by J. R. Lankford
Part medical thriller, part spiritual discovery, this tale
of cloning, drawn from the headlines, is a success due to the author's skill
as a storyteller.
Reviewed by: Lynne Quido
About Lynne Quido
Cloning may be the medical "miracle" that takes the place of abortion as the
most controversial ethical dilemma of the 21st century. "The Jesus Thief"
takes the concept to the height of the controversy - is it possible to clone
those from the past using their DNA? If possible, is it morally
reprehensible, and how will the world react?
J.R. Lankford uses this scientific backdrop to tell a tale of families and
cultures that spans two continents. Her skill in creating multi-dimensional
characters is finest in the characters of Maggie and Sam, two New Yorkers
drawn onto a worldwide stage through the actions of Felix Rossi, Maggie's
wealthy employer. Although Rossi, his sister and his lover are less well
sketched than Maggie and Sam, Lankford succeeds in creating an ensemble of
characters based on believable dialogue, inexorably drawn into the
compulsive behavior of Dr. Rossi.
Lankford is a modern day Renaissance woman, well traveled, with significant
experience in both technological and cultural events. She first burst on
the scene with a 2001 mystery novel called "The Crowning Circle", which had
a limited release, but which won her many fans. Lankford tirelessly promoted
the book with her fan base, and, was successful enough to warrant national
publication of this, her second novel. One would suppose that Lankford
would follow the characters in "The Crowning Circle" for her second attempt,
success breeding success. Instead, "The Jesus Thief" is a departure that
shows her versatility and the wealth of her interests.
You may not agree with Dr. Rossi's decision to go forward with the cloning
of DNA thought to be of Jesus Christ, but you will be drawn into the effect
it has on his family, his career, and his own private search for God and
identity through both the Catholic and Jewish faiths. Lurking in the
background of the novel is a "big brother" character - the type of
individual thought to exist throughout the ages, who, with his vast wealth
and willingness to extort other powerful men, secretly plays a commanding
role in world politics. Here, too, the author creates a character that
jumps off the page!
And of course, the tale of Rossi's Mary and Joseph, modernized in setting
and style, takes the center stage and makes you believe there are still
heroes in the world.
Sure to be controversial if it captures a wide audience, "The Jesus Thief"
is inspiring and difficult to put down!
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: The Jesus Thief
Copyright © by Lynne Quido, 2003
Reviewed by Lynne Quido:
-- The Whore's Child: And Other Stories - by Richard Russo
-- The Murder Book - by Jonathan Kellerman
-- Tuesdays with Morrie - by Mitch Albom
-- Girls' Poker Night - by Jill A. Davis
-- Dead Midnight - by Marcia Muller
-- The Jesus Thief - by J. R. Lankford
-- The Prettiest Feathers - by John Philpin, Patricia Sierra
-- Wherever You Go, There You Are - by Jon Kabat-Zinn
-- Demolition Angel - by Robert Crais
-- The Eight - by Katherine Neville
-- Mystic Rivert - by Dennis Lehane
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