Lark's Labyrinth

by Cathy Cash Spellman

The Spear that pierced Christ's side on the Cross has played a secret, but major role in history. Charlemagne, Constantine, Otto the Barbarian, The Knights Templar and Adolf Hitler all owned it... and believed it gave them the power to rule the world. What if they were right? The first time Dr. Cait Monahan ever heard of the Spear of Longinus was the night her husband was murdered because of it. That was when the terror began. ...right before the U.S. Government, the CIA, Neo Nazis, the Vatican and a secret cabal of 13 powerful global manipulators sent their assassins after her and her 9 year old. ...just before a lethal secret propelled her across Europe following a riddle that hadn't been solved since the Holocaust. ...just before Cait Monahan became entrapped in an interdimensional labyrinth that her own husband may have helped design. Now she's a player in a game that has led to mystery, magic, mayhem and murder for over 2000 years, and only the help of a tribunal of long dead men may be able to save her. Vibrant and cerebral, filled with intrigue, Conspiracy Theory and more ancient secrets than the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lark's Labyrinth pits characters you'll care about against a mystery you'll want to solve. Inside Lark's Labyrinth is a secret men have killed for ...now a woman, her sister, her child and their small band of friends are all that stand between us and the dark, insidious power that's a hairsbreadth away from ruling the world.

Genres: Fantasy

674 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2011

About the author

Cathy Cash Spellman is a best-selling author of multiple books that have been on The New York Times Bestseller List and International Bestseller lists, in both hardcover and paperback. Bless the Child became a Paramount movie starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, and has developed a cult following since it's Paramount release in 2000. Cathy's books have been sold in 22 countries.

Cathy was born to two parents who loved to read and filled their home with books and poetry. The small town in which she grew up had a library that was a small castle, brought over stone by stone from Europe, and gifted to the town by a benefactor, replete with suits of armor, stained glass windows and a round tower that held the classics. It was to this fairytale place that Cathy biked every afternoon after school to immerse herself in stories and to dream of one day seeing her own books on the shelves of such a magical place.

Born with a caul, the Irish harbinger of Second Sight, Cathy has always been an ardent student and practitioner of multiple esoteric disciplines: astrology, metaphysics, and a wide variety of healing modalities including Qi Gung, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Homeopathy, and spiritual healing. She holds Black Belt rank in Goju-Ryu Karate has had the joy and privilege of studying with shamans, healers, Native American medicine men and women, a Jain saint and a Tibetan High Lama.

If you'd like to learn more about her adventurous life, Cathy invites you to visit her website at www.cathycashspellman.com

Reviews

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Jean BookNerd and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lark's Labyrinth
By: Cathy Cash Spellman

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
Lark's Labyrinth is the kind of story that unravels like a sweater with a loose thread. Pull that thread and.... The catalyst is the murder of Jack. He is killed for secrets he holds about the Spear of Longinus, allegedly used to stab Christ on the cross. His wife, Cait, and daughter, Lark, know nothing about it, and they flee for their lives not knowing why Jack was killed. There is no safe haven when criminals such as this are in pursuit. All Cait knows is she has to figure out what happened and why. Answers may be part of a computer game Jack made for Lark called Lark's Labyrinth. The story unravels as one clue leads to another,etc. It's a globe trotting game of hide and seek except the stakes are life and death. Obviously, it's a Davinci Code style tale with hidden clues, prophecies, antiquities of untold power and value and history seemingly back from the dead as unbelievable revelations and stunning truths are revealed. Cait and Lark encounter the spectrum of humanity, including some seriously disturbed people and evil people. The combination of a widow and her young child on the run like this is something new. The story is singular, and I doubt I will ever read anything else like it. The author spins quite a yarn, and lengthy at that. I happen to like long books. The journey of Cait and Lark is a complicated head spinning one. If you can stick with it, you'll see that Lark's Labyrinth is a compelling imaginative story that will stay in your mind. This book is not for everyone, but it might be right for you!

[Stacie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thirty years in the book business, from independent booksellers to public libraries, I've had the pleasure of meeting many authors. When I met Ms. Cash Spellman, I was truly impressed not only with her vast knowledge of the myriad of subjects studied as research for her books, but also the sheer intensity and depth to which she travels to truly discover nuances of truth and knowledge she feels necessary to work held to the utmost highest levels of both research and writing.

When Ms. Cash Spellman releases a book, I can be comfortable in the knowledge it has been not only well written, but exquisitely well researched.

[Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this as a Kindle book from a giveaway on Goodreads.

I am having a hard time finding good things to say about this book.

All of the characters felt like pure stereotypes. Things I learned from them: redheads will lose their temper; Irish people believe in, and are able to practice, magic; American Indians are excellent hunters and trackers who are close to nature; high-level officials in the Vatican are simply politicians who care nothing for God; need I go on? On a positive note, the escaped Nazi sociopaths stopped short of having mustaches to twirl.

The worldbuilding was confusing. It seemed that the author was trying to weave historical fact with fiction, but then she got easily verifiable information wrong. On top of that she built a mysticism that just never quite felt authentic, and threw in a hint of every conspiracy theory ever posited is right.

The storytelling was tiresome. There were random flashbacks that made little narrative sense, and the prose felt like it was fighting for some English professor's approval.

The plot was not terrible.

[K. T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. I'm a fan. Nobody does emotional thrillers like Cathy Cash Spellman. I love the pitting of a widow and a 9 year old against the CIA, the Vatcan, Neo-Nazis, Middle-Eastern terrorists and powerful old white men. Couldn't put it down.

[Maggie Simonelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author and this Book !
This is my first Book by this Author. So Magical ! Cant wait to read more.

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Won this in a giveaway. I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth but.... I guess you get what you pay for. This was brutal. If it hadn't been so damn long I might have given it 2 stars but I was bored silly and had to start skimming large portions to try to get through this. It's really quite amazing that a book involving neo-Nazis, actual WWII Nazis who have had plastic surgery and are important players in the US government, middle Eastern terrorists, the Vatican, the CIA, a Supreme Court justice, various other secret groups, reincarnated "caretakers", angels, practicers of dark magic, etc etc etc can be so boring. I guess because for a good portion of the book practically nothing happens. The characters just keep talking about the mythical spear of Longinus and everyone who wants it yada yada yada.

[Mark Austin · Rating 2 out of 5]

★ - Most books with this rating I never finish and so don't make this list. This one I probably started speed-reading to get it over with.
★★ - Average. Wasn't terrible, but not a lot to recommend it. Probably skimmed parts of it.
★★★ - Decent. A few good ideas, well-written passages, interesting characters, or the like.
★★★★ - Good. This one had parts that inspired me, impressed me, made me laugh out loud, made me think - it got positive reactions and most of the rest of it was pretty decent too.
★★★★★ - Amazing. This is the best I've read of its genre, the ones I hold on to so I can re-read them and/or loan them out to people looking for a great book. The best of these change the way I look at the world and operate within it.

[Charles Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Derivative of many recent potboilers blending secret societies and sacred relics, this
offers guilty-pleasure escapism. With short, pacy chapters, this brick-thick doorstop of a paranormal-conspiracy yarn should entertain genre fans, even when characters and dialogue might have ol' Sax Rohmer going "awww come on!" Dr. Cait Monahan, well-aerobicized Connecticut physician, is stunned when swarthy foreign assassins invade her quiet life and kill her math-teacher husband Jack and in-laws. It turns out Jack and she are hereditary (or reincarnated) "Caretakers" of a powerful sacred relic, the Sword of Longinus, the Roman spear that, in the New Testament account of the Passion, pierced Jesus Christ on the cross (the whole "Da Vinci Code"/Gnostic cosmology surfaces here; that and the f-words and the pan-mystic ecumenism make the book's niche on the mainstream Christian-fiction shelf problematical). While her well-connected lawyer sister mounts a private investigation with some cops and cyber-hackers and a psychic, Cait and her precocious 9-year-old daughter Lark are taken in by a noble secret society traceable to the Knights Templar. Other forces - ranging from CIA/FBI to a Vatican secret society - race/menace/chase poor Cait all over Europe to find the Spear, clues to which may or may not reside in Lark's Labyrinth, an computer role-playing fantasy game programmed by the late Jack for his daughter (though very little of the narrative takes place in the virtual-reality digital realm, which seems a wise move). Uber-villains are a 90-year-old Nazi warlock and his torture-fixated Aryan super-son, and their OWN World-Domination secret society, the ones who arranged 9/11. And if you think that's over the top, wait for the gun-toting Irish warrior-nun who quotes "Star Wars." At least nobody makes a pun on "Raiders of the Lost Lark," though readers (or their secret societies) might be tempted. Still, just when you think things will get face-meltingly apocalyptic, author Spellman reins things in, for a denouement that's more muted and thoughtful than one might expect from such material; Dan Brown take note.

[Zoe L.]

Well, what a ride! There is just so much packed into this book. While there is so much in this book the world building is extensive enough to help everything make sense. I mean, this is a tome of a book. It’s the thic bottomed girl that I love to see in books (ignore me being weird, I just really like long books). It makes it even better though when I’m reading a big book that continues to make me want to learn more.

You know, it might be the current events that are making me feel this way (honestly though, I’m just typically like this), but I’m really digging all of the elements in this story. I mean, there’s just almost too many to list. Which I know can sound daunting, but it’s really now because everything just masterfully came together. Plus, I’m going to go back to this, but the book is heavy so there’s time for everything to be woven together. But I can’t even say I know what genre I would classify it as because it could fit into so many different ones.

All in all I really enjoyed this book. Don’t be fooled by it’s size, it really lures you in! And since it covers so many different things I think any number of people would be really intrigued by it.

You can view my full review & giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!

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[Movies, Shows, & Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

First things first... Wow! Lark's Labyrinth is such an in-depth work of fiction with an abundance of history, intrigue, and mysticism. With a plethora of history intertwined into this story, Cathy Cash Spellman weaves a story rich with supernatural elements, as well as, historical events. With her imaginative storytelling and extensive research, Lark's Labyrinth took me on a dangerous adventure with a great many twists and turns as secrets were revealed.

The imaginative world-building and complex character development makes for this fascinating read. Although this can be a long read, Lark's Labyrinth entails an abundance of historical events that tie together the story's plot. The sheer immense size of the book can be daunting, but fans of this genre and history just may get immersed into this world of secrets, the occult, and schemes. So, yes, in the end, I read this book and enjoyed being drawn into this gripping story. Moreover, I do have to warn readers that Lark's Labyrinth is not for everyone. This is definitely a read that takes patience to piece the "pieces" together as these characters work at solving this "puzzle."

Reviewer: Jasmine
Disclaimer: We received a free copy for an honest review. All is my own opinion.

[Michele(mluker) Luker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lark's Labyrinth.... WOW... I read that will baffle your imagination and take you on a roller coaster of a ride.

This story is full of mystery, conspiracy theories, murder, ancient relics, secret societies, with a touch of supernatural. It begins with the crucifixion of Christ and the Sword of Longinus, to World War 2, to present day where the caregiver of the sword is murdered.

You must read this story to appreciate the complex storyline and experience the pure beauty of good versus evil.

True facts through history combined with creative imagination makes this story a fantastic historical fiction.

The characters become real in your mind's eye. Emotions come flying out of your heart. Reality seems to slip away the deeper you plunge yourself into the story and try to figure out the clues to solve the mystery. It is full of twists that always keep you guessing.

I so wish I could talk more about EVERYTHING that is packed into this story, but wow, you just need to read it yourself. I will never spoil a book!!

[Barbara Morrissette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I judge a book by whether it can arouse my emotions and draw me into the story – Lark’s Labyrinth delivers with an ancient mystery, an intricate puzzle, breath-catching suspense and characters who come to life. Cathy Cash Spellman has created an atmosphere of foreboding that surrounds Cait Monahan, her daughter Lark, and Cait’s sister, whose lives suddenly become intertwined with an ancient artifact sought after by governments, the Vatican and other threatening forces. Thrust into an extraordinary position and pursued by various menacing characters as she hunts for a mystical spear said to have pierced Christ’s side, Cait Monahan knows she must be successful because there is no other option if she is to save herself and those she loves. Secrets and more secrets, and a young girl with the extraordinary ability to solve the unsolvable. Read it – you’ll become a believer!

[Bridgett Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
So this is about the infamous spear that stabbed Christ in his side while on the cross. Cait Monahan, her daughter Lark, and Cait’s sister, lives suddenly become tangled with an the spear and is sought after by governments, the Vatican and other forces. Thrown in between a rock and a hard place and being cased by various "bad guys" as she tries to track down a mystical spear, Cait Monahan knows she must find it because there is no other option if she is to save herself and her family. Will she find it or will the secret of the spear stay just a secret.
I liked it but boy was it longer than it needed to be. It's over 600 pages and would have been just as good with about 200 pages less.

[Ann E Ehrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional storytelling

This tale can be placed alongside classics like Lord of the Rings, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and the like.

This book also made me think about the teachings of the church that I received growing up. How much different the world would be if all the Gospels had been included in the bible. I had heard all the rumors that there were missing gospels and that Jesus might have been married but never really gave them any thought. This book made me think about these things and how much the role women played in history would be different.

The one thing I did not like about this book is that there was of a link to preorder the next book.

[Carol D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Kindle Giveaway. It was a really good book with lots of interesting characters and many sub plots. The book offers a steady pace of excitement, intrigue and a bit of mysticism. Well written as all of the author's previous books have been.

The main story is based around locating the Spear of Longinus, the spear supposedly that pierced Christ to kill him in his final moments on the cross. Many nations are after this artifact for various reasons. The main villain is a former Nazi war criminal that believes the Spear holds mystical powers. Be prepared for a ride with lots of twists and turns and and ending that happens all too fast.

[gwendalyn _books_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

A thrill ride of a page turner, Cathy Spellman has once again created a stunning book.
When Jack Monohan, along with his parents are murdered. His wife, Cait and Lark are thrown into a fast paced, suspenseful tale. On the run Lark and her mother are running from the dark forces that killed Jack. With secret society and a ancient relic, the infamous spear that pierced side of Christ, The Spear of Longinus.
It’s believed to posses incredible powers…a stunning tale that keeps you flipping those pages all the way through to the end.

[Kelly Risser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I am blown away by this book! So much detail, so many richly developed characters. While there are mystical elements throughout, the story felt so real to me; I could actually believe that the spear truly exists and these groups, of both honorable men and women and the worst criminals of the world, are out to get it. Like its title, Lark's Labyrinth is a twisted maze of plot turns, and the way the chapters move between the small groups of characters and their involvement in the search is very well done. I could see this as a movie, and it read like that in my mind. My heart broke for Cait and Lark and the situation they were thrown into, but Ms. Spellman does not leave us to dwell in our sorrow, rather, she expertly draws us into a layered, action packed adventure that will leave your mind spinning long after the last page is read.

[Jonathan Tullis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book in need of a good editor. The author is clearly an avid reader and word enthusiasts but this book has too many plot points that are not well woven together with a thesaurus like vocabulary usage. I would say this is written from the point of view of what a grandmother thinks of these characters. The writing goes off in a lot of directions and topics that could make entire books themselves are thrown in for a chapter or two then abandoned. I wanted to like this book. I almost put it down a couple of times but thought, surely there is a pay off at the end. Sadly no. Lots and lots of options and directions but sadly feels like a book that didn't know what it wanted to be.

[Delores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this author, but am happy to have found her! I might not have found this on my own, but won a kindle version on goodreads. I love mysteries and this is a very interesting one. It concerns an ancient artifact and I found it a quick read. It did remind me in some ways of the DiVinci Code, which I also enjoyed. I liked the fact that there were characters of very different ages involved actively in the story. I recommend it to mystery and conspiracy lovers and I will probably read more by this author.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off this book is HUGE!!! Over 670 pages this book will keep you reading all night long!! This book had all the feels and just made me want to flip pages faster and faster. I stayed up well past my bedtime to read this one and I am very glad that I am not working right now. Because, if I would have had to leave home and put this book down I would have cried. This is a book full of escapism and just what I needed!! The characters are wonderful and so alive and the book is well paced, vastly researched, and just unputdownable!!

[Toni Tellez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This was a great work of historical fiction! I loved the author's ability to make the reader feel like part of the story with the weaving of true religious, political, and historical facts. Beautiful language, which helped us visual learners see the events unfold, made the needs and struggles of the characters come to life. I am looking forward to the continuation of the saga in the next book! Happy reading!

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sacred spear

I'm surprised that I enjoyed this very entertaining book! I usually read history and mystery. I decided to try a sample on kindle and became engrossed enough in the story I purchased the book. It is very lengthy and I did find myself skimming over pages which really didn't add to the plot. Yes I would definitely read the next book in this series.

[Estella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book

I gave this book 4 stars, because although this was a good book, at times it was a little boring. Not enough for me to stop reading. It hooked me from the beginning and I had to see what was next. I'll look for this author again.

[Karen Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

a book for these troubled times

As always Cathy Cash Spellman hits it out of the park. My only complaint is I wish there were more of your books to read. Your insight to how the world works never fails to humble me

[Mackenzie Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an exciting story from start to finish, could not put it down!!

[Sue Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read

Truly enjoyed this book, similar in scope to DaVinci’s Code, with lots of real and supernatural pieces and parts. I’m looking forward to book 2 of the series.

[Tena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a KINDLE version in a GOODREADS giveaway sponsored by Trident Media Group.

[Robert Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok

slow developing, otherwise fine story, that is my pnly negative comment regarding this book and story line development. would read additional books by author

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually don't go for this type of book. It was quite slow in spots. I'm sure a lot o readers would really enjoy it!

I won the kindle edtion in a Good Reads giveaway.

[Juju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long, long, long book. So very slow. It had good bones and I could see where it could be good if it just cut through a lot of the overdrawn out bits. I made it to chapter 29 and had to quit.