Hussaini seamlessly blends compelling characters, thought-provoking situations, an impeccable discourse on Islamic history...
Manuscript-examiner Edward Fleming’s search for his missing colleague leads to Saudi Arabia—and the unveiling of deadly secrets that threaten the entire foundation of Islam—in Hussaini’s action-packed historical thriller.
When Kimberly, an American researcher, takes her interest in Fatima, the oppressed daughter of the Prophet Mohammed, to Dr. Fayazi, she sets in motion a chain of events that range from the murder of a prominent builder, Abdul Zahra, to a worldwide Internet virus claiming to reveal the truth of the Musehaf Fatima, or Book of Fatima. From the beginning, Hussaini’s novel, in the spirit of Dan Brown, thrusts readers into a powerful murder scene. Weaving intriguing dialogue with crisp storytelling and an electric plot, Hussaini ensures that the adrenaline flow never stops. In addition to an exotic setting, the dynamic, entertaining cast of characters will keep the pages turning. Every character adds an intriguing element to the story, whether it’s Princess Safiya driving everyone around in her Bentley and Hummer, Zain’s mysterious behavior when speaking of the Musehaf Fatima, Dr. Fayazi’s fanaticism for the Musehaf, Vane’s calm demeanor and killer mentality or the partial amnesia that erases parts of Edward’s life. More importantly, the author does an exceptional job of accurately providing historical insight into a religion and a way of life that many are oblivious to and label as controversial. As each clue is unveiled in the desert landscape, readers learn about the warrior Emam Ali, the injustice done unto Fatima, the noble life of the Prophet Mohammed and perhaps the golden nuggets of wisdom that are buried within the Musehaf Fatima. The fact that the entire ordeal spans only 24 hours is a bit difficult to digest, especially because Edward and company travel from Mecca to Medina and to a host of holy Islamic sites; however, this is hardly a flaw as it only adds to the heart-wrenching pace and excitement for the reader. There are those that will kill to keep the Musehaf Fatima hidden; there are others who will die to reveal the truth of Fatima.
Hussaini seamlessly blends compelling characters, thought-provoking situations, an impeccable discourse on Islamic history and a unique style and language to deliver an unparalleled historical thriller that will have readers anticipating his next novel, Echos of Fatima.Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2011
ISBN: 978-0983902324
Page Count: 356
Publisher: Barbed Wires
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2011
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
The best-selling author of tearjerkers like Angel Falls (2000) serves up yet another mountain of mush, topped off with...
Talk-show queen takes tumble as millions jeer.
Nora Bridges is a wildly popular radio spokesperson for family-first virtues, but her loyal listeners don't know that she walked out on her husband and teenaged daughters years ago and didn't look back. Now that a former lover has sold racy pix of naked Nora and horny himself to a national tabloid, her estranged daughter Ruby, an unsuccessful stand-up comic in Los Angeles, has been approached to pen a tell-all. Greedy for the fat fee she's been promised, Ruby agrees and heads for the San Juan Islands, eager to get reacquainted with the mom she plans to betray. Once in the family homestead, nasty Ruby alternately sulks and glares at her mother, who is temporarily wheelchair-bound as a result of a post-scandal car crash. Uncaring, Ruby begins writing her side of the story when she's not strolling on the beach with former sweetheart Dean Sloan, the son of wealthy socialites who basically ignored him and his gay brother Eric. Eric, now dying of cancer and also in a wheelchair, has returned to the island. This dismal threesome catch up on old times, recalling their childhood idylls on the island. After Ruby's perfect big sister Caroline shows up, there's another round of heartfelt talk. Nora gradually reveals the truth about her unloving husband and her late father's alcoholism, which led her to seek the approval of others at the cost of her own peace of mind. And so on. Ruby is aghast to discover that she doesn't know everything after all, but Dean offers her subdued comfort. Happy endings await almost everyone—except for readers of this nobly preachy snifflefest.
The best-selling author of tearjerkers like Angel Falls (2000) serves up yet another mountain of mush, topped off with syrupy platitudes about life and love.Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-609-60737-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2001
Briskly written soap with down-to-earth types, mostly without the lachrymose contrivances of Hannah’s previous titles...
Sisters in and out of love.
Meghann Dontess is a high-powered matrimonial lawyer in Seattle who prefers sex with strangers to emotional intimacy: a strategy bound to backfire sooner or later, warns her tough-talking shrink. It’s advice Meghann decides to ignore, along with the memories of her difficult childhood, neglectful mother, and younger sister. Though she managed to reunite Claire with Sam Cavenaugh (her father but not Meghann’s) when her mother abandoned both girls long ago, Meghann still feels guilty that her sister’s life doesn’t measure up, at least on her terms. Never married, Claire ekes out a living running a country campground with her dad and is raising her six-year-old daughter on her own. When she falls in love for the first time with an up-and-coming country musician, Meghann is appalled: Bobby Austin is a three-time loser at marriage—how on earth can Claire be so blind? Bobby’s blunt explanation doesn’t exactly satisfy the concerned big sister, who busies herself planning Claire’s dream wedding anyway. And, to relieve the stress, she beds various guys she picks up in bars, including Dr. Joe Wyatt, a neurosurgeon turned homeless drifter after the demise of his beloved wife Diane (whom he euthanized). When Claire’s awful headache turns out to be a kind of brain tumor known among neurologists as a “terminator,” Joe rallies. Turns out that Claire had befriended his wife on her deathbed, and now in turn he must try to save her. Is it too late? Will Meghann find true love at last?
Briskly written soap with down-to-earth types, mostly without the lachrymose contrivances of Hannah’s previous titles (Distant Shores, 2002, etc.). Kudos for skipping the snifflefest this time around.Pub Date: May 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-345-45073-6
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Ballantine
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2003
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