Review: More Concise than The Da Vinci Code!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 22, 2013
Wow, what a great detective story!  I don't read mysteries very often but this one is superb.  I loved the plot which draws upon a very specific pattern in Christian theology (at least, I hope the passages cited by the author as used by the murderer are real).  The author has done his research on certain Christian doctrine and investigative methods.  I loved the main detective's conversation with a professor who specializes in psychology. This is a very unique way of categorizing a serial killer and in this case, it was a wealth of information for the detective to get back onto track (although a little convenient in the way it was displayed).This book reminded me greatly of the Da Vinci Code.  Where the Da Vinci Code is exotic and flashy and somewhat silly in how it hops around Europe finding a conspiracy in any religious outfit or temple, this tale sticks to its knitting, staying comfortably within Belfast, Northern Ireland.Detective Sheehan is a very likeable character and while he is not the most brainy or tough person around, his intuition and trusting nature makes him outstanding in this case that is almost impossible to crack.I wasn't sure what time frame the book was in.  There is a lot of reference to "the troubles" and the political turmoil in Northern Ireland but I thought that peace was attained several years ago?  Perhaps it would have been helpful to set out the decade at least, or even the year, in which this story takes place.There is an overemphasis of "word whiskers" which as um, ah, well.  While this may be how most people talk, it is wise to remove them from written dialogue (most transcripts of television and radio remove these stalling expressions).  Also, I thought there were too many exclamation marks and the word "Okay!" (Also, I thought the cover was "okay".  Could get a better cover.Overall, an excellent book from a professor and new author!  Thank you.