Customer Reviews

Latter-Day Cipher: A Novel

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As a former Mormon who's family is deeply rooted in Mormonism and steeped with both the myth and the mystical of that church, I'm always appreciative of anything written about Mormonism that is well-researched and informative for the general public. This book is just that! And to have it in the form of a compelling mystery story makes it even more valuable for those of us who would like to have a more authentic story told about Mormon history. Latayne has created a very layered and nuanced murder mystery which is full of multi-dimensional characters - and by doing so, has been able to present interesting and lesser-known history about the church in a way that is anything but offensive. Due to my heavily immersed background as a Mormon, I am a seeker of truth, and Latayne knows her facts. I've researched many of them myself - and I commend her for finding a way to present that story without coming across as a "church-basher". Great story, and good history!
S. Emmett

Aside from CS Lewis' fictional works, I've had a hard time finding "Christian" fiction that is readable. Often it's so cleaned up and "G-rated" it comes across tamer than any Laura Ingalls Wilder story (and far less interesting). In many cases the entire novel is nothing more than one long evangelistic tract, with the conversion of the protagonist as the punchline. Not so with Latayne Scott. This author knows how to weave together a compelling, suspenseful story and alien-sounding Mormon doctrines without the latter detracting from the former. While there are definitely evangelical and evangelistic elements to the story, they flow naturally with the narrative.

The only part that made no sense to me was why the evangelical character, a young widowed mother of a baby, was taken along on the cross-country flight for the big conclusion (can't say anything more specific about that). One of the character's new found perspective on God, meant to represent classic Trinitarianism, sounded more like modalism to me. Then again, that would be a definite step up from tritheism.

This is a captivating read with mixing elements of CSI and DaVinci Code within the genre of Christian fiction. You don't have to be a Christian to read and enjoy this book.

Gripping and smart; this murder mystery draws the reader into the little known world of Mormon subcultures, and exposes fascinating details about their well-guarded secrets. This book cleverly informs and inspires the reader, while providing fine entertainment. I would especially recommend it for these audiences: ex-Mormons, doubting Mormons, devout Mormons, people who care about them, people who are curious about them...or anyone else who wants to read a carefully-crafted police drama.

I thought this book was well written and Latayne does a great job of description (eg. her "mudslide of a face", great stuff). I would have given the book a 5 but thought the ending was a bit weak. Also while she spent many pages describing people and places, not always moving the story, the fascinating (IMHO) "Book of Abraham" controversy was merely hinted at. I can still tell that story after reading Martha Beck's book and two pages would have told it. It makes it hard to believe in something (Smith's Interpretation of an Egyptian Book of the Dead) that could be disproved in a court of law. Still the book is well worth reading and I'd like to spend more time with her characters-- how about a sequel?

I rarely read Christian fiction, but I read this book twice! Don't miss this intriguing mystery by a first-time but sure-to-continue novelist. I don't know much about Mormonism and can't comment on that aspect of the book, but the suspense and creative writing was excellent.

I don't know much about Mormonism, or didn't, until I read both of Latayne Scott's books dealing with Mormonism. But I do know this author. She writes about subjects she believes in and has thoroughly researched. If she puts it down on paper you can take it to the bank. She has personal knowledge of Mormonism and did not leave that faith without a lot of soul and truth searching and prayer. From what I have read that she has written and my personal knowledge of the woman, her only reason for putting words on paper is to bring truth to her readers. This book may be a work of fiction but it is based solidly on a truth she only wants her readers to examine for themselves.

Latter-Day Cipher is a compelling suspense novel, from its eerily beautiful opening to a final page that lingers long after you've closed the cover. This is a finely-crafted story from a gifted, award-winning author whose prose is anything but typical to the genre. Like Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, Latter-Day Cipher traces a series of crimes steeped in Mormon tradition. Scott, renowned for her non-fiction The Mormon Mirage, now in its 3rd edition, uses her inside knowledge of Mormon doctrine to plot Cipher's crime spree, giving the reader a rare glimpse into the faith Scott embraced for 10 years. Now a devout Christian, Latayne, who still has a deep empathy for the Mormon people, speaks at seminars around the country on why she left the church she loved.

Author Latayne C. Scott, a former Mormon and now devout Christian, has written a gripping suspense novel remeniscent of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons - a series of strange crimes against a religious background.

Scott knows her setting well - Salt Lake City, headquarters of the Mormon church and home to many Mormons, both the good kind of people who are merely trying to serve their God and raise their families in the best way they know, and the weird fanatics that make their own twisted interpretations of strange doctrines, and will go to any lengths to achieve their goals.

Almost nothing about Mormon life is left out here. Every basic belief, every weird doctrine, every strange practice finds a neat place in the story, skillfully and unobtrusively woven into the plot. And it is 99% accurate (the reviewer was a believing Mormon himself for 25 years). Will a reader unfamiliar with Mormonism be able to understand all the "mormonisms" in the story? Yes, Scott has done it so well. A never-Mormon reader who read my copy had no trouble following the story, and along the way got a good picture of Mormons, both the harmless and the dangerous kind. Although there are some "bad Mormons" among the characters, many of the Mormons are portrayed sympathetically, so that this is in no way a polemic against Mormons or their religion.

The author builds suspense well and keeps the reader guessing almost until the end. I am looking forward to her next novel!

Award winning author LaTayne C. Scott has another hit with the suspense thriller Latter-Day Cipher. Scott takes the reader through an incredible journey of Mormon history. For this reviewer, it was a bit of deja vu having lived in Utah and being part of the Mormon church and culture for many years.

Scott brings to the Latter-Day Cipher many historically documented facts such as the Masonic links, Blood Atonement, and a gentle inside look at the hot topic in the news of polygamy. Has the media played a role in how the public perceives church tradition? As a reader you have the opportunity to take a look inside to how it began, developed, and why some will not give it up--and not for the reasons most people think.

Kirsten Young, a well-known and rebellious Utah heiress is found murdered in Provo Canyon. The strange markings carved into her flesh and the note written in 19th century code seems to cast a shadow on ancient Mormon laws. Already wary of outsiders, the last thing the Latter-Day Saints church needs is bad publicity.

Journalist Selonnah Zee is assigned to cover the story--and it quickly grows out of control. Within days, more victims appear in disturbing succession surrounded by symbols and clues.

Selonnah's cousin Roger has recently converted to Mormonism but his wife, Eliza is beginning to doubt the faith of her childhood. If something is really from God, she wonders, why does it need to be constantly revised? Might the murderer be asking the same question? And who might be the next victim?

Why did the murderer use the old Mormon Code based on Brigham Young's Deseret Alphabet? And what is the meaning of all the dead bodies carefully displayed and the strange markings? If you were an insider you knew it had to be covered up, but for Selonnah, a criminal justice graduate turned journalist, it became a puzzle to be mastered. Perhaps an answer is finally reached why the murderer and others like the old ways, but the church chose to be modernized.

This is definitely a page turner all the way to the surprising end.

At the back of the book are questions for study and insights brought out in this well written and fascinating book.

You can view a trailer of the book at www.latayne.com

Latter-Day Cipher is a great read in all aspects. It has a strong narrative and engaging plot. At the same time, it elucidates many of the lesser-known doctrines of the Latter-Day Saint (or Mormon) religion. I grew up LDS as well, so I can verify that the doctrines presented are correct. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who have an introductory knowledge of Mormonism and Mormon history and want to learn more.