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Guardians of the Second Son
Murdered for a Secret that Could Send Shockwaves Through the World’s Largest ReligionOn the eve of an announcement he claims will send shockwaves through the world’s Christian community, a distinguished professor of religious studies is mysteriously found dead. When an ambitious colleague, Nolan Lemay, discovers that the announcement involved disclosure of a first century letter from the disciple Thomas, Lemay attempts to acquire the manuscript and finds his own life in danger.
>>>Three Women Dedicated to Protecting the SecretThree young women, trained from their youth to safeguard the secrets of an ancient text held by a small sect of St. Thomas Christians in southern India, track Lemay across Southeast Asia as he first attempts to make public the letter’s startling contents, then flees to escape the zealous pursuit of the Guardians of the Second Son.
>>>Will the secret be revealed, or be lost forever? Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy Today!
>>>Three Women Dedicated to Protecting the SecretThree young women, trained from their youth to safeguard the secrets of an ancient text held by a small sect of St. Thomas Christians in southern India, track Lemay across Southeast Asia as he first attempts to make public the letter’s startling contents, then flees to escape the zealous pursuit of the Guardians of the Second Son.
>>>Will the secret be revealed, or be lost forever? Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy Today!
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2013
142 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Allen Kent
24 books35 followersAllen Kent is the author of the popular “Unit 1” thriller series, the Whitlock Trilogy in historical fiction, and a number of other mysteries and action novels. His books are published in electronic form by Kindle Press and in paperback by AllenPearce Publishers. He lives and writes in rural southwest Missouri.
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 11, 2021
An interesting story that reminds me of the DaVinci Code but nowhere near as good.
I had to remind myself that it was a novel to maintain my mental balance. Having spent years researching these kind of issues, I.saw mk othing that pushes forward the scholarship.
A light recommendation.
I had to remind myself that it was a novel to maintain my mental balance. Having spent years researching these kind of issues, I.saw mk othing that pushes forward the scholarship.
A light recommendation.
January 28, 2020
This is a fanciful tale of religious tradition and mania concerning a fictional sect that are followers of the apostle Thomas. According to their secret texts, Thomas was not only an apostle, he was the physical twin of Jesus himself. Therefore, he was also divine and held a special place in this world. The sect is out to protect its secrets from a couple of professors seeking to expose the cult and its scriptures. Not a bad premise for a book, but the story is all chase and no real substance. We really don't learn much about the cult itself. We meet peripheral characters that are protectors, but we don't know for sure what they're protecting. So it makes for a not very satisfying book.
August 28, 2019
Very interesting story
This book takes us on a quest that I was not sure I would like from the book description. I am a born again Christian, so the thought of Jesus having a twin brother of course goes against everything I believe. But Mr.Kent has not written a story that goes against my beliefs at all, instead he has taken us on a fictional journey that is nothing short of brilliant. The characters come to life in such a way it is very easy to step into their place as they travel through countries, I have never been but now have a desire too. If the countryside is anything like the author has described it is a place of beauty. I found the life changing journey that Professor Lemoy was on really touched me inside. But please don't think this is just a beautiful countryside, life changing journey, it is so much more. Professor Lemoy is on a journey but it starts with greed for a place of power, to be noticed and for that he had no idea the danger he had put himself in. There is also a growing romance with Marcus and Nisa as they are chasing after Professor Lemoy, they have a fabric factories owner hot on their trail to make sure no one knows the secret destruction they are causing villagers. I hope you will give this book a read I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how much thought, research and heart the author has put into this book. Just excellent!
This book takes us on a quest that I was not sure I would like from the book description. I am a born again Christian, so the thought of Jesus having a twin brother of course goes against everything I believe. But Mr.Kent has not written a story that goes against my beliefs at all, instead he has taken us on a fictional journey that is nothing short of brilliant. The characters come to life in such a way it is very easy to step into their place as they travel through countries, I have never been but now have a desire too. If the countryside is anything like the author has described it is a place of beauty. I found the life changing journey that Professor Lemoy was on really touched me inside. But please don't think this is just a beautiful countryside, life changing journey, it is so much more. Professor Lemoy is on a journey but it starts with greed for a place of power, to be noticed and for that he had no idea the danger he had put himself in. There is also a growing romance with Marcus and Nisa as they are chasing after Professor Lemoy, they have a fabric factories owner hot on their trail to make sure no one knows the secret destruction they are causing villagers. I hope you will give this book a read I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how much thought, research and heart the author has put into this book. Just excellent!
February 24, 2020
Interesting fictional proposition
The story centers around a fictional group of Christians who claim a very different tradition regarding the apostle Thomas. Thomas did take the gospel to India, but this account attributes more to him than the Bible does.
The opening segment is about an American professor who has been doing research on a particular group of Thomas Christians, as they call them in the book. He dies unexpectedly. Another professor who did work with the first agrees to help the widow sort through his academic things. While there, he stumbles across something extraordinary. He had an idea.
Taking from his rich wife's assets as an addition to his own, he finds the first professor's grad assistant & offers to pay his way in exchange for help getting around India. While he is there, a prominent Indian family settles them into their home, & finds them apartments. The doctor, the daughter of the prominent Indian family, has clinics in a couple villages, & a mystery to solve: people in one of the villages are dying, apparently from tainted water. The grad assistant's area of expertise is the precursor languages of the villages, so, since the professor has no inmediate need for his help, he goes to the clinics with the doctor. They find the source of the pollution & upset those illegally disposing of it into the source of the spring. They find themselves attacked, but manage to get away, just barely.
Meanwhile, the professor has found the church that supposedly has the manuscript to which the dead professor's papers, from his safe, referred. He pays a thief to steal the manuscript, take a photo of it, & then he translates, this time the entire manuscript (the first professor had taken a photo of it but the top few lines had been covered), & realizes he is likely going to be pursued & may be killed. He takes money out of his accounts & tries to disappear. Along the way, he decides to see if he can follow the supposed trail of churches founded by Thomas, allegedly in Myanmar, Thailand, & China.
What happens to him on his journey, what happens to his assistant & the doctor, who is trying to kill whom & why, are all on this book.
FYI; There are a few spots in the book where the wording is improper or missing parts, or jumps around, & the quotation marks are not always placed appropriately. The proofreaders for this book didn't do the author the favor of finding these errors, ones that the writer was likely blind to, likely having revised the work, as is normal, multiple times to where he could no longer see those errors. If you read this book via an ebook loan or purchase it from Kindle, as I did, you will likely see an update at some point, one that will correct the errors. If having to wait bothers you, I would advise borrowing the book from a library or a friend.
It is still a good book with an interesting premise.
The story centers around a fictional group of Christians who claim a very different tradition regarding the apostle Thomas. Thomas did take the gospel to India, but this account attributes more to him than the Bible does.
The opening segment is about an American professor who has been doing research on a particular group of Thomas Christians, as they call them in the book. He dies unexpectedly. Another professor who did work with the first agrees to help the widow sort through his academic things. While there, he stumbles across something extraordinary. He had an idea.
Taking from his rich wife's assets as an addition to his own, he finds the first professor's grad assistant & offers to pay his way in exchange for help getting around India. While he is there, a prominent Indian family settles them into their home, & finds them apartments. The doctor, the daughter of the prominent Indian family, has clinics in a couple villages, & a mystery to solve: people in one of the villages are dying, apparently from tainted water. The grad assistant's area of expertise is the precursor languages of the villages, so, since the professor has no inmediate need for his help, he goes to the clinics with the doctor. They find the source of the pollution & upset those illegally disposing of it into the source of the spring. They find themselves attacked, but manage to get away, just barely.
Meanwhile, the professor has found the church that supposedly has the manuscript to which the dead professor's papers, from his safe, referred. He pays a thief to steal the manuscript, take a photo of it, & then he translates, this time the entire manuscript (the first professor had taken a photo of it but the top few lines had been covered), & realizes he is likely going to be pursued & may be killed. He takes money out of his accounts & tries to disappear. Along the way, he decides to see if he can follow the supposed trail of churches founded by Thomas, allegedly in Myanmar, Thailand, & China.
What happens to him on his journey, what happens to his assistant & the doctor, who is trying to kill whom & why, are all on this book.
FYI; There are a few spots in the book where the wording is improper or missing parts, or jumps around, & the quotation marks are not always placed appropriately. The proofreaders for this book didn't do the author the favor of finding these errors, ones that the writer was likely blind to, likely having revised the work, as is normal, multiple times to where he could no longer see those errors. If you read this book via an ebook loan or purchase it from Kindle, as I did, you will likely see an update at some point, one that will correct the errors. If having to wait bothers you, I would advise borrowing the book from a library or a friend.
It is still a good book with an interesting premise.
April 19, 2020
A distinguished professor is assassinated by the Guardians to prevent him from publishing his findings about an ancient first century script written in Aramaic. In his diary, he described how he had been initiated to the faith in India by the Disciples of Thomas — the first outsider to receive this honor and later, to betray their trust. Nolan Lemay, a colleague of the dead professor, gains access to the diary and realizes its explosive potential. Publishing the script may spark a worldwide hunt for the remaining son of God in the flesh and sweep away two thousand of religious doctrine.
Unlike the dead professor, Nolan had not taken an oath to keep the secret. Armed with academic acuity and with the curiosity of a traveler, he becomes a danger to the Disciples. They send the Guardians, three women sworn to secrecy, to target him.
On a mission to use his findings to advance his academic career, Nolan embarks on the journey to India, described in rich detail: “The constant sway and the hypnotic click-clack of the wheels against steel rails created a kind of monotonous stupor…” It turns into a pilgrimage, and the explorer becomes transformed. Interestingly, so does one of the Guardians, Nisha. In contrast to the other Guardian who remains entrenched in a narrow doctrine, does not wish to renew her vows.
This is a story of transformation. “I am ready to begin again.”
Highly recommended. Five stars.
Disclosure: I was first introduced to Allen Kent's work when we both took part in a boxed set project. Since then, I became a fan of his work.
Unlike the dead professor, Nolan had not taken an oath to keep the secret. Armed with academic acuity and with the curiosity of a traveler, he becomes a danger to the Disciples. They send the Guardians, three women sworn to secrecy, to target him.
On a mission to use his findings to advance his academic career, Nolan embarks on the journey to India, described in rich detail: “The constant sway and the hypnotic click-clack of the wheels against steel rails created a kind of monotonous stupor…” It turns into a pilgrimage, and the explorer becomes transformed. Interestingly, so does one of the Guardians, Nisha. In contrast to the other Guardian who remains entrenched in a narrow doctrine, does not wish to renew her vows.
This is a story of transformation. “I am ready to begin again.”
Highly recommended. Five stars.
Disclosure: I was first introduced to Allen Kent's work when we both took part in a boxed set project. Since then, I became a fan of his work.
September 17, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable story - along the lines of a Dan Brown, but even better, as it creates an entirely new sect, thus avoiding the pitfalls of having to fit with known archaeology.
While the efficiency of the guardians requires the suspension of disbelief as much as do a Dirk Pitt or a Jack Ryan, the overriding story intrigues the reader fully. I found myself wanting to know more about this sect; to investigate the scraps of information that allow Allen Kent to imagine it.
While the efficiency of the guardians requires the suspension of disbelief as much as do a Dirk Pitt or a Jack Ryan, the overriding story intrigues the reader fully. I found myself wanting to know more about this sect; to investigate the scraps of information that allow Allen Kent to imagine it.
January 2, 2021
People have died because a group wants to keep the secret that Jesus and Thomas were twins with different functions toward humanity. This novel is a trek across parts of Asia to find a parchment. On this trek, two people find love, another finds that he can be the man he always wanted to be. It's a page-turner.
October 27, 2019
The Thomas Twin
If you like a story with a lot of excitement, anticipation and mystery, this is the book to read. The physical descriptions of the areas visited by the protagonists and how the terrain was woven into the story were so well written, I felt like I was there.
If you like a story with a lot of excitement, anticipation and mystery, this is the book to read. The physical descriptions of the areas visited by the protagonists and how the terrain was woven into the story were so well written, I felt like I was there.
November 11, 2019
Interesting Story
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and premise for this book. Loved the ending! The journey in personal growth and distance to an obscure part of the world was fascinating.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and premise for this book. Loved the ending! The journey in personal growth and distance to an obscure part of the world was fascinating.
January 18, 2020
The plot is thought provoking and the drama shakes the very foundation of anyone who professes to be a born-again Christian. The intrigue is nerve-wrecking and the scenery quite captivating. A well-written book and good twist in the research!
Read
January 18, 2020Incomplete
It began as one storyline, then two. One storyline reached it”s completion but the other did not. What happened to company chases Nisha & Marcus? No end of chase scene, no epilogue. Nothing.
Interesting story, good action, bad ending.
It began as one storyline, then two. One storyline reached it”s completion but the other did not. What happened to company chases Nisha & Marcus? No end of chase scene, no epilogue. Nothing.
Interesting story, good action, bad ending.
January 22, 2020
Thought Provoking
Very interesting read. Not anything I would take seriously, but highly entertaining and typical of the extent to which radical religionists will go to defend their faith throughout history.
Very interesting read. Not anything I would take seriously, but highly entertaining and typical of the extent to which radical religionists will go to defend their faith throughout history.
January 26, 2020
Christian intrigue
Following the life of St Thomas all the way to China is an intriguing concept. Full of adventure snd believable twists and turns this book keeps you coming back for more. Great read.
Following the life of St Thomas all the way to China is an intriguing concept. Full of adventure snd believable twists and turns this book keeps you coming back for more. Great read.
January 28, 2020
One you don’t want to put down
The story weaves through historical manuscripts concerning mysteries of the disciple Thomas. Is a very interesting “thriller”. I enjoyed it so much I am now looking for more novels by Allen Kent.
The story weaves through historical manuscripts concerning mysteries of the disciple Thomas. Is a very interesting “thriller”. I enjoyed it so much I am now looking for more novels by Allen Kent.
February 15, 2020
Captivating
I normally don't like description, but this author described India and its villages beautifully. The story was intriguing and held my attention so I got nothing done. Highly recommended.
I normally don't like description, but this author described India and its villages beautifully. The story was intriguing and held my attention so I got nothing done. Highly recommended.
October 17, 2020
A great read
Something akin to a Dan Brown novel, except Allen Kent is a much better writer.
It's well plotted and the descriptions of places are extraordinary.
I recommend this book.
Something akin to a Dan Brown novel, except Allen Kent is a much better writer.
It's well plotted and the descriptions of places are extraordinary.
I recommend this book.
February 17, 2021
Ended up a very good read.
For me the story started out slowly, probably because I wanted to make sure it wasn't another "da Vinci Code". Once past that concern the story held my attention and moved quickly through the travels and interactions of the characters.
For me the story started out slowly, probably because I wanted to make sure it wasn't another "da Vinci Code". Once past that concern the story held my attention and moved quickly through the travels and interactions of the characters.
September 7, 2019
Interesting
A man's redemption and a minor Christian sect, murder and a cross-country chase or two...except for some stilted prose a satisfying read
A man's redemption and a minor Christian sect, murder and a cross-country chase or two...except for some stilted prose a satisfying read
February 5, 2020
Guardians of the second son
This book was Awesome! Loved it! I would like a book on how Nolan's life ended up, and his next adventure of any.
This book was Awesome! Loved it! I would like a book on how Nolan's life ended up, and his next adventure of any.
February 6, 2020
Good read
Good book. I don’t usually like books like this but the Thomas Christians really fascinated me. Made me do some research.
Good book. I don’t usually like books like this but the Thomas Christians really fascinated me. Made me do some research.
Read
October 23, 2020Started to read this book, but just wasn't my cup of tea so never finished
October 20, 2016
Another exceptional Allen Kent book! Like several of his others this one reads easily and moves rapidly as the plot develops. His characters are well developed and realistic within the parameters of the plot and create the necessary tension to draw the reader into the story. Thomas, also called the Twin, based on some Gnostic texts made his way to India establishing churches and was martyred there. Or was he? One group of Thomas Christians (a fictional group) has a document that indicates that Thomas is the twin of Jesus and that he is still alive. But the document, for some obvious reasons, is highly secret and tightly guarded - until a scholar gains access and threatens to publish it. How far will a group of Christians go to protect a secret that could change the world? Is the secret more valuable than the lives of others? As Nolan Lemay, professor of religious studies, seeks the manuscript to change his life, he does indeed find his life changed - but not in the way he thought. Inadvertently drawn into the intrigue around Lemay's attempt to claim the manuscript the lives of his assistant as well as the family who welcomes Lemay to India will be changed - as will those who are tasked with guarding the secret of Thomas, the second son. Kent does a wonderful job of building intrigue, as well as drawing the reader into exotic places with his descriptive language - an excellent read.
March 26, 2016
Mystery and murder are not my usual reading choice, but this book came highly recommended. I was right to follow the lead as the book was suspenseful and interesing. The setting was very different for me: India-Burma-Thailand and surrounding areas. The author's imagaination takes readers down a road that considers Jesus had a twin brother---who might still be alive and well in the world today. As strange as that sounds, the story is good and not wildy offbeat. While reading, I felt like I was watching a good James Bond movie...intrigue with belieavable imagination at work. The author is a skilled writer and worth any reader's time for some thrilling scenes.
October 23, 2013
I found this to be an original idea based on the scriptural references to Jesus having a twin brother. The story is well written, engaging and just likely enough to hold the reader's attention throughout. This is one of the better independently-published novels I've read in a long time, and while it is based on Christian scripture, it is in no way a religious treatise and can be enjoyed by anyone. Recommended.
December 11, 2013
An enjoyable, thought provoking novel. Allen Kent always has an interesting story to tell. His books are well written and rich in detail, with an unpredictability that keep a reader's attention. I'll be looking forward to his next book!
October 31, 2013
I really enjoyed this. A fast-reading novel that left me with some food for thought when it was over.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews