The 13th Apostle

by: Richard and Rachael Heller

Published by: Harper

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

This fast-paced historical artifact thriller is the first novel by diet book authors Richard and Rachael Heller.

Gil Pearson is a computer sleuth who works for CyberNet Forensics. His boss, George, assigns him to meet with an old academic contact, Professor Ludlow from London, who has found an ancient diary, written by a monk in Weymouth Monastery in 1097. They are also meeting with a woman, Sabbie Karaim, a Hebrew translator that Gil had worked with over the Internet, but never met in person.

Gil has not opened up to anyone since his wife Lucy died of cancer, but he does find Sabbie attractive, but officious. The diary hints at the location of a scroll written by a man close to Jesus, the account of a contemporary, writing of the last days before the crucifixion. This precious scroll, written on copper, is the companion to one on exhibit at the Shrine of the Book in Israel, which hints at treasures. Other forces are interested in this scroll as well. Abdul Maluka, a Muslim who wants to prove that Christianity is false; and McCullum, the head of WATSC (White Americans to Save Christianity).

No one knows what is in the scroll. Will it prove Jesus arose after death? What information will it reveal about his life? And who is this 13th man who was not mentioned by the other Apostles in their writings?

This tale of sacrifice and salvation is interesting, the message is affirming; but the brutal torture and slaughter throughout the book is unnerving. In one short scene, eight people are gunned down, one after the other. The convoluted plot is not helped by Gil’s stubborn refusal to ever listen to Sabbie’s advice and instructions, until it is too late.

The authors did quite a bit of historical research, and I would have liked some notes at the end, especially about the tzaddikim. I also felt the sections of the translated scroll were a slightly too modern in tone; and supplied a bit too much personal information about Micah (the 13th apostle), considering he had important information to impart to future generations and not much time–or copper.

Armchair Interviews says: Well-researched, but some of it felt slightly forced.

Author’s Web site: http://www.Hellers.org