The Devil’s Labyrinth

by: John Saul

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Bob Pike CSP, CPAE-Speakers Hall of Fame

Ryan McIntire lost his father in the Iraq war. His treasured remembrance is a crucifix from his father. But he doesn’t feel he deserves to carry it yet, so it remains with his father’s dress uniform. Since his Mom started dating a guy named Tom Kelly, he’s felt emotions he can’t control – anger, sadness, betrayal–and then there’s the fights at school.

His mother’s only solution is to send Ryan to St. Isaac’s, a Catholic boarding school in Boston. Though midyear she gets an opening for Ryan with Tom Kelly’s help. Does he want what’s best for Ryan – or to simply get him out of the way? Tom thinks that his relationship with Ryan’s Mom should take a natural course – including moving in. Ryan doesn’t agree – but then he’s only a kid who lost a father to war–a father with a strong sense of right and wrong. Then their home is burglarized and after the police leave, the intruder returns, and Ryan’s Mom is attacked and ends up hospitalized.

And this is just the beginning. St. Isaac’s isn’t all it seems to be. Students are disappearing, others are participating is strange rituals that Father Sebastian is leading in the tunnels and rooms under the school. Are miracles happening – or is something else going on? Word gets to the pope who decides he wants to see these miracles first hand. And when he does he gets more than he bargained for. Only the persistence of a young boy and an awkward young woman allows the truth to come out and the school to be restored.

Armchair Interviews says: Fast-paced and a riveting read – Highly recommended.

Author’s Web site: http://www.JohnSaul.com