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The Babylon Rite
The new high-concept thriller from Tom Knox, which weaves together past and present terrors in an intense page-turner
If you dig up hell, you uncover evil…
a famous Templar historian dies mysteriously at the Rosslyn chapel, setting journalist Adam Blackwood on a quest for the truth to the Templar sites of Europe. Meanwhile, in London, several young people from the international party set commit suicide in very bizarre circumstances.
Ten thousand miles away, anthropologist Jess Silverton is digging up the world’s most terrifying ancient the Moche, a people mired in blood ritual and human sacrifice. But it seems that their ancient practices may not be entirely buried and forgotten…
The Adam and Jess will both be thrown into mortal danger as it emerges that the suicides, the Templars and the sinister rituals of the Moche are all linked by a chilling secret – the secret that, quite literally, kills.
If you dig up hell, you uncover evil…
a famous Templar historian dies mysteriously at the Rosslyn chapel, setting journalist Adam Blackwood on a quest for the truth to the Templar sites of Europe. Meanwhile, in London, several young people from the international party set commit suicide in very bizarre circumstances.
Ten thousand miles away, anthropologist Jess Silverton is digging up the world’s most terrifying ancient the Moche, a people mired in blood ritual and human sacrifice. But it seems that their ancient practices may not be entirely buried and forgotten…
The Adam and Jess will both be thrown into mortal danger as it emerges that the suicides, the Templars and the sinister rituals of the Moche are all linked by a chilling secret – the secret that, quite literally, kills.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1456 people want to read
About the author
Tom Knox
22 books223 followersSean Thomas is a British journalist and author. As a journalist he has written for The Times, The Daily Mail, The Spectator and The Guardian, chiefly on travel, politics and art. When he writes under the name of Tom Knox, he specializes in archaeological and religious thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
April 8, 2021
I often feel compelled to read books in the same genre or about the same subject matter in small groupings... recently, I've been pulled to thrillers with archeological significance and multi-POV storytelling. I watched The Dig this week and now I'm obsessed with these types of books again. I've ordered a few from the NYPL and bought some others, so March and April will be quite fun. In terms of The Babylon Rite by Tom Knox, it served its purpose well: it pulled me back into the genre and left me wanting more.
I previously read another book by the author and remember liking it a lot. Years ago, I was a harder reviewer and only gave it 3 stars. While I am easier about reviewing now, I felt this one was missing something to push it to a 4... the story had great points, many weird ones, and a few inexplicable actions, but there were some characters missing that could've made this hunt even more intriguing. I think because in most I've read, there is another POV from the murderer/obsessed rich person/antagonist and here... it's very different.
Auto-erotic suicide. Man with tattoos chasing people. Scientists. Diggers. Reporters. Cops. Victims. We hear from different pieces of the puzzle, and it comes together with a focus on sex, drugs, and ancient cultures. Somehow the Templars fit in. And the key is the Amazon jungle. It was a quick read (two days for probably ~450 pages) yet I felt the connection for readers was missing. The auto-erotic suicide plot was fascinating, at least in terms of trying to understand how someone could be forced to want to kill themselves in the peak of a moment so powerful they were lost.
The man can write and provide a ton of character connections. I like the descriptions, enough that it made me research the Amazon last night. I've ordered another of his books and will read more again soon. Trying a few other authors in the genres thru-out the month before committing to the next in Knox's list of books. Worth a try but has a few gruesome moments, in case you can't handle them!
I previously read another book by the author and remember liking it a lot. Years ago, I was a harder reviewer and only gave it 3 stars. While I am easier about reviewing now, I felt this one was missing something to push it to a 4... the story had great points, many weird ones, and a few inexplicable actions, but there were some characters missing that could've made this hunt even more intriguing. I think because in most I've read, there is another POV from the murderer/obsessed rich person/antagonist and here... it's very different.
Auto-erotic suicide. Man with tattoos chasing people. Scientists. Diggers. Reporters. Cops. Victims. We hear from different pieces of the puzzle, and it comes together with a focus on sex, drugs, and ancient cultures. Somehow the Templars fit in. And the key is the Amazon jungle. It was a quick read (two days for probably ~450 pages) yet I felt the connection for readers was missing. The auto-erotic suicide plot was fascinating, at least in terms of trying to understand how someone could be forced to want to kill themselves in the peak of a moment so powerful they were lost.
The man can write and provide a ton of character connections. I like the descriptions, enough that it made me research the Amazon last night. I've ordered another of his books and will read more again soon. Trying a few other authors in the genres thru-out the month before committing to the next in Knox's list of books. Worth a try but has a few gruesome moments, in case you can't handle them!
March 7, 2019
Wow! A non-stop thrill ride spanning Europe, South America & Mexico. It explores the correlation between the Knights Templar, Conquistadores & the bloodthirsty MesoAmerican civilizations. There are historical elements, lots of Templar references, budding romance, intrigue, drug cartels, archaeologists, scholars, Indians --- sex & gore! What could be better? Not for the faint of heart or paranoid. You may have to sleep with the lights on...
December 23, 2014
This may, on reflection, be the most violent thriller I've ever read. The body count among the spear carriers is, of course, high, with assorted henchmen, bystanders and unnamed villains coming to bloody ends through sprayed gunfire, explosions and all manner of mayhem. But where Tom Knox really distinguishes himself is in the winnowing fan with which he sifts his major characters: by the end of the book, there's barely a single named character left standing. So, word of advice if you read the book: don't get too attached to anyone; they probably won't make it to the end alive.
Having said that, this is real page-turning stuff, whisking through gruesome murders (only, they turn out not to be murders but something much worse, believe it or not), enough exotic locations to stretch the budget of a major Hollywood studio, and brisk run throughs of the more sanguinary of South American native cultures, in particular the quite horrible Moche.
As an aside, the Conquistadors, having been extolled for centuries as Western Imperialism rolled across the globe, have over the last fifty years been denigrated and reviled for precisely the same reason: as the first wave of imperialists. And, yes, they were, some of them, blood soaked, gold mad and, in some cases, actually mad. But reading about the native South American civilisations, seethed in the blood of human sacrifice on a truly industrial scale, I begin to wonder if our current excusing of this as charming cultural practices is as patronising as the previous attitude of dismissal; maybe - and I say this with hesitation - maybe not all cultures are equal; maybe some cultures should be destroyed. And, yes, wiping out the Aztecs meant the loss of some fabulous feathered head dresses but should any culture that depends on ripping the heart out of people actually be allowed to exist? At least the Conquistadors suffered no paralysing bouts of moral equivalence; they brought the blood priests down.
Going back to the author, did you know that Tom Knox is the son of DM Thomas, author of The White Hotel and major literary figure of the 1980s and 90s? Literature, like politics and movies, is turning into a family franchise. I thoroughly enjoyed Tom Knox's blogs in the Telegraph, so thought I'd try his books. While this isn't likely to win the Booker Prize (although I bet many more people will finish it than have finished The Narrow Road to the Deep North), and it still carries a few infelicities that are the mark of a first-time thriller writer (a Guardian journalist as brawling, tough guy hero?), its pace and inventiveness and the truly extraordinary imagination applied to methods of dying means that I am sure I will read some more of his thrillers in future. But, on the whole, I'm rather glad this hasn't been optioned and turned into a film. There are some things I would rather not see, and this book has quite a few of them!
Having said that, this is real page-turning stuff, whisking through gruesome murders (only, they turn out not to be murders but something much worse, believe it or not), enough exotic locations to stretch the budget of a major Hollywood studio, and brisk run throughs of the more sanguinary of South American native cultures, in particular the quite horrible Moche.
As an aside, the Conquistadors, having been extolled for centuries as Western Imperialism rolled across the globe, have over the last fifty years been denigrated and reviled for precisely the same reason: as the first wave of imperialists. And, yes, they were, some of them, blood soaked, gold mad and, in some cases, actually mad. But reading about the native South American civilisations, seethed in the blood of human sacrifice on a truly industrial scale, I begin to wonder if our current excusing of this as charming cultural practices is as patronising as the previous attitude of dismissal; maybe - and I say this with hesitation - maybe not all cultures are equal; maybe some cultures should be destroyed. And, yes, wiping out the Aztecs meant the loss of some fabulous feathered head dresses but should any culture that depends on ripping the heart out of people actually be allowed to exist? At least the Conquistadors suffered no paralysing bouts of moral equivalence; they brought the blood priests down.
Going back to the author, did you know that Tom Knox is the son of DM Thomas, author of The White Hotel and major literary figure of the 1980s and 90s? Literature, like politics and movies, is turning into a family franchise. I thoroughly enjoyed Tom Knox's blogs in the Telegraph, so thought I'd try his books. While this isn't likely to win the Booker Prize (although I bet many more people will finish it than have finished The Narrow Road to the Deep North), and it still carries a few infelicities that are the mark of a first-time thriller writer (a Guardian journalist as brawling, tough guy hero?), its pace and inventiveness and the truly extraordinary imagination applied to methods of dying means that I am sure I will read some more of his thrillers in future. But, on the whole, I'm rather glad this hasn't been optioned and turned into a film. There are some things I would rather not see, and this book has quite a few of them!
February 24, 2012
I find Tom Knox writes compelling, well researched books with interesting stories. They can be pretty gruesome though and this was no different. The main idea is of a sex and death cult fuelled by a natural drug that has pervaded ancient cultures - including the Templars and the South American tribes. It's a fast read if you skip over the gorier parts (which I do with his books) but it's still enjoyable. Some of the links made are very weak and I also skipped over the more pointless trips to various templar sites but the central and south American scenes are fascinating. Recommended if you have a strong stomach.
August 18, 2020
This is the first Tom Knox book I've read, and I don't think I'd actively seek out another.
I selected this book because I enjoy action/adventure books that involve old conspiracies and the like, and this book promised all of that, but it failed to deliver. The author seems to focus less on the history and conspiracy side of things, in favour of focusing more on violence and sex. There is a sort of depravity in this writing, and a lot of perceived misconceptions.
Then looking at the history. There are snippets of information, seemingly taken from historic textbooks (presuming the information we're given is accurate). But, the theories about the Templars and South America just don't seem at all feasible.
By the end, when we have drug cartels involved and our protagonists are in the middle of a drug war, this book really loses the plot.
I finished it, basically because I hate not finishing a book, however I'm not a fan of the writing style or of the author.
I selected this book because I enjoy action/adventure books that involve old conspiracies and the like, and this book promised all of that, but it failed to deliver. The author seems to focus less on the history and conspiracy side of things, in favour of focusing more on violence and sex. There is a sort of depravity in this writing, and a lot of perceived misconceptions.
Then looking at the history. There are snippets of information, seemingly taken from historic textbooks (presuming the information we're given is accurate). But, the theories about the Templars and South America just don't seem at all feasible.
By the end, when we have drug cartels involved and our protagonists are in the middle of a drug war, this book really loses the plot.
I finished it, basically because I hate not finishing a book, however I'm not a fan of the writing style or of the author.
March 17, 2012
While this was a quick undemanding read I did have a few problems with the part of the story set in Edinburgh, namely our buses aren't yellow, you don't come out on to Craigleith Road when you leave police headquarters it is either Comely Bank or Fettes Avenue and crimes commited in either Roslin or Morningside would not be handled by police headquarters. I know I sound like a real grouch but given that the author makes a big deal about the research he has done surely he could have taken five minutes to speak to somebody that actually knows something about Edinburgh.
Anyway as I said it is an undemanding read that moves along at a good pace, a good Friday night leave your brain at the door read.
Anyway as I said it is an undemanding read that moves along at a good pace, a good Friday night leave your brain at the door read.
March 6, 2014
M's choice: added to my books whilst sipping wine in The Purple Dog, Colchester.
Opening: Trujillo, Peru
It was a very strange place to build a museum.
Opening: Trujillo, Peru
It was a very strange place to build a museum.
January 12, 2023
I don't know what to say. This book perplexed me. It was poorly written; yet, the underlying idea was actually quite interesting.
I did enjoy the story, absolutely. However, I did not enjoy how it was written. This author has such a way with words... but not a particularly good one. His use of metaphors and similes is just atrocious.
Example quotes from the book:
"He watched the delicate star-clusters of snow fall and melt on his windscreen, in prolificity and profusion; like lemmings, killing themselves on the glass, and melting into nothing. Suicidal snow." (At this point I closed the book and had to physically leave the room.)
"[H]e had cajones of tungsten and a steel-tipped mind."
Really. If this book was rewritten (or at least adequately edited) it would have been pretty enthralling. Unfortunately, it fell quite short of my expectations and its own potential.
I did enjoy the story, absolutely. However, I did not enjoy how it was written. This author has such a way with words... but not a particularly good one. His use of metaphors and similes is just atrocious.
Example quotes from the book:
"He watched the delicate star-clusters of snow fall and melt on his windscreen, in prolificity and profusion; like lemmings, killing themselves on the glass, and melting into nothing. Suicidal snow." (At this point I closed the book and had to physically leave the room.)
"[H]e had cajones of tungsten and a steel-tipped mind."
Really. If this book was rewritten (or at least adequately edited) it would have been pretty enthralling. Unfortunately, it fell quite short of my expectations and its own potential.
May 21, 2019
Anything Templars related is fascinating! The treasure that was never found. The truth behind Rosslyn. Where it all started and ends. Did it end? Although everything is fiction but the sites are not. Knox did it again. An interesting theory of that missing golden myth of the Holy grail. And still Knox did it again - having its hero falling in love with its female protagonist. What is it with Knox and his romance between his characters? If not for this, I would have rated the book 5 stars for its mind blowing roller coaster thrill storyline!
May 11, 2016
[Scroll Down for the English Review]
Der Babylon Kult versucht irgendwo zwischen Dan Brown und Andreas Eschbach zu landen, was man zumindest durch die wiederholten Erwähnungen von Dan Brown ziemlich schnell merkt. Leider packt es das Buch weder auf die eine, noch auf die andere Seite, geschweige denn auf einen guten Mittelweg. Ein paar Pluspunkte für das Verweben von historischer Kunst und moderner Krimiszene gibt es aber trotzdem, denn die Idee ist wirklich nicht schlecht.
Ein Problem habe ich mit der Ausführung: Nach spätestens der Hälfte des Buchs von der etwas zu viel beschriebenen Brutalität verdammt angewidert. Ich gebe zu, dass mich die letztendliche Erklärung dieser Begebenheiten und das "große Geheimnis" des Buches positiv beeindruckt haben - auch, weil sie der extremen Gewalt eine Erklärung geben konnte -, aber eigentlich war es da schon zu spät.
Trotzdem, ein paar gute Charaktere sind dabei und unterhaltsam geschrieben ist es auch. Außerdem schafft es der Autor, versteckte Hinweise und seltsame Zusammenhänge geschickt einzufädeln, ohne das große Ende vorzeitig platzen zu lassen. Die Zusammenführung der verschiedenen Handlungsstränge erfolgt jedoch für meinen Geschmack sehr viel zu spät und erscheint vielleicht etwas schnell und erzwungen.
Vielleicht ist Tom Knox ein "*Brownbach* in the making". Ich weiß aber nicht, wie gut der Klappentext sein muss, damit ich mir noch einmal ein Buch von ihm zulege. Vermutlich müsste der Text darauf hinweisen, dass es in seinem Buch weniger grotesk brutal zugeht.
Wirklich, ich fand die Gewalt, trotz aller Erklärungen, unnötig übertrieben und hätte es deshalb auch fast weggelegt. Dass das Buch durch die Enthüllung gegen Ende deutlich an Reiz gewonnen hat, sollte hier nicht vergessen werden - aber auch nicht, dass ich vorher sehr viel Zeit damit verbracht habe, dieses Buch wirklich nicht zu mögen.
Wenn es ein Buch gibt, dass für einen drei-Sterne-Review wie geschaffen ist, dann dieses.
[English]
The Babylon Cult tries to land somewhere between Dan Brown and Andreas Eschbach (even if the author may not know Eschbach); at least the repeated mentioning of Dan Brown quickly makes that very clear. Unfortunately, the book makes it neither to one side, nor to the other, and certainly not to a good middle ground. However some plus points should be given for the weaving together of historic art and a modern criminal landscape as the idea is actually really good.
I just have a problem with the execution: Latest after the first half of the book, I was really damn apalled by the excessive brutality. I admit that the eventual explanation of these happenings and the "big secret" impressed me in a positive way - it could kind of explain the extreme violence -, but then it was actually way too late.
Still, some good characters are part of the book and it is written in a rather entertaining way. The author manages to drop hidden clues and weave strange connections into the story without letting you guess the conclusion. However, the combining of the different plots happens way too late for my taste, so that it feels rushed and forced.
Tom Knox may be a "*Brownbach* in the making". I do not know what the blurb for another one of his books needs to be, though, to make me read it. I assume that it needs to indicate that the book will be less grotesquely brutal.
Seriously, I found the excessive violence unnecesarily over the top and nearly gave up on finishing this book. That is won significant appeal after learning where it was leading should not be overlooked, but that I spent a huge chunk of my time really disliking the book in the beginning is just as important.
If there is a book that is just made for a three-star-review, it's this one.
Der Babylon Kult versucht irgendwo zwischen Dan Brown und Andreas Eschbach zu landen, was man zumindest durch die wiederholten Erwähnungen von Dan Brown ziemlich schnell merkt. Leider packt es das Buch weder auf die eine, noch auf die andere Seite, geschweige denn auf einen guten Mittelweg. Ein paar Pluspunkte für das Verweben von historischer Kunst und moderner Krimiszene gibt es aber trotzdem, denn die Idee ist wirklich nicht schlecht.
Ein Problem habe ich mit der Ausführung: Nach spätestens der Hälfte des Buchs von der etwas zu viel beschriebenen Brutalität verdammt angewidert. Ich gebe zu, dass mich die letztendliche Erklärung dieser Begebenheiten und das "große Geheimnis" des Buches positiv beeindruckt haben - auch, weil sie der extremen Gewalt eine Erklärung geben konnte -, aber eigentlich war es da schon zu spät.
Trotzdem, ein paar gute Charaktere sind dabei und unterhaltsam geschrieben ist es auch. Außerdem schafft es der Autor, versteckte Hinweise und seltsame Zusammenhänge geschickt einzufädeln, ohne das große Ende vorzeitig platzen zu lassen. Die Zusammenführung der verschiedenen Handlungsstränge erfolgt jedoch für meinen Geschmack sehr viel zu spät und erscheint vielleicht etwas schnell und erzwungen.
Vielleicht ist Tom Knox ein "*Brownbach* in the making". Ich weiß aber nicht, wie gut der Klappentext sein muss, damit ich mir noch einmal ein Buch von ihm zulege. Vermutlich müsste der Text darauf hinweisen, dass es in seinem Buch weniger grotesk brutal zugeht.
Wirklich, ich fand die Gewalt, trotz aller Erklärungen, unnötig übertrieben und hätte es deshalb auch fast weggelegt. Dass das Buch durch die Enthüllung gegen Ende deutlich an Reiz gewonnen hat, sollte hier nicht vergessen werden - aber auch nicht, dass ich vorher sehr viel Zeit damit verbracht habe, dieses Buch wirklich nicht zu mögen.
Wenn es ein Buch gibt, dass für einen drei-Sterne-Review wie geschaffen ist, dann dieses.
[English]
The Babylon Cult tries to land somewhere between Dan Brown and Andreas Eschbach (even if the author may not know Eschbach); at least the repeated mentioning of Dan Brown quickly makes that very clear. Unfortunately, the book makes it neither to one side, nor to the other, and certainly not to a good middle ground. However some plus points should be given for the weaving together of historic art and a modern criminal landscape as the idea is actually really good.
I just have a problem with the execution: Latest after the first half of the book, I was really damn apalled by the excessive brutality. I admit that the eventual explanation of these happenings and the "big secret" impressed me in a positive way - it could kind of explain the extreme violence -, but then it was actually way too late.
Still, some good characters are part of the book and it is written in a rather entertaining way. The author manages to drop hidden clues and weave strange connections into the story without letting you guess the conclusion. However, the combining of the different plots happens way too late for my taste, so that it feels rushed and forced.
Tom Knox may be a "*Brownbach* in the making". I do not know what the blurb for another one of his books needs to be, though, to make me read it. I assume that it needs to indicate that the book will be less grotesquely brutal.
Seriously, I found the excessive violence unnecesarily over the top and nearly gave up on finishing this book. That is won significant appeal after learning where it was leading should not be overlooked, but that I spent a huge chunk of my time really disliking the book in the beginning is just as important.
If there is a book that is just made for a three-star-review, it's this one.
July 28, 2015
This was my first book I read by Tom Knox, and I'll be honest and say that if I had not already bought the other two, I am not sure I would have based on this book. I really liked the concept of the book, as I am a particular fan of WELL-WRITTEN historical conspiracy thrillers. I particularly enjoy reading books about the history of the Knights Templar, so I was initially drawn into the mystery that somehow linked the Templars with the ancient pre-Columbian cultures, such as the Moche. I have actually seen some of the pottery made by the Moche culture when I visited Peru, and I can attest that some of their stuff is definitely on the odd side.
While I liked the book from the start, my interest started waning as the violence ramped up and the mystery started to be explained. This author has a definite affinity for writing scenes of incredibly depraved violence, and many of them just seemed so unnecessary. In any case, when the different strands of the story consolidated in South America, the initial explanation for what linked these different strands was interesting. UNTIL we had the appearance of rival Mexican drug cartels, some wild drug use and hot sex on said drugs. I personally felt the book completely lost the plot by the end and I was just shaking my head in disbelief and glad that it was almost over.
The book itself was a quick read, and the pacing was quick. Almost too quick, because I felt it fell prey to one of my central disappointments about other historical conspiracy thrillers (I'm looking at you Dan Brown): the book was written more like an action movie and more focused on the chase eventually rather than elucidating the actual mystery. My favorite parts of the book were the times it slowed down and really delved into the history of these cultures. It was interesting to read and actually made me seek out other books explaining some of the stories.
While I liked the book from the start, my interest started waning as the violence ramped up and the mystery started to be explained. This author has a definite affinity for writing scenes of incredibly depraved violence, and many of them just seemed so unnecessary. In any case, when the different strands of the story consolidated in South America, the initial explanation for what linked these different strands was interesting. UNTIL we had the appearance of rival Mexican drug cartels, some wild drug use and hot sex on said drugs. I personally felt the book completely lost the plot by the end and I was just shaking my head in disbelief and glad that it was almost over.
The book itself was a quick read, and the pacing was quick. Almost too quick, because I felt it fell prey to one of my central disappointments about other historical conspiracy thrillers (I'm looking at you Dan Brown): the book was written more like an action movie and more focused on the chase eventually rather than elucidating the actual mystery. My favorite parts of the book were the times it slowed down and really delved into the history of these cultures. It was interesting to read and actually made me seek out other books explaining some of the stories.
December 26, 2016
Quick read. The author seems to start with the same plot outline each time for his novels, since there are similarities in the plot structure (at least the last two novels). In this case the story revolves around yet another Templar secret that somehow is connected to Peru. A number of bizarre suicides occur in the UK and are connected to the big secret.
February 5, 2020
Skimmed through this one, hoping maybe it wouldn’t be as graphic as the other, but no luck. I’ll pass by this author in the future.
September 9, 2015
Zum Teil extrem brutal
February 28, 2022
An sich eine gute Abenteuergeschichte, die ein bisschen an Dan Browns Thriller erinnert (worauf zu Beginn auch mit einem Augenzwinkern verwiesen wird), allerdings weniger tiefschichtig und mit mehr Fakten, die sich nicht nachprüfen lassen.
Die Figuren an sich sind rund und nachvollziehbar. Wie die einzelnen Erzählstränge zusammenkommen ist plausibel, obwohl ich mir gewünscht hätte, dass die Handlung Marc Ibsen nicht einfach so losgelassen hätte, besonders genau dort, wo die Motivation gegeben worden wäre, bei ihm zu bleiben: Da wird dein Partner und Freund von den Antagonisten grausam im eigenen Auto umgebracht, und genau ab dem Zeitpunkt verzichtet die Handlung auf weitere POV- Kapitel, sondern lässt Ibsen als passiven Kontakt in England versauern...
Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Adam und Nina wirkte auf mich sehr aufgezwungen, und in den letzten Kapiteln wusste ich auch, wieso.
Wie gut, dass Adam die ganze Zeit Nina nicht anbaggerte, weil er seine tote Freundin vor Augen hatte, sich aber heimlich nach ihr verzehrte. Denn wenn man eine Droge nimmt, die den Liebes- und Todestrieb in sich vereint (Freud lässt grüßen) ist es natürlich klar, dass Mann, um sich nicht selbst umzubringen, leider mit Nina vögeln muss - sehr tragisch. Dass am Schluss daraus eine beginnende Beziehung in Aussicht gestellt wird, macht es nicht besser.
Zusammenfassung: ein sehr sehr grausamer Roman, dessen größte Fehler erst kurz vor Schluss auftauchen, der es bis dahin aber fertig bringt, einen Thriller über südamerikanische Urvölker, die Templer und die Drogenkultur zu vereinen.
Die Figuren an sich sind rund und nachvollziehbar. Wie die einzelnen Erzählstränge zusammenkommen ist plausibel, obwohl ich mir gewünscht hätte, dass die Handlung Marc Ibsen nicht einfach so losgelassen hätte, besonders genau dort, wo die Motivation gegeben worden wäre, bei ihm zu bleiben: Da wird dein Partner und Freund von den Antagonisten grausam im eigenen Auto umgebracht, und genau ab dem Zeitpunkt verzichtet die Handlung auf weitere POV- Kapitel, sondern lässt Ibsen als passiven Kontakt in England versauern...
Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Adam und Nina wirkte auf mich sehr aufgezwungen, und in den letzten Kapiteln wusste ich auch, wieso.
Wie gut, dass Adam die ganze Zeit Nina nicht anbaggerte, weil er seine tote Freundin vor Augen hatte, sich aber heimlich nach ihr verzehrte. Denn wenn man eine Droge nimmt, die den Liebes- und Todestrieb in sich vereint (Freud lässt grüßen) ist es natürlich klar, dass Mann, um sich nicht selbst umzubringen, leider mit Nina vögeln muss - sehr tragisch. Dass am Schluss daraus eine beginnende Beziehung in Aussicht gestellt wird, macht es nicht besser.
Zusammenfassung: ein sehr sehr grausamer Roman, dessen größte Fehler erst kurz vor Schluss auftauchen, der es bis dahin aber fertig bringt, einen Thriller über südamerikanische Urvölker, die Templer und die Drogenkultur zu vereinen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
Since the first book of his,written under the name: Tom Knox, he has quickly become an author that I continue to read. This is the third book, although they stand alone and don't have to be read in an order, they each tell stories that in today's world are starting to be looked into deeper that once the details we only speculated over and wondered.
I would definitely recommend his books to anyone opened to the idea that maybe "conspiracies" aren't just a label to divert your attention from it as a way of not being judged as a tin-foil hat wearer because as you read his books, you will find yourself wondering.....just how far into research did this man go to find the words to tell a story of days long ago between two book covers.
As for this particular story, it's a page turner that flips between two different views of the same mystery unfolding. Seems this is a theme from which he writes to bring the whole story together as it unfolds, his other books were written in this format as well. However, it's not confusing, he's very good at weaving the different characters and their roles in a way that you simply are flipping a page as the other character begins to speak to you from what's happening on their end of unfolding.
What I find most relateable is that he's writing about true events of history which I believe on some level you're reading a story INSPIRED by true events while dropping some: HEY did you know this? You walk away from the books thinking, wow. if there's any truth to this, this is wild....and yet, believeable.
I would definitely recommend his books to anyone opened to the idea that maybe "conspiracies" aren't just a label to divert your attention from it as a way of not being judged as a tin-foil hat wearer because as you read his books, you will find yourself wondering.....just how far into research did this man go to find the words to tell a story of days long ago between two book covers.
As for this particular story, it's a page turner that flips between two different views of the same mystery unfolding. Seems this is a theme from which he writes to bring the whole story together as it unfolds, his other books were written in this format as well. However, it's not confusing, he's very good at weaving the different characters and their roles in a way that you simply are flipping a page as the other character begins to speak to you from what's happening on their end of unfolding.
What I find most relateable is that he's writing about true events of history which I believe on some level you're reading a story INSPIRED by true events while dropping some: HEY did you know this? You walk away from the books thinking, wow. if there's any truth to this, this is wild....and yet, believeable.
August 2, 2023
https://www.instagram.com/kitapezgisi/
Amanın diyorum. Hadi başlayayım diyip üç gün boyunca elimden düşürmediğim mükemmel bir roman.
Tom Knox’un Göbekli Tepe’yi konu alan kitabı Yaradılış Sırrı’nı da okuyup bayılmıştım. Ama bence bu kitabı ondan daha iyiydi.
Anladığım kadarıyla kitaplarında hep aynı tarz ile ilerliyor yazarımız zira şu anda da başka bir kitabını okuyorum. İki farklı hikayeyi alıp sonunda gayet başarılı bir şekilde bir araya getirmeyi başarıyor.
Bu kitabında da bir tarafta bir intihara tanık olan gazeteci Adam, diğer tarafta ise antropolog Jessica’nın hikayeleri var. Dünyanın farklı bölgelerinde olan ve eninde sonunda bir yerde birleşmesini beklediğiniz gizemli durumlar içerisinde kalıyor ikisi de. Sayfalar arasında gezinip kitap içerisinde yapılan keşifler ile siz de olayı çözmek için çırpınıyorsunuz.
Hikaye birazcık kanlı bilginiz olsun. Birkaç sayfa ile sınırlı olsa da ayrıntılı tasfirleri ile yazar sizi o sahnelere taşıyor. Hala bu yazarın kitapları nasıl film olmadı şaşkınlık içerisindeyim.
Yazarın sevdiğim bir diğer özelliği de hikayelerini gerçek hayattaki gizemlerden esinlenerek yazması. Eğer Grange, Dan Brown tarzı kitapları seviyorsanız bu kitaba da bayılırsınız.
Keyifli, sürükleyici, zamanın nasıl aktığını anlamadığınız bir kitap okumak istiyorsanız bu kitap tam size göre.
Herkese iyi okumalar.
Amanın diyorum. Hadi başlayayım diyip üç gün boyunca elimden düşürmediğim mükemmel bir roman.
Tom Knox’un Göbekli Tepe’yi konu alan kitabı Yaradılış Sırrı’nı da okuyup bayılmıştım. Ama bence bu kitabı ondan daha iyiydi.
Anladığım kadarıyla kitaplarında hep aynı tarz ile ilerliyor yazarımız zira şu anda da başka bir kitabını okuyorum. İki farklı hikayeyi alıp sonunda gayet başarılı bir şekilde bir araya getirmeyi başarıyor.
Bu kitabında da bir tarafta bir intihara tanık olan gazeteci Adam, diğer tarafta ise antropolog Jessica’nın hikayeleri var. Dünyanın farklı bölgelerinde olan ve eninde sonunda bir yerde birleşmesini beklediğiniz gizemli durumlar içerisinde kalıyor ikisi de. Sayfalar arasında gezinip kitap içerisinde yapılan keşifler ile siz de olayı çözmek için çırpınıyorsunuz.
Hikaye birazcık kanlı bilginiz olsun. Birkaç sayfa ile sınırlı olsa da ayrıntılı tasfirleri ile yazar sizi o sahnelere taşıyor. Hala bu yazarın kitapları nasıl film olmadı şaşkınlık içerisindeyim.
Yazarın sevdiğim bir diğer özelliği de hikayelerini gerçek hayattaki gizemlerden esinlenerek yazması. Eğer Grange, Dan Brown tarzı kitapları seviyorsanız bu kitaba da bayılırsınız.
Keyifli, sürükleyici, zamanın nasıl aktığını anlamadığınız bir kitap okumak istiyorsanız bu kitap tam size göre.
Herkese iyi okumalar.
April 24, 2024
Weaving three plot lines together, Knox tells the story of a fictional drug at the center of Templar myths of ‘gold’ in South America. It seems major dug cartels have a new drug that induces one to mutilate and kill themselves in a frenzy. It’s killing the rich kids of London, and in addition to local detectives, an archaeologist in Peru, a Templar historian’s daughter and her Aussie reporter friend all get caught in the hunt to find the source of this drug.
While the plot had potential, the overall writing was awful and the characters were flat. More uses of the words “laconic” and “lover” than any book should have, surely. I was surprised because I really liked one of his other novels (The Marks of Cain). What I was looking for was the kind of thriller written by authors like Preston, Child, Rollins, etc. What I got was a poor imitation that was really a romance in disguise. But the hook up comes at the end after a whole novel of gratuitous violence, and after the villain - who patiently explains everything to you - is easily defeated. But I’ll admit there was an interesting twist at the end.
While the plot had potential, the overall writing was awful and the characters were flat. More uses of the words “laconic” and “lover” than any book should have, surely. I was surprised because I really liked one of his other novels (The Marks of Cain). What I was looking for was the kind of thriller written by authors like Preston, Child, Rollins, etc. What I got was a poor imitation that was really a romance in disguise. But the hook up comes at the end after a whole novel of gratuitous violence, and after the villain - who patiently explains everything to you - is easily defeated. But I’ll admit there was an interesting twist at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2019
I wanted to like the book because anything to do with ancient cults, religion, or the Templars is usually good reading to me. BUT, this book failed miserably on all counts.
The author used the technique of going back and forth between characters which are in different places. Usually, I love this writing tool. However, this author did not stay with any one character long enough for me to become invested in them and their plights.
I thought the characters were weak, whiny and totally self absorbed and I really didn't like any of them.
At times, I thought the writing was terribly melodramatic and that did not fit in at all. Some of the plotlines were rushed and totally unbelievable.
I only gave it 2 stars because I always admire any writer's creativity and research regardless how poorly it is put together.
The author used the technique of going back and forth between characters which are in different places. Usually, I love this writing tool. However, this author did not stay with any one character long enough for me to become invested in them and their plights.
I thought the characters were weak, whiny and totally self absorbed and I really didn't like any of them.
At times, I thought the writing was terribly melodramatic and that did not fit in at all. Some of the plotlines were rushed and totally unbelievable.
I only gave it 2 stars because I always admire any writer's creativity and research regardless how poorly it is put together.
January 1, 2025
This was another off my TBR pile which I am slowly trying to work through. Now at one level I actually enjoyed it - but to be honest the reason for the lower rating was that I had worked out what the McGuffin was pretty early on in the story - and the rest as they was history - as I got more and more frustrated with the characters who it felt took several hundred pages to get to the same place.
Okay I may have read too many books or the blurb on the book itself gave too many hints but I hate it when you are so tempted to skip pages as you know all they are doing is blundering around as they crawly towards the same conclusion - that said the story telling was great and the whole idea of turning the investigation in to a quest was great fun
Okay I may have read too many books or the blurb on the book itself gave too many hints but I hate it when you are so tempted to skip pages as you know all they are doing is blundering around as they crawly towards the same conclusion - that said the story telling was great and the whole idea of turning the investigation in to a quest was great fun
August 5, 2025
Oi, denne likte jeg! Har ikke hørt om Knox før, men dette traff noe hos meg. Kombinasjonen av mystikk, reell historie, flere historielinjer som knyttes sammen. Artig!
Det skal sies at plottet til slutt blir litt søkt, men det er en nerve gjennom boken som holder leseren fanget. En klassisk kort-kapittel roman der de aller fleste kapitler er en cliff hanger, det kan bli litt slitsomt, men i motsetning til mye Dan Brown, så funker det.
Skal riktignok sies at det er en spenningsroman. Forsøkene på å skape et troverdig persongalleri med bakgrunnshistorier blir ganske tynt og kunne nesten like gjerne vært foruten.
Alt i alt en spennende sak, verdt å undersøke mer av Knox.
Ville kanskje sagt 3,8/5, men det er nærmere 4 enn 3,5.
Det skal sies at plottet til slutt blir litt søkt, men det er en nerve gjennom boken som holder leseren fanget. En klassisk kort-kapittel roman der de aller fleste kapitler er en cliff hanger, det kan bli litt slitsomt, men i motsetning til mye Dan Brown, så funker det.
Skal riktignok sies at det er en spenningsroman. Forsøkene på å skape et troverdig persongalleri med bakgrunnshistorier blir ganske tynt og kunne nesten like gjerne vært foruten.
Alt i alt en spennende sak, verdt å undersøke mer av Knox.
Ville kanskje sagt 3,8/5, men det er nærmere 4 enn 3,5.
August 15, 2017
Mmh, not sure about this one. Given to me to read by someone at work. The premise is there, similar to the Da Vinci Code, that the Holy Grail is not what everybody thinks it is.
The body count is high, incidental characters get killed. But the ending appears rushed. The baddie says why he is doing what he is doing, and then gets killed. Someone's been watching too many James Bond movies methinks. It was not a good ending at all. Especially one death in particular. Rushed, not thought over, all because of the characters own mortality.
As stated above, nice premise, but rushed.
The body count is high, incidental characters get killed. But the ending appears rushed. The baddie says why he is doing what he is doing, and then gets killed. Someone's been watching too many James Bond movies methinks. It was not a good ending at all. Especially one death in particular. Rushed, not thought over, all because of the characters own mortality.
As stated above, nice premise, but rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
I found this book not as holding as the first book he wrote "The Genesis Secret"
This book was written around the knights templars
A journalist sees a famous author commit suicided and his daughter comes to him and tells him that she believes he was murdered. this author had written many books on the templars when he finds out that they weren't what every one believed in. so they go searching what this author had found out that lead to his death and the death of many people in Mexico and other areas in Europe.
This book was written around the knights templars
A journalist sees a famous author commit suicided and his daughter comes to him and tells him that she believes he was murdered. this author had written many books on the templars when he finds out that they weren't what every one believed in. so they go searching what this author had found out that lead to his death and the death of many people in Mexico and other areas in Europe.
April 7, 2020
At first glance, this is in the vein of Dan Brown, with its big global conspiracy theories. Early on in the text itself, though, Knox is clearly critical of Brown. There are legitimate criticism of Brown, don't get me wrong, but as I continued to read, it seemed like Knox's *actual* criticism of Brown was that there wasn't enough violence, death, & sex, and this book seems to rely on those three things too much for its conflict.
May 30, 2017
Wow. That was the most disturbing, yet interesting, book I've read since The Bride Collector. Incredibly barbaric and harrowing images that Incouldnt stop reading about. The Templar mystery is so fascinating to me that this book sucked me right - for the good and the bad. I should give it 5 stars but the brutality brought it to a 4 for me.
November 4, 2018
This is the most desterbing book i have ever read. It did hold my interest until the very end. It is a good read but the in depth of subject matter is highly unusual and with good reason. The story is cohesive and believable. The history behind the novel is interwoven with the plot and informative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2021
Honestly it started great. I read the whole book in a day. It kept me interested but towards the end it sort went "meh" or maybe it was just me cuz i was reading it the whole day non stop. But interesting twists and turns in the whole story towards the end. (Great book though. Dont know why it has 3.4 star rating. It deserves 4 I guess...)
April 7, 2023
Wow wow wow. This book kept me hooked and reading every chance I had. I loved the adventure and the POV from different characters at different parts of the journey. This book has a shocking and unexpected plot twist and I can’t say I’ve ever read a book quite like this one. I’m adding more Tom Knox books to my TBR!
October 12, 2023
I really do like Thrillers with archeologic Vibes and the touch of conspiracy theories, cults and paranormal stuff.
A little gruesome from time to time tells this book a super interesting and fast paced story about an hunt for the drug that reaches back to the Templars and even further back in Time.
I liked the writing style
A little gruesome from time to time tells this book a super interesting and fast paced story about an hunt for the drug that reaches back to the Templars and even further back in Time.
I liked the writing style
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