The Edge of Darkness by Tim LaHaye and Bob Phillips

There are several things I can't understand about The Edge of Darkness. Number one, why he wrote this book. It seems like it could have ended in The Europa Conspiracy. Number two, why Summer is introduced into the plot. And number three, why the authors are talking about continuing this book.
The plot starts out with Michael playing another one of Methuselah's games. This time it leads him to search for the Temple of Dagon. Of course, Talon and the Seven also want it. But not only the temple itself but what is contained there.
The characters remain senselessly perfect, and a plot device named Summer is introduced into the plot to wreak havoc on Michael's relationship with Isis.
There is one unnecessary scene of exorcism that adds nothing to the plot except to further show how perfect Michael Murphy is.
However, bearing this evidence that shows The Edge of Darkness is the same as the other books in this series, just wait; there is a smoking gun: the conclusion. The ends of all the subplots are superb. The very end of the book was good enough to overcome the bad characters and land this book a spot on the Elite list. I have no idea what possessed Tim LaHaye to write such an end to an otherwise mediocre series.
But maybe it isn't the end. I have heard rumors of Tim LaHaye and Bob Phillips writing a fifth book to this series. Of course, you had to see it coming with that kind of end. The public won't let that rest.
But Tim LaHaye and Bob Phillips should cut their losses and end the series with this book. It will be one of the best things they ever do if they do so.
All in all, this has been an entertaining series that probably warrants a read.
4 stars

The Secret on Aarat by Tim LaHaye and Bob Phillips

Though it is filled with as much drama, false suspense, and bad characters as the first book in this series, The Secret on Ararat actually has some good points to it. Thank God Laura didn't come back from the dead. However, Tim can't seem to shy away from the replacement romances.
The plot starts out with our perfect character Michael Murphy in other one of Methuselah's games. What is he searching for this time? You guessed it: Noah's ark. Not a very creative topic. Where do they look for it? You guessed it: Mount Ararat.
The part that makes this plot interesting is a surprise on the ark and the slightly original end.
Murphy still remains as perfect a character as anything (so perfect it's ridiculous). The secondary characters, the ones who look up to Michael's perfection, are still not good characters either.
More Biblical flashbacks make the story interesting. I found myself looking forward to those more than the actual plot itself.
The whole idea behind this book is more interesting then I thought it would be, so that alone warrants a read.
3.5 stars

The Europa Conspiracy by Tim Lahaye and Bob Phillips

The Europa Conspiracy is supposed to be about Michael Murphy, our perfect hero, searching for the Handwriting on the Wall, which is a product of another one of Methuselah's games.
But most of the plot is filled up with an attempted prevention of a terrorist attack on the San Francisco Bridge. The treasure hunt, which is tacked onto the end, is merely a fixture to make this book a part of the series. A large majority of the plot is filled up with lots of suspenseful scenes and daring feats by our hero Michael Murphy.
I don't really like the way Tim LaHaye plays up his complete perfection, but at least he's honest about one thing: Michael Murphy is not a real person. He's the person "we all want to be."
I also don't like the way Tim has forced the concept of Biblical prophecies into these treasure hunts. I haven't really noticed anything about the end times in any of these books.
I also don't believe Talon is the most ruthless terrorist in the entire history of fiction. That's just downright prideful, Pastor LaHaye.
I must confess to you that I read this series out of order. I read it in this order: Babylon Rising, The Secret on Ararat, The Edge of Darkness, The Europa Conspiracy. And guess what? I didn't even miss The Europa Conspiracy when I read The Edge of Darkness. This book adds nothing at all to the series.
Therefore, it should have been discarded.
2 stars