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Code Name: Viper
Biologist Dr David Knight is a lucky man. He has been granted special permission to survey Xulakan – the forbidden island of the Mayan people.
At the volcanic island’s birth in the Gulf of Mexico, it rose from the sea looking like a smoking pyramid, almost as if it were a fiery, holy temple. Mayan high priests immediately declared Xulakan to be sacred ground, so it was never inhabited and visited by the ancient people.
But now legend and fear have kept it strictly off limits for centuries. When Dr Knight arrives, he senses eyes watching him — human eyes — and he is about to discover a world of lethal secrets. Soon, he begins to realise that this time, he might not live to tell the tale…
Finding himself the captive of a mysterious, Crusoe-like man, Dr Knight begins to uncover a viper’s nest of secrets and lies, while he confronts the basics of survival in a hostile world. And it turns out there is nothing more hostile than a ‘civilized’ world built on corruption and greed…
The hunt for the journal that reveals the truth forces its possessor to go on the run. He runs and runs, until he finally arrives at Xulakan. Will the island of Xulakan keep hold of its terrible secret? Or can Dr Knight escape with his life intact?
Drawing in pasts woven through Afghanistan, the opium trade, and a ruthless government intelligence agent – the Viper, this is a edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have your gripped until the final page.
Rich Johnson is one of America’s best-known experts on wilderness survival and sailing. After serving in Special Forces, he developed survival skills further while living off the land for a year in wilds of Utah with his wife Becky and two young children. Rich is the author of The Ultimate Survival Manual , as well as Rich Johnson’s Guide to Wilderness Survival and Rich Johnson’s Guide to Trailer Boat Sailing . He has written another thriller, Deadly Cargo . He was also a regular columnist for Outdoor Life magazine and has published hundreds of articles on outdoor subjects.
At the volcanic island’s birth in the Gulf of Mexico, it rose from the sea looking like a smoking pyramid, almost as if it were a fiery, holy temple. Mayan high priests immediately declared Xulakan to be sacred ground, so it was never inhabited and visited by the ancient people.
But now legend and fear have kept it strictly off limits for centuries. When Dr Knight arrives, he senses eyes watching him — human eyes — and he is about to discover a world of lethal secrets. Soon, he begins to realise that this time, he might not live to tell the tale…
Finding himself the captive of a mysterious, Crusoe-like man, Dr Knight begins to uncover a viper’s nest of secrets and lies, while he confronts the basics of survival in a hostile world. And it turns out there is nothing more hostile than a ‘civilized’ world built on corruption and greed…
The hunt for the journal that reveals the truth forces its possessor to go on the run. He runs and runs, until he finally arrives at Xulakan. Will the island of Xulakan keep hold of its terrible secret? Or can Dr Knight escape with his life intact?
Drawing in pasts woven through Afghanistan, the opium trade, and a ruthless government intelligence agent – the Viper, this is a edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have your gripped until the final page.
Rich Johnson is one of America’s best-known experts on wilderness survival and sailing. After serving in Special Forces, he developed survival skills further while living off the land for a year in wilds of Utah with his wife Becky and two young children. Rich is the author of The Ultimate Survival Manual , as well as Rich Johnson’s Guide to Wilderness Survival and Rich Johnson’s Guide to Trailer Boat Sailing . He has written another thriller, Deadly Cargo . He was also a regular columnist for Outdoor Life magazine and has published hundreds of articles on outdoor subjects.
- GenresFiction
275 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2010
40 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 11, 2021
Even though the book dragged in places, the book was interesting. A biologist is granted permission to study the plants and animals on a supposed deserted island. He arrives and discovers that the islad is inhabited by someone. Thus begins an interesting story.
September 18, 2022
Code name VIPER
A book of unexpected twists and turns, this was very enjoyable read.
Many times I anticipated the plot twists, only to be surprised at how it affected the story later.
I did enjoy 5his book.
A book of unexpected twists and turns, this was very enjoyable read.
Many times I anticipated the plot twists, only to be surprised at how it affected the story later.
I did enjoy 5his book.
November 4, 2024
This book kept me gripped from start to finish, absolutely fantastic.
February 6, 2025
A good read. Very plausible storyline.
May 4, 2025
Unusual love story
I didn't think I'd like this book. I thought it was a story of the army or similar. But it was a human story with twists and hopes and a relatively happy ending.
I didn't think I'd like this book. I thought it was a story of the army or similar. But it was a human story with twists and hopes and a relatively happy ending.
May 5, 2025
A great read
A very unusual story! Totally gripping with unexpected twists.
This is the first Rich Johnson I have read. Won’t be the last though
A very unusual story! Totally gripping with unexpected twists.
This is the first Rich Johnson I have read. Won’t be the last though
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews