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Gabriel Hunt #2
Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear
From the towers of Manhattan to the jungles of South America, from the sands of the Sahara to the frozen crags of Antarctica, one man finds adventure everywhere he goes: GABRIEL HUNT. Backed by the resources of the $100 million Hunt Foundation and armed with his trusty Colt revolver, Gabriel Hunt has always been ready for anything--but is he prepared for the adventures that lie in wait for him?
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 28, 2009
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Gabriel Hunt
11 books5 followers'Gabriel Hunt' is the pseudonym used by the group of authors writing this series.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 23, 2013
Gabriel Hunt goes on a scavenger hunt across Europe and Asia, with a dastardly billionaire on his tail, in search of treasure. What do a chamber below the Sphinx in Egypt, a temple to Homer on a Greek Island, and a cavern in a mountain in Sri Lanka have in common? And what is the mysterious treasure of the Cradle of Fear?
I have to admit that I had my doubts at the beginning of Hunt Through Cradle of Fear. The first Gabriel Hunt book was good but not great and Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear started off slow. Once the story picked up and the John Williams soundtrack started playing in my head, I was hooked.
Gabriel Hunt continues his Indiana Jones/Doc Savage/James Bond adventures in this tale. Lajos, the Hungarian billionaire, proved to be a good foil for Hunt in their race to the Cradle of Fear. While I knew Hunt wasn't going to die, he sure went through hell. The exotic locales were even better than the lost city from the first Gabriel Hunt story.
To sum it up, if you're looking for a good adventure story with plenty of suspense and action, look no further. Gabriel Hunt has your fix ready and at an affordable price.
I have to admit that I had my doubts at the beginning of Hunt Through Cradle of Fear. The first Gabriel Hunt book was good but not great and Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear started off slow. Once the story picked up and the John Williams soundtrack started playing in my head, I was hooked.
Gabriel Hunt continues his Indiana Jones/Doc Savage/James Bond adventures in this tale. Lajos, the Hungarian billionaire, proved to be a good foil for Hunt in their race to the Cradle of Fear. While I knew Hunt wasn't going to die, he sure went through hell. The exotic locales were even better than the lost city from the first Gabriel Hunt story.
To sum it up, if you're looking for a good adventure story with plenty of suspense and action, look no further. Gabriel Hunt has your fix ready and at an affordable price.
August 9, 2009
First of all, when you pick up this book -- and you should -- read the standalone novella, "Nor Idolatry Blind the Eye" first; I have to agree with an earlier reviewer who said this 40ish-page novella is worth the price of the book. It's darker than the Gabriel Hunt series, with a more Robert E. Howard feel, and almost Lovecraftian moments. It's amazing.
As for Gabriel Hunt himself, the first novel by James Reasoner was satisfying enough but I stuck with the series because I liked the concept, not so much because I thought Gabriel Hunt and the Well of Eternity was a drop-dead novel. Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear is by series creator and Hard Case Crime publisher Charles Ardai, and it is a drop-dead novel, stand-alone or no. It seems like it probably should have been the opening volley in the series, no offense to the very capable Reasoner; Well of Eternity didn't have quite the same personality that this does, probably owing to the fact that Ardai created the characters.
However, despite starting like a locomotive, the beginning of Cradle of Fear doesn't actually have the grabby feeling that I'd expect.I encourage readers who pick it up and are not impressed by the first 40 pages to stick with it. It starts out with major action, but it is not the action that grabs me in a story like this, since it's slightly by-the-numbers. In addition, the characters are not the world's most interesting, but are sort of predictable archetypes.
But once you get deep into the history stuff it is absolutely amazing, evocative and riveting. It's like a textbook case in how by-the-numbers action feels fresh, alive, and exciting when you care about the situations and characters inside the action. It picks up steam as it goes along, and ends on a dime with denouement that's not just satisfying but actually kinda moving. By the close, I was totally blown away.
From what I can see so far, the series is strongest when it stays away from Doc Savage and leans toward Indiana Jones. The history and linguistics stuff is what I find interesting, and it makes all the gunfights, sucker-punches and mayhem seem fun instead of same-old. The action is capably written, but it's most exciting to me as a reader once I get my knickers in a twist wondering what the answer to the historical (or pseudo-historical) mystery is.
Ultimately this is one of the best adventure novels I've read, but I repeat -- stick with it through some slow moments in the early pages, and you'll be amply rewarded. I'll also be sticking with the series.
As for Gabriel Hunt himself, the first novel by James Reasoner was satisfying enough but I stuck with the series because I liked the concept, not so much because I thought Gabriel Hunt and the Well of Eternity was a drop-dead novel. Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear is by series creator and Hard Case Crime publisher Charles Ardai, and it is a drop-dead novel, stand-alone or no. It seems like it probably should have been the opening volley in the series, no offense to the very capable Reasoner; Well of Eternity didn't have quite the same personality that this does, probably owing to the fact that Ardai created the characters.
However, despite starting like a locomotive, the beginning of Cradle of Fear doesn't actually have the grabby feeling that I'd expect.I encourage readers who pick it up and are not impressed by the first 40 pages to stick with it. It starts out with major action, but it is not the action that grabs me in a story like this, since it's slightly by-the-numbers. In addition, the characters are not the world's most interesting, but are sort of predictable archetypes.
But once you get deep into the history stuff it is absolutely amazing, evocative and riveting. It's like a textbook case in how by-the-numbers action feels fresh, alive, and exciting when you care about the situations and characters inside the action. It picks up steam as it goes along, and ends on a dime with denouement that's not just satisfying but actually kinda moving. By the close, I was totally blown away.
From what I can see so far, the series is strongest when it stays away from Doc Savage and leans toward Indiana Jones. The history and linguistics stuff is what I find interesting, and it makes all the gunfights, sucker-punches and mayhem seem fun instead of same-old. The action is capably written, but it's most exciting to me as a reader once I get my knickers in a twist wondering what the answer to the historical (or pseudo-historical) mystery is.
Ultimately this is one of the best adventure novels I've read, but I repeat -- stick with it through some slow moments in the early pages, and you'll be amply rewarded. I'll also be sticking with the series.
October 1, 2023
Through the Cradle of Fear is a fast paced adventure story. It manages to straddle the line between awareness of the tropes it’s following and sincerity to the story unfolding.
The second in the Hunt series, I think it has a better sense of what it’s trying to be. There are less moments where the author seems forced to try making Gabriel Hunt have a “look.” The first book talked about him wearing a blue workshirt, a concept dropped in favor of the classic khaki shirt we expect. Instead, Gabriel has the room here to be the generic adventurer, but in the process his individual traits are more natural on the page.
The plot is imaginative, the villain appropriately menacing. The goal is vague, but acceptably vague in an adventurous fashion. An enjoyable read.
The second in the Hunt series, I think it has a better sense of what it’s trying to be. There are less moments where the author seems forced to try making Gabriel Hunt have a “look.” The first book talked about him wearing a blue workshirt, a concept dropped in favor of the classic khaki shirt we expect. Instead, Gabriel has the room here to be the generic adventurer, but in the process his individual traits are more natural on the page.
The plot is imaginative, the villain appropriately menacing. The goal is vague, but acceptably vague in an adventurous fashion. An enjoyable read.
August 25, 2023
I liked the pulpy adventure of the Hunt story by Ardai well enough, but it was his short story "bonus feature" tacked onto the end which has stayed with me.
July 22, 2009
A new entry in the Gabriel Hunt series of thrillers, the second, that hark back to the old pulp days, the movie serials with the hair breadth escapes at the end of every chapter.
The chase goes to Egypt, then Greece, to Sri Lanka for the final showdown.
Also a bonus adventure novelette in the back.
The chase goes to Egypt, then Greece, to Sri Lanka for the final showdown.
Also a bonus adventure novelette in the back.
May 17, 2025
Indiana Jones and James Bond and Alan Quartermain come to mind. It’s a bit sexist in a Heinlein like way (super pretty women with brains who are easy to like fall in lust with the bad boy adventurer). But it’s a fun easy read on a lazy day.
Note: one of the odd things about the series is that each book is written by a different author. Surprisingly, the tone is very similar despite this. Perhaps on rereading I may see there are differences. But whoever orchestrated the concept must have done a good job setting the parameters of the character and the tone to strike to make these as similar as they are.
Note: one of the odd things about the series is that each book is written by a different author. Surprisingly, the tone is very similar despite this. Perhaps on rereading I may see there are differences. But whoever orchestrated the concept must have done a good job setting the parameters of the character and the tone to strike to make these as similar as they are.
October 30, 2017
I picked up this book just based on the cover. I thought it looked cool. Once I started reading it, I quickly realized how much of it I could relate to in terms of historical interests. There are many times I ended up googling things and it is also historically accurate in what it talks about. The thrills are real and though it slows down a bit in the middle, it really picks up toward the end and became something I couldn't put down.
October 6, 2025
Not quite as good as the first book for me, but an inspired idea for a quest nonetheless. Gabriel Hunt is on the trail of a connection between the Sphinx of Giza and the other Sphinx’s in history. The section in Greece being by far the best part.
July 27, 2017
Solid enjoyable pulp. Shamelessly, but entertainingly reminiscent of Indiana Jones.
March 13, 2017
As the first book in the series, this a very good, solid, action packed adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft and Romancing the stone. I know each novel will have a different author, but I did not feel any difference in style, tone or quality. The action sequences are top-notch and exhilarating, the pacing is perfect and the treasure hunting/historical plot is light and entertaining. I often read in reviews the term page-turner, but this series is THE poster boy for a page-turner: action, dire situations, action, historical discoveries, action, evil god creature, action, etc. This series is exactly what I was looking for; a globe-trotting, action-packed treasure hunting adventure that feels like a Hollywood blockbuster movie.
December 17, 2009
The Gabriel Hunt series, published by Leisure, is the brainchild of Charles Ardai, best known as the creator of the astonishingly wonderful Hard Case Crime imprint. Although each book is supposedly by Gabriel Hunt, who's also the protagonist of these wild and woolly adventures, obviously it's his "co-author" (there are several writers involved in the series) who's responsible. I'm not sure how many of the Gabriel Hunt novels have been published by now -- I think it's four -- but naturally I wanted my introduction to it to be one of Ardai's own offerings.
The series is very obviously modeled on the exploits of Indiana Jones -- perhaps "homage" might be the favoured term. This is both a blessing and a curse. The opening of Through the Cradle of Fear is pure Indie, as our near-superhuman hero craftily and spectacularly manages to escape seemingly certain death, saving not only himself but the scantily clad "romantic interest". Breathless after that, I prepared to find some ballast within the novel to hang onto while I readied myself for the next spectacular. Instead I was given a text that remained relentlessly light and superficial throughout, as if it thought I couldn't be trusted to plough through anything requiring even a scintilla of concentration. The result is a book that's not only immediately forgettable but also not hugely exciting even as one's reading it: without much by way of character creation, plot underpinning or scene setting in between times, the supposedly thrilling passages soon start failing to thrill.
This all probably sounds as if I disliked the book a lot. Not so (although I was mightily pissed off to discover when I got there that the last 45 pages or so of the book were a "bonus" adventure novella unconnected to the rest; had I known this to be so I'd have bought a different book). Hunt and his cohorts are engaging enough, and the froth entertaining enough, that I might well find myself buying another book in the series for a long plane journey, or whatever. But I'd been expecting a white-knuckler and it failed to materialize.
February 13, 2015
Charles Ardai in his book, “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” Book Two in the Gabriel Hunt series published by Titan Books gives us another adventure with Gabriel Hunt.
From the Back Cover: From the towers of Manhattan to the jungles of South America, from the sands of the Sahara to the frozen crags of Antarctica, one man finds adventure everywhere he goes: GABRIEL HUNT. Backed by the resources of the $100 million Hunt Foundation and armed with his trusty Colt revolver, Gabriel Hunt has always been ready for anything–but is he prepared for
The Cradle Of Fear?
When a secret chamber is discovered inside the Great Sphinx of Egypt, the mystery of its contents will lead Gabriel to a remote Greek island, to a stone fortress in Sri Lanka… and to a deadly confrontation that could decide the fate of the world!
A pulp adventure series with classic style and modern sensibilities…
A Hungarian billionaire wants the treasure and has practically unlimited resources to stop Gabriel from finding it first. Good thing Gabriel has resources of his own. Good thing too as the action leaps from Egypt, to Greece, and then for the final showdown to Sri Lanka. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is the perfect read to get your adrenalin going as there is plot, action, a cliffhanger, out of danger, more plot, more action then another cliffhanger all throughout the book. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is a thriller, no doubt about it. Mr. Ardai writes in a breathless style that will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages as fast as you can read them just trying to keep up with a runaway roller coaster ride story. There is even a non Gabriel Hunt bonus adventure novelette by Mr. Ardai in the back. This is a wild ride read and I recommend it highly. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Titan Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the Back Cover: From the towers of Manhattan to the jungles of South America, from the sands of the Sahara to the frozen crags of Antarctica, one man finds adventure everywhere he goes: GABRIEL HUNT. Backed by the resources of the $100 million Hunt Foundation and armed with his trusty Colt revolver, Gabriel Hunt has always been ready for anything–but is he prepared for
The Cradle Of Fear?
When a secret chamber is discovered inside the Great Sphinx of Egypt, the mystery of its contents will lead Gabriel to a remote Greek island, to a stone fortress in Sri Lanka… and to a deadly confrontation that could decide the fate of the world!
A pulp adventure series with classic style and modern sensibilities…
A Hungarian billionaire wants the treasure and has practically unlimited resources to stop Gabriel from finding it first. Good thing Gabriel has resources of his own. Good thing too as the action leaps from Egypt, to Greece, and then for the final showdown to Sri Lanka. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is the perfect read to get your adrenalin going as there is plot, action, a cliffhanger, out of danger, more plot, more action then another cliffhanger all throughout the book. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is a thriller, no doubt about it. Mr. Ardai writes in a breathless style that will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages as fast as you can read them just trying to keep up with a runaway roller coaster ride story. There is even a non Gabriel Hunt bonus adventure novelette by Mr. Ardai in the back. This is a wild ride read and I recommend it highly. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Titan Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
February 13, 2015
Charles Ardai in his book, “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” Book Two in the Gabriel Hunt series published by Titan Books gives us another adventure with Gabriel Hunt.
From the Back Cover: From the towers of Manhattan to the jungles of South America, from the sands of the Sahara to the frozen crags of Antarctica, one man finds adventure everywhere he goes: GABRIEL HUNT. Backed by the resources of the $100 million Hunt Foundation and armed with his trusty Colt revolver, Gabriel Hunt has always been ready for anything–but is he prepared for
The Cradle Of Fear?
When a secret chamber is discovered inside the Great Sphinx of Egypt, the mystery of its contents will lead Gabriel to a remote Greek island, to a stone fortress in Sri Lanka… and to a deadly confrontation that could decide the fate of the world!
A pulp adventure series with classic style and modern sensibilities…
A Hungarian billionaire wants the treasure and has practically unlimited resources to stop Gabriel from finding it first. Good thing Gabriel has resources of his own. Good thing too as the action leaps from Egypt, to Greece, and then for the final showdown to Sri Lanka. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is the perfect read to get your adrenalin going as there is plot, action, a cliffhanger, out of danger, more plot, more action then another cliffhanger all throughout the book. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is a thriller, no doubt about it. Mr. Ardai writes in a breathless style that will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages as fast as you can read them just trying to keep up with a runaway roller coaster ride story. There is even a non Gabriel Hunt bonus adventure novelette by Mr. Ardai in the back. This is a wild ride read and I recommend it highly. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Titan Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the Back Cover: From the towers of Manhattan to the jungles of South America, from the sands of the Sahara to the frozen crags of Antarctica, one man finds adventure everywhere he goes: GABRIEL HUNT. Backed by the resources of the $100 million Hunt Foundation and armed with his trusty Colt revolver, Gabriel Hunt has always been ready for anything–but is he prepared for
The Cradle Of Fear?
When a secret chamber is discovered inside the Great Sphinx of Egypt, the mystery of its contents will lead Gabriel to a remote Greek island, to a stone fortress in Sri Lanka… and to a deadly confrontation that could decide the fate of the world!
A pulp adventure series with classic style and modern sensibilities…
A Hungarian billionaire wants the treasure and has practically unlimited resources to stop Gabriel from finding it first. Good thing Gabriel has resources of his own. Good thing too as the action leaps from Egypt, to Greece, and then for the final showdown to Sri Lanka. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is the perfect read to get your adrenalin going as there is plot, action, a cliffhanger, out of danger, more plot, more action then another cliffhanger all throughout the book. “Hunt Through The Cradle of Fear” is a thriller, no doubt about it. Mr. Ardai writes in a breathless style that will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages as fast as you can read them just trying to keep up with a runaway roller coaster ride story. There is even a non Gabriel Hunt bonus adventure novelette by Mr. Ardai in the back. This is a wild ride read and I recommend it highly. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Titan Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 29, 2011
Hunt Through The Cradle Of Fear, the second book in the action adventure series, brings back hero Gabriel Hunt in another dangerous quest. Author and creator Charles Ardai takes a more traditional approach to the writing than in the first book, which was penned by novelist James Reasoner. While Ardai attempted to give us more details with this outing, I felt he ended up slowing down the fast pace that was set up in the first book. Although there were more action scenes in the first book, The Cradle Of Fear is still a swift and fun ride.
I did have some other problems with this book. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but villains racing in vehicles chasing and firing guns as our hero races away on a camel in the wide open desert was stretching it, even for me (the sustained running speed of a camel is 25 MPH). The description of some of the action was also confusing at times and I had to reread passages to understand what exactly was happening with the characters and their proximity to each other. That didn't happen often and most of the time it was smooth sailing with some very enjoyable moments. But in the end, I just was not into this story as much as the first book. However, there was definitely enough action and clever reveals here for me to want to journey with Gabriel Hunt again, especially with the writers that are lined up to take over this character.
I did have some other problems with this book. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but villains racing in vehicles chasing and firing guns as our hero races away on a camel in the wide open desert was stretching it, even for me (the sustained running speed of a camel is 25 MPH). The description of some of the action was also confusing at times and I had to reread passages to understand what exactly was happening with the characters and their proximity to each other. That didn't happen often and most of the time it was smooth sailing with some very enjoyable moments. But in the end, I just was not into this story as much as the first book. However, there was definitely enough action and clever reveals here for me to want to journey with Gabriel Hunt again, especially with the writers that are lined up to take over this character.
April 8, 2015
Hunt Through the Cradle of Fear is second book of the Gabriel Hunt series. He must stay ahead of an evil treasure hunter who believes he will find an artifact in the Great Sphinx of Egypt that will petrify whole armies. This is a fast paced pulp adventure set in the modern day. I like the twist ending very much and I give the book an A+.
Bonus story: "Nor Idolatry Blind the Eye" is about the search for golden calf idol from the Bible that is set after WWII. I enjoyed the ending but the rest was a little slow so I give it a B-.
Bonus feature: The first few pages of the next Gabriel Hunt adventure, Hunt At World's End, is included.
Bonus story: "Nor Idolatry Blind the Eye" is about the search for golden calf idol from the Bible that is set after WWII. I enjoyed the ending but the rest was a little slow so I give it a B-.
Bonus feature: The first few pages of the next Gabriel Hunt adventure, Hunt At World's End, is included.
July 18, 2011
Much like the first book ("Hunt At The Well of Eternity"), this book is like a literary pixie stick. Though it dumps you right into the action, this book doesn't stop moving, just like the first one.
May 17, 2015
This is the kind of story I think of when I think action/adventure. An Indiana Jones type of character, Gabriel Hunt is a two-fisted gun-toting hero/explorer who provides escapism at its best. An enjoyable read.
February 17, 2010
Would you believe me if I told you the sphinx was a real creature? Would you believe me or would you call me crazy? "Your arrogance is awesome if you presume to state what is and isn't real."
June 3, 2011
Sphinxes and two-fisted justice, oh my!
February 7, 2017
Not as good as the first because of the change of author, but a short Ok read all the same.
August 16, 2018
Definitely escapism at its best. It's like Indiana Jones, only modern and with a lot of money. Definitely recommend all of the books from the Gabriel Hunt series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews