The Trinity Game

The Daniel Byrne Trilogy, Book 1

By: Sean Chercover

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Daniel Byrne is an investigator for the Vatican’s secretive Office of the Devil’s Advocate - the department that scrutinizes miracle claims. Over 10 years and 721 cases, not one miracle he tested has proved true.

But case #722 is different; Daniel’s estranged uncle, a crooked TV evangelist, has started speaking in tongues - and accurately predicting the future. Daniel knows Reverend Tim Trinity is a con man. Could Trinity also be something more?

The evangelist himself is baffled by his newfound power - and the violent reaction it provokes. After years of scams, he suddenly has the ability to predict everything from natural disasters to sports scores. Now the mob wants him dead for ruining their gambling business, and the Vatican wants him debunked as a false messiah. On the run from assassins, Trinity flees with Daniel’s help through the back roads of the Bible Belt to New Orleans, where Trinity plans to deliver a final prophecy so shattering his enemies will do anything to keep him silent.

©2012 Sean Chercover (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Sean Chercover shows a stellar hand through a coiling plot, weaving one taut drama. The story is tense, intelligent, harsh, and surprising - just what a reader wants in a thriller. This one goes on your keeper shelf.” (Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Columbus Affair)

“The Da Vinci Code meets The Dead Zone in Sean "Chercover’s The Trinity Game, a fascinating thriller that catapults us headlong into Vatican intrigue, global conspiracies, complex family relationships, and nonstop excitement.” (Joseph Finder, New York Times best-selling author of Paranoia and Buried Secrets)

“ The Trinity Game is a rare find. Heart-pounding cinematic action, unpredictable twists, and wonderful characters - all packed into a fascinating story. What a thrilling ride! I loved it from the start, couldn’t put it down, and was sorry to see it end. You have got to read this book!” (Marcia Clark, New York Times best-selling author of Guilt by Association)

Intricate Intriguing Plot

Trinity Game was well-plotted, well-paced and contained characters with interesting back stories. I'm happy to see it appears to be the first of a series! Luke Daniels is really a master of dialects and portrays the differing personalities exceptionally well.

Nice Find!!

I'm not sure why I chose this book, but I'm so happy I did. Not a "perfect fit" for the mystery-thriller genre, it adds in a little fantasy and mysticism. No clear line between black and white, or should I say good and evil. The ending was a bit of a let down, but certainly didn't ruin the experience.

Should be made into a movie!

Good story, great narration. Will read more of Sean Chercover's book. Way better than I expected!

Enjoyable audiobook

A good story about Daniel Byrne's journey as he has to test all of his prior beliefs about his religion, his uncle, and his past. I would like to see a sequel to this.

loved it!

Probably one of the best crime books I've read awhile. it kept me captivated through the whole story! Can't wait to start the next one!

Faith without Acts...Could Get You Killed.

The unique story outlined in the Trinity Game description online was my reason for downloading this audio book. The concept of a Vatican "miracle" exposer having to take on a grifter TV preacher - who is his uncle - now speaking in tongues makes for a nice level of conspiracy, intrigue, belief and, yes, doubt. Several plot lines weave themselves into this tale as we hear more about secret societies, TV preachers with bad hair, Roman Catholic priests with some special not-so-Christian skills, the dynamics of growing up in the land of tent revivals and of course the always interesting Vatican conspiracy theories.

Tim Trinity and his miracle exposing nephew, Daniel, make for an interesting pair as they attempt to heal old wounds and avoid several groups of enemies all while trying to really understand God's plan for them...even if that plan sounds a little screwed up.

I enjoyed the various plot lines in this novel although some seemed a little predictable at times and others clearly indicate that Daniel is finished as a main character for Sean Chercover. For those who tend to avoid "religious" themes, it's good to note that the book is neither "preachy" nor insulting when dealing with religion: Christianity in particular. Overall the story left me wanting more if just because it left some characters in need of punishment for their "sins".

The narration was also enoyable even with the various southern, cajan and Irish accents used for the myriad characters. I was able to keep characters seperate and the narrator was clean in his delivery in both tone and pronunciation.

I would recommend this book to mystery lovers as well as those who love a little religious conspiracy in their stories.

Engaging premise, great start

I love the idea of a miracle hunter, an evidence-based seeker of the divine on earth. (Not quite the same thing as the Catholic Church's Devil's Advocate, but close. If only the Devil's Advocate had these high standards.) The hero is a young Catholic priest raised by a tent-preacher con man. Nobody gets stereotyped in this telling, which is so unusual. Nephew and uncle get back together, and sparks fly.

Although Chercover is respectful of the spiritual impulse, this story suggests organized religion is a business prone to corruption and willing, when threatened, to engage in faking the evidence and even murder.

Hard to argue with that, but it would have been terrific if the writer had also enlarged on what can make communities of the faithful a profound experience. That would have been a great book, and this is only a good one.

First half of the book is thrilling. It trailed off into a caper, but never lost me entirely. The narrator is splendid. Worth a credit, especially for conflicted ex-Catholics.

Vatican and Organized Gambling vs Televangelist!

The Vatican sends a priest to discredit a televangelist that is speaking in tongues and making predictions that seem to be true. Never mind that the bible thumper is his estranged uncle or that the Vatican has falsified the background information given to its representative. The Church wants Reverend Tim Trinity exposed as a fraud and organized gambling wants him eliminated. As his nephew reconnects with him and tries to keep him alive, the Church factions are working against them and organized gambling honchos have put out a hit on him. This is fast paced and a fun ride from beginning to end.
Luke Daniels narration is great; he has the televangelist routine perfect!

Comes at you from three directions- trinity

Where does The Trinity Game rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top. I listen to two a week. The story and the twists kept me listening

If you’ve listened to books by Sean Chercover before, how does this one compare?

First o e. was recommended

Cray chay

Great read. Action packed wit just the right amount of suspense. Transitioned well between character and their relationships.