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The Day of The Knights. PublishAmerica 2009. $19.95 + 3.50 s/h.
This intense and complex psychological crime novel by Jack Joseph Prather pits the evil of Italian savant Domenico Patriani, a homophobic religious-fanatic serial killer who evolves into The Black Knight Avenger for Godsatan, an all-powerful creation of his own making . . . versus the good of heroic Thomas "Tank" Tooley, an inner-city American who becomes a champion athlete, disabled police hero, volunteer firefighter, investigative reporter on the hunt, and, lastly, a hero of 9/11.
Advance readers compared the novel to Frederick Forsyth’s Day of the Jackal, Ken Follett’s Eye of the Needle, and Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code.
Book One opens in the northern Italian Alps with deep background about the Patriani family. Book Two (with appropriate writing style change) moves to Bronx Borough for deep background on the Tooley family. Book Three pits the antagonist-protagonist in confrontations, including at Christ Church in the Chelsea Section of Manhattan during parallel tragic events of 9/11, then moves to Ground Zero. The final chapters and epilogue bring the story current.
The well-researched supporting information includes intense religious debate based on Biblical text, homophobia and homosexuality viewed from different vantage points, the psychology of serial killers, and the early record of 9/11, et al. The love scenes fit seamlessly into the plot. The settings in cities and their cathedrals, churches and museums are accurately portrayed.
The Main Story Line:
In his own mind, the brilliant Domenico evolves into The Black Knight, a serial killer who calls himself The Avenger with the mission to rid the world of perverts and criminals for the God Satan (there are no occult overtones except from the killer’s warped perspectives). Acts of heroism by half-black/half-Hispanic Tank reveal him as an exemplar dedicated to service to society. He is The White Knight (so-named by wife Corsica at the end) counterpart to Domenico.
Domenico displays his descent into functional madness at age 15 when he kills his physically abusive father Goro by inserting strychnine into his wine then continues to kill in Turin, Rome and New York City. Domenico’s brilliance allows him to become a deacon in the Episcopal Church in service to his hated priest brother Marcello, and to stay one-step ahead of the authorities.
Tank stops a robbery as a teenager, becomes a champion athlete, advances through the police and fire academies, then becomes an investigative journalist tracking the serial killer. Though flawed by a decision at Christ Church that haunts him, Tank prevails in the end in a triumph of spirit.
The twisting and bizarre climax at Christ Church occurs parallel to the tragedy at nearby Ground Zero, The World Trade Center. What happens . . .
Advance Reader Reviews for The Day of The Knights:
“A good read that held my interest, as it will for others who like tense criminal mystery stories rich in detail. Domenico’s preparation for his mission reminds of Forsyth’s ‘Day of the Jackal’ and the ritual killings remind of Follett’s ‘Eye of the Needle’. The death of Domenico in the confessional was an unexpected plot twist and satisfying" – Editor (author of The Five-Minute Linguist).
“The settings in Italy and the Bronx seemed so real I felt I have lived in both places. The characters all came alive for me. I was satisfied but wanted more, so please do a sequel on Tank and the rest of the Tooleys” – Former reporter.
“The Day of The Knights was complex and spellbinding! Your cerebral yet exciting tour-de-force is replete with interesting facts and dynamism" – College instructor (Army Lt. Colonel-ret).
"Your clever blend of religious fanaticism, homophobia and insanity versus heroism, love and selflessness was ‘unbelievably’ believable. A real page-turner!" – Published author.
"Part One scared me. Two buoyed my spirits. Three took my breath away. I adored the love scenes" – Published poetess.
"Move over Dan Brown there’s a new sheriff in town!" – My supportive editor-wife.
"The Day of the Knights is about so much more than a serial killer, as promised. Thanks for suggesting I read all of it before making a judgment-it was spellbinding!" – High school teacher.
"You quoted scripture and prayer accurately and in compelling contexts, balanced and fair. What a great read" – Methodist minister (ret.).
"I was shaken when insane Domenico saw the God Satan ‘through’ the eyes on the Shroud of Turin and again during the deadly confrontation of the serial killer with his priest brother at Christ Church, but most of all I was taken by the heroism shown at Ground Zero" – Church fellowship leader.