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Secrets of the Lost Empires #11
Chasing Babylon
Alt Cover ASIN: B0049P23R0
Previously published as Marduk’s Tablet
Graduate student Emilie Nazzaro saw her father's obsession with Marduk's Tablet lead to his betrayal and murder. Now, she's been charged with deciphering the symbols on this centuries-old piece of clay, which legend says contains omens with healing powers. On a harrowing journey through Israel and into ancient Babylon, she tries to uncover the secrets surrounding her father's death--while fighting to stay alive herself. Along the way, she must decide if she will find answers to her own spiritual questions in the ancient mythologies of reincarnation or in the pages of Scripture--and the hands of God Himself.
Previously published as Marduk’s Tablet
Graduate student Emilie Nazzaro saw her father's obsession with Marduk's Tablet lead to his betrayal and murder. Now, she's been charged with deciphering the symbols on this centuries-old piece of clay, which legend says contains omens with healing powers. On a harrowing journey through Israel and into ancient Babylon, she tries to uncover the secrets surrounding her father's death--while fighting to stay alive herself. Along the way, she must decide if she will find answers to her own spiritual questions in the ancient mythologies of reincarnation or in the pages of Scripture--and the hands of God Himself.
352 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2021
79 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Tracy L. Higley
46 books788 followersTracy Higley has been attempting to time travel through the pages of books since she was a child. She started her first story at the age of eight, and has since authored nearly twenty books, including the acclaimed Seven Wonders Series, and the Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge. She earned a Master’s Degree in Ancient and Classical History, and has traveled to Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Italy, and Turkey, researching her books and falling into adventures. Peruse her travel journals and learn more fascinating history at www.tracyhigley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 16, 2014
This was such a surprise! I found this in the clearance bin at a bookstore for $4 and thought I would give this a try. This is up there on my list of favorites! I don't know if it's because I had no expectations going in, but this book was awesome! The biggest reason is that it escaped the trap of Christian fiction - making the Christianity preachy or cheesy. This actually pulled off someone's spiritual journey to Christ that didn't seem to be either of these things. The spiritual mentor talked about faith in a very natural and personal way.
The plot was as thrilling as any historical mystery that I've read, and the characters were fun and interesting. Throw in some international intrigue and archeology ( I heart archeology) and this book is a winner. Highly recommend!
The plot was as thrilling as any historical mystery that I've read, and the characters were fun and interesting. Throw in some international intrigue and archeology ( I heart archeology) and this book is a winner. Highly recommend!
August 1, 2024
Oh dear….what can I say about this book?
[] Was it different? Hm, from my norm, yes.
[] Was it readable? Kind of. But because some of it dealt with mythological (Babylonian) gods from the past, it was rough to swallow at times. More on that in a bit.
[] Was it Christian? I can’t come down on that one exactly. One character was a Christian, a fairly minor character until the end, but I don’t think she really got her message out entirely. She spoke to two women about faith, but one woman, clearly with a chip on her shoulder, kept interrupting with existentialist garbage, so it was a bit muddled and incomplete.
[] Did it flow well? Well, you really had to pay attention to what time period was being suddenly thrust into the story. Plus it would switch from one character to another. The reader has to concentrate on how they fit into the story. Who were the good guys and who were the bad guys and what were their motives.
[] Did it keep my attention? Most of the time. Definitely picked up the suspense in the last few chapters. Kept me awake.
[] Was the mythological gods stuff presented as reality? At first it seemed so. Then one character realized something that set her straight and another character was just plain off his rocker. But you really have to stick with the book to the end to learn all the pertinent details about the myths, etc.
One character (Beltshazzar) is the biblical character of Daniel. I enjoyed anything where he was involved.
If it was meant to be Christian fiction the book failed in two areas, both at the end. That saddened me as this author has always had decent faith messages in her books.
I will continue with this series as reviews show the next to have a bit gospel involved. The time travel portion will have to be chalked up as fantasy I guess, unless it turns out like this one.
So, pretty good book, but different.
[] Was it different? Hm, from my norm, yes.
[] Was it readable? Kind of. But because some of it dealt with mythological (Babylonian) gods from the past, it was rough to swallow at times. More on that in a bit.
[] Was it Christian? I can’t come down on that one exactly. One character was a Christian, a fairly minor character until the end, but I don’t think she really got her message out entirely. She spoke to two women about faith, but one woman, clearly with a chip on her shoulder, kept interrupting with existentialist garbage, so it was a bit muddled and incomplete.
[] Did it flow well? Well, you really had to pay attention to what time period was being suddenly thrust into the story. Plus it would switch from one character to another. The reader has to concentrate on how they fit into the story. Who were the good guys and who were the bad guys and what were their motives.
[] Did it keep my attention? Most of the time. Definitely picked up the suspense in the last few chapters. Kept me awake.
[] Was the mythological gods stuff presented as reality? At first it seemed so. Then one character realized something that set her straight and another character was just plain off his rocker. But you really have to stick with the book to the end to learn all the pertinent details about the myths, etc.
One character (Beltshazzar) is the biblical character of Daniel. I enjoyed anything where he was involved.
If it was meant to be Christian fiction the book failed in two areas, both at the end. That saddened me as this author has always had decent faith messages in her books.
I will continue with this series as reviews show the next to have a bit gospel involved. The time travel portion will have to be chalked up as fantasy I guess, unless it turns out like this one.
So, pretty good book, but different.
November 28, 2012
Not as good as Tracy's other books, but because iit was set in Israel, it held my attention.
September 1, 2023
While this was a fun adventure book, I never fully loved it. There were some weird aspects to it (the dreams) and some questions that never got answered. Overall, it was fun, but not satisfying.
October 11, 2024
Slow to start, but fast paced action in the end. A Good read.
April 22, 2025
This book has lots of surprises with exciting suspense, mystery and international intrigue! The modern day story is different than many I’ve read from Tracy Higley- a great fun read.
September 8, 2023
I had a hard time getting into this book. The point of View switches without warning. There are not breaks or anything to warn you that you are now somewhere else. I had to get used to that and reread several times to make sure I understood what was going on.
October 14, 2014
As an admitted enthusiast of archeological thrillers, I bought "Chasing Babylon" without reading any of the reviews, only the author's description. I am glad I did, because I had no pre-conceived ideas about what I would think of the book.
Yes, it is a fast-paced thriller that kept me glued to the pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Ms. Higley really knows how to put suspense and surprise in her stories. Just when you think you have separated the protagonists from the antagonists, surprise!
Other reviewers have provided a lot of information about the story line, so I'm not going to reiterate. What interested me most was her expounding on morality and ethics. There are innumerable individuals whose interest in the ancient past, and what various cultures built and made to support their daily lives, is motivated purely by the search for knowledge and understanding. Their goal is to learn from the past and share it with the world. However, and tragically, archeology is known to be fraught with considerable criminal activity, moral depravity and outright evil due to the black market in priceless antiquities.
It is within this framework that Ms. Higley raises extremely important questions about good and evil, right and wrong...in other words, what is moral and ethical and who decides how to label an action as moral or immoral. The belief in reincarnation, a widespread belief among the world's religions, is also a significant theme in the book , but Ms. Higley does not take a stand one way or the other. One reviewer stated that he believed there is a blatantly Christian message at the heart of the novel and that readers should know this at the outset. I strongly disagree with this reviewer.
The ethical issues raised by "Chasing Babylon" are not the domain of any one religion. They are issues to be faced by all humans with a conscience and Christianity is not the only belief system to address the problem of moral versus immoral behavior, struggling over what is "good" and what is "evil."
Ms. Higley writes:
"If there's no objective truth that can be known and applied to everyone, then there's no good or evil. There are only choices made by people who may or may not be doing what's best for themselves. If there are no wrong actions for you to take, then no one else's actions toward you have been wrong, either."
"You can't say with one breath that there's no right or wrong and then turn around and call yourself a victim of someone's else's wrongdoing."
"If there's no absolute truth, then there's no right or wrong. How do you reconcile someone's freedom being upheld at the cost of someone else's freedom being curtailed?"
The moral issues raised are universal within the human experience. It is tragic that the field of archeology has become a battle between ethical scientists, and criminals who take advantage of poor, struggling people who loot the treasures and sell them so their families can have food to eat.
Bottom line: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have gained an appreciation for Tracy Higley. She has been added to my "favorite authors" list.
Yes, it is a fast-paced thriller that kept me glued to the pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Ms. Higley really knows how to put suspense and surprise in her stories. Just when you think you have separated the protagonists from the antagonists, surprise!
Other reviewers have provided a lot of information about the story line, so I'm not going to reiterate. What interested me most was her expounding on morality and ethics. There are innumerable individuals whose interest in the ancient past, and what various cultures built and made to support their daily lives, is motivated purely by the search for knowledge and understanding. Their goal is to learn from the past and share it with the world. However, and tragically, archeology is known to be fraught with considerable criminal activity, moral depravity and outright evil due to the black market in priceless antiquities.
It is within this framework that Ms. Higley raises extremely important questions about good and evil, right and wrong...in other words, what is moral and ethical and who decides how to label an action as moral or immoral. The belief in reincarnation, a widespread belief among the world's religions, is also a significant theme in the book , but Ms. Higley does not take a stand one way or the other. One reviewer stated that he believed there is a blatantly Christian message at the heart of the novel and that readers should know this at the outset. I strongly disagree with this reviewer.
The ethical issues raised by "Chasing Babylon" are not the domain of any one religion. They are issues to be faced by all humans with a conscience and Christianity is not the only belief system to address the problem of moral versus immoral behavior, struggling over what is "good" and what is "evil."
Ms. Higley writes:
"If there's no objective truth that can be known and applied to everyone, then there's no good or evil. There are only choices made by people who may or may not be doing what's best for themselves. If there are no wrong actions for you to take, then no one else's actions toward you have been wrong, either."
"You can't say with one breath that there's no right or wrong and then turn around and call yourself a victim of someone's else's wrongdoing."
"If there's no absolute truth, then there's no right or wrong. How do you reconcile someone's freedom being upheld at the cost of someone else's freedom being curtailed?"
The moral issues raised are universal within the human experience. It is tragic that the field of archeology has become a battle between ethical scientists, and criminals who take advantage of poor, struggling people who loot the treasures and sell them so their families can have food to eat.
Bottom line: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have gained an appreciation for Tracy Higley. She has been added to my "favorite authors" list.
July 11, 2023
4.5 stars
Higley presents an interesting discussion about reincarnation, good, and evil. I felt there could've been more emphasis on what (and who) is good but overall, the book is a story well-told. I do wish the epilogue would've had a little more information about what choices Emilie made regarding her future, yet there are more Babylon books, so perhaps there is more about those choices elsewhere.
Higley presents an interesting discussion about reincarnation, good, and evil. I felt there could've been more emphasis on what (and who) is good but overall, the book is a story well-told. I do wish the epilogue would've had a little more information about what choices Emilie made regarding her future, yet there are more Babylon books, so perhaps there is more about those choices elsewhere.
September 18, 2012
I recently read, and enjoyed, a book similar to this, called The Lost Scrolls. Sort of Christian Indiana Jones type books. This one was similar, graduate student gets embroiled in a chase for Marduk's Table, Marduk being of ancient Babylon and the tablet supposedly having supernatural healing powers. Lots of good and bad people involved with the tablet, and the graduate student, Emilie Navarro, lands right in the middle. It was ok, not quite as entertaining to me as The Lost Scrolls, but for free, it wasn't bad. I hesitate to give books 2 stars, so I would probably give this one a 2.5... I'll round up to a 3 to be fair, but it wasn't my favorite of books I've read lately. On to something better! :)
September 29, 2018
Emilie Nazarro is one of the most pathetic, needy and emotionally immature main characters I have ever encountered in fiction not to mention the most annoying and whiny, so far. Professionally, she knows her stuff but emotionally, she is a wreck. She is also one of the most un~wise and stupid main characters that has ever graced the pages of fictional prose. Her characterization alone is more than enough to give me a disgust of this book. Definitely not the epitome of the modern millennial woman or for any self~respecting woman in this century and beyond with a good brain between her ears (literate or not) who can now relatively function in this world without any man to lean on or to validate them or love them or whatever.
September 21, 2014
Emilie Nazzaro is sent to Israel to translate a Babylonian tablet that was discovered at an archeological dig. There are various people plotting to steal the artifact. It is full of surprising twists and turns as some of the people you suspect are the good guys turn out to be the bad guys and vice versa. This is a story of a spiritual journey. Do the old gods have power and is it possible to be reincarnated to be one with the Universe? Or does the God of Israel hold the answers? This is a story of learning to trust even through deception. It is a page turning thriller that leaves the reader guessing to its conclusion.
I read this book on my Kindle app under the title "Chasing Babylon."
I read this book on my Kindle app under the title "Chasing Babylon."
September 10, 2010
I could definitely tell this was an early Higley work; it was not as polished or smooth as her recent releases. The characters were also not as developed and therefore this book took a while to get into. Epigrapher Emilie studies an ancient tablet with ties to her family, while three separate people plot to steal it. What are their motivations, and who can Emilie trust? A journey of faith and adventure.
March 22, 2012
We LOVED this book at Kindle Kandy. Though it is identified as inspirational fiction, the book will appeal to non-Christians, as well. Masterfully written, with excellent attention to detail and research, this never gets mired down in its subject, but elevates it.
Gorgeous read that moves from Israel to ancient Babylon, wrapped up in a mystery involving an ancient Babylonian god, a tablet, healing powers, and intrigue.
Wonderful!
Gorgeous read that moves from Israel to ancient Babylon, wrapped up in a mystery involving an ancient Babylonian god, a tablet, healing powers, and intrigue.
Wonderful!
November 22, 2022
Looked interesting but...
This story appears interesting but, at least in the kindle version it jumps between what's happening in two different lives without so much as an additional space between paragraphs. One paragraph is Emelie, the next is Jack. It makes it a difficult read and seems very disjointed. Perhaps if a line were put between the stories jumping back and forth or a new chapter it would be readable but it's difficult the way it is. I gave up early on.
This story appears interesting but, at least in the kindle version it jumps between what's happening in two different lives without so much as an additional space between paragraphs. One paragraph is Emelie, the next is Jack. It makes it a difficult read and seems very disjointed. Perhaps if a line were put between the stories jumping back and forth or a new chapter it would be readable but it's difficult the way it is. I gave up early on.
January 7, 2009
This was a fun book to read. Just a fun mystery that hooked in faith and archaelogy. I'd definitely read more by her. Took me awhile to get into it but once the intrigue began, I really wanted to see where it was going. Especially with the dreams she was having - couldn't figure out where that was going.
November 17, 2015
I enjoy all of Tracey Higley's books. I found myself wondering about the faith aspect of this book but in the end she came through. I really enjoy the historical part of her books also. This book held me to the end and I wasn't sure about any of the characters or what place they held.
THis is a book for everyone.
THis is a book for everyone.
November 9, 2016
This was an excellent read. I certainly did not expect to be reading a religious thriller, but a thriller it was. Tracey is quite talented and I am so happy that I chose to read a free book offered by her. I have been reading everything she has written. I have recently bought two or three more of her latest books. Great Job and keep writing!
July 2, 2011
This is a cool book. One of the first I read of Ms Higleys. After reading this I was hooked. I just wish it wasn't so hard to find her books in the library!!!!! Guess I'll have to donate my collection!!!
July 5, 2012
This was my first T.L. Higley book and I found it to be a very good read. Always fascinated with ancient history, the book did not disappointment and Higley's research into daily life of ancient Egypt gave the characters and plot depth.
September 16, 2015
An ancient tablet has the power to transport people to the past. In this case, the heroine is drawn to find out what happened to her father - before it happens to her. Ms. Higley can be depended on to give us a great story of suspense that will definitely keep us up all night. I was!
December 5, 2016
Really really good book. Well researched, amazing setting and plot, and some twists that I did NOT see coming – very unusual for me. Highly recommend even if you aren’t religious just because it’s a fun and quite suspenseful book.
August 7, 2009
Great Christian Archealogical fiction. A great story watching an endearing main character journey to faith.
January 4, 2010
I like the story line with the tie in to archaeology and the suspense. Have passed the book on to others and have purchased additional books by Higley. Good Read!
Want to read
March 21, 2012Kindle free download 3/21/12.
December 10, 2012
Too much Indy/Mummy storyline.
December 27, 2012
Very good!!
September 11, 2014
I REALLY enjoy T.L. Higley books!
So different...takes me places I will never go
and makes me feel like I was really there.
So different...takes me places I will never go
and makes me feel like I was really there.
April 28, 2017
I have read this book more than once. I really liked it. Tracy's writing just has a flow to it and the reader is able to really get a good mental picture of what is going on. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews