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According to Luke

by Rosanne Dingli (Goodreads Author)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 24 ratings · 15 reviews

Shattered by the breakdown of yet another romance, Jana Hayes becomes a recluse in her tiny Venice apartment and buries herself in her work as an expert art conservator … until an ancient religious icon brings Roman Catholic priest Rob Anderson into her life.

The secret they discover hidden in the mysterious artefact turns out to be not only devastating, but deadly. And it...more

Paperback, 366 pages

Published March 29th 2011 by Bewrite Books (first published March 26th 2011)

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May 02, 2011 Magdalena added it

There seems to be something of a trend for books set in Italy with a plot that involves the questioning of accepted biblical interpretations (call it the “Bible Conspiracy Theory” plot). The comparisons with Dan Brown are natural, and the reason for choosing this area to write about is obvious: it’s exciting, controversial in its heresy, and rich with drama and complication. Since my own knowledge of both The Bible and The Da Vinci Code are generally less extensive than most people’s, I came to...more

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Apr 19, 2013 Joyce Elferdink rated it 5 of 5 stars

[4.75 of 5 stars]

This peculiar question is the overarching mystery--and yes, one that is revealed near the end of the novel. But the search for the surprising answer shows the author's creativity and dedication to track the truth (or at least possibilities) through copious research.

It is a well-written story with strong characters such as Jana, an art conservator whose job of restoring ancient icons was almost an obsession, and who made her relationship with a priest proper by complying with the...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Rebecka Vigus rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jana Hayes conservator of antiquities and the handsome Catholic priest Father Rob Andrews seem like an unlikely pair. Yet when Father Rob turns the icons of his church over to Jana’s company for authentication strange things begin to happen. Jana is mugged on the way home from work for the flash drive she has that documents the icon. Then, her colleague is murdered. Jana suspects she is being followed.
Jana’s curiosity leads her to remove the icon from her company and carry it across Venice, Ita...more Jana Hayes conservator of antiquities and the handsome Catholic priest Father Rob Andrews seem like an unlikely pair. Yet when Father Rob turns the icons of his church over to Jana’s company for authentication strange things begin to happen. Jana is mugged on the way home from work for the flash drive she has that documents the icon. Then, her colleague is murdered. Jana suspects she is being followed.
Jana’s curiosity leads her to remove the icon from her company and carry it across Venice, Italy to compare with a known Black Madonna by Saint Luke. When her comparison leads her to believe they are by the same artist things get stranger. The icon is returned to the Church. It did not go to its destination in Foggia but to the island of Malta.
On Malta Jana is asked to make sure the icon has not been stolen. She is able to make the determination that the icon is the one she worked on in Venice. She and Father Rob become closer while he questions his calling. Jana suspects the Bishop of wanting to destroy all of the icons painted by Saint Luke, because they hold a secret detrimental to the beliefs of the Catholic Church. She contrives to steal the second panel of the icon.
They find themselves at the hands of ruthless Arab men who also want the icon. For what reason, no one knows. At the last moment, Jana’s colleague, Antonio, comes to their rescue. It seems however, Antonio too wants the icon. They find themselves once again making an escape.
Once back in Venice they must decide how to get the icon to the right person, someone who will protect it. They also want to decipher the Greek letters found on one of the icons. It is not safe for them at Jana’s. She had been followed before going to Malta. They knew where she lived. They also had to figure out what was between them and going to Jana’s would not be conducive to understanding that.
Consulting the one person Jana trusts, she and Rob approach him with the icon and ask for sanctuary. From here the book builds to its climax. Can they identify the mystery lady in the painting? Will they be able to save the paintings of Saint Luke from destruction by a corrupt Bishop? What is the secret the lady holds? What is Antonio’s interest in the icon? What secret do the symbols in the picture hold? Will they be able to decode the symbols?
Ms. Dingli builds believable characters and an exciting plot. Her knowledge of ancient antiquities and how they are restored and authenticated is amazing. She also has a wealth of knowledge on Saint Luke and the artifacts attributed to him. The book is well written and the tension builds with each twist in the plot. Readers will be hooked. It is spine tingling adventure to the very end.
While dealing with religious icons and beliefs, Ms. Dingli is able to keep her own beliefs in check. Giving the stories believed by the Priests and the Catholic Church the justice they deserve, while giving alternative theories of what the icons represent and how the knowledge would change what is currently believed. Whatever her own beliefs, they did not trickle into her writings.
I give Ms. Dingli kudos for having a well thought out novel. The secrets and symbols of the ancient icons are shrouded in centuries of mystery. This novel makes it very real. It had me checking on the Internet for things referenced. I needed to see the paintings and find the history of organizations mentioned. Any book that makes me think is one that keeps me reading. I look forward to reading more novels by her.
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Feb 19, 2012 Cathy Speight rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a real pot pourri of intrigue, suspense, history, mystery, murder, blackmail, tragedy and romance. My kind of book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jana is an art restorer and uncovers a secret when renovating a religious icon that could shatter the foundations of the Catholic church with the potential to alter the way it is run – a highly controversial prospect. Not surprisingly, she is not the only one to realise the implications if her findings were to become public knowledge, and there are o...more This was a real pot pourri of intrigue, suspense, history, mystery, murder, blackmail, tragedy and romance. My kind of book.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jana is an art restorer and uncovers a secret when renovating a religious icon that could shatter the foundations of the Catholic church with the potential to alter the way it is run – a highly controversial prospect. Not surprisingly, she is not the only one to realise the implications if her findings were to become public knowledge, and there are other parties who will stop at nothing in their eagerness to have the icon in their possession, each with their own unscrupulous methods and price.

Jana and Rob, the curator (and a priest) at Zona Scientifika where she carries out her art conservation are drawn into a tense and thrilling adventure across Europe and the Middle East. There are injuries, casualties, blackmail and emotions which run high on all levels – romantic, self-preservative, greedy and fanatical.

The story is fast-paced; the romance that develops between Jana and the handsome priest, Rob, is not straightforward; his profession somewhat obfuscates its future. All the characters have been well-conceived – I could picture them on a movie screen with no difficulty at all – from Jana’s immaculately presented, billionaire (and ruthless) mother to the shambly, but loveable, expert of ciphers and symbols who helps Jana and Rob get to the bottom of her extraordinary discovery.

The book draws you in right from the first page and climaxes in a dramatic denouement leaving you shocked, relieved, satisfied and thoughtful all at the same time.

I did find I had to keep my wits about me – I wasn’t always as intuitive as the characters, and I sometimes found Rosanne's style a little bumpy, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book one little bit. Rosanne’s impressive research was thorough, and the results of her meticulous investigation are expertly and captivatingly entwined into this excellent and (almost shockingly) credible story.(less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Andria rated it 5 of 5 stars

A masterful piece of well researched writing!

I was completely hooked from the first page; the story takes off with a lightening pace of events as the complexities of the plot unfold.

The story begins in Venice with such a wonderful descriptiveness you can really imagine yourself to be there walking through the many canal filled back streets. Here we find the main character Jana, who is working in a scientific laboratory on the restoration of a religious icon. During this process she uncovers a se...more A masterful piece of well researched writing!

I was completely hooked from the first page; the story takes off with a lightening pace of events as the complexities of the plot unfold.

The story begins in Venice with such a wonderful descriptiveness you can really imagine yourself to be there walking through the many canal filled back streets. Here we find the main character Jana, who is working in a scientific laboratory on the restoration of a religious icon. During this process she uncovers a secret which if proved could destroy the foundation upon which the Catholic Church has been built.

As Jana starts to dig deeper into the mystery of the icon she develops an unlikely relationship with Rob Anderson, the Curator and a Roman Catholic priest. A series of events transports them to Malta where they end up taking a huge risk which causes them to have to run for their lives from what appears to be three separate groups who all have invested interest in obtaining the secret of the icon.

Through a trusted friend they are introduced to an expert in the interpretation of symbols who helps them to unravel the various meanings of the pictograms embedded in the icon. This fatherly Welsh professor becomes the real sticking element of this group of eclectic characters which grows in numbers as the plot twists and turns. The stakes are raised, a ransom is demanded and people are found dead as a race against time sees the group flee to other exotic destinations trying to unravel various clues along the way before one of history’s biggest secrets falls into the wrong hands.

This book will grab your attention from start to finish. It has a bit of everything in it including colourfully illustrated destinations, mystery, romance, vibrant characters and a well researched plot which is so believable that it is quite shockingly real. The amount of work which must have gone into checking the facts and the restorative methods used on such pieces is tremendous and yet flows so simplistically throughout the book without detracting from the story line. There was a great balance of characters, story, detail and mystery. It was a hugely enjoyable book which I would recommend to anyone.

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Sep 23, 2011 Melissa Bowersock rated it 4 of 5 stars

It is a natural inclination to compare According to Luke to The Da Vinci Code due to the controversial nature of the secret, but I found Luke to be more than a chase after symbols. I thought Dan Brown's book to be a little tiresome after we'd found the 4th or 5th symbol/secret password, only to be confronted by yet another puzzle. In Luke, Rosanne Dingli thankfully adds more interesting plots threads, more layered personalities and surprises that go beyond solving puzzles. As with Da Vinci, Luke...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Ian Mathie rated it 5 of 5 stars

More than any other book I read in 2011, According to Luke is the one which grabbed and held my attention. It is a beautifully crafted story, carefully researched with intricately woven threads that keep you turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next. It is a superb thriller, full of tension, pathos and emotional subtleties that few moidern novels manage to convey. If you are not interested in art, religion, politics or Macchiavellian dealings, this book will change your mind as it has...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Lauren Murphy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-author, crime-mystery

This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf

This is the first book I have read from the crime thriller genre and I wasn’t quite sure whether it would keep me interested but I was pleasantly surprised.

Jana is an expert art conservator from Australia who is doing a stint in Venice. Newly single, Jana is quite happy residing on her own, in her tiny Venetian apartment. She loves her job and especially loves living on the other side of the world away from her high achieving mother, Felici...more This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf

This is the first book I have read from the crime thriller genre and I wasn’t quite sure whether it would keep me interested but I was pleasantly surprised.

Jana is an expert art conservator from Australia who is doing a stint in Venice. Newly single, Jana is quite happy residing on her own, in her tiny Venetian apartment. She loves her job and especially loves living on the other side of the world away from her high achieving mother, Felicity.

Jana comes across an ancient religious icon that will change her life forever. One evening whilst walking home from work, she is mugged and the information she has collated on the artefact is stolen. Jana’s colleague is then murdered and it becomes clear that her life may be in danger and the secret they uncover about the icon could bring down the Catholic Church. With mysterious Australian priest, Rob by her side they embark on an adventure as they discover something about Saint Luke that the Catholics want hidden and the Muslims want to expose. Jana and Rob recruit symbolist Bryn and Jana’s millionaire mother Felicity which adds interesting dimensions to the story. They hightail across Italy, Malta and Syria to find answers and to keep the icon safe while also risking their lives.

I particularly like the relationship development between Jana and Rob. Although their feelings do develop quickly, it does seem really natural and I completely get their attraction. Rob struggles with his faith and religious responsibilities while Jana tries to open her mindset to the possibilities beyond science. Bryn, the Welshman is the intelligent mentor for the duo and Felicity’s appearance on the scene makes the foursome a dynamic team who all bring their own knowledge and skills to manage their dilemma.

Jana is a likeable, independent woman and I sympathised for Rob’s turmoil between his beliefs and his very real feelings for Jana.

It was quite an engaging read with plenty of action, suspense and the underpinning love story definitely gave this novel a well-rounded plot. After relaying the plot to my partner, he seems to think it is along the lines of a Steve Berry or Dan Brown novel (which I haven’t read), so if you are
into these kinds of books then you will probably really enjoy According to Luke. Or if like me you don’t tend to read from this genre then this might be a nice introduction.

4/5 rating
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Oct 29, 2011 Reynold Conger rated it 4 of 5 stars

According to Luke is an interesting story about an young woman who is an art expert and restorer. The first chapter appears to be about routine art restoration until there is a mugging, files begin to disappear and a coworker is murdered. Suddenly Jana realizes she is at the center of a conspiracy, but which of several possible organizations is mounting the conspiracy that threatens her life and the valuable picture she is obligated to protect?

When rich Mama arrives to help, Jana is not sure she...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Diana Hockley rated it 5 of 5 stars

The twists and turns in this novel are amazing. The author has done her research and woven an intricate love story into a mad scramble between formidable opponents in this sutle thriller. I say subtle because of the nuances and implications in the result of the icon being released didn't slam at me, but crept over me with an inexorable realisation of the threat to a dominant religious organisation and how ordinary people's perception of the teachings would be upended.

A terrific plot, well writte...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Dale Harcombe rated it 4 of 5 stars

The problem sometimes with stories that have fast paced action is it can often be at the expense of character. That is not the case with According to Luke. The characters are well drawn and fully developed. Jana is meticulous in her research and patience in authenticating historical artefacts. She also encounters a fellow Australian sent along to oversee the handling and authentication of this artefact. The Roman Catholic Priest, Rob Anderson, has his own share of problems, some of which are med...more The problem sometimes with stories that have fast paced action is it can often be at the expense of character. That is not the case with According to Luke. The characters are well drawn and fully developed. Jana is meticulous in her research and patience in authenticating historical artefacts. She also encounters a fellow Australian sent along to oversee the handling and authentication of this artefact. The Roman Catholic Priest, Rob Anderson, has his own share of problems, some of which are medical and which challenge his vocation. The two become closely involved as they set out to uncover the truth of the portrait she uncovers. Of course this is not as easy as it sounds. There are those who want to prevent this at any cost. One woman, Jana’s assistant, has already lost her life because of it. This portrait Jana finds could have significant implications if her suspicions are correct and they are certainly not the only ones who desperately want the portrait. Each group wants the portrait for different reasons.
The characters and their quest quickly draw the reader into the lives and problems they find themselves in. The relationship between Jana and her wealthy, domineering mother provides further depth and insight into the character of Jana and underscores the reasons behind some of her life decisions,
It is obvious from the writing that a great deal of research has gone on prior to the writing of this novel. Place is so effectively evoked, it is almost a character, with the scenes of Venice. Other places in Italy, as well as Malta and Syria are brought to life. Many of the artefacts and historic events revealed add an authenticity to the novel and the sleep disorder that plagues Rob is suitably unusual but also one would suggest soundly researched. Such titbits will have the reader longing to explore these tangents further but without ever taking away from the story and the problems of the main characters. All of these factors and more make this a thoroughly engaging read. The sign of good book is one that stays in the mind after the last page has been turned. That is what Rosanne Dingli has managed to do with According to Luke.
****BeWrite Books
RRP $21.99
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Sep 04, 2011 Adriana C rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Is a really good novel! I like that has a lot of suspense, mystery, intrigue, romance and is fast moving. Jana is an adult, intelligent, single, independent that works as an expert art conservator in Venice Italy and one day a Rob Anderson a Catholic priest brings ancient religious icon to work with. She´s fells attraction to the too handsome Australian priest Rob Anderson. Jana discovers a secret hidden in the icon that she shouldn´t have and that could shake the Catholic Church.
Is a conspiracy...more

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Jun 19, 2011 ABookVacation rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a really fantastic read! Dingli is a superb writer, encompassing it all within her novel: suspense, mystery, romance, murder, betrayal, and even terrorism. I was intrigued as I read, spurred on by the mystery that surrounded the novel as Jana and her friends uncover a conspiracy and figure out the truth. I was reminded of The Da Vinci Code as I read (the movie, I’ve not yet read the book), yet only in terms of mystery and secrets within the Catholic church. Dingli makes this story her o...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Alana Woods rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of my favourite genres: contemporary mystery thriller--with a romance thrown in for good measure. In the style of The DaVince Code. It's well written with an excellent plot that carries you along from beginning to end. I finished the book knowing a lot more about the subject matter than I did before I started, which is another thing I like about a book. This one was hard to put down.

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Mar 21, 2013 Jerry Barbour rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the story, but it could have used a lot more character develpement. It makes the author look like an amateur.

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About Rosanne Dingli

Three novels and five story collections available now in paperback and eBook editions.

Coming soon! Rosanne Dingli's fourth exciting novel. Cover and title to be revealed soon. Release - July 2013

Rosanne Dingli had numerous articles, stories, reviews, columns and poems published Australia-wide and on the internet since 1986. She has worked as teacher, lecturer, workshop coordinator, magazine and...more

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