“...a story that seemed primed to be about religion and gave it a science fiction twist, somehow without allowing the latter to cheapen or override the former. It could have easily seemed incredible (in the bad sense), but rather felt rewarding.”
Sarah Sisk
“... it isn't the type of story that I normally read ... as I get older, my focus seems to narrow more and more on just the classic mysteries. This was a good breath of fresh air. … I was thinking this was going to be something like The Name of the Rose – but it wasn't. Again, I was surprised when I figured out how it was going. "
David Marcum, author of The Papers of Sherlock Holmes
"I enjoyed this, though it's not really up my alley - it's an inventive hybrid."
Al Basile, singer-songwriter, poet and cornetist whose blues CDs have been called “the most literate blues releases ever.
“Hugh Ashton is well known for his mastery of Victorian detection through his previous Sherlock Holmes stories but this departure from that genre does not disappoint. Set in Europe and the Middle East during the Renaissance, his use of language is apposite, easy to read with the flow and form of language appropriate to the characters portrayed.
“It is a genuinely human story, a blend of humanity and humility contrasted with undertones of absolute corruption. All this combined with a nod to powers that appear heavenly to those in the story and are there for the reader to discover. A very enjoyable read.”
Richard G.
“Loved the book. I always enjoy fiction set in this time period, and this one held me riveted and I've been thinking about it since I finished it. Kudos to Mr. Ashton for stepping out of the world of Sherlockian London into 15th Century Italy to bring us a tale of wonder.”
Veronica J. Prior
