Rating: 
Summary: I loved this book
Review: What a story! The twists and turns went far beyond my wildest expectations (and I expected a lot from the first moment I heard the premise). I just read the one star review this book received here on Amazon and I have to say, I wish whoever wrote it hadn't remained anonymous. I'd love to ask them their real motivation for trashing such an innovative novel.Truth is, this book is everything that person claimed it's not. It's extremely well written with terrific characters and fantastic plot developments. I even recall mention of a kitchen sink, so "anonymous" is wrong on that point, too. I guess some people just aren't happy unless they are raining on someone else's parade. Well, bad news for those of that ilk: Whenever it rains a rainbow appears. Buy this book! You'll love it too!
Rating:
Summary: Wow! I love this book!
Review: The cover and title of this book grabbed my attention and made me want to read it. It is a great mystery! I really enjoyed it, read it on the exercise bike and rode for 1 1/2 hours! It is one of those books that you just don't want to put down. I wanted to find out what happened next, but didn't want to peek to the ending!
Well done JR.......an excellent book. Loved the characters, the development of them, the suspense.....a fun read! Nothing else that I can say or would say....don't want to give any of it away, it is better reading it for yourself and finding out that way!
I would recommend buying this book and making it a mandatory summer read!
I just pray the plot/book never becomes a non-fiction!
Rating:
Summary: It's a Steal!
Review: The very topic that seemed fresh a few years ago now seems pretentious and passe. The cloning of Christ was explored with great creativity in BeauSeigneur's "The Christ Clone Trilogy," but it lacked masterful prose. The more recent "Cloning Christ" shoots for the stars and misses just about everything. "The Jesus Thief" restores freshness to this cloning concept. Instead of resorting to Armageddon scenarios or international conspiracies, Lankford focuses on real people and real details of cloning. In doing so, she hooked me on an earthy and vital story. The story revolves around Felix Rossi, a microbiologist who happens to steal blood-stained threads from the Shroud of Turin in hopes of cloning Christ. His difficulties come from his girlfriend, his sister, his landlord, his doorman...and his black maid. In other words, this story deals with actual life situations and emotions. Soon, Rossi acquires the hostess for his cloning project, but has trouble keeping the secret from a nosy reporter and religious do-gooders. The pages turn quickly, leading to a bloody, yet miraculous conclusion that raises hope while never becoming "too heavenly minded for any earthly good." Lankford is a wonderful tale-spinner and weaver of words. Her prose is smooth and rich, the dialogue believable, the medical details credible. Characters such as Maggie, the maid, and Sam, the doorman, seem like people you'd meet on any given day. I loved this book. Although I admire the author's inclusive and non-judgmental approach to all religions, I think she might step on a few toes by putting Christ and Buddha on the same plane. I respect her heart, while not necessarily agreeing with her views. Some might also be put off by occasional foul language and maturely portrayed sexual situations, but most will appreciate the honest and no-punches-pulled account of "The Jesus Thief."
I say, buy this one. It's a steal! ...
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Story!
Review: J.R. Lankford's The Jesus Thief is a compelling, wonderfully crafted story that I highly recommend. Regardless of your position with respect to The Second Coming or the issues of human cloning, I have found The Jesus Thief to be one of those great finds the reader will have a difficult time putting down. Ms. Lankford's novel is not only highly educational, but it thrusts the reader right into her story. And though there have been other works written regarding the subject matter, all stories, regardless of the topic, are in fact different. In a novelist varying approach to a subject deemed worthy of writing, storylines, too, are different. This is a fantastic story!......Peter Senese, author.
Rating:
Summary: Lucid and Accomplished
Review: The Jesus Thief is a marvelous novel. It explores the possibility that blood from the Shroud of Turin could be used to clone Christ. This subject matter could easily result in sensationalist drivel, but instead Lankford has crafted an exciting and thought-provoking story which examines the feasibility of such an event, as well as its moral and physical implications.
The characters are well-developed and their motives for taking part in such an extraordinary act are realistically complex and nuanced. The way they each do or don't come to terms with their actions provides a vehicle for Lankford to deal with weighty issues, leaving readers to draw their own theological conclusions.
In short, this is a lucid and accomplished novel with an utterly riveting plot that twists and turns to a thrilling conclusion.
Rating: 
Summary: Predictable
Review: The concept of cloning and Second Coming's which author Lankford attempts to explore with her novel The Jesus Thief is one of interest; however, like many stories now endlessly focussing on this subject matter, this book too, falls short due to an easily predictable storyline. The character development is good, especially Lankford's 'Felix'. Nevertheless, I feel as if the author could have gone deeper with the storyline, and her intended meaning or basis for which she wrote this book.
Rating:
Summary: exciting and rewarding
Review: what sets lankford's book about from other mystery/thrillers is the engaging quality of her writing and the sense that immersing yourself in this page-turner is time very well spent indeed. i would be pressing my copy into the hands of friends and family except that i want to keep it for myself and start reading it again soon.
Rating: 
Summary: What an adventure!
Review: J. R. Lankford's second thriller starts out of the gate with a bang! What a subject! Stealing the DNA from a holy relic & setting about the controversial process of finding a surrogate mother & cloning one of the most revered historical figures. THE JESUS THIEF romps across time & oceans, from sacred sites & cows to secret hideaways & tortured love, dragging converts & killers, skeptics & heroes along in its wake. Suspend your disapproval & get set for a fine adventure! I couldn't put it down!
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Summary: Cloning Jesus
Review: In her book "The Jesus Thief" Ms. Lankford works to capture the potential impact that would accompany a successful attempt to clone Jesus Christ in modern day society. In so doing, she weaves a thrilling tale of modern biology mixed with page turning mystery that provides a terrific read for lovers of the genre. Add to this, the backdrop of big money and power in Manhattan, and Ms. Lankford has succeeded in creating a wonderful tale, that presents a level of realism that is hard to match. While one might find some of the elements of the story a little predictable, the intensity of feeling for which Ms. Lankford touches on the important issues of society allow the story to carry much more weight than just a regular mystery novel. In this book, the author is able to create a feeling of "Virtual Mysticism" within the mind of the reader. The implications of the book are so vast and all encompasing, that it provides for a terrific social commentary along with her story. Mystery readers will not be disappointed by Ms. Lankford's book. And if we are fortunate, Ms. Lankford will provide us with a sequel to this book, that would more fully round out the perspective she is trying to portray. I would highly recommend this book to mystery lovers everywhere.
Rating:
Summary: This one exciting page-tuner
Review: In 1978 scientists tested the Shroud of Turin. Most of the team concluded that it was not an artifact from biblical times. A few dissenters felt the Shroud potentially had two construction periods in which the cloth was woven and that limitations on where to test to protect the item resulted in only the edges evaluated and a questionable conclusion reached. Now the Church bestows a great honor on New York Catholic Dr. Felix Rossi as he has been selected to conduct scientific testing on the origin of the Shroud. In Turin, unable to resist even while feeling guilty, Felix steals two threads from the Shroud. His plan is simple. If these are bloodstains with intact DNA on the Shroud, Felix plans to clone them even as he wonders if that is truly the remains of Jesus Christ and who will serve as Mary. Felix will soon find himself and his family at the center of a religious controversy and conspiracy as people stand divided on the topic of the Second Coming. THE JESUS THIEF cleverly avoids the Apocalypse Now that seems to be the prime thread of many Second Coming novels. Instead the story line brilliantly merges current and future speculation of science to tell a delightfully action-packed parable of the Second Coming. The cast is solid starting with the obsessed Felix and the story line is fast-paced and loaded with detail, but this powerful tale belongs to the allegory that applies current science and scientific theory to The Second Coming. Harriet Klausner
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