The Red Serpent

by Larry Merris

5000 years after Sumerians bury the greatest wealth of knowledge the world has ever known, traces of it surface in the 20th century, accompanied by omens and senseless executions. The Vatican is in a frenzy to unearth and possess the treasure; a ruthless worldwide brotherhood will stop at nothing to seize and control it; innocent people are doomed by obscure connections with it. Now a rigorous race to stop the bloodletting begins. In bizarre quirks of fate, an obsessed French policeman, an alluring philology professor, an ex-Mossad rabbi, and a powerful Jewish family are thrown together to unravel a triad of ancient codes and enigmas. They must battle their way through Europe, outwit assassins, and defend against overwhelming foes. One will survive an actual death experience; some will make it back.... But how do they convince governments to aid them in their quest? What happens if they run out of time? And can they mastermind the phenomenal revelation that will change civilization forever?

392 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2012

About the author

A native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Larry honed his writing skills as a high school sports reporter for the West Schuylkill Herald and was first published in a college literary journal. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty in Key West, Florida and Kenitra, Morocco as an air traffic controller. To this day, one of his favorite anecdotes revolves around a chance meeting with John Steinbeck in a Key West bar.

Larry is a graduate of Elizabethtown College and pursued a master’s degree at Temple University. He has resided in Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, where his first job was that of apprentice fingerprint analyst with the FBI.

Additionally, Larry has held positions with several Fortune 500 companies. He was CEO of his own media marketing group for ten years, during which time he taught courses at Franklin and Marshall College’s Adult Education Program.

Larry resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he is an active Thirty-Second-Degree Mason and member of the Correspondence Circle of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research of England. He also volunteers with SCORE, a sanctioned organization of retired business executives. Larry and his wife enjoy travel and make regular trips to the South of France. Hawaii has been a repeated favorite destination, and they spend as much time as possible at the Delaware Shore.

Now retired from the corporate world, Larry reserves most of his time for writing and research. His novel, The Red Serpent, has been in the works for several years. He is presently working on the second and third novels in the series.

Reviews

[Larry Merris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Merris has created a good story. The Red Serpent is fast-paced, devoid of superfluous side-tracks and useless characters. Mr. Merris weaves fact and myth, history, religion, and science in an imaginative and exciting combination. The principals of the story, those for good and those for evil, progress swiftly and surely, although the reader cannot be sure which are which for quite some time. The conclusion will not satisfy everyone, but it is definitely not a last act. For the faithful, there is much more to come.

GOT THIS BOOK TO READ THE WEEK I WAS AT THE BEACH. ONCE I STARTED READING IT I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN . WELL WRITTEN AND THE BEST NEWS IS THERE'S MORE TO COME. CAN'T WAIT!

A great story told at a fast pace! Finally a story that is told in a way that makes me feel like I am there! I look forward to the second book, can't wait!

Reviews from Amazon.com

[Lawrence Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author himself is a 32nd degree Mason....that's what you read at the last page of the book "About the Author". Yet, he's written a book about secret society, one that calls "Eternal Brotherhood of the Snake" and one that "which will remain secret until humanity is ready for the truths we hold dear." Harry Smith, the author's half persona and the President of the brotherhood, pointed out quite plainly that "Our mission is the perfect blend of science and religion into one mighty, all-powerful world order." The other half of the author's persona, Jean-Etienne Marchaud, a French police Inspector, vowed to investigate and expose the plot by the brotherhood after a homicide file of Louis Saint-Clair was put on his desk. A 14-page document called "Le Serpent Rogue" was stolen from the National Library of Paris. The two cases must be connected. Marchaud made friend with the Interpol agent Antonio Bennaducci and they followed the leads and fought closely together, as one after another, bodies were found in relation to the case.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding reading folks. Larry puts a great spin on history. Finished it months ago and reread to enjoy it more. Ranks with Divinci Code and The Psalter in my 'book'.

[Mike Hambrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this book. I hope to get it autgraphed by the author and then get an advance copy of his next book.