Amazon Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: Married to a yid ISBN-10:  0986074934 Pages: 297 Copyright: March, 2014 ISBN-13: 9780986074929 Silence of the Lambs meets the Da Vinci Code in this psychological thriller where FBI agent Jamie Golding is on the trail of a serial killer who is murdering elderly men and leaving cryptic messages from a 2,500 year-old hidden code. Jamie must decipher the code in order to stop the killer in this suspenseful page-turner. The killer's intention is to "play the FBI like a violin" as a game of cat and mouse ensues. The Esther Code that Jamie discovers is real and is masterfully presented in a way that will leave the biggest skeptic scratching their head.  Silence of the Lambs meets the Da Vinci Code in this psychological thriller where FBI agent Jamie Golding is on the trail of a serial killer who is murdering elderly men and leaving cryptic messages from a 2,500 year-old hidden code. Jamie must decipher the code in order to stop the killer in this suspenseful page-turner. The killer's intention is to "play the FBI like a violin" as a game of cat and mouse ensues. The Esther Code that Jamie discovers is real and is masterfully presented in a way that will leave the biggest skeptic scratching their head. Excerpt Tonight is the night. Tonight he is ready. Simon is surprisingly calm considering what he is about to do. But why shouldn’t he be? It is not the first time he has done it, nor will it be the last. He has planned every detail meticulously. He sits in his car, mentally rehearsing the sequence of events. Has he remembered everything? Yes. He has been here before, has become familiar with his target. The crisp air bites at his face as he crosses the parking lot to the visitors’ entrance of Crestwood Assisted Living. Again Simon wears his “visiting outfit”: khaki pants, a yellow polo shirt with “Christian Fellowship” insignia over the left breast, an ID card on a chain around his neck, a baseball cap that allows his neatly combed, light brown ponytail to fall through the back, heavy-framed glasses, and a neatly trimmed mustache. A backpack is slung casually over his right shoulder. Crestwood is a squat one-story building shaped like a boomerang, with the entrance in the middle of the bend. The place is clean and well lit, even from the outside. As Simon enters the assisted living center, he notices again the absence of that sanitized smell that generally infuses hospitals. Crestwood is the kind of place that convinces the suburban families of Harwood Heights, Illinois, to surrender parents and grandparents to the care of strangers. There is an expectable proliferation of faux flowers and indoor plants in the main foyer. So many electric potpourri burners pump out vanilla fragrance that Simon worries the smell will cling to him even after he leaves the building. The facility is secure and adequately staffed. A large plaque instructs all visitors to “Please Sign in” upon arrival. Simon confidently strides directly to the frosted-glass sliding window, which is already open halfway. Despite management’s best efforts to imbue Crestwood with the feel of home, there is something inescapably officious about the sign-in process. A clipboard with the sign-in sheet lies on a ledge in front of the open window. There is a pen chained nearby, but Simon produces his own from his shirt pocket. He signs his name sloppily with his left hand. A young black man sits behind the desk, reading a large textbook. He glances up and recognizes the visitor. "Back again?” After checking the clock on the wall behind him, the man, likely a student, smiles. “I bet the old guy appreciates you." Simon peers at the same clock, but he omits writing the time next to his name. "Yep. He had any visitors today?” "Nope.” The black man shakes his head. “Yesterday his son came by. Didn't stay long, though.” Simon nods, “That’s how it goes sometimes. If I don't see you on my way out, I'll catch you next week." "Cool. Next week. I'll be here. Keep it loose." The young man flashes a smile, and his attention returns to his textbook. Simon walks the familiar hallway to room 128. The door bears a decorative sign with a little plastic window. Large letters inform visitors of the resident’s name. FRED SCHMIDT. Simon pauses momentarily and ponders that they will soon be sliding that name out and replacing it with someone else’s. “You here to read to Mr. Schmidt again?” Simon starts at the voice of the plump, middle-aged nursing assistant behind him. “Yes,” he says. His heart is pounding, but he retains outward composure. “How long you gonna be?” The nursing assistant's voice is nasal and unpleasant, but Simon does not allow his face to show irritation. She is shutting the door to room 129. “We're going to finish the book tonight if he can stay awake long enough. Don't worry,” he adds with a small smile, “I'll make sure he's tucked in for the night before I leave.” “Oh, I know you will. You always do.” "Thanks, have a good night." Simon knocks first, then walks into the room. There is a compact living area with recliner, love seat, upright chair and small TV on a stand. This flows into the bedroom, which displays plenty of family photos. One baby picture has a place of honor on the dresser. Simon surmises that it must be a great-grandchild. Cute kid. Mr. Schmidt is lying in the bed watching a television set that is mounted in the corner. He is in his late eighties, bald, thin, and pale. The frailty of his body, however, does not extend to his mind. His connections still esteem him as both smart and sophisticated. He still enjoys reading, talking, and exercising his mind, which is why he enjoys Simon’s visits. Mr. Schmidt immediately clicks off the TV when he sees Simon enter. "Ah, I was hoping you would be here soon,” he greets Simon in his thin, brittle voice. “Thank you for coming again. I am eager to hear what happens next." "Tonight I wouldn't miss. It's a big night," Simon responds, with perhaps too much enthusiasm. "Shall we pick up where we left off then?" "Not tonight. No book tonight. Because tonight I have something better. Just relax, and give me a second to get dressed up." Simon senses the vague confusion building in the old man's mind. He sees Mr. Schmidt staring into him, attempting to pierce Simon’s mystery and find a logical agenda beneath. Simon merely smiles and removes a pair of latex gloves from his backpack. “We're not going to play doctor, are we?” Simon does not respond as he pulls more items from his backpack. “Because I think I get enough of that here,” Schmidt continues with a weak chuckle. "Good doctors are hard to come by. I've got another pair of gloves, too. Hang tight, you'll see." From the backpack, he removes a white disposable jumpsuit, a surgical hat and mask, and shoe covers. He puts on each item with deliberation. “Are you going to paint the room, or something?” The old man's voice grows sharper with each question. His chest is rising and falling faster too. “Hold on, I’m not going to ruin the surprise for you.” Simon pulls out a brand new pair of leather driving gloves from a plastic bag. The price tag is still attached to one, and the disconnected halves of the plastic connecting cord dangle pathetically from the leather. He puts these on over the latex gloves. “Are we going to do some wood carving? What are we going to do that you don’t want to get dirty?” Mr. Schmidt asks. The old man shows both age and nerves as he begins to button and unbutton the cuff of his light blue pajamas. “One minute, one minute.” Simon bends over and takes his instrument from the bag. It is a simple thing, yet sinister, consisting of two handles connected by piano wire. Simon made it himself. He keeps it lower than the bed, so Mr. Schmidt cannot see that Simon possesses a weapon. Leaning in close to the old man, Simon whispers something into his ear. The old man's eyes swell grotesquely as he scrambles for the call light on his bedside table. Just as Simon predicted. His moment of opportunity! In reaching for the button, Mr. Schmidt lifts his head off the pillow. With a quick twist of the wrist, Simon places his homemade garrote around Schmidt’s neck and pulls the cord tight. Not a sound comes out of the old man—not even a last breath can escape. Mr. Schmidt’s hands flail meaninglessly, too far to even touch the metal cord that digs into his skin. He makes a few weak attempts to kick his legs, but they are powerless under the comforter. Simon maintains a tight grip for several minutes, until he knows the old man's heart has stopped. It is done. The only breathing he can hear is his own, tense and ragged. With forced calmness, Simon removes the garrote and double-bags it. He then removes a Ziploc bag that holds a small piece of paper. The paper is two inches square, with “F.S.” in big typed letters in the center and “parmo sh ta” evenly spaced along the bottom in smaller letters. Simon positions the bag and shakes it gently, allowing the note to fall out and land near the lifeless left hand. He then gently moves the body in a sleeping position facing away from the door and tucks Schmidt in as promised. Removing all the other items, Simon bags them and places everything into the backpack. He then sits down, takes a book out and begins to read out-loud.

A must read!
This is a must-read. It is full of twists and turns that you want to ride out to discover what's around the next corner. It is well-written, intellectually sound, and kept me engaged throughout. I loved the blend of fiction and non-fiction elements. The combination of historical fact and fiction is a testament to the author's knowledge base. At the end of the book, I realized the author had taught me some things without me even realizing it. That's talent.

Mystery Thriller!
Although this story is fiction, I loved how there is a lot of true history behind it. It reaches a lot of audiences from those who are interested in other religions, biblical times, World War II, mysteries, and thrillers. I thought I would be able to figure out the ending, but was completely surprised. Such a great read that once I started, I couldn't put it down. I definitely recommend it!

Page Turner!
I loved this book! The mixture of crime drama, and really relatable characters kept me reading. It is really smart fiction, mixed with fascinating history. I just could not put it down, and my jaw literally dropped at the end. By all means READ THIS BOOK.