Book of Nathan
by Curt Weeden and Richard Marek
Review: Rick "Bullet" Bullock is taken on a wild ride when he tries to help a homeless man accused of murdering a popular Christian evangelist with a wooden cross in Book of Nathan, a novel of (at times comic) suspense by Curt Weeden and Richard Marek.
Following the death of his wife, a woman committed to helping those less fortunate than herself, Rick — a former advertising executive — now runs a shelter for the homeless in New Jersey to continue the work of his late wife. One of his regular "clients", Miklos "Zeus" Zeusenoerdorf, had traveled to Orlando to attend a revival rally held by Benjamin Kurios, but instead is accused of the evangelist's murder when witnesses see him standing over the body, a bloody cross in his hand. Though the evidence is circumstantial — no one actually saw Zeus murder Benjamin Kurios — Rick doesn't think Zeus has the mental capacity to commit such a crime. Trading favors for free travel to Orlando, Rick visits Zeus in jail … but soon finds himself, through a series of more quid pro quo favors, caught up in the search for one of the lost books of the Bible: the Book of Nathan.
Much of the first third or so of Book of Nathan is a delightful blend of mystery, comedy, thriller and more, with characters participating in an increasingly droll series of events. Typical of some of the early dialog is when Twyla Tharp (a dancer, but not that Twyla Tharp), who accompanies Rick to Florida, is introduced to a woman described as a Pentecostal, kindly says, "You don't look old enough for the change." But after the search for the lost Book of Nathan — which "includes God's definition of when life begins" — gets underway, the madcap adventure continues but loses a lot of its earlier humor and edginess. Clues to whodunit (and whydunit) appear around this time as well, and are not terribly well concealed; how it all comes together in the end doesn't come as much of a surprise. Still, readers seeking a diverting and generally entertaining novel will likely appreciate simply being along for the ride.
Acknowledgment: Oceanview Publishing provided a copy of Book of Nathan for this review.
Review Copyright © 2010 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Location(s) referenced in Book of Nathan: New Jersey, Florida
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Book of Nathan by Curt Weeden and Richard Marek
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 1-933515-91-0
ISBN-13: 978-1-933515-91-5
Publication Date: August 2010
List Price: $25.95
Synopsis (from the publisher): The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and Rick Bullock is about to learn just how true that is. Bullock takes the road less traveled when he quits his job as an advertising executive to become director of a homeless shelter. Trading in a six-figure salary for paltry pay and even less respect? Costly. But helping one man get back on his feet? Priceless.
When Zeus, a mentally challenged gentle giant and longtime shelter resident, is arrested for murdering evangelist Benjamin Kurios, Bullock wants answers. Convinced Zeus is incapable of such a horrific act, Bullock, along with a colorful cadre of characters, sets off on a journey to keep an innocent man off death row.
The trip takes a disturbing detour when the bizarre group stumbles upon a transcript of the Book of Nathan and the discovery attracts the sinister attentions of a Jersey mobster, pro-life and pro-choice groups, and a billionaire used to getting his way.