"delightful Christian thriller"

In Chicago, Thomas Knight knows the "wrath of God" when on the day Peter the Principal fired him from his English teaching job, Father Harmon calls him to inform him his estranged brother Father Edward Knight died while conducting research into church symbols in the Philippines. Stunned by the unexpected suddenness, Thomas needs to know what happened especially when strangers begin to visit Edward's abode seeking a sword, fish and other artifacts.

He begins an odyssey that leads him to the Vatican and ultimately to the site where his sibling died. On his trek for the truth, someone sends professional hitmen to prevent him from learning why is brother was killed. Not sure who to trust, but desperately in need of allies, Thomas turns to Druid Hills Museum curator Deborah Miller, but realizes he has placed her in jeopardy as agents of the faith will kill anyone like they did Edward and others who learns the secret their leaders prefer buried.

ON THE FIFTH DAY is a delightful Christian thriller that avoids the Da Vinci Code syndrome by not using a conspiratorial group, but instead the story line focuses on believers and doubters, who at times change positions as events play out. Thomas is a fascinating lead character as he begins to believe in a Da Vinci Code conspiracy at the same time he insists the Christian gene passed him; he will have quite a revelation when he realizes his lethal adversaries are simply true believers who will sacrifice the innocent to keep the truth secret.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 24, 2007

Summary

The death of a priest is met with suspicion by his brother Thomas, who knows that his sibling died while researching Christian symbols. But Thomas and curator Deborah Miller aren't alone in retracing the priest's final steps. They're followed by fanatics desperate to hide the secret stumbled upon by Thomas's brother—and willing to kill to keep it buried forever.