The Fatal Scroll: A Herculaneum Mystery

by Eric Siblin

Marcus Sinclair is a history teacher whose life is stuck in neutral when he inherits a papyrus scroll from his antiquarian uncle. The mysterious scroll might contain a lost masterpiece from ancient Rome or perhaps an ancient recipe for personal tranquility, but it’s unreadable unless Marcus can figure out a way to unroll the scroll without destroying it. His quest takes him to Naples, where he befriends a Google software engineer days before the man is found dead. Marcus is interviewed by an investigative journalist, Kristi Grainger, and they find themselves on parallel paths leading to a Neapolitan trafficker in antiquities, a tech mogul obsessed with the distant past, and a clutch of academics searching for the lost library of Herculaneum. In a seaside city that is by turns lush and lethal, Marcus must confront the unraveling of more than a scroll.


This novel is inspired by a real place — the Villa dei Papri, the only library from antiquity to have survived — and coincides with the Vesuvius Challenge, a real-life international competition to decipher Herculaneum scrolls.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Eric Siblin is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, and was the pop music critic at the Montreal Gazette. He made the transition to television in 2002 with the documentary Word Slingers, which explores the wacky subculture of competitive Scrabble tournaments. The film aired in Canada and the U.S., and won a Jury Award at the Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival. He also co-directed the documentary In Search of Sleep: An Insomniac's Journey, which aired in Canada and Europe. The Cello Suites is his first book.

Reviews

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the blurb: Marcus Sinclair is a history teacher whose life is stuck in neutral when he inherits a papyrus scroll from his antiquarian uncle. The mysterious scroll might contain a lost masterpiece from ancient Rome or perhaps an ancient recipe for personal tranquility, but it’s unreadable unless Marcus can figure out a way to unroll the scroll without destroying it. His quest takes him to Naples, where he befriends a Google software engineer days before the man is found dead. Marcus is interviewed by an investigative journalist, Kristi Grainger, and they find themselves on parallel paths leading to a Neapolitan trafficker in antiquities, a tech mogul obsessed with the distant past, and a clutch of academics searching for the lost library of Herculaneum. In a seaside city that is by turns lush and lethal, Marcus must confront the unravelling of more than a scroll.

And yes, that’s what happens in this book. So far, so good. Unfortunately, the story unfolds like the scroll it is all about: you see some parts and then you start imagining what the rest of the story could be. The author knows, so he tells us in short chapters and from different POV’s. The clues as to what is on the scroll and who stole it when and where (because it’s not so straightforward) are far and wide between and I had to go back in the book sometimes to better understand what was happening at certain points.

I liked the historical and scientific background but the characters stayed a bit flat. It all reminded me of a puzzle that needed to be solved without ever seeing the finished one. Not bad but not spectacular either.

Thanks to ECW Press and Netgalley for this review copy.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Deep Dive into "The Fatal Scroll: A Herculaneum Mystery"

Eric Siblin’s "The Fatal Scroll: A Herculaneum Mystery" is a captivating blend of historical intrigue, modern-day suspense, and philosophical musings, set against the vibrant backdrop of Naples and the ancient ruins of Herculaneum. The novel weaves a complex narrative around Marcus Sinclair, a history teacher whose life takes an unexpected turn when he inherits a mysterious papyrus scroll from his uncle. This sets him on a perilous journey involving murder, ancient secrets, and the dark underbelly of the antiquities trade.

Plot and Twists

The narrative unfolds with Marcus's quest to decipher the scroll, which leads him to Naples and into contact with a Google software engineer, whose untimely death propels Marcus into a murder investigation. Siblin masterfully interweaves multiple plot threads, connecting Marcus with Kristi Grainger, an investigative journalist, and a host of other characters, each with their own agendas and secrets. The plot twists are well-timed and genuinely surprising, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. One notable twist involves the true identity of the tech mogul and his connection to the lost library of Herculaneum, which adds a layer of complexity to the overarching mystery.

Character Development

Marcus Sinclair: As the protagonist, Marcus is portrayed as an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances. His initial passivity and lack of direction are contrasted with his growing determination to solve the mystery of the scroll and the murder. Marcus's flaw is his tendency to underestimate himself, but his asset lies in his innate curiosity and persistence.

Kristi Grainger: Kristi is a sharp, ambitious journalist with a nose for a good story. Her relationship with Marcus is initially professional, but it evolves into a partnership based on mutual respect and a shared desire for the truth. Kristi's flaw is her sometimes reckless pursuit of a story, but her asset is her unwavering commitment to justice.

Other Characters: The supporting cast is rich and varied, including a Neapolitan trafficker in antiquities, a tech mogul obsessed with the past, and various academics. Each character is well-developed, with their own motivations and secrets that contribute to the intricate web of the plot. The relationships between these characters are complex and often fraught with tension, driving the narrative forward and adding depth to the story.

Tone

The tone of the novel is a blend of suspenseful mystery and intellectual exploration. Siblin balances the thrilling aspects of the murder investigation with thoughtful reflections on history, philosophy, and the nature of knowledge. The vivid descriptions of Naples and the ancient ruins of Herculaneum create an immersive reading experience, while the dialogue is sharp and engaging.

Themes

The Allure and Peril of the Past: The novel explores the enduring fascination with the past and the lengths to which people will go to uncover its secrets. The Herculaneum scrolls serve as a powerful symbol of lost knowledge and the potential dangers of tampering with history. This theme is evident in the actions of the tech mogul, whose obsession with the past leads him down a dark path.

The Ethics of Knowledge: "The Fatal Scroll" raises questions about the ethics of acquiring and preserving knowledge. The antiquities trade is depicted as a morally ambiguous world, where the pursuit of historical artifacts often comes at the expense of cultural heritage. This theme is highlighted through the character of the Neapolitan trafficker, who embodies the ruthless exploitation of the past for personal gain.

The Intersection of Technology and History: The novel examines the ways in which modern technology can both illuminate and distort our understanding of the past. The Vesuvius Challenge, a real-life competition to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls, is woven into the narrative, highlighting the potential of technology to unlock ancient secrets. However, the novel also cautions against the uncritical embrace of technology, suggesting that it can be used to manipulate and control information.

Closing Remarks

"The Fatal Scroll: A Herculaneum Mystery" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that seamlessly blends historical mystery with contemporary themes. Eric Siblin's meticulous research and engaging storytelling make for a captivating read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, thrillers, and intellectual mysteries.

Recommended Reading

If you enjoyed "The Fatal Scroll," you might also like:

* "The Dante Club" by Matthew Pearl
* "The Rule of Four" by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason
* "Pompeii" by Robert Harris

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not the biggest fan of crime thrillers or murder mysteries, but once I got into this one, I found it a pretty engaging read. The writing is honestly not spectacular. The characters feel somewhat unrealistic and undermotivated at times, especially the Italian ones. What kind of Italian would ever prefer a Turkish coffee over a good Italian espresso?! The nice thing about the book is that it offers a fairly grounded look into the world of the Herculanean papyri, the carbonized remains of a famous library from antiquity that were preserved by the ashes of the Vesuvius eruption. The acknowledgements reveal that the author talked with a lot of well-known scholars. Sometimes these tidbits fit well into the story, but sometimes they feel a bit too digressive. The nerdiness of the author permeates his characters in ways that feel a bit forced. And the papyri are presented as if they are valuable resources that must be hoarded in order to be of use for digital research, but in fact, most scholars are very generous with their data about these scrolls and would be happy to share it with anyone who could help them decipher them. Still, if you aren’t the type to read non-fiction books about this kind of thing, you can learn a bit from this book.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fatal Scroll is the first book in the new Herculaneum Mystery series by Eric Siblin. This is the first book I’ve read by the author.

Based on the description, I had high hopes for this book. I expected “The DaVinci Code” level suspense. Sadly, this didn’t work for me. The story was well written, but the characters didn’t have enough depth for me and the artefact just wasn’t that interesting for me. I like the historical background, but the mystery felt not fully revealed in the end.

I did enjoy the narration by Ivan Sherry.

This was a quick read, if it will keep your attention. I am grateful for the opportunity to read it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Fatal Scroll (Herculaneum Mystery #1) by Eric Siblin
Narrated by Ivan Sherry
Publisher: ECW Press Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: May 6, 2025

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcus is a history teacher who inherits an ancient papyrus scroll from his uncle. he takes off to Naples to try to get more information about it.

I found there were a lot of characters to keep track of throughout the story and many POVs which made it confusing for me. It was hard to follow along with the story as it kept jumping all over the place. I did like the history and the descriptions of the locations in the story but the parts of the scroll didn't capture my attention. There was some action in the story and it was pretty well written but I didn't feel like the mystery was fully revealed.

I listened to the audiobook version and I found the characters were not very differentiated and it was hard to keep track of them all.

I think overall it was a great idea and the storyline was fun and intriguing, but it didn't really do it for me.

Thankyou to NetGalley and ECW Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Elisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It must be so hard to write a book, that it pains me to write a negative review, but this novel was not for me. I liked some parts, especially the historical information and the descriptions of the places in which the action takes place. The details about modern technologies being developed to translate unreadable manuscripts were fascinating. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, so it was hard to root for them. The plot seems too disorganized and full of details that don’t add much to the action (like the food the characters eat). I may not have been the right reader for this.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ECW Press.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fatal Scroll is the first book in the Herculaneum Mystery series. I enjoyed the book but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. I anticipated DaVinci Code/Dan Brown excitement.

I like Eric Siblin writing style but wanted more from the story. There were a lot of different characters and it’s told in multiple POV. Ivan Sherry did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & ECW Press Audio for letting me read this ARC.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, but think the author missed a great opportunity. I read a lot of books with similar themes of ancient mysteries/artifacts by Cussler, James Rollins, etc. I'd really been hoping for something along those lines with more detail. For instance, it would rock the academic world, but perhaps a group wanting to steer the letter's effect on the real world (if any) would have been more interesting. The ending left me disappointed.

[Beckiezra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla bonus borrow so I was going in blind. I was a bit disappointed but it’s my own fault for thinking that the subtitle “A Herculaneum Mystery” would mean this book would be set in ancient times. Recommended for people who like stuff about Mt. Vesuvius or Naples or Canadian main characters.

[Lynne Scopazzi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It could have been a good story but not for me