The Shekinah Legacy    by Gary Lindberg Order:  USA  Can Calumet, 2011 (2011) Softcover, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth If you are into assassinations, random killings, treachery, skullduggery, and religion, The Shekinah Legacy by Gary Lindberg is the book for you. Throw in the CIA and their French equivalent, as well as the Mossad and you have a definite winner. One of the main characters, Gideon, could probably solve the world's overpopulation all on his own if set loose with his dagger. Charlotte Ansari, a newscaster for CCN, one of the big stations for main stories all over the world, has spent her career building her reputation for hunting the next story, no matter where around the globe, or how hazardous. She has regrets about leaving home so often, leaving her husband behind (he is one of the reasons she leaves) but also her son, Greg, who has been diagnosed with Asperger's. When Greg receives an email from his grandmother, who has not been heard from for thirty years, asking for help, Charlotte rushes to the rescue taking Greg with her. Thus she begins a search for her mother, running into obstacles along the way, one obstacle being her father from whom Charlotte is estranged. Quizzically, Greg and he hit it off. Greg seems to thrive on the stimulation of the race against time. He emerges from this departure from his everyday world to venture ideas and conjectures of a kind that speak of a much more mature mind. The search for Jesus' relics turns out to be the main thrust, while the reader is treated to a history of religions. Charlotte has a protector of whom she is unaware. He saves her skin more than once. If blood and gore are a secret vice of yours, read on. The group grows as they travel to India, Kashmir, Tibet and wherever their search, which starts with bloodshed in Minnesota, takes them. Dead bodies litter the pages. The author offers a complex plot with many twists and turns and with a range of characters who are either important to the scenario or who die and are left by the wayside. It's a compelling read with the history of religions playing a considerable part in the plot. One small note – at one point the names Greg and Grant are transposed and create a bit of confusion. With five men having names all starting with G, the reader must keep on their toes. (Grant, Greg, Gideon, George and Gordon.) Lindberg, while writing this thriller visited each of the locations depicted - a great way to satisfy your travel lust. His extensive research is well worth the price of the book on its own. But the thrilling parts make The Shekinah Legacy a must-read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews