Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series is one of my favourites. The quality of the writing alone elevates each of his books above the average crime novel. So I was interested to see that Kerr had written a standalone thriller billed as a ‘modern horror story’. Horror isn’t a genre I’m particularly fond of, although supernatural mysteries hold more appeal, so I was intrigued to see what I’d be reading, And for most of the book Prayer was a conventional, intriguing and well written thriller that opened out into something else completely.
Gil Martins is an FBI agent who investigates domestic terrorism. Despite his religious wife, he finds himself slipping away from his faith which causes a rift in his marriage. He investigates a seemingly unconnected series of deaths where people, who by everyday standards could have been considered to have benefitted society in some way, are suddenly found dead. When a woman, who is dismissed as mentally ill, states that the victims have been killed by prayer Gil is dismissive of the claims. However, as he digs deeper into the shadowy world of the large religious congregations, he discovers something that shakes his atheism to the core.
I found this book impossible to put down once I’d started it. It’s rare these days that I come across something like this but it was a genuinely compelling read. In many ways it read like a modern fable, so removed is the world that it depicted from British life. The US religious movement came across as sinister in its fervency but as the implications of what is happening becomes clear the book is about much more than the influence of large churches.
Towards the end of the book, as the narrative changed from thriller into a confrontation with the supernatural, I felt the narrative lost some of the tension as anything seemed possible. But the book was an interesting exploration of the mechanics of faith, prayer and ultimately the nature of God.
Thanks to Quercus for my review copy.
Sarah – Oh, that’s absolutely fascinating. And quite far removed from the Bernie Gunther series too. I give Kerr credit for ‘stretching himself’ and it sounds as though the plot really is compelling. I always like it when a novel starts as one thing and then becomes so much more. As you say, that doesn’t happen often…
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Thanks Margot. A book that’s a bit different from my usual read but was very enjoyable.
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Nice review, Sarah. I will probably try this since I like Kerr’s writing and the general premise of an FBI agent and terrorism, but not so sure about the other elements. It will be interesting anyway. I have about 4 of the Bernie Gunther series to read so it may be a while.
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Yes, I still prefer Bernie Gunther…..
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Great to hear that you liked Kerr’s book. I have to pick it up as I’m a fan of his Bernie Gunther books as well.
http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
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Thanks for the comment. Glad to find another Kerr fan. I’m adding your website to my blogroll.
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I read some Bernie G a while back, so I know the author’s work, and this sounds like a riveting plot. I’m impressed that you couldn’t put it down…
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