Ok, I'll admit it, the title of this book caught my eye. Especially with the amazing success of Dan Brown's THE DAVINCI CODE over the past year or so, any book whose title contains a religious reference combined with the word 'code' will catch the eye of just about any avid reader these days. So I soon found myself standing there with a copy of THE MESSIAH CODE in my hands. I flipped it over and read the back cover blurb--interesting. I then flipped the back cover open and found the Author's Bio page. I had never heard of Michael Cordy before but what I'd read had intrigued me so I laid my money down and walked out of the bookstore with my very own copy of his book.

It wasn't until I had started reading the first few pages that I realized this book had originally been published under the title THE MIRACLE STRAIN. So what? A different title wasn't going to make the story any better or any worse. So I kept on reading and was soon very happy with this decision. THE MESSIAH CODE deals with some very controversial subject matter and deals with it in a way that makes anyone of religious faith cock their head to one side and consider the ramifications. Sure, some of the science and technology smacked of science fiction but, with the amazing advances in technology over the past few decades, it certainly seemed plausible enough.

Doctor Tom Carter is a world renown geneticist whose company has made some incredible advances in gene therapy, advances that promise great things for the medical industry and for the future of health-care around the world. His efforts have recently won him a Nobel Prize and, while at the ceremonies in Sweden, his world is shattered when an assassin's bullet meant for him ends up killing his wife. Carter is devastated by his loss and confused by the knowledge that someone out there wanted him dead. Why? For what purpose? All his work was meant for the betterment of Human Civilization, for the good of all people around the world...who could possibly want to kill him? Those thoughts are set aside, though, when an autopsy reveals that his wife had a brain tumor that would have ended up killing her anyway. Worried for the welfare of his daughter, Holly, Carter runs the girl through his Genescope in an effort to identify any possible genetic defects that might result in a similar future brain tumor. His worst fears are confirmed by the test results and the focus of Tom Carter's life now centers on finding a cure somewhere out there for his little girl.

Meanwhile, the members of a secret religious sect known as The Brotherhood are trying to figure out what went wrong when their assassin missed the target in Sweden. Doctor Tom Carter's work was blasphemous, an arrogant attempt to play at the role of God and to flaunt his power over the natural order and God's will. For this he needed to be stopped...however, there were other urgent matters very important to the sect that Doctor Carter's work just might be helpful in resolving first.

And so is born an unholy alliance between the Brotherhood and Doctor Tom Carter, an alliance that, unbeknownst to Doctor Carter, is purely temporary. For as soon as Carter has fulfilled their needs, the Brotherhood is intent on finishing their failed assassination attempt and eradicating the Geneticist from this life.

In the meantime, Doctor Carter's shocking theory regarding Jesus Christ's genes and their link to the amazing healing powers that were well documented throughout the New Testament has led him to the Brotherhood's secret chambers far below the desert sands of Jordan. In a meeting with the leader of the Brotherhood, Doctor Carter receives the fruit of his searching, two genuine samples of Christ's DNA.

Now, with the material he needs to test out his theories in hand, Doctor Carter races back to Boston and the laboratories of Genius Biotech Diagnostics, determined at all costs to find the cure to his young daughter's disease, a cure that might end up putting an end to all disease for all mankind...an extremely valuable thing to be sure but a horrible weapon if ever it ended up in the wrong hands.

Join Doctor Tom Carter as he tries to outrace time and the continued efforts of his assassin while stretching the limits of modern medical technology and testing the religious faith of his co-workers in his dogged pursuit of discovering the truth behind THE MESSIAH CODE.

It was one heck of a ride, my friends...a ride that I was happy to take! Michael Cordy tells a well crafted tale, a story that is hard to put down. He tackles a controversial subject and challenges the reader to consider their faith and the possibility that...all right, that's enough of a teaser. Just pick up your own copy of this book--it's well worth the price.

The Brotherhood, a secret religious group, has been given the sign that the Messiah has returned to earth. They wish to find Him and anoint him but cannot do so without outside help.

This Brotherhood also employ assassins to execute selected persons in the name of Religious Cleansing.

Tom Carter receives a Nobel Prize for his work in genetics. His wife is killed in front of him and by mistake, and at the same time his daughter, Holly, is injured. Whilst she is being treated for the injury, Holly is found to have a rapidly growing tumour and a remaining lifespan of less than a year.

Tom decides that, after much failed testing, the only slim chance is to recreate the healing genes from a sample of genetic material from Christ. That it his Quest and gradually ties him with the Brotherhood. Also, add one failed assassin out for a second chance at her failed target.

This book has two distinct parallel threads; kept apart throughout most of the story. The Brotherhood is fanatical, sinister and without conscience. The scientific thread involving Tom, Holly and others is written very well with not too much medical or scientific jargon to cloud the plot. The first couple of chapters need concentration to set the scene but then the plot evolves quite quickly.

All the characters are well written and very believable with no unnecessary violence or sexual matters. The searches within the story are fascinating in that since the book was written, it seems possible that the genetic profiling and databasing could very soon become fact which makes the story seem all the more real. A really good read. Needs some concentration but worth the initial effort