THE OCCULI INCIDENT has as it's central focus an alleged miracle in an old Catholic church somewhere in New England. Water drips from the eyes of Christ on the main crucifix in the church, causing much excitement. Some, including the parish priest, suspect that the miracle isn't enitrely genuine. Mystery, mayhem and a few murders ensue, and it is up to our intrepid heroes to follow the trail of bread crumbs to figure out who is behind the deception.
It's difficult to find a single fault with this book - not because it's good, but because it's so difficult to settle on just one. The plot is both contrived and full of holes, the characterizations are clumsy and hamfisted, the dialogue is atrocious, the prose is erratic, and the sex scenes are cringe-inducing. I'm not entirely certain if the investigators are supposed to be complete idiots, or the author supposes that the reader is - the villain is transparently obvious from the beginning, as is how he manufactures his miracle. By the end I was desperately hoping he would off a few more of the "heroes" just to put me out of their misery.
In short, this book is about as good as can be expected from a small press wherein the author thanks his editor for introducing him to the concept of the comma.
African American Pastor Paul Logueβs gut instinct insists
that the few drops of water that fall from the eyes of an
ancient crucifix suspended in his old, Gothic Church are
probably a diabolical human ruse or possibly a display of
Lucifer himself. But in spite of his reassurances, each time
the tears form, the word miracle arises from his
congregation like a raging firestorm flamed by the mediaβs
unquenchable desire for sensationalism. The unique
occurrences at his church quickly become national phenomena.
Money pours into church coffers as droves of curiosity
seekers, tourists, and religious believers visit Saint
Martinβs to glimpse the miracle cross and to leave behind
extremely generous donations. But after several people die
hideously, attempting to examine the long-hanging crucifix,
Pastor Logue becomes desperate to uncover the cause of the
mysterious tears, knowing that who or what he finds might
easily claim him as a next victim.
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