On the Fifth Day

Hartley's newest thriller draws readers into another, fast-paced international hide-and-seek. The impressive difference here, is Hartley's artistic courage and maturity. While Deborah Miller, from The Mask of Atreus (Hartley's first novel) garners her own following, Hartley bravely refuses to rely upon an established character. Instead, he offers readers Thomas Knight, a man with realistic human frailties. Readers will sympathize with and adore Knight. While Hartley constructs one of the most sympathetic of recent fictional characters in Knight, the author further reveals his artistic range through the personification of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I hope that Hartley plans to reward his readers with more from Knight in future novels. Inevitably, readers will want to compare the similarities between A. J. Hartley and Dan Brown novels. While both design globe-trotting protagonists, Hartley divests himself of Brown's well-worn plot line by asking his characters to acknowledge their doubts. Because we also doubt --professionally, romantically, spiritually--On the Fifth Day is a touching gift to Hartley's readers. In his second novel, Hartley reminds readers that regret cannot alter history, that bad things happen to good people, and that sometimes, chance offers a "re-do," a second chance. I am so glad that A.J. Hartley has this second chance, and I can't wait for the third.

Let's dispense with those inane Dan Brown or the Preston/Childs duo comparisons right here; for me, there can be no sincere comparison. On the Fifth Day kept me absorbed from first to last. OK, I'm not the fastest reader, but the engrossing sections of the novel had me hurriedly flipping pages, which alone ramps the novel's rating. Then when I factored in the well-developed narrative, historical groundings that must have been meticulously researched, and the remarkable characterization, I had more than enough reasons to hand-over all five stars. And Hartley, when's the next one?

I strongly suggest to buy this book. I could not put it down. Really, I tried! I had a lot to accomplish, but I HAD to keep reading! It will keep you guessing till the end. You do not want miss this one!

A.J Hartley's latest book "On the Fifth Day" is a thriller that kept me glued to the page from the lightning fast beginning until the break-neck race for the finish. I hated to see the book end, but I couldn't stop reading to save some for tomorrow. May just read it again.