Vatican assassins, miracles and bad ass priests. Not a bad combination. This is the first Sean Chercover book I've read and it's a little difficult to categorise. The story starts with Father Daniel Byrne who is an investigator with the Vatican's ODA (Office of the Devils Advocate). His role is to investigate and either debunk or confirm miracles reported throughout the world. Daniel has been seeking miracles for 14 years and in the absence of finding one true miracle his faith in God's existence is being challenged. Until he is assigned to investigate the Reverend Tim Trinity, a known charismatic preacher that has started speaking in tongues. The difference with the case is twofold: Tim Trinity is Daniel's estranged uncle who raised him, and Tim's predictions are part true. Daniel eagerly accepts the case as he could now publicly debunk Tim as a fraud and conman. But this straight forward case changes with every day that passes: information given to Daniel suggesting that Tim's predictions are partly true turn out to be false-in fact all his predictions are 100% spot on; Daniel's resentment and anger towards Tim for being a grift all those years seem to melt away when Daniel starts to believe that Tim's ability is miraculous; and Daniel finds himself as Tim's protector when it becomes evident that the Vatican and other unknown religious sects will do anything in their power to silence Tim's voice, including several assassination attempts. A lot of the book is set in New Orleans in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The description of the hopelessness and fear is almost palpable throughout the book and the characters are very believable and multi dimensional. This book deals with some deep issues such as the existence of miracles, the coming of the Messiah and the casting aside of false prophets. There is some Dam Brownesqueness in the form of the all powerful Vatican who will resort to any means necessary to protect its view of Christianity and religion. All on all it's a good book but I didn't take it too seriously. I don't think I will be actively searching for other books by this author though. I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated. Picked it up as a Daily Deal when I needed something 'quick' to read and it sure delivered. Likeable characters that were mostly believable, it keeps moving right along at a good pace and while a somewhat predictable ending it still was satisfying. Have never read this author before and doubt I will again but this book was a fun, entertaining read...if not my normal genre.....and I give it 4 stars without reservations.
What do You think about Trinity Game, The (2012)?
Does he have special powers or not? Are we supposed to believe it or not?
—bolessya
