The Book of Lamps and Banners

By: Elizabeth Hand

Narrated by: Carol Monda

Acclaimed crime writer Elizabeth Hand returns to her "fiercely frightening yet hauntingly beautiful" cult-favorite series: Photographer Cass Neary is hard-up for cash and in more danger than she realizes on the hunt for an ancient, legendary book (Tess Gerritsen). Photographer Cass Neary is desperate to get home, and she's already lost her camera -- like losing a limb. Now her only chance is to cash in on a deal that a friend is about to cut for a legendary illuminated manuscript: The Book of Lamps and Banners. Rumored to have been rescued from the Library at Alexandria, the Book is said to contain ancient esoteric knowledge, even an otherworldly power.

So when an intruder brazenly steals the manuscript, Cass and her ex-con lover Quinn must get it back-plunging headlong into a shady underworld where antiquarian booksellers, unhinged tech entrepreneurs, and brutal nationalists all converge. This breathless psychological thriller, featuring one of the greatest amateur sleuths of the past decade, could only come from the mind of Elizabeth Hand.
"Kaleidoscopic, dark, and mysterious . . . This novel is a jaw-punch, written with a snarling grace." -- Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World

“I love Cass Neary . . . . Her latest misadventure is vivid and haunting, braiding the ancient and occult with the unholy frights of the modern world.” ―Steph Cha, author of Your House Will Pay

"Elizabeth Hand has delivered a startling book that is dirty, wise, aching, and almost magical."―Ivy Pochoda, author of These Women

Critic reviews

“I love Cass Neary, the smart, messy, substance-abusing, death-marked ghost of punk. Her latest misadventure is vivid and haunting, braiding the ancient and occult with the unholy frights of the modern world. A thrill ride crackling with sulfurous brilliance.”—Steph Cha, author of Your House Will Pay

"The ancient manuscript at the center of The Book of Lamps and Banners is as kaleidoscopic, dark, and mysterious as Hand's amateur sleuth. This novel is a jaw-punch, written with a snarling grace. Cass Neary--the aging punk photographer living within darkest edges of our broken civilization-is my hero. And so is Liz Hand."—Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin atthe End of the World

"It's hard to imagine a more perfect novel than The Book of Lamps and Banners. In her fourth Cass Neary outing, Elizabeth Hand has delivered a startling book that is dirty, wise, aching, and almost magical. Hand expertly marries muscular prose to sophisticated detail, resulting in an enviably smart, fearless novel that conjures demons, evokes an immediate sense of place, and summons the surreal."—Ivy Pochoda, author of These Women

"A wild ride that defies comparison: pill-popping idealist Cass Neary’s obsessive hunt piles on teeth-grinding, story-propelling tension, and Hand’s gifted portrayal of subcultures seamlessly
links Cass’ past in New York’s ’80s punk scene, London’s rare-book dealers, and Odinist neo-Nazis." —Booklist (starred review)

"What a story! Powered by pure adrenaline and excitement, engrossing and yet human to the core—Elizabeth Hand has written a barn burner of a thriller. What a delight." —Rene Denfeld, author of The Child Finder

“A hair-raising, mind-bending trip… Exquisitely suspenseful, and the paranoia suffusing the story is very much of our present moment. The idea that any single source can make sense of everything happening around us is as alluring as it is dangerous [and] half of the mystery in The Book of Lamps and Banners is wondering whether Cass Neary will save us or take us down with her.”—BookPage (starred review)

“Cass Neary is a tough, self-destructive character who still exudes compassion, courage, and love for the beauty and the pain of life—even more so because she recognizes its impermanence. Part The Club Dumas, part The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, all punk attitude and beautiful ache.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A propulsive exploration of obsession and addiction.”—Sarah Weinman, The Crime Lady

"Sit down and read the series"

Like I've said, Sit, Ride a bike, Go for a walk. the series of books that she has written my God, she puts you another world, if your like me she has the ability of writing so well that you actually see it in your mind frame by frame. This makes her story's so much more that words. you throw in some truth here and there along with the fiction makes for a good read or in this case a listen. available dark was the first book I read of the series I couldn't get enough and still can't. I hope and pray that she brings another one out I know you working on it Elizabeth, you have to be. Your books grab me by my ass and you can't stop, and I don't want too. Thank you for the time you spent on these books. We all Love You.
Ronny's Place........

Love this dark and addictive series

Loved this gritty, noir thriller! I downed the four book series faster than Cass Neary goes through whiskey and speed. Other reviews I read mention that these books are not for everyone, but if you sync with the atmosphere of the first book (Generation Loss, and I strongly recommend reading them in order), buckle up for a wild ride!! Cass Neary is continuously on the run and somehow one step ahead of her demons. Narrator Carol Monda perfectly embodies Cass. I usually weary of unreliable narrators but am now addicted to this one.

Good Read!

I love this series. I was immediately taken in by the characters, especially Cass, to the point where I binged the series in less than a month. I recommend starting with the first book, Generation Loss, if you're considering reading this one. The series is compelling, entertaining, gripping, and more than a touch unsettling at times. I love Elizabeth Hand's writing and story telling abilities, especially when it comes to unique characters and grim settings.

That said, I think this is the weakest book in the series. Not to say I didn't like it. There were great plot points, but it seemed like this romace/obsession going on really eclipsed what I liked most about Cass, which was her independence, and took a forefront that gave it a very different flavor from even the previous book. There is clear character development with Cass, to Ms. Hand's credit, but it was a little unsatisfying the way it all ended, even though I'm sure some may disagree because it was kind of "And everything got better," ending.

11/10 For narration! simply stunning performance across 4 books!

Dark

The Cass Neary stories are wonderful for those who enjoy morally ambiguous characters with complicated lives and hidden agendas. I really love Elizabeth Hand’s work,

I LOVE this series!

Elizabeth Hand is the kind of writer who can show you the world through whatever lens she chooses, and if you're wired for her Cass Neary novels, if you're tuned into the sharp shadows and dim light, then you are in for a deliciously dark treat. Thrillers bordering on horror, touched with ethereal descriptions. Black magic hidden in the wings of ravens and in the hearts of each character. THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS continues Cass's saga through the desolation of the northern Atlantic, and for me, as a reader, it's as if this series is written in code that connects directly to my heart. It's a wild ride, and a huge step above and beyond the average cop or detective thriller you might be growing tired of.

This one's a keeper, no doubt. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!