What do you think?
Rate this book
Remarkable Silence
Sepphoris, Israel, 1995: Henry and Alice Cross, Harvard scholars leading an archaeological dig, discover clay tablets recording a family’s epic history from Moses through Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Tablets raise serious questions about the foundations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Was Moses a servant of God or a charlatan? What did Jesus want? What were Mary’s secrets? The discovery holds many answers. Henry and Alice call their find the Jesus Tablets.News of the discovery leads to behind-the -scenes conflicts among world powers, some willing to kill either to suppress or reveal the evidence. The American President, the Israeli Prime Minister, the Pope, a Hamas commander, Jesuits, and agents with unknown allegiances all scheme to control the Tablets. Henry and Alice’s struggle to protect what they’ve unearthed takes them from Israel to Washington, D.C. as they survive shocking murders of innocent friends. Will they and the Tablets survive? How important is the truth? Will a Machiavellian solution to conflict in the Middle East actually work? You are invited to enter the complex labyrinth of Remarkable Silence.
- GenresThriller
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2013
12 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 11, 2013
Pretty good
December 14, 2019
Absolutely riveting!
This book is very well written, filled with thought-provoking, absorbing, and sometimes startling and unbelievable facts, about the bible. It's hard to believe this is the author's first book. I enjoyed this book tremendously and I recommend it to anyone who can suspend their beliefs for a while in order to enjoy a "What if..." intriguing and suspenseful story.
This book is very well written, filled with thought-provoking, absorbing, and sometimes startling and unbelievable facts, about the bible. It's hard to believe this is the author's first book. I enjoyed this book tremendously and I recommend it to anyone who can suspend their beliefs for a while in order to enjoy a "What if..." intriguing and suspenseful story.
July 30, 2018
WOW! Complex, intriguing, remarkable and thought provoking! Karen Wills has quite an amazing mind and talent for weaving incredible plots. I'm in awe!
February 3, 2015
Archaeological dig + ancient clay tablets = a good story.
When Harvard professors Henry and Alice Cross discover an 1100 year old document written by one family they are amazed and excited, but as the tablets are translated they are troubled by the content. Was the biblical history of Palestine a myth created to seize control over a small tribe? The theme of religious intolerance runs through the book.
Major players in the quest for the tablets include the president of the U.S., the prime minister of Israel, the pope, the Jesuits, Opus Dei, the CIA, FBI, Mossad, Hamas, and a few fanatics (Christian, Jew, and Muslim). I found the sections relating to the dig and the political situation more interesting than the sections on the tablets. The history of the Holy Land was interesting but it dragged in places. Remember, this is fiction!
Rather than spoil the story let me share a few concerns: the word 'scientific' is used in discussions of the archaeological discoveries and yet it was deemed 'authentic' even though no scientific tests were done to date the physical content of the tablets or soil. The author wasn't consistent in the use of dates -- B.C. and B.C.E. were used interchangeably and A.D. was used where C.E. was expected. The dig was described as an 'academic project' and I thought the designation B.C. E. and C. E.would have been consistent with academic usage in the 1990s.
The question remains -- does the end justify the means?
No graphic sex or violence
When Harvard professors Henry and Alice Cross discover an 1100 year old document written by one family they are amazed and excited, but as the tablets are translated they are troubled by the content. Was the biblical history of Palestine a myth created to seize control over a small tribe? The theme of religious intolerance runs through the book.
Major players in the quest for the tablets include the president of the U.S., the prime minister of Israel, the pope, the Jesuits, Opus Dei, the CIA, FBI, Mossad, Hamas, and a few fanatics (Christian, Jew, and Muslim). I found the sections relating to the dig and the political situation more interesting than the sections on the tablets. The history of the Holy Land was interesting but it dragged in places. Remember, this is fiction!
Rather than spoil the story let me share a few concerns: the word 'scientific' is used in discussions of the archaeological discoveries and yet it was deemed 'authentic' even though no scientific tests were done to date the physical content of the tablets or soil. The author wasn't consistent in the use of dates -- B.C. and B.C.E. were used interchangeably and A.D. was used where C.E. was expected. The dig was described as an 'academic project' and I thought the designation B.C. E. and C. E.would have been consistent with academic usage in the 1990s.
The question remains -- does the end justify the means?
No graphic sex or violence
May 25, 2014
A different and thought provoking book that I thoroughly enjoyed. There are two themes throughout the book: one concerns a archeological discovery in the holy land of a collection of clay tablets inscribed with first person memoirs of members of one family over the generations from Moses to Mary and Jesus. In this theme a number of the stories are recounted. The other theme concerns the present day effect on world religions and concerned governments. The disclosures in the tablets are such that currently accepted Christian, Jewish and to some extent Islam beliefs will be seriously questioned. As the various entities decide to destroy the tablets or preserve them and use the information, plots abound, deaths occur and the ending is a bit of a surprise. I recommend it, but it may upset those with strong beliefs.
April 25, 2014
Open your mind.. and read this amazing thriller! This book takes a hold of you from the beginning.. and carries you along as if you were white water rafting! The insights to the minds of politicians and religious leaders is so spot on.. that the only detraction were the names were fictional! lmao. Though, insert the name of any person currently in the position.. and I think.. you would agree.. the author nailed it! They're all out for money and power. That's it.
Funny, I had never questioned much of the "history" of Moses.. until I read this book.. and it now leaves me wondering.. just how much is fictional.
Amazing that this is this author's first book! OMG! I am so hoping that she has many MANY more ready to go to print.. I can't even fathom having to wait to read another novel that she has written! KUDO'S to the author! VERY IMPRESSIVE!!
Funny, I had never questioned much of the "history" of Moses.. until I read this book.. and it now leaves me wondering.. just how much is fictional.
Amazing that this is this author's first book! OMG! I am so hoping that she has many MANY more ready to go to print.. I can't even fathom having to wait to read another novel that she has written! KUDO'S to the author! VERY IMPRESSIVE!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews