Fraternity of the Stone

This is one of David Morrells great books. It is fast paced with lots of action and interesting storyline and fascinating characters. If you read this one you need to read "The Brotherhood of the Rose as they complement one another. I have read a lot of this author's books through the years but I prefer his earlier works. Once I start one of his books I can not quit reading. This author either has a lot of experience or he has done quite a bit of research. He has an interesting way of mixing elite forces training with some religious overtones. I can not say enough great things about Morrell and his works. He is a very talented author.

I enjoyed this book as I have all of the David Morrell novels I have read. It was a bit slow to start, and in a few scenes it dragged a bit. The book is definitely worth the five stars I gave it considering. But for an overall package, it was a great read. It was based in the late 70's, early 80's and his story reflects the that error very well. The story is fiction but within it is a sense of believability. For the most part I couldn't put the thing down, I read it in 2 days. Book was well written, if you enjoy enjoy a good spy thriller you can not go wrong with this book.

I read this and the one that came before in the series many years ago and loved it. My son and I just read it and the first one at the same time to discuss it. I like this one even better than Brotherhood. You really give a damn about the characters.always exciting. 2nd time is a charm. My son loved them too.

Hard to put down

The title of this book can led many readers to confusion in a way I thought that this book, using fictional elements would extend to describe how the Fraternity of the Stone operates in the shadows, who are their associates, how they conduct their covert operations in order to protect and maintain the influence of the Church worldwide. I expected to learn something new about those things which seem hidden and for this reason, very attractive But the fact is that what I have found was your average action thriller, poorly written which had a great beginning but began to falter after a few chapters due to the lack of background research of the author, who only seems to know the methods employed by the security teams and intelligence agencies to train their agents in the use of weapons, hand to hand combat and property assault After reading Morrell for the third time it seems to me that he likes to highlight the action scenes in his books based on what I have mentioned above, which is great if the author is skilled managing suspense, something he is not very proficient at. I think that Mr Morrell is a long way yet to attain the level of Frederick Forsyth or Robert Ludlum creating this kind of mystery/action thrillers, and this book is convincing evidence

What a story. Two books in and a world has been created and filled with some of the finest characters put on page. The depth of these characters and their internal battles are only exceeded by their external challenges. Can't wait to finish the trilogy. Just wonder why it has taken me so long to get to this series. Do yourself a favor and make it a priority to read this series.

The Fraternity of the Stone Mortalis, Book 2, my first read from author David Morrell, an author I'd wanted to read for years, in fact, I've gotten a half-dozen of his books on my TBR list..All I'd anticipated and more. Think Robert Ludlum, Steve Berry & James Rollins. Outstandingsuspense. 10-hours 24-minute/482-pages. I'm voluntarily reading & reviewing it because every book needs reviews. The narration cast of performers: George Ralph (narrator), Jean Reed Bahle, Christy L. Beatty, Paul Dreher, II, Dale Hull, Jonathon Hull, Brian K. Johnson, Len Kopka, Gladys Long, Michael Page, and Lowell George Seibel's outstanding narration adds to the book's enjoyment. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

I ended with my mouth open by the end of the book. The priest dying in the cemetery and Drew on the run. Lots of twist and turns and information. Initially confused but it all came out in the end. And the end was not what I wanted but not unexpected from a thriller writer. So far this trilogy is absolute fabulous. On to book 3.

This is a sequel to The Brotherhood of the Rose, and a very worthy sequel too. Drew, a former member of a highly secretive American government sanctioned group of highly skilled assassins, trained to track down and kill known terrorists, has been living in a monastery, having had enough of the killing and faked his own death so his former masters wouldn't come looking for him. Now, six years have passed and somehow they have found him, and they want him dead. Having survived a massacre at the monastery, Drew makes his way to Boston, to find an old friend, a man trained by the same people that trained Drew, and a former lover, sister to his friend, also trained by the same people. But his friend Jake has gone missing. Together, Drew, and his former lover Arlene team up with a mysterious priest from a sect that dates back to the third crusade (The Fraternity of the Stone) to find out what has happened to Jake and who it's trying desperately to kill Drew and why. An excellent thriller and storyline. If you like thrillers, this one is a doozy, it was written in 1985 and is set in the 80's with some backstory in the 60's and 70's, so don't expect mobile phones or anything else modern to today as everything in the book was modern when it was written, but this does not in any way take anything away from how good it is. 5/5 stars from me.

In the direct line of the Ludlum books, David Morell is one of the great author of spy/thriller books, precise, straight into action but still with a documented and "complexe" story, a must read

Ho comprato questo libro, nella versione in inglese e usato, perchè avevo letto La Confraternita della Rosa che mi era piaciuto moltissimo e siccome nei commenti che ho trovato sul web si diceva che questo libro, insieme a The League of Night and Fog, costituirebbe una trilogia, pensavo che potesse essere il seguito della Confraternita della Rosa. Così non è. Si tratta di un'altra storia, con personaggi differenti, sebbene sempre ambientata nel mondo dello spionaggio. Rispetto alla Confraternita della Rosa, però, c'è un abisso sia come ritmo che come interesse negli argomenti trattati. Gli unici momenti un po' più di richiamo sono quelli in cui viene descritto l'addestramento del protagonista nell'arte del borseggio e del combattimento al buio. Per il resto è abbastanza noioso, almeno per me. Ho dovuto comprare la versione in lingua inglese perchè non ne ho trovato alcuna edizione in italiano e forse, dopo averlo letto, mi spiego pure il perchè. Oltre a questo, segnalo che il libro che mi è stato inviato è appartenuto a una libreria pubblica, la Woods Hole Public Library, come risulta evidente dai vari timbri della stessa che appaiono in varie parti del libro. L'ho cercata sul web ed esiste ancora. Non so, quindi, se trattasi di una copia dismessa da questa libreria o di un suo libro rimasto a qualche lettore e poi finito nel giro dei libri usati. Se avessi saputo qualcosa di più sulla trama e sui personaggi non lo avrei comprato

David Morrell has not lost his touch. The story kept your interest all the way through the book, suspense great, and didn't know the end half way through as with most books lately. Thank you David and keep them coming.

Gedrukt op licht papier die dan ook nog zeer wit is. Print in demand. Bijlange niet de kwaliteit van een klassiek boek. Jammer!