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Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha
After a job turns sour, a treasure-hunting mercenary is left out of dough and sporting a shiny black eye. In other words, just another day in the life of 1930s adventuress Merona Grant.
When presented with an opportunity for adventure and, more importantly, cash, Merona takes up the offer to follow a coded map and hunt down Judas Iscariot’s infamous thirty pieces of silver. The only caveat? Babysitting the expedition’s an elderly, thrill-seeking aristocrat with a propensity for attracting trouble.
A ragtag team is assembled, complete with a loyal dog, a stalwart pilot, a poised linguist, and a fusspot physician. But when a hail of bullets threatens their quest before departure, it becomes blindingly clear that ancient puzzles and booby-traps will be the least of their worries, as cultists, curses, and undead hordes begin to rear their ugly heads.
Why can't quests for ancient treasure ever just be simple?
When presented with an opportunity for adventure and, more importantly, cash, Merona takes up the offer to follow a coded map and hunt down Judas Iscariot’s infamous thirty pieces of silver. The only caveat? Babysitting the expedition’s an elderly, thrill-seeking aristocrat with a propensity for attracting trouble.
A ragtag team is assembled, complete with a loyal dog, a stalwart pilot, a poised linguist, and a fusspot physician. But when a hail of bullets threatens their quest before departure, it becomes blindingly clear that ancient puzzles and booby-traps will be the least of their worries, as cultists, curses, and undead hordes begin to rear their ugly heads.
Why can't quests for ancient treasure ever just be simple?
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2017
4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Brina Williamson
7 books13 followersA mad scribbler of both art and fiction, Brina spends her days hunched over a keyboard or drawing table, developing her skills and habitual bad posture, all the while refusing to settle on an art style or genre.
Her not-as-loyal-as-in-fiction puppy likes to find awkward and cramped places near Brina's feet to nap whenever she is working, but mostly enjoys playing fetch, going for runs, and discovering new ways to give her owner mini heart attacks whenever the doorbell rings.
Her not-as-loyal-as-in-fiction puppy likes to find awkward and cramped places near Brina's feet to nap whenever she is working, but mostly enjoys playing fetch, going for runs, and discovering new ways to give her owner mini heart attacks whenever the doorbell rings.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 2, 2021
I must admit, it was the book cover that first grabbed my attention of Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha by Brina Williamson. I love speculative fiction and adventure thrillers so I was excited to give it a read-through.
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters, and especially liked Merona Grant, and Sasha, the Russian pilot's relationship. All the characters were well-fleshed out and interesting. The book had all the thrills and excitement you'd expect from a speculative fiction novel, along with several twists, turns, and surprises.
I will definitely read more of this author's work. A five-star read, and I loved it!
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters, and especially liked Merona Grant, and Sasha, the Russian pilot's relationship. All the characters were well-fleshed out and interesting. The book had all the thrills and excitement you'd expect from a speculative fiction novel, along with several twists, turns, and surprises.
I will definitely read more of this author's work. A five-star read, and I loved it!
December 28, 2019
Reminiscent of movies like Indiana Jones and video games like the Uncharted series, Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha is a thrilling ride from start to finish. I read this book in two days - I just could not put it down.
The story follows adventuress Merona Grant after a falling out with a previous employer leaves her desperate for cash and willing to take just about any job. Enter the wealthy Lady Woolsworth, a fiesty, elderly woman with a thirst for adventure and a map to a legendary treasure that has been lost for centuries. The treasure is rumored to be cursed (because of course it is), but that doesn't do anything to disuade Merona or Lady Woolsworth. After assembling a team - which includes a skilled Russian pilot, a fearful doctor, a mysterious linguist, and Merona's loyal dog - the group sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, but their interpersonal squabbles and...shall we say, character deficiencies...may prove to be the toughest challenge of them all.
Merona Grant herself is a compelling protagonist, with motivations that are maybe less noble than some other prominent characters in the genre, but that just makes them feel all the more real and unique to her character. The side characters here are all a bit tropey, with one or two major character traits that are played up and maybe even exaggerated a little for comedic effect, but that's not at all a complaint. Sometimes you just want to read a good adventure story with characters who will make you laugh, and that's exactly what you get here. I can't even count the number of times someone said something in this book that made me laugh, or shake my head in amused disbelief. Lady Woolsworth and Sasha Durov are especially entertaining, and pitting them against each other to argue was a stroke of genius. I loved them.
The pacing is excellent, and there are never any moments where the story drags or feels bogged down. At the same time, the characters get enough down-time to allow for some quieter, more reflective moments which are always good for character development and for puzzling out the last piece of information they acquired. The puzzle of the tomb itself is also a rather interesting one, with different pieces coming together one at a time to lead up to a highly satisfying conclusion. I loved the journey and would be thrilled to read more about Merona and her companions in future books. Hopefully, the author has more adventures in mind for our daring heroine.
The story follows adventuress Merona Grant after a falling out with a previous employer leaves her desperate for cash and willing to take just about any job. Enter the wealthy Lady Woolsworth, a fiesty, elderly woman with a thirst for adventure and a map to a legendary treasure that has been lost for centuries. The treasure is rumored to be cursed (because of course it is), but that doesn't do anything to disuade Merona or Lady Woolsworth. After assembling a team - which includes a skilled Russian pilot, a fearful doctor, a mysterious linguist, and Merona's loyal dog - the group sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, but their interpersonal squabbles and...shall we say, character deficiencies...may prove to be the toughest challenge of them all.
Merona Grant herself is a compelling protagonist, with motivations that are maybe less noble than some other prominent characters in the genre, but that just makes them feel all the more real and unique to her character. The side characters here are all a bit tropey, with one or two major character traits that are played up and maybe even exaggerated a little for comedic effect, but that's not at all a complaint. Sometimes you just want to read a good adventure story with characters who will make you laugh, and that's exactly what you get here. I can't even count the number of times someone said something in this book that made me laugh, or shake my head in amused disbelief. Lady Woolsworth and Sasha Durov are especially entertaining, and pitting them against each other to argue was a stroke of genius. I loved them.
The pacing is excellent, and there are never any moments where the story drags or feels bogged down. At the same time, the characters get enough down-time to allow for some quieter, more reflective moments which are always good for character development and for puzzling out the last piece of information they acquired. The puzzle of the tomb itself is also a rather interesting one, with different pieces coming together one at a time to lead up to a highly satisfying conclusion. I loved the journey and would be thrilled to read more about Merona and her companions in future books. Hopefully, the author has more adventures in mind for our daring heroine.
December 12, 2018
Recently, I spotted Brina Williamson’s Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha in a reading list on Amazon. The fantastic cover harkens back to the great adventure movies of all time, including a certain film involving “lost arks.”
A few chapters in, I knew I had acquired a well-plotted novel with interesting characters. The book was all-sorts of pulpish joy. I was concerned it would be too much like a Professor Jones adventure as it was similar to the beginning of the first movie. I’m happy to report this book follows its own trajectory.
Merona Grant, self-proclaimed adventuress, is hired to find the lost thirty silver pieces of Judas he received for the betrayal of Jesus Christ. Legend surrounds where the silver ended up. A wealthy aristocrat, a dog sidekick, a doctor from Australia (but not from the outback), and a linguist who helps bring them together join forces when a map to the tomb is discovered. Merona, in desperate need of money, brings in a pilot who happens to be the only man in the pack of treasure-seekers. Before you can say “H. Rider Haggard,” you’ll find yourself in the middle of adventures and cliffhangers.
Characters are fleshed out more than in a typical pulp adventure story. Merona is no Indiana despite her pugilistic and gun skills, her trademark adventurer’s special “weapon”, and her affinity for her hat. Her team’s dynamic make for snappy dialog and exciting scenes.
The writing is top-notch and contains just enough description to enliven the story but not too much to bog down the narrative. The settings, which I don’t want to give away, are exotic and on-the-mark for this type of story. The plot devices are imaginative and the way characters deal with them realistic. The reader will not be disappointed.
Three highlights of Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha come to mind. The first is if you’re going to write an adventure novel, you have to have good pacing. This novel, over 400 pages, rarely lagged. The second is the snappy dialog of Merona. She has some of the best witticisms I’ve read in a long time. I noted at least ten instances when I laughed out loud and the eleventh, a reference to where Merona grew up, is a classic. And the last highlight, but not least, is the author is also the illustrator. The novel comes with sketches throughout which absolutely drew me in and brought the story alive. It was a delight to come across each sketch.
If you remotely enjoy the pulp fiction of yesteryear, or want an adventure story stuffed with thrills, pick up Brina Williamson’s Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha. You won’t regret it.
A few chapters in, I knew I had acquired a well-plotted novel with interesting characters. The book was all-sorts of pulpish joy. I was concerned it would be too much like a Professor Jones adventure as it was similar to the beginning of the first movie. I’m happy to report this book follows its own trajectory.
Merona Grant, self-proclaimed adventuress, is hired to find the lost thirty silver pieces of Judas he received for the betrayal of Jesus Christ. Legend surrounds where the silver ended up. A wealthy aristocrat, a dog sidekick, a doctor from Australia (but not from the outback), and a linguist who helps bring them together join forces when a map to the tomb is discovered. Merona, in desperate need of money, brings in a pilot who happens to be the only man in the pack of treasure-seekers. Before you can say “H. Rider Haggard,” you’ll find yourself in the middle of adventures and cliffhangers.
Characters are fleshed out more than in a typical pulp adventure story. Merona is no Indiana despite her pugilistic and gun skills, her trademark adventurer’s special “weapon”, and her affinity for her hat. Her team’s dynamic make for snappy dialog and exciting scenes.
The writing is top-notch and contains just enough description to enliven the story but not too much to bog down the narrative. The settings, which I don’t want to give away, are exotic and on-the-mark for this type of story. The plot devices are imaginative and the way characters deal with them realistic. The reader will not be disappointed.
Three highlights of Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha come to mind. The first is if you’re going to write an adventure novel, you have to have good pacing. This novel, over 400 pages, rarely lagged. The second is the snappy dialog of Merona. She has some of the best witticisms I’ve read in a long time. I noted at least ten instances when I laughed out loud and the eleventh, a reference to where Merona grew up, is a classic. And the last highlight, but not least, is the author is also the illustrator. The novel comes with sketches throughout which absolutely drew me in and brought the story alive. It was a delight to come across each sketch.
If you remotely enjoy the pulp fiction of yesteryear, or want an adventure story stuffed with thrills, pick up Brina Williamson’s Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha. You won’t regret it.
December 19, 2019
I read Brina Williamson's Merona Grant and the Lost Tomb of Golgotha awhile back, and absolutely loved it. From the title and the cover, it reminded me of a good old fashioned adventure movie involving treasure hunting and dangerous escapades. The story did not disappoint!
The writing of the novel was superb, with it flowing so smooth I didn't want to stop turning pages. The characters within it were all intriguing, especially our favorite adventuress and her team, and they made for a lively and engaging group. I loved the dialogue, the plot was fun and lighthearted with a sense of thrill, and I was entertained the entire read-through.
Merona Grant is a character that I adored, in a setting that I could absolutely get behind, and that made for a very fun ride. Highly recommend it if you enjoy the 'pulp adventure' genre!
The writing of the novel was superb, with it flowing so smooth I didn't want to stop turning pages. The characters within it were all intriguing, especially our favorite adventuress and her team, and they made for a lively and engaging group. I loved the dialogue, the plot was fun and lighthearted with a sense of thrill, and I was entertained the entire read-through.
Merona Grant is a character that I adored, in a setting that I could absolutely get behind, and that made for a very fun ride. Highly recommend it if you enjoy the 'pulp adventure' genre!
January 6, 2023
When I started this book, I did not know what to expect. The cover (done by the author by the way, which is really cool) invoked a sense of grandiose adventure that harkened Harrison Ford and the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed, the story reflected that type of reckless adventuring, complete with dangerous tomb puzzles, a secret cult, and a signature hat.
The plot had some twists I didn’t see coming. It was fun to see what obstacle the main characters would have to overcome. That characters themselves were a bit trope-y, but not in a bad way. If there was one thing I’d encourage the author to change, it would be just a light rinse of editing, for I did notice the occasional mistake.
Overall, I’d recommend this adventure story!
The plot had some twists I didn’t see coming. It was fun to see what obstacle the main characters would have to overcome. That characters themselves were a bit trope-y, but not in a bad way. If there was one thing I’d encourage the author to change, it would be just a light rinse of editing, for I did notice the occasional mistake.
Overall, I’d recommend this adventure story!
May 25, 2024
I decided to try something a little different...and am THRILLED that I did!!!
This book is a great read! How great? I read the entire think on a Sunday! I couldn't put it down!
The characters are quirky and interesting. The bad guys are "just evil enough". Lady Woolworth the "Suffragette" was nearly insufferable at first...but then became one of my favorite characters.
I am VERY much looking forward to more books about Merona Grant!
This book is a great read! How great? I read the entire think on a Sunday! I couldn't put it down!
The characters are quirky and interesting. The bad guys are "just evil enough". Lady Woolworth the "Suffragette" was nearly insufferable at first...but then became one of my favorite characters.
I am VERY much looking forward to more books about Merona Grant!
January 31, 2026
I loved this book so much!!!! Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones, a fantastic tomb raiding treasure hunt, with lots of action packed excitement and humor. I'm looking forward to the audio drama adaptation.
July 20, 2021
Excellent book with great plot and characters. I highly recommend giving it a read if you're a fan of Indiana Jones or those types of stories.
July 16, 2023
Fantastic read!
A fantastic read for anyone who is a fan of adventure stories, tomb raiding and Indiana Jones. Can't wait for the next Merona Grant adventure.
A fantastic read for anyone who is a fan of adventure stories, tomb raiding and Indiana Jones. Can't wait for the next Merona Grant adventure.
April 30, 2020
Pulp adventure on an epic scale!
Brina Williamson has taken the tropes, fun and flair of classic pulp adventure and turned the genre on its head, giving readers a rip-roaring ride without a lot of unnecessary baggage. Merona Grant is a compelling character in the great tradition of female action heroes, like an amalgam of Lara Croft and Marion Ravenwood - equal parts salty, sweet and down-to-business. The story is solid and fraught with danger, mayhem and plenty of action, the supporting cast an assortment of interesting, multi-layered personalities.
Williamson also throws the "dime novel" 50,000-word approach out a plate glass window into the dark alley five floors down. This book is easily worth a trilogy of your average pulp adventure novels, not just in length, but in scope and "bang-to-buck" ratio. The Lost Tomb of Golgotha is a fantastic adventure story on an epic scale. I look forward to more of Merona Grant's adventures!
Brina Williamson has taken the tropes, fun and flair of classic pulp adventure and turned the genre on its head, giving readers a rip-roaring ride without a lot of unnecessary baggage. Merona Grant is a compelling character in the great tradition of female action heroes, like an amalgam of Lara Croft and Marion Ravenwood - equal parts salty, sweet and down-to-business. The story is solid and fraught with danger, mayhem and plenty of action, the supporting cast an assortment of interesting, multi-layered personalities.
Williamson also throws the "dime novel" 50,000-word approach out a plate glass window into the dark alley five floors down. This book is easily worth a trilogy of your average pulp adventure novels, not just in length, but in scope and "bang-to-buck" ratio. The Lost Tomb of Golgotha is a fantastic adventure story on an epic scale. I look forward to more of Merona Grant's adventures!
September 7, 2024
I loved this book! Full of action and adventure. The only negative I found was two misspelled words. That is the reason it's 4 stars and not five. Otherwise it's a book I will cherish and love. Merona reminds me of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. She is tough as nails, written in a believable way. The cast of characters that go with on her adventure are an interesting cadre of personalities and talents. I honestly can say I look forward to more books from this author. Please bring more of Merona Grant!Also I plan to reread this book since I loved it so it will get another review. The artwork is outstanding!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews