Product Description

This is an epic thriller of secrets, history and murder.In Rome, 2008 AD: Witness to a suicide bombing, Josh Ryder walks away uninjured, but with a terrible gift: flashbacks to a past he doesn't recognise, in centuries he's never lived. When an ancient tomb is uncovered, a priceless relic is stolen. Realising the relic is connected to his strange memories, Ryder sets out to recover it.In Rome, 386 AD: Julius races to the burning Temple of Vesta to rescue one of the last Vestal Virgins, the High Priestess Sabina. So begins a love affair that will span the centuries as Sabina and Julius vow to protect a treasure that holds the secret of the afterlife.But danger is everywhere - in the past and in the present - and there are those who will stop at nothing to reveal the secret that could alter the course of human history forever...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #241374 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Review
'A winner. From page one, The Reincarnationist is smart and inventive. The story is fascinating, MJ Rose's writing is lush, and the blend of thriller, historical, and supernatural elements is seamless and irresistible. Grab a copy and enjoy.' --Meg Gardiner, author of Kill Chain

'M.J. Rose delivers a tale that goes beyond chills and thrills. It's a delight of intrigue with a clever twist. Not a disappointing page.' --Steve Berry, The Templar Legacy

'The Reincarnationist is a riveting thriller - smart, original, and so well written. Rose hooks you on the first pages of the book, where current-day murders pull the reader into ancient secrets and shocking revelations, and keeps you turning till the stunning denouement.' --Linda Fairstein, Bad Blood

About the Author
MJ Rose is the author of The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex and The Venus Fix. The sequel to The Reincarnationist will be available in early 2009 from MIRA Books.

Customer Reviews

A Plot to Savour

M.J. Rose is the international bestselling author of The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex and The Venus Fix. She graduated from Syracuse University, was a creative director at a New York City advertising agency and has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She lives in Connecticut.

The author has written a number of books but until now I was an M. J. Rose virgin, so to speak. I was recommended this particular book by a friend who had seen it in the bookshop and thought it was the kind of book that I would like.

I certainly do enjoy most books, either fact or fiction that are about Ancient Rome but books that switch between the present and the past or vice versa have never been my cup of tea. That is until I read this one. The transition between present and past is so well done by the author and the storyline so interesting and exciting that I was enthralled virtually from the beginning. Similar storylines, by that I mean the switch from the present to the past or future, have been attempted by a number of writer's, not least H. G. Wells with his book The Time Machine, with mixed results. More bad than good in my own opinion. But this book captured my imagination and I was sorry when it ended.

I am always a sucker for anything on Ancient Rome but the book as a whole was both innovative and exciting. If the author's other books are anything like as interesting as this one, it will not be long before I have read them all.

The life of Ryder and others
Quite some time ago I read Labyrinth by Kate Mosse and was hugely disappointed (see my review as to why) so when this book landed in my postbox, it was with some disquiet that I saw a similar storyline in so far as two events separated by 2000 years (or so) were used as the base storyline.

This book is much better. M.J.Rose manages to move us from the present time back to the 5th. century and back again to 2007 without it breaking up the central theme - how and why does Josh Ryder feel himself transported back to ancient Rome?.

Of course, the title gives away the answers to those questions but obviously the author has done her homework and neatly crafts the two ages into one compelling thriller. It is also a book which doesn't really allow the reader to skip a page or two - and, indeed, one doesn't feel the need anyway.

It might be good to be able to move back a few centuries (or not, as the case may be!) but, as I don't wish to spoil the ending, I will say I was disappointed with the outcome which seemed rather too contrived, hence part of the missing star.

Nonetheless, it is a good read. The author knows her subject matter and she writes with a good flowing style, building empathy with some of the characters though perhaps giving away the likely 'baddie' within the story rather too easily - hence the the reason for the rest of the missing star!

If you liked Labyrinth you'll really like this book; if you didn't like Labyrinth, you'll hopefully rekindle a liking for the juxtapositioning of the two stories split by many centuries as they lead to their dramatic ending.

Absolutely a Must Read!
For true entertainment--thrills, chills, and a wild ride--The Reincarnationist fills the bill and then some.

Since his near-death caused by a suicide bomber, photo-journalist Josh Ryder's life has become impossible. Gone are his job, his wife, and all he knew. Without warning, Josh becomes Julius, a Roman priest in 391AD, fighting for not only his life, but that of his lover's, as well as the sacred rites they've held holy for thousands of years. Just as quickly, he returns to present day as Josh.

His world is even more confused when an archeologist who's excavating a tomb of a Vestal Virgin, is murdered. Josh describes the killer to Rome's police, but is held as a suspect. The beautiful archeologist Gabriella Chase gets him released from prison, but then he's caught up in a web of love, both past and present, murder, extortion, and deceit.

The pages fly by as Josh and Gabriella are tossed from one mystery to another, sometimes fighting for their very lives. I thoroughly enjoyed The Reincarnationist from cover to cover and I highly recommend this book. Take a comfy seat and let M.J. Rose unravel this mysterious adventure for you!