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The Essene Conspiracy
Israel’s finance minister has been murdered in Jerusalem. Muslim terrorists are suspected, but no group has claimed responsibility. Hours after a barely legible name--scribbled on the back of a blood-stained business card--is discovered in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence, Ariel Davidov, calls a trusted friend, Harry McClure. T The former American naval intelligence officer had, when stationed in Israel, worked closely with Davidov. Now, president of an international security consulting firm, he is asked to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime. McClure soon uncovers a Wall Street money laundering scheme linked to a clandestine brotherhood’s plot to overthrow the Israeli government, reclaim the Temple Mount, and return Israel to its biblical roots. Davidov is alarmed by the magnitude of the conspiracy. Recognizing the radical brotherhood’s plans could trigger a full-scale war between Israel and her Arab neighbors, aided by McClure, he races to organize a preemptive eleventh-hour strategy aimed at thwarting the imminent attack.
306 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2011
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233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 24, 2014
This novel is set in 1991 and involves a plot by a secret Jewish religious group to further their cause. Conspiracies are my favourite book genre and this novel will be popular with fans of Dan Brown. It has religion, some symbolism, a rich historical detail and a race against time to save the day.
The author goes into great detail about Jewish culture and heritage so that the reader can understand the passion held by these Orthodox Jewish fanatics. You can enter their world and learn how their beliefs differ from those of other Jews living in Israel.
The plot rolls along at a good pace as little bits add up giving you a realistic scenario. As an Atheist, I found the religious parts of this novel very funny! I do not think this was the author’s intention but it did give me a lot of reading pleasure.
As conspiracy novels go, this novel is quite run of the mill. What is different is the amount of culture involved and the historical context. We all have our views on the Six Day War but the author weaves this history very cleverly into his story.
The ending of this book is very average but the political context is very good. The thoughts of any religious fanatics pursuing their own agenda and treating life so cheap and disposable is very creepy indeed. I enjoyed reading The Essene Conspiracy a great deal, it is not the most original of novels but it does the job. It taught me a lot about Jewish culture that I was ignorant of before reading this story and I view this book as a good read that I will vote 4 stars.
The Essene Conspiracy is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2010
The author goes into great detail about Jewish culture and heritage so that the reader can understand the passion held by these Orthodox Jewish fanatics. You can enter their world and learn how their beliefs differ from those of other Jews living in Israel.
The plot rolls along at a good pace as little bits add up giving you a realistic scenario. As an Atheist, I found the religious parts of this novel very funny! I do not think this was the author’s intention but it did give me a lot of reading pleasure.
As conspiracy novels go, this novel is quite run of the mill. What is different is the amount of culture involved and the historical context. We all have our views on the Six Day War but the author weaves this history very cleverly into his story.
The ending of this book is very average but the political context is very good. The thoughts of any religious fanatics pursuing their own agenda and treating life so cheap and disposable is very creepy indeed. I enjoyed reading The Essene Conspiracy a great deal, it is not the most original of novels but it does the job. It taught me a lot about Jewish culture that I was ignorant of before reading this story and I view this book as a good read that I will vote 4 stars.
The Essene Conspiracy is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2010
April 1, 2016
SUMMARY: Israel’s finance minister has been murdered in Jerusalem. Muslim terrorists are suspected, but no group has claimed responsibility. Hours after a barely legible name--scribbled on the back of a blood-stained business card--is discovered in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence, Ariel Davidov, calls a trusted friend, Harry McClure. T The former American naval intelligence officer had, when stationed in Israel, worked closely with Davidov. Now, president of an international security consulting firm, he is asked to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime. McClure soon uncovers a Wall Street money laundering scheme linked to a clandestine brotherhood’s plot to overthrow the Israeli government, reclaim the Temple Mount, and return Israel to its biblical roots. Davidov is alarmed by the magnitude of the conspiracy. Recognizing the radical brotherhood’s plans could trigger a full-scale war between Israel and her Arab neighbors, aided by McClure, he races to organize a preemptive eleventh-hour strategy aimed at thwarting the imminent attack.
REVIEW: If you liked Dan Brown books such as The Da Vinci Code, you would defintely like this book. It is full of intrigue, suspense, and lot of ideas regarding early Christianity that I took with a grain of salt as they are not biblical. Fast paced, filled with politics, corruption, and a secret society, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense thrillers but be prepared to remember it is defintely fiction not fact based on historical research.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Actually, you don't evwer get used to war. You just learn to live with it."
REVIEW: If you liked Dan Brown books such as The Da Vinci Code, you would defintely like this book. It is full of intrigue, suspense, and lot of ideas regarding early Christianity that I took with a grain of salt as they are not biblical. Fast paced, filled with politics, corruption, and a secret society, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense thrillers but be prepared to remember it is defintely fiction not fact based on historical research.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Actually, you don't evwer get used to war. You just learn to live with it."
April 1, 2011
Great book......a thriller about Wall Street, Israel, money laundering, and a conspiracy to take over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Security consultant Harry McClure is a New Yorker with style. Love this book...
October 4, 2018
An excellent thriller worthy of a blockbuster movie.
This book will keep you going from start until the final line. Well researched within the worldwide events of today's geopolitical confines. This plot would make for as blockbuster movie I would love to see.
This book will keep you going from start until the final line. Well researched within the worldwide events of today's geopolitical confines. This plot would make for as blockbuster movie I would love to see.
October 28, 2020
Harry McClure et al
Excellent reading material. I was thoroughly drawn into this drama from the very beginning. I Highly recommend reading this book.
Excellent reading material. I was thoroughly drawn into this drama from the very beginning. I Highly recommend reading this book.
April 27, 2013
The Essence Conspiracy is novel about a plan of 25 in the making to retake the Temple Mount. A group known as the Essence Brotherhood which traced itself back to the Essences of Biblical times had created a plan to destroy both the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The Essene Brotherhood was made up of Hasidic Jews in the U.S. and Israel. The conspiracy was funded by an elaborate money laundering scheme in the U.S.
The Essence Brotherhood planed to retake the Temple Mount on Tish B'av, the anniversary of the destruction of the Temples of Solomon and Herod. After retaking the Mount, they would then build the new Temple on the site of the previous Temples. They also would then return the Ark of the Covenant to the Holy of Holies. They believed it was hidden in Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.
While most of the Essence Brotherhood was killed or captured, the suspected leader escaped.
Thrilled that Israel had avoided a major conflict with the Arab world it was agreed by the Israeli government to keep the conspiracy secret.
The Essence Conspiracy, while fiction, reads as if it could happen. There are those within the Jewish community who don't understand why the government of Israel returned the Temple Mount to the Arab Authority. The loss of the Temple Mount is a great loss for the people of Isreal.
You can tell that S. Eric Wachtel did a great amount to research on this subject.
The Essence Brotherhood planed to retake the Temple Mount on Tish B'av, the anniversary of the destruction of the Temples of Solomon and Herod. After retaking the Mount, they would then build the new Temple on the site of the previous Temples. They also would then return the Ark of the Covenant to the Holy of Holies. They believed it was hidden in Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.
While most of the Essence Brotherhood was killed or captured, the suspected leader escaped.
Thrilled that Israel had avoided a major conflict with the Arab world it was agreed by the Israeli government to keep the conspiracy secret.
The Essence Conspiracy, while fiction, reads as if it could happen. There are those within the Jewish community who don't understand why the government of Israel returned the Temple Mount to the Arab Authority. The loss of the Temple Mount is a great loss for the people of Isreal.
You can tell that S. Eric Wachtel did a great amount to research on this subject.
April 27, 2013
A friend told me about this book and it sounded like something I would like so I decided to give it a shot.
The book revolves around the mysterious Harry McClure a security consultant with a knack for keep clients and there assets out of harm’s way. McClure lives an uncertain life having to travel the world at the drop of a hat for any problem that should arise for a client.
As the book opens McClure is contacted to help a survey team trapped in the Sudan. This is just a normal day in the life of McClure.
After returning from his previous adventure McClure learns the news of the murder of an Israeli finance minister. Which begins the whole process of getting another job. This mission is a little different and a where the real meat of the story begins.
As the Israelis suspect a group Muslim terrorists are the most likely culprits of the crime. What McClure uncovers is a giant plot to which if followed through might start the next world war.
This is where I’ll stop don’t like to give away too much of the story, but as you can see the story is full of action and twists and turns. The book was addictive once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Now I have to wait till book 2.
This is a great action/adventure/thriller that has you glued to the pages until completion.
The book revolves around the mysterious Harry McClure a security consultant with a knack for keep clients and there assets out of harm’s way. McClure lives an uncertain life having to travel the world at the drop of a hat for any problem that should arise for a client.
As the book opens McClure is contacted to help a survey team trapped in the Sudan. This is just a normal day in the life of McClure.
After returning from his previous adventure McClure learns the news of the murder of an Israeli finance minister. Which begins the whole process of getting another job. This mission is a little different and a where the real meat of the story begins.
As the Israelis suspect a group Muslim terrorists are the most likely culprits of the crime. What McClure uncovers is a giant plot to which if followed through might start the next world war.
This is where I’ll stop don’t like to give away too much of the story, but as you can see the story is full of action and twists and turns. The book was addictive once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Now I have to wait till book 2.
This is a great action/adventure/thriller that has you glued to the pages until completion.
May 20, 2012
A high ranking Israeli minister has been murdered in Jerusalem. Muslim terrorists are suspected, but no group has claimed responsibility. Finding a barely legible name scribbled on a blood-stained card in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence calls upon international security consultant Harry McClure to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime. McClure soon uncovers a sophisticated Wall Street money-laundering scheme channeling large sums of U.S. currency into secret Israeli bank accounts controlled by a clandestine Messianic brotherhood plotting to overthrow the Israeli government and reclaim Jerusalem's Temple Mount. The clock is ticking as Israeli Intelligence, aided by McClure, race to organize a preemptive eleventh-hour strategy aimed at thwarting the brotherhood's imminent attack.
A lot about Hasidic Jews who want to blow up the Temple Mount and establish a new Israel.
A lot about Hasidic Jews who want to blow up the Temple Mount and establish a new Israel.
November 23, 2012
Title May Be Misleading
This is a modern tale that includes American and Israeli intelligence men, descriptions encompassing the Knights Templar, the Wailing Wall, the Muslim mosque and temple in Jerusalem, a clandestine terrorist group, which are now intertwined in this modern tale of secrecy, intrigue and long explanations of many Israeli religious sects. It is well written, but not exciting and so many of the important facets of this story have been used so often before that readers who are intrigued by these ancient historical facts may be left rather disappointed. The title makes the reader believe they will be reading about the ancient Essenes and therefore may be disappointed to find this is a modern tale. It is for that reason that I am only giving it three stars.
This is a modern tale that includes American and Israeli intelligence men, descriptions encompassing the Knights Templar, the Wailing Wall, the Muslim mosque and temple in Jerusalem, a clandestine terrorist group, which are now intertwined in this modern tale of secrecy, intrigue and long explanations of many Israeli religious sects. It is well written, but not exciting and so many of the important facets of this story have been used so often before that readers who are intrigued by these ancient historical facts may be left rather disappointed. The title makes the reader believe they will be reading about the ancient Essenes and therefore may be disappointed to find this is a modern tale. It is for that reason that I am only giving it three stars.
May 11, 2015
A high ranking Israeli minister has been murdered in Jerusalem. Muslim terrorists are suspected, but no group has claimed responsibility.
Finding a barely legible name scribbled on a blood-stained card in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence calls upon international security consultant Harry McClure to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime.
Follow McClure as he uncovers a new threat to Israel’s security; a sophisticated Wall Street money-laundering scheme linked to a clandestine Brotherhood’s plot to reclaim Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
Finding a barely legible name scribbled on a blood-stained card in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence calls upon international security consultant Harry McClure to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime.
Follow McClure as he uncovers a new threat to Israel’s security; a sophisticated Wall Street money-laundering scheme linked to a clandestine Brotherhood’s plot to reclaim Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
Read
July 18, 2011A riveting thriller about a security consultant, Harry McClure, who uncovers an Orthodox Jewish Brotherhood, financed by a Wall-Street scheme, plotting to overthrow the Israeli government and retake the Temple Mount. A story line a cut above the rest filled with secret codes and symbolism. Couldn’t put it down. Wow!.
June 7, 2012
Interesting plot. Quite a few typos in the Kindle version. Kinds of "stiff" - reads like a newspaper article, or like the whole novel is exposition. Didn't quite get the very last bit after the resolution, unless it was merely a cliffhanger for a sequel. Worth reading, but wouldn't read it twice.
December 2, 2012
The title made me think it would be about the ancient Jewish sect from Qumran but this is about a modern group of religious zealots known as the Essene Brotherhood. This has many twists and strands-- the Knights Templar, the treasures of the first Temple, money laundering, and ancient bloodlines.
No sex
several people are murdered but not described in detail
No sex
several people are murdered but not described in detail
October 18, 2011
Absolutely wonderful thriller. Very interesting, historical, gives you great insight into the Wall Street schemes, has memorable characters and keeps you involved till the end. Couldn't put it down. Am anxiously awaiting the next Harry M. thriller. I have a feeling it will be great too!
March 18, 2015
The overall story was a good idea, but Wachtel writes words for the sake of words, including so many unimportant details and useless dialog that you wonder if was getting paid by the word. The story itself was interesting, but all of the pieces came together far too smoothly.
May 7, 2011
Great historical fiction....More intriguing than The Da Vinci Code ....Learned more about the Jewish religion than any other book I've read. Five Thumbs up for this exciting thriller.
March 31, 2012
Great book, loved the mystery!
December 19, 2012
Another in the vein of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. A good read, I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
September 2, 2015
excellent thriller that had me from hello! a real page turner that I highly recommend
June 16, 2013
It was engaging throughout, although the ending was a major disappointment; it just ended too cleanly for my liking, there were no twists and turns, producing a predictable ending.
Read
September 10, 2013THis was okay-a lot like davinci code-just not as good
October 13, 2013
Very short novel that could have been much longer. Gripping and plausible story. Some religious inaccuracies don't ultimately detract from the story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews