The Relic Master: A Novel

I really enjoyed this book. The interweave of historical figures with a clever plot was masterfully done. It is fast paced and clever and incorporates the beliefs, practices and concerns of the time.

As a theologian, its difficult to find fun fictional novels dealing with historical religion issues. This one filled the bill. Good mystery. Good information on the shroud, indulgences, and the political times of the de Medici's and Martin Luther. Also loved the writing style and tongue-in-cheek opinions of the characters, both fictional and historical.

Excellent writing, extensive vocabulary, obvious knowledge of the people and history of the time, and enjoyable characters make this a good read. One in which the story builds,grows, flourishes to its climax. Slow start,but worth the journey.

Excellent engrossing read. Dry humor along with sympathetic characters, in a historical setting make this an enjoyable read. Sixteenth century life and politics are the background to this adventure tale.

A rather entertaining adventure novel that went overboard in Buckley's attempt to include current language (profanity) and jokey humor. What was interesting to me were the real life characters and their involvement in the indulgence schemes and the pursuit of the shrouds, both those painted and the authentic Shroud of Turin. For more information on The Shroud I highly recommend the DVD, The Fabric of Time; or, books on the subject by Ian Wilson. There is also a Shroud of Turin web site that provides up-to-date information on the Shroud; including the much debated Carbon-14 dating of the Shroud that has proven to be faulty.