The Irish-born author (Snow Wolf) teeters on the edge of genius and sacrilege with this thriller about a subject known since the time of Christ. When archeologist Jack Cane discovers ancient documents that point to the existence of another messiah, he also quickly finds out that both Israeli and Catholic authorities have reason to possess, or suppress, such documents. Racked with the pain of personal loss, he meets up with an old friend, Lela, who is part of an Israeli police team investigating multiple crimes, including a cold case involving the possible murder of Cane's parents-also archeologists-20 years earlier. Some who have avoided Christian fiction or only dipped in will find this departure from the mold refreshing, even while some regular readers of Christian fiction may find certain passages revolting. Fans of Davis Bunn or Dan Brown won't bat an eye at Meade's unblinking look at the Vatican and the religious secrecy that fuels such novels. With a plot that screams, a controversial edge, and characters with attitude and something to prove, this has all the makings to be the next Da Vinci Code. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A scroll that casts suspicion on the origins of Christianity; a Vatican cover-up; guns; beautiful women; and more guns if this sounds a bit familiar, it's because Meade has the biblical-thriller formula down pat, including the short, action-filled chapters, in the manner of Dan Brown. Here the story centers on Jack Cane, an archaeologist who finds an ancient document in the Qumran caves alluding to a second messiah another Jesus. Cane's parents, archaelogists, too, died in a fiery car accident after finding a similar document, which was destroyed in the crash. Or was it? A Catholic priest who is about to become pope was present at the scene of the crash and may hold some answers. Meade handles the nonstop action well (more detail about the second messiah would have been welcome), but he's less successful with dialogue, which often sounds stilted. Also, while the complete lack of even the mildest profanity is to be expected from a publisher of inspirational fiction, it seems jarring here, given the many tense situations in which Jack and his compatriots find themselves. Still, Meade's latest effort will keep most biblical-thriller fans entertained at least until the next Steve Berry or Dan Brown novel arrives.--Cooper, Ilen. Copyright 2010 Booklist