Fiction-Net > Book Reviews > Cradle And All

Book Review Title Author Publisher Cradle And All James Patterson Headline Fiction-Net Rating Buy It - Buy This Book Cover Story In Boston and an ocean away, in Ireland, two young women - both virgins - find themselves pregnant. Around the world, epidemics, droughts, famines, floods and worse threaten major cities. Terrifying forces of light and darkness are gathering and former nun turned P.I. Anne Fitzgerald investigates the immaculate conceptions to discover the truth - and to save the young women and possibly herself. From the number one best-selling author James Patterson come his most compelling, most frightening thriller ever. We Say James Patterson's novel, Cradle And All is a fast paced thriller that does a good job of keeping the reader engaged. Lately, no matter where you look, there seems to be a considerable amount of attention given to the biblical predictions of the resurrection and of the end times. While the subject matter of this novel does fall under that category, in many ways it is a story worthy of telling around a campfire on a dark summer night. James Patterson weaves a tale that has a realistic storyline that examines what would happen if another immaculate conception were to occur in this day and age. In a time where many do not believe in the power of good and evil, Cradle And All may make you stop and think. Kathleen Beavier is a sixteen-year-old girl from a prominent family. Well educated, beautiful and very pregnant, it is hard to disqualify her as a credible person. Kathleen is presented as a virgin who cannot explain how she got pregnant. Throughout extensive examinations by various physicians including those sent by the Catholic Church, Kathleen has maintained her claim that she is a virgin and according to all of the physical examinations, she is indeed still a virgin. Colleen Galaher, from a poor family in Ireland, does not have all of the attention or benefits that Kathleen has but she also maintains her claim that the child within her is God's child. Educated by the nuns, pious and the sole caretaker of her ill mother, Colleen epitomises all that is good. Unfortunately, no one in the town accepts her or believes her. Her sole source of support is provided by one of the nuns from her school. Alone and afraid, Colleen faces her pregnancy without support. Anne Fitzgerald, private investigator and former nun, is sent to visit Kathleen to determine the validity of her claim. Father Nicholas Rosetti, chief investigator of miracles for the Catholic church is also sent to investigate both girls. Finally, Father Justin O'Carroll is sent to see if he can help the other two investigators in making their determination. These three characters must discover the truth about these two girls and at every turn, Patterson drops a hint or a clue causing the reader to doubt the validity of the claims made by each young woman. As the novel progresses, James Patterson keeps the reader guessing. Are both girls really virgins? Are both babies the products of a holy union or is there another force at work? In addition, a very chaste love story between Anne and Father O'Carroll is renewed and develops further while they are involved in the investigation. The author does an excellent job of creating a credible story that has very human characters. Unlike some other books filled with saintly characters bent on saving the world, each of Patterson's characters are filled with very human feelings. Overall, I felt that this was a solid novel and I was surprised at how quickly I was able to finish reading it. It is a fast-paced thriller that is perfect for those looking for a novel that can be quickly finished. Review by: Yumi Nagasaki-Taylor Buy It - Buy This Book