed that his sister Kathy and nephew Brandon have been killed in a fire at their residence. The police suspect arson as a man with an ambiguous identity and a third-degree burn has been rescued on the spot.
Private investigator Joe probes deeper as he wants to know the reason behind the crime. With all his power, contacts and money, as he tries to unearth the secret behind the gruesome murders, he finds himself in a maze of conspiracy, constant chase around the globe and even a series of murders.
Different women and their kids have been ruthlessly murdered in different countries following the same MO. Things get worse when Joe suspects a conservative but enormously powerful religious group, Umbra Domini’s involvement in this mad crime. (Remember Opus Dei of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? Umbra Domini is their equivalent)
Why are the ruthless, savage, shadowy killers hunting down innocent mothers and their kids? What is the connection among this murder mayhem? What is the truth so powerful that some people can go to any extreme to bury it?
The nexus between religion and science, a macabre series of incidents that follow will keep the readers on the edge of their seat. It took me two sittings to finish the 530-page book. Actually, you won’t be able to put it down till the truth is unravelled.
It’s difficult to find a flaw in the book. The dialogues are crisp and fitting to the characters. The research is vivid, the language, lucid. However, I think, at places, there are descriptions which are unnecessarily long and dragging. And, as the reader badly wants the mystery to be unearthed, she/he would feel an urge to skip a few pages.
The Genesis Code was published way before the Dan Brown era, in 1997. While reading the book, it must be kept in mind that the internet, Google search engine, mobile handsets and the ilk were not in vogue at that time.
For more reviews visit maniparna.com
July 17, 2012
The goodreads.com site requires one to five stars in a review. I've used three out of five because the book is great, but the cover gave everything away. I could think all day and not come up with a single bad thing to say about John Case. Great creator of excellent stories. This book has a relentless pursuit of a killer. Sometimes my heart raced.
Not often, and certainly not as often as John Case intended. It's the cover. It gives away the premise, the motive, and the first chapters give away the identity or at least the profession of the killer. I spent the first half of the book waiting for the poor, slow characters to figure out what the cover already told the reader. It changes a thriller into a bore. I stopped reading and tore off the front and back cover (the back is also a give-away). I'll use stealth (bookcrossing.com) to pass this good book on to another reader. That person may wonder why someone tore off the covers. Let them wonder; mystery is good. I did it as a huge favor.
Not often, and certainly not as often as John Case intended. It's the cover. It gives away the premise, the motive, and the first chapters give away the identity or at least the profession of the killer. I spent the first half of the book waiting for the poor, slow characters to figure out what the cover already told the reader. It changes a thriller into a bore. I stopped reading and tore off the front and back cover (the back is also a give-away). I'll use stealth (bookcrossing.com) to pass this good book on to another reader. That person may wonder why someone tore off the covers. Let them wonder; mystery is good. I did it as a huge favor.
August 2, 2014
this is the most awesome, edge of the seat, thriller I've ever read. John Case, the author, digs really deep into history, science, criminology and religion. Although this is categorized as fiction it is interesting to reflect back to the the 1997 publishing year and see how a lot of the story was as if the author truly experienced this in his life.
February 28, 2016
This book is about a man trying to find out why sister and nephew were murdered in a fire. The book begins with a man in Italy giving a horrible confession (which we do not hear) to a preacher, who then freaks out and tell the Catholic church. The church decides to do nothing, while a small, somewhat cut off sect of the church decides to do something (what it is we do not know).
I was able to put together the pieces of the mystery together before the big reveal, but not to close to the reveal and not to far away from it. The book has a lot of twists and turns, and is very exciting, but for me it was confusing as well. What did a doctor's confession have to do with the death of the man's sister? But maybe it's just because I'm not used to the thriller/mystery genre yet. In the end, the church's involvement and the doctor's confession and the murders all make sense together, though the situation is... odd, to say the least. And the epilogue is a big fat WTF, really bizarre. All in all, good book. Not totally memorable in my opinion other than the weird ending. Would suggest to those who like the genre, but not necessarily those new to it (like me).
I was able to put together the pieces of the mystery together before the big reveal, but not to close to the reveal and not to far away from it. The book has a lot of twists and turns, and is very exciting, but for me it was confusing as well. What did a doctor's confession have to do with the death of the man's sister? But maybe it's just because I'm not used to the thriller/mystery genre yet. In the end, the church's involvement and the doctor's confession and the murders all make sense together, though the situation is... odd, to say the least. And the epilogue is a big fat WTF, really bizarre. All in all, good book. Not totally memorable in my opinion other than the weird ending. Would suggest to those who like the genre, but not necessarily those new to it (like me).
January 7, 2015
The book started out as an exciting, riveting read. But halfway through, it became extremely predictable. Maybe because i've been reading too many suspense thrillers lately, or maybe it's just that the author wanted it this way. Anyhow, it wasn't much fun after that. Plus, i think that the actress' story was way too stretched out and forced upon. Also, there was one thing that i found pretty stupid. [SPOILER ALERT] If a man, who has a vital secret to tell you- the answer you have been looking for, and he dies before he could but leaves you with a letter in Italian. What is the first thing you would do? Get it translated OBVIOUSLY! But no. Our protagonist keeps the letter safe in his breast pocket while obsessing over Miss Marie. -_- Seriously??
Overall, it COULD have been an amazing read but, well, it wasn't.
Edit- I've been trying to remember what book this reminded me of. I'd forgotten the name. The messiah code by michael cordy!! Similar story similar ending! I won't recommend anyone who has read the messiah code to read the genesis code. You'd know the ending halfway.
Overall, it COULD have been an amazing read but, well, it wasn't.
Edit- I've been trying to remember what book this reminded me of. I'd forgotten the name. The messiah code by michael cordy!! Similar story similar ending! I won't recommend anyone who has read the messiah code to read the genesis code. You'd know the ending halfway.
October 9, 2020
( before the da vinci code there was the genesis code )
to write such a thing on the cover of the novel financially makes sense , but from a reader's point of view it is a big spoiler . From page one i knew where the plot is going and how it will end . though it is not fair for this books which has precede Dan Browns much acclaimed works .
the main theme is gripping , the Italy-located chapters are my best . the characters have nothing to grasp expect their involvement in the plot . i found ( the eighth day ) the first book i read for John Case more to my taste and the main characters were closer and have more depth . the protagonist has no human background that could justify his actions . the last chapters about the actress were a pity thing to read .
to write such a thing on the cover of the novel financially makes sense , but from a reader's point of view it is a big spoiler . From page one i knew where the plot is going and how it will end . though it is not fair for this books which has precede Dan Browns much acclaimed works .
the main theme is gripping , the Italy-located chapters are my best . the characters have nothing to grasp expect their involvement in the plot . i found ( the eighth day ) the first book i read for John Case more to my taste and the main characters were closer and have more depth . the protagonist has no human background that could justify his actions . the last chapters about the actress were a pity thing to read .
March 20, 2022
Wow!!! I absolutely loved this book, gripping read, I literally struggled to part with the book for any amount of time. I read about 200 pages in one sitting and kept going in the late evening. Well-worth it if you are a fan of action and interesting questions of religion and faith-based morality. There were times when Joe Lassiter was a bit over the top, but I otherwise loved every element!! I wish the film that was rumoured to be made in 2010 came to fruition, but I’d only want it to be done in the powerful image that the book conveys.
November 10, 2017
I loved the book and gave it 5 stars...but I do think there were far too many unnecessary details. I’m glad I finished because I LOVED the ending, but it took a while to get there!
August 10, 2018
I read and loved this book years and years ago, and recently found a second hand copy for 50c, which inspired me to reread it. I loved it the second time around!
February 26, 2025
A classic 90’s mystery thriller story that keeps you reading through every chapter. And that ending was just… incredible!
July 31, 2023
Good read.
February 12, 2016
This book was better than I expected it to be, only because I didn't know much about "John Case." (Although thanks to Goodreads, I apparently read one of his books a long time ago, which is probably how Genesis Code ended up on my to-read list.)
Case kept me guessing all the way until the end, although the only mystery at the end was WHY these murders were happening - readers discover the who and the what fairly early on.
One small thing: The book flap alludes to how Joe Lassiter, the CEO of a private investigation firm, discovers that women and children are being killed across the world, though this isn't something he finds out until later. It also doesn't open up with Lassiter receiving a call that his sister and her son are dead but instead there are a few chapters that take place in Italy, setting the table for what unfolds after Baresi confesses a terrible sin to his local priest (though what that sin is readers don't know till the final chapter of the book).
Another weird oddities that I noticed:
1. 90% of the book was told 3rd person omniscient from Joe's POV, but there was one scene from Riordan's perspective and one from Gramaldi's guard at the hospital.
2. There are two "parts" in this book: July (which contains the first few chapters that all take place in Italy) and November. "November" includes the rest of the book, and the scenes take place into January. Small things like this bother me, because I was waiting for Part III: December and it never came.
3. Lastly, there was one scene where Jim Riordan calls Joe, and he introduces himself as Jack, an alias that Joe had used in his interview with della Torre. I think this is a typo, and I think it was the only error in the 400+ page book.
If you liked the Da Vinci Code and other thrillers where rich and handsome/beautiful people travel the world and uncover a mystery steeped in history and religion, you should read this book!
P.S. My favorite characters were the gay proprietors of the Italian pensione, Hugh and Nigel. I thought they were great -Case did a good job of sketching a picture of even his minor characters.
Case kept me guessing all the way until the end, although the only mystery at the end was WHY these murders were happening - readers discover the who and the what fairly early on.
One small thing: The book flap alludes to how Joe Lassiter, the CEO of a private investigation firm, discovers that women and children are being killed across the world, though this isn't something he finds out until later. It also doesn't open up with Lassiter receiving a call that his sister and her son are dead but instead there are a few chapters that take place in Italy, setting the table for what unfolds after Baresi confesses a terrible sin to his local priest (though what that sin is readers don't know till the final chapter of the book).
Another weird oddities that I noticed:
1. 90% of the book was told 3rd person omniscient from Joe's POV, but there was one scene from Riordan's perspective and one from Gramaldi's guard at the hospital.
2. There are two "parts" in this book: July (which contains the first few chapters that all take place in Italy) and November. "November" includes the rest of the book, and the scenes take place into January. Small things like this bother me, because I was waiting for Part III: December and it never came.
3. Lastly, there was one scene where Jim Riordan calls Joe, and he introduces himself as Jack, an alias that Joe had used in his interview with della Torre. I think this is a typo, and I think it was the only error in the 400+ page book.
If you liked the Da Vinci Code and other thrillers where rich and handsome/beautiful people travel the world and uncover a mystery steeped in history and religion, you should read this book!
P.S. My favorite characters were the gay proprietors of the Italian pensione, Hugh and Nigel. I thought they were great -Case did a good job of sketching a picture of even his minor characters.
March 12, 2017
Riveting! Implausible but well written and exciting to the end
September 5, 2013
I would probably give this book 3-1/2 stars if allowed. It was well-written--in fact, I spent most of Labor Day turning the pages trying to figure out where the story was going. But...
The story starts in Italy, with a confession by a doctor to his parish priest in a small town. But soon another organization, Umbra Domini, takes an interest in what the doctor had to say.
In the U.S., Joe Lassiter owns a high-level private investigative firm. And, the way he globe-hops and spends money, he's independently wealthy. His sister and her son are killed and their house burned. A mysterious stranger is found outside, badly burned but still alive. Despite the pleas of a local detective, Joe does not leave the case alone. At the funeral of his sister and his nephew, Joe meets a woman with a boy about the same age as his nephew. The woman seems familiar, although they've never met.
The burned stranger escapes from the hospital. Joe becomes more involved and the trail leads to Italy and Umbra Domini. And more victims.
But why? That was the question that drives the story.
Umbra Domini is modeled on Opus Dei--at least the Dan Brown version of Opus Dei, but without the stridency or albino priest. Vatican II is (again) the focus of their disdain and discontent. There are some science fictional elements having to do with nucleated cells and egg (oocyte) transfer. There's a lot of physical action and a pretty high body count. There are a lot of characters, too, most of whom are brought in, do their bit for the plot, and are never heard from again. The characters are stoic as well, whether men or women.
The story would have been helped by narrowing its focus, creating a more claustrophobic feel. And fewer characters who were more fleshed out.
The story starts in Italy, with a confession by a doctor to his parish priest in a small town. But soon another organization, Umbra Domini, takes an interest in what the doctor had to say.
In the U.S., Joe Lassiter owns a high-level private investigative firm. And, the way he globe-hops and spends money, he's independently wealthy. His sister and her son are killed and their house burned. A mysterious stranger is found outside, badly burned but still alive. Despite the pleas of a local detective, Joe does not leave the case alone. At the funeral of his sister and his nephew, Joe meets a woman with a boy about the same age as his nephew. The woman seems familiar, although they've never met.
The burned stranger escapes from the hospital. Joe becomes more involved and the trail leads to Italy and Umbra Domini. And more victims.
But why? That was the question that drives the story.
Umbra Domini is modeled on Opus Dei--at least the Dan Brown version of Opus Dei, but without the stridency or albino priest. Vatican II is (again) the focus of their disdain and discontent. There are some science fictional elements having to do with nucleated cells and egg (oocyte) transfer. There's a lot of physical action and a pretty high body count. There are a lot of characters, too, most of whom are brought in, do their bit for the plot, and are never heard from again. The characters are stoic as well, whether men or women.
The story would have been helped by narrowing its focus, creating a more claustrophobic feel. And fewer characters who were more fleshed out.
August 23, 2012
Here we have the intriguing opening of a priest in a small village, who receives a confession that so shocks him, he closes the church and heads for Rome in order to get assistance. This bit is good, and well-written. You care about the priest who is refused admission to see the Cardinal, and has to go to public toilets to wash.
What follows is not as good: Joe Lassiter turns up to find his sister and nephew have been burned to death in a fire. Beyond arson, it is clear there was also murder involved. The good news for Lassiter and the police is that they have the man who committed the crimes. He is badly burned also, but alive...
The question that provides the impetus for this book is: why?
I bought this many years ago, and presumably thought it was good because I kept it. On second reading (even though I hadn't remembered much of the content), I found that everything that followed after Lassiter comes into the picture, tough going.
Don't get me wrong. The plot is quite compelling, and I did read it to the end. But the necessity to make this book thicker than necessary makes it less of a good read. And Lassiter is just not that interesting. About the best thing one can say about him is that he has great contacts, and lots of money.
Still, this is one person's opinion, and it did not make it on the New York Times Best Seller's list for nothing. The best part of the book is near the end, but I can't tell you what it is because it would spoil the entire content.
What follows is not as good: Joe Lassiter turns up to find his sister and nephew have been burned to death in a fire. Beyond arson, it is clear there was also murder involved. The good news for Lassiter and the police is that they have the man who committed the crimes. He is badly burned also, but alive...
The question that provides the impetus for this book is: why?
I bought this many years ago, and presumably thought it was good because I kept it. On second reading (even though I hadn't remembered much of the content), I found that everything that followed after Lassiter comes into the picture, tough going.
Don't get me wrong. The plot is quite compelling, and I did read it to the end. But the necessity to make this book thicker than necessary makes it less of a good read. And Lassiter is just not that interesting. About the best thing one can say about him is that he has great contacts, and lots of money.
Still, this is one person's opinion, and it did not make it on the New York Times Best Seller's list for nothing. The best part of the book is near the end, but I can't tell you what it is because it would spoil the entire content.
February 4, 2008
If this novel was half as good as the raves (from such literary giants as People) suggest, we'd be talking Pulitzer here. However, I wasn't impressed.
I found the dialogue tedious, and at times downright stupid. Our hero, who heads an investigation firm picked the most absurd times to decide his investigation would end.
And my God, he had a CRUCIAL piece of evidence that he carried in his pocket and neglected to get the damn thing translated from Italian or just plain forgot about it!!!
It was so frustrating. And his inane questions...please. Oh, and the "shocking ending"? Like I couldn't see that coming.
But I'm not going to spoil it for you. I will tell you that there is another novel I've read that has a similar premise and is a far superior read. The only problem is I can't reveal what it is because the concept is actually a spoiler for this novel.
Send me an message if you want the title.
I found the dialogue tedious, and at times downright stupid. Our hero, who heads an investigation firm picked the most absurd times to decide his investigation would end.
And my God, he had a CRUCIAL piece of evidence that he carried in his pocket and neglected to get the damn thing translated from Italian or just plain forgot about it!!!
It was so frustrating. And his inane questions...please. Oh, and the "shocking ending"? Like I couldn't see that coming.
But I'm not going to spoil it for you. I will tell you that there is another novel I've read that has a similar premise and is a far superior read. The only problem is I can't reveal what it is because the concept is actually a spoiler for this novel.
Send me an message if you want the title.
February 7, 2018
I will give this book a 3 star because it was interesting enough to keep me reading, although I will admit that I almost stopped reading it about 3/4 of the way through. A couple of reasons I did not like the book all that much, One: I never care for a book that has way too much of what I call page filler, just an excess of descriptive things that have no bearing on the story, minutiae. Two: There was no mystery in this book for me, none. I felt like it was obvious what was going on every step of the way. All the clues are just there, glaring at you while you are reading. I knew who the head bad guy was going to be the minute he was introduced to the story and I can’t understand why anyone would say there was a surprise ending. I say it was interesting enough because I was hoping that there would be some kind of twist at the end that would have proven me wrong.
If there was a surprising twist at the end it would have been much better.
If there was a surprising twist at the end it would have been much better.
June 19, 2024
I found this book by cross-referencing thrillers about the catholic church and historical fiction.
I am glad I found it. This was a great book. It was very difficult to put down. I will definitely read more books by John Case.
The book is very well written and very exciting with extraordinary concepts that keep you guessing until the end.
Basically, a priest receives a confession from a doctor who then dies. Women and children are being killed and burned in a serial killer type fashion. One man, whose sister and nephew were killed, decides he is going to find out why and he uncovers a plot that could cause the worlds of religion and science to collide.
The fact that all of this is remotely possible, even if unlikely, makes it all the more enjoyable. Highly recommended mystery/suspense/thriller. The fact that this is John Case's first novel is amazing. He has a gift.
I am glad I found it. This was a great book. It was very difficult to put down. I will definitely read more books by John Case.
The book is very well written and very exciting with extraordinary concepts that keep you guessing until the end.
Basically, a priest receives a confession from a doctor who then dies. Women and children are being killed and burned in a serial killer type fashion. One man, whose sister and nephew were killed, decides he is going to find out why and he uncovers a plot that could cause the worlds of religion and science to collide.
The fact that all of this is remotely possible, even if unlikely, makes it all the more enjoyable. Highly recommended mystery/suspense/thriller. The fact that this is John Case's first novel is amazing. He has a gift.
August 25, 2014
Pienso que es una novela interesante pero que no explotó todo el potencial del tema (genética, cuestiones religiosas) probablemente sea catalogada en el género similar a las de Dan Brown, la narrativa es chévere y el autor logra detallar el ambiente en el que se desarrolla la trama de tal manera que se siente la inmersión pero creo que esto se rompe al extender y dar rodeos sobre la propia trama.
Está basado en elementos de la vida real lo que le proporciona algo más de realismo a la trama pero como dije en un principio no aprovecha este potencial lo que ocasiona que en el momento clímax de la novela sea un desperdicio arrojando un final flojo.
Está basado en elementos de la vida real lo que le proporciona algo más de realismo a la trama pero como dije en un principio no aprovecha este potencial lo que ocasiona que en el momento clímax de la novela sea un desperdicio arrojando un final flojo.
March 3, 2020
I first read this book in the mid 1990's when first published and was hooked from the page one.
There is some "plausible" science behind the plot , at least to the reader if you have read Dan Browns novel The DiVinci Code, but this book delves deeper into the science but also the question of vulnerable women wanting a child of their own.
In my opinion this is much more engrossing and intriguing than The DiVinci Code , a great "page turner" and with great range of characters both likeable and feared.
The book cover above shows that this novel has been reprinted and I passed my copy onto a lady on the train to read. Hope that she enjoys it as much as I have.
There is some "plausible" science behind the plot , at least to the reader if you have read Dan Browns novel The DiVinci Code, but this book delves deeper into the science but also the question of vulnerable women wanting a child of their own.
In my opinion this is much more engrossing and intriguing than The DiVinci Code , a great "page turner" and with great range of characters both likeable and feared.
The book cover above shows that this novel has been reprinted and I passed my copy onto a lady on the train to read. Hope that she enjoys it as much as I have.
December 21, 2021
A priest in a small village in Italy hears the confession of a doctor that sends the priest to the Vatican immediately. Joe Lassiter has a large, successful, private investigative agency. Life is good. And then his sister and her young son are killed in a blast that burns their home to the ground. The fire was professionally set. Then he learns they were killed before the fire. Why? She was an NPR producer with a very ordinary life. This very well crafted story that is gripping until the last word.
April 4, 2015
Thought this could be a Dan Brown style story that didn't describe every inch of architecture in ridiculous detail. Instead it was a poor man's Dan Brown, predictable, lacking in detail and slow moving.
Most frustrating was the hot shot investigator/ex cop main character who makes ridiculous mistakes that only an amateur would, for the purpose of progressing the story line.
Had potential, a very interesting story line, but it's been butchered!
Most frustrating was the hot shot investigator/ex cop main character who makes ridiculous mistakes that only an amateur would, for the purpose of progressing the story line.
Had potential, a very interesting story line, but it's been butchered!
July 16, 2019
Детективна історія з перспективою стати серіалом, але слабка, щоб мене вразити. Неособливо полюбляю детективи, хоча цей з легкістю прочитав менше як за три дні. Видалась якась лінійна оповідь без надзвичайних несподіванок і крутих поворотів. Головний герой все має: і гроші, і зв'язки, які полегшують йому розслідування. Тому чтиво таке передбачуване як їзда прямою дорогою від однієї глави до іншої, чекаючи чим все завершиться.
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