There's much more to this mystery than simply identifying the killer.

Investigator Red Metcalfe's toughest case begins with two killings in one night. One man hanged, the other beaten to death -- but both with their tongues removed and silver spoons inserted into their mouths. By the time a third victim has been found decapitated, Red and his team of investigators are still clutching at made-up straws. As the murders continue to mount, Red can ascertain no patterns and no motive. Besides his trademark calling cards, the killer leaves no clues, and nothing seems to tie the victims together. Red's obsession with the case threatens to destroy his marriage, even as it calls up dark secrets from Red's own past.

While it falls short of living up to its billing as "the most terrifying thriller since The Silence of the Lambs," Messiah certainly makes for a compelling and unforgettable read. The story of this unique killer's murder spree alone makes for a great story, but author Boris Starling adds a whole other dimension to it by deftly bringing events of Red's past full circle in the final pages. A little patience on the reader's part goes a long way, as Red's early investigation features a couple of wild goose chases, but the action and tension really start building by the midpoint of the novel.

I must admit, however, that I actually identified the killer less than two-thirds of the way through. This is noteworthy because I almost never figure out a whodunit; the fact that I stumbled onto what turned out to be the correct theory suggests to me that the author gave a little bit too much away too soon -- either that, or I finally got lucky and guessed right for once.

Obviously, given the title, there is a religious aspect to the plot -- but it's probably not what you're thinking. Fortunately, Starling manages to make even the most twisted of motives make some kind of sense in the end. What makes Messiah better than your run-of-the-mill mystery, though, is the way Starling ties Red's own story to that of the case he's investigating. There's much more to this mystery than just figuring out who did it and why.