Don't let the critics put you off

Respected Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland has received a fair amount of flack for penning this thriller under the name of Sam Bourne. Even the pen-name is designed to prompt associations with best-selling Dan Brown. I don't know whether the name was Freedland's own idea or some marketing person at his publishers. Nor is it just the name that is reminiscent of "The Da Vinci Code", there are other similarities too - code breaking, religious ideas and page-turning adventure, however, it is much better executed. This is an enjoyable read about a journalist who uncovers a conspiracy by religious fanatics to bring about the end of the world. It's not great literature, but it is a lot better than some of the critics have suggested.

8/10