Known as the Cult Busters, Christian and Sam make a formidable duo who are tasked with taking down the basest offenders. What began as Christian’s mission to rescue Sam has evolved into a dependable relationship over the past several years, and the uptick in cult activities guarantees that they’ll stay busy in their hush-hush government assignment. Sam is a kindhearted woman, herself once a kidnapping victim of the same kind of groups they’re fighting against. Christian is a man who is adrift spiritually, but selfless in his goal of liberating the targets of these immoral cult leaders. While their actions often go beyond what is strictly legal, Sam and Christian are willing to do what others aren’t. These morally gray choices land them on the FBI’s radar. Reluctantly, they join forces, pooling their knowledge, skills, and resources to tackle depraved enemies who have skills science can’t explain. Digging into the supernatural is no problem for Christian, a former priest who has survived by questioning everything, particularly the nature of God. Their first joint assignment with the FBI starts with learning exactly how and why a dead body reanimates, takes off running, and then explodes. It must mean something, but they don’t have much time to piece things together when Doomsday could be right around the corner. Old friends and enemies join in on this terrifying journey of dramatic incantations, violent upheaval, and religious discovery.
Ambitious and expansive, The Fall From Grace is an intriguing mix of philosophical notions and daring exploits. Michael Richardson leverages the fear factor sometimes associated with religious iconography and expands on the Catholic aesthetic with interesting locations, complicated characters, occult symbolism, and surprising plot twists. Ruthless villains and exciting spy gear lend a modern James Bond vibe while eternal conflicts add a timeless feel. Unfortunately, implausible scenes, unwieldy sentences, and frequent grammatical misfires present a challenge for readers looking to stay immersed in a story whose plot is incredibly gripping. Despite any shortcomings, however, this novel is unquestionably unique with a narrative that avoids getting too heavy-handed in ideology, creates suspense in nearly every chapter, and comes full circle with some dramatic twists. Expect the unexpected and get ready for a thought-provoking, high-intensity adventure with The Fall From Grace.
