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James Acton Thrillers #9
Pompeii's Ghosts
POMPEII IS ABOUT TO CLAIM ITS FINAL VICTIMS—TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER!
Two thousand years ago Roman Emperor Vespasian tries to preserve an empire by hiding a massive treasure in the quiet town of Pompeii should someone challenge his throne. Unbeknownst to him nature is about to unleash its wrath upon the Empire during which the best and worst of Rome’s citizens will be revealed during a time when duty and honor were more than words, they were ideals worth dying for.
Professor James Acton has just arrived in Egypt to visit his fiancée Professor Laura Palmer at her dig site when a United Nations helicopter arrives carrying representatives with an urgent demand that they come to Eritrea to authenticate an odd find that threatens to start a war—an ancient Roman vessel with over one billion dollars of gold in its hold.
It is a massive amount of wealth found in the world’s poorest region, and everyone wants it. Nobody can be trusted, not even closest friends or even family. Greed, lust and heroism are the orders of the day as the citizens of Pompeii try to survive nature’s fury, and James Acton tries to survive man’s greed while risking his own life to protect those around him.
Pompeii’s Ghosts, the ninth novel in the James Acton Thrillers series delivers the historical drama and modern day action that fifteen times international best selling author J. Robert Kennedy’s fans have come to expect. Pompeii’s Ghosts opens with a shocker that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the thrilling conclusion in a story torn from today’s headlines.
Two thousand years ago Roman Emperor Vespasian tries to preserve an empire by hiding a massive treasure in the quiet town of Pompeii should someone challenge his throne. Unbeknownst to him nature is about to unleash its wrath upon the Empire during which the best and worst of Rome’s citizens will be revealed during a time when duty and honor were more than words, they were ideals worth dying for.
Professor James Acton has just arrived in Egypt to visit his fiancée Professor Laura Palmer at her dig site when a United Nations helicopter arrives carrying representatives with an urgent demand that they come to Eritrea to authenticate an odd find that threatens to start a war—an ancient Roman vessel with over one billion dollars of gold in its hold.
It is a massive amount of wealth found in the world’s poorest region, and everyone wants it. Nobody can be trusted, not even closest friends or even family. Greed, lust and heroism are the orders of the day as the citizens of Pompeii try to survive nature’s fury, and James Acton tries to survive man’s greed while risking his own life to protect those around him.
Pompeii’s Ghosts, the ninth novel in the James Acton Thrillers series delivers the historical drama and modern day action that fifteen times international best selling author J. Robert Kennedy’s fans have come to expect. Pompeii’s Ghosts opens with a shocker that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the thrilling conclusion in a story torn from today’s headlines.
336 pages, ebook
First published June 18, 2014
253 people are currently reading
241 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 24, 2017
This book is fascinating as an insight into the mind of a right-wing writer. This is how their world works: all the Muslims are murderers and rapists, the Christians their hapless victims. The UN is a useless and corrupt organisation, existing only to prevent the light of the American way illuminating the entire world. Being an American is the highest achievement a human being can strive towards and everyone at least secretly wishes to become one. Migrants and refugees are bad people, who only seek to undermine the culture of the host nation (never mind that this is in contradiction with the previous claim). The Russians are bad guys who secretly seek to restore the Soviet Union, along with communism. The British and the French are generally good guys, in the sense that they are useful idiots who can be used to achieve a goal, but it is definitely not even worth remembering their names.
But first and foremost, naturally, no character ever has any self-doubt or is plagued by moral ambiguity of their actions - that is obviously an undesirable weakness in a true right-wing hero, who doesn't lose any sleep over killing a platoon of men - they were the bad guys, don'tcha know? It is truly fascinating how black and white their world is.
It is a shame that these right-wing fantasies of the author spoil what is a fairly interesting pseudo-historical plot and semi-decent writing. You see, in Eritrea, a Roman ship loaded with gold is found, which sets in action interesting geo-political events, as well as changing the faith of the characters involved in its discovery.
The chapters dealing with the discovery of the ship are intermingled with historical fiction chapters that explain the Roman origin of the vessel. Now, these seem interesting at first, however, in the end these historical chapters don't really lead anywhere, have too many characters who are anything but memorable and by the last third of the book they are simply abandoned.
In conclusion, this is only recommended reading if you want a hard right view of current global political situation and enjoy stuff like a bunch of True Americans (tm) killing a whole army of Muslim terrorists. Otherwise, there's loads of better historical fiction to enjoy.
But first and foremost, naturally, no character ever has any self-doubt or is plagued by moral ambiguity of their actions - that is obviously an undesirable weakness in a true right-wing hero, who doesn't lose any sleep over killing a platoon of men - they were the bad guys, don'tcha know? It is truly fascinating how black and white their world is.
It is a shame that these right-wing fantasies of the author spoil what is a fairly interesting pseudo-historical plot and semi-decent writing. You see, in Eritrea, a Roman ship loaded with gold is found, which sets in action interesting geo-political events, as well as changing the faith of the characters involved in its discovery.
The chapters dealing with the discovery of the ship are intermingled with historical fiction chapters that explain the Roman origin of the vessel. Now, these seem interesting at first, however, in the end these historical chapters don't really lead anywhere, have too many characters who are anything but memorable and by the last third of the book they are simply abandoned.
In conclusion, this is only recommended reading if you want a hard right view of current global political situation and enjoy stuff like a bunch of True Americans (tm) killing a whole army of Muslim terrorists. Otherwise, there's loads of better historical fiction to enjoy.
June 18, 2018
Not the best Acton novel.
First of all, I love the James Acton novels, and after reading The Nazi Engineer, I went back and started at 1,and have read them all this past month. Honestly, this is the first to let me down a little because I have grown to expect twists and turns from London to Georgia (next to Alabama), to Israel and everywhere in between, but this one is a little dull after what I have grown to expect. I'm not stopping, by any means, but, in my humble opinion, the book Pompii's Ghost should have been left out of the mix. It makes me think this one was poorly written and thrown in the Acton series to meet some kind of deadline or something to that effect. God bless J. Robert Kennedy, though, and you better believe that I have #10 downloading as I write this review. Also, just throwing this in, I am so glad an author finally speaks of how ludicrous the religion of Islam has become written as a peace loving life of worship, but twisted into a maniacs fighting everyone who doesn't agree with them, recruiting young men who believe that if they die killing us infedels, they get 72 virgins to do their bidding for eternity. Absolutely pathetic, but at least Kennedy has the gall to tell it like it is, and that is another appeal to these books and this author!
First of all, I love the James Acton novels, and after reading The Nazi Engineer, I went back and started at 1,and have read them all this past month. Honestly, this is the first to let me down a little because I have grown to expect twists and turns from London to Georgia (next to Alabama), to Israel and everywhere in between, but this one is a little dull after what I have grown to expect. I'm not stopping, by any means, but, in my humble opinion, the book Pompii's Ghost should have been left out of the mix. It makes me think this one was poorly written and thrown in the Acton series to meet some kind of deadline or something to that effect. God bless J. Robert Kennedy, though, and you better believe that I have #10 downloading as I write this review. Also, just throwing this in, I am so glad an author finally speaks of how ludicrous the religion of Islam has become written as a peace loving life of worship, but twisted into a maniacs fighting everyone who doesn't agree with them, recruiting young men who believe that if they die killing us infedels, they get 72 virgins to do their bidding for eternity. Absolutely pathetic, but at least Kennedy has the gall to tell it like it is, and that is another appeal to these books and this author!
December 10, 2017
Long Story I’ve Finishes Strong
The two story lines for the fist half of the book were like reading two books at the same time. This plot technique, often used by J. Robert Kennedy, can make bouncing back and forth a distraction to both plot lines since they never really converge. Once the action focuses in the present with the familiar characters we love, the pacing picks up and finishes on a high note.
The two story lines for the fist half of the book were like reading two books at the same time. This plot technique, often used by J. Robert Kennedy, can make bouncing back and forth a distraction to both plot lines since they never really converge. Once the action focuses in the present with the familiar characters we love, the pacing picks up and finishes on a high note.
December 17, 2017
A lot of lead ups in the story and some flashbacks so we know how the gold came to be where it was discovered. I thought it a bit of a stretch of the imagination that it went from the Mediterranean and Vesuvius to a sandbank in the Sudan. And after some really good parts the story ended in a Whizz bang and all the bad guys decimated by good old American marines. Nope, did not like it enough to get beyond a mediocre read.
January 14, 2020
Another action-packed adventure for Professor James Acton and his friends in 'The Unit"/Special Forces! I could hardly put the book down as the characters were involved in gunfights, kidnapping, evil gangs, etc.. It reminded me of the excitement of watching Indiana Jones movies and because there is always history involved in this series. In this book, I enjoyed reading the history of Pompeii and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.
April 20, 2021
A great book, with one incredibly big plot hole!
How can an old Soviet Antonov warplane, supposedly safe from any bullets (they actually say this in the story), then be pretty much brought down by a single gunshot from inside the plane?
Other than that, this was a great book. One suggestion for the author though, instead of time flip-flopping back and forth, tell the early story, THEN tell the later story.
Definitely recommended.
How can an old Soviet Antonov warplane, supposedly safe from any bullets (they actually say this in the story), then be pretty much brought down by a single gunshot from inside the plane?
Other than that, this was a great book. One suggestion for the author though, instead of time flip-flopping back and forth, tell the early story, THEN tell the later story.
Definitely recommended.
September 8, 2025
Pompeii’s Secret
Gold bars in the hull of an ancient boat are found in the Sudan dessert by a goat herder.
The are stamped with the seal of a Caesar.
Enter Dr. James Acton and his fiancé Dr. Laura Palmer, archeologists to verify, authenticate and protect a billion dollars in gold bars.
This is a UN mission, but there are many different thieves around.
Tension, action, page turner.
Gold bars in the hull of an ancient boat are found in the Sudan dessert by a goat herder.
The are stamped with the seal of a Caesar.
Enter Dr. James Acton and his fiancé Dr. Laura Palmer, archeologists to verify, authenticate and protect a billion dollars in gold bars.
This is a UN mission, but there are many different thieves around.
Tension, action, page turner.
September 9, 2018
Pompeii’s Ghosts
Excellent action novel. Enjoyed the historical facts related to Vesuvius’ eruption and the tie in to a modern archaeological dig. Have recommended this book to my friends already, since we will actually visit Pompeii in the very near future. I plan to read more books by this author.
Excellent action novel. Enjoyed the historical facts related to Vesuvius’ eruption and the tie in to a modern archaeological dig. Have recommended this book to my friends already, since we will actually visit Pompeii in the very near future. I plan to read more books by this author.
May 17, 2019
Archaeologists James Acton and Laura Palmer are good at finding lost treasures, and ending up in dire straights because of the discovery. Finding a Roman ship, loaded with gold, in Eritrea is no exception. Can their friends in the Delta Force come to their rescue again, or will they have to work things out for themselves?
May 20, 2019
Another James Acton novel.
Nothing surprising here the typical jam action novel. the history didn't tie into the novel as well as it could have no real archaeological did involve no real archaeological findings displayed just the accountof the volcanic eruption and the plight of the people trying to escape. A good read but very predictable.
Nothing surprising here the typical jam action novel. the history didn't tie into the novel as well as it could have no real archaeological did involve no real archaeological findings displayed just the accountof the volcanic eruption and the plight of the people trying to escape. A good read but very predictable.
June 17, 2019
Another excellent thriler
I've been to Pompeii. It is saddening to see what its citizens left while trying to escape.
There could have been a treasure that needed to be moved, it's logical when you visit the remains of this city.
Kennedy has written a compelling story for Action and Palmer to be involved in.
Well written, believable.
I've been to Pompeii. It is saddening to see what its citizens left while trying to escape.
There could have been a treasure that needed to be moved, it's logical when you visit the remains of this city.
Kennedy has written a compelling story for Action and Palmer to be involved in.
Well written, believable.
October 15, 2023
Book 9
Book 9 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The overall plot and characters are well developed. The alternate story of Pompeii was interesting and fun to read about. This book was a bit slow and predictable, but fleshed out towards the ending. I look forward to the next book.
Book 9 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The overall plot and characters are well developed. The alternate story of Pompeii was interesting and fun to read about. This book was a bit slow and predictable, but fleshed out towards the ending. I look forward to the next book.
October 21, 2023
Another good story involving our favorite archeologists and the Delta Team. I love everything thing about the history of Pompeii so this story really appealed to me. I love the writing style of Robert with the present day mixed with history. He makes you feel like you’re actually back in time. On to book 10.
November 6, 2017
Pompeii Ghost
Great action story James Acton is caught up in high stake gamble to preserve his dig and caught up n a war trying to save the Roman gold. Thanks to his wife and his Delta friends things turn out alright
Great action story James Acton is caught up in high stake gamble to preserve his dig and caught up n a war trying to save the Roman gold. Thanks to his wife and his Delta friends things turn out alright
November 9, 2017
Interesting premise. A ship full of gold that escaped from Pompeii in 79 A.D. is found. Professor James Acton is called in to examine it. The gold is stolen, and after a series of adventures, the bad guys are vanquished and right prevails.
November 12, 2017
Great descriptions of the devastation of Pompeii combined with a good modern action story!
Great description of the devastation of Pompeii combined with a good modern action story! As always, the characters are likeable.
Great description of the devastation of Pompeii combined with a good modern action story! As always, the characters are likeable.
December 10, 2017
This was a very interesting book. Some history of the Pompeii disaster. Made me want to go on-line and look up some photos of the relics. Kennedy is a very good writer and I enjoy his characters. I'd highly recommend this book if you like a good adventure and some historical background.
October 12, 2020
Two thumbs up for this offering from J. Robert Kennedy. Really liked the running of every other chapter being the last days of Pompeii & the more recent story of the gold bars. Great action and a bit of a history lesson, too!
Read
March 16, 2023Another great story. I really enjoy the series of James Acton and Laura Palmer. I read this one in one plane ride from Brazil to the US including the layover. The story traps you by mixing past and present in a very entertaining way. Read it.
November 2, 2017
Fantastic book
I just recently discovered this offer and signed up for the starter pack. The two books I have read so far I definitely will be reading more.
I just recently discovered this offer and signed up for the starter pack. The two books I have read so far I definitely will be reading more.
March 16, 2019
Lynnie
Another good book. Fast moving story. The whole gang once again making a good read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Another good book. Fast moving story. The whole gang once again making a good read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.
July 20, 2019
Gripping read filled with loads of historical action.
May 13, 2020
Not the best in the series, but still a good read. The ending is entirely too rushed.
July 30, 2020
Another fast paced adventure with just enough historical integrity and current action to make it hard to stop reading.
June 14, 2021
Couldn’t bring myself to finish this after the rape scene. Too graphic. Wish I had memory bleach.
July 14, 2014
Nine books in, and I'm still enjoying this series. In fact, this might be my favorite. Acton and most of the usual cast of characters are back, this time investigating a shipwreck that contains over $1 billion in ancient Roman Empire gold. This gold came from a hidden cache in Pompeii, transported to the ship during the Vesuvius eruption. So there are concurrent stories going on, one in modern times and the other in ancient Rome. I was immediately drawn into the story, as it begins with a plane hijack with the gold, where one of the main characters may or may nor have been killed. I'm so drawn into this series and the characters that I had to find out what happened. I'm always fascinated how Acton and his fiancee keep running into the members of Delta Squad, but Kennedy keeps coming up with a way. Already looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 26, 2017
Another good book.
Plenty of action from the Delta team and James Acton himself. Strange to read the Delta team and James and Laura separated for this mission nearly the whole book through. and how the situations lead them all back together again. nice to see another member of the Delta team get a bigger part in the book rather than mainly Dawson and Red.
the only downside is it lacked alot of the history. started really good and once the gold was out of the country that was the end of that. it was more about the modern countries. it still needed to refer back to the history which it lacked.
please tell me in the next book Maggie and Dawson get together :) x
Plenty of action from the Delta team and James Acton himself. Strange to read the Delta team and James and Laura separated for this mission nearly the whole book through. and how the situations lead them all back together again. nice to see another member of the Delta team get a bigger part in the book rather than mainly Dawson and Red.
the only downside is it lacked alot of the history. started really good and once the gold was out of the country that was the end of that. it was more about the modern countries. it still needed to refer back to the history which it lacked.
please tell me in the next book Maggie and Dawson get together :) x
September 2, 2016
Great read
I am never disappointed with J. Robert Kennedy's books.
I'm a fan of historical fiction novels so I immensely enjoyed how the stories unfolded from Pompeii's time to modern day.
I'm in love with the regulars in these stories. It's entertaining to read the adventures of James and Laura and to see how they will get out of their latest predicament.
Looking forward to reading the next book in line.
I am never disappointed with J. Robert Kennedy's books.
I'm a fan of historical fiction novels so I immensely enjoyed how the stories unfolded from Pompeii's time to modern day.
I'm in love with the regulars in these stories. It's entertaining to read the adventures of James and Laura and to see how they will get out of their latest predicament.
Looking forward to reading the next book in line.
October 18, 2016
well, it had some interesting accounts from ancient Pompeiis citizens going thru the actual event. It blended in some current middle east situations and then of course had the "never would this actually happen" action scenes. But that is what makes these book genres fun to read. So I liked it but it wasnt one of my faves for this style.
June 27, 2014
No disappointment here
seems the professor can't catch a break. I enjoyed the Italian landscape :)
like the others in this series, it was hard to put down
please remember to read the acknowledgements at end of book
seems the professor can't catch a break. I enjoyed the Italian landscape :)
like the others in this series, it was hard to put down
please remember to read the acknowledgements at end of book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews