Brotherhood of the Tomb

By Daniel Easterman

Book Overview

This fourth thriller (after The Ninth Buddha) by a pseudonymous British author confirms his rising reputation as a literary writer of well-researched espionage tales.

In 1968 in Jerusalem, a tomb is discovered that contains the bones of Jesus, his "brother" James, and their mother, Mary. At the same time, at Trinity College in Dublin, young American student Patrick Canavan falls in love with Francesca Contarini, who wears a strange cross around her neck. Twenty-four years later, Francesca has apparently drowned, and Canavan, now ex-CIA, has returned to Dublin to try to recapture his youthful peace of mind. But events from the past impinge on the present: just after Canavan realizes he is being watched by a sinister man with a strange tattoo, he discovers an old priest with his eyes gouged out. Then children are murdered and their hearts ripped from their bodies, and KGB agents have their heads shaved and covered with plastic bags.

Teaming up with an Ethiopian priest, Canavan must decipher Hebrew, Greek, and Italian texts to detect the apparent reemergence of the secret Brotherhood, a twelfth century right-wing sect. Is the cult, founded on the teachings of James, out to seize the papacy, spread the word that Christ did not die on the cross, and reinitiate human sacrifice? And is Francesca actually dead? Easterman connects the threads of his complex narrative with riveting suspense: almost every chapter ends with a cerebral cliff-hanger guaranteed to speed readers on to the next page.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385520476
• ISBN13: 9780385520478
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Before the Da Vinci Code...

I am just now reading Dan Brown's book. Yes, the plot twists are different, but they share a thread wherein the very core of Christian belief is threatened. Whether Mary Magdalene or James the Just, I happen to believe the implied relationships in these books are credible. Anyhow, I thought this book a great read. And, now I'll see if Brown's as good as they say...

Easterman is great!

This is the first Easterman book I had ever read. I too read the whole thing in one sitting. His descriptions bring the setting in the story to life and he maintains a dark sometimes tragic mood throughout the story. The story is captivating and combines the elements of a good spy story with a story of lost love and religious/political intrigue. The protagonist, Patrick Canavan, is taken on a journey that revisits his former career in the CIA, resurrects a past personal tragedy, and injects mystery that ties the two together. I wish his books were more available--but this one is definitely worth a search. Easterman has moved up my list of favorite authors. If you enjoy this one, The Judas Testament will satisfy you as well.

Spellbinding

Well, this was just brilliant. Sure, the story is dark and at times depressing, but the classic lone struggle against dark forces turns what could have been a pedestrian undertaking in to a gripping and at times qute moving story of love and, ultimately, loss.

Set aside a block of time!

This is one of only two books I have read cover to cover without putting down, much to the neglect of family, friends and everything else. Eat a big meal, grab a tall glass of water, get comfortable in your favorite chair with the light just right, and ENJOY!

An incredible book

I'm sorry this book is out-of-print. It is an incredible story combining philsophical truism with international espionage. If you ever see it in a used bookstore -- pick it up. You won't regret it.