The Mountain

Event Group Thriller #10

by David L. Golemon

In 1863 a meeting takes place between legendary war leaders-a secret alliance that will never show up in any American history book. A clandestine arrangement has been struck for a single chance to heal a war-torn nation. The mission is to bring the greatest prize in the history of the world back to American soil-the remnants of pre-history's greatest ship and its most startling mystery. The prize may lie on a mountain top inside the fierce Ottoman Empire, yet the men who seek it are only days away from trying to kill one another.

This is the very first Event that ultimately changed the world and a future that has been clouded with the passage of time. The battles will rage at sea and upon the land-battles with enemies both past and future. Union Colonel John Henry Thomas will come face to face both with his mortal enemies in Southern Gray and a dark entity that has been trapped on top of God's Mountain for a millennium-a murderous entity intent on keeping the secrets of the mountain hidden from the face of mankind.

In 2007, America's darkest agency known to only a privileged few as the Event Group, recruits a man they desperately need for their security. Major Jack Collins is brought to the underground world of the Event Group to learn about the darkest secrets in the history of the world where he is told a tale that brings Collins full circle on why his destiny has always lain with Department 5656.

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Fiction, Science Fiction, Action, Mystery, Historical Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2015

About the author

David L. Golemon (a.k.a. David Lynn Golemon ) is the author of the Event Group Thrillers, including Event, Ancients, Leviathan and Primeval. Legend, the second book in the series, was nominated for a RITA award for paranormal fiction.

Golemon learned an early love of reading from his father, who told him that the written word, unlike other forms, allows readers to use their own minds, the greatest special effects machines of all—an idea Golemon still believes. The only thing he loves more than writing is research, especially historical research, and he sees the subtext of his Event novels as being that understanding history allows us to create a better future. Golemon grew up in Chino, California, and now makes his home in New York.

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting idea. The story of the Flood mixed with the legend of Atlantis. Of course this allows for many deviations from the details of the Bible.

This is basically the story of how Colonel John Thomas ‘acquired’ the Ark for the Event group back in 1864. Its starts with Colonel Collins reading Thomas’ journal as he decides whether to stay with the group or not.

I wish the author has stayed with either Thomas or John Henry. Having the same person called both back and forth within the same scene was confusing.

I think my favorite character is Gray Dog. His interactions with everybody and everything is wonderfully unique. He’s probably the wisest of them all.

Footnote: 1) For those of you who are firm believers in the details of the Bible you will have to suspend your beliefs for this. It expostulates that Noah family was not the only ones left alive and that he had grandchildren on board the Ark. But the description of the Ark’s door closing and the flood waters hitting, lifting and carrying off the Ark are very well done.

Fave scenes: Major Collins final statement at the Senate hearing, Indian in the rafters, the bugle corps arrival and the Ark slide.

[Laurie Passalacqua · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally love reading this authors books but was very disappointed with this one. I didn't find it particularly helpful to go back to the beginning, before the start of the series, to disclose how the first artifact expedition came to fruition and found it very tedious to read through an entire book that was written as though it was someone's diary of the expedition. I really only found the first chapter and the epilogue interesting, the rest took me over a week to read something that would normally be only a couple of days. I just couldn't get into it and it didn't hold my attention very well. Sorry, but not something I would recommend at all.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed this series. Alway an exciting adventure but I was very disappointed in this one. I missed the Event Group characters. Found it slow and boring at times but the last 80 pages was good and exciting. I hope the next is better.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining book/story from David Golemon. A prequel of sorts for the Event group. Easy read and enjoyable. Decent characters and some twists that weren't to difficult to figure out ahead of time. If you like the "Event" series, you'll love this latest entry.

[Sonny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entry into the Event Group series. Set during the time of the American Civil War, it was not exactly what I was expecting hence the 3 star rating. It was a good story that would have been better if it was about a hundred pages shorter.

[Eddie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have adored all previous Event Group thrillers, some are stronger than others but all in all they are a fun read. I also really enjoyed the stand alone Supernaturals by Mr. Golemon, so I was excited about the chance to read of the latest adventures of Jack and co, especially given the cliffhanger of Overlord.

I shouldn't have bothered. Easily the weakest of the books, it is basically that Jack reads a story from the 1800's, in my opinion it doesn't sit in the Event Group universe at all, I dodn't even think it works as a standalone novel either. I missed the regular characters no end.

Still I will purchase the next book in the series as I enjoy the author, just not this time.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to give this a 3.5 rating. Book 10 in the Event Group series took a bit of a backstep for me. Part of the problem is that book 9 was a 5 star gem of a story. I liked the premise and most of the characters but found this to be a bit tedious at times. If you are a first time Golemon reader start with the first book in the series, not this one.

[Judith Trail · Rating 4 out of 5]

In keeping with a theme for this month, I picked up this book in the Event Group series expecting it to be like its predecessors, and was surprised. The story really takes place in Civil War America, and involves an attempt to find and excavate the Ark, an act President Lincoln thought would make America focus on something monumentally important from a religious and cultural angle that the country could unite to heal the wounds caused by the Civil War. Whether that is a plausible reason to travel to Mount Ararat, with threats coming from the English (who want the Ark) or the French and Ottoman empires, must be accepted without challenge in order to get on with the story. The group sent to find the Ark is made up primarily of Union and Confederate soldiers (opportunity for some tension there ), a woman detective from Pinkerton's, and some officers haunted by the horrors of war. There are lots of skirmishes, close calls and bitter arguments between the North and South. There is also the appearance of a "being" of dread, believed to be the Angel of Death, Asrael, whom even God felt uncomfortable around. It ends with the various conflicts solved and relationships cemented--I will not go into spoilers. More of a historical novel than a typical "weird creature"/myths come to life Event Group novel, but a good read!

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a few reviewers didn't really take to this tale. Half way through, I even told my wife that John Henry reminds me of Jack Collins. We'll many of the characters in this book (circa 1864-5) are very similar to the modern event group personnel, or maybe it's just the author style. I started with a closed mind, but as I read on, I really started to enjoy the story. Not five star enjoy, but four star enjoy. It's not really how the Event Group got started, more of a prequel.

I briefly rehashed the plot for a friend and he indicated, it was a bit far-fetched, but somehow Golemon made it work. I'm not saying this is the best in the series, far from it. Realistically it's probably in my bottom three. Just keep an open mind and give it a chance, it's worth reading to Event Group and Golemon fans.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting sequel, or rather prequel to the Event Group Series. This time around, the reader is taken nearly 150 years into the past to see the origins of how the Event Group was started under President Lincoln. The team tasked with securing the origins of an Old Testament myth requires the assistance of soldiers from the North and the South as well as those of the Land and Sea. The story is purportedly written in a journal from the commander of the expedition which survived time, a European attack and an ancient curse to make it to the current head of the Event Group's Security Division.

I look forward to the next installment in the Event Series.

[Marco Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story...at first I was expecting a much closer link to origins of what we know as The Event group but as an encapsulated story on it's own it's a fantastic read, and set within in era where you feel the genuine tension between the involved parties. Golemon has a way of bringing these so diametrically opposite characters in such a way you think there is no way they couldn't have been a team before.

[Alisa Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, suspense but also some historical fiction. It was a little slow at the beginning just because I had just read a book out of order in the series that happens current day and this one is in civil war time so that threw me off a bit but then it really grew on me and I couldn't stop listening to it (book on tape)

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the event group's books have been amazIng, but this one tugged at my heart and soul for some reason. It was so personal and to just imagine what a group of men and basically kids went thru on some unknown land and how they came together, ignoring their differences. It was very emotional for me. This book will be one I hold in my heart.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love the Event Group - not into historical fiction, especially not the American Civil War. Yada yada yada, don't care - get back to modern times. 95% 1860's dreck - not for me. Hopefully, The Traveller is back to their normal style.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not near his best

I have the Event Group on and off ever since the first novel hit the shelves. Try as I might, though. I just couldn't get into this one. I think just too many inconsistencies and glossing over of details.

[Cruze · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This one fell flat for me; it just did not have the strength the early Event Group books had.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this back story. Hope that Golemon adds more back stories to the Event Group series!

[Amy May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um. Kind of a weird premise. Am I missing some lost history of biblical archeology?

[Kimberly Houle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a interesting story a bit off from the story line of the series but it got tied back in at the end

[Randall Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and recently received my copy. After reading a previous book, I decided to give this one a go, because I have heard good things about this author. Several people recommended me to read this series, and I was thrilled to find out I had one this one. I just could not get into this book. I love thrillers and don't mind outlandish things happening in a story for the sake of a good plot. However, this just didn't thrill me. I like fast-paced action with a lot of suspense and prediction on my part. I made it barely past page 100 and I was not held in suspense or thrilled once. I think the premise is great, but found myself looking at my shelf with a forlorn look at all the other books I could be reading instead. That is why I had to give it up. I might come back to it at another time, and I might have a different opinion of it then. I'm sure there are very many people who would absolutely eat this book up and enjoy every minute of it. I simply am not one of them.

[Cudeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque por orden de edición sea el número 10 de la serie Grupo Evento, en realidad este libro es una precuela ya que narra la historia del primer caso del grupo. En este libro, prácticamente no salen los personajes ya conocidos de los anteriores libros, aparte de un par de escenas que sirven de introducción a la historia; está ambientado más de 100 años antes de los sucesos narrados en los anteriores libros.

Este libro, de acción y aventuras como el resto de la serie, es además una muestra de cómo se imagina el autor que era el sentimiento en USA de los protagonistas de la historia. Situado en la época de la Guerra Civil Americana ó Guerra de Secesión, los protagonistas (yanquis y johnies, norte y sur) no sólo se enfrentan a un peligro desconocido en la búsqueda de un tesoro arcaico, sino entre ellos. Es la lucha por reconciliar a una nación dividida, que lucha hermano contra hermano, en una carrera de odios.

[Cynde]

This goes back to the mission that began the Event Group back in the 1860's. Jack Collins is given the journal of John Henry Thomas to read. Col. Thomas on orders from Abraham Lincoln led a rag tag group of rebel prisoners, marines and naval personnel on a top secret expedition to the Ottoman Empire to discover and hopefully bring back proof of Noah's ark from Mt. Ararat. The Civil war was close to the end but that makes it no easier to blend the Union Marines with the Rebel prisoners of war but they must journey on this adventure together under the ruse of building a railroad in Turkey for the Sultan. This is a fantastic story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend it. Even if you have never read a book in this series you could begin with this one. If so be sure to read the rest as they are all wonderful. The action never stops and just when you think you know what will happen the plot twists and goes further non-stop. There are lots of surprises.

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish my library would get back to ordering the Event Group series, because of how perfectly awesome and perfectly ready for quarter-billion-dollar-budgeted movie adaptations they are. This prequel adventure, the origin story of the Event Group itself, is no exception. Set in the 1860s, an American crew (in the height of the Civil War, no less) travels to the Ottoman Empire to investigate the supposed landing site of Noah's Ark, Mount Ararat. Such an important Biblical artifact would be (not to mix my metaphors) the Holy Grail of what has since become the Event Group. And, of course, it's surrounded by all sorts of diabolical Indiana Jones booby traps, except Spielberg never got nearly so bloody as Golemon does in this book. Gorydamn Golemon.

And by now, there's already another adventure coming soon - again, curse my library for falling behind on this series and forcing me to slot this into my growing special-order queue instead.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #10 in the series and a truly outstanding release. Over the course of the first 9 books, David Golemon created characters his readers feel at home with. With the Mountain, he mixes things up in new and interesting ways. Much of the book takes place in the past—pre-Event Group. Historic characters, during the time of the American Civil War, are explored for much of the book. It gives Golemon a chance to introduce some powerful and dynamic new characters while teaching readers things we never knew about the present day Event Group. The experience is well conceived, skillfully executed, and results in an exceptional tenth book in the series.

Fans of the series will love The Mountain. Alternatively, readers who are new to the series could easily begin reading with book #10. That's unusual for a series of books with so much history already committed to paper.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent thriller by David Golemon starts just after the events in Arizona (Event) and Jack has decided he will not accept his post as head of security with the Event Group. He is given an account of the very first "Event" to help persuade him to stay. The book then takes us back to 1863 when Abraham Lincoln sends Union soldiers and Rebel soldiers to find and bring home the legendary Noah's Ark. A great story of bringing people together, and I think it has opened up the series to a very interesting new enemy - one that the Event Group will struggle to defeat.

[Chip Daly · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge Event fan, I was somewhat disappointed in the direction this book went diving into the history of Dept. 5656 and the history of Event 0001 and Jack Collins. The first 2/3 of the book was hard for me to stay interested in, but the last 1/3 as well as the Epilogue helped wrap it together nicely allowing me to give 3 stars. Although the big surprise as to John Henry and Claire turned out to be I had figured out much earlier in the book.

[Linda Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ark

Another great book by Mr. Goldman...starts off with the ever present Jack at the beginning of his career with department 5656...we then go back in history to the civil war....that is when this book gets very interesting...discover the Ark all over again...very well written and steeped in history..Loved the characters....and do not forget all the shadows that come into play....not your ordinary monsters, but something much worse

[Teresa Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Helluva Ride!

Absolutely wonderful! I have read all the Event Group novels, thinking each was better than the one before,but this one blows them all away!
Excitement doesn't get any better than this. The story line, the characters, everything is just so real. I pictured it all in my mind as I read the story.
I hope this does not bring to an end the stories of the Event Group. I want more!

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this on Goodreads, and thank them for the opportunity to read it. I have not read anything previously by this author. I found it very slow moving, and was disappointed it was not more of a historical thriller, found it very predicable & obvious. Only surprise was in the epilogue, but; by then I had lost all interest.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING. Unless you are a civil war buff, don't bother reading. I have enjoyed all of the previous Event Group books. This one is nothing like them. I kept hoping it would get better, but it never did. The whole Event Group part was probably less than 50 pages. The rest was filled with slow moving civil war garbage.