The Logo of Counter Terrorist Command...
The phrase' Bell, Book and Candle'refers to a Latin Christian method of excommunication by anathema, imposed on a person who had committed an exceptionally grievous sin. Evidently introduced by Pope Zachary around the middle of the 8th century, the rite was once used by the Roman Catholic Church. In current practice a simple pronouncement is made to anathematize formally.
For many years the same phrase has been the logo of the Metropolitan Police anti terrorist branch which is now part of the nation's Counter Terrorist Command...
Retired counter terrorist detective, Paul Anthony pens 'Bell, Book and Candle' as a high octane crime thriller in which he penetrates the meaning of 'Bell, Book and Candle'.... A story from the sharpest end of policing..... and it goes something like this..... 'From an ancient Silk Road in the Spin Ghar mountain range and the red-bricked chocolate box skyscrapers of one of the oldest civilisations known to mankind, the travellers begin their journey. Fourteen hundred years of struggle and anguish arrive in the unspoilt backwaters of Cumbria’s Lakeland Fells and erupt in a bloody, deadly climax. A simple bell, book and candle adorn the altar of a village church yet the parishioners are unaware of the gathering storm clouds that herald the arrival of the ‘Eternal One.’ Will the Cumbrian detective, Boyd, work out why it has taken since the seventh century for the problem to arrive in his back yard? It’s not until a child is kidnapped that Boyd realises he needs to separate out good from bad; normal from extreme, and the innocence of youth from the guilt of maturity. Boyd is fighting the biggest dog in the pack and the Shimmering Dawn is about to unleash its terrifying dogs of war. Crammed with intrigue and drizzled with Machiavellian conspiracy, the plot dissects the culture and very existence of the Middle East as it gradually and passionately boils over into a turbo charged thriller of acrimonious conflict and religious aura when the history of yesteryear explodes with the reality of today.
Verified Amazon Review: Bell, Book and Candle by Paul Anthony.
Another gripping Inspector Billy Boyd novel from Paul Anthony. Action from the first page, the tension doesn't let up until the last, giving you a book that you just can't put down. Anthony's attention to detail makes you appreciate what the police force face every day in the course of their duty. Glimpses into the personal lives of the characters shows you that they are just normal people dedicated to their vocations but frequently go above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect the people of the nation. Boyd works with his usual team of skilled professionals in the Special Crime Unit and friends in other organizations to detect and proactively squash an active and threatening terrorist cell in the United Kingdom using their exceptional abilities in surveillance and interpretation of several sources of intelligence. The action and story line made me feel like I was in the middle of an episode of the BBC television series `Spooks'.
Anthony's engaging style of writing, his development of characters and accuracy in description make this a gripping read and a real treat for the readers. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Follow this link for a story by one of whose been there....
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