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THE PHOENIX APOSTLES
by Lynn Sholes and Joe Moore
Midnight Ink, June 2011
461 pages
$15.95
ISBN: 0738726664


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Magazine journalist Seneca Hunt stumbles unwittingly onto "the story of her life" when at an archaeological dig in Mexico City with her fiancé. When it appears the remains of Montezuma are missing, this is only the beginning to a much bigger and more sinister plot. Shortly after the discovery, there is an explosion (presumed to be set by terrorists), which takes the life of her fiancé Daniel Bernal.

Returning to her home base of Miami, shaken from the Mexico City event, Seneca decides she will work to investigate the death of her fiancé, which may be linked to the missing remains. As soon as she lands in Florida, however, she's already being followed. Hunt hooks up with fellow journalist Matt Everhart, who has discovered other tomb robberies, where only the bones of notorious mass murderers have been stolen.

Meanwhile, a secondary plot following a cowboy and a New Age religious leader are leading the story in a different direction. Echoing religious beliefs (a la DA VINCI CODE) of not only Christians but also ancient Aztecs, the story's bigger plot twists around a threat to humanity, which also echoes the end of life predicted via the Mayan calendar, which sets doomsday for December 21, 2012. Coupling this tale is the story of the Veil of Veronica, a cloth used to wipe the face of Jesus on his way to the cross.

Larger topics, such as the ethics of medicine and genetic research, are also incorporated in the overall story of Seneca Hunt's exploration. Many of the settings of the story are well described (such as one in the Catacombs of Paris) with plenty of mystery and threatening actions against Hunt and fellow journalist Everhart. Yet, while the book contains all the necessary components of a good thriller, it stretches just a little too far beyond believability, particularly with the character of Javier Scarrow, the religious New Age leader.

There's plenty of thrills and chills with the race to take Seneca Hunt out of the picture, lots of good scene setting and historical background, but ultimately the story falls flat. Perhaps this book works better for those who enjoy a little science fiction with their mystery writing, but for realists, it doesn't quite live up to its potential.

§ Christine Zibas is a freelance writer and former director of publications for a Chicago nonprofit.

Reviewed by Christine Zibas, May 2011

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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