Unholy Grail - D. L. Wilson

Unholy Grail
D. L. Wilson
Berkley

Thriller

There have been theories floating around for years, speculating on the likelihood that the bloodlines of Jesus survived to present day. Father Joseph Romano, Jesuit priest and scholar, has been inclined to dismiss most of them, until a recent group of articles in various French magazines caught his eye. Rumors have come to light about The James Scripture, supposedly written by James, brother of Jesus, just after the Crucifixion. When Romano gets an anonymous call, offering the original manuscript to him, his curiosity overcomes his natural caution.

Brittany Hamar is a professor of religion, currently engaged in writing a book she’s titled The Jesus Fraud. Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with the Church, and her publisher is putting a lot of pressure on her to submit the final draft. She has a piece of a manuscript that’s been carbon-dated to the time of the Crucifixion, but wonders if this fragment will be enough to convince serious scholars. And there’s another problem. Recently, every priest she meets with ends up murdered, and in a very curious fashion. Running into Romano may be the break she needs; or the end of the line.

This first novel is a bit uneven, but is very entertaining and shows great promise. The initial set-up of the story is done quite well, with clues doled out judiciously throughout the narrative. The author introduces some interesting twists and fascinating background into this story that will, inevitably, be compared to another religious thriller that will go unnamed here. Suffice to say that UNHOLY GRAIL easily measures up to that other novel. Readers who enjoy religious or historical thrillers will enjoy this ride. I’m looking forward to more from this author.

Rating: 8
April 2007
ISBN# 978-0-425-21478-7 (paperback)