Customer Reviews

The Pravda Messenger: A Novel

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For seven years, Tanya Novak has lived in obscurity with a local goat farmer in rural Colorado. Tanya, an immigrant from Russia, is a normal teenager living with her guardian and caring for the livestock. Normal except for the fact her father is imprisoned in Siberia, she has come into possession of a mysterious Bible, a humiliated former KGB agent sees her capture as his ticket to restoration, she might know the location of a golden snuff box containing a portion of manna from Israel's wilderness wanderings, and she has been gifted with the Pravda. It is that gift, the ability to tell when others are truthful or deceitful, that becomes both her blessing and her curse.

The Pravda Messenger is a loose sequel to The Bell Messenger with a Bible being the connector between the two stories. Robert Cornuke's background as both a police investigator and world class archeologist lend authenticity to the sub-plot of Russian Czars and the shadowy world of antiquity traders and smugglers. In a relatively short novel, the author spins a great story of legends, international intrigue, and personal obsession. But the real star of the story is Tanya. Her innocence, devotion to the truth, and yearning to be reunited with her father carry the day. Cornuke does a good job of weaving Tanya's story with that of her father's plight in the bitter north of Russia.

Though it feels a bit rushed, the ending packs the kind of twist every good suspense story needs. And like most such novels, if I said any more you would be screaming at me for giving away the plot. It is sufficient here to say the cast of characters is diverse and believable: attorney Shannon Reed (a true believer), billionaire R.C. Cooper (a man obsessed with the secrets contained in an old family Bible), David Murk (a skeptic who can't help but believe), and a range of other secondary characters including a cameo appearance by Fidel Castor. Add to that a tight plot, fast passed story, and surprise ending. What more could you ask for in a suspense novel?

Sometimes it is a kiss of death to label a novel as smart in this day of increasingly shallow fiction but The Pravda Messenger is a smart story. Don't misinterpret that to mean it is not exciting or captivating because it is both. It is smart because the characters, dialogue, and well told story carry the day. Thought it is not necessary, you would do well to obtain the Bell Messenger to add yet another layer to an already great read. If you are gifted with the Pravda you will know I am telling you truth about this novel. Otherwise, I guess you will just have to read it for yourself.

The Bell Bible is a divine journal ending up with people chosen by God. That person is the messenger and in the right hands has the power to change things for the good of its temporary owner. Through an unusual set of circumstances, the bible comes to Tanya of Colorado Springs after it was found on the ground following a plane crash and a thief stole it expecting riches.

Tanya immediately recognizes the bible having seen it seven years ago hidden in the tomb of Feodor Kuzmich, believed to be czar Alexander who left his pampered life to become a monk. She also recalls noticing a gold snuff box believed to hold manna inside it. In the present the Soviets want the manna to study it so that the scientists can increase food production; they reject any divine creation of manna. The Cubans want Tanta because she is the PRAVDA MESSENGER, a woman who can hear lies when they are spoken. Tanya's father is in a Gulag Camp C-23. People are working to free him so he can be used to blackmail Tanya into cooperating with her enemies.

There are many more villains in this intriguing work. This includes a Soviet spy who failed to obtain the snuff box seven years ago, which is the only blight on his record so he is obsessed with getting a second chance to recover it; an American working for a top secret agency whose desire for money supersedes his loyalty to his country and the Russians are willing to pay for his cooperation. Tanya is much more mature than her age as she understands the blessing she has received, but also knows the Lord will protect her. There are many heroes willing to become martyrs to keep her safe, but the most important is the Bell Bible given to God's chosen for his purpose. Inspiring, unique and special, fans will appreciate the PRAVDA MESSENGER.

Harriet Klausner

It's always a risk to try a new novelist for me since I've often been disappointed. The Pravda Messenger was one of those books that made the risk worthwhile. It had interesting characters and situations. The young girl in the story who has "the gift" is realistic in her reactions. The ending is a bit ambiguous about her "gift" which made it good to discuss. Someone has done a good job in researching Russia and adding realistic backgrounds with fiction in a great combination.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is the sequel to the Bell Mesenger. I hope they write more. I did not want to put this book down and I was very sad when it was all finished :) I highly recommend this book!!!!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of the "Bell Messenger" series! Cornuke and Gansky never fail to grab one and hold them hostage in their novels! I stayed up all night and all day on a plane with the first one and didn't take my nose out of this one until I was finished. The characters are original, the writing is descriptive and sometimes humorous and the story is very adventurous!
The only complaint I have is that I missed the layout of the first book: How it took you from the 1800s to 1980 with each chapter. This book was solely in the 1980s.

This book is a fast read that captures the reader's attention with the first paragraph. It is a tale of the twists through the forests of the Russian taiga to the American Mid-West and then the the East Coast and a trip to Havana.
The story follows an ancient Bible and shows the impact on the lives of those who come into contact with it. The personal lives of the characters are all somehow involved with this Bible and its message. It is a thriller that should be a great read for everyone this summer!

The story is of Tanya, a Russian girl blessed with the Pravda, or the ability to distinguish when people are telling truth or lies. Sadly, a blessing in the wrong hands is easily turned into a curse, so young Tanya finds trouble wherever she goes from those wanting to profit from her gift. She also finds some Christian friends who aid her through the morass of turmoil. The story takes some unexpected turns along the way, and intertwined throughout is an ancient Bible that links lives together in supernatural fashion.

This is definitely a page-turner of a book. If you're interested in the Christian suspense genre, then you'll be entertained.

I personally would classify this book as being rather fantastical fiction. And there were some ethical issues thrown in, such as cloning, that I don't think added to the story because there really wasn't time to debate the issues in depth.

What I did really enjoy was the international flavor and background of the book, and particularly the treatment of the legend of "the Emperor and the Hermit," or Tsar Alexander & Feodor Kuzmich. I had not heard of this legend before, and the book had me Googling to find out more.

Overall, The Pravda Messenger is an entertaining read with spiritual lessons ingrained throughout...