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click cover to read excerpt Cover photo copyright ©1978 Barrie M. Schwortz  |
REVIEWS BOOKLIST (American Library Association) *STARRED REVIEW*: "This is great stuff!" INFINITY PLUS reviewed by John Grant, Co-Editor, HUGO and WFA-winning The Encyclopedia of Fantasy: "It's all tremendous page-turning fun, and it has also some more thoughtful elements that make it -- unlike so many thrillers -- a rollercoaster ride that one actually remembers after finishing the book ... The Jesus Thief -- a thoroughly entertaining tale ... will richly repay your time." MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW The Jesus Thief by J. R. Lankford is a gripping and original novel about an unthinkable attempt to clone Jesus Christ from DNA associated with the blood of the Shroud. Conflicting motives and ties among members of the religious community, family, and various individuals are swept along in the midst of raging controversy in this sharply written, thoroughly entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking story -- and one which today's headlines could imply that author Lankford's fictional premise could be some geneticist's sought after experimental reality in the not-so-distant future. N. CELESTE BAILEY, PHD [President, Science2Discover, Inc. and Adjunct Faculty of Forensic Sciences at National University] "The Jesus Thief" is truly an enjoyable read. It captures your attention and grips you in a world of science and religion. The science is compelling and precise, however some aspects are pure fiction. Cells could not have been viable for cloning after such a long period of time--probably only for the purpose of forensic identification. Furthermore, only stem, non-differentiated cells can lead to successful cloning--although, currently, this is still a controversial subject. However, in the novel, the source of the DNA is a neutrophil, a differentiated adult immune cell. To circumvent these issues we are reminded from the beginning that other means may have been at work, "His far less scientific but greater reason for hope was that if the resurrection happened while Jesus was in the Shroud, the same energies which restored the body to life might have preserved the blood and serum on the Shroud." FEARLESS REVIEWS "When Dr. Felix Rossi steals two blood-soaked threads from the Shroud of Turin, he does so knowing his plan to bring about the Second Coming may very well fail, especially in light of the fact that he hasn't found a woman to inseminate with the Jesus clone. That turns out to be the least of his problems, however, as religious fanatics, nosy reporters, Congress, and the mysterious and deadly Mr. Brown intervene to ruin his experiment. It all adds up to one intense story where the outcome is never certain. Lankford's convincing tale will probably cause a bit of a stir with fundamentalist readers, but it's fundamentally an excellent exercise in escapism." SCRIBES WORLD (DEC '03) 5 out of 5 stars. "Her writing is well researched with cinematographic descriptions of Itay and New York City. Her characters are believable, the science plausible, and the outcome of events very realistic ... Lankford meticulously shows us the cloning process ... The suspense in this thriller is nail biting. Anyone fascinated by The Shroud of Turin, the probability of human cloning, and the effect this may lend to human history will be transfixed [by] The Jesus Thief" WORLDS APART (NOV '03) "Lankford marries contemporary science with biblical prophecy about the Second Coming and medieval belief in relics, throws in a sprinkling of miracles and so allows a modern-day microbiologist to clone Christ from DNA found on the Turin shroud. Blasphemous? Outrageous? No. ... This really is an intriguing and, despite the obvious doubts readers may have, still convincing plot in which all the ingredients mix well together ... plenty to enjoy in this novel and lots of thought-provoking ideas." RELEVANT MAGAZINE (SEP/OCT '03 ISSUE) "It isn't the first novel to explore the ramifications of cloning, even with respect to the "remains" of Jesus ... but it is the best ride so far. A taut thriller that tackles religion with as much aplomb as it does the science behind cloning." WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN (SEP 6-12 '03) "Wonderful tale of love, science, commitment, daring and the overarching hand of God ... J R Lankford strikes the right balance between the science and the humanity in this story ... I hated to put it down ... It is a good read, suspenseful, funny, sad, heart-warming and infinitely thought-provoking ... I recommend it highly." THIS CHRISTIAN LIFE Author J. R. Lankford has done extensive research and it shows. After reading "The Jesus Thief," I almost feel like I could create a clone if I wanted to. But should I?...The science is impeccable, the writing superb, the plot exciting, the climax breathtaking. But the very premise is offensive, of course, and even sacrilegious from a certain point of view ...I give "The Jesus Thief" a guarded recommendation for readers who enjoy science fiction that emphasizes science. If you like Michael Crichton, you'll like J.R. Lankford. Indeed, many people seem to be in this category, because the novel has already appeared in Amazon's top 20 in the mystery-thriller category, just two weeks after its release. This recommendation comes with a disclaimer, however. I would give "The Jesus Thief" the movie equivalent of an R rating for graphic descriptions of medical procedures and some sexual situations." BOOKS MONTHLY 5 out of 5 stars "Not since Michael Crichton has a novelist offered such a believable glimpse into the controversial, experimental world of cloning. In "The Jesus Thief" (2003, Great Reads Books) J.R. Lankford masterfully tells the story of an attempt to clone one of history's most revered figures using genetic material extracted from a holy relic. Flawlessly crafted and expertly written, Lankford's [novel comprises] a symphony of controversy that delves into religious subject matter in an unusually realistic manner. Keep your eye on this author." WICHITA FALLS TIMES RECORD NEWS J.R. Lankford presents a fast-paced novel on a subject that is controversial ... Her research ... is precise and well-presented ... She weaves a tale of intrigue and conspiracy that keeps the reader enthralled to the very last page." REBECCASREADS.COM" THE JESUS THIEF romps across time & oceans, from sacred sites & cows to secret hideaways & tortured love, dragging converts & killers, skeptics & heroes along in its wake. Suspend your disapproval & get set for a fine adventure! I couldn't put it down! REDBANK.COM Cloning is controversial as it is but to clone the dead is unimaginable. Now take it a step further, how about a clone of Jesus Christ. Hooked? I was and it was enthralling... This moving novel is deeply thought provoking and time-appropriate. Lankford is a remarkable talent. With thorough research and lots of detail she makes this whole idea seem believable, even possible - it is somewhat scary. Where do we draw the line on cloning? The Jesus Thief is thoroughly intriguing and high on suspense. This novel screams "Sequel" to me! HEARTLAND REVIEWS, 5 out of 5 stars The Jesus Thief is a fascinating thriller predicated on the possibilities that the Shroud of Turin is the real McCoy and that its bloodstains could provide the DNA of Jesus Christ. The protagonist, Dr. Felix Rossi, a wealthy microbiologist and gynecologist, gains access to the shroud, acquires a bloodstained thread, and creates a clone... From that point, it's a race against time, the media, and puppet masters pulling strings behind the scenes. A very wealthy power monger is cast as a parallel to King Herod. There is a significant amount of excellent symbolism scattered throughout this book. Its pace rockets along to a touching conclusion. We are regaled with interesting and understandable information about cloning. The supporting characters have dimensions of their own, especially a doorman who is in fact a spy for the manipulator ... We rated this book five hearts. BOOKSILOVED.COM Part medical thriller, part spiritual discovery, this tale of cloning, drawn from the headlines, is a success due to the author's skill as a storyteller. ... "The Jesus Thief" takes the concept to the height of the controversy - is it possible to clone those from the past using their DNA? If possible, is it morally reprehensible, and how will the world react? ROBERT H. FOOTE, PHD [Professor of Animal Physiology Emeritus, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University]. "Thank you for sending to me an advance copy of J R Lankford's The Jesus Thief.... The author is to be commended for the background work she did to be able to give several elements of procedures essential for any success in culturing and transferring embryos. This will give the reader an impression of authenticity, and I hope that readers will not be mesmerized to imagine that this might be true... From a scientific point of view by a person (myself) who has pursued animal biotechnology for more than 50 years there are concerns. Lankford consulted a microbiologist. While asepsis is very important, the successful procedures developed by the foremost cloners in the world were not developed in microbiology labs. So there are several technical errors included that would almost surely lead to failure ... -It is extremely unlikely that any completely functional DNA (the whole genome of an individual) could be extracted from long deceased individuals - The steps [to clone) are o.k. but much more complex than one might believe in the book. - There was a suggestion in the book that one could repair DNA. That would require equiment and procedures well beyond what is operational today - A human clone will not be identical with the original [because of cell mutations during the life of the individual, the mitochondrial DNA of the egg donor, and pre/post natal environmental factors] "After penning this short discourse on the scientific method, I return to my original concurrence that this novel is a spellbinder. From the standpoint of a lay reader I have to agree with the statement on the book jacket. "Brilliantly conceived, masterfully written, this soaring novel is a triumph. You will believe every word..." BOOKBROWSE.COM The Jesus Thief by J R Lankford is a marvelous novel. It explores the possibility that blood from the Shroud of Turin could be used to clone Jesus. This subject matter could easily result in sensationalist drivel, but instead she has crafted an exciting and thought-provoking story which examines the feasibility of such an event, as well as its moral and physical implications. The characters are well-developed, their motives complex and nuanced. The way they each do or don't come to terms with their actions provides a vehicle for Lankford to deal with weighty issues, leaving readers to draw their own theological conclusions. This is a lucid and accomplished novel with an utterly riveting plot that twists and turns to a thrilling conclusion. MORE REVIEWS COMING Home |