Fr. Michael Flannery, the 47-year-old priest last seen in The Masada Scroll
, is back and continuing his quest for the Gospel of Dismayas. This religious thriller alternates briskly between present-day New York City and Jerusalem and scenes set in the time of the Crusades in France, Toledo and regions near Constantinople that feature Tobias Garlande, a scholar who has visions of the future and is revealed to be connected to Father Flannery. Back in the future, Father Flannery learns he is being targeted by an ancient religious order that doesn't want him to share his message of faith with the world. Although the dialogue is lamentable and some early antics involving computer hacking are hackneyed at best, the authors show a good grasp of the variety of various religious traditions and histories that underpin this series, even if the faith elements are a bit heavy-handed. (Jan.)
