The Paradise Complex: An Exploration of the Forbidden

Setting his tale in London and lacing it with a witch's brew of religious and philosophic ideas and practices (including meditation, healing by touch and psychic mind control), Lockhart (Skirmish) strives to create a dramatic mystery about a worldwide spiritual crisis based on a complete breakdown of values in Western society. Ian Drummond, a newly divorced middle-aged British PR man, is among the first to learn of the crisis. Mired in depression since his wife walked out, Drummond is jolted back to life when he lands a new account, Katharsis, an organization that purportedly synthesizes psychotherapy, philosophy and religion into a cutting-edge therapy. The primary practitioner of and spokesperson for Katharsis is a mysterious, brilliant Frenchman, Edouard Duval. When the imposing Duval's beliefs and skills come under attack by a militant Christian group, Drummond teams up with freelance journalist Georgia Patton to investigate the situation. As romance blossoms, the pair discover a much deeper conspiracy organized by a clandestine political cabal seeking to return France to the days of monarchy while also promising the coming of a messiah. The sinister group's outrageous manipulations reveal Duval to be a high-minded fellow after all. Lockhart generates the requisite suspense, but his plot is too complex and most of his ominous predictions are portentous, even silly. Meanwhile, Duval comes off as too good to be true. The spiritual thriller is an unforgiving subgenre that few--Charles Williams, Daniel Easterman--have mastered. Lockhart hasn't yet, but he has talent and one day, perhaps, he will. (Feb.)