The Voice

Bill Myers is a popular and prolific writer who has authored nearly 80 books, has over two dozen screenwriter/director credits and holds several national and international awards for his work. Myers holds a degree in stage directing from University of Washington and studied at the Italian State Institute of Cinema in Rome. He was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Theology from the Institute Theologique de Nimes in France where he taught. When not writing and directing, he enjoys acting, speaking at various schools and colleges, as well as working with the youth of his local church. Myers lives in California with his wife and two daughters. You can visit him at www.billmyersbooks.com

An unlikely premise propels Myers's latest novel, which is long on car chases and shoot- 'em-up action and short on execution, especially since the first 50 pages leave readers confused rather than intrigued. Emotionally withdrawn former Special Forces Op agent Charlie Madison's deaf adolescent niece, Jazmin Lutzer, shows up in his California music store with a pack of gunmen at her heels. He's immediately catapulted into mysterious events that will span the globe, which involve FBI agent Lisa Harmon, an Islamic terrorist cell, the Mossad, and some Catholic priests. Key to the plotline is "the Program," a means of using sound vibrations to capture the "voiceprint" of God from ancient rocks, but its presence-and absence-may threaten various religious beliefs. In the wrong hands, it could also destroy the world. Myers, the author of more than 80 books, is also a screenwriter, which may explain the action-fueled plot and dialogue-heavy pages. Jazmin's point of view is unsuccessful, some phrases seem odd ("With a rage greater than any diarrhea..."), and the contrived ending raises questions (if so many people have been healed by the voice, why is Jazmin still deaf?). Faith fiction aficionados may find the concept interesting, but its rendering lacks subtlety or depth.
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