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Vigil

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About this listen

In the caves beneath an Italian lake, the fossil of a creature older than the Earth has been disinterred. In the Judaean desert, a legendary parchment has been discovered. One reveals the secrets of heaven. One foretells an impending hell. And deciphering their message has been left to paleontologist Carter Cox - a man of science whose faith in the empirical is about to be shaken by forces of evil beyond imagining.

©2005 Robert Masello (P)2016 Tantor Historical Horror Mystery Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Fiction Natural History Paleontology Scary Suspense
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Robert Masello introduces an intriguing scenario: apocalyptic scrolls discovered in Israel coincide with the recovery of a demon-like hominid fossil - bringing a religious/historical researcher together with a paleontologist to lend real-world/scientific import to occult posits about immortal malevolent evil beings. The attempt to make paranormal mysteries realistic with modern research techniques is right up my alley.
Unfortunately, Masello paces the story so painfully that I was frequently bored. There are looong stretches of the book where absolutely nothing of consequence happens. The author instead gets bogged down in character development (struggles with fertility in the paleontologist's marriage, for example). *yawn*

Fortuitously for audiobook aficionados: Reader Corey M. Snow reads the book with truly outstanding skill (diction, timbre, cadence, pacing), spot-on voice-acting, and a remarkably interested tone. I would listen to more from Mr. Snow any day of the week.

Altogether, I rate 'Vigil' 5 stars out of 10. It wasn’t a crazy way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons for free, I guess.. but when it leaves the 'Plus' menu, save your Credit for something else.

[Note: Once it finally gets going, the climactic confrontations with the entity are pretty good (don't give up if you do decide to try the book)]

Plodding

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