The Pegasus Secret (Lang Reilly Thrillers) [Mass Market Paperback]

Gregg Loomis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lang Reilly Thrillers | Publication Date: May 2005

While investigating his sister's murder, a man discovers a map in a painting that leads to the long-hidden secrets of the Knights Templar—secrets that could shatter Christianity.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shortly after ex-spy Lang Reilly's sister dies in an explosion in her Paris home, a reproduction of a painting by the 17th-century artist Poussin, which his sister bought the day before she died and which includes an odd Latin inscription, disappears from Lang's home. With police and killers on his trail, Lang embarks on a journey to Italy to uncover the painting's secrets as well as its connection to his sister, enlisting the help of a former co-worker, the German killing-machine Gurt Fuchs. Somewhat dry excerpts from a medieval account of the Knights of the Temple punctuate the action, hinting that the mystery is more complex than Lang can imagine. The international setting and fast-paced action grip, and fortunately, Loomis's convincing protagonist possesses the intelligence and emotional depth to carry the reader through some unlikely scenarios (e.g., in an airport bathroom stall, Lang constructs a fake gun out of candy). Though the momentum sometimes lags, each scene is vivid enough to keep the reader engaged. Some may find the book's secret societies and art history themes a trifle unoriginal, but others looking to repeat The Da Vinci Code experience will be satisfied.
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Review

"More intrigue and suspense than in The Da Vinci Code!" —Robert J. Randisi, author of Blood of Angels

 

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 369 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843955309
• ISBN-13: 978-0843955309
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out Da Vincis The Da Vinci Code, May 16, 2005

By 

paul mason "dedarkone" (Barrie On) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pegasus Secret (Lang Reilly Thrillers) (Mass Market Paperback)

Even before Loomis's THE PEGASUS KEY was published there were comparisions to Brown's bestselling novel with a similiar plot. However before readers of the Da Vinci code, and there are a few, decide that they have read this before and therefore there is no need to read THE PEGASUS KEY please read this review.
Langford Rielly is an ex-Cia agent, whose sister and nephew are killed in a firebombing. Just because Lang had changed his career to become a lawyer does not however mean he can turn a blind eye to justice, or vengeance however, and he vows to discover the reason behind their tragic deaths no matter where it leads him. The key seems to be a copy of a painting, that is a map leading to...well you will have to read this excellent book to find that out.

Loomis apparantly worked on his manuscript for a couple years at least, which should prove there is no intentional copying or mimicking here. Although the plot is similiar to Brown's Pegasus is not the first thriller to run into similiar plots, in fact Da Vinci for all its controversy is hardly the first novel to raise questions concerning church dogma. Now that I have laid to rest my defense for the plot I will focus on Loomis's excellent characterization and pacing. This is an extremely readable novel, written at a compelling fever pitch where the pages are soaked with characterization and action. Loomis flips from third person narration to first seamlessly. It has fascinating historical details which although fictional are interesting enough in that there is evident factual research at play in the story.

This novel is not extremely long and depending on readers' commitment to Loomis's storytelling can be read in a matter of days but hopefully kept on the shelf to be re-read, in fact after just finishing it I almost want to reread it immediately I enjoyed it that much.

One more thing, some may intepret this review as a dissing of Da Vinci Code and I want to assure Amazon browsers that is not my intent I also really liked Brown's novel. I just want to restate that this is an excellent alternative or addition to anyone's reading list that already contains The da Vinci Code.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel for all, July 7, 2005

By 

six pipes (Rome, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pegasus Secret (Lang Reilly Thrillers) (Mass Market Paperback)

What a pleasant surprise! A modern day treasure hunt - tracing a several centuries-old painting with hidden meanings to a present-day double murder, the pages fly by with ease.

It is obvious the author spent many hours researching this work - I checked the accuracy of the historical data presented in the book and it appears to be spot-on, which makes the novel even more believable.

Both history buffs and those who feel a little more historically-challenged alike will enjoy this read and find this book fascinating.

Dan Brown was good but Loomis is better. The book incorporates more accurate historical events than Brown could invent.

A 5-star recommendation - after all, who doesn't love a good treasure hunt?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Eh, it's a book to read, July 24, 2007

By 

E. McCabe "ATIS" (Iraq) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pegasus Secret (Lang Reilly Thrillers) (Mass Market Paperback)

Like most of the planet, I enjoyed reading the DaVinci Code. I've also read a lot of hystorical secret thrillers since... the market is flooded with them. This particular book is a straight forward application of the formula, with the only variable being his long-since-past employment with the CIA. That is used as a literary crutch a little too often to get him out of artifically created tight spots. I found myself drifting off the read quite often loosing attention to a conversation in the reading room, or thinking about something else while reading. I become completely engrossed in a good read, so I'd have to say that didn't happen with this book. It's not horrible, and if you really like the historical thriller, it's probably a good airplane read, but to devote a weekend to it would be a waste of a good weekend. If you read it's 369 pages straight through from Friday evening, you could salvage your Saturday night and reflect on your choice say "Hmmm, the Knights Templar are at it again!". Generok