Bible scholar weaves masterful story to address spiritual questions

From the dusty streets of Roman-oppressed, first-century Jerusalem to the questioning hearts of 21st-century skeptics, newcomer Paul A. Nigro (pronounced Nî•Grô) takes readers on an eye-opening odyssey they won’t soon forget. Q: A Novel (Cook Communications Ministries, RiverOak Brand, January 2003) is a carefully crafted ménage of intrigue and page-turning action coupled with biblical scholarship that readers will find as thought provoking as it is entertaining. The story begins its journey in A.D. 27 and follows a winding and surprising trail, straight through to today.

Despite being rejected by Jesus in his request to join him as a disciple, Ezra, a Jewish scribe, feels compelled to follow the teacher and record his sayings. In A.D. 70, he entrusts his manuscript, called Q: to the Qumran Community. Undiscovered for centuries, Ezra’s writings are stolen by a powerful media baron who feels it is his life’s mission to rid the world of the nonsense he believes is Christianity. His plan is to exploit and manipulate Q to undermine the Bible, the written foundation upon which Christianity is based, and he is willing to do anything to make that happen.

Those standing in his way include seminary student Gigi Vaughn, petty thief Jeremy Croft and the men in the ultra-secret order, The Society of St. Matthew. Their task is daunting, and they must confront deception, betrayal and life-threatening danger at every turn. Continuing in his unique narrative style, Nigro’s second novel, Bethesda, releases this spring. Addressing more tough questions and the mystery of supernatural occurrences, readers will want to follow this new fiction writer closely.