Elliot Brand wanted to stay away from adventures for a while and actually enjoy his academic pursuits and the rekindled relationship with Ashra Shah. What would be better to do so than a romantic trip to Syracuse?
But soon the mystery of a dead colleague, an old notebook, and a group of vicious assassins dressed as priests force him back into action. With Ashra at his side, he tries to uncover an ancient mystery and the conspiracy trying to keep it hidden. A quest that leads right into the capital of secrets. The Vatican itself.
Very Interesting! The Church's View of Elliott's Work
I must admit while I was reading these books today I never really stopped to consider what the church would think about Elliott's numerous discoveries about the Ancients. Maybe they wouldn't care about some of them but other ones would be impossible to ignore. Like what he found in Antarctica and in the Himalayas. Lots of ideas too hard to explain and that would not match what the Bible says.
So this book tackles that thorny subject and it certainly has been a very fascinating read. And it actually starts out in the most shocking way: with a bloody murder.
Soon after that both Elliott and Ashra get themselves involved. And then it's off to Italy where more murders happen. Elliot just cannot have a peaceful day can he? He must have the worst luck ever as all sorts of crime just follows him around.
This one was a tad different as finally we get to see a few other viewpoints on these ancients. And why its kept hidden. Apparently the world is not ready for the truth? Is that true? I really cannot say. Would the people even believe the truth though?? Hmmm... And what would happen to the church if people actually started to believe in these Ancients? Would they lose power? Would people change their behavior?. I think out of all of the books in this series, this one actually is the most interesting as it asks some big questions. It makes me think. So suddenly the story has changed from being just fun adventure stories to tacking some huge questions, even theology. I think that is the word I want...
And some people believe the type of things discussed in these books is real. If it were real what would that do to society?? I must admit I have no idea.
But this story was certainly fun to read. No dull moments and there certainly were some big unexpected surprises as well. The biggest one was near the climax of the book. more secret places to explore. Old codes to translate. Deadly secrets from ancient days.
I am actually amazed at how many of the books in this series I have read today. It must be a new record for me. But then that also tells you how incredible these are as I have been literally reading these all day! And now its almost midnight. They are endlessly entertaining, fast paced, have interesting characters and just loads of fun. I believe I have one left yet but it will have to wait for tomorrow.
If you knew a secret, one that would forever change the future of Humanity. But it would make living a hopeless, pointless endeavor. Would you have the strength to keep it to yourself?
Professor Elliott Brand and his girlfriend Ashra Shah are far away from the scenarios that put them in the position to make such ethical decisions. Or so they thought. Until Elliot is contacted by a former colleague.
As quick as the flick of a wrist, Elliott and Ashra are back in hot water. T.S. Falk's Keeper of Secrets harks back to the first book in this series; The Ancients. Despite Elliott's determination to leave the soul-crushing facts of The Ancients in the past, other, more nefarious minds, have different plans.
Hold on to your hats, you'll be flying from Zurich to Rome. Then on to war-torn Myanmar to face a monastery full of assassins. Danger seems to find Elliot and Ashra regardless of whether they want it or not.
Will our fearless duo be able to put the secrets of the Ancients to rest? Or will they succumb to the Machiavellian plot of the assassin sect of the Catholic Church? Another great thriller from T.S. Falk, one I highly recommend.
Professor Brand is asked to come out of his "retirement" by a schoolmate, whose work brings him again near the Ancients and a reconstituted group of Sicari. Another great story, our favorite characters plus a bunch of priest sect of killers. Latest episode of the series does not disappoint.
I came upon this series at random and was immediately drawn in. It’s definitely Indiana Jones meets Robert Langdon. The action scenes throughout the series were really great - I actually found my heart beating fast and I could feel my brow furrowing intensely while trying to get through the scene. I could picture the scenes so vividly in my head. The author has definitely done their research for each book when it came to the new location the characters were in, the actual ancient civilizations of the area, exploration technology, etc.
The only serious drawback I had were the subtle and not so subtle microagressions dispersed throughout the series. When the author would describe characters, new or existing, and they were “exotic” to that of a white man, it was almost an elementary description of them. Something like this:
She had a Hispanic look. “Wow, you speak English very well.”
Really? It was a bit grating to read and get through. There are quite a few examples like this, but I’ll just keep it at that. I wanted to give the series a 3.5 star due to this, but I’ll leave it at a 4 star as the series was throughly entertaining.
The Ancients series was a good find for me, especially because I had hit a bit of a reading rut. The series kept me going and I now feel inspired to keep reading again.
So much diversity in this series but all good things come to an end. if you haven't read all of this you've missed a fantastic fantasy. I won't try to synopsyse this work, there's just so much here! Go for it, get hard bound copies for your library. This is classic material.
I also had to say that the development terrified me to the point where I had to stop reading for a while until my medicines for the nerves took over. Simply said: Absolutely loved it! My nerves need a good shock from time to time, to make me feel alive and kicking. Thank you Mr. Falk!! I'll go for the next!
This I think was the best book in the series. The plot, intrigue and characters were excellent . The author out did my wildest expectations for the ending.
Fun to read, plausible storyline. Nice character development. Well-paced action sequence. Thoroughly enjoyable fiction woven with threads of scientific fact. A bit political in places, but forgivable.
This last book drove home the lack of any Christian belief or conception of God Almighty. I'm really disappointed in the author for the sad but twisted ending of his book.
I absolutely love this series. I read all 6 books in this series. I can’t wait until the next book comes out. I was hooked from the first book . It’s a book that has very thing I enjoy reading about. Excellent Series, a must read.
I have enjoyed the series, but have liked this one the least. I found the narrative to be forced and there are too many deus ex Machina resolutions. Also, I found the multiple grammar mistakes and typos distracting.
Elliott is a professor of history but has Been called repeatedly to archeological digs! This gets him deeper into dangerous areas! Perhaps he and his girlfriend have finally had revealed to them secret s that man should not know!
Thoroughly enjoyed the whole series up to this book. Professor Elliot Brand is a likeable character. I got a copy of ALL T.S. Falk books. He's my new sci-fi / archaeological thrillers go-to author. Must read.
As usual, Eliot Brand manages to get himself in trouble, even when he's trying not to. This always makes for an interesting story. Whether or not we can believe the story is another matter.