The Sign

by Raymond Khoury Narrated by Richard Ferrone

Overview

New York Times bestselling author Raymond Khoury returns with a provocative, hard-hitting thriller ripped from the headlines and set at the intersection of science, religion, politics and history...

It appears out of nowhere in the skies above Antarctica-a blazing sphere of light that transforms into a mysterious symbol for all to see. Then, it vanishes. The world is enraptured by the event. Is the symbol man-made? Is it of extraterrestrial origin? Or is it a sign from God? The entire human race holds its breath, desperate for an answer-but will it be the one they're hoping for?

For reporter Gracie Logan, it's the story of a lifetime. And her search for the truth will lead her from an ancient monastery in the sands of Egypt to a megachurch in Texas and into a mystery that she may not survive.

For ex-con Matt Sherwood, it's a chance to redeem himself-and to find the men responsible for the death of his brother.

And for a few shady players in the corridors of power in Washington D.C., it's a chance to redefine the world-and to manipulate the relationship between religion and politics in America, for better, or for worse...

Editorial Reviews

In 2006, Raymond Khoury snatched our attention with The Last Templar; then he followed that secret society thriller with The Sanctuary. Now he returns with The Sign, an earthshaking nail-biter that from its very first page plunges us into a realm where even an apocalypse would seem gentle business. A suspenseful thriller rooted in science, history, and occult subjects.

Steve Berry

There's a fine line between science and religion. Too often that border becomes blurred, or confused, usually through either ignorance or fanaticism, which nearly always leads to conflict. The Sign expertly explores this ever-shifting line of myth and reality. But this book is not a religious thriller. Nobody is trying to destroy the Catholic Church; Christ is not being cloned; and there are no ancient theological secrets that could change the course of history. Instead, Raymond Khoury explores the concept a religion by posing the ever-present question What if? in a unique and appealing way. Protagonists Matt Sherwood, a former car thief (which is interesting in and of itself), and news reporter, Gracie Logan, are who Khoury calls upon to determine if God has finally decided to reveal himself, or is something more sinister afoot? I like that in a Khoury book the title actually means something. That was true in The Last Templar and The Sanctuary, and it is equally true here. The sign is important. This story captivates with plausibility and imagination. It's fiercely intelligent and equally curious. Khoury casts his fictional world in a dark pall -- a fitting atmosphere for his protagonists as they race both time and shadowy instincts toward a scintillating conclusion. The Sign is a rapid paced adventure that delivers equal quantities of story and lesson, neither one suffering in the process. Khoury's background as a screenwriter shows. He is especially adept at action scenes. His expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they're landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own. The Sign is a prize to be savored.

Kirkus Reviews

Khoury's third high-concept thriller (Sanctuary, 2007, etc.) features much ado about an apparition in the Antarctic sky. Is it a sign from God-or maybe not so much?TV journalist Gracie Logan can't believe her telegenic eyes. There she is in Antarctica, doing a piece on global warming when suddenly . . . OK, what exactly is it up there? "It was beyond understanding, beyond definition." Well, whatever it actually is, it's awesome: big, bright and more than a little scary. "It's a sign," says one onlooker as she crosses herself, clearly a believer. "Of what?" someone else asks skeptically, thus launching a debate that will grow ever more heated in the days to come. Meanwhile, in another part of the planet (Boston, to be precise), hulking ex-convict Matt Sherwood, currently committed to the straight and narrow, meets with nerdy Vince Bellinger, who is the bearer of shocking tidings. Seeing the televised apparition has activated neurons in Vince's spectacular cognitive apparatus, convincing him that Danny Sherwood, Matt's beloved younger brother and Vince's fellow brainiac, did not in fact die two years ago in an accidental chopper crash into shark-infested waters while working on some extremely hush-hush science project. For reasons beyond the ken of ordinary folk, Vince has become certain that foul play was involved. Before he can do much to explain, however, he too meets death by taser and syringe, a fate Matt narrowly evades. Matt, in whom the blood of action heroes flows, now knows he has no choice but to dig for answers. Not easy. Secret agendas and dueling conspiracies form daunting obstacles, but he presses on to the end of the tunnel, where he'll find Gracie waiting along with theanswers, eternal and otherwise. Uninspired.

From the Publisher

Praise for The Sign
 
“Raymond Khoury explores the concept of religion by posing the ever-present question What if? in a unique and appealing way. It’s fiercely intelligent and equally curious. Khoury casts his fictional world in a dark pall—a fitting atmosphere for his protagonists as they race both time and shadowy instincts toward a scintillating conclusion. The Sign is a rapid paced adventure that delivers equal quantities of story and lesson, neither one suffering in the process. Khoury’s background as a screenwriter shows. He is especially adept at action scenes. His expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they’re landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own. The Sign is a prize to be savored.”—New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry
 
“[A] solid thriller...Unrelenting action and a suitably twisted ending.”—Publishers Weekly
 
“Khoury’s thrillers engage the reader’s mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace. His first two novels were first-rate adventure yarns, and so is this one...Readers who like their thrillers to have a solid intellectual component will enjoy Khoury’s books very much. Given the high quality of each of his novels, it seems fair to say that he may be around for a while.”—Booklist
 
“This is a thoughtful book with a powerful message and yet also a thrilling read with compelling, well-developed characters. Highly recommended.”—Library Journal

JULY 2009 - AudioFile

How would anyone recognize a true miracle? As he did in THE LAST TEMPLAR, Raymond Khoury plucks the strings of deeply held religious beliefs with THE SIGN. When a ball of light appears in the sky, it causes a religious fever across the world. Miracle or hoax? Regardless, the phenomenon is soon appropriated by villains, and three people must take it back. Richard Ferrone pulls no punches, giving the type of solid, straightforward performance that has made him a favorite of audiobook fans. He gives Matt and Danny Sherwood and Gracie Logan distinctive voices as he guides the listener into a world of miracles and mayhem. M.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169175912
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	05/19/2009
Edition description:	Unabridged

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