In Tongues of the Dead

by Brad Kelln

In the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Yale University there lies a 400-year-old document that no one has been able to decipher. Twenty years ago the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) secretly placed a guard to watch over the document.

The guard, Father Ronald McCallum, is overwhelmed when an autistic child visiting the library appears to read from the manuscript's pages. Finally its secrets will be revealed...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550228307
• ISBN13: 9781550228304
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Real-Life Thriller

The book was an intense read that was a real page turner. What I most enjoyed about the book was it believability and real-life elements. At times it is a classic thriller where a hidden document, codex, riddle, etc. launches a exciting journey. But I feel that too many have tried to copy Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and simply create high-action plots that could never happen in real life. As a current grad student in religious studies at Yale, I was able to visualize the settings and relate to the religious concepts. Situated alongside the windowless secret society buildings and Gothic spires of Yale University, the Beinecke Rare Manuscript Library is an incredible setting to launch an epic adventure. Every time I go into the library, I am amazed by sheer amount of antique texts that are tucked in the corners. Everything from letters of George Washing to ancient scrolls from before the time of Christ, the library has the allure of actually containing secrets of the past. The religious themes are something I have put a lot of thought into before even reading the book. One certainly does not need to be "religious" to enjoy these mysterious that have lead to some interesting debates throughout the centuries. Though the writing was not overly-impressive, the plot kept me thoroughly throughout. So for this, I give it 5 stars. I am not sure if everyone will enjoy the book as much as I did, since I have familiarity with the setting and religious subjects, but I would certainly recommend this over most over "thrillers" that have been bestsellers in recent years.

Best read in a long time!

"In Tongues of the Dead" by Brad Klein is simply fantastic! The Catholic church has a manuscript on loan to the library at Yale University. This 400-year-old book is very rare and written in a code no one has ever been able to decipher. Father Ronald McCallum, a Vatican security guard, has been given a charge to secretly guard the book. One day, a school field trip brings a classroom of kids, one of which lingers behind as the others leave. Father McCallum speaks to the boy, Matthew, and Matthew begins to tell Father McCallum about the manuscript. Only thing is, Matthew is autistic and has never spoken to anyone before! Intrigued, the Vatican sends in an expert, Father Benicio Valori, to question and test the boy. These plans are thwarted when the the manuscript gets stolen. From there, thrilling events occur as Valori flees with Matthew to protect him, as they attempt to recover and unveil the biblical orgins of the stolen manuscript, and find out why this young autistic boy can decode what no one else ever has! I can say this is the best book I have read in a long time as the pace and writing keep you on the edge of your seat! Klein knocks this one out of the park!

Quick and Exciting

This is a perfect book to read on a vacation, plane or each night before bed. I loved it. It is much simpler than DaVinci Code but the same secrets of the church being revealed mystery. Several subplots are going at the same time but the book moves between them comfortably and in the end all is revealed and explained. The church is neither an evil force nor an entirely good one, it is as good as the individuals in it. A brave priest searches for the answers for a mystery even though he ends up on the run with an orphaned autistic child with a special ability. A family is shaken by the sudden, serious illness of their young son, and two brothers have spent a lifetime being deceived and used by a fanatic member of the Vatican. The book is fast paced and full of action with some violence but mainly the importance of faith is emphasized.

Yet another well-done scholarly thriller ala Indiana Jones and the DaVinci Code

In simple, yet lovely prose, this is a very well-written suspense novel very much in the vein of other scholarly thrillers from Indiana Jones to THE DA VINCI CODE and the myriads in between. The characters here are well-developed and especially intriguing are the supernatural entities known as the Nephilim, spawn of angels and humans. The plot threads tightly around several engaging loops, enticing as it regales. While this sort of fiction has become something of a subgenre in itself, this is one of its finer examples. The use of art and writing as key plot elements, treated with intellectual integrity and lovely verve, is such a boon in these days of insane inanity and ridiculously low brow popular culture. This book engages from the first page and is indeed just a marvelous read.

5 stars for just plain fun

In Tongues of the Dead is a fast paced, exciting book that has priests, thugs, and ordinary people trying to figure out why an autistic boy can suddenly read an ancient, unreadable manuscript, and why angels (apparently fallen) and the Church are in combat,wanting to capture the book and destroy or contain the boy. The angels, for the most part, aren't very angelic, and I hope I never meet a cardinal like the old villain in this story! We are led on a wild ride as a good priest rescues the boy and flees, the bad guys always very close behind. This is a lot of fun if you enjoy wonderful conspiracy theories, ancient manuscripts, plots going back 70 generations, and any book that mentions the word necronomicon (I hooted with pleasure when I saw that tip of the hat to H. P. Lovecraft). I recommend this book to anyone who wants a great escape.