Mike Yorkey and Rick Myatt By the Sword

By the Sword

Mike Yorkey and Rick Myatt

Broadman & Holman, Jan 2006, $14.99, 320 pp.

ISBN: 0805440739

During Passover, commando's assault the Jewish Bottstein family in their home in Jerusalem, threatening to kill them or else. When pregnant Kareh chose or else, they kill her and her unborn; the other members of her family, including her three year old son were already dead. Other attacks occur in Jerusalem during the night. Washington National newspaper reporter Amber Robbins has covered the Middle East for two years, but has never seen or heard of such a coordinated slaughter as the Passover Massacre.

While the West claims extremists caused the horrible destruction, Amber connects the massacre to recent bombings of churches and synagogues. Soon Amber identifies the fanatical sect Islamic Revolution behind the murders, as the charismatic Ayatollah Hoseni demands a sea of Islam with no infidels anywhere; convert to Allah or die. While the attacks are spreading and growing in intensity, the West clings to its obstinate message that only a few are causing the lethal problems, but Amber believes otherwise; she feels Ayatollah Hoseni has powerful sponsors, including Iran, and perhaps even the royal Saudi family.

This action thriller seems over the edge unless readers have read Richard Clark's Against All Enemies or Scorpion's Gate; if they have, BY THE SWORD suddenly seems plausible. Fans will appreciate this frightening tale that contains a strong cautionary message to beware, because any extreme fundamentalist group can prove dangerous when they insist it is only their way (maybe Walmart should call it the Hanukkah or Kwanza season). Amber is a courageous soul, but is clearly out of her depths in her opposition to the Ayatollah Hoseni and his powerful supporters.