The Spanish Papers

Dan Kotler #8

by Kevin Tumlinson

THEY BELIEVE SECRETS GIVE THEM POWER
World War II—Hitler is obsessed with gathering ancient knowledge and artifacts from around the globe, in an effort to consolidate the wisdom and power of long-gone cultures and rule the modern world.

The División Azul—the Blue Division—is a Spanish military force fighting for the Nazis against the Russians on the Eastern Front. They are skilled, cunning, and capable, acting as a scalpel on the battlefield and bringing Hitler one victory after another.

But unknown to Hitler, an ancient secret order has infiltrated the ranks of the Blue Division, and are secretly working against Hitler's interests, preserving the most dangerous and powerful artifacts in a vault hidden deep in the mountains of the Sonoran Desert, in Arizona.

Dan Kotler—Archaeologist and FBI Consultant—is back, along with his partner Agent Roland Denzel. Together they race to solve the riddle of the Spanish Papers and to prevent a rogue organization from using the vault of ancient treasures to succeed where Hitler's forces failed.

The fate of the modern world—and that of billions of lives—is at stake.

This is the eighth full-length novel in the Dan Kotler Archaeological Thrillers, and it is a sequel to the exclusive short story The Jani Sigil, which you can download for free at kevintumlinson.com/joinme.

Genres: Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2019

About the author

Kevin Tumlinson is a thriller and speculative fiction author traveling the U.S. with his wife, an RV, a chihuahua named Mini, and a fully-loaded laptop. He writes multi-million-dollar blockbusters that can be read for only a few bucks.

Kevin grew up in Wild Peach Texas—an actual village wedged between the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers, with a population of less than 2,500 people and seemingly not a peach tree within a hundred miles of the place. He has had an eclectic career that includes engineering, teaching, broadcasting and media, and marketing. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards for writing, public speaking, and his work in advertising and marketing.

At the moment, Kevin—along with his wife and his dog—are traveling full-time in an RV, exploring the US as Kevin writes and promotes his books. The inside joke is that they are going on the worlds most far-ranging house hunt. They're only half joking.

Learn more about Kevin and his work on his website, and get one of his best books for FREE when you join his mailing list at kevintumlinson.com

Reviews

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Kotler and Agent Denzel books just keep getting better and better! This one is the best yet — smooth, flowing, full of action, thought-provoking, well developed characters, good dialogue, and a great plot.

The “New Gods” group raises its ugly head when an innocent man contacts Kotler about some ancient papers. Aaaand off we go! Bravo, Mr. Tumlinson!

[David Pospisil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a five but still a good Kotler adventure

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Dan Kotler book in the entire series so far. I feel like the characters are growing with each book into who they are really supposed to be and Kevin is letting that growth happen naturally. Each book is better than the previous one. As some have said, This book is really a sequel to The Jani Sigil (which I'm sorry to say I haven't read just yet), but I can tell you that you will enjoy this book even if you haven't read the previous book yet.

You can read what the plot is about in the book details, so I won't re-hash that here. This book had some great elements to me. You have Dan and Denzel squaring off against local law enforcement, returning shadowy organizations with hidden agendas, a massive shoot-out in the desert - what's not to love? In the midst of all of this, Dan and Liz both manage to have real character growth and come to big decisions about their life and relationship going forward.

I really love the Dan Kotler series. It's fun, engaging, adventurous, and somewhat educational (history without being dull). I also like that the books are short enough that you can read through them very quickly, but not so short that you feel like you aren't getting a full book. I feel like Kevin Tumlinson is really hitting his stride with this series right now and I'm happy to hear he's come to some sort of breakthrough in his personal life and this series so the Kotler/Denzel adventures will continue.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Binding Rush

Once again Tumlinson delivered a fast pasted mystery with action figures fighting and struggling with hidden agendas, objectives known and unknown and a lot of frustrated characters. Getting so deep into the series you can see Tumlinson likes angst and mystery while giving you a feeling of Kotler blundering along for the ride.

I believe this novel is full of bread crumbs for the future...no I am not going to spoil by listing. There is one frustration I find in his books and his post comments revealed what I have felt. First let me say I love s meaty novel. I love a full blown action packed mystery, crimes and plot twists.

Tumlinson revealed his starts and stops on the project, his eureka moment, and bragged how quickly he wrote the book, most importantly the so called climax and anticlimax. As I was reading frustration was building inside...I can now match that feeling when the book reaches 80 to 87 percent on my kindle. I have felt for several books the author sets a game of how quickly he can finish the book at a certain point. Sadly he is not the first nor will be the last. While the reader is hoping for a multicourse meal, you are handed a sandwich. Ehy because the author says he has set a goal of x books per month....so the reader becomes the victim.

Dan Kotler books are becoming like Saturday morning TV serials on TMC or like those when kids went to the theater years ao. Sorry Tmlinson the meat is falling of the bones. This book meets all elements of what to put on a great novel. But racing thru especially dumping the final climaxes...leaves the reader...well witjout the mental orgasm...because we have learned your wrap up. And you make it worse at the end of the book bragging about the final race. Again sorry would like to list but I try not to do spoilers.

Bluntly I don't care about what happened in a green room, conference where your feelings were hurt, or worse you making me mad about rushing the finidh. Okay one spoiler that last evening with Liz...the detail sucked..especially because of what the reader knows on about 5 facets of development.

I would love a meatier book, more detail of the hunt, mystery, and intrigue...sorry referring to sex but more foreplay before the climax. If it was not your silly numbers game...several of your books could be melded from 2 to 1 and be a masterpiece. yes I would stay up all night reading because I can.

Now all the criticism which some may seem cold but really are delivered with the love of a reader...why did I rate the book five stars. Why, because Tumlinson delivered what he intended, it has all the Dan Kotler greatness and flaws to date, I enjoyed reading, and believe many more will enjoy reading the book.

You live so close would enjoy a cup of coffee with you. Instead please dazzle me with a full blown novel...again would like to refer to mental stimulation and brain pleasures.

Be careful even though you once described yourself as a panter....I can see a whiteboard or corkboard with strings and stickies...or a sotfware app that uses brain mapping. When I am reading I don't want those visions....I want total mental immersion that causes me to be fully out of touch with reality as long as I am between the book covers. More power to you, your brain, and keyboard. I hate I am catching up with your delivery schedule. I have enjoyed the discovery of Dan Kotler the last few weeks and look forward to more to see if I am right or you surprise me.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Dan find the answers he's searching for

Ricky Miller in his shed amazed at the papers in front of him this could make him famous even get him on "Ancient Aliens " on TV. His contact with Dan Kotler was both a new story and the end of Ricky that was sad. But when he is discovered dead of course Dan is the primary suspect. This is the start of another adventure and a possible opening he wasn't expecting. Meanwhile Liz (Dan's sort of girlfriend) and Agent Danielle Brown (Dani) become good friends and start an adventure of their own, who started the "historical crimes" department and why? I must admit I do have my own thoughts on this, anyway in his last book our author mentioned "the new Gods" once again he is introduced to this faction. Roland Denzel finds out about Dan and the police and arrived to assist him. Finding his hotel room ransacked and the papers stolen but not the pouch. Opening it up he can see there is a map of sorts and as expected Dan and Roland set off in search of the place things get very strange from this point on they are attacked left in the desert stranded they decided to continue and are captured and once again Dan is persuaded to help the bad guys, things are not going great until the attack came and he makes a dash down one of the many tunnels oh boy Liz has more clues to think about, Roland is stuck in the fight and Dan meets Granger one of the "Knights of Jani " a thrilling story I highly recommend. I do wonder though is KT looking too like Dan at the meaning of humanity

[BookTrib.com]

Kevin Tumlinson’s archeologist hero Dan Kotler, star of The Spanish Papers (Happy Pants Books) and seven other thriller novels, is more than a modern Indiana Jones.

He believes artifacts belong in museums, but he’s got cash to throw around to buy them up. He consults for the FBI’s Historic Crimes division, a fictitious invention of the author’s that marries the agency’s high tech resources with the retro cold case appeal of archaeological MacGuffin hunts. Heck, instead of delivering university lectures, Kotler gives TED talks.

He’s the adventure serial hero updated for the 2010s—Robert Langdon with heavy emotional baggage and an FBI clearance. Although this is my first foray into the Dan Kotler series, I can tell that Tumlinson has built on an already strong foundation and delivered the best entry yet.

Where The Spanish Papers excels most is its cross-genre appeal. The novel is at once a historical mystery centered around the contents of the titular Spanish papers, a murder mystery centered around the death of the man who procured them, and an espionage-driven mystery complete with fancy cocktails.

The rest of the review: https://booktrib.com/2019/08/dan-kotl...

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follow the pattern of all the previous Dan Kotler stories. Dan heads to the Southwest to investigate a find of old papers with some hard to explain notes on them. The author uses a great style to create images of the strange places involved and they are evidence of a good imagination. You don't need to read the previous stories in this series because the author nicely summarizes them for you in this story. The adventure leads to a cave system in the mountains of the Sonoran Desert Monument that provides danger and challenge. Not one, but two opposing factions of the Jani secret society puts Denzel and Kotler in the middle of a vicious war. AS in the other Dan Kotler stories, there is no shortage of violence and bloodshed. Set aside a block of time to read this because yoou will not want to take a break.

[Melenda Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Spanish Papers", Mr. Tumlinson's 8th Dan Kotler book is out standing. As in the other seven Kotler books, the story in unique unto itself; with twists and turns that keep you highly interested because it's impossible to guess what's going to happen next.

Usually in series books like these the main character is thrown into basically the same scenario with the time, place and problem to be solved different.

Not this series. Each time (in each book) Kotler has adventures as if it were real life. No formula except for the fascinating ancient artifacts, off the collar sites and very series problems associated with all this.

If you think you know Kotler. Read this book. His insights, fighting, new and old enemies and friends twist the situations, in a subtle way.

A lot of "hummm..." at the end, I don't want to spoil it!!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Spanish Papers - a review by Rosemary Kenny

An ordinary man who finds a clue to secrets that others will kill to possess, a hero of the underdog and his intrepid partner and an ancient military-religious organisation split by their ambitions and determination to do the right thing, who have guarded fabulous - and often deadly - treasures in hidden vaults worldwide...
these threads alone are more than enough to ensure yet another outstanding archeological mystery crime-thriller from the prolific entertainer, author Kevin Tumlinson, with The Spanish Papers, the latest episode in the fantastic Dan Kotler series, that's sure to be a 5-star bestseller, just right for your mystery thriller bookshelf - and only a trip to the bookstore away!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spanish Papers (Dan Kotler #8) by Kevin Tumlinson is also an archeological thriller. After 8 books in the series, readers have become quite familiar with the characters, their interests, their abilities and their shortcomings. This series has several underlying themes and mysteries that come to light more and more as each book is added. Kotler seems to often be kidnapped to get access to what he knows and his puzzlesolving abiities and uncanny intuition. He is aided by FBI friends Denzel and Liz Ludlem who are both strong characters.

This is a fascinating series that is great fun to read. Another 5 stars for book 8, The Spanish Papers.

[Lawrence A. Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in the series. While the continuous action and greater insight into the chief characters continue I find one area of storytelling missing. The historic background puzzle, in respect to ancient artifacts that seems to always set the stage for what transpires, is never fully explained, examined or unvailed. Wish a bit more could be added. Some authors provide notes at the end of a novel to offer the reader some insight into the relic be it a document, book, tablet or a symbolic or spiritual object that both the good guys and bad guys want to possess. Others handle this in the novel itself to a greater degree with background embedded in the story. Wish this author who obviously does his homework would go that extra-literary mile.

[Michael Hamaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy all your Dan Kotler books,I specially enjoy the characters in the stories,how about one where Dan faces enemy aliens!!!?,please write more Dan Not let stories , and make the enemies smarter!!,all your Dan Kotler stories are 5 stars to me,Sincerely Michael Hamaker😎😎😎

I enjoy all of your Dan Kotler stories especially the well written characters in your stories!!!,How about Dan facing smarter enemy aliens in the future?!!!,all your stories are worth 5 stars to me!@!,Please write more,Sincerely Michael Hamaker😎😎😎

[L.J. Capehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO hooked on Tumlinson's writing! I have read all of his 'Dan Kotler' series. I will continue reading them as long as he writes them. This newest installment in the series doesn't disappoint. Kotler and Denzel are a great duo, and this continuation of "The Jani Sigil" was great! You don't have to have read that to read this, but I'm glad I did.
I'm basically working my way through everything he's written, and haven't found a thing that I haven't liked. I love the notes he adds after the story ends, too. They add so much for me!

[Robert Bradberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

So much good here, but still so much frustration over
what was left out and how unbelievably good this book
could have been as a standalone resolving all the conflicts
that were presented. I believe that sometimes the series format
props up lesser authors but in this instance it may have hurt
the work of a truly great and super talented author. All that being
said, nothing is gonna stop me from reading on in this series and my
recommendation is a hearty 5 stars! Enjoy!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading the Dan Kotler books. There is a mix of mystery and adventure in every story. This time around the events take place in the United States. The author has reintroduced an element from his short story The Jani Sigil. Turns out that there are three parties on the search for one document. One section in particular was well described, the section pertaining to the location of the document relic.

There is also further narrative into Dr. Kotler's romantic story line.

All in all a good read.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting questions Tumlinson raises about ancient civilizations and their seemingly impossible technological prowess. This book amplifies murmurs in his previous books to out loud questions. Was there an even more ancient and advanced civilization that preceded our epoch? Or, could our ancestors have been visited by aliens? Perhaps we are actually descendants of these aliens - that’s my thought, not Tumlinson’s. Or, perhaps it’s just fiction, pouring from a very imaginative mind. Read the book and see what you think.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another adventure of Dan Kolter as he tracks down a possible treasure found on a discovered document and map of an area in the southwest. He runs headlong into a local sheriff who thinks he is guilty of a murder in the small town, and two factions of an ancient but still active secret society bent on protecting ancient artifacts or finding and exploiting them to gain power in the world. The usual scrapes and escapes as the various factions come together. Escapist reading for a hot afternoon.

[Francesco Tehrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

You do learn something knew everyday!

Besides being another fantastic read, I also actually learned something new from this story. I generally knew of Spain's relationship with Nazi Germany during WW2, but I never knew about The Blue Devision. They were a Spanish force who helped the Nazis fight the Soviets on the Eastern Front. You really do learn something new everyday! Thank you so much Mr. Tumlinson!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DAN KOTLER IS BACK!!

Loved this great thriller! Another awesome Dan Kotler adventure. Kevin Tumlinson has a really well written series going. Each book though completely different, and could be read stand alone still carries a lot of Dan Kotler’s personal history and they link together very well. This was an especially thrilling story. Be sure to get in on the action now.

[P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable read with some good additions to the cast of characters. The secret order encountered here holds potential for the future (if more books follow) and I do wonder what might develop with Kotler's personal and professional lives as well as what really is held by the order.

[Normand Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! And I thought the previous books were good - this story is wonderful and absolutely captivating. Amongst all of the chaos that is happening throughout the story, Kevin Tumlinson managed to insert a line about the fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris - all while pondering civilizations that came before us - brilliant!

[Ev · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spanish Papers

Kevin paints clear picture of the characters and environment you feel as if you know these people and are there with them. Like so many stories I read and enjoy I really dislike the fact that they are not always in sequence. I would highly recommend this story as it leaves the door open for more adventure.

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Tumlinson continues his historic series starring Dan Kotler and Agent Roland Denzel. Having received an email showing a treasure trove hidden in caves, Kotler heads out to find the tunnels. A magnificent read, probably his best.

[Michael Landfair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative!

I think have read all the Dan Kotler books and this is the best yet. The writer reaches new heights when he describes the vault in the Sonarian desert. I had to immediately run to the geology books. Can wait to see where the imagination takes us next.

[Ky Schlundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my favorite of the series! The character development involved within this book was fast beyond any of the other books to date and was done without losing any of the action and suspense I have come to expect from Tumlinson. If you haven't read a Kotler book yet, it's time!

[Keith Kavitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Dan Kotler thriller!!!

I took a chance on Kevin Tumlinson when I purchased “The Girl In The Mayan Tomb” and he has become one of my favorite authors. Keep up the great work.

[Geraldine R. Gaugler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Problem

This book was a problem for me. I had a difficult time reading it. I didn't like the way the author portrays the Mesa, AZ, police department in the first part of the book. However, he does rectify this somewhat at the end of the book.

[María Mónica Beltrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

One more like this book, and...

One more book like this, and I'll develop PTSD!
When I thought that the suspense would go peaceful, it was elevated to higher tensions and angst(my angst).
SUPERB NOVEL!! I want more!!
Monica Beltrami. Montevideo,Uruguay.

[James McComas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not great unfortunately

Maybe I’ve just read too many Kotler stores and that’s the reason for only three stars. I’ll be back for more though.

[Alison McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Good fun!

I had a great time reading every one! I feel like these characters became good friends! Summer and adventures go hand n hand!