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Matinicus "Matt" Hawkins Adventure #1
The Emerald Scepter
Something bad happened to Matinicus “Matt” Hawkins in Afghanistan. The ex-SEAL was grievously wounded in an ambush that killed men under his command and almost ended his life. When he pushed for an investigation, he was kicked out of the Navy with a psychiatric discharge. The doctors put his shattered leg back together, but the bitterness destroyed his marriage. Five years later, Hawkins is jerked out of his tranquil life as a designer of undersea robots. A super-secret government group wants him to go back to Afghanistan on a strange and dangerous mission. A Georgetown University historian has unearthed evidence that could lead to the fabulous treasure of Prester John, a legendary Christian ruler of an eastern empire. The historian has disappeared, and the government wants Hawkins to track down the treasure as a matter of national security. The centerpiece of the trove, an emerald-encrusted gold scepter, is the linchpin in the Prophet's Necklace, code-name for a plot that is intended to kill more people than the attack on the Twin Towers and rally others to the terrorist cause. Hawkins sees his mission to foil the plot as an opportunity to search for answers. He pulls together an eclectic team that includes his ex-wife, a former comrade-in-arms and a mentally unstable computer whiz. Backed by his unlikely team, Hawkins will travel thousands of miles and hundreds of years on an amazing time-space odyssey. He’ll face off against a cold-blooded killer. Probe the underwater secrets of an ancient tomb. Navigate the treacherous stands of an unimaginable conspiracy. And in the process, will discover that there are treasures even more valuable than gold. This is a new release of a previously published edition.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2013
602 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Paul Kemprecos
51 books102 followersMy fiction-writing career owes it start to the bad navigation of an 18th century pirate. For it was in 1717 that a ship, the Whydah went aground, reportedly carrying a fabulous treasure. In the 1980s, three salvage groups went head-to-head, competing to find the wreck. The controversy over the salvage got hot at times and I thought there might be a book in their story. I was working for a newspaper at the time.
I developed my own detective, an ex-cop, diver, fisherman, and PI named Aristotle “Soc” Socarides. He was more philosophical than hard-boiled. Making his first appearance in “Cool Blue Tomb,” the book won the Shamus award for Best Paperback novel. After many years in the newspaper business, I turned to writing fiction and churned out five more books in the series.
Clive Cussler blurbed: “There can be no better mystery writer in America than Paul Kemprecos.”
Despite the accolades, the Soc series lingered in mid-list hell. By the time I finished my last book, I was thinking about another career that might make me more money, like working in a 7-11.
Several months after the release of “Bluefin Blues,” Clive called and said a spin-off from the Dirk Pitt series was in the works. It would be called the NUMA Files and he wondered if I would be interested in tackling the job.
I took on the writing of “Serpent” which brought into being Kurt Austin and the NUMA Special Assignments Team. Austin had some carry-over from Soc, and another team member, Paul Trout, had been born on Cape Cod. The book made The New York Times bestseller list, as did every one of seven NUMA Files that followed, including “Polar Shift,” which bumped “The DaVinci Code” for first place.
After eight NUMA Files I went back to writing solo. I wrote an adventure book entitled, The Emerald Scepter, which introduced a new hero, Matinicus “Matt” Hawkins. I have been working on the re-release of my Soc series in digital and print, and in 2013, responding to numerous requests, I brought Soc back again in a seventh Socarides book entitled, Grey Lady. My wife Christi and I live on Cape Cod where she works as a financial advisor. We live in a circa 1865 farmhouse with two cats. We have three children and seven granddaughters.
To learn more about Paul Kemprecos, check out his website at http://www.paulkemprecos.com.
I developed my own detective, an ex-cop, diver, fisherman, and PI named Aristotle “Soc” Socarides. He was more philosophical than hard-boiled. Making his first appearance in “Cool Blue Tomb,” the book won the Shamus award for Best Paperback novel. After many years in the newspaper business, I turned to writing fiction and churned out five more books in the series.
Clive Cussler blurbed: “There can be no better mystery writer in America than Paul Kemprecos.”
Despite the accolades, the Soc series lingered in mid-list hell. By the time I finished my last book, I was thinking about another career that might make me more money, like working in a 7-11.
Several months after the release of “Bluefin Blues,” Clive called and said a spin-off from the Dirk Pitt series was in the works. It would be called the NUMA Files and he wondered if I would be interested in tackling the job.
I took on the writing of “Serpent” which brought into being Kurt Austin and the NUMA Special Assignments Team. Austin had some carry-over from Soc, and another team member, Paul Trout, had been born on Cape Cod. The book made The New York Times bestseller list, as did every one of seven NUMA Files that followed, including “Polar Shift,” which bumped “The DaVinci Code” for first place.
After eight NUMA Files I went back to writing solo. I wrote an adventure book entitled, The Emerald Scepter, which introduced a new hero, Matinicus “Matt” Hawkins. I have been working on the re-release of my Soc series in digital and print, and in 2013, responding to numerous requests, I brought Soc back again in a seventh Socarides book entitled, Grey Lady. My wife Christi and I live on Cape Cod where she works as a financial advisor. We live in a circa 1865 farmhouse with two cats. We have three children and seven granddaughters.
To learn more about Paul Kemprecos, check out his website at http://www.paulkemprecos.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 15, 2023
The Emerald Scepter is one of those rip-roaring adventures that I didn't see coming. It was a book that I found intriguing after reading its description online. But it turned out to be one of those books that will never have a description that can do it justice. We're talking a 500 page novel that is cover to cover action and suspense. The characters and interesting and engaging while the plot leaves the reader with a constantly evolving understanding of the protagonist's past and present.
All of this is an exceptional treat for fans of the thriller genre as many will recognized Paul Kemprecos's name from his collaborative work with Clive Cussler on The Numa Files (the Kurt Austin series). And while it comes as no surprise that Paul is a gifted story teller, The Emerald Scepter proves that he has saved his best work for his solo career.
I started reading The Emerald Scepter looking for a solid summer action thriller. By the time I closed the figurative back cover (it was an ebook after all), I realized I had selected an exceptional summer adventure. The characters of this book are so powerful and enjoyable, I can only hope this turns out to be the start of a new series.
All of this is an exceptional treat for fans of the thriller genre as many will recognized Paul Kemprecos's name from his collaborative work with Clive Cussler on The Numa Files (the Kurt Austin series). And while it comes as no surprise that Paul is a gifted story teller, The Emerald Scepter proves that he has saved his best work for his solo career.
I started reading The Emerald Scepter looking for a solid summer action thriller. By the time I closed the figurative back cover (it was an ebook after all), I realized I had selected an exceptional summer adventure. The characters of this book are so powerful and enjoyable, I can only hope this turns out to be the start of a new series.
September 18, 2015
Something bad happened to Matinicus “Matt” Hawkins in Afghanistan.
The ex-SEAL was grievously wounded in an ambush that killed men under his command and almost ended his life. When he pushed for an investigation, he was kicked out of the Navy with a psychiatric discharge. The doctors put his shattered leg back together, but the bitterness destroyed his marriage.
Five years later, Hawkins is jerked out of his tranquil life as a designer of undersea robots. A super-secret government group wants him to go back to Afghanistan on a strange and dangerous mission. A Georgetown University historian has unearthed evidence that could lead to the fabulous treasure of Prester John, a legendary Christian ruler of an eastern empire.
The historian has disappeared, and the government wants Hawkins to track down the treasure as a matter of national security. The centrepiece of the trove, an emerald-encrusted gold sceptre, is the linchpin in the Prophet's Necklace, code-name for a plot that is intended to kill more people than the attack on the Twin Towers and rally others to the terrorist cause. Hawkins sees his mission to foil the plot as an opportunity to search for answers. He pulls together an eclectic team that includes his ex-wife, a former comrade-in-arms and a mentally unstable computer whiz.
Backed by his unlikely team, Hawkins will travel thousands of miles and hundreds of years on an amazing time-space odyssey. He’ll face off against a cold-blooded killer. Probe the underwater secrets of an ancient tomb. Navigate the treacherous stands of an unimaginable conspiracy. And in the process, will discover that there are treasures even more valuable than gold.
Paul Kemprecos has written a lively and energetic novel that moves at a rapid pace, reflecting the talent that Clive Cussler must have seen when he persuaded Kemprecos to co-write his NUMA novels. This book precedes those that he wrote with Cussler and, interestingly, is very much marine based as are the NUMA novels. The plot is well woven, and the characters are developed thoroughly. The whole issue of Prester John and his fabled treasure is well covered, with the Sceptre itself playing a major role in the storyline. The problem of what to do with it in resolving the story is well handled, and the people who would misuse it are dealt with in a very satisfactory manner.
Great fun.
The ex-SEAL was grievously wounded in an ambush that killed men under his command and almost ended his life. When he pushed for an investigation, he was kicked out of the Navy with a psychiatric discharge. The doctors put his shattered leg back together, but the bitterness destroyed his marriage.
Five years later, Hawkins is jerked out of his tranquil life as a designer of undersea robots. A super-secret government group wants him to go back to Afghanistan on a strange and dangerous mission. A Georgetown University historian has unearthed evidence that could lead to the fabulous treasure of Prester John, a legendary Christian ruler of an eastern empire.
The historian has disappeared, and the government wants Hawkins to track down the treasure as a matter of national security. The centrepiece of the trove, an emerald-encrusted gold sceptre, is the linchpin in the Prophet's Necklace, code-name for a plot that is intended to kill more people than the attack on the Twin Towers and rally others to the terrorist cause. Hawkins sees his mission to foil the plot as an opportunity to search for answers. He pulls together an eclectic team that includes his ex-wife, a former comrade-in-arms and a mentally unstable computer whiz.
Backed by his unlikely team, Hawkins will travel thousands of miles and hundreds of years on an amazing time-space odyssey. He’ll face off against a cold-blooded killer. Probe the underwater secrets of an ancient tomb. Navigate the treacherous stands of an unimaginable conspiracy. And in the process, will discover that there are treasures even more valuable than gold.
Paul Kemprecos has written a lively and energetic novel that moves at a rapid pace, reflecting the talent that Clive Cussler must have seen when he persuaded Kemprecos to co-write his NUMA novels. This book precedes those that he wrote with Cussler and, interestingly, is very much marine based as are the NUMA novels. The plot is well woven, and the characters are developed thoroughly. The whole issue of Prester John and his fabled treasure is well covered, with the Sceptre itself playing a major role in the storyline. The problem of what to do with it in resolving the story is well handled, and the people who would misuse it are dealt with in a very satisfactory manner.
Great fun.
July 16, 2020
A very nice story featuring Matt Hawkins and his misfit band of colleagues. The book's prolog was so interesting I felt a little disappointed when the main story started up. I hope there is many more books in the series. There is one thing I've noticed in all the books from this author, he writes well defined villains but they are not truly truly evil. Yes his bad people do bad thing sure, but they're not maniacal. And I don't think this is a bad thing at all. Sometimes we need PG villains in books to balance out the NC17 villains we sometimes come across.
June 12, 2013
Whew! What a great comeback for Paul! Loved it! Buy it! Read it!
December 19, 2020
New Hero for me
I read quite a large number of novels that feature either former military good guys or bad guys, and in comparison this adventure that introduced me to Retired USN Seal Matt Hawkins gave me a taste for more. I found myself stopping every now and then to do a little side research and some interesting Googling to double check my own understanding of ancient and modern history so I could keep up with some of the more unique things that make us more happy than not about what we all share as human beings who will chose one way to behave over any other. It isn't the divisions that further our society, it's the commonalities which can draw us closer and keep open the form of mutual respect and support as we all must struggle with the same demands of modern life in a post-war world. Matt Hawkins is a man not easily distracted from his goals or his targets.
I enjoyed reading this adventure story and look forward to reading more about Lt. Hawkins. He would make a very good friend and an enemy I simply wouldn't want to meet.
Good story about history that speaks volumes for the spirit of modern science, warfare, friendship, and the intrigue that the scent of buried treasure always presents.
I read quite a large number of novels that feature either former military good guys or bad guys, and in comparison this adventure that introduced me to Retired USN Seal Matt Hawkins gave me a taste for more. I found myself stopping every now and then to do a little side research and some interesting Googling to double check my own understanding of ancient and modern history so I could keep up with some of the more unique things that make us more happy than not about what we all share as human beings who will chose one way to behave over any other. It isn't the divisions that further our society, it's the commonalities which can draw us closer and keep open the form of mutual respect and support as we all must struggle with the same demands of modern life in a post-war world. Matt Hawkins is a man not easily distracted from his goals or his targets.
I enjoyed reading this adventure story and look forward to reading more about Lt. Hawkins. He would make a very good friend and an enemy I simply wouldn't want to meet.
Good story about history that speaks volumes for the spirit of modern science, warfare, friendship, and the intrigue that the scent of buried treasure always presents.
July 6, 2021
This was a good adventure story, nothing that made me go "wow." The protagonist is good but the supporting women characters would start out strong but then fall prey to the damsel in distress cliché. Supporting characters were uninteresting except Sutherland the computer geek, I liked her sassiness.
The read was easy and quick. Chapters flowed well together and the wording was easy to understand. Getting into the story wasn't hard but some scenes needed to be a bit longer to allow the characters to struggle a bit. For example, the underwater cave scene was a turning point in the story but the characters were there briefly. This scene should have been longer to allow the characters to struggle a bit when coming to the conclusions they did.
I would recommend this book to read but it is not one that I will re-read. For me it was good, but without the "wow" factor, it just couldn't reach the 5-star level. I will read the next book in the series and hopefully that has more excitement in it for me. But this is a good solid 4-4.5 star book depending on how you like your adventures.
The read was easy and quick. Chapters flowed well together and the wording was easy to understand. Getting into the story wasn't hard but some scenes needed to be a bit longer to allow the characters to struggle a bit. For example, the underwater cave scene was a turning point in the story but the characters were there briefly. This scene should have been longer to allow the characters to struggle a bit when coming to the conclusions they did.
I would recommend this book to read but it is not one that I will re-read. For me it was good, but without the "wow" factor, it just couldn't reach the 5-star level. I will read the next book in the series and hopefully that has more excitement in it for me. But this is a good solid 4-4.5 star book depending on how you like your adventures.
October 21, 2018
I picked this up because it was reviewed by Clive Cussler, one of my favourite authors. I was hoping it would be like the Dirk Pitt novels, but I found it lacking. The story dragged in some areas and there was altogether too much detail about all the weapons, which didn't contribute to the story. I was initially excited that the main team included two men and two women, however, the women are mostly useless. Whenever something interesting is happening, they are either sent away so they can be safe, or need to be rescued, even though they are both ex-military and are repeatedly described as bad-asses. After a fire-fight the women immediately leave to touch up their makeup and discuss which one of them thinks the protagonist is the hunkiest *sigh*.
September 21, 2017
After reading his books with Clive Cussler for the NUMA files, I stumbled upon this book by accident on Amazon. The story sounded good, so decided to give it a try since I enjoyed reading about the NUMA team. This book did not disappoint. It was written in a similar style as his book with Cussler with a small history intro then the big story. The team is structured in a similar manner as well, so comparisons are easy to see between the two series. But they are also vastly different as well. I could not put it down and am looking forward to reading the next book.
October 11, 2018
Great action and adventure story
For those that enjoy action and adventure this is a great story for you. The concept of an ancient civilization not discovered is not new, but it is done exceeding well in this book. The characters are heroic and strong. The bad guys are nasty and loose in the end. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys action and adventure.
For those that enjoy action and adventure this is a great story for you. The concept of an ancient civilization not discovered is not new, but it is done exceeding well in this book. The characters are heroic and strong. The bad guys are nasty and loose in the end. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys action and adventure.
October 26, 2018
Action-packed with believable, likeable characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this action block-buster. It would make a terrific movie! I liked the characters, their inter-relationships, their banter, their loyalty to each other. The Emerald Scepter was also very well-written with very few editing mistakes. The action sequences were gripping and I found myself on the edge of my seat during particularly suspenseful moments. I’m moving straight on now to read The Minoan Cipher.
I thoroughly enjoyed this action block-buster. It would make a terrific movie! I liked the characters, their inter-relationships, their banter, their loyalty to each other. The Emerald Scepter was also very well-written with very few editing mistakes. The action sequences were gripping and I found myself on the edge of my seat during particularly suspenseful moments. I’m moving straight on now to read The Minoan Cipher.
October 13, 2018
This book is a historical adventure book. The hunter is for an emerald scepter that a radical group wants to use as a symbol for a terrorist attack on the US. Matt not only finds the scepter but stops the attach. I gave it 4 stars because the book could have ended in several places and then it moved on to another twist. I will read the next in the series.
November 11, 2018
Great Read!!!!
This was first first exposure to Paul's work outside the NUMS series. The book was very hard to put down. The story moved at a great place. There were no slow spots (at least for me). I was so impressed with the book at the halfway point, I have already purchased the second book. I am looking forward to reading it.
This was first first exposure to Paul's work outside the NUMS series. The book was very hard to put down. The story moved at a great place. There were no slow spots (at least for me). I was so impressed with the book at the halfway point, I have already purchased the second book. I am looking forward to reading it.
December 5, 2018
Paul's writing exudes the lessons learned while collaborating with Clive Cussler. This pairing has simply made each author better and more laterally thinking in his craft and Paul has excelled himself with The Emerald Sceptre. Don't you dare miss this great example of a great action thriller with an archeological base.
March 23, 2019
Something for every reader.
An adventure story with female heroes as well as the requisite Male heroes. This is a story that has it all, guns, action, anger, revenge, and chaos. Several times the outcome was in doubt, creating tension from the battle of good and evil. Altogether, a worthy read well worth the time.
An adventure story with female heroes as well as the requisite Male heroes. This is a story that has it all, guns, action, anger, revenge, and chaos. Several times the outcome was in doubt, creating tension from the battle of good and evil. Altogether, a worthy read well worth the time.
August 29, 2020
Perfect Blend of History & Adventure
I love historical information. I also love adventure stories. This book combined the two perfectly! When you add in characters who are portrayed so naturally that you feel a personal connection the results are exciting, fun & leave the reader aching for the next book!
I love historical information. I also love adventure stories. This book combined the two perfectly! When you add in characters who are portrayed so naturally that you feel a personal connection the results are exciting, fun & leave the reader aching for the next book!
March 5, 2022
The Emerald Scepter (A Matinicus "Matt" Hawkins Adventure Book 1)
From beginning to end the action never stops. Wonderful characters and impressive scenery descriptions, taking the reader from the East Coast of the United States to Afghanistan to Colorado. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!
From beginning to end the action never stops. Wonderful characters and impressive scenery descriptions, taking the reader from the East Coast of the United States to Afghanistan to Colorado. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!
September 5, 2024
This is nowhere near as good as the Soc series. I'll read the next one in the series in hopes that the problem here was the need to introduce new characters. The plot here was a blend of a Steve Berry like book with a search for an ancient treasure and numerous military thrillers. It didn't work for me.
October 15, 2018
Great story, terrific group of characters, Hawkins And estranged wife team up again
Searching for a treasure leads us through Rios countries, mountains, lakes and rivers. Afghanistan, Colorado, Washington D.C., are so of the. Areas included.
Searching for a treasure leads us through Rios countries, mountains, lakes and rivers. Afghanistan, Colorado, Washington D.C., are so of the. Areas included.
October 16, 2018
Enjoyed both the book and Mr Kemprecos's writing style. I've read him before in his collaboration with Clive Cussler and enjoyed all of those. It was a fairly typical adventure yarn with a lot of moving parts that he pulled together well.
October 21, 2018
Really good read
Liked this a lot and so will you. Hope for a sequel, and looking forward to a series. Make a great movie or tv show. Anyway recommend this book, worth your time and $.
Liked this a lot and so will you. Hope for a sequel, and looking forward to a series. Make a great movie or tv show. Anyway recommend this book, worth your time and $.
October 31, 2018
A good read...
A good read, if somewhat predictable plot. Well written, and well-developed characters, but I kept waiting for that jolt of electricity that says, “Wow! I did NOT see that coming!!!” Never happened. But it’s still a good read.
A good read, if somewhat predictable plot. Well written, and well-developed characters, but I kept waiting for that jolt of electricity that says, “Wow! I did NOT see that coming!!!” Never happened. But it’s still a good read.
November 3, 2018
Great read !
I gave this story 5 stars because of the great writing and well developed characters. The book is a real page turner that will keep you interested till the last page. Kemprecos is a master story teller!
I gave this story 5 stars because of the great writing and well developed characters. The book is a real page turner that will keep you interested till the last page. Kemprecos is a master story teller!
December 29, 2018
Brilliant
I have read two books by Paul Kemprecos an enjoyed both of them and look forward to reading his others. He has written in conjunction with Clive Cussler and I have read all of that series.
I have read two books by Paul Kemprecos an enjoyed both of them and look forward to reading his others. He has written in conjunction with Clive Cussler and I have read all of that series.
January 16, 2019
A most curious journey
The detailed information was almost overwhelming. The characters were so vivid, as was the places they went and the people they were with. This book was so well written. I won't forget this journey
The detailed information was almost overwhelming. The characters were so vivid, as was the places they went and the people they were with. This book was so well written. I won't forget this journey
April 9, 2019
Awesome read!
I'm not much of a writer, so here it is. I loved the characters and the story. I love writers who make me stop reading to do some research and learn in the course of a book. The story was exciting g, well thought out and fun. Can't wait to read the next one.
I'm not much of a writer, so here it is. I loved the characters and the story. I love writers who make me stop reading to do some research and learn in the course of a book. The story was exciting g, well thought out and fun. Can't wait to read the next one.
May 19, 2019
Hooked from the start
Really liked this book. Filled with technical facts and yet immensely readable. A real adventure story with great characters. Even the 'love interest' fitted in so well with the whole story. Great!
Really liked this book. Filled with technical facts and yet immensely readable. A real adventure story with great characters. Even the 'love interest' fitted in so well with the whole story. Great!
May 28, 2019
First of many
Really good read. After reading all of CC’s books I could source, I thought I’d check his co-writers. So glad I did. This book was better than most I’ve read and I couldn’t recommend it mor3 as a first read of Paul’s work.
Really good read. After reading all of CC’s books I could source, I thought I’d check his co-writers. So glad I did. This book was better than most I’ve read and I couldn’t recommend it mor3 as a first read of Paul’s work.
June 12, 2019
Fiction
The book was excellent and I found that towards the end I could not stop reading. I liked the ending, but I was hoping it would have turned out different. It seemed everybody in this book was evil.
The book was excellent and I found that towards the end I could not stop reading. I liked the ending, but I was hoping it would have turned out different. It seemed everybody in this book was evil.
October 14, 2019
Suspenseful and exciting
A great Architectural adventure with political implications. The adventurers are exciting, conning, and always escaping one trap after another. A real page turner.
A great Architectural adventure with political implications. The adventurers are exciting, conning, and always escaping one trap after another. A real page turner.
December 15, 2021
I’m giving it three stars because it too much too long for me to read it. It wasn’t as engaging a I had hoped. I will read the next in his series and see if things get better. Good storyline and good characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews