The Devil's Elixir by Raymond Khoury

I have a place in my heart for Raymond Khoury. The Last Templar, his first major release, led me to Steve Berry's Templar Legacy and then to James Rollins and company.  In some ways I owe my current tastes in fiction to Khoury, although I have been mixed about his offerings after his debut. The Last Templar started in a frenzy but ended in a fizzle. His follow-up, Sanctuary, had an intriguing concept but failed to completely satisfy. I skipped his third offering but then came Templar Salvation, a follow-up to The Last Templar. The novel continued the story of FBI agent Sean Reilly and archeologist turned thriller writer, Tess Chaykin. The book showed an elevation in story telling and character development that placed Khoury with his friends and contemporaries, Steve Berry and James Rollins.
 
I was excited for the release of The Devil's Elixir, continuing the saga of Reilly and Chaykin. The novel is exciting and ultimately rewarding although not what I was anticipating. I expected a novel initially buried in history, then ultimately, by solving impossible clues, culminating in intense action. Part of this is correct.
 
The prologue begins hundreds of years ago with a missionary priest undergoing a drug induced experience. The groundwork was laid but the novel became an exploration of drug trafficking and vengeance. The exploration of history only went back to a catastrophic drug bust that went wrong leaving Reilly devastated and destroying the relationship with his girlfriend at the time DEA agent Michelle Martinez.

Back to the present, Martinez contacts Reilly when she is attacked and the roller coaster ride begins. There are many twists and almost as many turns and by the end the reader is just waiting for the last twist when it comes. The Devil’s Elixir is a fast paced, engrossing thriller with a hint of paranormal to keep the reader guessing. Although not what I originally expected I was drawn into the story and cared about the characters’ outcome. What more could you want from a book.

New Feature: Things To Come

I will be reviewing Progeny by indie author Shawn Hopkins.

James Rollins will be releasing his first newsletter in ages. It will contain info on the next Sigma adventure, Bloodline, coming out in June 26^th.

Steve Berry will be releasing an e-short story that features Cotton Malone and Christopher Columbus in April before his new stand alone thriller, The Columbus Affair is released May 15 featuring new protagonist Tom Sagan.

On a sad note (personally since I was planning to attend), James Rollins will not be attending Thrillerfest this July due to scheduling conflicts with his book tour. Let’s hope the tour will bring him to NJ/NY.