The Malice Box
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
When Robert Reckliss is sent what seems to be a copper puzzle box, he has no idea his life is about to undergo violent transformation. That night, an acquaintance kills himself in curious circumstances; the following day, an old friend reveals the existence of an arcane weapon that could wipe the western world from the face of the planet. And the responsibility for hunting down this weapon, this Malice Box, lies with Robert. The weapon is primed to explode in seven days and Robert must undergo a quest a series of trials around Manhattan in order to track down the keys vital to prevent detonation. In a desperate race against the clock, Robert trails the streets of Manhattan guided by Terri, a mysterious psychic, and under the constant gaze of the Watchman. Higher forces are battling to prevent him completing the quest for the Minotaur and Unicorn are circling their prey.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Martin Langfield is the former East Coast Bureau Chief of Reuters in New York. The Malice Box is his first novel.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First of all, can I make something clear to the negative reviewers (and others): this is NOT a Da Vinci Code clone. What Martin Langfield has written is a fast-paced, intelligent, supernatural thriller, predominantly set in New York with flashbacks to Cambridge and London. It weaves occult philosophy and esoteric religious practices into the narrative of a tightly written novel that will keep you in suspense, forever guessing what will happen next.
The so-called "puzzles" which people have called into question are not meant to be on the same level as the Times cryptic crossword, and they work best when you just accept them for what they are and read on to see them revealed. In any case, the climax of the novel explains why the puzzles themselves are not painfully difficult to unravel; they aren't meant to be.
Langfield successfully blends occultism, history, religion, mythology and a commendable grasp of Manhattan's architecture and geography to produce something very different from the average "race against time to stop the serial killer" plot. Indeed, the ambiguities and continual upsets that run throughout the novel often make it difficult to know whose side you, the reader, are meant to be on from one moment to the next. This all adds up to what makes it so compelling. I read the book over four evenings, but agree with other (positive) reviewers that it would work best if read in one sitting.
For those who claim to have found it "difficult" or even "boring", I can only wonder if they approached the novel with the wrong expectations. Forget how the book may have been marketed, this is not the Da Vinci Code. And it's all the better for it.
The so-called "puzzles" which people have called into question are not meant to be on the same level as the Times cryptic crossword, and they work best when you just accept them for what they are and read on to see them revealed. In any case, the climax of the novel explains why the puzzles themselves are not painfully difficult to unravel; they aren't meant to be.
Langfield successfully blends occultism, history, religion, mythology and a commendable grasp of Manhattan's architecture and geography to produce something very different from the average "race against time to stop the serial killer" plot. Indeed, the ambiguities and continual upsets that run throughout the novel often make it difficult to know whose side you, the reader, are meant to be on from one moment to the next. This all adds up to what makes it so compelling. I read the book over four evenings, but agree with other (positive) reviewers that it would work best if read in one sitting.
For those who claim to have found it "difficult" or even "boring", I can only wonder if they approached the novel with the wrong expectations. Forget how the book may have been marketed, this is not the Da Vinci Code. And it's all the better for it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great book, i cant understand the 1 and 2 star ratings, obviously the reviewers are very 'asleep' and failed to spot the thread of human awakening which the plot carefully brings into play.
Quotes such as 'He opened his eyes. He saw that he was both free and predestined: that he had wanted and chosen everything that had happened to him, that his task was to learn why he had created this life, these events, for himself.' resonate with a great deal of truth for everyone to think about.. The book doesnt aim to preach where we came from or where we may go, but it does help open the eyes of the more alert reader to answers/possibilities beyond religion..
Buy this book you wont be disappointed...
Quotes such as '
Quotes such as 'He opened his eyes. He saw that he was both free and predestined: that he had wanted and chosen everything that had happened to him, that his task was to learn why he had created this life, these events, for himself.' resonate with a great deal of truth for everyone to think about.. The book doesnt aim to preach where we came from or where we may go, but it does help open the eyes of the more alert reader to answers/possibilities beyond religion..
Buy this book you wont be disappointed...
Quotes such as '
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After having experienced a rather long dry spell trying to find intelligent AND entertaining suspense-fiction, I stumbled across The Malice Box. I had a hard time putting it down at night, which I paid for with two extremely groggy days at work. And I found myself preoccupied trying to figure out how the story was going to end. Congratulations to M. Langfield. I finished the book yesterday and it is still resonating! Here's hoping for a follow up!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Malice Box
The book was delivered promptly and as a bonus was in hardback. The condition was very good and I would purchase from this seller again.
Published 7 months ago by A. Crisp
5 characters chasing a bomb in power and spirit
This is very disappointing, was rushing to end this read. Quite similar writing style of Neil Gaiman; very deep deep meaning to the plot and scene description. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by SKYW4LKER
Fascinating!
A twisting , turning, complex race against time and around Manhattan. It was an engaging read, lots of changes in direction for both the main character, Robert, and the reader. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by Zephfire
Not as good as the sum of its parts
The Malice Box sounds like a novel hanging on the coattails of the recent explosion of religious thrillers. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by Mr. G. Battle
a very poor read
one of the worst books I ever read.
A poor and confused plot. Did not get to the end which is unusual for me. Not to be suggested
A poor and confused plot. Did not get to the end which is unusual for me. Not to be suggested
Published on 8 May 2009 by Monica Negroni
Excellent REad
I thorougholy enjoyed this book. There is a wealth of detail that, in contrast to what some other reviewers have said, serves to add to the quality of this work, signifying that... Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2009 by G. Langfield
Hunt for the plot
I got to about page 200 and gave up. There is nothing to make you engage with the characters and the dialogue is quite stilted. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2009 by Mark Mcclelland
Da Vinchi code but good
I havent read DaVinchi Code, but after film it feels the same
however i do like the tension and even though im only about 100 pages in it keeps me reading on,... Read more
however i do like the tension and even though im only about 100 pages in it keeps me reading on,... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2008 by A. Bates
good for insomiacs
I am an avid reader but this is undoubtedly HARD HARD WORK. It reads like a geography lesson for New York (I think the author had swallowed the New York A-Z) and at 536 pages is... Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2008 by A. Coombes
Even worse than the daVinci Code............
I managed about a third of the book until I got tired of all the mystical twaddle and frankly boring plot. Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2008 by SteveShark
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