"I believe there is a new dawn in America that is hopeful, exciting, audacious!" - Jack Joseph Prather, 2010.
ON THIS PAGE: 1) Novel Synopsis 2) Reviews, 3) Order Info, 4) Links
1) Novel Synopsis -
The Day of The Knights is a modern three-part epic tale of evil-versus-good spanning multiple decades in Italy and New York City.
The story pits abused teenage savant Domenico Patriani, a homophobic religious-fanatic who alone sees Godsatan through the eyes of The Shroud of Turin then evolves into "The Black Knight Avenger" on a mission to slay gays and criminals, yet manages to be ordained an Episcopal deacon -
. . . versus noble inner-city New Yorker from the Bronx, Thomas "Tank" Tooley, who as a teenager stops a robbery in progress then becomes a champion athlete, policeman shot in the line-of-duty, volunteer firefighter, and lastly an investigative reporter on the trail of the serial killer alongside father and idol Raymond, editor of The Harlem Journal.
In-depth sub-stories about the lives-and-loves of key members of the Patriani and Tooley families lend tender counterpoints to the savagery, and provide insights into how the moral-compasses and characters of Domenico and Tank were forged.
Domenico's brilliant cunning enables him to serve his hated older brother Father Marcello at Christ Episcopal Church in the Chelsea Section of Manhattan, even as he escalates his mission to slay perverts and criminals for Godsatan.
The twisting climax begins in Christ Church on 9/10 when Deacon Domenico confesses to Father Marcello that he is the serial killer terrorizing New York City. He believes the disgrace to church and family will slay his soul - he plans to kill his body the next day!
On the morning of 9/11 Domenico mediates in the bell tower and sees two jets destroy the nearby World Trade Center. He deduces it to be Armageddon, and that Godsatan will soon rule the world.
Domenico re-enters the confessional and admits to Marcello he poisoned their father Goro and murdered many other innocent victims in Italy years before, then prepares to stab him with Goro's knife.
But the normally docile Father Marcello, is now suffering from folie a deux, a sudden shared madness especially between brothers, and shockingly wields Goro's pistol.
What happens is . . . ?
Firefighter and devout parishioner Tank rushes in seeking refuge for surviving victims at Ground Zero and discovers a body - but whose?
To protect the church, Tank stages the scene to appear as if a madman angry with God for the terrorist attacks was the killer then rushes back to Ground Zero where he becomes a badly injured hero.
After a lengthy recovery, the conscience-stricken Tank writes a book telling what really happened in Christ Church on that fateful day. But only his beautiful and supportive wife Corsica believes it.
But for once again trying to do the right thing, she dubs Tank "A Knight in Shining Armor," the metaphorical counterpoint to "The Black Knight."
Also included in The Day of The Knights are intense alternate-view debates between the clergy brothers on homosexuality referenced in Biblical scripture . . . accurate descriptions of the northern Italian Alps, major cities, historic sites, cathedrals, museums and libraries . . . plus fact-based criminal profiling, crime detection and serial killer case histories.
2) Amazon.com / Reader Reviews -
"A well-researched, fast-paced thriller that's hard to put down. Besides the plot, which has interesting twists, relationships among the characters are well drawn. Some excellent dialogue, especially debates on social and theological issues. Atmospherics remind of The Day of the Jackal and The DaVinci Code." - E.M. Rickerson, Professor (ret.) and Author of The Five-Minute Linguist.
"Do you like a great novel with a lot of plot twists and turns? Do you like to read a well-written, intellectual epic? Then the Day of the Knights is a 'must read'. Although largely plot-driven, this book also depicts deep characterizations. You will miss the characters when you finish the book. When is the sequel?" - Joslyn A. Bleick, Owner Mountain Lore Books & More, Hendersonville, N.C.
"In his fourth book, Jack Joseph Prather has really hit his stride. He creates characters that jump off the page, both people we have met in our everyday lives and, frighteningly, seemingly everyday people who are anything but what they appear. The sense of foreboding that lurks in not really knowing who we are dealing with makes the reader occasionally look over his own shoulder, wondering . . . worrying . . . speculating.
"It is in the mind of the serial killer that we live in this novel, seeing the world through his eyes and, more importantly, in his mind, understanding the logic that drives him, and having to take a step back into reality to break the grip of being caught up with, and almost sympathetic to, this deranged mind.
"The novel paints portraits of friends, lovers and family moving through daily events that are dramatic to them but otherwise banal in the sweep of human drama, scant feet from a killer whose exploits headline the very newspaper they are reading. Some surive this proximiy, others do not, and the randomness as to whom the macabre fickle finger of fate points makes each page pregnant with anticipation.
"If you enjoy matching wits with the pursuer and the anxiety of knowing the next innocent you encounter in the book may be living his or her final moments and are prepared for that which you cannon prepare, then this book is for you. 'Page-turner' does not begin to describe the suspense. The real shame is that the book had to end, and that the reader has to exit this exciting, sweetly earnest, violent yet romantic world." - Joseph P. Rem Jr., Attorney to the Stars, Hackensack, N.J.
"This intriguing thriller contains multiple dimensions. I was entertained with the development of the three complex major characters, Domenico and Marcello Patriani, and Tank Tooley. There was the rich backdrop of Italy and New York, very nicely written, as well as the unfolding of Catholicism and its discipline as the story deepens. Finally, the total surprise ending was the icing on the cake. I look forward to more novels from Mr. Prather." - J. Charles Rogers, IBM executive (ret), Flat Rock, N.C.
"The settings in Italy and the Bronx seemed so real I felt I have lived in both places. The characters came alive for me. I was satisfied but wanted more, please do a sequel on Tank and all the Tooleys." - Doris Graef, former journalist in Charlotte NC.
"The Day of the Knights is a journey toward true understanding of the psyche underlying the terrorisms and heroisms of our time. It had me in tears at times, and not just from the memories of growing up in and around Metropolitan New York City. Scholarly, masterful and heartrending. A masterpiece in the way it takes the reader to the root of satanic evil in alleyways and airways both, while showing that true sacrifice is born of unadulterated love." - John Tryve Hedin, Computer Teacher, 15-years in China.
"Superb book that grabs your attention and interest from the start. Extremely well researched and written. Ties human relationships, religion and current events together as the stories interweave. It is written as fiction but you wonder, is this real?" - Charleen Bertolini, former educator in Ohio.
"WOW! Fast-paced, almost non-stop connected action and plot lines about the lives of two converging, very disparate brother personalities. Very detail oriented and factually correct and pertinent. I thoroughly loved it." - Doug Laird, former Chamber of Commerce President in N.J..
"The Day of The Knights is spellbinding, a cerebral yet exciting tour-de-force replete with interesting facts and dynamism." - Col. M.W. Larsen, former officer, college instructor in New York State.
"An extremely clever blend of religious fanaticism, homophobia and insanity versus heroism, love and selflessness was ‘unbelievably’ believable. I found it to be a real page-turner!" - Pamela Ludlam, Development Director, Book Editor.
"I was shaken when insane Domenico saw Godsatan through the eyes on The Shroud of Turin, and again during the deadly confrontation of the serial killer deacon and his priest brother in Christ Church. But most of all I was taken by the heroism shown on 9/11!"– Alberta Gomes-Smith, storeowner, New York City.
3) ORDERING INFORMATION
TO ORDER A SIGNED COPY BY YOUR E-MAIL at the 2010 SPECIAL PRICE of $16.95 send detailed request to: prathergroup@aol.com A secure PayPal invoice for $16.95 +s/h, a $10 discount off the regular price, will be e-mailed to you for your secure credit-card payment.
TO ORDER A SIGNED COPY BY MAIL at the 2010 SPECIAL PRICE: Mail your order request and check for $16.95 inclusive, a $13 discount off the list price to: Prather Group, 828 Sandburg Terrace, Hendersonville, NC 28791.
4) FOR ONLINE or ORDERING. Order The Day of the Knights by ISBN 1607037750. title or author at: www.amazon.com/books www.barnesandnoble.com or, e-mail: prathergroup@aol.com
For more info about Jack Prather's Strategic Public Relations guidebook ALL PR IS LOCAL visit www.publicrelationshelp.net, or purchase at discount from the author.
Important Tip: Please make a record of the e-mail and website addresses above, and the ISBN numbers and titles of the books you wish to purchase, in the event the link does not connect. The ISBN numbers are: The Day of the Knights: ISBN 1607037750 Speaking Up in Poetry & Prose: ISBN 1424108713 All PR is Local: ISBN 0972084703ook or PR guidebook are available by order from any bookstore or online bookstore. You may order by the ISBN number, title or author's name. For a signed copy: contact prathergroup@aol.com.
All PR is Local. $20.95 (was $38). Order at www.Amazon.com/books or from prathergroup@aol.com. ISBN 0972084703. This comprehensive 276-page Strategic Public Relations guidebook contains 25 useful reproducible forms, case histories, proposals, tips and advice for college and university students, owners, managers and marketers, and those who wish to do their own public relations (and even set up their own agency).
PR practitioners please visit: www.publicrelationshelp.net
Speaking Up in Poetry & Prose $12.95 at www.amazon.com/books or www.publishamerica.com. ISBN 1424108713. See "Poetry Book" and "5 Samples" link above for more information.
Watch for Jack Joseph Prather's exciting new mystery series featuring investigative reporter Tank Tooley and his dynamic team debuting withThe Star Killer in 2010.
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