Steven Pressfield has put his own unique twist on the apocalypse/future that we are hurdling towards. Set in the not too distant future, Pressfield’s characters are not only dealing with a bloodthirsty killer, but also the natural elements that have evolved and are out of control.

36 Righteous Men is a book of layers. It is a murder mystery slash thriller mixed up with futuristic environmental touches and a flash of religious fiction. I truly appreciated how Pressfield put all of these elements together without shoving the environmental aspect down my throat from a soapbox.

The style of 36 Righteous Men was innovative. Told from our protagonist’s perspective, it was almost as if she were recounting the story after the fact. The dialogue was minimal, almost treated as an aside from the story itself. This captivated my interest as it was new and different.

Pressfield constructed an interesting, uniquely presented novel with some captivating characters. I enjoyed my time spent in this world.

*4 Stars

In New York City circa 2034, the city has been devastated by climate change. Coastal areas have been nearly leveled by massive storms. Refugees from low-lying areas have congregated in slums sporting their own money. On the morning of April 19, it is 114 in the shade. Down these mean streets, old-school detective Manning and his junior, and our narrator, female detective Dewey are looking for a massively strong and invisible killer of the 36 Righteous Men.

With two victims in NYC and two in Russia, the killer’s MO is the same. Hold the victim up with one hand by the neck strangling the victim. Toss the victim aside. Somehow cause a branding from the inside on the victim’s forehead. Not appear on any surveillance cameras while doing so. The branding mark is an LV, which is Hebrew for the 36 Righteous Men.

Part science fiction, part hard-boiled detective story, part Christian fiction and part paranormal tale, this book is a near-perfect example of the blending of multiple genres into a coherent and compelling tale. However, I enjoy all these genres on their own. If you only like one or two, the world-building details may just slow down the pace rather than be fascinating in their own right—or vice versa. The Christian paranormal aspects may feel unbelievable. Therefore, I would only recommend this book to people who enjoy all four genres. 4 stars!

What a fine movie this would make! The world could be shown rather than described speeding up the mystery’s pace. Someone, with more money than I have, should scoop up the movie rights quickly. I, for one, can’t wait!

Thanks to W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

It's the year 2034. Sea levels have risen and environmental refugees crowd the still dry portions of the world. Massive superstorms, cyclones, sandstorms, and rises in temperature mean that 120 F in April in New York City is the new norm. Detectives James Manning and Covina "Dewey" Duwai are part of a special investigation division of the NYPD working a series of murders that could be connected to ecological terrorism, Russian mafia, or something else entirely. Rebuffed by their NYPD colleagues, Manning and Dewey join forces with a renowned anthropologist/ecologist and his sister, a disgraced rabbinical scholar who just happens to have been present at each murder scene, to try and stop a serial killer who is determined to finish his mission and end the world.

Most everyone knows the basics of the Noah's Ark story: God decides humans are wicked and plans to wipe them all out and start over with those saved on Noah's ark. Most everyone probably does not know the story of the 36 Righteous Men. In Jewish legend, the 36 Righteous Men are God's promise to prevent another apocalypse. As long as there are 36 righteous men alive, humanity is safe. If those 36 should die, all bets are off. Detectives Manning and Dewey are led to clues that suggest the serial murders they are investigating could be the work of someone killing the 36 in order to hurry along armageddon.

Is 36 Righteous Men a moral story warning that humans have choices in life that lead to unseen, and perhaps catastrophic, consequences? Is it a suspense/thriller of a police procedural and the hunt for a serial killer? Is it a thinly veiled screenplay waiting to be turned into a movie with lots of special effects and no character development? The answer to me seems to be: yes to all of the above. Pressfield makes it clear that humans are doing their best to bring in armageddon without any help and the further into the book you go the less delineation there is between natural disasters and possible divine intervention. Not only do you think by the end that it's probably the same thing, you also know that it doesn't matter. The police procedural part was thin and mostly focused on Manning being the grizzled veteran following the facts while others run around chasing Russian mafia for no obvious reason. Dewey, as the narrator, is the young green detective trying to learn from a legend. Men is best when it focuses on the legend of the 36 and explaining it and surrounding Jewish beliefs to the two gentile detectives- something it manages to do in a natural, non-preachy way.

Fans of Steven Pressfield's traditional historical fiction (Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons) will be surprised by Pressfield's latest work. Instead of historical fiction, Pressfield enters a sci-fi futuristic version of the world as it could be in 2034. Instead of a 'traditional' style of writing, Pressfield experiments with a first-person narrative told through memos and one of the characters points of view in an odd combination of prose and screenplay-style dialogue. The writing style was distracting to me and greatly hampered any character development, though it did finally work for the ending. Or maybe by then I was used to it? The climactic scenes at the end managed to be fast-paced and clunky at the same time. The very ending, without giving everything away, managed to be both shocking, stunning, and simultaneously probably exactly what I should have seen coming.

36 Righteous Men gets a bonus star for Pressfield's unique world building of the almost-apocalyptic world of the near future, but loses a lot of points for me for the ending. I hate books(or movies) where I get to the last page and am left wondering: then what was the point?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

There is a Jewish tradition that says in each generation there are 36 "righteous ones" on whom the fate of the world depends. These are hidden people, unknown to the world or each other. In Pressfield's latest novel, it's 2034, climate change has reached cataclysmic proportions, and someone is murdering the Righteous Men.

Very fast paced, but also I thought somewhat disjointed. While I did enjoy the book, it won't make my list of favorites. Many thanks to W.W.Norton and NetGalley, who provided me an eARC in return for my honest review.

36 Righteous Men is my first read by Steven Pressfield. An apocalyptic thriller this was just an ok read for me. I found the story lost is intensity before more of a statement with its preaching and although I felt disappointed with the ending this is just my opinion. Do yourself a favor if you like this genre read it for yourself because you could have a different outcome.

ARC FROM NET GALLEY

36 Righteous Men based on the Hebrew legend of the same is entertaining but if you have read the other books by this author it was not the same. I realize that is normal but with Pressfield you are really looking for a high mark and this one was just average for me.

36 Righteous Men is a interesting and quick read. The first book I have read by this author. Well written and interesting characters.