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Sarcophagus

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Alternate Cover Edition can be found here.

Concealed in a remote area of the Amazon jungle is something the Mayans thought so dangerous they built a secret prison to entomb it.
It remained undiscovered for centuries.
When a maverick archaeologist hears rumours of a mysterious lost city, he heads into the Amazon jungle, determined to find it.
He soon learns that some things are best left unfound.
The dangerous past the Mayans tried so hard to bury, is about to become our terrifying future.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

248 people are currently reading
291 people want to read

About the author

Ben Hammott

41 books96 followers

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5 stars
97 (34%)
4 stars
87 (30%)
3 stars
71 (25%)
2 stars
22 (7%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Horror Underground.
96 reviews29 followers
March 3, 2018
My mistake was reading it to the end

Cringe inducing dialogue that "mansplains" everything to the reader. The pacing is garbage, it takes forever to get to any point of interest, and the finale is just as dull as it's opening. Absolute avoid unless you enjoy awful writing with no suspense.
Profile Image for Kim.
129 reviews
February 15, 2018
I received an E-book from the author to read and give my honest review.
Although this is a genre I don't regularly read, once I read the blurb, I was intrigued, and wanted to read.
I was really impressed with the detailed descriptions of all the locations--I really felt like I was in the jungle, and swatting mosquitoes with Greyson.
The characters and the plot were both very well developed. Although it was pretty gory at some points, it also had some humorous aspects, like when the tomb thief was getting some much needed karma.
The story grabbed me from the beginning, and kept me in it's grip for the entire book.
I will be checking out more of Ben's books, and expand my reading genres.
Overall---I really enjoyed this book. A lot of action and thrills!
Profile Image for Lani.
59 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2025
I’ve just finished reading Sarcophagus.

It relates to a Maya discovery in an untouched area of the Amazon Rainforest.

I appreciate how the story goes through the concept of regretting discoveries, and disturbing their peace.

I’ve always felt guilty like there’s a thin line between archeology and grave robbing so I’d love humanity to create a more respectful ability to use modern technology and information to be able to keep as many things in place as possible. Maybe we can utilise 3D printing, etc?

It fell (in my opinion) into a so many different categories horror/adventure/action/history/science/Culture/supernatural/mythology/lore. I highly appreciated the information about how it should be pronounced Maya (not Mayan, unless discussing the languages). Also, the recommended sources of information links included at the end of the ebook were a great idea to include.
Profile Image for Tobyann Aparisi.
573 reviews53 followers
March 12, 2018
I won this book (kindle version) on Goodreads and Amazon for an honest review.

I found this to be a well written and very engrossing book to read. It was fast-paced and the characters were well written. This is not my typical genre/subject matter that I read about. However, I found the book to be just as good and intriguing as the blurb describing the book. There was plenty to keep me carefully balanced on the edge of my seat. This book gives you all of the suspense and thrills needed for those who like horror or scary thrillers. This book is well balanced and offers mystery, intrigue, and plenty of scary things. Well done, I highly recommend this book and hope to read more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Stephanie Gates.
165 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2024
A solid B-movie monster book, Sarcophagus was as fast paced as a typical creature feature (be that in book or movie form). When archaeologists uncover a lost Maya city, they decide it’s great to remove the one thing that they’re warned not to, and chaos and death ensue.

There were a few times I had to stop and fact check if things were accurate to the time this book is set (1924), and was pleasantly surprised to learn a few things along the way. Still, those details removed me from the story, even momentarily, which is reflected in the rating. It was perfectly fine for the story it set out to be - a B-movie style monster story, and the perfect popcorn book to read to finish out summer.
Profile Image for Rick.
332 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2018
I love a good Ben Hammott horror story. This starts out in the Amazon rainforest and ends up in a museum with a deadly ocean voyage in the middle. Maya artifacts, demon gods, regeneration and gold. Artifacts are moved to a museum in England and if you like a good scare, full of blood, death and escapes by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin, you will like this. The only problem I had was the time between the "docking" of the cargo/cruise ship and the opening of the exhibition. It disappeared! still a fun, fast moving book to read. looking forward to Mr. Hammott's next books. They look good!
682 reviews9 followers
February 26, 2018
SARCOPHAGUS BY BEN HAMMOTT. First off & yes this is kinda giving some of the book away, but best be warned, if you are squeamish about bodies being ripped apart and eaten you might want to skip some of this book! Me, I loved it. The character development and the nail biting chapters kept me reading well into the night! The chase, not only on the boat but in the museum was great reading.

I really enjoyed this book and hope to find more of Mr.Hammott's books.

I received this book free from goodreads in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for C. Stuchl.
207 reviews
March 13, 2018
Outstanding. Loved this story. Has everything I want in a thriller and more. Had the audio version and just could not stop it. Very descriptive of the jungle and the ancient ruins. Realistic characters and situations made this one heck of a read. Felt like I was on a rollercoaster going downhill. Had one devil of a grissley monster. A perfect killer and boy does it kill. Not going to tell you what it looked like. Just glad it is not real.
You won't be unhappy with this book. Don't read it in the dark.
Profile Image for Jeremy Maddux.
Author 5 books152 followers
February 16, 2020
Spoiler: The last page features the word 'famished'. Do I even need to explain? Also, the subtitle of this book, 'Their mistake wasn't finding it, it was bringing it back' is very unbecoming of a title. It's as if the author confused the difference between common book titles and the plot teaser that's sometimes featured on covers (which is typically a separate entity and not part of the actual title).
Profile Image for Ivy.
309 reviews13 followers
August 17, 2020
I got this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program. It started out a bit slow but picked up in action and adventure very quickly. It was fast paced and well written. The descriptions of the jungle made we feel like I was really there. This is not my normal genre to read but found it interesting and exciting none the less. Always wondering if they were going to be able to figure out what the monster was going to do next.
610 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2017
DON'T GO DIGGING WHERE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DIGGING.....

Hello, I liked this story. Yes, it was similar to a couple of other books, but this little nugget was her very own. I liked the time period. Reminded me of a good ole "Hammer" production that I would have watched. The ones with Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee would have been in. Great stuff. Thanks.
68 reviews
December 29, 2017
Constant ebbing of action

This is the third book I have read from this author. He has very unique storylines and develops his characters well so you really pull for them throughout the book. His ability to raise the anxiety of the reader through multiple harrowing situations is really fun. He is adequately descriptive without being over the top.
Profile Image for Martin.
Author 2 books9 followers
February 21, 2018
A good old-fashioned horror story about archaeologists finding something very unexpected - and still alive - in the South American jungle. One minor criticism: the author introduces some characters - such as two children who stow away on the ship that takes the accursed relics back to England - and then doesn't do much with them. Anyway, this is a good (if gruesome) read.
1,627 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2018
This was a Goodreads Free book and an amazing read. An find of a lost Mayan with many gold artifacts well preserved. The archaeologist who discovers send word of this amazing discovery and asks for more funds. Before granting the funds, an associate who is putting together an exhibit heads to the Amazon to verify the extent of this discovery. The two archaeologists are amazed at the wealth and preservation of the discovery and make arrangements to send selected items back for the exhibit. One of the item, a sarcophagus should have never been removed and the disasters arising on the ship back to England and later during the exhibit. A nail biter with many twists.
30 reviews
January 30, 2018
A nice read on a dreary day

For everyone who loves museums, mummies and the glimmer of gold! I enjoyed the book up until the final scene. They break a stained glass window with a T Rex! Shame!
4 reviews
February 10, 2018
A good beginning

Some key twists and turns but the story needed to be fleshed (no pun intended) out more. Reminds me Lincoln and child's. Hopefully future novels will be more complete with more character development.
Profile Image for william h bowen.
40 reviews
February 14, 2018
He found more than he could handle

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book to read. It was suspenseful and easy to read. The book had a lot of information about the Maya civilization and their religious beliefs. The story was of course unbelievable but fascinating. Thank you.
Profile Image for Heidi Van keulen.
162 reviews
November 6, 2018
I won a Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to like it, but I just wasn't interested enough in the characters. It felt to me like it needed a bit more development of the characters and the plot.
534 reviews10 followers
July 1, 2019
to me this was slow to move forward and didn't care for the main character, but as the book moved forward, well, rushed forward, the main character became a hero and the book was awesome. loved it and will buy more from this author
Profile Image for Cam.
1,217 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2018
Not my favorite book by Hammott. I wasn’t a big fan of the translation from boat to museum. I felt like the book was just missing to many parts.
42 reviews
February 20, 2018
Great book

I highly recommend this book. You simply can not put it down. This author has many more books I intend to read them all !!!!
Profile Image for Joann.
4 reviews3 followers
February 21, 2018
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Leigh.
88 reviews10 followers
March 9, 2018
Ending felt rushed but otherwise very engaging book!
93 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2018
Museum mayhem

IT's a horror story with a few twists and turns. If you like gore it's meant for you. Ancient discoveries abound.
48 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2018
Was disappointed.

I was hoping for a whole lot more from this book as its opening chapters had me excited but for me it fell flat and became tedious to read.
195 reviews
May 28, 2020
Lynnie

Very good book. A lot of interning info and great story line. Keeps you interested. Really enjoy this author very much.
Profile Image for Maggies Daisy.
438 reviews29 followers
March 28, 2018
In this story, you are transported back to the early 1900's when everyone was into being a budding archeologist. When a fellow scientist finds a lost Mayan civilization, he requests the assistance of his fellow scientist to come and arrange transportation of the artifacts back to London for the new exhibit that the museum is curating for a big public exhibition. One of the many objects is a sealed sarcophagus that has ancient writings that forwarn of an ancient alien that the Mayans trapped inside. While transporting the sarcophagus by ship, an unwelcome stowaway seeks to burglarize the shipment and undoubtedly unleashes the alien that runs around eating and growing in size after each large meal. With the help of a gold woven net, they capture the creature and reseal the sarcophagus. But is the beast dead for good? Or will he come back during the main exhibits event? You will just have to read the book to find out. If your an Indiana Jones or a Mummy fan than this is your book. There was plenty of blood and villains who fell prey to the beast in the sarcophagus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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