The Inquisitor's Key (Body Farm)

Jefferson Bass does a marvelous job of taking an intriguing piece of history and intertwining it with Dr. Brockton's typical exploits. The images of France Jefferson is able to stir both in modern day and in 14th century leaves one quickly turning the pages. Truly a great read.

I enjoyed this book, however I had downloaded the inquisitors key to follow this book. Imagine my disappointment to find that the Madonna and corpse also included the inquisitors key. This was not mentioned! I basically paid for two copies of the inquisitors key. Hope this doesn't happen again.

As the chapters go back and forth between past and present, a great story is told. Fiction and science are used to tell the lust many have for Christian relics. I have enjoyed many of the Jefferson Bass stories and can't wait to read more.

The book arrived rapily in excellent condition. I was a little disappoinced in the book. I have read other books by this author and I enjoyed them but this one was a little boring and could not hold my interest. There was a little too much history and not enough mystery for me.

When reading this book I felt like I was listening to a twenty minute dialogue about a 15 second walk to the mailbox. The author is very long winded about the simplest things, which makes u want to scream, pull your hair out and yell ''just get to the point your trying to make already.''

Living in the surrounding area where the JeffersonBass books are based, makes the books even more exciting for me as a reader. I am very familiar with most of the areas that Dr. Brockton and other characters visit or live. So, when the knew novel was released I was again excited to visit some of my favorite characters in my own backyard, literally.

As I began reading, I quickly discovered that this book was not to be located in Knoxville, but in France. I was disappointed, but I thought to give the story the benefit of a doubt. The more I read the more disappointed I became. Not only was the setting off, but I found the plot a bit diserning. At least they did not come right out and say that the bones were Jesus's, but at least gave another story of whose bones they could have been. Being a Christian, I believe in the Resurrection of Christ and therefore, no bones will be found.

Knowing it was a story of fiction, I let it pass. But I must say, overall I was disappointed in The Inquistor's Key. It just wasn't what I was used to from the other novels. I did, however, like the twist at the end.

Alternating between the distant past and the present 'The Inquisitor's Key' is an absorbing and driving mystery/thriller that held my interest and kept me turning pages long unto the night. Great characters. Great story. Very good book.

I really enjoy all of the bodyfarm novels, but this one really was aweful. It was not like a regular story from these authors. It was slow, it did not keep my attention, & it was very irritating to switch from present time to the past over & over & over again. I sure hope the next book goes back to the way all the other books in the series has been. I'm longing for the next book to come out so I can forget this one. Lets hope "Cut to the Bone" knocks it out of the park. I should have known it wasn't a normal Bodyfarm book because it didm't have "bone" in the title! Beware! :0)

I have enjoyed every book in the Body Farm series except for this one. In the previous books the author(s) wrote from Bill Brockton's point of view or first person. With this book the entire dynamic was changed and was not written in first person but third. I hope the books that follow this one will go back to Bill's smart wit and crazy ways of thinking from his view. I couldn't get past the first chapter and will not continue to read anymore of this series should it stay like this book.

If you like stories where there is always one character who has an insight into EVERYTHING ("Hey... I was just sitting on the toilet and I read something about that!"), if you like books where the author can only find character types that have been done a thousand time before (let's see... a Catholic priest, let's go for an Irish Catholic priest... even better, let's have him be a Hard-Drinking-Irish-Catholic priest... no... wait... let's flesh this character out and make him a Irreverent-Hard-Drinking-Irish-Catholic priest) and if you like novels that have run out of Dan Brown type historical figures and has to dig into the bottom of the barrel to find some boring vaguely-related actors to weave the story around... well.. then this is the book for you.

Honestly I like a fantastical tale as much as the next person, but this vain attempt to jump on the cryptography-keys-symbols-codes-conspiracy-theories bandwagon, taking it out of the realm of the unbelievable thriller and framing it in the world of forensic science and puppy-love was sorely lacking. The only redeeming value of this novel will be that everyone will be pleased in figuring out who the bad guys are. Those who have read this already will understand.

It is no secret that the ancient Catholic Church saw years of corrupt leaders, cover-ups and conspiracies. For modern mystery and thriller authors, this storied past has provided inspiration for countless gripping tales. In The Inquisitor's Key, the latest installment in the Body Farm series by duo author Jefferson Bass, the past of the church mixes with present day themes to form a unique take on the modern thriller.

Dr. Bill Brockton is no stranger to death. He works at the Body Farm, a Tennessee based institution devoted to the study of the human anatomy, and serves as a consultant on murder cases, providing his expert analyses of human remains. As he comes to the latest crime scene, where the burned remains of a presumed drug runner lie, he can't help but miss the companionship of his usual assistant/student Miranda Lovelady, who is assisting with an excavation in Avignon, France. As he begins to study the charred remains, he notices that gas is still leaking. With barely enough time to react, the building is enveloped in flames, and Brockton narrowly escapes the same death as the poor soul he was meant to be examining. It is all but apparent that whoever created this crime scene intends for Brockton to be his next victim.

On top of this, Brockton is summoned by Miranda to come to France to assist with the excavation. When he arrives to the site, The Palace of Popes, he is faced with an extremely puzzling case. The bones that have been discovered in a subterranean chamber contain wounds that resemble those depicted in the story of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Despite being skeptical of this, evidence points that the age of the bones are from the same time period as the life of Christ. When a composite reconstruction from the skull eerily matches the shadowy face engrained in the Shroud of Turin, said to be the burial cloth of Christ, Brockton and Miranda become caught in an international war for the ownership of the remains.

Although the sub-genre of "religious thrillers" has grown in recent years (thanks in large part to the best-selling DaVinci Code), few novels have managed to come up with a truly original story. The Inquisitor's Key finds the perfect balance between historical fact, intriguing speculation, and compelling characters. Altogether, these elements make a highly entertaining, original thriller. Even in the historical flashbacks, the authors managed to maintain the quick pace and accessible language of the "present day" sections, avoiding the pitfalls that many "historical fiction" authors find themselves in. The relationship between Brockton and Miranda comes off as completely genuine, and even the less important characters are written with enough sincerity to keep them from becoming one-dimensional. Overall, I found this novel impossible to put down and enjoyed the story to the very end. Although this was my first encounter with the Body Farm series, I was immediately drawn to the characters and their story. I highly recommend this novel to all fans of mysteries, thrillers, and historically speculative fiction.

Long story short: No. Just...no.

Long version: I adore the Body Farm novels, and usually rip through them in a few hours (I know, I should slow down to get all the nuances. That's like asking an alcoholic to quit chugging). This one...no. Why? Because:
1. Boring, derivative plot. We don't need yet another medieval / religious mystery, which everyone who is anyone is attempting these days. Never was interested in the first of the lot (the badly written, sensationalist DaVinci Code), can't deal with oh no not another tiresome iteration of the Same Old Thing.
2. Jumping from the 1300's to the present, and back, and forth ad nauseum...definitely not. Adds nothing except some page-filler gruesomeness and unnecessary padding that slows the plot down considerably.
3. The growing romantic interest between the increasingly annoying Miranda and the OMG 30 years older Brockton? Puh-lease! This is gross on so many levels. Why do men think they are such hot stuff for women young enough to be their daughters? No way would this end well in real life. Can't see how this could work in fiction either, without collapsing under its own cliched silliness. And how irritating will it be to have a decent thriller series suddenly turning into a Harlequin Romance! Hasn't yet, but I see the signs. Please! Don't go there! Ever!
4. Miranda. Going from outspoken to annoying, know-it-all loudmouth. Can't understand what anyone, male or female, sees in her the way she is being portrayed these days. She needs to be less strident and more likable, because she, too, has become a cliche.
5. France. Okay it was a nice change of scene, but ultimately I saw nothing in this book that made it worth reading, France or not. I think the readers would have been better served if this had been a "real" murder mystery in the USA, where Brockton had some jurisdiction, instead of fluttering around waving his hands at various French authorities.
6. The end. Didn't like it; too muddled and left too many things hanging. Won't say more to avoid spoiling it for others.

The Inquisitor's Key by the team of Jefferson Bass (Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass) continues the story's main character, renowned forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton. This is the seventh novel in the Body Farm series, which Dr. Brockton's forensic work this time around is more eminence to religious and art history. His assistant, Miranda Lovejoy, is in Avignon, France performing an excavation at a medieval fortress that once was the residence to the French Pope. Miranda and her associate, Stefan Beauvoir, may have just unearthed the greatest archaeological discovery in history. With bones anticipating Dr. Brockton's knowledge in Avignon, France, he is once again at the heart of a mystery after learning that the bones may be that of Jesus Christ.

The mystery that surrounds the bones will keep readers interested in the story. A storm of questions will brew and will continue to do so until the very last page. Readers will also get a history lesson about the Inquisition and the demolition of the Knight's Templar's in the 14th century. Jefferson Bass confers on the history of art and religion, the geography and architecture of modern-day Europe, and the science of forensic anthropology.

The writing style of Jefferson Bass is incredible and the details brought upon this book are unparalleled compared to others. With an author who founded The Body Farm at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, readers get a firsthand look at the interesting works of forensic anthropologists. This novel was definitely cooked from intelligence, experience, and history. A combination that is not easy to put together in a book. Longtime readers and newcomers to the series will find The Inquisitor's Key to be a thrilling entry into an already concrete series. The book's new direction towards religion and art history is also a great way for newcomers to taste the adventures of Dr. Bill Brockton without having to dive into the previous ones.

As much as I have enjoyed the other books written by Jefferson Bass - I did not much care for this one. A little too "Da Vinci Code" for me (BTW - I HATED that book).

Like all the Body Farm books, it was well written and well researched. I didn't like the bopping back and forth between the centuries, though I did appreciate the history that was supplied in those chapters as I have a feeling this was far more historically accurate than the "Da Vinci Code" purported to be. (And the author's addendum summed it all up nicely- what was fact, what was fiction). I also really appreciated the theory by Dr. Emily Craig (she's a character and an actual person) regarding the creation of the Shroud of Turin. THAT was fascinating and probably my favorite part of the entire book. I also found myself wanting to read more about Meister Johannes Eckhart - a Dominican theologian and mystic and his writings and philosophies.

It has finally become clear to Dr. Brockton, that he is in love with his assistant Miranda and that she may love him as well. I kept mentally urging the characters to just get on with it and at least kiss, for God's sake (if not mine). He jumped into bed pretty quickly with a couple characters in previous novels... why are they drawing this one out? Just take the plunge and do the nasty. Regardless that this is a murder/mystery, you're in FRANCE and it's ROMANTIC... get on with it!

I am hoping that this book was an anomaly and that they'll be back in TN, doing what they do best in the next novel.

The writing team of Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson call on their individual experiences in forensic anthropology and journalism to create the Body Farm series. In the latest in this series, The Inquisitor's Key, protagonist Dr. Bill Brockton is called to France to assist his protégé Miranda Lovelady in studying an ancient skeleton found in a crypt beneath the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France. The injuries inflicted to the skeleton before death are consistent with those inflicted on Jesus Christ as he hung on the cross. Could this be the remains of Christ?
Although Brockton and Lovelady quickly determine that this could not be the case, there are several unknown individuals who are willing to kill to prove that the remains are 2000 years old, and do not merely date from the Middle Ages. But the motives are different, as an unscrupulous antiquities dealer, the Vatican, and a fringe Christian group from the United States who wants to bring about the Second Coming, all vie for possession of the skeleton. The situation is compounded further when Brockton realizes there is an eerie resemblance between the reconstructed face of the skeleton and the face on the Shroud of Turin.
Issues of faith compounded with scientific discovery clash as Brockton and Lovelady are pulled into a dangerous world. The story alternates between present day events and events in Avignon in the fourteenth century, when the Pope was in residence in Avignon, and the Church was engaged in stamping out heresy wherever it might be found. A painter named Simone Martini had surreptitiously painted the face of a man who died after being tortured on the rack. Is the skeleton that of this unfortunate man? And who is he?
A novel that combines history and modern intrigue always appeals to me. The linking of past and present, as well the way modern technology can answer questions that have long been unanswerable, are themes that hold my interest. The Inquisitor's Key does not disappoint. It maintains the suspense with surprise twists in the plot from beginning to end. (As published in Suspense Magazine)

Twenty five years ago, Dr. Bill Bass founded the Body Farm on a swathe of land in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is now a world-renowned investigative facility devoted to learning about how carcasses decompose. Bass, a forensic anthropologist who teaches and has published hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific papers, teamed up with journalist and filmmaker Jon Jefferson to publish a mystery novel. The success of CARVED IN BONE led to the birth of the bestselling Body Farm series, which they write together under the pen name "Jefferson Bass." In THE INQUISITOR'S KEY, the authors wander off the Body Farm, which makes this latest entry slightly different from their usual fare.
Dr. Bill Brockton is the head of the farm in the novels and has a somewhat hysterical graduate student/assistant, Miranda Lovelady. She is off in France on an archaeological dig with a man named Stefan; there, they have uncovered a box with a strange symbol on it that makes them think the bones inside could be those of Jesus Christ. Miranda fakes an illness and sends Brockton an "SOS" to come immediately to her hospital bedside. Of course he drops everything, and upon arrival in Avignon finds Miranda well and as feisty as ever. Rather than get angry, he becomes enthralled with the idea of the bones and stays to become part of the team that is excavating the space under the Palace of the Popes.

Both Miranda and Brockton are skeptical at first, but the more they explore and uncover, the more it looks like the bones could belong to Christ. But when a laboratory finds them to be only 700 years old, even though the Shroud of Turin makes an appearance, the forensic tests prove these icons are not Jesus of Nazareth's. The Shroud is the cloth in which Christ was allegedly buried, and people believe they see an image of His face on it. All of these findings set off a war between the Vatican, the anthropologists, and a zealot who wants the pot of gold only these icons could bring.

One night while waiting for Stefan, Brockton and Miranda wander into a church and find him tortured and crucified, hanging from the rafters. Now the suspense takes on a new hue. To find the killer is a hearty job indeed, and the team, along with the police, wonder how much the dead man is responsible for his own death. After all, he seemed to change once Brockton got there and the test results began to come in.

Another name that comes up in this DA VINCI CODE-like spectacular is Meister Eckhart, who has regained respect from New Agers. Even the Knights of Templar are mentioned in this multilayered tour de force. As if not enough is going on, a posse of drug lords makes an appearance, and Dr. Brockton is convinced that these criminals are following him.

As the narrative unfolds and things arrange themselves, readers will have gone through a series of "tests." What they believe about religious history and history itself will force them to come to some conclusions about life and whether or not digging into the past is a worthy hobby.

Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum on May 17, 2012

I've been making my way through this series during the course of the year, mostly because I saw that book 7 was going to be one of the traveling books in Sisterhood. And I really enjoyed the vast majority of the previous ones, but I don't know if it was the religious mystery in this one or what seemed to be the changing relationship between Bill and his mentee, Miranda, but I just wasn't excited to finish reading this one. In fact, at one stage, I actually put it aside for a few days because I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm to read it.

I'm not saying the writing style was bad, it just wasn't working for me at the time. But I'm still interested in seeing where the series goes in the future. In fact, I'm reading the newest release by the writing duo right now, although its a prequel to the rest of the series. The Inquisitor's Key (or The Bones of Avignon as it was released in the US) had the typically Bass writing style - its actually really hard to tell (unless you know prior to) that it is actually a writing duo. There is something that just flows smoothly - I honestly have no idea where one starts and the other ends. I also liked how while there is a significant amount of science-y type stuff in the storyline, it never really seems to get too deep/confusing or too geeky.

Overall, I gave The Inquisitor's Key, 3.5 stars but I know I will be continuing the series in the future.

actaully written by two authors - Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass. Bass is the founder of the Body Farm - a ground breaking forensic anthropology site. The crime novels from this pair have always had the ring of truth and excellent detail behind them.

In the seventh and latest offering, The Inquisitor's Key, protagonist Dr. Bill Brockton (who is a forensic anthropologist, of course) heads to Avignon, France. His young assitant Miranda Lovelady has been working on a dig that has uncovered bones that may be of unimaginable importance and they need his expertise.

I really like this series, but have to honestly say that this book fell flat for me. The plot is nothing new and brings to mind a Dan Brown or Steve Berry novel. The history presented was interesting and well researched, though. But it just stretched the imagination a little too far - the Vatican is after the bones as well as American zealots bent on using the bones' DNA to bring about The Second Coming. I just found it a stretch that a prof from Tennessee would be involved in something like this.

The authors have always tried to insert a love interest for Dr. Bill. (They don't seem to last long) Dr. Bill has now turned his attention to his assistant Miranda. Insert ick factor here - this just doesn't work for me.

The audio version of the book is read by Tom Stechschulte, who has a wonderful voice. It's very rich and expressive and does bring to mind the mental image I've created of Dr. Bill. But, his French accent wasn't the best and by the end was really quite annoying.

Really, all I want or expect from Dr. Bill is a good ole down home who dunnit. This one was just too far removed from the roots.

The Inquisitor's Key, by the writing team known as Jefferson Bass, is a wonderful addition to the Body Farm series. This book does not focus on the Body Farm or local crimes, but rather on history, religion, art, and fanaticism. I found the distinctive voices from the past and the present as well as the detail given to bringing the different facets of the case to light intriguing and compelling reading.

The Inquisitor's Key is set in both the past and present city of Avignon, France. We find in the present Dr. Brockton and Miranda (his assistant) searching for the truth hidden in the bones found sealed away in the Palace of Popes and, via the passages from the past, the story of how they became to be ensconced there. I loved learning about the history of Avignon and the religious and artistic boom which occurred at its height. The characters were great and you will have no problem bringing them to life in your mind's eye. Being both deliciously fascinating and thrilling, The Inquisitor's Key is a novel which showcases the writing talents and passion of the authors.

Body Farm series: Carved in Bone (1), Flesh and Bone (2), The Devil's Bones (3), Bones of Betrayal (4) The Bone Thief (5), The Bone Yard (6), The Inquisitor's Key (7)

Religious history, ancient relics and the historical excesses of the church are a fascination of mine, and I am drawn to fiction that weaves those elements into a captivating story. Unfortunately, I don't think this is an example of the Jefferson-Bass team's best work. The concept is good and the pace of the present day action is also well done, but the flashbacks to the 14th century tended to drag a bit and instead of intriguing me, left me wondering, "Where is this going?" -- not in a good way. The last 50 pages brought the story together with strong, albeit unbelievable, action, and frankly, the author's note at the end of the book was more interesting to me than the story itself. I've read several of Jefferson Bass' books and will read more, but this one left me a little disappointed.

Jefferson Bass have created something special with their latest release, THE INQUISITOR'S KEY. They were already creating forensic anthropology-centered thrillers every bit as good as Kathy Reichs. Now, with this new novel, they enter into the religious, artistic and historical fiction realm of authors like Dan Brown and Iain Pears.

Jefferson Bass --- the pen-name for the writing team of Jon Jefferson and Dr. Bill Bass --- continue their Dr. Bill Brockton series with their most intense and deftly plotted novel yet. Brockton is already working on an interesting case stateside at the Body Farm when he receives a desperate call from France that his protégé, Miranda Lovelady, has been hospitalized with a burst appendix and his presence is needed at her side.

Arriving in France, Brockton is surprised to discover there is absolutely nothing wrong with Miranda and the hospitalization was just a ruse to get him there. The reason for this deception was that she was afraid to discuss the real reason for the invitation over the phone. It seems that Miranda and her French advisor, Stefan, may have come across the most important discovery of all-time --- the bones of Jesus Christ!

Brockton realizes this could be the find of the century. But are the bones discovered in a chamber beneath the Palace of the Popes in Avignon really those of Christ? Miranda and Stefan require a forensic scientist with Brockton's expertise to justify or refute the origin of their discovery. It is not likely that these bones are authentic as the Middle Ages were renowned for faking relics like this for future treasure-seekers to find.

Making matters more interesting is the constant switching of time-lines between the present day and the 1300's where a backdrop that includes Meister Johannes Eckhart, Pope Benedict XII and an artist known as Simone Martini is explored. The jaunts into the past make for such compelling reading you will wish Jefferson Bass had written an entire novel just about these engaging and troubled historical personalities.

As rumors of their discovery start to circulate, Brockton and his team realize they may be in danger. Their exploration also calls in the infamous Shroud of Turin --- another ancient relic long purported to be faked. Brockton starts to think that the bones and even the shroud may not belong to Christ but to Meister Eckhart! This deadly fact will anger many and threaten the deepest pockets within the Catholic Church. Things take a deadly turn when Stefan goes missing and is found crucified to death on a make-shift cross.

What follows is a break-neck paced thrill-ride in which Brockton and Miranda can trust no one and may be the target of a multi-national religious fanatic and his followers who will stop at nothing to claim the bones that were unearthed. Crosses and double-crosses are abundant as Jefferson Bass stay one step ahead of the reader right up to the stunning climax.

They will have a hard time topping this one as THE INQUISITOR'S KEY will easily go down as one of the best thrillers of 2012!

Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader

Having been acquainted with Dr. Bass for many years and having worked on a case or two in which he was involved in my 40 years as a cop,and having enjoyed knowing Jon Jefferson for the last ten or so years, this latest collaborative work of theirs (The Inquisitor's Key) achieves the high standard I have come to expect and appreciate from them. As has been noted, this is undoubtedly the most complex and research intensive novel they have produced. They artfully weave the story with a positive blend of fact and fiction sans an overload of minutiae and minus stretching the plot lines, characters or explanations beyond belief. I am amazed by how well they have managed to weave science, faith/religion, humanity and the possibilities of history together.

This book and its authors have once again displayed their knack for drawing the reader into the plot and lives of the characters in a way that makes you wish the book could continue for many more pages.

Fortunately, and I mean this as a compliment of the highest order, they know how and when to end a story, answering the questions of the plot, but leaving you hungry for the next novel.

My recommendation is that you add this book to your "Must Read" list !

Miranda Lovelady is in France excavating a recently discovered chamber beneath the Palace of the Popes in Avignon. She finds a stone chest inscribed with the message that inside lie the bones of Jesus of Nazareth. Using a ploy, she gets her lover and teacher Dr. Bill Brockton to leave his Tennessee Body Farm for France. The two forensic scientists believe that in all likelihood, these remains are a fake, as Chaucer pointed out with The Pardoner's Tale, the Middle Ages had a thriving business.

To their amazement, the early analysis supports the stone's claim that this is the remains of Jesus or at least someone who died in a similar fashion two millennia ago. Brockton also analyzes the Shroud of Turin. However, killers try to murder the pair while a true believer wants the bones as a means to begin the End of Time with the Second Coming.

Putting aside how Lovelady got Brockton to drop an autopsy to rush to Europe aside as improbable unless she was insane, the latest Body Farm forensic thriller (see The Bone Thief and The Bone Yard) is an exhilarating entry that focuses on the potential remains of Jesus. When the storyline centers on the science and Christian history, it is incredibly well written and fascinating; when the plot turns into a shoot en up action thriller it is exciting but ordinary. Still fans will appreciate Brockton examining the Shroud and looking at two thousand year old remains.

Harriet Klausner

What would you consider the greatest archaeological find? The cup of Jesus from the last supper, the nails from His crucifixion? The crown of thorns from his head? The true Ark of the Covenant? What if you discovered what appeared to be the actual bones from Jesus Christ? How would that impact the world if proof could be given, that they were real? What if they actually held supernatural powers?

Such is the premise behind the latest novel from Jefferson Bass, The Inquisitor's Key, when a trio of experts, Dr. Bill Brockton, a forensic anthropologist, Miranda Lovejoy, his assistant, and Stefan Beauvoir, a colleague of Miranda's happen upon a discovery beneath the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, France and uncover what appears to be the bones of what could be Jesus Christ. The identifying marks on the wrist bones, ankles and ribs appear to coincide with what we know of his death. What would the impact be on the world if in fact these could be proven to be genuine? What would some people do to ensure that this discovery remains buried beneath the earth?

This is the 7th novel in the Body Farm series and a first for me when I read this one. The story line toggles between present time and in the 14th century as the reader begins to unravel clues to determine what relevance this new find of buried bones will do for the world. Could it be that a great hoax has been created as a way to move forward certain religious teachings? What would the implications be if this was discovered and shared with the world? I guess you'll have to pick up this novel and find out for yourself.

I received The Inquisitor's Key compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. Being a huge history fan as well as a follower of Jesus, I had mixed interests in seeing where this one might be headed, but it does cause you to wonder just what makes us believe certain artifacts may be real or have some been a huge lie all along. I was interested in where this was headed and some points of the novel drag on a bit without an apparent reason for the delay. However, if you can endure this one to the end, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I think the author researches their history well and this book is really geared for that fan base over a mystery genre. I would rate this one a 3.5 out of 5 stars and really kept me guessing along with the characters just what they would ultimately discover in the end.

I've read all the Jefferson Bass books and enjoyed them all until this one. It's one third travel guide to Avignon, one third church history, and one third DaVinci Code, which leaves very little room for mystery. Part of it is set in the present, part of it in the 14th century, but the chapters set in the present are told in the past tense, and the chapters set in the 14th century are written in the present tense. I gave up less then halfway through, when not much was happening, and it didn't appear to be getting any better. I hope the authors will put Bill Brockton back at the Body Farm next time.

Starts off with a bit of fantasy. Anyone who would believe that some one in France would seek professional assistance from anyone,foreign let alone an American has never met a Frenchman. Once past that, it pretty much becomes a paint by numbers production. One colleague killed, off site in another country, Doc and Miranda are threatened. clues appear(from under a bed this time, and in the grand finale, all the evildoers, and there are many are killed. The Madonna Gambit was quite ineffectual. Lots, too much back story and Avignon-Palace of the Popes history. But without it, why travel to France for the book's background research. Hopefully, they will return to their usual habitat for the next in what had been an interesting series.