Saturday, August 15, 2009

Harold Robbins' The Shroud-Harold Robbins and Junius Podrug

Harold Robbins' The Shroud
Harold Robbins and Junius Podrug
Forge, Oct 13 2009, $25.99
ISBN 9780765318312

In New York City, dishonored antiquities expert Madison Dupre struggles to make a living ever since her reputation was shattered by the duplicitous late Sir Henry Lipton. Whenever she thinks of the man who destroyed her, she prays he is burning in hell.

Thus when her former associate calls her proving his death was an exaggeration, she is disappointed he still lives. However, Sir Henri, wanted on at lest three continents for art theft, offers her a deal she would love to refuse, but the $20,000 is desperately needed so she agrees to join him in Dubai in search of a painting of Jesus allegedly interred with him in his tomb just after the crucifixion. Sir Henri has an impatient client, Boris Alexandrovich Nevsky, eager to add the artifact to his collection. As she soon escapes death in Dubai, Istanbul and elsewhere, Madison knows she should have said no although the Russian is quite a hunk even if she distrusts him outside the boudoir.

The follow up to the LOOTERS is a typical Junius Podrug version of the late Harold Robbins’ thrillers: filled with sex, sex, action, and sex in exotic locations that add to the intrigue of a heroine as a stranger in a strange land. The story line is fun to follow as Madison is having a good time dodging assassins though the plot is thin and too much in style like the “franchise” even with a strong religious element throughout the tale. Still fans of Mr. Robbins will have a good time following the lead female’s escapisms as Mr. Podrug provides an entertaining thriller.

Harriet Klausner

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