The Genesis Code

Rating:
Summary: Most poorly written book I've ever read and I read 5 a wk .
Review: The default is one star or I'd give it none. Don't waste your time and money! This book is so full holes I couldn't believe it was accepted for publishing. The worst among many many is that he actually forgot he had a letter in his pocket that would solve the whole mystery and save his life! The idea was interesting but the book so stupidly written I trashed it so the garbageman wouldn't find it and waste his time. Perfect example of a publisher paying for marketing to engineer a best seller even if the book is utter crap.

Rating:
Summary: Science and religion brought together in an unexpected twist
Review: Genetic scientific advancements lead to the creation of -- good or evil? -- our redemption or destruction? John Case joins the boundries science with some of the most mysterious stuff in the Bible in a believeable scenario that races from beginning to end. Case found the boundries of believeability without crossing them. It was with pain the old Catholic priest divulged what he learned but only to a certain high ranking well trusted friend in the Church and only because of the epic ramifications which only become clear to the reader later in the book. Were the Priest's actions an attempt to change what God preordained? Should he have tried?

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but gripping thriller
Review: The premise of this book is based on a lack of attention to the details of Catholicism, around which it revolves. For a start, a priest is never, under any circumstances, permitted to reveal the what he hears in confession (remember Hitchcock?!); other errors take away from the enjoyment: St Peter's in Rome is a basilica, not a Cathedral. And so on... but the story itself is really quite good, once you learn to ignore these errors. I read this book just after having finished Micheal Cordy's The Miracle Strain, which I think caused similar troubles-of-the-soul for a minority of reviewers. By the way, I'm Catholic, and I wasn't bothered. If a religion can't withstand a bit of gentle knocking it can't be worth following. raed this book, but don't take it too seriously.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, but great
Review: I really liked this book, especially the last third of the book. What I didn't like was how long it took to develop. This is a must for anybody who likes mysteries and/or slow developing books.

Rating:
Summary: A very interesting and hard to put down book!!
Review: Starts with the Catholic church as a background amidst its Gothic mystery. The chain of kilings and children being burned to the bone. The rationale behind it. The main character Joe Lassiter leads the readers in his own determination to solve the murder of his own sister and nephew and the crescendoing end that leaves you breathless and pondering about the book for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: A great read! Must have in briefcase if frequent traveler
Review: Would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a non-boilerplate thriller. Just enough intrigue (although a touch implausible), violence, and the main character very likeable. While literary appetite not satisfied, nevertheless enjoyed the fresh style. Author should stick to English in text, as forays into italicized Italian were woefully inept, and foreign characters came out as caricatures. Would love for the author to contact me if interested in an editor for his future foreign language needs. Polyglot DC native living in Brazil.

Rating:
Summary: Slow to develop but a great finish
Review: I read this book quickly as I really wanted to find out why all the kids and their parents were dying. Unfortunately, Case does not give you any inkling of this until well into the book. A good thriller with all the typical components; a rich protagonist (so he can travel a lot), really bad guys and a love interest. Not a lot of character development and some of the sub plots were distracting. The ending was amazing and did raise some very interesting theological questions. Maybe we will see a star rise over the bluegrass state of Kentucky?

Rating:
Summary: Mystery-lite. Flawed, but still a fun read
Review: The characters lack depth, and the mystery isn't mysterious for very long, but the book is still a good read. The plot is interesting and moves along quickly. While some of the main characters are too stereotypical, the smaller characters are interesting. A good travel book - light & airy, but entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous even though it keeps you hooked
Review: The beginning of this book really hooked me; I couldn't wait to find out what the whole mystery was. But the more I read, the more preposterous the story became. The main character is supposed to be a talented detective, but at times he's so dim-witted and slow, I threw the book down in frustration. This book really needed a more intelligent hero. Also, as a Catholic, I was offended by some of the issues in the book, especially the main "mystery". I thought it was completely ridiculous.

Rating:
Summary: Read this one!
Review: The Genesis Code is a terrific book from start to finish. Case writes with a stunning level of detail and just the right amount of description to keep the plot moving at an acceptable pace. His plot twists and dead ends make a suspenseful surrounding while still holding your interest. His character explanations make the people come alive in your mind. Definitely a book worth reading!