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A Murder at Armageddon: A Judas Thomas Mystery
The scribe Shemuel ben Yahayye sat down heavily in the dust, hearing a waterfall that didn’t exist....
A new mystery novel by Neil Douglas-Klotz, author of Prayers of the Cosmos and The Sufi Book of Life.
First century CE, Roman Palestine:
Yehuda Tauma believes he’s found his lucky break when he finds a valuable pearl on the floor of the temple of Jerusalem where he works as a scribe. Convinced that his position at the temple only serves to maintain the network of corruption and greed that he eschews, Yehuda and his bodyguard Ioannis set out for a new life in Damascus.
But when they come upon the body of Yehuda’s adopted father and mentor outside the village of Armageddon, Yehuda vows to find the killer and uncover the reason he was killed. Ever loyal, Ioannis promises to accompany Yehuda on his avenging mission. As the two men search for the killer, they meet surprising allies and treacherous adversaries along the way. Yehuda and Ioannis must unravel the intricate secret messages and visionary clues left behind by the dead man—while trying to stay alive themselves.
Renegade scribes, revolutionary cells, temple spies, oppressive tyrants, and visionary prophets and priestesses collide in this mystery of the volatile first century in the Middle East.
A new mystery novel by Neil Douglas-Klotz, author of Prayers of the Cosmos and The Sufi Book of Life.
First century CE, Roman Palestine:
Yehuda Tauma believes he’s found his lucky break when he finds a valuable pearl on the floor of the temple of Jerusalem where he works as a scribe. Convinced that his position at the temple only serves to maintain the network of corruption and greed that he eschews, Yehuda and his bodyguard Ioannis set out for a new life in Damascus.
But when they come upon the body of Yehuda’s adopted father and mentor outside the village of Armageddon, Yehuda vows to find the killer and uncover the reason he was killed. Ever loyal, Ioannis promises to accompany Yehuda on his avenging mission. As the two men search for the killer, they meet surprising allies and treacherous adversaries along the way. Yehuda and Ioannis must unravel the intricate secret messages and visionary clues left behind by the dead man—while trying to stay alive themselves.
Renegade scribes, revolutionary cells, temple spies, oppressive tyrants, and visionary prophets and priestesses collide in this mystery of the volatile first century in the Middle East.
- GenresFiction
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 6, 2019
Not really a murder mystery as much as a window into Roman occupied Palestine. The author imagines an underground resistance in Galilee to Roman rule. Not much actual resistance, however, and little suspense. Still, it’s a vivid depiction of that time and place.
February 18, 2022
Judas Thomas and John, the Beloved Disciple
This was such a beautifully written story. The descriptions of he people and places were amazingly full of realistic detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This was such a beautifully written story. The descriptions of he people and places were amazingly full of realistic detail. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
September 29, 2015
My favorite aspect of “A Murder at Armageddon” is that I gained a whole new perspective on pre-Christian Jewish culture and life as it might have been in the middle east in the first century CE. AKA Chisti (pen name) brings us into a world that research shows, was at the time of several Jewish people we have heard of lived such as John the Baptist, and the several opposing groups and their stiffening positions. What is fascinating is how and what he shows us about these opposing groups.
My other favorite part was the subtle inner teachings that one could use in daily life even today. These are not dogmatic concepts that hit us over the head, but are rather tucked into the story, waiting to be found if you wish. And of course there is the 'who dunnit' question that had me turning pages to discover the answer.
This book promises to be one of a series of “Judas Thomas” mysteries. Anyone familiar with the found Gnostic Gospels might be able to guess what is coming next, for Yahuda and his companion Ioannis. Pick this one up if you love history, want to learn more or just plain love a good mystery.
My other favorite part was the subtle inner teachings that one could use in daily life even today. These are not dogmatic concepts that hit us over the head, but are rather tucked into the story, waiting to be found if you wish. And of course there is the 'who dunnit' question that had me turning pages to discover the answer.
This book promises to be one of a series of “Judas Thomas” mysteries. Anyone familiar with the found Gnostic Gospels might be able to guess what is coming next, for Yahuda and his companion Ioannis. Pick this one up if you love history, want to learn more or just plain love a good mystery.
May 11, 2016
This historical mystery concerns a ‘scribe’ and his ‘bodyguard’ in the 1st Century, trying to solve a murder. Not only do they receive help via visions from the deceased man, they also move in some spiritual circles and shed light on Jewish life under Roman occupation. This subtle blend of genres with mystic elements works surprisingly well.
Given the author’s academic credentials, it is no wonder that the historical, social, cultural and religious aspects of the story are convincing and rewarding. Differences in the various languages and the spellings of names appearing in the novel are excellently dealt with. The book uses its own path through some conflicting theories and myths about the times and remains always reasonable, while the ‘whodunit’ storyline and some well-chosen characters keep the book entertaining and very enjoyable.
If I had to pick on something it would be that there was not quite as much descriptive scene-setting as I would have liked. The book, however, deserves praise as it reads very easily for such an intellectually stimulating novel.
I can see the potential for a very successful series.
Reviewed for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section
Given the author’s academic credentials, it is no wonder that the historical, social, cultural and religious aspects of the story are convincing and rewarding. Differences in the various languages and the spellings of names appearing in the novel are excellently dealt with. The book uses its own path through some conflicting theories and myths about the times and remains always reasonable, while the ‘whodunit’ storyline and some well-chosen characters keep the book entertaining and very enjoyable.
If I had to pick on something it would be that there was not quite as much descriptive scene-setting as I would have liked. The book, however, deserves praise as it reads very easily for such an intellectually stimulating novel.
I can see the potential for a very successful series.
Reviewed for the Historical Novel Society, Indie Section
March 5, 2016
I received this as a first read. I found this interesting. the mystery in this book is highly satisfying. I also found the look into Jewish culture was very cool. I found this especially cool in this historical time period. Will continue on with this series.
November 11, 2015
I have not read many historic novels but this one has a mystery that wants you to read to the end. I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway.
February 28, 2016
The author is a Middle Eastern, Aramaic scholar. I think he should stick with that.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews