The Jericho Pact
Rachel Lee
Mira, May 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 0778324168

The world was shaken when the assassin killed the German chancellor. Other threats to world leaders, especially in Europe, and to the people, have surfaced as riots break out throughout the continent, including what turns out to be the final straw at the Grande Mosqu e de Paris. Fearing for Muslims, the European Union leadership moves all Muslims into "protection zones."

Office 119 supervisors realize they do have the manpower to prevent some of these events from happening, but which ones to stop before Europe and the world explode into a war with ethnic cleansing as a catalyst remains the question. While Office 119 Agent Renate Bachle struggles to uncover the mastermind behind the cleverly orchestrated assaults, Father Steve Lorenzo and his bodyguard protect a sacred ancient codex. However, the prime puppet-master sees he can use this biblical codex to further the hostilities, plunge a naive and suspicious world into open warfare and ultimately chaos so that this master manipulator will arise out of the ashes of civilization as the global ruler.

This Office 119 thriller is an exciting, suspense-laden tale in spite of the audience knowing relatively early on who the villainous WILDCARD is and the use of coincidence to solve much of the investigation by Renate and cohorts. Still this is a fine entry as an unknown Machiavelli manipulates religion to foster a modern day Crusades in which he will be the only victor. Renate's fans will appreciate her efforts to prevent a religious world war III.

Harriet Klausner