The King James Conspiracy
by: Phillip DePoy
Published by: St. Martin's Press
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Reviewed by Diane Keyes
When I signed up to review The King James Conspiracy by Phillip DePoy, I naively assumed the book was going to be something in the vein of The Da Vinci Code. I wasn’t even close.
Although the mystery seamlessly blends historical persons, places and facts, and with fictional circumstances much like its famous predecessor, _The King James Conspiracy_is squarely placed in the 17th century. And the artistry of author DePoy creates a world so vivid that the century itself becomes one of the book’s most compelling characters.
Setting the story in real time, DePoy weaves a chilling tale of murder, mayhem and misunderstanding built around the restrictions inherent in that time period. Relaying messages over distance requires time, effort and danger no matter how urgent the matter or how dire the consequences. And with the team of translators who are working on the new bible being picked off one by one, the matter is urgent indeed.
The obvious lack of technology makes what is already a compelling tale even more interesting. The limitations of long distance communication becomes a complicating factor in the raveling and unraveling of information and truth is an ever-moving target.
Just who are the good guys? Are there any? “It’s a mystery, wrapped in an enigma… .”
Fortunately for the author the story is strong enough to stand alone because it doesn’t get much help from its characters. The protagonist, in the “main character” sense of the word only, Brother Timon is an empty-hearted, robotic killer, softened only by his attraction to his pupil, Anne, and his ambivalence about killing her father, the vapid Marbury. Pope Clement and King James, two other key characters, aren’t even as likeable as Brother Timon.
Still in all, it’s an entertaining book and I can’t help but wonder, is there more to this book than meets the eye? Is the author making a larger statement about the destructive nature of religion? Gosh, I just love a conspiracy.
Armchair Interviews says: A good story line that would be helped with some likable characters.
Author’s Web site: http://www.PhillipDePoy.com
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