BOOK REVIEW: The Sign

THE SIGN by Raymond Khoury is a fast moving thriller that might not be for everyone. If you have read Khoury before, you know that he is not afraid to cover controversial subjects.

Journalist Grace Logan is in Antarctica with a scientific expedition. They are there to witness the melting of the large ice shelves for a live television piece on Global warming. As they are filming a spectacularly large chunk falling into the ocean, a massive, shimmering sphere of light suddenly appears above them. Thanks to Grace’s live report this mysterious light is seen all over the world.

After a second sphere appears at the North Pole, Grace is sent to Egypt to investigate the sphere’s third appearance. In Egypt, Grace meets Father Jerome. Father Jerome has left his well known work with orphanages in the poorest of poor areas to live in a cave in the desert. The media grabs hold of the idea that the mysterious light is a sign from God that Father Jerome is the new prophet with the message to stop killing the earth, to put an end to global warming.

Meanwhile, back in Boston, Matt Sherwood has been mourning his scientist brother Danny’s death. Danny had been working on a secret project in a remote area in South America when his helicopter crashed and all on board were killed. Now Matt finds evidence that Danny might be alive, but this information puts Matt and those around him in danger.

The book switches locations chapter by chapter and in the beginning the introduction to so many characters was a little confusing and slowed the book down. Once each character became clear, the booked moved rapidly.

This book is definitely a thriller, but it is also a chance for the author to express his personal views on global warming, religion in politics, how easy it is to start a religious war, and some other controversial subjects. At first, I found myself in agreement with many of the philosophies of the bad guys until they showed how even things that start out well can be corrupted.

If you have read Raymond Khoury’s The Last Templar, you will find THE SIGN equally fascinating for its subject matter alone. I am ready for his next publication.