About the BookOnly eleven shopping days till Christmas. And less than a week to save the world.
Three nuns—in Chicago, Paris, and Jerusalem—have been killed in a religious ritual. The choice of victims and the macabre details of their deaths indicate that someone is following a recipe provided on an ancient text—a recipe to unleash the forces of hell on earth. The final sacrifice must occur on the Winter Solstice.
Samuel Roberts, a small-town attorney in Urbana, Illinois, knows a bit about the supernatural, having triumphed at least once over the forces of evil. Thanks to a friend who is aware of Sam’s little known previous efforts on behalf of mankind, Sam is hired by a big Chicago law firm to take on a sensitive case. His mission? Nothing less than halting the impending apocalypse.
Sam and his good buddy Bob travel first to Jerusalem then Paris in a desperate race to save mankind.
Link to read an excerpt.
My Review
Why go away this Christmas season when you can travel the world with Sam Roberts in RULER OF DEMONS? The international flavor this mystery employs sets it apart from the pack, giving the reader first class access to Israeli archeological digs and sumptuous Parisian hotels. Author Scott A. Lerner records every nuance like a world traveler from the long, boring plane rides to the erratic driving behavior of taxicab drivers. He establishes the local color of each locale, making each one stand out as guideposts as the story moves along.
The action starts in Sam's suburban hometown of Urbana, Illinois. He lives in a small ranch-style home where trees line the distinctive brick streets. He has a garden he has to defend against squirrels and rabbits. Nothing too exciting, until he's summoned to Chicago by a friend in a prestigious law firm on Michigan Avenue, part of the city's famed Magnificent Mile. The art deco building screams wealth and sophistication with its marble floor and brass revolving door. Sam is wined and dined with a hearty portion of filet mignon until he agrees to help Palmer, Gotha and Smart solve a case involving the Catholic Church.
He then boards a plane to Jerusalem. The landscape of Israel shifts from fields to deserts to skyscrapers. Sam refers to his arrival saying, "The city was literally and spiritually golden. As in most ancient cities, Israel is a strange mix of historical and modern. I found it fascinating rather than unsettling." Visiting Hebrew University and haggling in the bustling marketplace, the Old City is a labyrinth of winding paths. Sam ponders his Jewish heritage at the Wailing Wall and seeks out a shady antiquities shop to purchase protection from the evil forces that are out to get him.
He's then summoned to Paris by a priest. But despite a roasted rack of lamb and carafe of red wine, he spends an unpleasant interval in cozy yet creepy farmhouse before escaping to the luxury of the city. From his hotel room window, Sam reports, "It was like peering into another time. The cobblestone square was surrounded by ageless buildings from history." The accommodations are posh from the Louis XV gilt-wood mirror to the mahogany desk and chair. He checks out the Louvre, dines atop the Eiffel Tower and faces the scene of his recurring nightmare, Notre Dame Cathedral.
Leaving the twinkling lights of Paris behind, Sam returns to Chicago where a limo driver awaits at O'Hare airport. He's quickly transported back to the art deco office building, but this time to the rooftop on the sixty-sixth floor overlooking Lake Michigan. The topiary he viewed the last time around takes on a sinister significance as things start to unravel. There are no shrimp puffs waiting for him, only danger as the wind picks up and the clouds descend.
RULER OF DEMONS gives a nice snapshot of all aspects of life from a rabbi in the Holy Land to a sexy double agent in the City of Love. It's definitely a mystery to pick up in order to sightsee and read at the same time. Lerner delivers an exciting global expedition without the need for a passport.
***
Ruler of Demons can be purchased at:
Amazon
Prices/Formats: $4.95 ebook, $13.95 paperback
Pages: 202
Publisher: Camel Press
Release: December 15, 2013
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About the AuthorAuthor and attorney Scott A. Lerner resides in Champaign, Illinois. He obtained his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. He is currently a sole practitioner in Champaign, Illinois. The majority of his law practice focuses on the fields of criminal law and family law. Mr. Lerner lives with his wife, their two children, and their cat Fern. Lerner collects unusual antiques and enjoys gardening, traveling, reading fiction, and going to the movies. His first novel, Cocaine Zombies, won a bronze medal in the mystery/cozy/noir category of the 2013 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards.
Links to connect with Scott:
Web Site
Goodreads
Blog Tour Site
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