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A review of The Jesus Thief

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

The Jesus Thief 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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