![The Magus Covenant: The secret that will change the world (The Jotham Fletcher Mystery Thriller Series Book 1) by [Pike, Toni]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51KjEfAVHWL._SY346_.jpg)
This is an interesting novel in a popular genre. A scholarly Australian Anglican priest recovering from personal trauma travels to Rome to give a lecture on what should be a fairly dry topic. Instead of engaging in academic debate, however, Fr Jotham Fletcher is catapulted into a world of intrigue and danger. There are mad monks, secret societies, sinister priests and criminal syndicates hunting for the priest who slowly comes to realize that he has stumbled into a secret that could change the course of history. Along the way, he falls in love with a beautiful Italian woman who is an authority on ancient manuscripts, drives a Fiat in a way which is reckless and furious even by Italian standards and survives torture and temptation. It all moves at a great pace.
Pace is actually one of the strengths of the writing. The story moves well and Toni Pike handles the narrative line well. A cross country dash to reach a private jet on a disused runway is particularly well done. Toni Pike also brings a strong sense of place to the setting of the novel with convincing scenes in Rome, Derbyshire and Stockholm. The two principal characters [Jotham and Donatella] have depth and remain interesting throughout the novel. There are twists and turns right to the last page and the conclusion sets the reader up a sequel. The novel is cinematic and could well translate to film.
The flaws in the novel are principally those of the genre. [In this, Dan Brown has a lot to answer for.] As long as one can settle for the conventions of this genre, one won't be troubled by pantomime monks, a venal Italian police captain and powerful secret societies that survive in the shadows for thousands of years. It's an enjoyable first novel and a good debut for this Australian writer.
Product Description
“A thriller that will leave you breathless!”
THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT IS IN PERIL – UNLESS ONE MAN CAN UNCOVER THE TRUTH...
A long-forgotten sect, a deadly brotherhood, a billionaire who trades in relics and a race across Europe in pursuit of a killer.
Jotham Fletcher is in Rome to give a lecture about Simon Magus at the church where he fell to his death beside the Roman Forum. Magus was a cult leader mentioned in the Bible and his libertine sect disappeared by 400 AD.
But did it really die out?
A robed man is pushed from the bell tower of the church at midnight and Jotham becomes the prime suspect. His lover Antonella, an expert on ancient documents, has a shocking secret. Rumours fly about a papyrus scroll. A ruthless Catholic Brotherhood will stop at nothing in their hunt for a hidden sect. And a reclusive billionaire has the chance of a lifetime to get his revenge.
Jotham is kidnapped, tortured and on the run. He races from Italy to England to Sweden. But the body count continues to rise and so does the heat in this non-stop thriller that will leave you breathless.
FEATURING: a fast-paced and gripping plot, chase sequences, Italian police, mysterious historical events and an ending that you won’t see coming.
Don't miss this action-packed thriller! Discover the secret that will change the world.
There are three other books in this series - enjoy Jotham Fletcher’s continuing story.
Book 2: THE ROCK OF MAGUS – Code Red in the Vatican
Book 3: THE MAGUS EPIPHANY – Ancient treasures and a new revelation
Book 4: HOLY SPEAR OF MAGUS – The covenant will be fulfilled
