Katie McVay

This is another of those Da Vinci Code-type books, where the plot centres around shocking the foundations of Christianity. However, it’s not as plump and well rounded as Dan Brown’s books, not by a long chalk.

That said, if you try to forget other similar-based (and, I’m afraid, better) novels, it’s not a bad read. I did find myself rather engrossed.

Mara Beltane is a chick-lit novelist on her way to a modestly successful career. When she catches a glimpse of a TV documentary that throws doubt on Jesus’ final resting place, the seed for her next bestseller is firmly implanted in her brain. Without further ado, she’s Jerusalem-bound, where she manages, conveniently, to find a couple of willing aides to get to the bottom of the premise. It’s a tight-rope walk: she could end up writing one heck of a bestseller or end up completely shattering a career she’s worked hard to build up.

Although it does suspend belief somewhat (not specifically from a religious viewpoint, but because of the unlikely convenience of events as they unfold), it’s hard not to become just a little immersed in the writing. It’s quite well written, but the editing needed extra attention. I’m a little annoyed by the latter, actually: it’s obvious an editor knew what s/he was doing: s/he just needed to do more.

The ending is rather an anti-climax, but I feel invested enough in Mara Beltane to pursue any subsequent adventures (this is the first in the Mara Beltane mysteries).… (plus d'informations)

I can’t expressed how pysched I was to receive this Goodreads giveaway in the mail. The author was kind enough to include a handwritten note asking for a review about her debut book. Just for that, I put aside all other books to devour this thriller. I wish I could say that I loved this book. I tried to. It’s not remotely as mysterious or thrilling as Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. The author did herself a disfavor by comparing to it in the Amazon blurb. If you are looking for a female version of Da Vinci Code, you will be dissapointed.

That said, this is not a failure of a book. The protagonist, Mara Beltane is lovable and believable. Mara recently divorced, because she’d rather focus on her writing career have the children her husband desires. After writing five successful books, she begins to desire more. Hence why she travels to Jerusalem to investigate the ossuary rumored to be Jesus’s. Props to the author for embarking a non-religious character on a religious crusade. Mara is able to retain her objectivity throughout the entire novel.

Once she arrives in Jerusalem, this is where a thriller novel would take the reader on a non-stop breath-taking escapade. The City of Lost Secrets is not a thriller in this regard. It’s about as fast paced as the movie Eat, Pray, Love (which I couldn’t finish). This novel reads like a documentary off of the Travel Channel or National Geographic Channel. Seriously. Pretend that Mara has the British accent and you feel like she is your tour guide off one of those episodes. I can tell that the author is very familiar with the subject matter and since I adore those documentaries, this part of the novel was interesting.

Of course, there ends up being a romance and I wish it was introduced gradually, rather than as an afterthought. I didn’t know about this love interest until page 120, halfway through the novel, when Mara’s friend emailed her. Really? That’s how the reader finds out?

As a thriller, I would have to rate this book very low. As a chick lit, I would rate it much higher. Depending on your taste in genre, you may or may not like this book. Personally, I’m not a fan of chick lit.… (plus d'informations)