The Trespass

by Scott Hunter

A cryptic diary, a stolen treasure, a secret to die for … ‘… if you like Clive Cussler, Dan Brown or Scott Mariani, you’ll love this – I couldn’t put it down! A great read!’ --Amazon When Simon Dracup’s daughter is kidnapped, he learns that his only hope of finding her lies within the pages of his grandfather’s diary, the record of a near century-old expedition to Mount Ararat, legendary resting place of the great Ark of Noah. The diary’s coded entries reveal that something was stolen from the Ark, something priceless. Its guardians want revenge and Dracup is now their prime target … Pursued by a deadly assassin, Dracup’s frantic search for his missing daughter takes him to the far reaches of the world, and ultimately to the hidden sanctuary of a mysterious cult, custodians of an ancient and devastating secret … … a secret they are sworn to protect ... Can Dracup survive for long enough to rescue his daughter? Order The Trespass today – available in Kindle, Paperback and Audiobook formats. REVIEWS ★★★★★ ‘I came across this book a number of times recently in Amazon recommendations based on other books I've viewed and bought. The sample seemed solid, so I pulled the trigger. I'm very glad I did. It's a great biblical/archaeological thriller, and the author was also able to integrate a more serious emotional component in some scenes, without taking away from the thrills.’ ★★★★★ ‘Good read, well constructed, plenty twists and sub plots. Very enjoyable read’ ★★★★★ ‘… if you like Dan Brown type books like the Da Vinci code, then you should enjoy this - I couldn’t put it down! A great read!’ ★★★★★ ‘Loved it ... Bit of intrigue. Bit of suspense. Very imaginative. In my view not unlike Dan Brown .. But not Dan Brown :)’ ★★★★★ ‘Excellent International Mystery – from Southern England to Africa and the Middle East, the pace never lets up’ --Amazon

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Adventure, Suspense

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Scott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.

He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.

He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.

Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children

Reviews

[F'reez Eegluu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Appalling.

Disappointing points, in order of sorts:

1. Probably the worst set of dialogues I've ever read, with laughable monologues.

2. 2-dimensional characters. No depth whatsoever, with inconsistent behaviour sets.

3. Poor story line, with massive plot holes and pointless, uninteresting twists.

I always try my best to suspend belief when reading fiction - they are, after all, work of fiction - and go with the flow. But in this case I should've suspended the action of reading altogether.

Wasted time that I'll never get back.

[Elizabeth Tangora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas mashed together with groan-worthy revelations, and bizarre character motivations. My biggest pet peeve was the way that supposedly earth-shattering information was introduced in a matter-of-fact way, given a few paragraphs of explanation (that usually, on examination, didn't make much sense) and then everybody just keeps going about their business. Throw in a lot of adventure movie cliches (and even if your characters joke about it being cliche, it's STILL a cliche) and you have a book that is really a trial to finish.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this cos I enjoyed Black December and wanted to try more of the Author's stuff, even though it is a completely different genre.
I found it to be an enjoyable read, admittedly a tad far fetched in parts but, hey - it's fiction. I found the characters well written and interesting and the twists and turns certainly kept me guessing - good guys are bad guys and bad guys turned out good! At times it was quite hard dragging myself away from it to get on with the banalities of life.
The action sequences were also crackingly written and at times I could see it played out as a movie in my head. I have to say, I did keep thinking of Nick Cage in National Treasure although not for the plot similarity I hasten to add.
I said after my review of Black December that I would watch out for more from Mr Hunter, and reading this book has certainly reinforced that statement.

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly long and farcical. It annoys me that this was billed as an "archaeological thriller"; this is not archaeology, it's fantasy.

The only saving grace is that it's an easy read so I could read it while in the gym.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the very begining, I loved it. It had everything you could want from a good read, one word of warning, once you pick it up you will not want to put it down..............

[Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly suspenseful book which you won’t want to put down

This book hooked me right from the start, as anthropology and history majors at university as well as suspenseful mysteries ticked all favourite boxes of mine. The writing skilfully described the characters, evoking drama and suspense when needed and poetic when writing about nature (I highlighted these paragraphs) and Biblical sources. I highly recommend this book. Kudos to the author for such a wonderful experience.

[Cora Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book began slowly and I admit the dialog and plot weren't the best. But I enjoyed the story and it gave me food for thought. What if the Ark had been found with its contents? What if a group of people had been assigned to guard it? And there were more What Ifs. I enjoyed the story for what it was...to me a good way to pass the time with no pressure. I don't need to read a masterpiece every time I read a book.

[Jenny Bradbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I really enjoyed the DCI Moran books. I also thought this would be a great theme. However, somehow I didn’t like the main character as much. The subject matter was enthralling but the descriptions didn’t really bring any images to my mind even though they were well explained. I don’t think they went with the sheer mixture of agencies involved. It just became a series of chases and killings l, which somehow overshadowed the otherwise thrilling theme.

[Leslie Anchors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmigosh, it's really good!

One of those books you can't put down, even though your eyes wont stay open any more. And then you look for any excuse to pick it back up. I love the idea that we may, some day, find religious relics that prove faith beyond belief. This book is so well written, so very believable, I want to believe it!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting archaeological thriller, a fun read for me, as there was plenty of action, a fair number of good twists, and an interesting idea.
It's a story, so you just have to suspend disbelief at times, but I enjoyed the characters and found it quite hard to put down.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

After receiving his grandfather's diary, Simon Dracup is drawn into a hunt that started eighty years ago. Soon he is running from the CIA, dodging assassins and trying to get his daughter back after she is kidnapped.

[James W. Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Very suspenseful story center on the beginning, the creation of man. Many hidden character motives which are not revealed until toward the end of the book.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread the Bible

Very interesting thriller.
I wish the author would put at the end of the book which parts are real & true and where he took “author’s liberties”.

[Shari · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disappointing. So many twists and turns. The ending is completely farcical! Won't spoil by explaining.

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for a good archaeological mystery.
This was a very good one.

[Phyllis Miller]

The Trespass

Took a long time to finally draw me into the story. It was very compelling after that point. Worth the read.

[Lynn Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynnie

A very great story line. Interesting facts and things to make you stop and go hmmm. Fast moving and some surprises . Enjoyed it.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book and am looking forward to the rest-

[Doug Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and riveting

Fast paced and riveting. The story was easy to follow. Always kept you wanting to read more. Good character development

[Bronwyn Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent archeological thriller, very Indiana Jones, full of CIA deception, mysterious sects and Christian beliefs. A great page turning holiday read.

[A. Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long but interesting and edifying mystery/archaeological thriller in the vein of Indiana Jones and Da Vinci Code, though not blasphemous like DaVinci Code.

[David Stegall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to checking out other books by this writer.
He handled a potentially controversial subject very respectfully.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This high quality mystery is a wildly exciting religious relic treasure hunt. The dialogue is realistic and the plot flows at a fast pace. This book would make a great adventure movie!

[Kathy Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very imaginative

I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed archeological adventure. It is full of enough twists and turns to keep you entertained.

[Kathryn Svendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like riddles and puzzles, you will enjoy trekking along with Simon Dracup and he seeks to solve the mystery that his grandfather left for him in his diary. He finds out that his grandfather actually located Noah’s ark, and found something of great worth on it. The Korumak Tanri, an ancient cult sworn to protect this valuable artifact will do anything to keep it secret. Dracup needs to find this prize in order to save his daughter. And while the CIA appears to want to help him, Dracup knows that his daughter is not their first priority, the artifact is…. And his daughter is expendable.

I enjoyed the fast pace of this novel. It has an intriguing premise (which I won’t mention or it will spoil the book for you if you haven’t read it yet). If you are looking biblical accuracy, you won’t find it in this book, but it’s a great “what if”. This book did a great job of holding my attention and it kept me wondering what was coming next. There's lots of action in it and a number of plot twists. It'll keep you guessing!

There was some swearing in the book, so if that offends you, you might not want to read this one.

Realistic or not, this book was a good read. I give this book 4 stars.

I would definitely pick up another of Scott Hunter’s books.

Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review. A free product does not influence my review. All thoughts are my own.

[Laurence · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Novel started with promise and an interesting concept but the closer it came to the finale when the ideas became more fanciful. To Add Adam, Eden, the tree of life, the ark of the covenant made the whole idea too surreal to be taken seriously. After a promising start this novel faltered with a very quick surreal ending. Some of the characters were a bit one-dimensional and didn't develop as they should have done. Altogether this novel became too far-fetched and was rather disappointing.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. The concept wasn't new or unheard of but the details and the way the book was layered kept me entertained enough to read on until the end. I do like twists and turns in books and this one had a few. It had riddles, chases, murders, explosions and plenty more. If you like all of the above, then this book should keep you entertained for a while.

[Sylvia Biondich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and fast read, archaeological thrillers are fun and this one has some spectacular leaps. Good vacation book, but too many plot problems for a serious book club. I would read it again, though! Glad I added it to my kindle.

[Linda Anders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Indiana Jones-type book, actually tried out every 'trick in the book' or books--too much for one book. Could have done with some serious editing, and I don't mean just copy editing. Still enjoyedenough to finish it. Good beach read.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thriller which takes a British anthropologist on a desperate search in the Middle East, uncovering a secret from the past