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A Mara Beltane Mystery #1
The City of Lost Secrets
Are the remains of Saint Peter buried in Rome, as tradition states, beneath the basilica that bears his name? Novelist Mara Beltane thinks they might be in Jerusalem—the place of his birth—and she hopes to find the evidence to prove it.
Just coming off the success of a best-selling thriller about the death of Jesus, the former chick-lit writer is in need of material for a new book, and she thinks a thriller about Saint Peter’s tomb would prove she’s not a one-trick pony. In Rome, she teams up with Uri Nevon, a handsome Israeli professor who helped her research her first book. Together they set out to crack the case, a journey that will have them living la dolce vita in Italy, stumbling through ruins of sacred churches in Israel, and carefully navigating a mutual attraction that threatens to derail their mission.
But a foe lurks in the members of a clandestine group with a chain of command that extends all the way to the Pope himself. They have reasons to keep the truth of Saint Peter buried. So as Mara and Uri dig deeper, the group resorts to desperate and violent measures, proving that they’ll stop at nothing to prevent the truth from being revealed—a truth that could put the whole world in jeopardy.
Just coming off the success of a best-selling thriller about the death of Jesus, the former chick-lit writer is in need of material for a new book, and she thinks a thriller about Saint Peter’s tomb would prove she’s not a one-trick pony. In Rome, she teams up with Uri Nevon, a handsome Israeli professor who helped her research her first book. Together they set out to crack the case, a journey that will have them living la dolce vita in Italy, stumbling through ruins of sacred churches in Israel, and carefully navigating a mutual attraction that threatens to derail their mission.
But a foe lurks in the members of a clandestine group with a chain of command that extends all the way to the Pope himself. They have reasons to keep the truth of Saint Peter buried. So as Mara and Uri dig deeper, the group resorts to desperate and violent measures, proving that they’ll stop at nothing to prevent the truth from being revealed—a truth that could put the whole world in jeopardy.
- GenresMystery
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2011
4 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Katie McVay
10 books4 followersKatie writes mysteries and thrillers for adults. Using the pen name K.T. Doyle, Katie writes mature young adult novels.
When she's not writing, Katie is usually traveling, reading, exploring the paranormal, or obsessing over Edgar Allan Poe.
When she's not writing, Katie is usually traveling, reading, exploring the paranormal, or obsessing over Edgar Allan Poe.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 28, 2012
I think comparing this to "The DaVinci Code" is a huge stretch! It was a very light read with no real depth to the story and, well, intrigue was attempted but fell short. It's a great beach book where you don't need to think too hard.
April 12, 2015
This is another of those Da Vinci Code-type books, where the plot centres around shocking the foundations of Christianity. However, it’s not as plump and well rounded as Dan Brown’s books, not by a long chalk.
That said, if you try to forget other similar-based (and, I’m afraid, better) novels, it’s not a bad read. I did find myself rather engrossed.
Mara Beltane is a chick-lit novelist on her way to a modestly successful career. When she catches a glimpse of a TV documentary that throws doubt on Jesus’ final resting place, the seed for her next bestseller is firmly implanted in her brain. Without further ado, she’s Jerusalem-bound, where she manages, conveniently, to find a couple of willing aides to get to the bottom of the premise. It’s a tight-rope walk: she could end up writing one heck of a bestseller or end up completely shattering a career she’s worked hard to build up.
Although it does suspend belief somewhat (not specifically from a religious viewpoint, but because of the unlikely convenience of events as they unfold), it’s hard not to become just a little immersed in the writing. It’s quite well written, but the editing needed extra attention. I’m a little annoyed by the latter, actually: it’s obvious an editor knew what s/he was doing: s/he just needed to do more.
The ending is rather an anti-climax, but I feel invested enough in Mara Beltane to pursue any subsequent adventures (this is the first in the Mara Beltane mysteries).
That said, if you try to forget other similar-based (and, I’m afraid, better) novels, it’s not a bad read. I did find myself rather engrossed.
Mara Beltane is a chick-lit novelist on her way to a modestly successful career. When she catches a glimpse of a TV documentary that throws doubt on Jesus’ final resting place, the seed for her next bestseller is firmly implanted in her brain. Without further ado, she’s Jerusalem-bound, where she manages, conveniently, to find a couple of willing aides to get to the bottom of the premise. It’s a tight-rope walk: she could end up writing one heck of a bestseller or end up completely shattering a career she’s worked hard to build up.
Although it does suspend belief somewhat (not specifically from a religious viewpoint, but because of the unlikely convenience of events as they unfold), it’s hard not to become just a little immersed in the writing. It’s quite well written, but the editing needed extra attention. I’m a little annoyed by the latter, actually: it’s obvious an editor knew what s/he was doing: s/he just needed to do more.
The ending is rather an anti-climax, but I feel invested enough in Mara Beltane to pursue any subsequent adventures (this is the first in the Mara Beltane mysteries).
September 12, 2011
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my review. "Some stories aren't meant to be told, some secrets aren't meant to be revealed, and life, much like a sad, tragic story, doesn't always have a happy ending." That about sums it up! Loved this book! The characters were well developed and the story line believable. In the book, Mara is a novelist who is recently divorced and trying to write a best seller. Instead of the "chick-lit" books she usually writes, she's trying to write a novel about an Israeli tomb that may or may not be the final resting place for Jesus. Detailed descriptions and well researched, hard to put down!
October 5, 2011
Great read! I usually describe "easy reads" as chick-lit, beach-like reading material. While this was an easy read, it was because it was such an interesting topic. The characters were well developed, McVay even portrayed the ex-husband in a good light! She depicted the locations and scenery as if you were right there with Mara. Most importantly, I was very satisfied with the ending. It wasn't at all what I thought it would be, which was a good thing. I'd definitely recommend spending the $ on this book, I know I'll download the next one that comes out.
May 25, 2013
As my choice of two stars out of five indicted it was an okay book not great by any means. The idea and characters were good but nothing really happened in it. I kept reading waiting for the action but in no time I was finished and left wanting. It was not a mystery so much as a travel essay of a young woman's trip to Jerusalem.
January 19, 2012
Not my usual genre, but I'm really glad that I took the suggestion to read this novel. I recommend this book for anyone interested in a cozy mystery heavy on Biblical history and theory . The mystery is very light. The suspense is very light. This read is fast paced with beautifully written descriptions of the Holy Land, though sometimes the descriptions get a little heavy. I thought the author could be writing for Fromer's. This (in my opinion) is as much a Christian read as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is a Christian movie.
Mara is a chick-lit novelist who wants to write a great novel that will change her life. She's struggling with a recent divorce. I like how the author portrayed the ex-husband in a very positive way, and that Mara was not a victim in the divorce. You don't often see that. Usually the woman is running away from a violent man. Not the case here.
One night she sees a Discovery Channel documentary on a tomb in Jerusalem that could be the final resting place of Jesus Christ. This would turn Christianity of its head, proving that Jesus did not resurrect body and soul. Mara, who says she is devoid of religious beliefs, decides to head to the Holy Land and find research the Talpiot Tomb in order to write a great novel. Along the way she meets several people who are very eager to help. A little too eager. I can't figure out why these people would risk their lives, safety, and freedom to help Mara.
Sometimes this novel felt like watching a 20/20 episode about the Lost Tombs. And, too often, information was repeated. Throughout the book we are reminded why Mara went to Jerusalem, what was in the tomb, what it would mean for Christianity if the contents of the tomb were validated. This repetition did get a bit tedious at times.
I like angle the author took with this book - a novelist trying to write the "next big thing." I think it may have been even more interesting written from Lev and Uri's perspective the first time they entered the tomb. The research that this author did for this book was astounding. I'd like to know if she actually visited Jerusalem, because she really made me believe that I was there. I was interested enough in this story and topic that I even searched online for information about the Talpiot Tomb and James Cameron's documentary.
A very promising first novel. A solid 3.5 stars! But I like to round up.
Mara is a chick-lit novelist who wants to write a great novel that will change her life. She's struggling with a recent divorce. I like how the author portrayed the ex-husband in a very positive way, and that Mara was not a victim in the divorce. You don't often see that. Usually the woman is running away from a violent man. Not the case here.
One night she sees a Discovery Channel documentary on a tomb in Jerusalem that could be the final resting place of Jesus Christ. This would turn Christianity of its head, proving that Jesus did not resurrect body and soul. Mara, who says she is devoid of religious beliefs, decides to head to the Holy Land and find research the Talpiot Tomb in order to write a great novel. Along the way she meets several people who are very eager to help. A little too eager. I can't figure out why these people would risk their lives, safety, and freedom to help Mara.
Sometimes this novel felt like watching a 20/20 episode about the Lost Tombs. And, too often, information was repeated. Throughout the book we are reminded why Mara went to Jerusalem, what was in the tomb, what it would mean for Christianity if the contents of the tomb were validated. This repetition did get a bit tedious at times.
I like angle the author took with this book - a novelist trying to write the "next big thing." I think it may have been even more interesting written from Lev and Uri's perspective the first time they entered the tomb. The research that this author did for this book was astounding. I'd like to know if she actually visited Jerusalem, because she really made me believe that I was there. I was interested enough in this story and topic that I even searched online for information about the Talpiot Tomb and James Cameron's documentary.
A very promising first novel. A solid 3.5 stars! But I like to round up.
May 22, 2012
I can’t expressed how pysched I was to receive this Goodreads giveaway in the mail. The author was kind enough to include a handwritten note asking for a review about her debut book. Just for that, I put aside all other books to devour this thriller. I wish I could say that I loved this book. I tried to. It’s not remotely as mysterious or thrilling as Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. The author did herself a disfavor by comparing to it in the Amazon blurb. If you are looking for a female version of Da Vinci Code, you will be dissapointed.
That said, this is not a failure of a book. The protagonist, Mara Beltane is lovable and believable. Mara recently divorced, because she’d rather focus on her writing career have the children her husband desires. After writing five successful books, she begins to desire more. Hence why she travels to Jerusalem to investigate the ossuary rumored to be Jesus’s. Props to the author for embarking a non-religious character on a religious crusade. Mara is able to retain her objectivity throughout the entire novel.
Once she arrives in Jerusalem, this is where a thriller novel would take the reader on a non-stop breath-taking escapade. The City of Lost Secrets is not a thriller in this regard. It’s about as fast paced as the movie Eat, Pray, Love (which I couldn’t finish). This novel reads like a documentary off of the Travel Channel or National Geographic Channel. Seriously. Pretend that Mara has the British accent and you feel like she is your tour guide off one of those episodes. I can tell that the author is very familiar with the subject matter and since I adore those documentaries, this part of the novel was interesting.
Of course, there ends up being a romance and I wish it was introduced gradually, rather than as an afterthought. I didn’t know about this love interest until page 120, halfway through the novel, when Mara’s friend emailed her. Really? That’s how the reader finds out?
As a thriller, I would have to rate this book very low. As a chick lit, I would rate it much higher. Depending on your taste in genre, you may or may not like this book. Personally, I’m not a fan of chick lit.
Grade: C-
That said, this is not a failure of a book. The protagonist, Mara Beltane is lovable and believable. Mara recently divorced, because she’d rather focus on her writing career have the children her husband desires. After writing five successful books, she begins to desire more. Hence why she travels to Jerusalem to investigate the ossuary rumored to be Jesus’s. Props to the author for embarking a non-religious character on a religious crusade. Mara is able to retain her objectivity throughout the entire novel.
Once she arrives in Jerusalem, this is where a thriller novel would take the reader on a non-stop breath-taking escapade. The City of Lost Secrets is not a thriller in this regard. It’s about as fast paced as the movie Eat, Pray, Love (which I couldn’t finish). This novel reads like a documentary off of the Travel Channel or National Geographic Channel. Seriously. Pretend that Mara has the British accent and you feel like she is your tour guide off one of those episodes. I can tell that the author is very familiar with the subject matter and since I adore those documentaries, this part of the novel was interesting.
Of course, there ends up being a romance and I wish it was introduced gradually, rather than as an afterthought. I didn’t know about this love interest until page 120, halfway through the novel, when Mara’s friend emailed her. Really? That’s how the reader finds out?
As a thriller, I would have to rate this book very low. As a chick lit, I would rate it much higher. Depending on your taste in genre, you may or may not like this book. Personally, I’m not a fan of chick lit.
Grade: C-
January 15, 2012
I won this through Good Reads First Reads.
First I would like to say that I probably would have rated this at 2.5 stars. First I would like to say that the most interesting part of this book was the interactions and dialogue between the characters.
The reasons why I didn't give it three stars was:
1. The author sometimes repeated things in the novel. For example Mara (main character) would say something or think it on one page and then three or four pages later the same thought was repeated as if to remind the reader of what had just occurred (maybe in case they missed it the first time). There was also numerous repetitions of why Mara was in Israel to begin with throughout the book. The reader knows why she is there within the first two chapters and the subsequent reminders were slightly annoying and not needed. The paragraphs/pages would have read smoother without them.
2. The ending was a bit anti-climatic and the plan the two men devised with Lev's brother-in-law seemed a bit unrealistic, a bit too easy.
3. There were some editing mistakes toward the end of the book.
First I would like to say that I probably would have rated this at 2.5 stars. First I would like to say that the most interesting part of this book was the interactions and dialogue between the characters.
The reasons why I didn't give it three stars was:
1. The author sometimes repeated things in the novel. For example Mara (main character) would say something or think it on one page and then three or four pages later the same thought was repeated as if to remind the reader of what had just occurred (maybe in case they missed it the first time). There was also numerous repetitions of why Mara was in Israel to begin with throughout the book. The reader knows why she is there within the first two chapters and the subsequent reminders were slightly annoying and not needed. The paragraphs/pages would have read smoother without them.
2. The ending was a bit anti-climatic and the plan the two men devised with Lev's brother-in-law seemed a bit unrealistic, a bit too easy.
3. There were some editing mistakes toward the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2015
Neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring
This book was proof read extremely well. There were few, if any, spelling or punctuation errors. The characters were weak and poorly developed...and the main character, Mara is ineffectual and borders on being unlikable. The plot, a search to discover if a tomb in Jerusalem was Jesus' tomb, was not well developed and had no elements of suspense or adventure. Since the religious/historical mystery wasn't the main point I had to consider if it was the romantic life or development of the characters...but there are no meaningful exchanges between characters. There is no real conflict, physical or emotional. The book had a few elements that could have, even should have been interesting...but weren't developed enough or in the right way. Anyone looking for a book similar to Da Vinci Code should probably pass this one by, it utterly lacks the complexity and suspense of Dan Brown's fiction.
This book was proof read extremely well. There were few, if any, spelling or punctuation errors. The characters were weak and poorly developed...and the main character, Mara is ineffectual and borders on being unlikable. The plot, a search to discover if a tomb in Jerusalem was Jesus' tomb, was not well developed and had no elements of suspense or adventure. Since the religious/historical mystery wasn't the main point I had to consider if it was the romantic life or development of the characters...but there are no meaningful exchanges between characters. There is no real conflict, physical or emotional. The book had a few elements that could have, even should have been interesting...but weren't developed enough or in the right way. Anyone looking for a book similar to Da Vinci Code should probably pass this one by, it utterly lacks the complexity and suspense of Dan Brown's fiction.
July 3, 2016
Mara is a chick-lit author and is searching for something with a bit more meaning. After seeing a documentary on a grave site she heads to Jerusalem to see if this burial site actually contained the body of Jesus and his family.
This is the author’s first book and I think she did well. It was a fun, fast read. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The characters were well written and relatable. The author didn’t tie everything up with a neat little bow at the end. She left some questions and an opening for the next book in the series. While this book isn’t super deep, it was enjoyable to read. I will be checking out her next book.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
This is the author’s first book and I think she did well. It was a fun, fast read. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The characters were well written and relatable. The author didn’t tie everything up with a neat little bow at the end. She left some questions and an opening for the next book in the series. While this book isn’t super deep, it was enjoyable to read. I will be checking out her next book.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2012
I was so excited when I won this book in the give away I loved the book it was a very fast read for me. When I was done I loaned my book to my friend to read. Can't wait to read another book by this author.
January 17, 2012
Loved this, and can't wait for the next one! Anyone who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code will enjoy this, but it has a strong-female lead character too!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews