Nerds That Geek Book Review: ‘Legion’

Written by Scott Edwards 

A young man is found crucified and decapitated with the mark of the Gemini on his left palm. The work of the Gemini killer is suspected by the police force, but this cannot be since the Gemini has been dead for over a decade. Lieutenant William Kinderman is called in to investigate the heinous crime. Kinderman is not alone in believing that there must be a reasonable explanation for this gruesome murder, but is unable to put his finger on it before leaving the scene of this gruesome murder, a boat house.

William Kinderman is a highly regarded member of the police force, even though he is getting high up in his years of service and he is known for speaking his mind and saying what he believes before his mind has a chance to stop him. This earns him a reputation of being senile around the department, but even with this knowledge; Kinderman never lets it affect his work. Father Joe Dyer is fully aware of this quirk when it comes to the aging lieutenant, but never holds it against him. The two have been friends for many years and have always been able to find common ground to stand on, even when their respective religions cross paths.

Suddenly, a new murder has been called in, a priest is found decapitated in his confessional, yet none of the parishioners seemed to see anything. Kinderman is called to the scene once again, only to find the same M.O. that the youth suffered in the boat house. Trying to wrap his head around the two murders of two completely different victims, Kinderman turns to his friend Father Dyer once again. The father is laid up in the hospital, but willing to help as always. The father receives a new doctor, Vincent Amfortas, who is ready to retire to pursue his studies in pain suppression, and a line of questioning from Kinderman makes the doctor a prime suspect, until the lieutenant sees a familiar face from his past...

Blatty’s Legion takes you on a journey into the realm of faith, beliefs and possession. Kinderman is challenged by an unknown force that will put him at odds with his department, friends and family.  Without knowing who or when an attack will be coming or who the intended victim will be, Kinderman has to look deep inside of himself and try to think as his foe would to protect the next target.

Legion is a fantastic read, a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You get to see the world from the eyes of a disgruntled doctor, an aging lieutenant along with the spirit. When Kinderman asks the spirit its name and the response is, ‘Legion, for we are many’, the hair still sticks up on the back of my neck. The novel will keep you thinking up to the very end of who the killer really is and how the murders were managed by one individual, even if he were supposedly locked up while they happened. Stay Scared.

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