38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dem Bones, August 17, 2009
After just finishing a sloppily written/poorly edited book by another author, it was a pleasure to encounter Robin Cook's smooth, error-free prose. Intervention rolls steadily along like old man river for the first two-thirds or so, although I would not say it's breathtakingly exciting.
The three main characters were chums in college. Now, they are all successful men in their fifties living in New York. Jack, easily the most likeable of the three, is a forensic pathologist for the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He performs autopsies and determines the cause of death for people who apparently did not die naturally. Shawn is a prominent archaeologist based at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with an interest in early Christian history. He's willing to bend/ignore the rules to advance his career. James is the Catholic archbishop of New York City. He too is ambitious and hopes to rise even higher in the Church.
Jack, whose first wife and two children were killed in a plane crash, is now married to a colleague at the OCME. As the novel opens, he is troubled by his infant son's serious illness, which does not seem to be responding to medical treatment. This contributes to Jack's interest in alternative medicine, as does the death of a young woman which was apparently caused by a negligent chiropractor.
Shawn uncovers evidence in Egypt and Rome which appears to rock cherished Catholic beliefs. His findings focus on what's inside an ancient ossuary, dated at 62 A.D. If you know what an ossuary is, the title of this review will mean something to you. If you don't know what an ossuary is, you will soon enough if you read this book.
James is alarmed by Shawn's findings because they undermine some of James's personal religious beliefs and because James unwittingly facilitated those discoveries. James is afraid that his association with Shawn's work will derail his train to higher Church office, so he wants to quash Shawn's highly controversial research before it becomes public.
Cook writes with a confidence and grace that kept the pages turning. But, as the last hundred or so pages approached, I wondered how Cook could possibly bring this yarn together effectively. He doesn't. The yarn unravels as the conclusion nears. The plot takes some bizarre, unconvincing turns. It seems to all go up in smoke.
I feel that Cook wrote himself into a corner when he tried to have "science" prove or disprove what are, in the end, matters of faith. The accuracy of the sources that concerned James so much simply could not be proven, no matter what Shawn reported. This really undermines the whole book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Will the real Robin Cook please stand up., August 29, 2009
This couldn't have been written by Robin Cook. It was the WORST book I ever read. Talk about trying to cash in on the Dan Brown train! Nothing in this book was remotely believable. If my infant son had cancer I don't think I would be playing basketball, going to dinner parties and winging to Rome for a diversion!!! Give me a break. I fell asleep reading this too many times to count and normally I can't put a Robin Cook down. Will the real Robin Cook please stand up!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
worst robin cook novel ever!, December 16, 2009
This perhaps was the worst book I've read in the past ten years or so. The first half we're preached at incessantly on the dangers of alternative medicine. The second half seemed to be written by a different author altogether. I hated this book, unlike some of the other reviews I finished the book. It was an awful experience that left me very angry. I will think twice before reading another robin cook novel. I think it's time he get back to his roots and writes a solid medical mystery with fresh characters. I for one think the whole jack stapelton character is played out. Let the reader beware!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
