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Finn Ryan #4

by Paul Christopher

An ancient secret. A lost city. A treasure that could change the world.

In search of a Spanish galleon in the Caribbean, archaeologist Finn Ryan and her partner Lord Billy Pilgrim find evidence of a lost Aztec Codex. The invaluable book created by 15th- century explorer and accused heretic Hernan Cortez is said to reveal the secret location of the lost City of Gold. But they are not alone in their quest.

Also on the trail is the head of a menacing religious cadre who?d kill to get it first, and a sociopathic billionaire with his own sinister motives. But while running for their lives, Finn and Billy come upon a more explosive secret that will take them from the Yucatan jungles to the Sonoran Desert, where the stakes are life and death.

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

236 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Paul Christopher is a pseudonym used by the author Christopher Hyde.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is rather simple with the standard treasure hunt procedures; good guys, bad guys, some gray but questionable characters and a mysterious religious order all want a piece of adventure while some just want to make some money on it all running loose in the jungle at some point in the story line. When a sunken ship from four hundred years ago, rumored to have carried the location of secret Mayan treasure hidden by Hernan Cortez himself form the Spanish rulers is suddenly a hot commodity for treasure seekers, American Finn Ryan and Brit Billy Pilgrim, all hell breaks loose and people start dying as secrets come out.

Those who simply want to reveal a part of history to the world are being chased by men from Cuba, Mexico, America and even the Vatican finding that all the random activities are somehow connected and they all seem to lead to The City of Gold. It seems that the actions taken by our friends wake those sleeping in slumber over the vigil for such curious behavior. When submarines, lost nuclear bombs, power struggles and a large pharmaceutical company combines forces the only thing that ensures is an outbreak of madness that seem to trail Finn and Billy. They must first find the Codex with the map upon a wreckage of a mysterious ship rumored to have sunk near the Bahamas and then find the temple that houses gold objects found by Cortez.

A sweaty journey through a jungle, ravaged by ants and killer animals and the dives is what makes this book exciting. The story is also a semi espionage type of a thriller with more weaponry and submarine talk than I have ever experienced and while there are a lot of characters in it, only a few are memorable. I didn't enjoy the fact that they were introduced in a bit of a robotic manner, instead of knowing who they were first the reader got to hear their biography and then got to learn of their character later on.

The book, even though wasn't perfect, was entertaining and I read it in about two days because it was somehow strangely alluring and adventure stories are always fun. It wakes up the kid in us who always wanted to be an archaeologist and for those who are always behaving like adults there is plenty of action and dangerous activity. The story was looking very broad when a lot of characters and plots were starting to unfold and I was wondering how on Earth was the author going to tie it all up, in the end he did a pretty good job. I just wish this was more about the treasure itself and little less about crazy people with personal gains but overall a good story. This was more of a 3.5 star book but after finishing it I felt that I had a good time reading it so I give it 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading more of Finn and Billy's adventures as the author has all ready included them in his previous books. This is perfect for hot summer nights with a cool drink in hand and plenty of night to read into, enjoy.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a fun, fast-paced book. Nothing too deep, lots of action, some evil villains, and some heroes. All unbelievable, but a good escape.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Aztec Heresy written by Paul Christopher is a quick moving adventure story about buried treasure in the jungles of South America. The is the fourth book in the series featuring Finn Ryan and her side kicks. While light reading, the series is entertaining especially to while away a cold winter day.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a terribly good book but fun. And a lot of the background sounded like it came case files from organizations I used to work for, and the people sounded like people I have read about or heard of in reports over the years, which was scary and funny at the same time. It has realism in the situations. But, the characters don't seem to be that well developed or evolved during this book. Not good if it is your first exposure to his work. But I liked it. Just wish I had not purchased it new. I finished reading it during a lay-over in Taipei and left it for someone else to enjoy. I might go back and read some of his previous work.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read similar to Da Vinci Code but lighter, sort of like Clive Cussler. Our two intrepid heroes, Finn Ryan and Lord Billy Pilgrim, find evidence of a lost Aztec Codex and follow the clues to the Codex and the secrets it reveals. Meanwhile they are chased by a secret group connected to the Vatican, a pharmaceutical owner and his son hunting for a drug that makes anything addictive, Cubans, etc. Finn and Billy are always talking lightly and apparently don't take anything too seriously. While I enjoyed reading it, I missed having some drama to make me care what happens to the characters. I actually cared more for the Cuban submarine commander!

[Greer Andjanetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

More American superheroes solving impossible problems, making amazing discoveries and making impossible escapes from deadly traps. The writing style is somewhat common with a few spelling mistakes, very reminiscent of pulp fiction. Good escapist literature on a somewhat reduced intellectual level.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick forgettable adventure.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short easy read, very entertaining, good for what it is: adventurous fiction

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best in the series. However there were a few editing issues in the edition I was reading, the most annoying which was a distinct tendency to jump from a cliffhanger type situation to another scene within the same paragraph with no separation on the page to show you were starting a new scenario. I have to say I found this extremely annoying and frustrating.
Apart from this the storyline bowled along at a good pace but once again the heroes seem to have an inordinate amount of good fortune so much so it was rather sickening. I also felt the ending was somewhat sudden compared to what preceded it and because of the combination of all these factors I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

In search of a lost Spanish galleon, archaeologist Finn Ryan and her partner Billy Pilgrim find evidence of a mysterious Aztec Codex. Created by fifteenth-century explorer and accused heretic Hernán Cortéz, the Codex is said to reveal the secret location of the lost City of Gold. But Finn and Billy soon realise they are not alone on their quest. The head of a menacing religious order is on their tail along with a sociopathic billionaire.

This was not as good as it sounded. Exciting in places but the lack of paragraphs between different storylines made it very confusing at times and the ending was a disappointment. The latter should/could have been so much better.

[Addy Eaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good, but I wasn’t a big fan of Finn’s character. It was like she tried too hard to be cool and just ended up looking like a show off. I mean, I kinda wished that Paul Christopher had kinda dialed it back on her and just let her have some moments without completely overdoing it. Other than that I liked it. It’s one of those reads that’s good for fans of Indiana Jones. Overall a 3/5 star read.

[Joe Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I read in the series so I’m going to give it an extra star just in case the previous books explained these characters better. I felt that the book was very ambitious with many different plot lines that I never really followed. Again hopefully the same plot lines are in the other books, but for it to end without the treasure being completely found and everyone dying was LAME.

[Adi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was too short for all the characters, which were introduced, and all the action that took place. We did not spend enough time with the main heroes, however I personally don't see that as a huge problem, because they were boring and quite shallow anyway. If the author doesn't care too much about them, why should I as a reader care?

[Don M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is rather typical of the other three Paul Christoper novels I’ve read in this series. There is little attention to details in the overall development of the plot and a lot of extraneous details where it really doesn’t matter.

The author bounces around changing locations, characters, and plot lines from one paragraph to the next with no transitions.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

4th and worst of the Finn Ryan series. The first three were more or less about art... this one lost Aztec treasure. But with drugs, politics, and senseless murder tied in. Among far to many players to keep track of, I kept waiting for Liam Neeson to show up. Wasn’t a total scrap, but glad it was a quick read.

[GBL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect read for a beach holiday. The story involves a lost codex detailing the hidden treasure of Herman Cortes, the conquistador and includes a lost hydrogen bomb, a drug lord and various modern secrets. The story rattles along at a cracking pace, jumping from scene to scene with little warning. The resolution is satisfying with all - or most - of the the bad guys dead and order restored.

[Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was half way through this book and still hadn't figured out what the plot was. Needed a score card to keep track of the characters and the various subplots, none of which seemed related to each other. Just go lost in the maze!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remind you of Da Vinci Code.

[Adeline Regard Moustachu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un livre qui tient en haleine et fait voyager.
J'ai aimé.

[Karen Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the Lucifer Gospels. It seemed more disjointed but still an easy read.

[Caroline Beattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get into and complete. A bit to Dan Brown like.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A codex is the key to Cortez's treasure. Last in the Finn Ryan series (so far).

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last book in this series. I enjoyed the books as a whole. Good story construction and characters. Will look for other books with this author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th book in the Finn Ryan series. Fun and entertaining adventure.

[Marion Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of characters and kinda hard to follow. I liked the main character and may give another one of his books a whirl but the plot line was very meh

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this! It's fast paced and intriguing. Learned a few things too. All loose ends tied up neatly at the end.

[Christopher Borum · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a mess. I kept thinking there'd be some adventure regarding the Cortez Codex, which is set up as this mythical document that will lead to untold riches if anyone can find it. But then Finn and her team find it with minimal effort, just a long dreary flight to Bimini, and not really any danger. They end up in the Yucatan, almost always on the periphery of drug lords and half century old radioactive waste, mutated flora and fauna, etc. I honestly couldn't figure out what this story was supposed to be about.

It's passages like these that make me wonder if Signet even employs editors. Describing a jungle buggy that is used by the drug lord, the author calls it a "bastardized Suzuki Jeep". Jeeps (and it's capitalized, so he knows it's a brand name) are made currently by Chrysler, and throughout the brand's history have NEVER been made by Suzuki. In the same paragraph, he then says, "It was originally an old Jimmy 4x4...". Jimmys were made by GMC and have nothing to do with Jeeps or Suzukis. Maybe that's picking nits, but it's a simple thing to either know or look up, and if the author isn't willing or able to do that, then the editor should have. Dumb mistakes like that sour me on an entire book.

And finally, what ever happened to Harrison Noble? Did he escape Guzman's camp, or was he still there when the Chinese shot Guzman and blew up the camp? I know the coda says he disappeared in the Yucatan, but that was a hanging thread that bothered me.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were at least half a dozen (maybe as many as 15) plots elements that could have been spun into an entire book here;squeezing them all int one short novel resulted in a confusing, twitchy and unpredictable reading experience that was not nearly as enjoyable as his previous three novels.

SPOILERS

For those who are interested, major plot elements include (but are certainly not limited to)

1) Sunken Treasure of Cortez
2) The modern incarnation of the Spanish Inquisition
3) The last, secret submarine in the Cuban Navy
4) Evil Vatican bankers
5) a Megalomaniac Mexican drug Lord
6) The Blackmailing son of a Nazi spy
7) A shadowy group that spies on the aforementioned Evil Vatican Bankers
8) An evil/incompetent father/son due operating an unethical international drug conglomerate
9) Nuclear bombs lost during the Cuban Missile crisis
10) Mutated flora and fauna attributed to #9
11) Chinese Special Forces working with the Captain of #3 and after #9
12) A Shadowy Assassin for hire
13) A legendary lost ship in the California desert

[Mark Muckerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

DISAPPOINTED AGAIN! Each of his books disappoints more than the last: A decent premise based on plausible history, slaughtered by poor writing, undeveloped characters and HUGE holes in plot development that leave readers scratching their heads wondering "what just happened???". I've now decided that Christopher's books are best bought in the bargain bin, and left in hotels or on airplanes as throwaway gifts for the next traveller. Christopher consistently starts with a good historical nugget and the potential for a good story, but where Cussler, Steve Berry, Raymond Khoury and Conn Iggulden all deliver depth, richness and maturity of storytelling, Christopher's works consistently fall short. I WANT to like his books, and obviously keep buying them hoping "this one will be great". However, I'm still searching. . .