The Mormon Candidate – A Novel (book review)

The Mormon Candidate – A Novel

by Avraham Azrieli
© 2012 by Avraham Azrieli
Published by Create Space

Published coincident with a presidential election pitting an incumbent, liberal President being challenged by a conservative, one-term former governor who is Mormon, there are many interesting and current reasons to read this book.  However, it is a truly novel and has all the elements of a very unlikely set of circumstances and coincidences that comprise modern fiction.  That said, it’s a great read.

 

Azrieli has woven enough fact into his fictional tale to make it believable and created enough pace to make it compelling to read.  It is a novel of intrigue and suspense and is, by definition in this reviewer’s experience, a page-turner.  From the start of the book, the reader is drawn into alliance with a character who is rather difficult to develop sympathy.  Ben Teller is a minimally-employed, essentially-agnostic, self-declared investigative reporter with a medical student stripper for a girlfriend and a series of stereotypical allies (a wheelchair-bound editor, lesbian policewoman friend, dissident religionists).  Yet even the most biased reader will cheer for this protagonist who seeks the truth (not the “faith-promoting truth”) about the death of a fellow Harley rider.  Through well-researched efforts and a comprehensive supporting bibliography, Azrieli presents the shadowy world of politics, religion, and suspense with enough plot twists to be captivating.

This book is not in the form of literary novel yet is very well written and draws in the reader from the beginning.  In short, is it recommended reading, especially for an escape (but not too far) from current events.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was received for free from the author, along with a nominal stipend, but a positive review was not required. The opinions expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the United States Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” 16 CFR, Part 255.