This is a book I received from NetGalley in exchange for an
honest review.
At first, it was confusing, with lots of different
characters, and I couldn’t figure out how everything fit together. But once I
got into the story, it hooked me and I really didn’t want to put it down. The
story of Magnus Larsen, Devon Clarke (a/k/a Dadaram, the guru), and the sisters
Anna and Amy, and how their lives are all intertwined, is intricate and
fascinating. I’m impressed that this is Greenall’s first novel, because the
writing is top-notch. Greenall alternates between Devon’s backstory (clearly
announced by chapter titles “The Book of Devon One, Two, Three, etc.), and
first-person POV by Magnus. Clarke, a Boston orthopedic surgeon, is said to
have healing powers in his hands. His young son dies tragically, and he goes
off the deep end, eventually becoming the head of a cult whose followers travel
around the world with him on a huge yacht. He goes after and finds Magnus in a
remote village in the Far East, but Magnus has no idea who this mystery man is
or what he wants with him. Magnus is drawn into the web and his life is changed
forever when he realizes what is really going on.
Death of a Guru is
a great read. I am looking forward to seeing more of Greenall’s work.
