Jacie's Archaeological Find

If you like history along with mystery, Will Adams is an author you should know. His first novel, The Alexander Cipher, introduces Daniel Knox, an archaeologist with a lifelong interest in Alexander the Great.

Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC and was taken to Egypt for burial in Alexandria. His mausoleum was considered a wonder of the world, but the tomb was lost after wars, earthquakes and fires destroyed much of the city. It has never been found.

On the run from his former boss, a most dangerous man, Daniel Knox finds himself in Alexandria, Egypt where construction workers expose an ancient catacomb. Knox sneaks in, explores it, and realizes this might be the lost burial site of Alexander, an archaeological treasure. Others are also aware and would kill to get this prize. Interesting characters and dangerous situations keep your interest, as does the history about Alexander and the Middle East locale. The plot moves along at a very fast pace, which can be confusing, but is worth it by keeping the plot moving.

Adams' second novel, The Exodus Quest, is even more intriguing. Knox is on the trail of a Dead Sea Scroll and finds himself at an excavation near Alexandria. An evangelical Christian archaeologist has discovered an unknown Jewish temple site with links to the Copper Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as to the monotheistic Pharaoh Akhenaten. Knox takes photographs of the cave murals and downloads them to his friend , Gaille. Reverend Peterson is afraid that links between the Book of Exodus, Akhenaten, the Essene and Pythagorean sects, and Moses would be a fatal blow to conventional biblical history. He arranges an auto accident which leaves Daniel with amnesia and accused of murder, as his SCA friend Omar had died in the crash.

Another bad guy, corrupt tomb robber and army officer Khaled, kidnaps Gaille and the action becomes frenzied with twists and turns to keep you reading far into the night.

There are fascinating parallels between the Bible and Egyptian history. Was Akhenten Moses? Did the Jews leave Egypt through the Sea of Reeds? Was Amarna really Eden? Did the monotheistic followers of Aten flee Egypt and become God's chosen people, the Jews? Interesting speculation, but the concept, the running and hiding, the bad guys and the bit of romance between Daniel and Gaille make an adventure worth your time.

Hillsdale Community Library does not own Adams' third novel, The Lost Labyrinth. Most reviewers did not like it because it did not have the archaeological depth of his first two and said it was just a crime novel about a psychological killer.

An Engaging Young Heroine

Sometimes a new author comes along who reminds me why I love books and people and the world. Asta in the Wings had gotten many good reviews by the time I sat down to read it, so I was expecting it to be decent. What I wasn't expecting was for it be so totally captivating and exquisitely written. It's the story of seven-year-old Asta, who (along with her brother) is kept completely removed from the world by her mother. How the mother convinces her children that they mustn't leave the house, and how the story unfolds, is fascinating! The author nails the voice of a young girl who is both ahead of the curve and totally out of place--Asta's descriptions of what she feels and sees and thinks are particularly wonderful. Jan Elizabeth Watson's writing talent is particularly evident in the way she garners sympathy for characters that beg to be hated. I'm very much look forward to reading her future books.

LeAnne's summer reading recommendation

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer takes place on the island of Guernsey at the end of WWII. The island is located in the English Channel and was occupied by the German army during the war. The unconventional islanders and their interaction with the occupying soldiers make the book hard to put down. A great read for the beach or hammock.