The Exodus Quest

Daniel Knox #2

by Will Adams

On the trail of the lost Dead Sea Scrolls, archaeologist Daniel Knox stumbles upon a theft in progress at an ancient temple near Alexandria. Then a senior Egyptian archaeologist is violently killed, and the finger of suspicion points at Knox himself. To add to his mounting worries, his partner Gaille Bonnard is kidnapped while showing a television crew around the ruins of Amarna. She manages to smuggle out a message, pleading with Knox to rescue her, but he's locked in a police cell on suspicion of murder hundreds of miles away. His only hope of clearing his name and saving Gaille is to crack one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the ancient world...before it's too late.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Egypt, Suspense

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Will Adams has tried his hand at a multitude of careers over the years. Most recently, he worked for a London-based firm of communications consultants, before giving it up to pursue his lifelong dream of writing fiction. His first novel, The Alexander Cipher, is a modern-day quest to find the lost tomb of Alexander the Great. Published in November 2007 by Harper Collins, it is being translated into twelve languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch, and will be published in the USA by Grand Central Publishing.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three (3) stars to Will Adams's The Exodus Quest. There were some good parts, but there were also some parts that were a bit hard to get through. In the end, I am glad I continued reading this series, but I'm a bit skeptical to read the next one.

Story
Daniel Knox, famed Egyptology archaelogist expert, stumbles upon a piece of pottery that he believes has been stolen from a current dig and could reveal a connection between the birth of the Jewish exodus from Egypt thousands of years ago. At the same time, his sort of love interest Gaille, has been recruited to help a news reporting team who is trying to prove a similar theory. Daniel and Gaille don't actually get to meet in this book until the very end when he plays the hero again, but as the story bubbles so does their relationship. Interspersed is a good plot with religious overtones of a rogue "priest" and his questionable followers, questions of the value of media and shade frequently thrown at Egyptian law enforcement ethics.

Strengths
1. Will Adams' story-telling style is top notch. His books tend to be a bit long but the chapters are short switching from character to character and plot to sub-plot throughout the pages. He does a fantastic job at creating both subtle intrigue and intense cliff-hangers in each chapter, and then switches to a different character or plot; you're really drawn in and find it hard to put down once you hit a groove in your reading cycle. (Not fun when you claim you only want to read for 30 minutes before bed!)

2. The story is very intricate, challenging readers to rely on what they already know about the Jewish and Christian faiths versus how the various Egyptian pharoahs and rulers interacted with neighboring religions. Sure, you could read through the pages quickly just to get a basic understanding of the story and the connections between history and religion, but if you are reading for more than just a quick plot, this is definitely a novel you can sink your teeth into. I found myself jumping over to Wikipedia a few times trying to figure out who some of the rulers were, which folks were real and which were more of the author's creative liberty taking flight.

Weaknesses
1. The first seventy-five (75) pages are a bit hard to get through compared to the rest of the book. Adams needs to setup the story but I felt like the characters weren't coming together in a strong way. I wasn't able to keep track of who was who, which ones were good or bad, etc. I re-read a few chapters just to stay connected (and it helped) but in the end, I felt like it could have been tighter and more direct. (Maybe I was tired when I read those pages and it's entirely my own fault!)

2. The characters are a bit wooden compared to the first book, The Alexander Cipher, where we get to know enough about them to care for their plights. In The Exodus Quest, there is too little effective backstory, no exploration into how they got to this place, what they want to move towards in the future, etc. I think Adams needs to loop in a little more focus on character development to keep some of his fans thirsting for more of his books, that is, beyond the expertly weaved story-telling.

Final Thoughts
Fans of the treasure hunt thriller, the archaeological discovery and serial fiction storytelling should continue into book 2 of this series, but they may also want to explore a few other authors in this genre to see which one rings more bells for them. As for me, I bought book 3 and 4 at the same time as book 2, so I'll be reading both... and writing reviews on them too!

About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.

[Vaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice book, with a quick plot, many historical parts and of course with a lot of adventure!

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been interested in all things Egyptian so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, as seems to be a habit of mine, I did not read the first in this series. Although I will after reading this novel. This book had an interesting theory about the possibility that Akhenaten and Neffertiti were Adam and Eve. There also seems to be other circumstances where there are parrallels between the Bible and Eqyptian history. Whether this is true or not is not for me to say but I did enjoy the concept. This book was very fast paced and full of interesting characters and lots of dangerous situations. Lots of bad guys and good amount of running and hiding by the main characters Daniel and Gaille from these said bad guys. There also was a hint of romance between these two people. This novel was researched very well and the plot of the story believable. The archaelogical sites were described in so much detail that I wonder if these sites were real. Sure seemed like it. I enjoyed this book immensely and do entend to find the first and read the last when it comes out.

[Anica · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started reading the second book by Will Adams I thought that I might like it more then his debut. Because the book felt more balanced and all. And I have to be honest, the story sounded promising and I was excited to read more.

But the further I got, the more I got annoyed. And in the end I am not sure why Will Adams needed so many pages for this story. It was all a bit too confusing, especially when you needed more than 2 days to read this book.
Plus, he did the same mistake he already did in his first novel. When he reached towards the end, it all goes way too fast.
Also, how Daniel Knox, the hero, still could run or just say stand upright after all he'd been through, is seriously beyond me.

Still, it was a good read but nothing that exciting. *sigh* I hope Will Adams finally will do it right with book 3 which I pretty much will still read after all. ;)

[Bondama · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the all-time worst books I think I've ever encountered. Apparently, it's an attempt to jump on the bandwagon for "The DaVinci Code" because it makes the most ludicrous attempt I've ever even begun to read that the followers of Akenaten (The monotheistic Egyptian pharoah) was actually, in fact, Moses!!

I can't even begin to describe the author's "proof" because he constantly contradicts himself all through the book. This is a total loss!

[Eleonore Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Knox reminds me of Indiana Jones with his relaxed manner except when someone he cares for is in danger.

"On the trail of the Dead Sea Scrolls, archaeologist, Daniel Knox stumbles upon a theft in progress at an ancient temple near Alexandria. Then a senior Egyptian archaeologist is violently killed ,the finger of suspicion is pointing at Knox. To add to his worries, his partner Gaille Bonnard is kidnapped while showing a television crew around the ruins of Amarna. She manages to smuggle out a message pleading with Knox to rescue her but he's locked in a cell on suspicion of murder hundreds of miles away. His only hope of clearing his name and saving Gaille is to crack one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the ancient world...before it's too late."

This story has great action and adventure,heroism and a lot of Egyptian history. I like the different theories of Adam and Eve and the Jews Exodus from Egypt and other characters in the bible and other historical documents. It had gunplay and police chases in ancient Egypt which I found interesting and the narrator's descriptions and imitations made it seem like an action movie was playing in my head. Loved the Indiana Jones stories and Knox will be my new hero too.

[Elizabeth (Thoughts From an Evil Overlord) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Exodus Quest is an Indian Jones-type adventure for the New Millennium!
I love Will Adams' style of writing, with short sections usually ending in a cliff-hanger, and each section rolling into what is happening in another locale with the other characters. One would think that it would be easy to find a place to stop in such a book, because there's always a good break, but it made me keep reading because I wanted to know how the storyline that had just had a break would play out. This one kept me up well into the night! I also liked all of the ancient Egyptian and Jewish history in the book, comparisons of stories from different mythological traditions, and reading about the objects of daily life that were being excavated and how they might have been used.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the first Daniel Knox story you'll love this one. Similar twists and chases but a nice story line, good recurrence of characters from the fist book and an interesting mix of less than Wholesome Christian Motives in an Islamic world

[Saraswati Urao]

Din't like this book much and i discontinued.

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 1 out of 5]

Βαρετό, με άπειρες περιγραφές αρχαιολογικων ευρημάτων και συσχέτισης μεταξύ τους. Λες και ήμουν σε συνέδριο Εφορων Αρχαιοτήτων. Και ένας ήρωας που ο Indiana Jones ωχριουσε μπροστά του. Α πα πα. Το άφησα στις πρώτες 100 σελίδες

[Dylan Binda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Egyptology, crime, conspiracy & mystery - this plot got me excited. Will Adams builds on the theory that Akhenaten (an ancient Egyptian pharaoh) was in actuality, Moses. This was a streach but I was in for the ride!

Unfortunately the ride was long, drawn out and I largely slept through it. I inherently like the short chapter style of writing but it went on too long and was counterproductive considering how this story dragged.

The evidence of Will’s research was pretty apparent. The plot was also creative. It’s sad to think that I probably won’t read another of his novels.

[Speesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been much a much better book. But isn't because it really seems like it can't decide what it actually wants to be. An interesting, surprising ancient revelation. or an action story. Unfortunately, it ends up feeling like it falls in an unenthusiastic heap somewhere between the two.

The idea that Akenaten was the beginner of an idea of Monotheism (the doctrine or belief that there is one god), that possibly lead to the Jewish and the Christian 'God', isn't a new theory. But it is probably one that would surprise a lot of the readers of this type of Historical Mystery and Adventure novel. And so one that could, if handled correctly, lead to some Dan Brown/'The Da Vinci Code'-type excitement, even notoriety amongst a wider public. But by losing the premis amongst a convoluted tale of chases, corrupt Egyptian Police, mad US preachers, old girlfriends, narcissistic TV Archaeologists and their assistants and rain, lots of rain, it really doesn't become what it could have been. But, having read the previous one (?) involving Will Adams' archaeological hero 'Daniel Cox', the Alexander Cypher back in June, I really think that part of the problem is that the author either isn't interested in writing a better book, or isn't able to. I can't decide.

Then, as with a lot of these type of adventure stories, he's also fallen into the trap of putting quotation marks around his theory. Of having his characters have long 'conversations' where they regurgitate all the facts the author wants the reader to get up to speed on, to enable the premis of the book/story to move along. Where characters being chased by all sorts of officialdom or underworld hoodlums, run through the streets dodging bullets while also running through what sounds like the presentation of a doctorate thesis. Really, especially in the early sections, the number of lectures they give each other, masquerading as conversations, is unbelievable. Not to say extremely dull if you're supposed to be reading, or supposed to be writing, an adventure story.

And, in a story where they generally accidentally stumble upon illicit archaeological digs and fall over artifacts in obscure Egyptian back-street markets, isn't it lucky that - for instance and amongst many other examples - that Knox had; "...wasted countless glorious summer afternoons in a forlorn effort to master Syriac by studying that particular text...” Or his possibly/possibly not girlfriend 'Gaille' had; “...worked on her father’s excavation in Amarna for two seasons while still a teenager, and who’d studied the Eighteenth Dynasty for three years at the Sorbonne.” Handy. It often feels like the girl behind the counter in the coffee shop could probably interject with the name of the otherwise never heard of outside the British Museum's Ancient Greece section obscure Greek philosopher/writer who may have mentioned a fact that proves the unbelievable, improbable and otherwise generally thought to be unprovable.

Then with the chase and adventure part of the story, another irritation came forward. Clearly having read and misunderstood too many Robert Ludlum books, he tries to keep too many (not all that interesting) balls in the air. Switching between different locations and different aspects of the action in the hope of simulating the frenetic atmosphere he's wanting to project. If not handled correctly, it just gives the whole thing discontinuity. And this isn't handled correctly or with any great enthusiasm. It just ends up feeling too broken up and frustratingly disjointed.

It was good, but not great. It was exciting in parts, but not in enough parts. It was interesting in premis, but unenthusiastically handled. And that lack of enthusiasm spread to this reader as well. Should I read another of his? I can't decide.

[Vonette · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb for this book on this site begins by saying that "fact collides with fiction." Well, that at least is accurate. Unfortunately, fact gets knocked clean out and tossed from the book right away. I found it amusing that this book makes fun of a character who writes books that put forward wild and sensational theories about history. This character gets taken down a few pegs by an archeologist who points out his complete lack of evidence, yet the author happily goes about his story inventing even wilder ideas and allowing his characters to unbelievably stumble across fictional evidence -- how very convenient to be able to make up your own evidence and justify one character while maligning another even though there is very little difference between them in terms of their ability to come up with wild theories. Being somewhat familiar myself with the Bible and with the history of its writing, I found it laughable how little the author of this book understands his subject, and how quick he is to accept and put forth as fact theories about the writing and history of the Bible which are not at all well proven or universally accepted in archeological circles. And the cave of treasures?!? Never even heard of it before. Must be in some apocryphal book I suppose -- probably written long after the Pentateuch. Yet in the book, Knox talks about it as if it is in the Bible and anyone familiar with the Bible will know about it. I could go on and on, but there is no point. So, I'll finish off by asking, am I the only one who finds it really irritating when authors make ordinary human characters (especially men) act as if they are superhuman by continuing to accomplish amazing physical feats after having severe concussions AND being beat up, AND being knocked over the head again, AND AND AND . . .Oh, but the lead female character gets hit on the head once and is unconscious through much of the story and ends up in the hospital for a long time! Huh!

[brian dean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sequel to "The Alexandria Affair" or something like that. Perhaps all the character development was in taken care of in that book.

This is the Da Vinci Code on ____, well, one of those drugs that makes people go fast and be jittery and not eat anything. The Da Vinci elements are there; action followed by cliffhanger, followed by learned and believable theories of ancient times repeated again and again. The thing is, each of those segments is likely to be little more than a page long. The story, while interesting, was a little too chopped up for me.

I enjoy books set in exotic locales for their description of those locations. In reading CS Forester, you can almost hear the wind in the rigging and the calls of gulls. If you read Kipling, you want to go to India. I didn't get the same connection to the country and that has to be a challenge, when dealing with such a historic and picturesque place as Egypt.

If i found another book by the author at a used book store, I would probably pick it up.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl's body is found in the desert and an odd artefact discovered on a market stall of Alexandria lead to two different but interwined investigations that call up questions about history and all it portrays and leads Daniel Knox, Egyptologist, into scandal and danger.
A fascinating historical mystery. I really enjoyed reading about Egyptian myths and theories and about the different interpretations of the bible; they were obviously well researched and made sense which meant it made extremely interesting reading but didn't bog you down in too much detail. The characters were likeable and real and fit well into the story. The storyline itself kept my interest even though there were a couple of different strands leading to the same point, this was helped along by short and succinct chapters that made it easy to keep track of the story and chracters at all times so it was never confusing.
Considering I picked this up with little enthusiasm I have to say it made for a very interesting and fascinating read that I did really enjoy! Never judge a book by its cover!

[Gilda Felt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I don’t think lives up to his predecessor, though it’s still an enjoyable and entertaining read. Adams does stray a bit more from verifiable history, falling back on that old saw of Akhenaten and Moses perhaps being the same person, though even he throws in doubt on the part of Knox.

Again, like the first, the book ends with an exciting discovery. It would be nice if at some point there’s some updates to what would be the most stupendous archaeological discoveries, probably ever.

I did like how Knox’s relationship with Gaille slowly progresses, hopefully to a permanent commitment. They’re not quite there yet, and who knows how far it will get in each ensuing book. I’m looking forward to finding out.

[Chuck · Rating 1 out of 5]

American archaeologist Daniel Knox is closing in on a magnificent find, a
previously unknown Dead Sea Scroll. Instead, he stumbles on something even more startling: an ancient temple near Alexandria. The story sounded interesting to me but was told in such an uneven manner I didn't finish it.

[blue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is too much like a formula book: one of those best sellers that are constantly written by the same people, and they're all the same. I don't know, but I don't like it. I think it's lacking personality.

[Annette Gisby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great religious thriller, if you like things like the Da Vinci code, you'll like this. I actually preferre this book to Will Adams' first one, The Alexander Cipher, but both are pretty good.

[Ahuva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very interesting & a great way to pass Yom Kippur.

[Shaunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Exodus Quest, good read. It made one think. Is the Bible a book of fanciful folklore?

Well the Exodus Quest tries to answer just that.

The cast of characters are many. Each one intent on proving his or her theory.

If only they can find the tomb of Akhenaten.

And so the search begins in Egypt 🇪🇬.
In a city called Amarna.

There is the Reverend Ernest Peterson who is searching for truth, but will do anything that goes against what the Holy Bible has taught( the old testament only). Because he is there in Amarna to do God's work.

There is Gaille and Knox who are archeologists and want to find Akhenaten Tomb.

There is Stafford & Lilly who are doing a documentary in Armana.

Lastly there a host of locals from the police 🚔 to the SCA ( a person in charge of making sure items found on a archeological site are secured & cataloged).

Then thrown in the mix are 2 girls found dead in the desert.

Interesting stuff for sure.

But what had my attention, was the reference that Akhenaten and Nefertiti were actually Adam and Eve, and the Garden of Eden was actually Amarna.

Mind blowing to be sure. It definitely makes one go Hmmmmmmmmmmm!!

Well thats my review, I can't give it all away.

So get this book 📖 and read it and see what you think.

As for me, well I'm on to my next adventure by Will Adams.

The Lost Labyrinth.

Until then, Happy Reading 📚!!!

Ciao💋

[Seirra Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exodus Quest by Will Adams

This is actually the sequel to The Alexander Cypher which I read several years ago about an archaeologist in Alexandria, Egypt, finding the burial of Alexander the Great. I can't remember much of that book now, but I do recall liking it so I had tentative trust that I wouldn't hate this one. I was right

It's a thriller, which, knowing that it WAS a thriller going into it, I enjoyed a lot. It showed a lot of various perspectives that made the narrative a lot richer. The history was plausible, and the characters seemed unique and well rounded. which is all I look for tbh.

One negative was that I actually forgot the whole point of the book at some point. So much was happening in the present that nobody really mentioned the actual archaeology much at all. I remember thinking about 2 hours before the end when someone actually said something about exodus "oh yeah- this book is about Moses"

Another thing is that it seemed very reminiscent of the third book in the DaVinci Code series - or rather than Inferno was reminiscent of this book since it came out in 2008. But then again, most archeology thrillers tend to follow the same basic roadmap

7/10

[Eggi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ich habe das Buch erwichtelt und die Wichtlerin hat nicht bemerkt, dass es der zweite Band einer Reihe ist. Leider merkt man dies sehr schnell, denn Figuren werden nicht groß vorgestellt. Es dauerte fast mehr als das halbe Buch, bis ich wusste was Knox vom Beruf her ist, was wichtig ist.

Leider muss ich sagen ging es mir sehr auf die Nerven, dass der Autor vergessen hat, daß ein Mensch keine Maschine ist. Knox rennt und verletzt sich. Doch wenige Seiten später hat er keine Probleme. Hunger ist ihm eh fremd. Das macht die Abenteuer leider unglaubwürdig nach einer Weile. Immerhin, und deswegen 1 Punkt, einige geschichtliche Dinge sind interessant.

Auch ankreiden muss ich die viel zu kurzen Absätze. Es macht oft nicht viel Sinn, die Figur zu wechseln. Wenn sie eine halbe Seite später schon wieder auftaucht. Da könnte man auch gleich länger bei ihr bleiben.

Ich bin echt froh, daß Buch hinter mich zu haben.

[Adrian Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is of a very similar mold as the first. Lots of action and a story that intertwines quite well. But this one seems to dive into the weeds more heavily than the first. It is hard to tell what is fiction and what is fact at some point. That might be the intention, but it can get confusing.
This book also takes a lot of liberties with the Bible and biblical information. Research was done into the texts to some level and several different perspectives on the Bible were presented ranging from crazy Old Testament preacher who doesn’t even know the New Testament, to atheist archaeologists, to skeptic not willing to take a side to man looking to profit off crazy conspiracies.
The main character continues to defy reason with what he is able to accomplish to a point where disbelief becomes unreasonable and outlandish.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read--IF you don't mind that much of the theme of the story is absolutely contrary to the Bible. The characters are anti-Bible, and there's even a "Christian" reverend who is a lunatic, the kind who make real Christians look bad. The one time that a Bible verse is supposedly quoted is so obviously wrong (a real reference, but the actual reference is completely different than what the Bible actually says) that I'm hoping the author did it purposefully to show that the story is just fiction--not to be taken as an expose of long-hidden truths, like so many strangely did with "The Da Vinci Code." Taken as fiction, meant to be enjoyed, the book is clever and interesting. I came across this one before the 1st or 3rd book, and I look forward to reading the other two.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this when I was in high school and thought it was a clever, rip-roaring adventure through Egypt. I remember being compelled onwards by the evil actions of the zealous preacher Peterson, and enraptured by the historical / religious theories.

In 2022, though, I was disappointed to discover that this was simply not as good as I remembered. Characters are flat, with barely anything to do them beyond the shallow and the obvious. The religious and historical theories, while still silly fun, seriously strain credulity if you have any knowledge about Egyptology or the Exodus. The action scenes are, for the most part, pretty predictable and flat - made worse by the fact none of the characters are really worth caring about. Sadly not worth revisiting.

[Jeff Tonkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry I bothered to finish it. Early on the action was preposterous, unbelievable. The protagonist isn't very clever and every 10 minutes he's getting knocked down or frustrated in his course of action. While the main antagonist is a caricature of a megalomaniac southern preacher who has the best luck in the world. I don't know anything about Egyptology but even by it's own admission the theories proposed are extraordinary. I DO know something about the Bible and OT history and the theories bandied about are incredible - that is w/o any credulity.

I kept reading hoping that it would resolve somehow. Instead the absurd action continued to the utter end. I never cared about what happened because few people even felt real.

[David Usharauli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a second book in archeologist Daniel Knox series. In this book he uncovers hidden treasures that supposed to show that Egyptian Pharaoh of 18th dynasty, Akhenaten (Ikhnaton) and his wife, Nefertiti, were actually original Adam and Eve of the Bible and that monotheistic religion of the Sun, Aten/Aton, introduced by Akhenaten in Egypt during his reign were adopted by his followers and after they were declared heretics and were forced to leave Egypt as in exodus became ancestors of modern day Jewish nation.

posted by David

http://bookidealist.blogspot.com/2018...

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the second book in this series. A bit better than the first book. Main character wasn't quite as much of a jerk. Though I still think he would be better served to stop and TALK to people from time to time, instead of running off on his own and doing sketchy things. There's also a little bit of "Da Vinci Code" going on - major leaps of reasoning on very little evidence. But hey, that's more or less the genre. After the first book, I only listened to this one, because I had picked up a physical copy at the used book store at some point. Wasn't expecting to be willing to continue, but this one enough of an improvement that I just might.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviews seem crazy divided by this book! I'm struggling to find anything that would make me rate it any less than 3 stars.

Adams is a really solid storyteller. He jumps between characters with a fluid ease and the plot lines wove together nicely.

Admittedly, towards the end I did start speed-reading through the action scenes in the Knox chapters - Mostly due to impatience and wanting to see how the tomb's mystery would unfold.

I enjoyed the first book in the series too - really fun, easy, action-adventure stories. Already have the third one lined up from the library.