In The Arms Of Immortals-Ginger Garrett

In The Arms Of Immortals
Ginger Garrett
David C. Cook, Sep 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780781448888

In 1347, a ship arrives in Sicily containing a deadly cargo. Soon the villagers are falling ill in rapid succession with most dying.

The locals react differently to the Black Plague that is killing so many. The Baron's daughter Panthea Campaigna ignores the villagers with her focus totally on increasing her wealth as the killings would never touch her and besides her only fear is being poor like the villagers. An outcast due to her healing skills, Gio tries to help those ailing and dying although some look at her as the cause. From a distant future place and era Mariskka Curtis, not in the Book of Life in her time, recognizes the Black Plague and assists Father Lazarro by offering comfort to those receiving the last rites as the true Blood Month has begun.

The second Chronicles of the Scribe tale (see IN THE SHADOW OF THE LION) is an incredible historical thriller that looks deeply at the Christian religion in Sicily during the worst of the Black Plague when beliefs apparently failed those praying for a miracle. The first night over half of the residents are dead by morning; they are the fortunate ones. Contrasting lifestyles of the indifferent rich vs. the beleaguered poor that seem relevant today with the health care debate, Ginger Garrett provides a powerful look at a pivotal moment in Christian history when the belief in Jesus and God teetered under the wrath of the Black Plague.

Harriet Klausner