Randy Singer ,The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney

The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney

Randy Singer

Waterbrook, Mar 2006, $13.99, 400 pp.

ISBN: 1400071666

The Patient has seen numerous doctors, but all say the same thing: he has twelve months at best to live, in spite of his billions. While watching reality TV, the Patient decides to arrange a show where representatives from the major religions, including science, compete for charity by defending their Faith on Trial in front of billions.

Though his clerk and prot g Nikki Moreno tries to talk him out of it, the Christian representative is fifty-nine years old Judge Oliver Finney, a cryptologist expert who has written a bestselling theology book on decoding hidden secrets in the bible. Kareem Hasaan the Moslem, "Swami" Skyler Hadji the Hindu, and an atheist scientist Victoria Kline are the other contestants; the rabbi having backed out under pressure from the Anti Defamation League. Besides scripting and re-shooting scenes, Oliver and his rivals are to be advocates for their religion in front of a judge and a jury of TV watchers. However, none of the participants are prepared for the reality that death as sacrifice is part of the tradition of most religions, including science, and the only hope to survive is if Nikki breaks the cryptic messages Finney sends her, though she stinks at puzzles.

Readers should note that there is a companion non-fiction book that provides further insight into the Bible while relating back to this fine thriller. THE CROSS EXAMINATION OF OLIVER FINNEY is a deep look at the commonality of the major religions, and a strong argument between evolutionary sciences vs. faith, while inside a terrific thriller filled with cryptographic messages and murder. Fans of religious thrillers will appreciate this fine tale that grips the audience from the moment feisty Judge Finney solves the case of the gang-banger murder, and never slows down until the final confrontation on the island.