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In 1995 at Saint Luke's Monastery, Brother Anthony disappears
one night during a game of cards. Although the police are
called, Officer Timothy Comstock is never able to solve the
mystery of his friends disappearance. Now, seven years later
another mystery, possibly a miracle, is occurring at Saint
Martins Church, the eyes of the ancient crucifix, the Oculi,
have started shedding tears. As the congregation and media
are quick to declare this a miracle, Tim is not so sure. Pastor
of the church, Paul Logue, also has his doubts about this
new supernatural event, but when people start dying he wonders
if it is not the work of the devil...
The
Oculi Incident, by Regis Schilken, is set in and around
Pittsburgh, an area in which Schilken has lived all his life,
predominantly working in the area of education; he has penned
a number of other works.
On
the surface Oculi plays out like your average detective
story. A mystery happens and the hero, in the shape of the
law, works out the problem. The nice thing about Oculi
is the layers that are placed upon this simple premise. Schilken
seems very interested in the interface between science and
faith. As the crucifix becomes an object of adoration, money
flows into what was a fairly poor church, mammon pushes many
in the church to sidestep issues of faith and the search for
the truth. Louge is further distressed when the increase in
riches is followed by the deaths of a number of people who
attempt to investigate the truth behind the tears.
Most
of the motivations which drive the characters are fairly self
evident. The most complex character though, is pastor Logue.
One would imagine that any priest who has a supposedly miraculous
happening in his church would embrace it with all the religious
fervour that he could muster. Straddled between the need of
his congregation and the desire of the church hierarchy for
the miracle to be a true vilification of their faith, Logue
holds onto his doubt, doubts which force him to seek the truth.
Throughout the book the author skilfully maintains the air
of mystery, keeping the reader off balance, unable to decide
whether this is some sort of scam or a real religious event.
The
book has many twists and turns which will keep the reader
turning the page. The relationships between the various characters
are realistic and well developed. So if you're looking for
a sort of modern Cadfael this is the book for you. I suggest
you do not miss this wonderfully written novel.
 
Charles
Packer
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