What do you think?
Rate this book
The Omega Scroll
The Pope's health is failing and the Cardinal Secretary of State, the ruthless Lorenzo Petroni, has the Keys to St Peter within his grasp. Three things threaten to destroy him: Cardinal Giovanni Donelli has started an investigation into the Vatican Bank; journalist Tom Schweiker is looking into Petroni's past; and, even more dangerously, the brilliant Dr Allegra Bassetti, one of the world's foremost authorities on archaeological DNA, is piecing together fragments of the Omega Scroll in war-torn Jerusalem. At the CIA's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, Mike McKinnon is investigating a number of missing nuclear suitcase bombs and suspects they are connected to the warning in the Omega Scroll. In the Judaean Desert a few more grains of sand trickle from the wall of a cave. The countdown for civilisation has begun.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Adrian d'Hagé
7 books23 followersAdrian d'Hagé was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and the Royal Military College Duntroon (Applied Science). He served as a platoon commander in Vietnam where he was awarded the Military Cross. His military service included command of an infantry battalion, Director of Joint Operations and Head of Defence Public Relations. In 1994 Adrian was made a Member of the Order of Australia. As a Brigadier, he headed Defence planning for counter-terrorism security for the Sydney Olympics, including security against chemical, biological and nuclear threats.
In October 2000 Adrian left the Army to pursue a writing career, moving to Italy to complete The Omega Scroll (Penguin 2005). Now into its sixth printing, The Omega Scroll was voted one of the top 50 books of 2006 (Booklovers Guide) and has been published in ten countries. His next bestselling novel, The Beijing Conspiracy, dealt with biological terrorism and what might happen if smallpox and Ebola are genetically engineered (Penguin 2007). His latest novel, The Maya Codex was published in August 2010.
Adrian also holds an honours degree in Theology, entering as a committed Christian but graduating 'with no fixed religion'. In 2009 he completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Dean's Award) in Oenology or wine chemistry at Charles Sturt University, and he has successfully sat the Austrian Government exams for ski instructor, 'Schilehrer Anwärter'. Adrian is presently a research scholar and tutor at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at ANU. His doctorate is entitled 'The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East'.
In October 2000 Adrian left the Army to pursue a writing career, moving to Italy to complete The Omega Scroll (Penguin 2005). Now into its sixth printing, The Omega Scroll was voted one of the top 50 books of 2006 (Booklovers Guide) and has been published in ten countries. His next bestselling novel, The Beijing Conspiracy, dealt with biological terrorism and what might happen if smallpox and Ebola are genetically engineered (Penguin 2007). His latest novel, The Maya Codex was published in August 2010.
Adrian also holds an honours degree in Theology, entering as a committed Christian but graduating 'with no fixed religion'. In 2009 he completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Dean's Award) in Oenology or wine chemistry at Charles Sturt University, and he has successfully sat the Austrian Government exams for ski instructor, 'Schilehrer Anwärter'. Adrian is presently a research scholar and tutor at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at ANU. His doctorate is entitled 'The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 19, 2025
An intriguing thriller with secret Vatican vaults (gotta love a secret vault). However, once again, the blinded notion of Arabs as “terror|sts” and failing to recognise that the Israelii army are anything BUT an army, rather, cold-blooded killers.
August 4, 2017
Whilst I agree with some of the previous reviewers that this book is something of a Dan Brown clone and a bit predictable, I nevertheless enjoyed it. I 'read' it as an audio-book on a long-haul flight and it was perfect for that: the action is fast-paced and the characters were likable even if perhaps not quite realistic (but then I'm a Dr Who fan so realism is not necessary!. I plan to read more of the author's books.
July 3, 2007
One more book trying to cash in the Popularity of the Da-vinci code. It fails miserably.
August 22, 2018
Sometimes there's a freaky alignment in the cosmic forces that rule our lives that allow the most amazing coincidences to be laid out in front of us. The day after I finished this book, such a coincidence happened to me. The Omega Scroll is all about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the discovery of 2 new gospels as well as the potentially explosive Omega Scroll. These gospels were hidden by the Vatican because they contained details that contradicted Vatican teachings.
The day after I finished the book I was greeted with the newspaper headline "Judas Gospel Discovered". In a surreal case of life imitating art imitating life, there on the television was a Vatican spokesman talking down the authenticity and veracity of the contents of the Judas Gospel. Adrian d'Hage's fictional work of The Omega Scroll takes on a much more plausible tone.
It's 2005 and the Vatican is under the control of a power hungry man, Cardinal Lorenzo Petroni, who is eying off the prospect of becoming Pope with the pontiff's health failing at an alarming rate. Petroni perceives one major threat to his rise to power, the discovery and decoding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and, in particular, the Omega Scroll.
The Omega Scroll (the ancient scroll, that is, as opposed to this book), is in 3 parts, each of them opposing the teachings of the Vatican. These 3 parts are summed up as the Magdalene Numbers, the origin of DNA and the promise of cataclysm. Any one of these parts of the scroll could possibly undermine the Vatican's by uncovering the lies that have been kept from Catholics for hundreds of years, not least of which is the true origin of life. As far as Cardinal Petroni is concerned, it is a secret that must be maintained no matter the cost.
This is a sprawling, ambitious novel that spans over 30 years and mainly tracks the lives of 4 people, each of whom are destined for great things, should they live long enough. These people will prove to become very influential internationally are integral to the development of the story and so we find that we are thrust forward and backward in time to witness how their lives brought them to the present and their rise to prominence.
The first is a young priest by the name of Fr Giovanni Donelli, a humble man who exudes peace and a quiet confidence. Then there is a young Italian scientist named Allegra Bassetti, a beautiful woman from a small village who left her home to become a nun. She along with Professor David Kaufmann bring the Omega Scroll to light and begin the arduous task of deciphering it. Finally, there is a young Palestinian by the name of Abdul Sartawi living through the hell of the Middle-Eastern war. As the story continues their lives follow widely different courses, yet they are destined to each play a major role in a resounding finale.
A particularly strong feature of The Omega Scroll is the attention to detail d'Hage has gone to in developing all of his character. He could have simply presented us with his villains and let them do their evil without explanation, but no, he supplies us with their early lives illustrating where their deeper motives have come from. Through this there is an easy understanding about why each event takes place and a certain inevitability about the drama as it unfolds. Equally with the books protagonists, their lives are tracked in rich detail as they rise from obscurity, giving us a familiarity which ensures that we take a real stake in their lives that we would otherwise not have had.
Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the Middle-East peace process, corruption in the Vatican and a dire warning predicting an approaching cataclysmic apocalypse, there's not much that isn't covered in this novel that sizzles from the first page.
Incredibly well researched, the scene shifts effortlessly from remote mountain villages in Italy to the war-torn Middle-East and back to the Vatican as d'Hage writes with descriptive flair that marries historical facts with his fiction in a seamless union. Tied in to all this is the race between uncovering the true meaning of the Omega Scroll and the attempts to make sure it never sees the light of day.
The Omega Scroll is over 500 pages long, yet it's a captivating page-turner providing thrilling action from the opening scene. This was one of the most satisfying epic adventures that I have read in a long time.
The day after I finished the book I was greeted with the newspaper headline "Judas Gospel Discovered". In a surreal case of life imitating art imitating life, there on the television was a Vatican spokesman talking down the authenticity and veracity of the contents of the Judas Gospel. Adrian d'Hage's fictional work of The Omega Scroll takes on a much more plausible tone.
It's 2005 and the Vatican is under the control of a power hungry man, Cardinal Lorenzo Petroni, who is eying off the prospect of becoming Pope with the pontiff's health failing at an alarming rate. Petroni perceives one major threat to his rise to power, the discovery and decoding of the Dead Sea Scrolls and, in particular, the Omega Scroll.
The Omega Scroll (the ancient scroll, that is, as opposed to this book), is in 3 parts, each of them opposing the teachings of the Vatican. These 3 parts are summed up as the Magdalene Numbers, the origin of DNA and the promise of cataclysm. Any one of these parts of the scroll could possibly undermine the Vatican's by uncovering the lies that have been kept from Catholics for hundreds of years, not least of which is the true origin of life. As far as Cardinal Petroni is concerned, it is a secret that must be maintained no matter the cost.
This is a sprawling, ambitious novel that spans over 30 years and mainly tracks the lives of 4 people, each of whom are destined for great things, should they live long enough. These people will prove to become very influential internationally are integral to the development of the story and so we find that we are thrust forward and backward in time to witness how their lives brought them to the present and their rise to prominence.
The first is a young priest by the name of Fr Giovanni Donelli, a humble man who exudes peace and a quiet confidence. Then there is a young Italian scientist named Allegra Bassetti, a beautiful woman from a small village who left her home to become a nun. She along with Professor David Kaufmann bring the Omega Scroll to light and begin the arduous task of deciphering it. Finally, there is a young Palestinian by the name of Abdul Sartawi living through the hell of the Middle-Eastern war. As the story continues their lives follow widely different courses, yet they are destined to each play a major role in a resounding finale.
A particularly strong feature of The Omega Scroll is the attention to detail d'Hage has gone to in developing all of his character. He could have simply presented us with his villains and let them do their evil without explanation, but no, he supplies us with their early lives illustrating where their deeper motives have come from. Through this there is an easy understanding about why each event takes place and a certain inevitability about the drama as it unfolds. Equally with the books protagonists, their lives are tracked in rich detail as they rise from obscurity, giving us a familiarity which ensures that we take a real stake in their lives that we would otherwise not have had.
Christianity, Islam and Judaism, the Middle-East peace process, corruption in the Vatican and a dire warning predicting an approaching cataclysmic apocalypse, there's not much that isn't covered in this novel that sizzles from the first page.
Incredibly well researched, the scene shifts effortlessly from remote mountain villages in Italy to the war-torn Middle-East and back to the Vatican as d'Hage writes with descriptive flair that marries historical facts with his fiction in a seamless union. Tied in to all this is the race between uncovering the true meaning of the Omega Scroll and the attempts to make sure it never sees the light of day.
The Omega Scroll is over 500 pages long, yet it's a captivating page-turner providing thrilling action from the opening scene. This was one of the most satisfying epic adventures that I have read in a long time.
May 16, 2023
Three great nations divided by a common language. Interestingly named author Adrian d'Hage is a native of Sydney, Australia, so some of his phrasing and word-use might be, at first, jarring -- it certainly was for me.
However, getting into his story made most of that clearer and it makes a reader want to get even deeper into the massive story.
That story is an intriguing combination of historical fact, historical speculation, superstition, science, science fiction, science fantasy, and fantasy -- that is, religion.
All three Abrahamic religions figure prominently, with the Catholic Church being both the focal point and a target of this involved story.
Be warned: Fundamentalists of all religions might well be put off, especially those who fear any kind of discussion of their beliefs -- which is pretty much the definition of "fundamentalists."
To be honest, I was not liking the book for quite a few pages, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. I do recommend this book.
However, getting into his story made most of that clearer and it makes a reader want to get even deeper into the massive story.
That story is an intriguing combination of historical fact, historical speculation, superstition, science, science fiction, science fantasy, and fantasy -- that is, religion.
All three Abrahamic religions figure prominently, with the Catholic Church being both the focal point and a target of this involved story.
Be warned: Fundamentalists of all religions might well be put off, especially those who fear any kind of discussion of their beliefs -- which is pretty much the definition of "fundamentalists."
To be honest, I was not liking the book for quite a few pages, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. I do recommend this book.
May 8, 2020
Grosse déception avec ce roman. Je n'ai pas réussi à le finir tellement il est lent. Les allers et retours dans le passé, qui auraient pu éclaircir certains aspects de l'histoire et l'Histoire ne font que nous perdre.
Pourtant je suis une grande fan des romans historiques et je sais qu'il faut faire référence à l'Histoire, au passé. Mais là cela dure sur des dizaines de chapitres et l'auteur nous perd. En tout cas, il m'a perdu.
Lecture très décevante.
Pourtant je suis une grande fan des romans historiques et je sais qu'il faut faire référence à l'Histoire, au passé. Mais là cela dure sur des dizaines de chapitres et l'auteur nous perd. En tout cas, il m'a perdu.
Lecture très décevante.
August 9, 2020
Loše u svakom smislu. Previše pažnje posvećeno detaljima, a premalo likovima. Pojedini delovi su zbrzani da bi se gurala radnja, a opet sve je vrlo pravolinijski i svi su ili 100% dobru ili 100% loši.
A koga interesuje svitak omega treba da pročita nekoliko poslednjih poglavlja i uštedi sebi vreme.
Sve u svemu - knjiga koju ću brzo zaboraviti...
A koga interesuje svitak omega treba da pročita nekoliko poslednjih poglavlja i uštedi sebi vreme.
Sve u svemu - knjiga koju ću brzo zaboraviti...
April 9, 2018
Good read.
April 15, 2018
Not for me
June 29, 2019
It was an interesting book to read but with some parts not that convincing. At the end, I was hoping for more information regarding this "Omega scroll".
February 28, 2021
This was too much like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code but extremely slow and not intriguing at all. A disappointing read.
August 14, 2014
This is the first book I have ever read twice.
Adrian d'Hage has written a fast paced story which has mystery, conspiracy theory, the enigmatic workings of the Catholic church and its struggle to come to terms with dogmatic teachings and the modern world, and of course the importance and equality of the feminine contributing religion. Creating the character of Dr Allegra Bissetti and involved her with in a tale with a love story, intrigue, terrorism, the innate struggle between Catholicism, Judaism and the Muslim faith, along with a religious war which has been underway for centuries. This story doesn't shy away drawing the readers attention to how the Catholic church also mishandled allegations and substantiated evidence of sexual misconduct of its clergy.
This story is set to challenge your views on almost everything from religion, helping out your fellow man, your faith, they way in which you live in an ecological sense and the preservation of history and how there is room to accept that all religions have their place in the world with none higher than the other. It leaves you wondering of the origins of DNA and its importance and other methods of dating objects.
Adrian d'Hage is an Australian author who has served in the Australian armed forces, experienced in counter terrorism, travelled far and wide and is simply a bloomin great story teller.
I absolutely would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, history, conspiracy theories, intrigue and having your views challenged.
Adrian d'Hage has written a fast paced story which has mystery, conspiracy theory, the enigmatic workings of the Catholic church and its struggle to come to terms with dogmatic teachings and the modern world, and of course the importance and equality of the feminine contributing religion. Creating the character of Dr Allegra Bissetti and involved her with in a tale with a love story, intrigue, terrorism, the innate struggle between Catholicism, Judaism and the Muslim faith, along with a religious war which has been underway for centuries. This story doesn't shy away drawing the readers attention to how the Catholic church also mishandled allegations and substantiated evidence of sexual misconduct of its clergy.
This story is set to challenge your views on almost everything from religion, helping out your fellow man, your faith, they way in which you live in an ecological sense and the preservation of history and how there is room to accept that all religions have their place in the world with none higher than the other. It leaves you wondering of the origins of DNA and its importance and other methods of dating objects.
Adrian d'Hage is an Australian author who has served in the Australian armed forces, experienced in counter terrorism, travelled far and wide and is simply a bloomin great story teller.
I absolutely would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, history, conspiracy theories, intrigue and having your views challenged.
April 30, 2012
A novel set across decades. Lines which converge across religion, brother pitted against brother. Adrian d'Hage's Omega Scroll offers a bold look at religion and the way it is being practiced the world over. d'Hage dares to tread across paths not trod before and tells what every human being on this planet knows inherently, "We are more similar than we are different irrespective of the faiths that we practice"
Be it a Palestinian-Israel conflict or a Christian-Muslim-Jew trifecta, the approach taken is always and without forethough hardline. The belief that there is only 1 true religion and it's being practised by them. The best part of the faith has been lost in the cacophny of personal beliefs being pounded on the masses day in and day out.
"Faith is". Faith co-exists. There is no one true faith, all are equal and equally right and wrong in turns. The ability to learn from our faith and to allow it to evolve with times is what should have made human civilization the pinnacle of achievement and self-assuredness. The message comes across as brilliantly simple, but sometimes the simple things are the ones that are the hardest to practice.
One quote stands out from the novel. Said by Father Giovanni - "The truth will set us free. Let us follow our various paths in peace instead of war. For there is, more than one path to the Omega."
This book makes me believe that we can solve all our problems only if we are willing to listen.
Be it a Palestinian-Israel conflict or a Christian-Muslim-Jew trifecta, the approach taken is always and without forethough hardline. The belief that there is only 1 true religion and it's being practised by them. The best part of the faith has been lost in the cacophny of personal beliefs being pounded on the masses day in and day out.
"Faith is". Faith co-exists. There is no one true faith, all are equal and equally right and wrong in turns. The ability to learn from our faith and to allow it to evolve with times is what should have made human civilization the pinnacle of achievement and self-assuredness. The message comes across as brilliantly simple, but sometimes the simple things are the ones that are the hardest to practice.
One quote stands out from the novel. Said by Father Giovanni - "The truth will set us free. Let us follow our various paths in peace instead of war. For there is, more than one path to the Omega."
This book makes me believe that we can solve all our problems only if we are willing to listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2017
An intriguing fictitious look at the catholic church,the corruption and the consequences of religious dogma on other beliefs. Though fiction this book rings true in many aspects and has been thoroughly researched. The Omega Scroll contains a dire warning for humanity if it does not alter its ways and talks of nuclear bombings by Islamic terrorists. It also speaks of DNA being sent to Earth from other planets debunking the creation myth which angers the catholic church and ruthless the Cardinal Secretary of State Lorenzo Petroni will go to any lengths to keep it hidden away so that the information is never seen and also his role in the Vatican Bank is under scrutiny making him a dangerous and desperate man. Unfortunately for them there are three copies of the scroll and one is found and deciphered.
March 14, 2008
I could not put this book down! The author has managed to maintain the tension all of the eay to the end.
The story is based around a fictious scroll which was supposed t be one of the Dead Sea Scrolls that prophecises the end of civilisation due to conflict between the 3 major world religions that are children of Abraham. The side of good has a number of characters led by a Catholic priest and an ex-nun. The side of evil is centred around a psychopathic Catholi cardinal.
The story does not villify the Catholic, Jewish or Islamic religions but, rather, shows how there are good and bad people in all religious groups. It shows what can be achieved when we all start to work together for peace.
I am very proud that this book was written by an Australian.
The story is based around a fictious scroll which was supposed t be one of the Dead Sea Scrolls that prophecises the end of civilisation due to conflict between the 3 major world religions that are children of Abraham. The side of good has a number of characters led by a Catholic priest and an ex-nun. The side of evil is centred around a psychopathic Catholi cardinal.
The story does not villify the Catholic, Jewish or Islamic religions but, rather, shows how there are good and bad people in all religious groups. It shows what can be achieved when we all start to work together for peace.
I am very proud that this book was written by an Australian.
July 6, 2013
Your typical theo-thriller, complete with historical apocalyptic predictions, die-hard archaeologists, idealistic journalists, international geopolitics, the war on terror ( whatever that means) and of course venal Vatican officials. Although the book builds up well, its loses steam somewhere in the middle and ends up sermonizing and making pithy statements on world peace. There are too many loose ends too. Scroll down to the end if you can.
May 16, 2015
This is a very interesting kickoff to a new series I'm reading. It reminds me of a spy/adventure/archaology novel, and the works of Malachai Martin on the Catholic church. It is well researched, although it leans heavily on the Baigent and Leigh anti-Catholic conspiracy stuff from the Dead Sea Deception and Holy Blood Holy Grail.
March 13, 2015
I'm very disappointed with this book.Very long,very slow and not intriguing at all. What actually happened in the storyline was next to nothing. I was definitely expecting way more and was left unimpressed.
October 20, 2011
If read in the same vein as one of Dan Brown's books, then it's fine. In any case, there's some good suspense build up.
January 25, 2012
For me the book was better researched and the story more gripping by the Dan Brown novels of a similar topic. Definitely recommend this one.
October 26, 2013
Love books like these, couldn't put it down.
February 6, 2014
A fantastic read in the vein of the Da Vinci code a la Australian.
November 4, 2014
Too slow.DNF
December 2, 2014
The beginning is very difficult to get into but about half way through I was finally understanding the story.
April 26, 2015
Not bad for the first novel. It kept my interest going and would prompt me to read more of this author.
May 14, 2015
Ok but a bit disjointed
May 20, 2016
Even without the Omega Scroll the story has good characterization and plot. The Omega Scroll only adds spice to an otherwise good political thriller cum Romance.
August 30, 2010
If you loved Dan Brown you will probably really like this book. If not, aiyeee!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews