Secret of the Scroll

Greg McKenzie Mysteries #1

by Chester D. Campbell

Retired Air Force OSI agent Greg McKenzie thinks his troubles with the Metro Nashville Police are a problem. Then he brings a "souvenir" Dead Sea Scroll home from the Holy Land and things go from bad to worse. A Palestinian terrorist group invades his home, fails to find the scroll, and takes his wife, Jill, hostage. Greg finds himself with an ancient Hebrew scroll worth millions, wanted by both the Palestinians and a radical far-right Israeli organization. When he tries to exchange it for Jill's freedom, everything goes wrong. Then the police target him as a suspect in his wife's disappearance, and he sets out alone on a perilous chase to save her life.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Adventure

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Chester D. Campbell was born in Nashville, TN in 1925, smack in the midst of the "Roaring Twenties." Though too young for such at the time, he had visions of roaring "off into the wild blue yonder." After more than a year and a half of non-roaring during World War II, he left the service as an Aviation Cadet and studied journalism. His first taste of mysteries came early in his newspaper career when he read two novels by Horace McCoy. Over the next 42 years, he spun words as a reporter, freelance journalist, political speechwriter, advertising copywriter, magazine editor, and public relations pro. He kept his dream of creating mysteries alive and took up novel writing on retirement. He has currently published five Greg McKenzie Mysteries and two books featuring PI Sid Chance. He has added three Post Cold War thrillers and a standalone suspense story . The Greg McKenzie character had his origins in Campbell's Air Force experience. After serving as an intelligence officer in the Korean War, he remained in the Air National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Nashville, TN.

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not normally a big thriller fan, and if I do read them I only finish if the body count is kept to a reasonable number.

Thankfully, Chester Campbell can write an outstanding thriller without needing 40 or more people dead most by spray shooting of sub-machine guns.

I also worried a little about the theme since it seems very close to all the "copy cat" things that followed the phenomenal success of "The DaVinci Code". Even though the book came out before DaVinci there were some similarities and I wondered if I would enjoy the book.

No worries. This is nothing like the 24-hour settings of Dan Brown's books and there is plenty of time for character development in this one.

Retired Air Force OSI officer Greg MacKenzie and his wife are on the last leg of their trip through The Holy Land when a street vendor convinces Greg to purchase a "dead sea" scroll copy. Only when he is home does he realize that he has been made a pawn in getting a priceless artifact out of the country. What follows is a tense game of hide 'n seek, with Greg hiding the artifact and with several very nasty groups of people trying to make him give it back.

I enjoyed this (and send a special "Thank You" to Chester Campbell for selecting me in his drawing for a free copy of one of his books). Now, I have to get others in the series to see what happens to Greg and Jill in the future.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When life takes a twist or two you need to be prepared to fight all the way to the end

The trip to the holy land was going to be the highlight of their holiday until they are persuaded to buy an ancient scroll that turned out to be very rare. Jill Greg's wife is kidnapped everyone wants the scroll and willing to kill for it. With the help form Jake their tour guide along with captain Jarvis between them they manage to rescue Jill and get back home . This is a shortened version of this book but there is so much more. Plots a race across the world deaths twists turns so much going on that you need to read it. No world war 3 this time. Highly recommend a real good action mystery

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

International Intrigue

A well written mystery full of international intrigue. A fantastic story with an unforgettable plot and characters. A tale with just enough history to be taken out of the headlines.

[Amarilis Comas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thrill

Fast paced, whirlwind of a ride. Great storyline, with historical sites, intrigue and camaraderie. Keeps you guessing. Loved it! Main character is undaunted given his predicament.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I liked this book from beginning to end and since there havre been other scrolls found out there and there were many scribes, one of these days I pray one surfaces that proves the Word of God is true their is a messiah and through his death and resurrection there is more to hope
For than this ugly world we live in, my hats off to you Mr Campbell and thanks for a well written story

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 2.75

Khaled Assah is a young student at the University of Jordan who is working on an archaeological dig when he stumbles upon a hidden cave. Within the cave, he finds a reddish-brown clay jar which resembles the pots that held the Dead Sea Scrolls dating from the first century A.D. Against all odds, it appears that this unassuming student has found a priceless relic. The secrets of the scroll, once unraveled, will reveal the hiding place of some gold and silver lampstands (also known as menorah) spirited from Solomon's temple in 587 BC. Unfortunately, he loses possession of the scroll and it becomes the object of a quest by groups of Palestinians and Israelis.

Greg McKenzie is a retired Air Force criminal investigator. He and his wife, Jill, are taking a tour of the Middle East with their Sunday School class, mostly seniors from Nashville, Tennessee. Greg is glad of the respite from his problems at home, having been involved in some situations that had made him a persona non grata with the Nashville Police Department. Greg is a man of volatile temper and exceptional stubbornness, traits that do not serve him well for the most part. For some reason, during part of their tour, he and Jill face a very persistent souvenir salesperson who insists that they buy a jar containing a parchment scroll. Unbeknownst to Greg and Jill, they are being used as instruments to transport the scroll to the United States. From the point that they acquire the scroll, the narrative focuses on the efforts of various evil Middle Eastern types to get the scroll back.

Threats and force do not work, so the villains resort to kidnapping Jill. McKenzie, being a former investigator, thinks he knows better than anyone else about how to get her back, but all of his efforts are totally misguided. There are several meets set up, but Greg never brings the scroll to trade for his wife. Frustrated, the villains end up spiriting Jill away back to Israel, and Greg follows in an attempt to free her. After some rather incendiary face-offs, the situation is tidily resolved.

Campbell has a very smooth writing style which made the actual reading of the book very enjoyable. Up until about the halfway point, I was engaged in the story and enjoying the characters. However, he ended up turning his irascible protagonist into someone who was not very likable for the long haul. His pigheadedness in playing games with the villains while his wife's life hung in the balance struck me as sheer stupidity after a while. I got tired of his bluster. In addition, the plot became very implausible to me from the point that the villains took Jill back to Israel. Why would they have bothered? Why would they not have either escalated the violence against Greg so that he would give up the scroll or killed the hostage to display their seriousness about their intentions? I felt like he lost control of the plot in an effort to make it complex. It was hard to believe that possession of the scroll could be the trigger for World War III, for example. Every single thread was neatly tied at the conclusion of the book, which felt contrived and implausible.

What started out as a good read fizzled out for me over the course of the book. Campbell has excellent writing skills and has the potential for more than was achieved in this book.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise! When I got this kindle book from Amazon, I really expected little. What I did get was a book that slowly captured my interest and pulled me into its pages. Before I got the e-book, I worried a bit about the plot line as it sounded just like another of the Dan Brown “wanna-bes”; however, the “Secret of the Scroll” by Chester D. Campbell delivers on all levels and is a wonderful read and a thriller that is hard to put down.

Retired Air Force OSI Agent Greg McKenzie and his wife Jill are on a trip to the Holy Land. Shortly before they return home, a souvenir street vendor convinces Jill to purchase a "souvenir" that turns out to be an ancient scroll. When they innocently return home, the McKenzie’s world turns upside down as Jill is taken hostage in a battle between militant Palestinians and radical Israelis to recover this ancient scroll. The police, however, target Greg as a suspect in his wife's disappearance, and with a little help from his friends (and a few others), he sets out alone in a perilous chase to save his wife as she is spirited out of America and back to Israel.

The “Secret of the Scroll” is honestly a classic page-turner; I often kept reading when I knew I should go to sleep. I just kept saying; “Just one more chapter.” It is a thriller without a large body count; it is a book about an historical artifact without trying to clone Dan Brown. Yes, there is plenty of action and intrigue, but the real suspense comes from all of McKenzie's efforts to save his wife while trying to stay a step ahead of the mysterious figures who will stop at nothing to get the scroll. While there are many twists and turns in store for the reader, there is as well a strong realism in the characterization of the main character who seems to be a bit more like your neighbor rather than a James Bond super-hero type. You will like these characters and you will like the book - “Secret of the Scroll” (Greg McKenzie Mysteries #1).

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very impressed by Mr. Campbell's mysteries, although I have only read two so far. Candidly, I did not think this one as good as the one which followed it, but perhaps this was only a matter of a writer honing his craft.
Like many successful mystery novels, this one delves into lots of different areas which require some detailed knowledge. For example the protagonist and his wife travel to Israel, he seems to understand how government regulations work and how the OSI functions. While I would have appreciated a bit deeper understanding of religious issues, especially concerning the importance of such things as ancient scrolls concerning the second temple, perhaps I am just being picky. The best part was that I was constantly involved, interested and never thought that the writer had no idea where he was going.
I have read only two books by this author so far, but I do have one major criticism and that is that I kept wondering in which century the action occurs: specifically, why is it that more people are not carrying cell phones, why there is no WIFI and why there are physical answering machines, apparently with tape on them. The world has changed a great deal in 20 years and neither of these books is keeping up with modern technology.
While I do not expect a retired OSI officer to be tweeting constantly, I do expect that the next book should have GPS trackers and smart phones. It's not that I think they add much to the plot, but they do represent a view of the modern world which seems more plausible than ignoring them. Still, Campbell is quickly becoming my favorite mystery writer. When you look forward to someone's next book, that's high praise indeed.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast Moving, Entertaining

An Arab youth finds an old jar in a cave in Jordan and in it is a scroll. He takes it to Ramallah to his cousin to get it translated because it might have Kabbalist secrets and is questioned by an Israeli security service. His body is found after being rammed by a car.

Greg McKenzie, retired OSI from the military, is hot headed and blurts out his opinions, which keeps him from advancement in the military and makes enemies for him with the Nashville Police Dept. when he worked there as a Detective for the D.A.’s office after retirement from the military. Greg and his wife Jill visit Israel and the mid-east where a souvenir street vendor convinces Jill to purchase what appears to be an old scroll and she tucks it in her carryon. After picking up their luggage at the airport on their return, they find the locks on the cases have been cut off and the luggage rifled. Immediately after returning home, Jill suddenly disappears and Greg gets a phone call telling him they will exchange Jill for the scroll. Greg takes it to two different professors who translate the scroll for him. The story continues filled with murder, close escapes, car chases, a Palestinian radical group, an Israeli radical group and Jordan all after this scroll. The story is page turner, fascinating, fast moving and not very long. It is an easy read and entertaining. I recommend it.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg McKenzie is a guy who could be your neighbor. He works, he loves his wife and accompanies her to church. He’s trying to quit smoking, hold his temper and not swear too much.

Then suddenly, just home from a church-sponsored trip to the Holy Land, he and his wife, Jill, find themselves in the middle of a situation that could ignite World War 3.

The plot reminds me somewhat of Hitchcock’s Man Who Knew Too Much. The stories aren’t the same, but there’s that same tension and consequences for a character thrust into a situation involving a foreign culture and a place outside his normal life.

Campbell builds the reader’s sympathy for Greg and Jill McKenzie—they’re a likeable couple, one we’d enjoy spending time with—and you want to see them get out of this dire situation.

There’s plenty of action as Greg, a man with a background in law enforcement, races against time to rescue his wife and avert an international tragedy. It keeps the reader flipping pages. We want to know what happens next and how they’re going to be reunited.

This was the first in a series and a good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with Campbell’s work. Good characterization, smooth plotting and even a touch of humor.

[booksthrubifocals · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME ON ALL COUNTS! Move over Don Brown!

"Secret of the Scroll" is the best of its genre that I've read! The characters are well developed and believable while the plot is a page turner that never slows. McKenzie is retired from the Air Force and police force as an investigator, sometimes a bit too quick to share his politically incorrect opinions and to overlook procedure to get the job done. He and his long beloved wife Jill, take a tour to Israel, hoping the consequences following a critical remark regarding police force makes the front page. After an uneventful and pleasant trip, just prior to their return to the US, Jill convinces him to purchase a souvenir that proves to be a genuine first century scroll. Mayhem erupts when multiple middle-eastern religious a and political groups pull out all stops to gain access to the Scroll and Greg, who managed to alienate just about every agency he could turn to for help, must rely on himself and a few stalwart friends to bring to resolve some serious issues. Does he return the Scroll in return for his kidnapped wife and possibly ignite WW III or does our hero earn a HEA

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: For this book I am a biased reader. (But listen to me anyways.)

I'm not going to lie, this is not a book I would normally pick up. I don't read a lot of mystery or thriller, and it's rare for me to choose to read something set in the present day.

That being said, this was a fun read. It is a bit different than what I'm used to, but it's a good different. It's refreshing. I'm looking forward to reading the others!

Also, there were several passages that me saying, "Granpa, you are so sassy!" (I'm proud of you!)

So give this book a shot not only because I have one of the coolest grandfathers on the planet but also because Secret of the Scroll is a wonderful book in it's own right!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of this book has absolutely nothing to do with the book I read.

This is the book I read:

Retired OSI officer Greg McKenzie, his wife Jill, and a group of friends from his church go on a tour of the Holy Land where a he buys a "fake" scroll as a souvenir. He actually bought an ancient scroll and the Guardians of Palestine and a radical Jewish group are both trying to get the scroll. The groups follow him back to TN and the Palestinian group kidnaps his wife. The two groups chase McKenzie and each other
in TN and back to Israel to get the scroll-- all he wants is to trade the scroll for his wife.

Fun book and I stayed up all night to finish it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ebook that I received free for a fair review.

I enjoyed the story and the writing was very good. Intricate plot with some very realistic characters. I am not well versed in Middle East politics, and so the setting was sometimes uncomfortable for me. I much preferred the investigation while it was in the US.

I found some of the details to be a bit repetitive, but otherwise looked forward to reading it during my breaks and free time. I would be interested in reading more adventures of Greg and Jill.

Recommended for those who like tense situations and retired investigators with friends in the right places.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Great!

It was the showdown between good and evil. Greg Mackenzie, retired from Air Force OSI, comes back from a pleasure trip, only to discover two groups are after an innocent souvenir he had purchased while in Israel. He and his wife had just unpacked and then someone kidnaps his wife. Then the story picks up as he is able to get help from various friends that lead to back to Israel to try and exchange the scroll for his wife. Much terror and intrigue from that point on until the final unraveling. It keeps you on the edge of your seat!

[Gail Baugniet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Campbell's copywrite for this novel is 2002, but the Middle East venue and the kidnapping scenerio are straight out of today's headlines. He keeps the tension ratched high, leaving little breathing room for the reader.

Even with the heavy action, it was my kind of mystery. I was able to enjoy reading without having to wade through scenes of extreme violence or torture, which aren't entertainment for me.

I especially liked the resolution to the problem he created for his protagonist.

[Howard Katzoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting with lots of action

A great book about an ancient scroll that both Israel and Jordan want to possess. There is non stop action as the main character tries to find his wife who was kidnapped. As he chases through Nashville and Israel searching for her, all kinds of characters pop up to thwart his way. Lots of really interesting details about Israel that add to the intrigue. Well worth reading.

[Stacei · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

I loved this book it was action packed, and full of intrigue. You can never tell what will happen when you go on a bible study vacation to the Holy Land. Greg and his wife Jill get more than they ever expected. There was no time to recover from jet lag before their lives were turned upside down. I highly recommend this book and will read the next Greg McKenzie mystery.

[Carol Mcgrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book

I found this book very interesting. Greg McKenzie and his wife Jill just returned from a trip to Israel with a scroll that they purchased. They did not know that it contained a secret message. Jill gets kidnapped and Greg tried to find her while protecting the scroll. This was very well written and very interesting. If you like fiction involving historical artifacts, intrigue and danger, you will enjoy this book.

[Paula Schumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

During a sightseeing trip to the Holy Land, Greg McKenzie and his wife Jill get unwittingly caught up in an international fiasco involving an ancient Hebrew manuscript. After the couple innocently return to the United States, Jill is kidnapped and Greg spurs in to action trying to find her before time runs out. I'm recommending this one to all my reader friends.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery! First in the Greg Mackenzie series! Mr Campbell's characters are interesting and his writing style keeps you focused on the story and characters interaction. Definitely a must read for mystery lovers who enjoy stories about sacred scrolls, secret codes and hidden religious treasures!

[Jed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book from Amazon so I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a really good story. It was a pleasant change for the hero to be a resourceful older gentleman rather than a young, chisel-jawed, muscular young stud.

[Rajuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical Chester Campbell book - well conceived and very well written. The deficit in character development, if any wasn't too pronounced as to take away the satisfaction of having read a good thriller. A Recommended Read

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense and action packed

Suspense filled and action packed, this story of an ancient scroll takes many different turns before coming to a head in which you don't know which way it'll go.
The story it's well written and obviously well researched. And the characters are believable

[Pam]

08/23/08 birthday book rec from Jenny

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much going for this at all - not quite a wall-banger but it was a close run thing.

[Jean Henry Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at Israeli history and intrigue. The book literally kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense

kept me wanting more. just kept reading.g and reading til I finally finished the whole book. Will read more by this author

[James Moir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Action packed from start to finish. Fast paced thriller. Most enjoyable read.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. Just wish Chester D. Campbell's books were in my Library. I would have liked to read more of his works.