Rating: 
Summary: Sharply written & thoroughly entertaining
Review: The Jesus Thief by J. R. Lankford is a gripping and original novel about an unthinkable attempt to clone Jesus Christ from DNA associated with the blood of the Shroud. Conflicting motives and ties among members of the religious community, family, and various individuals are swept along in the midst of raging controversy in this sharply written, thoroughly entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking story -- and one which today's headlines could imply that author Lankford's fictional premise could be some geneticist's sought after experimental reality in the not-so-distant future.
Rating:
Summary: Provocative!
Review: J. R. Lankford is a unique new author. Published in oversized paperback for her first work, "The Crowning Circle", Lankford garnered a wealth of positive reviews for her interesting characters and dialogue and the "enjoyability" factor of her suspenseful plot.Who would think that her second novel would take such a turn? Published on a national level this time, Lankford pulls the concept of cloning a human being from the headlines, combines it with well-researched medical data, adds her knowledge of New York and Italy, and wraps it up with the spiritual nature of her writing. Wow! Lankford will also draw some critics who will scoff at the premise of the novel, or perhaps criticize the extent of her research into cloning - I rate the book based on its enjoyment factor, and strong sense of story. In any case, it will be interesting to see what type of following the author draws with the her second work of fiction, a far cry from the first.... "The Jesus Thief" takes a long hard look at how the world is really manipulated, how the masses yearn to believe, and characterizations and dialogue somewhat reminiscent of Dean Koontz. The attempt to clone a spiritual descendant of Jesus goes forward inevitably, despite the fact that the characters have many second thoughts about their actions, which are shared by the readers. Much more than a medical thriller, you will be drawn into the lives of Felix, Frances, Sam and Maggie, with the backdrop of family heritage and beliefs lost for a generation, then found again. Be sure to read "The Jesus Thief" and see what all the talk is about - a great book to cover in your book club!
Rating:
Summary: A must read; captivating right to the last page!
Review: When Dr. Felix Rossi, a devoted Catholic, learns that his parents were actually Jews who had escaped Nazi Italy, he's devastated. In a state of shock, guilt, & trepidation, he steals threads from the shroud in hopes to clone the Christ Jesus. When I read that premise, having already read her first novel The Crowning Circle & knowing what an exceptional storyteller J.R. Lankford was, I couldn't wait to read The Jesus Thief. And what a powerful read it was. The Jesus Thief is an intelligent, touching, poignant story about a man and a woman who love God with such tenderness that their faith makes anything seem possible. I think what I liked best about The Jesus Thief is that Ms. Lankford creates endearing, imperfect characters, a believable plot, & an honest depiction of today's Christianity. I highly recommended this read. It's not often that I'm entertained & left hopeful at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: A Steller Novel
Review: Reading the Jesus Thief I searched for comparisons. Tom Clancy for details so intimate people wonder who blabbed. Robert Ludlum for dark suspense in the most beautiful of landscapes. Melinda Haynes for drawing characters so real they seem to live down your road. Suzanne Frank for outrageous plotting. Yet none of these comparisons are JR Lankford. The Jesus Thief is a great novel, possibly one of the best in recent years. It captured my imagination from the first, made me cry and made me laugh and made me cry again. What more can one ask?
Rating:
Summary: Vivid characters that stayed with me
Review: The Jesus Thief is a fantastic novel -- one of my fave action/sci fi (or not sci fi, given what's happening in the cloning world right now)/thriller stories. Why? Because of Lankford's characters. They're REAL, their conflicts and what drives them, their human and ethical dilemmas, their reactions -- everything rings true. It's a remarkable feat on Lankford's part, to make the characters and their situations "feel right" in a story that has such imaginative reach. I fell truly, madly, deeply for Sam Duffy, and Maggie, God love her (no pun intended), is an Everywoman for our time. She's so heart-rendingly real -- breaks my heart, she really does. Because of these characters and the rest, you, the reader, are willing to suspend disbelief and get lost in their tale -- and it's a humdinger. I could bang on and on about how action-packed and riveting the plot is, how wonderful and believable the characters are, but you'll just have to grab a copy of The Jesus Thief for yourself. If you're disappointed in this gripping read, I'll eat a test tube.
Rating:
Summary: A page turner!
Review: I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of The Jesus Thief, which pulls you in from the start with an irresistible question - what if someone were to clone Jesus Christ? Other books could turn this question into sci-fi or religious propaganda, but Lankford makes it believable and mainstream. Her writing skillfully places you "on-location", whether it be Italy or New York City, and keeps you hooked with twists and turns and steady suspense. Unlike some thrillers, Lankford lets you know the characters, whether hero or villain, and either cheer or curse them as they march toward a thrilling conclusion.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story but unsatisfying ending
Review: JR Langford wrote a great story about cloning Jesus Christ, I was first worried it would get to preaching and be too religious, but she pulled it off and really made it a good story and really developed some interesting characters. Dr Felix Rossi, his sister, the maid and particularily Sam was well done. The story plot is some blood is recovered (stolen) from the Shroud of Turin and Dr. Rossi works on making a clone of Christ. Of course some people do not want that to occur and the press wants front page coverage. The story moves on at a good pace and is an interesting read. However to me, the book's ending fell flat; I think it needed about 20 or more pages and with more resolution. I doubt if there will be a sequal because there is not enough story left for a sequal without it becoming a religious book.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for Book Clubs
Review: As the world braces for the inevitable birth of the first human clone, J.R. Lankford's The Jesus Thief ratchets up the level of ethical and moral debate with its chilling "what if" scenario. What if a scientist chooses not merely to play God, but to create God? Dr. Felix Rossi, a physician-scientist brilliant enough and wealthy enough to achieve miracles, hopes to do just that, by cloning Jesus from blood dried on the Shroud of Turin. For fans of fast-paced medical/scientific thrillers, The Jesus Thief delivers a smartly plotted, can't-put-it-down adventure that incorporates cutting edge technology in a way that makes the story frighteningly believable. But this book will also appeal to a broader audience. With Lankford's deft handling of the subject matter, readers will be torn between racing to turn the page and pausing to ponder the implications of what Felix is doing -- whether or not he succeeds. Read the book. It will make you think. Use it in your book club, and plan to run over time with debate.
Rating:
Summary: A successful clone
Review: Dr. Felix Rossi wants to clone Christ with a passion that borders on obsession. With access to the bloodstained Shroud of Turin, he's found a method. His hubris, wealth, and scientific expertise give him the means. The only thing he lacks is a mother for God. When he finds her, the reader gets to meet one of the most vibrant characters in current fiction, but then all of J. R. Lankford's characters are engaging, fully-formed individuals. Their concerns will sweep the reader along with a momentum that never falters from the moment Rossi makes off with those bloody threads until... I give THE JESUS THIEF my highest marks. A sure winner.
Rating:
Summary: A thriller that felt real.
Review: This thriller pulled me right into the story. The folks seemed as real as the people in my own life. The settings were vivid and took me places I've never been. The issues addressed were ones I expect to be meaningful to many of us very soon. This is fine writing. I hope for more novels from this author.
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