The Authenticator [Hardcover]

William M. Valtos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Meet Theo Nikonos, private investigator of near-death experiences. When it comes to weirdness, Theo's seen it all, but he meets his match when he falls in love with a beautiful young woman who just happens to be dead--almost.

For reasons unknown, near-death experience superstar Laura (who knows how many times she's died?) is kept in a drug-induced stupor and strapped to a table, hidden away. Theo discovers that her unseen captors not only believe her near-death experiences are real, but seek to use them for their own insidious purposes.

Theo knows something's up but has to jump through flaming hoops--boulders, bullets, and other nastiness--to get at the truth. As Theo races to liberate Laura from her mysterious captors, he realizes that the forbidden knowledge she holds may result in "the big sleep" for them both. Psychic meets psycho in this fast-paced novel that explores life, death, and the darkness in between.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A near-death experience supplies the basis for this fast-paced mystery that features Theo Nikonos, a former insurance claims adjuster now working freelance for the Institute for the Investigation of Anabiotic Phenomena. Theo's mentor at the institute, Prof. Pierre DeBray, sends him to examine Laura Duquesne, a young woman who has experienced an extremely detailed near-death experience after a fiery car accident. Drawn by her beauty and helplessness, Theo reluctantly agrees to aid Laura in the search for her husband, Harrison, who by all evidence died in the car accident-but who actually survived, if what Laura learned in her near-death experience can be believed. Both Theo and Laura risk their lives in pursuit of Harrison and in their effort to prove Laura's claims. After several murders close to home, they must face the truth of Harrison's whereabouts as well as their feelings for each other. Never mind some stereotypical bad guys and a predictable ending. Valtos, whose previous novel, Resurrection, also dealt with near -death experience, provides not only an exciting detective story, but an enticing view of the afterlife that will leave readers pondering, wondering. (Feb.)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Valtos's Authenticator is a compelling story narrated by Theophanes Nikonos, an investigator into near-death experiences (NDE). Sent to interview NDE survivor Laura Duquesne, Theo quickly becomes fascinated by her tale: Laura insists that her dead husband is still alive and that she was sent back to save him. Theo is skeptical at first but is impelled to investigate further, particularly after two thugs beat him up and abduct Laura. Who is trying to cover up the truth? Did Laura really die and come back to life? Will Theo be able to protect the beautiful woman he has come to love? Valtos (Resurrection) has a writing style that is immediately engaging and very readable. Part mystery, part visionary fiction, Authenticator is a solid choice for most public libraries.
-Laurel Bliss, New Haven, CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571741496
• ISBN-13: 978-1571741493
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,701,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original and deliciously creepy, April 10, 2000

By 

Lynn Harnett (Marathon, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Authenticator (Hardcover)

Just when you thought it couldn't be done, William M. Valtosintroduces a PI with a real difference. " 'I'd like to ask yousome questions about your death, if you don't mind,' " Theo Nikonos says, setting up his tape recorder by the bed of beautiful Laura Duquesne, drugged and confined in the basement of a private clinic. Laura died in surgery after the fiery car wreck which killed her husband. But 120 minutes later, she woke up in the hospital morgue.

Theo, a former insurance investigator, fighting failure in his personal and professional life, investigates near-death experiences. Laura's amazingly detailed story justifies the risks he has taken breaking into the clinic. No one has ever brought back such lucid particulars from the other side. Of course, such textbook confirmation also raises suspicions. And Laura claims her husband is still alive which is simply impossible. One thing is clear. Laura is terrified of something and it's not death.

Mild and tentative, Theo's determination is stoked by a savage beating. A tense and macabre rescue of Laura leads to love, mayhem and murder. But action and nail-biting suspense is as nothing compared to a revelation half way through the narrative that will leave the most jaded reader gasping in horror.

Theo's earnest narration underscores the eerie feel of this fast-paced and original novel, sure to send new readers on a hunt for his first, "Resurrection," which was made into an HBO movie, "Almost Dead."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Want to go to heaven and back? This is cool!, April 4, 2008

By 

Eric Higginbotham (Cloverdale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Authenticator (Hardcover)

I bought this book because I was just looking for a good fiction book that dealt with life after death or near death experiences. This was recommended to me by amazon. Right away I am captured by the amazing detail and clarity of a near death experience described by a young who was involved in a car accident and was pronounced dead at the hospital. An hour and a half later, in the morgue, she begins to show signs of life and comes back to tell an amazing tale.

She is interviewed by the hero of the story, Theo, who is doing research into near death experiences. She is being kept in this clinic against her will and begs Theo to help her escape. Theo is captivated by her beauty and finds himself unable to do anything but help. The young woman, Laura, explains to Theo that she was sent back (from the other side) to save her husband who was (supposedly) killed in the car wreck as well. Intriguing plot for sure!

Theo helps her escape and then the murder and mystery tale begins as they try to get away from those who held her captive while trying to find her husband.

The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because the story gets a little slow until about page 200 or so when we find out why Laura was being held against her will in that clinic. Once it picks up again it I couldn't put the book down.

I will warn you that the main character, Theo, is a former psychology scholar. There are entire chapters dedicated to him examining how he or someone else is behaving or feeling and what the significance might be. For instance, he quite often seems to stop to examine his emotions and reactions when faced with imminent and immediate danger. This can be a bit much at times but hang in there. This kind of detail pays off in the end.

Enjoyed the book. Glad I read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling from the very first page, May 29, 2001

By 

Alexis Masters (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Authenticator (Hardcover)

Ever had a book grab you in the first few paragraphs and never let you go until the end? That's what The Authenticator did for me. I breezed through almost 400 pages in about a day and a half. As a novelist forever on the learning-curve of my craft, I've become so analytical while reading fiction that I rarely have that "pure escape" a good novel can provide, but Mr. Valtos delivered it with this excellent story. Kudos to the author and to Hampton Roads for a first-class tale of suspense!