Book Review: The Inheritors

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Inheritors     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Michael A. Smith
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Futuristic   Techno Thriller
Tom Doherty, Mar 2000, $25.95, 384 pp.

In 2018 China, Jeremiah the Prophet receives a heart transplant that save his life. The organ donor is ten years old James, a boy in perfect health who was cloned from the Prophet so his organs can be harvested for Jeremiah's use.. The lad is given an artificial heart in case Jeremiah needs future organs.

The time for the choosing of Jeremiah's successor is now at hand. There are two candidates, his about to be eighteen-year old sons sired with different mothers. Jeremiah plans to test both of them to determine who is worthy of replacing him. David has lived his entire life with Jeremiah, but he is behaving like a rebellious American teen instead of the son of the Prophet. The other candidate is David's half brother Thomas raised by Jeremiah's enemies Steve and Laura Delaney-Wallace. Jeremiah sets the apocalyptic contest in motion when he sends a packet to Thomas containing information about the lad's background previously unknown to the teen.

The third tale in Michael A. Smith's modern day theological thriller is an exciting conclusion to a fast-paced trilogy. THE INHERITORS is entertaining and fast-paced. Though the heroes and villains may have aged, they continue their global rivalry that sets the stage for the successor to be anointed. The tale is exhilarating and the characters seem more complete than in the previous two novels. Still, Mr. Smith opens the door to a new novel starring the next generation prophet. This will please thriller fans but leave other readers asking if this series will one day become the literary equivalent of Halloween 20?

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner