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Aiden Leonardo #2

The Secret of Scripture

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An ancient prophecy.A devastating revelation.The Holy Land on the brink of war.When a theoretical physicist is found dead on the steps of the eastern triple arched Huldah Gates of the Temple Mount hours before a technological summit in Tel Aviv is set to begin, Professor of Biblical Studies Aiden Leonardo is sought for questioning in connection to the murder. But what begins as a simple inquiry about Aiden's meeting with the victim on the previous night erupts into a race against the clock to prevent the unthinkable from occurring in Jerusalem.Tension in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached its peak. With rumors about a "Jewish Plan" to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and build the Jewish Third Temple on its remnants, and growing resentment in the hearts of Palestinians toward their Israeli neighbors, a technological summit threatens to push the conflict beyond its tipping point with Artificial Intelligence presenting a philosophical perspective that will change our view of religion forever.Religious extremists hold Jerusalem hostage when a message reveals that bombs are scattered throughout the Old City. With time ticking away, Aiden joins forces with a chief inspector of the Israel police force, and a director of the technological summit well-versed in religious history.They embark on a frantic hunt through the catacombs of the ancient city, sacred sites, and forgotten tombs, using scripture and the Dead Sea Scrolls to reveal their enemies and prevent Armageddon from occurring as the prophets had foretold. Their only hope lies in the words that remained unchanged for 2,000 years, but could threaten the validity of the most revered faith on earth.

420 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2019

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266 people want to read

About the author

Felix Alexander

18 books153 followers
Felix Alexander (1976-Present) is a Mexican-born, American-raised novelist and poet of Spanish, Mexican, and Puerto Rican descent.

Acclaimed by readers for his poetic prose, his indie releases include:

* Dear Love: Diary of a Man's Desire, a collection of love letters and poems (Forever Poetic series #1)
* The Romantic: A Love Story (Forever Poetic series #2)
* Romantic Musings (Forever Poetic series #3)
* The Book of Danielle (Forever Poetic series #4)
* Shadows of Time: The Amulet of Alamin
* The Secret of Heaven (Book 1 of the Aiden Leonardo Series)
* The Secret of Scripture (Book 2 of the Aiden Leonardo Series)
* The Secret of God's Banker (Book 3 of the Aiden Leonardo series)
* The Last Valentine (A Labyrinth of Love Letters novel)
* The Last Love Letter (A Labyrinth of Love Letters novel, book 2)
* Her Punishment (Her Erotic Endeavors series #1)
* Her Awakening (Her Erotic Endeavors series #2)
* Her Seduction (Her Erotic Endeavors series #3)
*Her Passion (Her Erotic Endeavors series #4)
* A Uniquely Portable Magic, An Order of the Scribes adventure
* Love Letters to Lora (a short story)
*Cupid’s Up to Something

Being third-generation military, after a grandfather and two uncles who served in the Korean War and Vietnam War, respectively, Alexander is proud of his U.S. Army service and grateful for his experience.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he embarked on the long and arduous journey of a writer. Having made a name for himself while serving his country, he vowed to himself and his fellow soldiers that he would answer his true calling.

He currently lives in Chicago, IL—to be closer to his children—a son and daughter.

In the evenings, he journeys through the portals of his extensive personal library. When he returns, he immerses himself in his writing and pursues the scent of his muse.

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5 stars
38 (32%)
4 stars
42 (35%)
3 stars
31 (26%)
2 stars
5 (4%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
284 reviews44 followers
March 18, 2020
(I received a review copy from the author via Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.)

Wow! The amount of research that has gone into this book is mind-blowing. The detail-oriented writing reminded me of a travel book by William Dalrymple called From the Holy Mountain: A Journey Among the Christians of the Middle East.

I enjoy the Dan Brown style of historical mysteries, where an erudite professor dashes off to various places of historical interest, deciphers codes and symbols using cryptic clues, and throws himself into danger despite not being fully equipped to handle it just because history must be preserved and the truth must be revealed.

This book is all this--with a good dose of philosophical discussions about the intersection between religion and technology and the consequences of the friction caused by it.

It may not appeal to everyone, especially if you're looking for something fast-paced. But if you have the patience and the interest to wade through the wealth of information given in the first half, you will be able to understand the thread of the story.

The latter half of the book picks up pace; more action happens and there is greater focus on the mystery itself. The star of the show is Aiden Leonardo, professor of Biblical studies, although his wife, Miriam, does give him a helping hand later on in the story.

My favorite character is Pakistani code breaker Nagi--smart, suave, and a bit cheeky.

Even though this is Book 2 in the Aiden Leonardo series, it works fine as a standalone novel. You have enough context about Aiden's past to understand the motivations of the various characters. It also makes you want to pick up Book 1 to know more about what happened with Aiden's brother and father.

Go for it!
2,906 reviews43 followers
November 12, 2022
I enjoyed the narration of Seth Regis

The stories have everything, intrigue, religion, adventure, and mythology, technology, politics, a little violence and some paranormal entities. There are twists and turns you really don’t see coming. The story is action packed.
17 reviews
July 4, 2020
It is worthwhile and strongly recommended that one read The Secret of Heaven and its sequel The Secret of Scripture on a back to back basis as to a degree the saga continues as do the prime characters. The duel novels center on a well known and used literary storyline, the linkage of the three western Abrahamic religions, the mysteries of “their books” and what they really mean. The author investigates and therefore uncovers for the reader a host of questionable avenues. These divinely inspired works and even more so their interpretations have concerned inquisitive minds even if the truly devoted faithful followers of them believe they ‘are God's word’ and not to be challenged. While mankind has used these precious works to organize institutions to both control and liberate the masses such utilization has resulted in unscrupulous ends; and such is the prime subject of the linked novels.
Interspersed throughout both books are biblical references that in the case of this reader and reviewer have been checked; and all of them are in fact real. The author has done a fine job of researching, although how he uses them could be called into question but moves the story forward. In the first book, the search for the secret of heaven is both confusing and perhaps even disappointing as this reader came away wondering what is it really – what document and what exactly does it reveal? No less what does it all mean? In the second book, a secret society lingers behind destructive events in Jerusalem with the science of AI (artificial intelligence and computer brains) brought to examine religious faith determining - SPOILER ALERT – it has little relevance / no rational nor logic to it BUT never examining its moral direction and social value for mankind.
As to the drawbacks of the books. Petty if even silly family issues play in the background. Characters are introduced, sometimes out of nowhere, with sinister but never explained motives. Events tend to leapfrog with things happening with little or no linkage to prior ones. The connection between action in the US and Israel in the second book is a bit of a stretch with the US connection used only to bring the AI into wider play. Both books could have used an editor both for grammatical/spelling issues and to make for tighter storylines.
Still found both books exploring some interesting and intriguing issues surrounding the never-ending inspection into religion.; which will always be a subject of debate and tension.
Profile Image for Yara.
392 reviews6 followers
May 21, 2021
This is perfect for Dan Brown fans!

Alexander’s pulse-pounding sequel, The Secret of Heaven takes professor Leonardo to Tel Aviv for a tech summit on artificial intelligence. Early one morning, the Israeli police rouse the academic in his hotel to ask him about Emmett Ben Yaakov, a professor of applied mathematics, whose body has been found on the Temple Mount. Someone has shot the professor in the head and carved a reference to a bible verse on his chest. Leonardo, the last person known to have seen Yaakov alive, met with him the previous evening to discuss advanced AI's philosophical and religious implications. The prologue reveals that a former student of Ben Yaakov, Farhad Hamid Vafa, who’s bent on destroying the Jewish State, killed him after demanding “access codes to the vault where the androids are being kept,” a disclosure that ratchets up suspense about what exactly those androids are. The tension rises as Leonardo tries to solve his colleague’s murder amid frantic efforts to foil terrorists who have planted bombs throughout the Old City of Jerusalem.

The author has invested a lot of time and research into these two books – The Secret of Heaven and The Secret of the Scripture - Hats off! These books have it all: in-depth information about religion, conflicts and the consequences of these conflicts! - His writing prose is similar to Dalrymple and Brown – Historical mysteries. Professors running like headless chickens to decipher codes using cryptic clues, and throwing themselves to danger for unearthing hidden secrets!

I highly recommend this 5* sequel to Dan Brown’s fans – You won’t be disappointed.
6 reviews
May 22, 2021
One star for the effort

Dan Brown this is not. Neither Ken Follet.
Too much PC regarding the Miiddle East conflict, and too much preaching.

Nobody has proofread the book, editing is absent.
To give some examples:
How can you say that Jesus was born in the place where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is standing? And give Jesus' year of birth as 4 AD when King Herod (the one of the slaughter of the innocents) died in the year 4 BC?
And shouldn't you decide to use either BC/AD or BCE/CE style?

How can one retrieve a cellphone from a counsel in a car? Surely you meant console. There are plenty of such errors in the book, as if it were dictated to a machine and then nobody bothered to look at the written text.

Having an Israeli character named Yeshua (Jesus) was fun, but Israelis do not use the name Jesús, like it is popular in the Hispanic/Latin American tradition. The usual form of the name would be Yehoshua.

Typos are irritating, alas they can be found on almost every second page.
To say one nicer thing about the book - the Chicago part of the plot was fun, comical and a bit satirical. Loved the comparison of the Taco Bell to the real Mexica food (and I really love the original Mexican food).
Profile Image for Sherri F.
6 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2023
Ashamedly, I had not heard of this author before I read this book! Now, I am a big fan! I ordered book one of this series and I sure hope there will be more books to come!
Mr Alexander delights readers with a murder mystery that Professor Aiden Leonardo has to solve. In the vein of Dan Brown and Daniel Silva, Alexander weaves a tale that is entertaining as well as educational.
For me as a writer, the ability to marry fact and fiction means extensive research and the responsibility to be accurate. For me as a reader, it is imperative to merge reality into fiction to create a believable and exciting story. Mr Alexander has done his research on theological issues as well as artificial intelligence.
Characters discussing the synoptic gospels and the deity of Christ ,as well as the use of Al in investigations brings old world and new world concepts together.
The narrator had to grow on me, but I have high standards( George Guidall is my fav!), but Mr Regis won me over by the end of the book.

Go buy this book ,as well as , Book 1 of the Leonardo series, The Secret of Heaven.
You, too, will become a fan!
33 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2020
Total disappointment

I am so terribly disappointed. I chose this book because I love archeology and I thought I was going to enjoy a book written from a Christian perspective since it had to do with biblical places and references. My disappointment lay in the filthy language in the book. I did not finish it and I will not read this author's work again. The fact is, intelligent moral people can use an amazing amount of decent words to exclaim and express themselves without resorting to profanity. There are millions of readers out there, including me, who would have enjoyed this book without profanity. Not everybody curses. Books should be rated just like the movies.


Profile Image for Betty  Bennett.
410 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2023
End of the World Drama

I loved this thrilling mystery that wrapped my mind in knots as I tried to identify the villains who were trying to destroy the status quo from the ones who were trying to prevent it. Technology played a major role, Biblical prophecies directed the action. Many characters were motivated by past experiences making it even more challenging to predict their behaviors. I wish I had read book one of the series first.
15 reviews
August 4, 2021
Great story

The writing style allows for fast reading. I did stumble a bit on typos, but then got over myself as the story absorbed me, just sucked me right in… The plausibility of this conspiracy was validated with current cultural and political events. LOVED IT
17 reviews
February 1, 2020
Interesting read

Very current and thought provoking but hard to follow. Had to really concentrate to follow parts of the book and references.
329 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2020
Good Sequel

This was every bit as good as the first book. The characters, plotting, and descriptions were all well done. A very good second act.
Profile Image for StephieFrost.
140 reviews17 followers
September 11, 2020
This was a promotional audio book. I give my opinion without bias. A interesting and exciting novel ! I enjoyed listing to this story. I recommend you give it a go.
41 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2020
Almost too much history

The story gets lost I. The religious history. Unless you are a religious scholar it can be a little hard to keep the facts straight.
Profile Image for Shannon Gardner.
171 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2020
The Secret Of Heaven/The Secret Of Scripture

These two books are amazing. The stories have everything, intrigue, religion, adventure, Biblical history, and mythology, technology, politics, amazing landscapes, love, a little violence and some paranormal entities. The characters are well built, with great and intense backstories. The story is action packed in both books. I found myself having a hard time putting these books down because of the intense, fast paced writing. The factual details in each book is really fascinating. There are twists and turns you really don’t see coming. The theology vs technology, technology vs theology questions, answers, and debate is another very interesting aspect to these stories. There are conspiracy theories sprinkled throughout the stories. Each book stands alone, but reading them one after the other keeps the characters backstories growing and evolving. Both books read like the events in them could, might and in some cases are happening right now in our world and country. The political views of some of the characters are ripped right from the headlines of today. The author must have done a lot of research for both of these books. Even though I just read for entertainment, I learned something’s and had a fun time following up on some Bible verses and web searches. Pretty interesting stuff, highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kristjan.
587 reviews30 followers
August 3, 2023
Book: ***
Performance: ****

A History Book Disguised as a Mystery

This is the second of the series following The Secret of Heaven; however, it can be read by itself (just don’t think too hard about any of it).

Preach Brother … This book is a historical conspiracy wrapped in a mystery presented through pontificating data dumps thinly veiled as dialog. There is no doubt that a lot of research went into this story; unfortunately the author seems compelled to beat the reader about the head and shoulders with all of it. The plot itself revolves around a murder of a mathematics professor on the eve of a tech conference in Tel Aviv … and apparently sets in motion events that are designed to bring about the fall of the Zionist State of Israel. While a fair amount of the information presented was accurate (more of less), there was little to no nuance and/or context presented with it, allowing the author to weave an entertaining, if improbable, conspiracy that subscribes to a number of obscure and mostly heretical interpretations (you have been warned). With historical and scriptural interpretations designed to titillate more than to inform (much like National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code), it can be fun to play with these "what if" concepts so long as you don’t take anything at face value. Of course … with all of this exposition, the plot moves at a glacial pace that is mostly saved by an excellent audio performance. With an awesome array of character voices and near perfect delivery, the only [minor] critique I would raise about the narration simply highlights some imaginative pronunciations that didn’t conform to the more conventional forms that I am familiar with … but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment at all.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TheSecretOfScripture #AidenLeonardo #FreeAudiobookCodes
Profile Image for Annette Mordec.
241 reviews3 followers
September 9, 2023
Story continues

After rereading this book, I added a 5th star. First time around I must have missed something, but that was few years back.
Anyway, will A.I. be able to take over the world? Science is progressing faster than ever. On 1 hand, I love computers, on the other, weren't we 1st warned in the Terminator by Arnold?
Profile Image for pamela boseman.
215 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2019
Secret of scripture

This was an awesome read. I loved the biblical references. The characters were exciting and entertaining. I can't wait for more of these characters next adventures.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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