The Papyrus Document

Michael Cole
Foremost Press (2006)
ISBN 0974892157
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (6/06)

“The Papyrus Document” is an action-adventure type novel that takes you from Washington, DC to Pakistan.  The story centers around two characters that are seeking out answers to a mystery that will have a profound effect on Christian and Muslim beliefs.  Their lives are in danger as they try to solve this mystery.  The story flowed quickly and managed to keep me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.  The characters are all very well developed and the two main ones are extremely likeable and are people of integrity.

Cole really researched the background information for this novel.  He addresses the Marium-Jesus Theory in which it is believed that Jesus did not die during the crucifixion, but instead survived and lived to be over 100 years old.  Both sides of this argument were well represented.  The story is written in such a way that I felt it showed respect to both Christian and Muslim faiths.  The Muslim “bad guys” in the plot were presented as extremists, not the typical person of this faith.  There are people that might be concerned that this book will publicize a new conspiracy about their faith, like in “The Da Vinci Code,” but I personally did not feel that the story stepped on my Christian beliefs.  The story was twisted around enough that it managed to avoid creating a huge conflict with this idea.  Actually, I feel that if you are Christian, this story can bring you closer to your faith because it really makes you aware of the suffering that Christ did as he was crucified.

If you enjoy books that are adventurous, yet still manage to have depth, this is the book for you.

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