What do you think?
Rate this book
James Acton Thrillers #8
The Venice Code
A SEVEN HUNDRED YEAR OLD MYSTERY IS ABOUT TO BE SOLVED.
BUT HOW MANY MUST DIE FIRST?
A former President's son is kidnapped in a brazen attack on the streets of Potomac by the very ancient organization that murdered his father, convinced he knows the location of an item stolen from them by the late president.
A close friend awakes from a coma with a message for archeology Professor James Acton from the same organization, sending him along with his fiancée Professor Laura Palmer on a quest to find an object only rumored to exist, while trying desperately to keep one step ahead of a foe hell-bent on possessing it.
And seven hundred years ago, the Mongol Empire threatens to fracture into civil war as the northern capital devolves into idol worship, the Khan sending in a trusted family to save the empire--two brothers and a son, Marco Polo, whose actions have ramifications that resonate to this day.
From J. Robert Kennedy, the author of fourteen international best sellers comes The Venice Code, the latest installment of the hit James Acton Thrillers series. Join James Acton and his friends, including Delta Team Bravo and CIA Special Agent Dylan Kane in their greatest adventure yet, an adventure seven hundred years in the making.
BUT HOW MANY MUST DIE FIRST?
A former President's son is kidnapped in a brazen attack on the streets of Potomac by the very ancient organization that murdered his father, convinced he knows the location of an item stolen from them by the late president.
A close friend awakes from a coma with a message for archeology Professor James Acton from the same organization, sending him along with his fiancée Professor Laura Palmer on a quest to find an object only rumored to exist, while trying desperately to keep one step ahead of a foe hell-bent on possessing it.
And seven hundred years ago, the Mongol Empire threatens to fracture into civil war as the northern capital devolves into idol worship, the Khan sending in a trusted family to save the empire--two brothers and a son, Marco Polo, whose actions have ramifications that resonate to this day.
From J. Robert Kennedy, the author of fourteen international best sellers comes The Venice Code, the latest installment of the hit James Acton Thrillers series. Join James Acton and his friends, including Delta Team Bravo and CIA Special Agent Dylan Kane in their greatest adventure yet, an adventure seven hundred years in the making.
326 pages, ebook
First published March 4, 2014
270 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
J. Robert Kennedy
100 books297 followersWith over one million books sold, award winning and USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy has been ranked by Amazon as the #1 Bestselling Action Adventure novelist based upon combined sales. He is the author of over fifty international bestsellers including the smash hit James Acton Thrillers. He lives with his wife and daughter and writes full-time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 11, 2022
James Acton is requested by the Triiari to once again go searching for crystal skulls. The original purpose of the Triiari, dating back to the Roman Empire, was to hide the skulls around the world and keep them separated and apart. They are the guardians of the skulls. Whenever 3 or more skulls are close together, there usually tends to be explosions. This reminds me of the Phantom Movie starring Billy Zane and Treat Williams which also involves weird things happening when 3 crystal skulls are brought together in the same room.
But now the Triiari has been split - one side still doing what they were originally founded to do, and keep the skulls split up and apart. The other side of the Triiari, called the Deniers, want to gather the skulls together and discover what kind of weapon they can make.
Unbeknownst to anyone, one of the crystal skulls was originally found in China by Marco Polo. It was rescued and sent back to Europe. It was supposed to have been sent to the pope of the 13th century, but the skull and the courier never made it back. The courier died in Israel and was buried with the skull. But not without leaving a coded message. One half of the coded message was sent off to China to find Marco Polo, and the other half of the coded message was sent to the Vatican where it lay in the Vatican archives for centuries.
In the modern era, half of the coded message was discovered amongst Marco Polo's private papers and translated. The person who translated that message, had told Laura all about it. After she and James travel to Munich to see the half message, they learned that this code was called the slave code, used by rich families in Europe in order to prevent their slaves from knowing what they were talking about. Another name for this slave code was the Venice Code.
Laura and James then travel to Rome to visit the pope and ask to see their archives. They find the second half of the original slave code message which states where the skull was buried - in the tomb of the courier who died in Israel. James and Laura then travel to Israel to find this tomb, and after a gun battle, they learn that while the tomb is in Israel, the body is not. At some point, Marco Polo himself, had visited the holy land to return his brothers body to Venice. The slave was made a freeman by Marco Polo as a reward for carrying the skull all the way back to Europe. Both Marco Polo and this former slave, who returned a skull to Europe, were buried together. The true Triiari get the skull, and James and Laura get permission from the pope to dig up and investigate Marco Polo's burial tomb which had been lost for centuries. A dream dig for any archaeologist.
I love reading anything about Marco Polo, no matter how accurate or fictional it is, and so just for the inclusion of Marco Polo, I enjoyed this story very much. I gave it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
Kennedy’s “The Venice Code” is the 8th in the James Action Thriller series. I enjoy the two main characters, Professor James Acton and Professor Laura Palmer as well as their friend Hugh Reading. I am glad Kennedy developed the characters of the two professors even more. Once again, we have that infamous Quest Theme in this story ~ it's another search for a Crystal Skull.
The story opens as a former President's son is kidnapped in a brazen attack on the streets of Potomac by the very ancient organization that murdered his father. The Professors get caught up in a battle of wits with a separate group within the Triarii known as the Deniers, while both are searching for another Crystal Skull. The story moves quickly along with the with requisite archaeologists, the Delta Force, Triaii, and Hamas thrown in to make it fancy. All of this interwoven with travels of Marco Polo from 700 years earlier.
“The Venice Code” has all the action that one would expect from Kennedy, but with more details and back story than some of the previous books in this series. This is thriller that has some moments of great suspense; at times, however, it meanders a bit. Still, the plot was good, and I do like the central characters. The story finishes with a flurry of fast-paced action and the ultimate sacrifice. This was a “good” book – not a great book. It was just a good read!
The story opens as a former President's son is kidnapped in a brazen attack on the streets of Potomac by the very ancient organization that murdered his father. The Professors get caught up in a battle of wits with a separate group within the Triarii known as the Deniers, while both are searching for another Crystal Skull. The story moves quickly along with the with requisite archaeologists, the Delta Force, Triaii, and Hamas thrown in to make it fancy. All of this interwoven with travels of Marco Polo from 700 years earlier.
“The Venice Code” has all the action that one would expect from Kennedy, but with more details and back story than some of the previous books in this series. This is thriller that has some moments of great suspense; at times, however, it meanders a bit. Still, the plot was good, and I do like the central characters. The story finishes with a flurry of fast-paced action and the ultimate sacrifice. This was a “good” book – not a great book. It was just a good read!
February 11, 2022
James Acton is requested by the Triiari to once again go searching for crystal skulls. The original purpose of the Triiari, dating back to the Roman Empire, was to hide the skulls around the world and keep them separated and apart. They are the guardians of the skulls. Whenever 3 or more skulls are close together, there usually tends to be explosions. This reminds me of the Phantom Movie starring Billy Zane and Treat Williams which also involves weird things happening when 3 crystal skulls are brought together in the same room.
But now the Triiari has been split. One side still doing what they were originally founded to do, and keep the skulls split up and apart. The other side of the Triiari, called the Deniers, want to gather the skulls together and discover what kind of weapon they can make.
Unbeknownst to anyone, one of the crystal skulls was originally found in China by Marco Polo. It was rescued and sent back to Europe. It was supposed to have been sent to the pope of the 13th century, but the skull and the courier never made it back. The courier died in Israel and was buried with the skull. But not without leaving a coded message. One half of the coded message was sent off to China to find Marco Polo, and the other half of the coded message was sent to the Vatican where it lay in the Vatican archives for centuries.
In the modern era, half of the coded message was discovered amongst Marco Polo's private papers and translated. The person who translated that message, had told Laura all about it. After she and James travel to Munich to see the half message, they learned that this code was called the slave code, used by rich families in Europe in order to prevent their slaves from knowing what they were talking about. Another name for this slave code was the Venice Code.
Laura and James then travel to Rome to visit the pope and ask to see their archives. They find the second half of the original slave code message which states where the skull was buried - in the tomb of the courier who died in Israel. James and Laura then travel to Israel to find this tomb, and after a gun battle, they learn that while the tomb is in Israel, the body is not. At some point, Marco Polo himself, had visited the holy land to return his brothers body to Venice. The slave was made a freeman by Marco Polo as a reward for carrying the skull all the way back to Europe. Both Marco Polo and this former slave, who returned a skull to Europe, were buried together. The true Triiari get the skull, and James and Laura get permission from the pope to dig up and investigate Marco Polo's burial tomb which had been lost for centuries. A dream dig for any archaeologist.
I love reading anything about Marco Polo, no matter how accurate or fictional it is, and so just for the inclusion of Marco Polo, I enjoyed this story very much. I gave it 4 stars.
But now the Triiari has been split. One side still doing what they were originally founded to do, and keep the skulls split up and apart. The other side of the Triiari, called the Deniers, want to gather the skulls together and discover what kind of weapon they can make.
Unbeknownst to anyone, one of the crystal skulls was originally found in China by Marco Polo. It was rescued and sent back to Europe. It was supposed to have been sent to the pope of the 13th century, but the skull and the courier never made it back. The courier died in Israel and was buried with the skull. But not without leaving a coded message. One half of the coded message was sent off to China to find Marco Polo, and the other half of the coded message was sent to the Vatican where it lay in the Vatican archives for centuries.
In the modern era, half of the coded message was discovered amongst Marco Polo's private papers and translated. The person who translated that message, had told Laura all about it. After she and James travel to Munich to see the half message, they learned that this code was called the slave code, used by rich families in Europe in order to prevent their slaves from knowing what they were talking about. Another name for this slave code was the Venice Code.
Laura and James then travel to Rome to visit the pope and ask to see their archives. They find the second half of the original slave code message which states where the skull was buried - in the tomb of the courier who died in Israel. James and Laura then travel to Israel to find this tomb, and after a gun battle, they learn that while the tomb is in Israel, the body is not. At some point, Marco Polo himself, had visited the holy land to return his brothers body to Venice. The slave was made a freeman by Marco Polo as a reward for carrying the skull all the way back to Europe. Both Marco Polo and this former slave, who returned a skull to Europe, were buried together. The true Triiari get the skull, and James and Laura get permission from the pope to dig up and investigate Marco Polo's burial tomb which had been lost for centuries. A dream dig for any archaeologist.
I love reading anything about Marco Polo, no matter how accurate or fictional it is, and so just for the inclusion of Marco Polo, I enjoyed this story very much. I gave it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2020
I don't think this entry in the series was up to standards. The action seemed minimal and not the usual roller coaster ride I have come to expect. I felt the ending was flat and just sort of petered out. The kidnapping of the president's so not very interesting nor was it satisfying in the least. The story did tie up a long arc regarding the Triarri but that, too, felt flat. The author didn't go off on one of his racist rants against Muslims this time which was a welcome change. However, after reading the preview of his next book at the end of this one, I'm not sure I will be continuing with the series. Racist rant doesn't begin to describe it. So very disappointing.
February 14, 2019
3 1/2 stars
While a good story, not quite what I expected bases on the reviews. While many use the method of switching between time periods and/or people, this one, to me, did it so much the plot lost continuity. I am also not a fan of using given names of a character one time and the family name the next especially when there are so many characters. While I enjoy action books using history meshed with current adventures, Cussler and Rollins do this so much better.
While a good story, not quite what I expected bases on the reviews. While many use the method of switching between time periods and/or people, this one, to me, did it so much the plot lost continuity. I am also not a fan of using given names of a character one time and the family name the next especially when there are so many characters. While I enjoy action books using history meshed with current adventures, Cussler and Rollins do this so much better.
July 18, 2019
I've read a few of James Acton books but not in order. This doesn't seem to matter too much as the author provides a lot of backstory. I found this one has a lot of 'backstory' involving Marco Polo alternating with present day and it almost felt like it could be 2 separate books merged into one. As usual there was lots of action and adventure and with entertaining main characters, it was a good read.
May 13, 2021
So many authors and books to read! It has bean a year to the day that I read The Circle of Eight and reading this was like it was only yesterday that I finished the other book.
so it's another search for a crystal skull with requisite archaeologists, Delta Force, Triaii and Hamas thrown in for a little excitement.
Throw in a historical reference to Marco Polo just for good measure. It was a fun read.
so it's another search for a crystal skull with requisite archaeologists, Delta Force, Triaii and Hamas thrown in for a little excitement.
Throw in a historical reference to Marco Polo just for good measure. It was a fun read.
August 29, 2025
Marco Polo and a Crystal Skull
The ex POTUS son is kidnapped by a secret cult. They are seeking the 13 th Crystal Skull. They believe he may have a letter from his deceased father that speaks to its location.
This crystal skull was to be taken to the Vatican from Khan by Marco Polo.
It has been lost since 1247 .
Professor Acton and his fiancée Dr Palmer start following clues to find the missing skull.
Trouble abounds around every turn.
Good read
The ex POTUS son is kidnapped by a secret cult. They are seeking the 13 th Crystal Skull. They believe he may have a letter from his deceased father that speaks to its location.
This crystal skull was to be taken to the Vatican from Khan by Marco Polo.
It has been lost since 1247 .
Professor Acton and his fiancée Dr Palmer start following clues to find the missing skull.
Trouble abounds around every turn.
Good read
September 29, 2021
Another Brilliant Read.
What can I say? As I had already read, and thoroughly enjoyed, the first seven books in the series, I simply had to download this one e. Once again, the two professors and their friend Hugh Reading get caught up in a battle of wits with a separate group within the Triarii, while searching for another Crystal Skull. A great read. Don't miss out.
What can I say? As I had already read, and thoroughly enjoyed, the first seven books in the series, I simply had to download this one e. Once again, the two professors and their friend Hugh Reading get caught up in a battle of wits with a separate group within the Triarii, while searching for another Crystal Skull. A great read. Don't miss out.
October 5, 2023
Book 8
Book 8 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters and plot are well done. The overall of the characters are interesting and fairly predictable. The plot overall was predictable, but fun to read about Marco Polo and the alternate story line. I look forward to the next book.
Book 8 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters and plot are well done. The overall of the characters are interesting and fairly predictable. The plot overall was predictable, but fun to read about Marco Polo and the alternate story line. I look forward to the next book.
August 29, 2017
Archaeologist James Acton with wealthy girlfriend Laura Palmer, also an archaeologist, are after crystal skulls. These novels are as fast paced and well-plotted as Dan Brown's and in much the same genre.
December 13, 2019
Consistent with the previous books. Easy reading. I'm not sure I want to keep reading the series as they are starting to feel like a TV series with a similar plot in each book. Not putting it down, just lose a bit of the passion after 8 books.
May 8, 2020
I'm currently working my way through the Kennedy books (in the order he suggests) and have found them to be quite good and entertaining.
This particular book has all the action that one would expect but with more details and back story than some of the previous books in this series.
This particular book has all the action that one would expect but with more details and back story than some of the previous books in this series.
January 26, 2023
Thrills Un!imited
Unlimited thrills and mystery in every page. The professors are a constant source of delightful mystery and mayhem that can only by arrested by the timely arrival of the ever present Delta team.
Unlimited thrills and mystery in every page. The professors are a constant source of delightful mystery and mayhem that can only by arrested by the timely arrival of the ever present Delta team.
July 11, 2025
Mr. Robert Scores Again!
The author has a firm hand on the story of the adventurous Acton person as he travels the world with bullets spraying everywhere. I enjoyed the plot and all the characters.🤔
The author has a firm hand on the story of the adventurous Acton person as he travels the world with bullets spraying everywhere. I enjoyed the plot and all the characters.🤔
March 13, 2018
Exciting
The Venice Code is up to the usual exciting, fast moving high standard.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
The Venice Code is up to the usual exciting, fast moving high standard.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 20, 2018
Okay. Not enough suspense.
May 5, 2018
Great series
Another great book in the series, even I I read them backward.
Great stories, great characters, lots of fun reading.
Another great book in the series, even I I read them backward.
Great stories, great characters, lots of fun reading.
March 9, 2019
Lynnie
Like the book, a little hard to get into but once did, one you didn’t want to put down. On to the next
Like the book, a little hard to get into but once did, one you didn’t want to put down. On to the next
July 23, 2019
Great tie in between Marco Polo and the present. You have to suspense belief just a little because so much action goes on , but it's fun.
August 7, 2019
Professor Acton does it again. J. Robert Kennedy never lets me down. Plenty of action with history in its fiber. A must read.
August 22, 2020
Very enjoyable. This was the first book that I read by this author, and now want to go back and start at the beginning.
April 9, 2021
Another great book, better than most with no plot holes thank goodness!
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 23, 2021
What a thriller! So fast-paced that I lost too much sleep reading into late in the night. Another great adventure story where the past impacts the future.
December 20, 2021
James Acton. Archeologist. Would write more but trying to get thru book challenge.
January 21, 2022
Always an exciting adventure
These adventures always fascinate me. Always fast moving. Easy to read and thoroughly exciting and enjoyable from beginning to end.
These adventures always fascinate me. Always fast moving. Easy to read and thoroughly exciting and enjoyable from beginning to end.
January 31, 2022
I am utterly pleased on how the plot developed. I enjoyed the quick-paced flow as if I was with them in this adventure. I loved that the author did not ruin the story by not touching on too much on what is going on between Acton and Palmer.
It is so enthralling on how the author spin and pivot the historical allusion to Marco Polo, Kublai Khan and even the Pope of Rome.
If I am not mistaken, this is my second book in the series. I think I am going to check the previous ones and see how each character has developed through the series. I am quite fond of Reading, fun guy to be with.
March 1, 2022
3.75/5 ★
October 23, 2023
Another chase around the globe for a crystal skull. I love the historical story woven into the storyline.
December 15, 2024
The parts about Marco Polo were good and kept the reader turning the pages. The James Acton parts were just okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews