SECRET OF THE SEVENTH SON is a decent debut for author Glenn Cooper, starting out as a thriller with multiple murders in New York City. The deaths appear to be the work of a serial killer who leaves a calling card at each scene: a coffin drawn on a postcard, mailed to each victim before the murders.
The case is assigned to Will Piper, an alcoholic FBI agent counting down the days until retirement, and Nancy Lipinski, a humorless special agent only three years out of Quantico. The two aren’t suited to be partners, what with Will’s hangovers and on-the-job drinking paired with Nancy’s by-the-book beliefs. They find a way to work together on the case that stretches from New York to Las Vegas and nearby Area 51. Yes, that Area 51.
Cooper’s tale gets bogged down in abrupt flashbacks to an 8th-century monastery and an archeological dig in post-World War II Europe. Although these sequences are essential to the story of a seventh son born to a seventh son on July 7, 777), they restricted the flow and development of the main story, which is the hunt to find the killer.
The secret behind the murders is original, and is the biggest reason I finished the book; however, the ending left me wanting — once again because of timing. The climax comes nearly 50 pages from the end.
Cooper is talented, and if you’re prepared for the jumps, SEVENTH SON is worth reading. Where he missed the mark is creating a book that was one part horror, one part archeology, two parts historical fiction and three parts crime thriller. I hope better for his second offering, BOOK OF SOULS, coming in April 2010. —Sean Taylor Simpson
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I agree, I read this book last month on a recommendation from a friend. I thought it was a completely different take on the typical crime thriller, but the flashbacks to the 8th century and 1940s were often difficult to get through without knowing everything that was going on. At points I had to go back and verify points, but overall it was a good book and I will probably pick up the sequel like you mentioned.
@Jim I think some strategic editing could have explained the 1940s in present day – eliminating the need for the flashback. It would have flowed better much better with two timelines. Thanks for your feedback.