A story to die for

"In many ways, Fry's book is superior to those featuring Robert Langdon. It is faster, sexier and more grown-up, for a start. The plot is intricate, the pace masterful, and despite a busy schedule, I was compelled to make time for The Lazarus Succession.Comparisons with mega-sellers aside, this is a superb piece of work. Our two protagonists, Brodie Ladro and Ulla Stewart are ne'er-do-wells, using their talents and knowledge to steal a living. I prefer an anti-hero to a clean-cut saint, so this was no problem for me. And for those with more exacting standards, the mission undertaken by the partners-in-crime eventually becomes a charitable one. The villain of the piece, the delightfully Machiavellian Throgmorten, is a classic bad guy, and by the end of the book, I was desperate for him to come unstuck.The final twist is inspired, too; I won't spoil anyone's enjoyment, but the supernatural elements, and their effect on the characters, are pure genius. Even an old cynic like me was entranced.The addition of a little historical flavour, in the shape of frequent glances into a beautifully depicted medieval Spain, gives the novel context, and a timeless magic I found addictive.This is polished fiction of the highest calibre, and I'm more than happy to award 5 stars."

"Fry masterfully spins a web of mystery and intrigue around a lost medieval relic that is being desperately sought by a wealthy Spanish noblewoman, the Condesa Maria Francisca, in hopes that its alleged healing powers can restore her cancer-ravaged body and thus save her life."

"“The Lazarus Succession,” delivers the religious conspiracy and intricate mystery facets of Dan Brown with a careful weaving of Biblical events with conspiratorial agents, both modern and ancient, in a clue-filled supernatural mystery thriller."

A taut and riveting story

"This is a story that spans centuries, but with little side trips into the past to watch the unfolding of the legend, Fry manages to bring it all to life before our eyes. It is a taut story, and riveting from beginning to end, earning it an enthusiastic five stars from this most satisfied reader."

"Although similar in many ways to the books by Dan Brown, I enjoyed it more. It was both sophisticated yet down to earth, despite Brodie’s visions. At no point does the author over dramatize the story, but with his excellent grasp of the written word he leads us to accept the surreal as perfectly normal and possible. The writing is excellent, the book is a treasure in itself and I would love to award this six stars."