The Sacred Bones by Michael Byrnes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Authors/Publishers Book Description/Synopsis
Fast-paced and intelligent, blending historical fact with persuasive fiction, The Sacred Bones is an addictively compelling thriller that calls into question many of modern religion’s most deeply held beliefs. Jerusalem is a ticking time bomb …An ancient artefact is stolen from beneath Temple Mount. With thirteen Israeli soldiers dead, and the Palestinians outraged over the desecration of the sacred ground, tensions are running high. Detectives must work against the clock to identify the stolen relic and the thieves, before civil unrest escalates to deadly proportions. Meanwhile, in Vatican city, American scientist Charlotte Hennesey and Italian anthropologist Giovanni Bersei have been secretly summoned to analyse a mysterious artefact, that could prove to be history’s darkest secret: a human skeleton, approximately 2,000 years old, and bearing the unmistakable marks of crucifixion …With the malevolent eye of Vatican security expert Salvatore Conte watching her every move, Charlotte must work against the clock to uncover an astonishing truth that threatens the very foundations of belief. And there’s a more immediate question to face: whether the Vatican will allow this information – and Charlotte – to see the light of day
Michael Byrnes is the founder and C.E.O. of a highly successful multi-million dollar insurance brokerage firm. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters. The Sacred Bones is his first novel
What Do I Think?
In the past 15 years I have read a number of books which includes something historical and are bursting with conspiracy theories, it follows that a hero enters who discovers the truth.
I must say that I have grown quite fond of the better written books and have taken to the genre, regardless of some book lovers doubts.
Yet, out of the many books of this type I have read, I would rate “Sacred Bones” 4 stars on equal footing with Dan Brown’s “Angels and Demons“.
The plot is a more involved than is customary in this genre this may discourage some readers, but believe me it is well worth reading as the storyline presents an intriguing (if a little fictional) glance into the contradictory cultures of Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem.
I found the plot to be suspenseful, fast-moving, and Michael Byrne’s approach story-weaving is superb, his characters are lifelike and I can see this story being made into a fantastic Hollywood blockbuster
The book’s ending is not definite, the question of the uniqueness of the occupier of the Vatican’s ossuary is not decisively revealed, even if strongly hinted at and questions linger as to what to do with a sample of the bones DNA, which has strong healing powers.
Here the plot for a sequel is mapped out and I can’t wait to read the next book in the sequence
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