The Coins of Judas - Hardcover

McBain, Scott

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0002261200 ISBN 13: 9780002261203

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2001

Synopsis

A dramatic novel, based on a wonderful historical concept: the power of evil, given to one man.

For thirty pieces of silver, Judas committed the most famous betrayal in history. Thirty coins which gave their possessor such a power for evil that it could only be resisted by the greatest saint, Peter. Twenty-five of the pieces have been safely gathered and kept safe in the sacred tomb of St Peter in the Vatican. But what became of the remaining five coins?

Paul, a brilliant criminal psychologist, has been responsible for an accused murderer being released. Meeting the man later, he fears the consequences of his mistake, but is distracted by an unusually attractive visitor. And the first coin appears. Paul’s path to evil, the choices and the temptations on the way are brilliantly portrayed.

The Church, led by the formidable Cardinal Benelli, knows of the evil performed by previous holders of the coins, such as Diocletion, but none was as terrifying as the conjunction of the hapless Paul and, through him, the rise, once more, of the Magus.

Powerful, fascinating, full of historical detail, of secret histories of the Vatican, of occult practices and philosophy, The Coins of Judas is a spellbinding new novel.

About this title

Review:

‘A fascinating novel with a leavening of tantalising historical detail’ Irish News

Praise for The Mastership Game:

‘This superior thriller does more than entertain: it questions the nature of power and the lengths people will go to acquire it.’ Christopher Matthew, Daily Mail

'A conspiracy thriller of the highest order . . . a tight and always intriguing novel which examines the depths to which people will sink in their quest for power. A masterly debut.' Evening Herald

‘McBain has a talent for creating believable characters and situations... For those who thought he was going to carry on in the usual vein of thriller writers, this will be a surprise; for those who enjoy good writing, a pleasant one.’ Richard Pedley, Jersey Evening Post

From the Back Cover:

A remarkable novel based on a fascinating historical mystery, by the author of 'The Mastership Game.'

The action committed by Judas for thirty pieces of silver is one of the most famous betrayals in history. But what happened to those coins – coins which gave their predecessors such a power of evil that they had only been resisted by one man: Peter himself. Twenty-five of the coins have been gathered and kept safe in the sacred tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican.

But what happened to the remaining five?

Paul Stauffer, a brilliant, ambitious criminal psychologist, has been responsible for Karl Kramer's victorious defence against a brutal murder charge. But in the courtroom, meeting Kramer's eyes, Paul becomes convinced that he has made a terrible error. He is prevented from action by an unusually persuasive visitor – and the first coin appears. Havoc follows in a series of macabre accidents in his home and his office, to his family, friends, students and colleagues. His most formidable adversary is Cardinal Benelli. He knows of the evil performed by previous holders of the coins, men such as Diocletian, but none seem to Benelli as terrifying as the conjunction of the hapless Paul Staffer with the rise again of that legendary figure, the Magus.

Full of Historical detail, rich in the secret history of the Vatican, of occult practices and philosophy, 'The Coins of Judas' is a powerful, challenging novel.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0002261200
• ISBN 13: 9780002261203
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384