Cipher of Bones: The Past Was Never Buried

by Flynn Cooley

They thought the flight was the beginning. It was only the warning.

After unraveling a midair murder and discovering a cryptic Roman coin in Altitude of Shadows, former intelligence officer Luke Prescott and cryptologist Cass Vance are thrust into a deeper, darker game. The symbols they uncovered weren't just relics of the past; they’re messages from a killer rewriting history through blood.

As bodies vanish across Europe and ancient ciphers lead to underground rites, Luke and Cass must race against time to stop a symbolic execution embedded in medieval ritual. But with each clue they crack, one truth becomes terrifyingly the killer isn’t just echoing the past, he’s orchestrating the future. And he’s only just begun.

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2025

Reviews

[Eira Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cipher of Bones pulls you into a chilling race across Europe where history and murder collide. Former intelligence officer Luke Prescott and cryptologist Cass Vance must decode ancient symbols tied to a killer who uses the past as his weapon. Twisting, intelligent, and relentlessly tense, Flynn Cooley’s thriller proves that some secrets were never meant to be unearthed.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

In the 1st book in the series, Evelyn and Luke had landed in Toronto after the issues that happened in book 1. The story picks up with the two of them in Rome where Luke has set up a meeting with a historian. When Luke arrives for the meeting, he discovers that she is not there and shortly thereafter the Italian Police arrive. Luke explains and then begins searching the room. He discovers a item which turns out to be a bone with a message inscribed. After returning to where Evelyn was he examines the bone and then makes plan to visit a confidant of the historian he was to meet while Evelyn heads to Prague. Once Luke arrived he winds up meeting Cass, a member of law enforcement, and the start working together following clues that they discover at various locations. The eventually wind up being led to Prague for an exciting finish.

To discover what similarity the missing historian had to other events, what clues they discovered along the way that eventually led them to Prague, who was the individual leading them and what happened at the end of the book and provided a clue to what the next one in the series would cover, then you need to read this book, you won’t be disappointed!

[DianaRaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is The Past Dead or Just Rewritten? 
CIPHER OF BONES: The Past Was Never Buried, is the second installment in The Legacy Protocol series by Flynn Cooley. This story investigates a conspiracy to control history that spans centuries. Is a  rewrite of history on the horizon?

Following Flight 709 and the faceless killer (Altitide Of Shadow), former intelligence officer Luke Prescott is determined to discover what is meant by the cryptic messages, archaic symbols, and ancient  Roman coin that feel familiar to him. The suspense builds until the very end then, you’re left wondering if our heroes really succeeded in their endeavors or just delayed the inevitable.

There were too many time jumps and other smaller issues that stalled my reading enjoyment. I'm sure other readers found this story more interesting than I did. I don't think I'm interested in taking this story any further.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, and the above is my  voluntary and honest review.

[Matt Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cipher of Bones, book 2 in the excellent Legacy Protocol series, is, amazingly, better than Altitude. The level of thought and insight into human behavior is amazing! Luke and Evelyn are both standout characters, serving as excellent foils for the other and the slight distrust between the two of them creates a great dynamic. The method by which information is passed along is also something fairly unique to this series. The unpredictability of the plot makes it far more engaging as well. The amount of thought and planning put into a book this short is highly uncommon, bordering on non-existent. The narrative quality is also beyond reproach. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for readers who enjoy thoughtful puzzles that will repeatedly find easy to surprise them will love this book. I can recommend this series highly for just about any audience!

Note: Read as an ARC reader

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up right at the end of the last book (Altitude of Shadows) where Luke was thrust into this mystery at 30,000 feet. Scholars who might know information about either history or ciphers are disappearing left and right but with a clue left for Luke to figure out where he should be heading. The people helping Luke with information may in fact be hindering him instead of helping or out for themselves. Some of the information left at each scene remind them of things they weren't supposed to have seen in their past. Who or what is doing this and more importantly, why? This book is fast paced and weaves different timelines of history together and places. Fantastic!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you change the past
This was an Amazing continuation of things that are not what is considered 'normal'. By that, I mean that if something is dead hundreds of years ago, it should not be holding onto something from a later time. But then, many things are 'different' within this story. Things that really made me pay attention. I am not sure how Luke was where he was. Being a Cipher of Bones... what does that really mean?... For me, it meant a Great Story to follow!
Thank you, Flynn Cooley, for another Great Story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Earth Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Book 2of The Legacy Protocol. Well this story keeps getting more twisted. Drawing you into the story. Full of suspense, secrets, the killer playing games with Luke and Cass. Very unpredictable keeping them guessing and in his intricate game he designed for a purpose only the killer knows the endgame of. I have enjoyed this book very much. It's very well written and all the characters are well developed. All the components for a great Suspenseful Murder Mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book and this series.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was written very well. It was very involved. If the reader enjoys stories like this, I don't think they could do better. I can highly recommend it. Just be aware it is a cliff hanger. I have given this five stars because it was so well done. However, I am not particularly fond of this type of story involving secret societies and secret codes. However, I cannot possibly give it a poor rating simply because I disliked the subject!

[PlotTwist_Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short fast paced read. This story is full of danger, suspense, action, mystery and secrets.

As the mystery continues. This story investigates a conspiracy to control history that spans centuries. Luke Prescott is determined to discover what is meant by the cryptic messages, archaic symbols, and ancient  Roman coin that feel familiar to him. He teams up with Cass as they look into the mystery and try to figure out the clues.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cipher of Bones: The Past Was Never Buried (The Legacy Protocol Book 2), my eighth enjoyable read from author Flynn Cooley. A conspiracy thriller, The Legacy Protocol The Legacy Protocol. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful murder mystery with a very well written storyline and strong realistic main characters. Luke and Cass decipher many clues to reach the conclusion in this case. Contains plenty of action, suspense, secrets, and twists/turns. A page turning read that I highly recommend. Bring on the next mystery adventure with Luke and Cass.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing twists that have you on edge w/ every discovery that Luke and Cass piece together. The mystery, killings, bones and symbols had me captivated and turning the pages as fast as I could read them to get to the truth and yet there's more to come. Can you really bury the past or does the past bury you?

[L.a.l · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one follow a trail and find out what is at the end of that trail when the clues are centuries old? That is the big question in this new installment involving Cass and Luke. Who is leading/controlling them and why? Can they follow the clues and save people in time or will more people die?
You will have to read this book to find out.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke Precott and Cass Vance have their work cut out for them with sinister deeds to deal with in this fast-pace suspense which is action packed and unputdownable. I received this ARC copy via Booksprouts and recommend this book to other readers.

[Terry M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but fast paced read. As the mystery continues, Luke teams up with Cass and they are lead into mystery, danger and worrying discoveries by the killer. An intricate web, leaving you unsure of what the outcome will bring. Read as an ARC and my review is voluntary.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

this cliffhanger will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Luke and Cass are looking to uncover the mystery of a century old monastery, an ancient medallion, skulls and bones medieval rituals lots of twists and turns making this page turner a must read.

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, as with Altitude of Shadows, there were numerous formatting issues. Where the story concept is good, the delivery isn't. Constantly backtracking to ensure you haven't missed something or interpreted it incorrectly, is not only tedious, it literally destroys your reading pleasure.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery that started on the plane continues on in this book. So much intrigue as clues are discovered and followed. Very interesting.

[Alan Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good thriller well worth the read, A good story line and good strong characters with an on going background story. I enjoyed it and have no problem recommending it

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping story line with twists that pulls you in and keep you on the edge of your seat reading. I recommend this book

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book as well as the others have been so interesting. They remind me a bit of the Da Vinci Code books. So much action, mystery, and twists and turns. So very good to read.

[Lori Albertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Cipher of Bones by Flynn Cooley (The Legacy Protocol Book 2, next book after Altitude of Shadows). This was a race against time. But who was really chasing whom? This was a good chase story as Luke and Cass tried to understand what the clues (bones) were saying. This was short but full of action.