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Sam Reilly #18
The Tomb of El Dorado
A city cloaked in a legend too fanciful to be true.An ancient tribe, who has vowed to protect their gods until the end of time.A shipwreck scattered with gold, and drawings of a mythical beast. Sam Reilly is on the hunt to find an ancient tomb, before El Dorado is lost forever…
386 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2019
1091 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Cartwright
67 books249 followersChristopher Cartwright writes spellbinding mysteries and suspense novels. Often with a backdrop of ocean adventure. Born in 1983, he has a background as a paramedic, and is an avid sailor and SCUBA diver.
He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.
Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.
He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.
Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 14, 2020
The Tomb of El Dorado
Sam Reilly, Book 18
By: Christopher Cartwright
Narrated by: David Gilmore
I love this series! The adventure and characters always have a terrific myth or legend, a bit of paranormal, but lots of action and suspense! It's a cross between a Clive Cussler and Indiana Jones! Never boring!
The narration was excellent as usual!
Sam Reilly, Book 18
By: Christopher Cartwright
Narrated by: David Gilmore
I love this series! The adventure and characters always have a terrific myth or legend, a bit of paranormal, but lots of action and suspense! It's a cross between a Clive Cussler and Indiana Jones! Never boring!
The narration was excellent as usual!
November 29, 2019
I struggled to finish the book mainly because I had agreed to review it in exchange for the book. The book had a potentially fascinating premise. The book was well written. However, the action was intense and detailed to the extreme, making it unbelievable. This was an overly ambitious story and it became too farfetched to keep me involved. It did not help that the narrator sounded normal in describing places and action, but when he spoke for anyone other than Sam, he sounded overly dramatic and cartoonish.
August 29, 2023
CHIRP AUDIOBOOK
It’s all about the hunt for the lost golden city of El Dorado…. If you combine Mission Impossible with Indiana Jones and sci-fi dinosaurs that bore holes in the earth and vomit golden pearls, then you have the storyline for this adventure novel. Most of the Sam Reilly stories are out there on the edge, but this one requires a lot of imagination. It’s an entertaining story that was easy to listen too as I traveled.
It’s all about the hunt for the lost golden city of El Dorado…. If you combine Mission Impossible with Indiana Jones and sci-fi dinosaurs that bore holes in the earth and vomit golden pearls, then you have the storyline for this adventure novel. Most of the Sam Reilly stories are out there on the edge, but this one requires a lot of imagination. It’s an entertaining story that was easy to listen too as I traveled.
December 7, 2019
Fast paced
A fast paced and headlong race through a range of underground and mountainous locations in an ever more complicated search for the city of gold - which of course is not quite what one !might expect
A fast paced and headlong race through a range of underground and mountainous locations in an ever more complicated search for the city of gold - which of course is not quite what one !might expect
June 12, 2023
The first book by Cartwright I’ve read and I think it won’t be the last one. Really enjoyable to read the adventure of Sam Reilly. Several twists in the story I didn’t expect.
August 21, 2019
Very disappointing almost amateurish
This novel is definitely the worst novel in the Sam Reilly adventures . There are innumerable grammatical errors & it appears that it has not been proof read at all .
Some of the plot lines are laughable for example the kids being sent to get the the scuba gear from the plane
As I’ve enjoyed most of previous 17 novels in this series I will try the next one hopefully it will be better
Yours Sincerely
Julian Hamilton
This novel is definitely the worst novel in the Sam Reilly adventures . There are innumerable grammatical errors & it appears that it has not been proof read at all .
Some of the plot lines are laughable for example the kids being sent to get the the scuba gear from the plane
As I’ve enjoyed most of previous 17 novels in this series I will try the next one hopefully it will be better
Yours Sincerely
Julian Hamilton
August 17, 2019
Sam Rielly is great
Sam and Tom are great characters and these storylines are entertaining but they predictable of course we like me to see the heroes win. I'll keep reading as long as Cartwright keeps em coming
Sam and Tom are great characters and these storylines are entertaining but they predictable of course we like me to see the heroes win. I'll keep reading as long as Cartwright keeps em coming
December 12, 2019
If you enjoy reading Clive Cussler and Dan Brown, you'll enjoy Christopher Cartwright's Sam Reilly. He combines Cussler's treasure hunting hero and penchant for historic treasures with Dan Brown's intrigue.
The book opens in the past with sea-faring explorers discovering strange animals and lots of gold. As is usually the case in these situations, getting back from these explorations is not as easy as getting into these explorations.
Forward to present day, where Sam and his lady friend are enjoying the sights of Boliva when a tropical storm hits and when its over, Sam discovers a relic from the past. Now, Sam being an explorer himself immediately knows what this clue is and goes in search for more answers. These clues, to find the Tomb of El Dorado take him from Boliva, to Australia and to China, with the required bad guys on his tail.
Now, there were parts of the book where I was confused - whether it was because I was distracted and missed a passage or what I'm not sure, and I think there were times when my amateur editing ears seemed to catch things the author's editor didn't - and this is where a print edition of the book would be handy, to double check to see if I was right, or just hearing things - but overall I thought the plot was good, and the action was good.
The narrator wasn't bad, although he has to work on his accents. However, it could have been my assumption of the characters 'voice' rather than what it actually was, so I could be wrong.
Overall, I quite enjoyed the novel, and look forward in going backwards and starting from the beginning to see how Sam's character developed, as well as looking forward to the next books out in this series.
The book opens in the past with sea-faring explorers discovering strange animals and lots of gold. As is usually the case in these situations, getting back from these explorations is not as easy as getting into these explorations.
Forward to present day, where Sam and his lady friend are enjoying the sights of Boliva when a tropical storm hits and when its over, Sam discovers a relic from the past. Now, Sam being an explorer himself immediately knows what this clue is and goes in search for more answers. These clues, to find the Tomb of El Dorado take him from Boliva, to Australia and to China, with the required bad guys on his tail.
Now, there were parts of the book where I was confused - whether it was because I was distracted and missed a passage or what I'm not sure, and I think there were times when my amateur editing ears seemed to catch things the author's editor didn't - and this is where a print edition of the book would be handy, to double check to see if I was right, or just hearing things - but overall I thought the plot was good, and the action was good.
The narrator wasn't bad, although he has to work on his accents. However, it could have been my assumption of the characters 'voice' rather than what it actually was, so I could be wrong.
Overall, I quite enjoyed the novel, and look forward in going backwards and starting from the beginning to see how Sam's character developed, as well as looking forward to the next books out in this series.
September 24, 2024
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
city cloaked in a legend too fanciful to be true.
An ancient tribe, who have vowed to protect their Gods until the end of time.
A shipwreck scattered with gold, and drawings of a mythical beast.
Sam Reilly is on the hunt to find an ancient tomb, before El Dorado is lost forever…
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Action and Adventure
Review:
This is book has everything a good action and adventure novel should have, plenty of suspense, a bit of mystery, a likeable hero who saves the day. On top of that it’s well written and nicely paced; things happen fast and situations change quickly which works for this kind of story. . . The characters are interesting and their actions are well enough explained to match the genre of the book. Overall it’s entertaining and fun to read.
This is book eighteen in the Sam Reilly series. Most books have a proper ending so they can be read as a standalone. That is also the case with this book
.
city cloaked in a legend too fanciful to be true.
An ancient tribe, who have vowed to protect their Gods until the end of time.
A shipwreck scattered with gold, and drawings of a mythical beast.
Sam Reilly is on the hunt to find an ancient tomb, before El Dorado is lost forever…
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Action and Adventure
Review:
This is book has everything a good action and adventure novel should have, plenty of suspense, a bit of mystery, a likeable hero who saves the day. On top of that it’s well written and nicely paced; things happen fast and situations change quickly which works for this kind of story. . . The characters are interesting and their actions are well enough explained to match the genre of the book. Overall it’s entertaining and fun to read.
This is book eighteen in the Sam Reilly series. Most books have a proper ending so they can be read as a standalone. That is also the case with this book
.
August 30, 2020
Indiana Jones mixed with a bit of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and you have a book you can fall into, and don't want to leave until you've read the last word.
Fast-paced adventure story at its best, with very likeable characters (and of course not so likeable ones in respect of the bad guys...), more or less realistic as everyone involved seems to have enough money to finance archaeological and other expeditions, hire planes and boats etc., but hey, it's a story, right? Good plot, and brilliant narration style add to a simply very enjoyable few hours spent reading.
I absolutely loved it - if only, yeah if only there hadn't been oh so many grammar and spelling errors - that was the only thing the really put me off a little; but really, things like "Leah Jet" instead of "Lear Jet", missing whole words, and occasionally even mixing up who said what? Sorry but not tolerable. These books deserve better editing!
I absolutely want to go through the whole series, and will brace myself for these errors - always hoping that this one was a one off perhaps regarding all those errors?
Fast-paced adventure story at its best, with very likeable characters (and of course not so likeable ones in respect of the bad guys...), more or less realistic as everyone involved seems to have enough money to finance archaeological and other expeditions, hire planes and boats etc., but hey, it's a story, right? Good plot, and brilliant narration style add to a simply very enjoyable few hours spent reading.
I absolutely loved it - if only, yeah if only there hadn't been oh so many grammar and spelling errors - that was the only thing the really put me off a little; but really, things like "Leah Jet" instead of "Lear Jet", missing whole words, and occasionally even mixing up who said what? Sorry but not tolerable. These books deserve better editing!
I absolutely want to go through the whole series, and will brace myself for these errors - always hoping that this one was a one off perhaps regarding all those errors?
November 3, 2024
Shades of Denis Wheatley in this romping stomping tale of action and adventure, and there is plenty of excitement in it. At times it scared me so much I could hardly read on. Only the comforting knowledge that it was 18th in a series and that no series author kills off his progatonist unless he is retiring, like Peter O'Donnell, kept me going.
Despite this, I didn't enjoy it all that much, but that is more the fault of the genre than of the author. I just don't like action/adventure all that much, and when it is found, like here, in its pure form, with no compensating character arc, it leaves me a bit cold. I might have gone to three stars had it not been for numerous language errors which ought to have been picked up with a strict round of proofreading.
Despite this, I didn't enjoy it all that much, but that is more the fault of the genre than of the author. I just don't like action/adventure all that much, and when it is found, like here, in its pure form, with no compensating character arc, it leaves me a bit cold. I might have gone to three stars had it not been for numerous language errors which ought to have been picked up with a strict round of proofreading.
October 21, 2019
The Tomb of El Dorado by Christopher Cartwright pulled me in from the first cave. I so love the imagery the author writes, and the characters of Sam and Tom are so endearing. I love how they go from Columba jungles to Australia, Italy, to China in search of the gold man. The caves, waterfalls, sinkholes, catacombs all add to the story. I can visualize so much through the descriptions. David Gilmore is perfect performing this book. He brings the characters to life and adds the right emotions to the scenes. The book is full of action, treasure hunting, suspense, and harrowing escapes. I can't recommend this series enough and look forward to the next adventure The Labyrinth Key.
June 7, 2024
The author sure knows how to write an adventure story. The main character Sam and best friend Tom criss-cross across the globe searching for El Dorado. All good.
We do get a bit out there with and the chases and gun battles are starting to get a bit beyond "gee that was lucky" and into "really?".
On the plus side, this book is well researched and I always feel like I am reading part wikipedia part novel, as I do learn some facts along the way. On the down side there was an editing error with a line repeated??
Good solid read, but don't go out of your way
We do get a bit out there with and the chases and gun battles are starting to get a bit beyond "gee that was lucky" and into "really?".
On the plus side, this book is well researched and I always feel like I am reading part wikipedia part novel, as I do learn some facts along the way. On the down side there was an editing error with a line repeated??
Good solid read, but don't go out of your way
October 27, 2019
This is the eighteenth outing for Sam Reilly and his team yet the mystery and adventure does not diminish. In a fast paced tale of ancient legends, gold, lost cities and tribes we are treated to action, life threatening disasters, double crossing, global locations and riddles to solve. The characters are all developed well and scenarios believable, we become part of the adventure thanks to great writing and excellent narration. As always with this series we finish a novel gasping for more and eagerly awaiting the next fun packed adventure.
October 30, 2019
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Wow seriously this guy never stops. I wonder when he will finally say enough is enough and stop risking life and limb in search of treasure and adventure. This audio is exciting and full of drama and threat and I really enjoy the excitement of the old school treasure hunting adventure of these stories. Christopher Cartwright has an amazing way of writing these books so you feel like you are there with him under the water diving and risking his life even though in real life I don’t even like the sea very much lol. It does not disappoint at all.
Wow seriously this guy never stops. I wonder when he will finally say enough is enough and stop risking life and limb in search of treasure and adventure. This audio is exciting and full of drama and threat and I really enjoy the excitement of the old school treasure hunting adventure of these stories. Christopher Cartwright has an amazing way of writing these books so you feel like you are there with him under the water diving and risking his life even though in real life I don’t even like the sea very much lol. It does not disappoint at all.
November 10, 2019
Tomb of Eldorado :
Yet more great entertainment from Christopher Cartwright.
Sam and Tom are like old friends and it's always good to catch up on their latest adventure.
The book starts a little slower than usual , but the author cranks up the pace and the tension to its expected high level.
David Gilmore narration is superb as usual, he is the "voice of Sam Reilly books" and I can't imagine anyone else narrating.
Another great book in a great series.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review.
Yet more great entertainment from Christopher Cartwright.
Sam and Tom are like old friends and it's always good to catch up on their latest adventure.
The book starts a little slower than usual , but the author cranks up the pace and the tension to its expected high level.
David Gilmore narration is superb as usual, he is the "voice of Sam Reilly books" and I can't imagine anyone else narrating.
Another great book in a great series.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review.
May 16, 2020
Sam Reilly is on the hunt for the golden tomb of the El Dorado with his trusty mate Tom. This book has you travelling the world with Sam's hunt and there are twists and turns at every junction. Written in a similar vane to a modern day version of the Raiders of the Lost.
Brilliantly written. I listened to the audible version of this book and it was brilliant narrated. The Australian accents were a bit twee, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
This is my first Sam Reilly book and I have already purchased others.
Brilliantly written. I listened to the audible version of this book and it was brilliant narrated. The Australian accents were a bit twee, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book.
This is my first Sam Reilly book and I have already purchased others.
February 12, 2023
Well written but far fetched. The plot takes us… in a *very* circuitous route… from a legendary location in what is now modern day Colombia to another location on the other side of the world.
There are many technological mismatches, such as Ancient Colombian constructions using iron gears and wheels. Those were completely unknown by the indigenous Peoples of that era… the Tairona and Muisca.
BUT… I have visited many of the *%locations* in the area of Colombia where much of the story takes place. These are accurate portrayals.
There are many technological mismatches, such as Ancient Colombian constructions using iron gears and wheels. Those were completely unknown by the indigenous Peoples of that era… the Tairona and Muisca.
BUT… I have visited many of the *%locations* in the area of Colombia where much of the story takes place. These are accurate portrayals.
August 23, 2019
Another great story....
I Never get tired of reading this series of books!!! I love Sam and Tom and their friends!! And the characters and what they get into. Their work takes them all across the world! And I love the way the author can make you feel like you are right there with them. Never a disappointing read!!! Do yourself a favor and start with book one and take the ride you will Not be disappointed!!!!!!!
I Never get tired of reading this series of books!!! I love Sam and Tom and their friends!! And the characters and what they get into. Their work takes them all across the world! And I love the way the author can make you feel like you are right there with them. Never a disappointing read!!! Do yourself a favor and start with book one and take the ride you will Not be disappointed!!!!!!!
October 15, 2019
Another fantastic tale from Christopher.
Just finished reading this book, couldn't put it down, had to read it from start to finish as it was so exciting. Love the story line, Sam and Tom up to their necks in danger and intrigue as usual. I won't give away any info on the story as I think it should be read by oneself to appreciate it. I personally am an ardent fan of all CCs books and cannot wait for the next one.
Just finished reading this book, couldn't put it down, had to read it from start to finish as it was so exciting. Love the story line, Sam and Tom up to their necks in danger and intrigue as usual. I won't give away any info on the story as I think it should be read by oneself to appreciate it. I personally am an ardent fan of all CCs books and cannot wait for the next one.
October 18, 2019
The Tomb of El Dorado (Sam Reilly #18), my eighteenth read from author Christopher Cartwright & the eighteenth book in the highly entertaining Sam Reilly series. A well-written rollicking thriller with captivating & well-developed main characters, probably the best in the series to date. Reminds me of the writings of Steve Berry, Dan Brown & James Rollins. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 16, 2020
Tried unsuccessfully to put book down....No way possible
An enticing and intriguing story line set at various locations around the globe. Where is El Dorado. Is it fact or fiction. What are these strange creatures that seem like giant armadillos. Are they still in existence today? What or where do these gold balls come from. Adventure and danger like you cannot imagine. Will anyone live to solve these strange corcumstances?
An enticing and intriguing story line set at various locations around the globe. Where is El Dorado. Is it fact or fiction. What are these strange creatures that seem like giant armadillos. Are they still in existence today? What or where do these gold balls come from. Adventure and danger like you cannot imagine. Will anyone live to solve these strange corcumstances?
May 20, 2020
Adventure and action
Not as happy with this story, both Sam and Tom seem to be changing their characters, being afraid of things and hesitant, less prepared. Why didn't they go check to be sure the alien animal was really dead, the guy lied about most things. Good they left the creatures alone, Bad they and the crew had gold fever - what? That's new, although they do like their adventures to pay, but still glassy eyed?
Not as happy with this story, both Sam and Tom seem to be changing their characters, being afraid of things and hesitant, less prepared. Why didn't they go check to be sure the alien animal was really dead, the guy lied about most things. Good they left the creatures alone, Bad they and the crew had gold fever - what? That's new, although they do like their adventures to pay, but still glassy eyed?
September 26, 2020
Riveting!
Let me preface this review by saying Action and Adventure isn't my usual genre. With that said I don't have much to compare this book to. But, I found it riveting, suspenseful and intriguing. I gave it 4 stars only because in part it was to fanciful. The two protagonists had impossibly good luck. And, then there were the mystical creatures. All in all, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the story!
Let me preface this review by saying Action and Adventure isn't my usual genre. With that said I don't have much to compare this book to. But, I found it riveting, suspenseful and intriguing. I gave it 4 stars only because in part it was to fanciful. The two protagonists had impossibly good luck. And, then there were the mystical creatures. All in all, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the story!
March 31, 2022
I always give a book at least a one because it’s important to recognize the effort of producing a book. Then two stars signifies the general book itself. Flow character development. Three stars is proof reading and whether it’s a good story or not. This one had to many water scenes and repeating paragraphs. Boring.
Author find something else for your characters to do rather than fighting water all the time.
Author find something else for your characters to do rather than fighting water all the time.
August 17, 2023
Ohhhh! Not what I was expecting at all based on the title. If you’ve played Uncharted, you might be familiar with the concept of El Dorado as a man or a thing, rather than a place. This really appealed to that direction, but the travel locations were absolutely unpredictable! I loved it. It was strange and had unexpected themes of natural preservation woven in, graphic fights, interesting characters, and sabotage. One of my favorites in the series so far.
April 5, 2024
Normally, I really enjoy stories about Sam Reilly. But this one was a bit too far fetched and difficult to imagine. For example, how does one SCUBA dive in a cave and not use a light? Add that to trying to hide from the bad guys without using a light in a cave. How about sending kids over a good distance and ask them to bring back SCUBA equipment over the same distance? Searching for El Dorado was a good premise, but it it was too much for my imagination.
August 22, 2019
Chris Cartwright does it again!
My favorite adventure writer once again comes through in spades! With such likeable characters and awesome stories depicting past with present Chris Cartwright shines like the tens he writes about. If you have never read th Sam Reilly novels I strongly urge you to do so even if you go outside your genre as I did! Marvelous truly inspiring
My favorite adventure writer once again comes through in spades! With such likeable characters and awesome stories depicting past with present Chris Cartwright shines like the tens he writes about. If you have never read th Sam Reilly novels I strongly urge you to do so even if you go outside your genre as I did! Marvelous truly inspiring
November 3, 2019
Lost cities, mythical creatures, bad guys, and gold, lots and lots of gold.I found the first half got bogged down in a lot of historical and technical details. He could have laid the groundwork wit a lot less words. I just skimmed through it. The second half was better. More action. Stay tuned for my review of the Labyrinth Key.
June 6, 2020
It's all right
I like adventure, archeological type stories, but after the third almost drowning of the main characters, I was getting a tad bored with the story. To my thinking, there was too much focus on the adventure and close calls and not enough focus on the archeological side of the story.
I like adventure, archeological type stories, but after the third almost drowning of the main characters, I was getting a tad bored with the story. To my thinking, there was too much focus on the adventure and close calls and not enough focus on the archeological side of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews