The Oculi Incident [Paperback]

Regis Schilken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2005

African American Pastor Paul Logue's gut instinct insists that the few drops of water that fall from the eyes of an ancient crucifix suspended in his old, Gothic Church are probably a diabolical human ruse or possibly a display of Lucifer himself. But in spite of his reassurances, each time the tears form, the word miracle arises from his congregation like a raging firestorm flamed by the media's unquenchable desire for sensationalism. The unique occurrences at his church quickly become national phenomena. Money pours into church coffers as droves of curiosity seekers, tourists, and religious believers visit Saint Martin's to glimpse the miracle cross and to leave behind extremely generous donations. But after several people die hideously, attempting to examine the long-hanging crucifix, Pastor Logue becomes desperate to uncover the cause of the mysterious tears, knowing that who or what he finds might easily claim him as a next victim.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Although Regis has retired as a Pittsburgh educator, the teachings of the Benedictine monks over thirty-five years ago have continued to influence his thinking. He has remained obsessed by such issues as good versus evil and the enigma of existence itself. His stories reflect his search for meaning in a very human way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: TurnKey Press (June 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976498138
• ISBN-13: 978-0976498131
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,245,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Regis Schilken was an educator in the Pittsburgh Public School System for 30 years before retiring. He remains obsessed by that mysterious realm where philosophy and science overlap. His stories reflect his search for meaning in a very human but often terrifying way.

Three of his books have been published: THE OCULI INCIDENT and THE ISLAND OFF STONY POINT, and a third book, YOU KNOW WHEN, was just recently released. Rege has signed a contract for DEMONS OF JUSTICE to be published in 2010. Hopefully, THE TEE-MAY CODE will soon follow. At present, he is working on KILLMARNOCK.

In addition, Regis writes a series of articles for Blogcritics Magazine under the title of SCIENCE AND BEING. He produces book reviews which appear regularly on that same Blogcritics website, on Midwest Reviews, and on The Internet Review of Books.

At the present, he lives with his wife, Jennie, in Bethel Park, a borough just outside of Pittsburgh. They have three children and three wonderful grandchildren.

Regis hopes to keep writing until he forgets what the keyboard on his computer is for.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUSPENSEFUL!, August 17, 2005

By 

C. Ruscitti (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Oculi Incident (Paperback)

Just when you think you know what Schilken will do next, he surprises you. I really enjoyed the way the characters develop, and the excitement that builds as events occur. One of my favorites is October 17, 2002! I'm looking forward to reading Rege Schilken's upcoming books!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!, August 13, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Oculi Incident (Paperback)

Right off I am going to say this is an outstanding, exceptional work; from the first page to the last I was totally consumed by the read. In the beginning we are confronted by the mysterious disappearance of a very lovable Priest, what could have happened to him and why? We are jetted off in the read and meet Police Officer Timothy Comstock and his soon to be wife Martie who will become major players in this story. Again moving forward in time we are taken to St. Lukes where something unusual is happening.
It seems a beautiful crucifix of Jesus seems to be shedding tears and the adventure begins as Priests, police officers and Scientists scramble to find out if this is a true miracle or an exceptional hoax.

The story darkens however when those who get too close to the investigation either end up dead, are terrified to the point of stopping their involvement, or are seriously injured. Is this a hoax or a real miracle from God? And why are so many people ending up dead? Great mystery element.

The author does an outstanding job of his character and story development, skillfully weaving and twisting events and characters until it is impossible to know if this is a real miracle or a hoax during the read. And so well hidden was a certain character's background, I never would have suspected they were behind the evil and killings at St. Lukes. The ending was absolutely heart- thrilling and spell bounding; I loved it. Was this a true miracle? You decide! What a read; one you do not want to miss. I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "This is not your ordinary page turner., August 18, 2005

By 

Regis Schilken "Rege" (Bethel Park, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oculi Incident (Paperback)

Reviewed by Constance Donaldson
Writer
Technical Writer
Professional Storyteller
Former Technical Writer for DDI (Developmental Dimensions International)
Author: "Butterfly Wing Cane," in <

It begins with the disappearance of a kindly old monk in Pennsylvania. Has he left the monastery to fulfill a covert life's ambition? Did he have a secret life unknown to his brothers in the monastery, or has foul play been involved in his departure?

Then the reader is taken back in time to the battle grounds of Vietnam where soldiers learn to live by a very different code of ethics than the one they learned in the Catholic school of their youth.

Finally, the action switches to the present and a tiny church in a working-class community some miles from the monastery, struggling to remain open despite growing financial burdens. Here a miracle takes place that may end the pastor's financial worries-but only if he can be sure that the miracle is genuine, and not the work of the devil.

When the life sized crucifix above the altar begins to shed tears during the weekly Benediction service, the parishioners, the news media and eventually the police become involved in the "miracle."

While, on one hand the Church officials, under the auspices of the Vatican appointed investigator are examining the Oculi Incident to determine if it is the work of God or of Satan, the pastor and his non-believing friends, police officer Tim Comstock and his wife Martie, are looking into the possibility that the phenomenon may be man-made and extremely dangerous.

This is not your ordinary page turner. Interwoven in the plot line of murders, suspects, twists and turns are some unique characters with surprisingly spiritual souls.

A good part of the enjoyment of this book is in the characters and how their faith interacts with their everyday lives. We're introduced to a world of normal good people-whether believers of not- who are facing circumstances that are neither good or normal.

With humor and a genuine caring for his characters, Schilken creates a page turner with heart. You find yourself racing to find out what comes next, but also saddened when you come to the end and realize that you must leave these quirky and very human characters behind.