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Chris Bronson #6
The Lost Testament
FROM THE PUBLISHERS THAT BROUGHT YOU DAN BROWNFor thousands of years we guarded it. But now it has been found. This could be the end – for us; for our organisation; for the world. You must destroy it, and those who have taken it.An ancient object is discovered in a Cairo souk. Hours later, the market trader who sold it is tortured to death. As the bodies begin to pile up, a request for help is sent to British Museum historian Angela Lewis. Angela travels to Spain with her ex-husband, undercover police officer Chris Bronson. There they discover the key to the greatest secret in the history of Christianity. Their only problem is deciphering it before they are brutally murdered like those before them...
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
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753 people want to read
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March 12, 2017
A really really really badly written book I read because of the premise and because I'm researching bestselling thriller authors. But this was truly bad:
"Excellent," the emperor purred. "Now summon help." (5)
"This is a private matter," he said. "Kindly leave us." (2)
That's Emperor Constantine, perhaps from the 60s Batman show. But that dialogue is terrible.
Characters are always "suddenly realizing" things. And I love this one:
"Instantly both figures froze into immobility beside the wall." (7)
If you freeze, of course you're also immobile. And when a reader sees "instantly," he expects to see some kind of action, not a lack of action.
(And, yes, I realize I've quoted from just the first seven pages. I did read the whole thing, and I'm tired and lazy, and it's 1:07 a.m.)
The lost testament of the title is shown only a few times in the book, and for some reason nobody seems in a hurry to translate it. People associated with it are dying all over the place, and the flaps tell us the real document it's based on, yet we're not told what the document in the book says until the very last few pages. I'll ruin it for you: It says what the flaps say the real thing says. Ugh.
There's an ex-husband and ex-wife team, but they don't seem excited or scared about anything, and neither's smart enough to be another Robert Langdon. Chris Bronson (not Charles Bronson) is an ex-cop, but he doesn't seem to know the laws of anything. It's unclear if he's on vacation, on sabbatical, or on suspension. He doesn't seem to know where he is much of the time. Angela Lewis is a historian, but she hates dating things, especially old jars, and she doesn't seem terribly interested in the document, which could blow the lid off the Church and make blowhard politicians in the American South rather unhappy. (This is actually hinted at in the book.) The author and characters seem to be British, but you only know that because British towns are frequently mentioned, and words like "tram" and "lift" are used. Yawn.
Though most of this book takes place in and near Vatican City and Cairo, none of that is described. The Vatican isn't described. Neither is Rome, or any city in Egypt, or the document itself. Later the book takes place in Portugal and Spain, but you only know that because the characters say so. Bleh.
The document in question, for real, is much more interesting than this book ever hopes to be. It's a document of a trial, supposedly written by a lawyer-ish guy. The trial is of a Roman soldier, a certain Panthera (or Pantera) who has raped a local woman, and impregnated her. Raping your captives during times of military occupation or war was a crime then like it is now (though it happens all the time now, and I'm sure it also did then.) Anyway, Panthera is on trial for this rape, and the document insinuates that he's clearly guilty, and witnesses are produced to prove it. This would often lead to the rapist's death, as the military, then and now, wants to show it's in charge of its own soldiers. However, then as now, such things are hushed up. In this case, he was found not guilty.
All of this refers to the Pantera Rape, which if you don't know, [if you're a severely religious Christian, you might want to bow out here] is the story that Mary was not impregnated by the Almighty, but (as alleged by a man named Jerod of Cana) by a Roman guard named Tiberius Iulius Abdes Pantera (or Panthera), who rapes her. (Or it's consensual, as was the belief at the time, for those who believed this to begin with. Scholars have complained for years how the many Marys of the Bible seem to be confused with each other--not good, if one is the mother and the other a reformed prostitute.) At any rate, a Yusef bar Heli (Joseph) of around Tzippori (a town in Israel attacked by the Romans in 4 BCE) is upset with her (and not the Roman archer, per se) because she's pregnant, (and no longer a virgin, nor a woman first taken by her husband) and so, as she's now considered defiled, he turns her out, and she gives birth to Jesus in the middle of nowhere. She would've been barely in her teens at this point, perhaps 11 or 12.
This is actually not a new story, as this book and my research point out. It may even pre-date many of the Gospels. An ancient writer / philosopher, named Celsus, was the first to fully write of this, but a great many others did soon thereafter. Celsus and the others say this story was widely known during their day, and during the days of the Disciples. Celsus's work, titled The True Word [or Account, Doctrine or Discourse] is lost, but much of it is quoted by Origen, about a hundred years later, so he can refute it in a book of his own, which is called Against Celsus [Contra Celsum].
Whether you accept this or not, this is already more interesting than a book written by a guy who's watched too many bad 50s beefcake gladiator epics and bad 90s cop shows, right?
A few points Celsus (who was clearly biased and anti-Christian), in about 177 A.D.(when the Christians were being persecuted in Rome, and long after Jesus and Paul and the others had died) made in defense of his belief that the original Christians were maybe a little confused:
--If Jesus is born as an infinite God, why would an angel warn Joseph and Mary and Jesus to hit the road before Herod kills Him? Furthermore, wouldn't God, His Father, be able to protect Him from Herod, a finite human?
--How can an immortal man die, on the cross or otherwise? If you're resurrected, you've died first.
--It's said that Joseph and Jesus were carpenters. But Jesus is also said to have taught at a synagogue. Would the Jewish leaders let a carpenter from a tiny backwater teach at the synagogue?
--If not, then the word in this document attributed to Jesus and Joseph being carpenters (vulgar Latin "naggar") could mean its other connotation: "craftsman." As in, a "craftsman of words," perhaps. Like I would be a wordsmith, but not a blacksmith, today. But, either way, a "craftsman."
--Why didn't His disciples fear Him as a God? Instead, one betrays Him, one doubts Him, and another perjures Him.
--And why didn't they cease these actions, if they thought of Him as a God?
--And if they didn't think of Him as an infinite God, who else ever would?
--Celsus mentioned it was commonly known in his own time (and that of the previous 80-100 years of the NT) that the Bible had been "corrupted from its original integrity" and "remodeled" to try to explain discrepancies or paradoxes in the text. I'll provide an example from the OT: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" and "Thou shalt not kill." Can't be both, right?
--If Jesus is descended "from the first man, and from the kings of the Jews" then why are Joseph, Mary and Jesus seemingly unaware of their "illustrious descent?" If I'm descended from Adam or from King David, I'm always going to know it, and I'm going to let it be known. Several times.
--"After so long a period of time, then, did God now bethink himself of making men live righteous lives, but neglect to do so before?" I've pointed this out before: Since the first man walked, why would just one Savior appear only at that one time in human history? Why not also at any other time thousands of years before--or about 2000 years since? The OT is at least 3,000 years old, and the NT is about 2,000 years old. A novel-in-progress of mine now is about a small group of people who attempt to write their own Bible. "It's overdue," one of them says. "It's time," says another.
--Celsus is amongst the first to point out that the Bible uses the word "day" before the heavens, the sun and the Earth are fully created. Without all three in existence already, there is no "day."
--As I've also mentioned: Why does God need to rest? "After this...He is weary...who stands in need of rest to refresh himself..."
Lastly, one of my preferred beliefs: "One ought to first follow reason as a guide before accepting any belief, since anyone who believes without first testing a doctrine is certain to be deceived."
Indeed--How strong is an untested belief?
Anyway, whether you're with him or not, it's more interesting to research the Pantera / Mary document than it is to read this book. So read the Bible, and read Celsus, and Origen, and ponder all this stuff, and don't waste your time reading Becker's book.
The only kudos here to Becker is that he brings up the document to begin with.
"Excellent," the emperor purred. "Now summon help." (5)
"This is a private matter," he said. "Kindly leave us." (2)
That's Emperor Constantine, perhaps from the 60s Batman show. But that dialogue is terrible.
Characters are always "suddenly realizing" things. And I love this one:
"Instantly both figures froze into immobility beside the wall." (7)
If you freeze, of course you're also immobile. And when a reader sees "instantly," he expects to see some kind of action, not a lack of action.
(And, yes, I realize I've quoted from just the first seven pages. I did read the whole thing, and I'm tired and lazy, and it's 1:07 a.m.)
The lost testament of the title is shown only a few times in the book, and for some reason nobody seems in a hurry to translate it. People associated with it are dying all over the place, and the flaps tell us the real document it's based on, yet we're not told what the document in the book says until the very last few pages. I'll ruin it for you: It says what the flaps say the real thing says. Ugh.
There's an ex-husband and ex-wife team, but they don't seem excited or scared about anything, and neither's smart enough to be another Robert Langdon. Chris Bronson (not Charles Bronson) is an ex-cop, but he doesn't seem to know the laws of anything. It's unclear if he's on vacation, on sabbatical, or on suspension. He doesn't seem to know where he is much of the time. Angela Lewis is a historian, but she hates dating things, especially old jars, and she doesn't seem terribly interested in the document, which could blow the lid off the Church and make blowhard politicians in the American South rather unhappy. (This is actually hinted at in the book.) The author and characters seem to be British, but you only know that because British towns are frequently mentioned, and words like "tram" and "lift" are used. Yawn.
Though most of this book takes place in and near Vatican City and Cairo, none of that is described. The Vatican isn't described. Neither is Rome, or any city in Egypt, or the document itself. Later the book takes place in Portugal and Spain, but you only know that because the characters say so. Bleh.
The document in question, for real, is much more interesting than this book ever hopes to be. It's a document of a trial, supposedly written by a lawyer-ish guy. The trial is of a Roman soldier, a certain Panthera (or Pantera) who has raped a local woman, and impregnated her. Raping your captives during times of military occupation or war was a crime then like it is now (though it happens all the time now, and I'm sure it also did then.) Anyway, Panthera is on trial for this rape, and the document insinuates that he's clearly guilty, and witnesses are produced to prove it. This would often lead to the rapist's death, as the military, then and now, wants to show it's in charge of its own soldiers. However, then as now, such things are hushed up. In this case, he was found not guilty.
All of this refers to the Pantera Rape, which if you don't know, [if you're a severely religious Christian, you might want to bow out here] is the story that Mary was not impregnated by the Almighty, but (as alleged by a man named Jerod of Cana) by a Roman guard named Tiberius Iulius Abdes Pantera (or Panthera), who rapes her. (Or it's consensual, as was the belief at the time, for those who believed this to begin with. Scholars have complained for years how the many Marys of the Bible seem to be confused with each other--not good, if one is the mother and the other a reformed prostitute.) At any rate, a Yusef bar Heli (Joseph) of around Tzippori (a town in Israel attacked by the Romans in 4 BCE) is upset with her (and not the Roman archer, per se) because she's pregnant, (and no longer a virgin, nor a woman first taken by her husband) and so, as she's now considered defiled, he turns her out, and she gives birth to Jesus in the middle of nowhere. She would've been barely in her teens at this point, perhaps 11 or 12.
This is actually not a new story, as this book and my research point out. It may even pre-date many of the Gospels. An ancient writer / philosopher, named Celsus, was the first to fully write of this, but a great many others did soon thereafter. Celsus and the others say this story was widely known during their day, and during the days of the Disciples. Celsus's work, titled The True Word [or Account, Doctrine or Discourse] is lost, but much of it is quoted by Origen, about a hundred years later, so he can refute it in a book of his own, which is called Against Celsus [Contra Celsum].
Whether you accept this or not, this is already more interesting than a book written by a guy who's watched too many bad 50s beefcake gladiator epics and bad 90s cop shows, right?
A few points Celsus (who was clearly biased and anti-Christian), in about 177 A.D.(when the Christians were being persecuted in Rome, and long after Jesus and Paul and the others had died) made in defense of his belief that the original Christians were maybe a little confused:
--If Jesus is born as an infinite God, why would an angel warn Joseph and Mary and Jesus to hit the road before Herod kills Him? Furthermore, wouldn't God, His Father, be able to protect Him from Herod, a finite human?
--How can an immortal man die, on the cross or otherwise? If you're resurrected, you've died first.
--It's said that Joseph and Jesus were carpenters. But Jesus is also said to have taught at a synagogue. Would the Jewish leaders let a carpenter from a tiny backwater teach at the synagogue?
--If not, then the word in this document attributed to Jesus and Joseph being carpenters (vulgar Latin "naggar") could mean its other connotation: "craftsman." As in, a "craftsman of words," perhaps. Like I would be a wordsmith, but not a blacksmith, today. But, either way, a "craftsman."
--Why didn't His disciples fear Him as a God? Instead, one betrays Him, one doubts Him, and another perjures Him.
--And why didn't they cease these actions, if they thought of Him as a God?
--And if they didn't think of Him as an infinite God, who else ever would?
--Celsus mentioned it was commonly known in his own time (and that of the previous 80-100 years of the NT) that the Bible had been "corrupted from its original integrity" and "remodeled" to try to explain discrepancies or paradoxes in the text. I'll provide an example from the OT: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" and "Thou shalt not kill." Can't be both, right?
--If Jesus is descended "from the first man, and from the kings of the Jews" then why are Joseph, Mary and Jesus seemingly unaware of their "illustrious descent?" If I'm descended from Adam or from King David, I'm always going to know it, and I'm going to let it be known. Several times.
--"After so long a period of time, then, did God now bethink himself of making men live righteous lives, but neglect to do so before?" I've pointed this out before: Since the first man walked, why would just one Savior appear only at that one time in human history? Why not also at any other time thousands of years before--or about 2000 years since? The OT is at least 3,000 years old, and the NT is about 2,000 years old. A novel-in-progress of mine now is about a small group of people who attempt to write their own Bible. "It's overdue," one of them says. "It's time," says another.
--Celsus is amongst the first to point out that the Bible uses the word "day" before the heavens, the sun and the Earth are fully created. Without all three in existence already, there is no "day."
--As I've also mentioned: Why does God need to rest? "After this...He is weary...who stands in need of rest to refresh himself..."
Lastly, one of my preferred beliefs: "One ought to first follow reason as a guide before accepting any belief, since anyone who believes without first testing a doctrine is certain to be deceived."
Indeed--How strong is an untested belief?
Anyway, whether you're with him or not, it's more interesting to research the Pantera / Mary document than it is to read this book. So read the Bible, and read Celsus, and Origen, and ponder all this stuff, and don't waste your time reading Becker's book.
The only kudos here to Becker is that he brings up the document to begin with.
November 25, 2013
If you are a fan of Dan Brown or the Da Vinci Code, you won't want to miss this one. The Lost Testament by James Becker, which is the sixth installment in the Chris Bronson series, is extremely satisfying and so utterly enjoyable.
Hidden far away from prying eyes in the archives of the Vatican is a piece of parchment. But someone manages to steal it and sells it in the markets of Cairo. In a country where artifacts and fragments change hands faster than the tick of a second, it looks no different from the countless others that are sold and bought. Yet, this is no ordinary artifact. The trader is killed and the search to recover the stolen relics only helps to pile up more bodies.
On receiving a formal request for help, British Museum historian Angela Lewis and her ex-husband, Chris Bronson, a policeman from Kent, join forces trying to unravel the mystery behind the parchment theft. But soon, the table is turned. The hunters become the hunted, and they are chased all over Europe and North Africa. But Angela and Chris are doggedly resolute to uncover the reason behind the craze for the parchment. Why is a piece of parchment so important to so many people, including the Vatican? Why are they willing to kill for it? What secret does the parchment contain? Is the stolen parchment the one said to contain secrets about the Immaculate Conception?
James Becker weaves a fascinating tale of intrigue, dark secrets and religious conspiracies which will appeal to both Christian and mainstream readers. Chris and Angela are remarkable characters with issues of their own - divorced but they are still deeply attached to each other. The plot is engaging, the pace fantastic and the writing style is simply irresistible.
Hidden far away from prying eyes in the archives of the Vatican is a piece of parchment. But someone manages to steal it and sells it in the markets of Cairo. In a country where artifacts and fragments change hands faster than the tick of a second, it looks no different from the countless others that are sold and bought. Yet, this is no ordinary artifact. The trader is killed and the search to recover the stolen relics only helps to pile up more bodies.
On receiving a formal request for help, British Museum historian Angela Lewis and her ex-husband, Chris Bronson, a policeman from Kent, join forces trying to unravel the mystery behind the parchment theft. But soon, the table is turned. The hunters become the hunted, and they are chased all over Europe and North Africa. But Angela and Chris are doggedly resolute to uncover the reason behind the craze for the parchment. Why is a piece of parchment so important to so many people, including the Vatican? Why are they willing to kill for it? What secret does the parchment contain? Is the stolen parchment the one said to contain secrets about the Immaculate Conception?
James Becker weaves a fascinating tale of intrigue, dark secrets and religious conspiracies which will appeal to both Christian and mainstream readers. Chris and Angela are remarkable characters with issues of their own - divorced but they are still deeply attached to each other. The plot is engaging, the pace fantastic and the writing style is simply irresistible.
July 16, 2016
This was an excellent series. Enjoyed every book.
March 15, 2014
Becker returns with another great thriller whose premise is strongly based on some discrepancy within Christianity. The tale begins with a robbery within the Vatican in 1965, where a few collections of poetry found their way into the hands of cunning thieves. Little did they know that hidden in the collection's pages an ancient parchment lay, with information that could ruin one of the central tenet of Christianity. While the documents were found soon thereafter, the parchment's location was never discovered. Emerging on the streets of Cairo, the parchment is shuffled from dealer to dealer, its worth unknown. The Vatican, using its vast reach, contacts P2, the ultra-secret mercenary wing of the Church to recover the parchment and kill any who may have discovered its importance. When an Egyptian dealer in ancient documents gets ahold of the parchment and reaches out to Angela Lewis of the British Museum, she and her former husband, Chris Bronson, become actively involved. As they acquire snapshots and eventually the real parchment, Lewis and Bronson stumble into the web of P2's mission and people around them begin to die. Bronson must get Lewis out of Egypt and back home in order to authenticate and translate the document. The race is on to survive the plot of the Vatican and to keep Christianity from imploding. The only question remains is who will come out on top and what does revealing this secret mean for all involved?
Becker's latest novel not only piques the interest of admirers of the thriller genre, but also posits some interesting questions about the foundation of the Vatican. Picking up on threads woven into many novels by the likes of Dan Brown, Juan Gomez Jurado, and Miguel Rocha, the Vatican's evil side emerges and its need to bury all that is not copacetic pushes it into the realm of a corrupt government. Becker tackles this, but also uses his ability to present short, choppy chapters to tell a story full of action and adventure. With fact and fiction interspersed throughout, the reader is left to wonder where the the truth ends and speculation commences.
Kudos Mr. Becker on a sensational story and great plot. Another book coming soon, which is sure to be at the top of my list.
Becker's latest novel not only piques the interest of admirers of the thriller genre, but also posits some interesting questions about the foundation of the Vatican. Picking up on threads woven into many novels by the likes of Dan Brown, Juan Gomez Jurado, and Miguel Rocha, the Vatican's evil side emerges and its need to bury all that is not copacetic pushes it into the realm of a corrupt government. Becker tackles this, but also uses his ability to present short, choppy chapters to tell a story full of action and adventure. With fact and fiction interspersed throughout, the reader is left to wonder where the the truth ends and speculation commences.
Kudos Mr. Becker on a sensational story and great plot. Another book coming soon, which is sure to be at the top of my list.
Read
December 19, 2014It took me three days to get to page 135. And not because I'm a slow reader. Everything else seemed to be slow, though.
The blurb (and the beginning) promised something akin to a Dan Brown novel (I know, I'm mentioning the guy a lot lately), but unfortunately it didn't deliver. At least not until the point I stopped reading. A book like this is supposed to suck you in and spit you out at the very end, not offer you tea and hope you'll stick around.
I don't like tea that much.
When, on the fourth day, I opened the book again, I just sighed when reading the first paragraph, closed it, and placed it in my to-give-away box. But I'll just probably give it away to the library. I know they won't resent me.
The blurb (and the beginning) promised something akin to a Dan Brown novel (I know, I'm mentioning the guy a lot lately), but unfortunately it didn't deliver. At least not until the point I stopped reading. A book like this is supposed to suck you in and spit you out at the very end, not offer you tea and hope you'll stick around.
I don't like tea that much.
When, on the fourth day, I opened the book again, I just sighed when reading the first paragraph, closed it, and placed it in my to-give-away box. But I'll just probably give it away to the library. I know they won't resent me.
May 11, 2017
The Lost Testament centers around an ancient document that was stolen from the Vatican Archives for a collector. Fast forward several years and the document has been found once again. This time it has been sold to a dealer who is trying to find out the value and what is written on the parchment. He calls on his friend Ali who works at a museum to help him.
Angela Lewis with her ex-husband Chris Bronson gets involved. Then we have the P2 who are trying to protect the Vatican even if that mean killing anyone with knowledge of the parchment. Needless to say several bodies end up dead.
Angela and Chris find a solution to keep themselves alive and safe. What a great series.
Angela Lewis with her ex-husband Chris Bronson gets involved. Then we have the P2 who are trying to protect the Vatican even if that mean killing anyone with knowledge of the parchment. Needless to say several bodies end up dead.
Angela and Chris find a solution to keep themselves alive and safe. What a great series.
January 16, 2014
This book took me weeks to get through. Nothing ever compelled me to just sit down and read straight through it. I think the two characters - whatshername and Bronson were completely dull and unappealing. I rather wish the author had just written the historic story and didn't try to write a contemporary action book. Just once I'd like these main characters to call the police.
August 9, 2017
A disappointing read.
The main premise is good but that's about it. Too many times, characters jump to conclusions with no evidence, that are perfectly true. Not just the heroes but the villains too. Moments later. For no real reason but to force a conflict.
That is when they aren't just stopping whatever they are doing to explain a great chunk of history to someone, even when being hunted by armed killers. Why?
What's worse than even that is the heroes aren't even likeable any more, especially when they are together, which they are in this book much more than the previous one. Bronson, himself seems to have developed a gun fetish and can't live without one, or better yet several, even though he's supposedly a UK policeman, not that he's ever on duty, and knows - because he says it several times - that having one would get him locked up for a long time.
IN previous books I've thought Bronson's ex-wife should have been the lead as, after all, she is the expert but all she does is spout history from time to time even though most of it has already been explained by others.
Lastly the twists in the plot seem to all come from previous books in the series, so that if, like I have, you've read them all one after the other, you can see them coming a mile away, and wonder why Bronson didn't, as after all they've happened to him before. Mind you, he and everyone else, seems to have forgotten everything they went through in the previous books, too.
All in all, although this book can be an exciting read, it is best to leave logic and reality behind which is a great shame.
Sorry to say that this is where I bow out of the series and I won't be bothering with the seventh book, which will no doubt, just be more of the same.
The main premise is good but that's about it. Too many times, characters jump to conclusions with no evidence, that are perfectly true. Not just the heroes but the villains too. Moments later. For no real reason but to force a conflict.
That is when they aren't just stopping whatever they are doing to explain a great chunk of history to someone, even when being hunted by armed killers. Why?
What's worse than even that is the heroes aren't even likeable any more, especially when they are together, which they are in this book much more than the previous one. Bronson, himself seems to have developed a gun fetish and can't live without one, or better yet several, even though he's supposedly a UK policeman, not that he's ever on duty, and knows - because he says it several times - that having one would get him locked up for a long time.
IN previous books I've thought Bronson's ex-wife should have been the lead as, after all, she is the expert but all she does is spout history from time to time even though most of it has already been explained by others.
Lastly the twists in the plot seem to all come from previous books in the series, so that if, like I have, you've read them all one after the other, you can see them coming a mile away, and wonder why Bronson didn't, as after all they've happened to him before. Mind you, he and everyone else, seems to have forgotten everything they went through in the previous books, too.
All in all, although this book can be an exciting read, it is best to leave logic and reality behind which is a great shame.
Sorry to say that this is where I bow out of the series and I won't be bothering with the seventh book, which will no doubt, just be more of the same.
January 17, 2020
Another really good read by James Becker. At last a story which is possibly credible given the storyline of Catholic Church seeks relic disputing "immaculate Conception" and willing to countenance evil in its strongest forms to get it back.
In all of the Chris Bronson/Angela Lewis books I've read there seems to be a belief that all Christianity is a sham and religion is merely a con trick with the Catholic Church willing to do just about anything to preserve its persona.
In my opinion this bias against organised religion over influences plot lines as the "Good Guys" e.g. the Church are the "Bad Guys". A very "popularist" view which detracts from an otherwise excellent story. Again, one book I could not stop reading.
In all of the Chris Bronson/Angela Lewis books I've read there seems to be a belief that all Christianity is a sham and religion is merely a con trick with the Catholic Church willing to do just about anything to preserve its persona.
In my opinion this bias against organised religion over influences plot lines as the "Good Guys" e.g. the Church are the "Bad Guys". A very "popularist" view which detracts from an otherwise excellent story. Again, one book I could not stop reading.
December 6, 2020
I've been a fan of this series since the first book and always look forward to the next.
This one centers around a religious relic found in an Egyption market called Le Souk (i've read another book based on the same thing, a popular topic).
Normall I love the books but here the first half of the book is rather clunky, with no mention of Bronson and Angela only getting a cursery look in, the story following the relic around rival traders in the market, with a few cases of theft and murder. When the team unite (ex husband and wife who are now at-it like rabbits, another distracting touch) and chasing the relic across Europe, normal business resumes, but really need more of that throughout more of the book.
This one centers around a religious relic found in an Egyption market called Le Souk (i've read another book based on the same thing, a popular topic).
Normall I love the books but here the first half of the book is rather clunky, with no mention of Bronson and Angela only getting a cursery look in, the story following the relic around rival traders in the market, with a few cases of theft and murder. When the team unite (ex husband and wife who are now at-it like rabbits, another distracting touch) and chasing the relic across Europe, normal business resumes, but really need more of that throughout more of the book.
November 8, 2020
The Lost Testament
When Angela Lewis is contacted by a colleague from Egypt about a relic which has been found, she has no idea what she, and ex husband Chris Bronson are getting themselves into.
Oh boy I loved this book. James Becker has written a novel which is fast paced and full of excitement. I couldn't put it down I became so engrossed in it.
This may be the first of James Becker's books that I have read, but it won't be the last.
Highly recommended.
When Angela Lewis is contacted by a colleague from Egypt about a relic which has been found, she has no idea what she, and ex husband Chris Bronson are getting themselves into.
Oh boy I loved this book. James Becker has written a novel which is fast paced and full of excitement. I couldn't put it down I became so engrossed in it.
This may be the first of James Becker's books that I have read, but it won't be the last.
Highly recommended.
June 10, 2021
I enjoyed this, although I disagreed with some of the religious aspects. But as an adventure story it was great! And it’s not often that a twist in a book floors me but this one did. Reading it back the clues were there but very subtle and the reveal came as a shock.
The book is easy to read with shortish chapters with plenty of cliffhangers, and the characters were believable. This would be a great holiday read.
The book is easy to read with shortish chapters with plenty of cliffhangers, and the characters were believable. This would be a great holiday read.
January 2, 2018
Típico thriller com maus da fita e os bons a tentar fugir e no fim do dia sairem vencedores. Parte que destingue é que tem elementos históricos e religiosos à mistura, mas nada que se considere uma 'personagem' em si mesmo. Serve de propósito e condutor da história mas é muito secundário e explicado tudo mesmo no fim.
Mesmo assim fica o interesse de ler os outros volumes da colecção.
Mesmo assim fica o interesse de ler os outros volumes da colecção.
May 9, 2019
A bit of childish plot
Fiction with some interesting parts and rather long and difficult to believe in transitions. The copy cat of another novel in the main plot. I wonder how many similar stories will be written around these too slightly boring characters Bronson and his shag buddy Angela
Fiction with some interesting parts and rather long and difficult to believe in transitions. The copy cat of another novel in the main plot. I wonder how many similar stories will be written around these too slightly boring characters Bronson and his shag buddy Angela
May 18, 2021
Another OK Chris Bronson book he and Angela find themselves involved in another intrigue. A colleague of hers sends her an ancient piece of parchment and before she knows it she finds herself the target of assassination attempts. They struggle to find out why the parchment is so special and get to the bottom of it while staying alive. Definitely did not like the end of the book.
June 25, 2023
Cop out ending as most conspiracy theory thrillers based on reality are. The plot was better than the last two books in the series. Protagonists are still one dimensional - villain finds the female one attractive - shocker- and relies too much on exposition dumps. At least the plot moved this along - 3.5 rating. This just holds me over into Steve Berry’s booked being released 6/26
June 4, 2018
Good book but getting a bit bored with the internet “key word” function the criminals in these books use. An interesting topic that I wish had been expanded more. The secret that’s being hidden I think could have been explained and made more of an appearance in the story
February 9, 2019
This was a very good book, it pulled me into the action right from the start, and once I started reading, I could not put it down. I always had to turn to the next page to see how the story will evolve.
February 11, 2023
This is a thriller with a historical background. It moves along quickly with lots of action. The catholic church is threatened by what is written on an ancient document and they will do anything it can to protect themselves.
May 20, 2017
Okay but not that original plot
Simplistic plot, could have done with a stronger story line. Hopefully the next book will be better and more in depth.
Simplistic plot, could have done with a stronger story line. Hopefully the next book will be better and more in depth.
August 16, 2018
Another great read.
December 13, 2018
Great quick read
Very much like the incorporation of historical fact with fiction as it allows for the"what if" thoughts to surface. Enjoyable
Very much like the incorporation of historical fact with fiction as it allows for the"what if" thoughts to surface. Enjoyable
September 18, 2021
I read this book about 8 years ago, but forgot to record it here. I liked it...
February 13, 2023
Dan Brown lite!
February 17, 2023
It was an interesting story but it took a while to get rolling.
April 11, 2024
I was excited to read this. I had high hopes. Perhaps set the bar a little too high.
March 12, 2017
Take any book where a mysterious organisation is chasing after two innocent people who somehow amazingly escape their clutches all the time, and you have this story. Interesting enough for the action sequences. But so little was actually said about the relic that I sometimes forgot it was there. And the ending was just stupid, the way they decided to cover it all up.
August 2, 2015
I am a big fan of mystery thrillers. Escapism is no bad thing at all and, for me, they provide perfect page turning relief as I move between reads of different genres. Finding writers of good quality mystery thrillers is another matter entirely.I am so glad I read The Lost Testament because now I can add James Becker to the list. As soon as I finished this thriller I will be on the look out for more of his novels!
A mix of religious and international intrigue,Mr. Becker has penned a novel rifled with page-turning suspense
Obviously, with a thriller such as this you have to suspend all powers of disbelief. You also have to expect a succession of cliffhanging chapters and twists.
My only complaint is that I didn't feel a great deal of affinity with the main characters, although I know this is part of a series of books featuring them, so maybe reading others in the series would help to gain a better understanding of their relationship.It is an enjoyable read and works okay as a stand alone book,although reading the previous books in the series may help with the background to the relationship between the main characters.
If you are a D.Code fan this is another of that genre. Becker never disappoints me. A good read and you can count on some real historical facts inter twinned.It did bring to light, for me anyway, an interesting fact of history, biblical history, that I did not know.
A mix of religious and international intrigue,Mr. Becker has penned a novel rifled with page-turning suspense
Obviously, with a thriller such as this you have to suspend all powers of disbelief. You also have to expect a succession of cliffhanging chapters and twists.
My only complaint is that I didn't feel a great deal of affinity with the main characters, although I know this is part of a series of books featuring them, so maybe reading others in the series would help to gain a better understanding of their relationship.It is an enjoyable read and works okay as a stand alone book,although reading the previous books in the series may help with the background to the relationship between the main characters.
If you are a D.Code fan this is another of that genre. Becker never disappoints me. A good read and you can count on some real historical facts inter twinned.It did bring to light, for me anyway, an interesting fact of history, biblical history, that I did not know.
March 1, 2014
I am really glad the author added extensive info in the Author's Notes on some of the subject matters in the book. A lot of the scenarios are presented as fact and I actually made a few notes to myself to research quite a few of them, such as Propaganda Due/P2, Roberto Calvi and the death of Pope John Paul I.
I would also like to know where he got the statistics for the rise in atheism, falling numbers in Christian/Catholics ect. Just from a personal point of view it would be interesting to know whether there is a direct link to those numbers and events in the last few decades or to the actual lack of evidence.
The plot is good, although I did feel as if the actual revelation of the contents was drawn out longer than it should have been. There was far too much showing rather than telling. There is no need for each individual movement in a scene to be documented. Readers have enough imagination to fill in the obvious blanks. The writing needs to be more fluid and less staccato and report like.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.
I would also like to know where he got the statistics for the rise in atheism, falling numbers in Christian/Catholics ect. Just from a personal point of view it would be interesting to know whether there is a direct link to those numbers and events in the last few decades or to the actual lack of evidence.
The plot is good, although I did feel as if the actual revelation of the contents was drawn out longer than it should have been. There was far too much showing rather than telling. There is no need for each individual movement in a scene to be documented. Readers have enough imagination to fill in the obvious blanks. The writing needs to be more fluid and less staccato and report like.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.
December 17, 2013
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
"The Lost Testament" by James Becker was a real joy to read. Although it's the 6th book in the Chris Bronson / Angela Lewis series, I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything by not reading those before hand. The story is very self-contained - but I very much want to read the previous 5 books now!
James Becker handles the storyline very, very well. He gives just enough factual information for the whole thing to make sense, but not so much that you feel like you're getting a lecture on the subject!
The writing is superb. It flows beautifully and was a real pleasure to read.
There were a couple of things that bothered me... At one point, "Bronson" is referred to in the text as "Robson", and the use of the word "dammed" when it should have been "damned" was annoying. That takes nothing away from the 5 star rating I've given, which this book thoroughly deserves.
"The Lost Testament" by James Becker was a real joy to read. Although it's the 6th book in the Chris Bronson / Angela Lewis series, I didn't feel like I'd missed out on anything by not reading those before hand. The story is very self-contained - but I very much want to read the previous 5 books now!
James Becker handles the storyline very, very well. He gives just enough factual information for the whole thing to make sense, but not so much that you feel like you're getting a lecture on the subject!
The writing is superb. It flows beautifully and was a real pleasure to read.
There were a couple of things that bothered me... At one point, "Bronson" is referred to in the text as "Robson", and the use of the word "dammed" when it should have been "damned" was annoying. That takes nothing away from the 5 star rating I've given, which this book thoroughly deserves.
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