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Lethal Scripture
The quest for the old scrolls is on. The stakes are high. No one is safe.
France, 1798. Cavalry Captain Pascal de Charney is summoned by his father, Roland, before leaving to Egypt with Napoleon’s army. Roland wishes Pascal to perform a task for him.
Israel, 2010. Yossi Luria is an ex-cop turned private investigator, who still hurts over his dismissal from the police force. Jeanne de Charney, an enchanting Frenchwoman from Normandy, steps in to hire his services. She presents him with a batch of intriguing old letters from Pascal, which she has uncovered while searching in her family’s archives.
In a letter written from Tiberias, Pascal tells his father about raids in which he participated while in the Galilee. He also mentions Rivka, a Jewish girl from the city of Safed, the cradle of Kabbalah, for whom he has developed a passion.
Jeanne is seemingly seeking information about the mysterious Rivka. Eventually, she reveals her real objective: She is hunting for two lost scrolls, which Pascal appears to have obtained two centuries earlier.
But she is not alone in the race.
When murders from the past start catching up with the present, Yossi and Jeanne realize that the old mystery is lethal and continues to claim victims.
Who is next in line? And why?
France, 1798. Cavalry Captain Pascal de Charney is summoned by his father, Roland, before leaving to Egypt with Napoleon’s army. Roland wishes Pascal to perform a task for him.
Israel, 2010. Yossi Luria is an ex-cop turned private investigator, who still hurts over his dismissal from the police force. Jeanne de Charney, an enchanting Frenchwoman from Normandy, steps in to hire his services. She presents him with a batch of intriguing old letters from Pascal, which she has uncovered while searching in her family’s archives.
In a letter written from Tiberias, Pascal tells his father about raids in which he participated while in the Galilee. He also mentions Rivka, a Jewish girl from the city of Safed, the cradle of Kabbalah, for whom he has developed a passion.
Jeanne is seemingly seeking information about the mysterious Rivka. Eventually, she reveals her real objective: She is hunting for two lost scrolls, which Pascal appears to have obtained two centuries earlier.
But she is not alone in the race.
When murders from the past start catching up with the present, Yossi and Jeanne realize that the old mystery is lethal and continues to claim victims.
Who is next in line? And why?
355 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2020
158 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 29, 2020
350 pages debut novel
5 stars
Brilliant work of fiction! So full of historic tidbits, which I absolutely love in my books.
Since this book covers such a wide date range, there is much background information to be imparted. All of it I found fascinating.
The basic idea of the book is that there are some missing scrolls. There is a fierce debate about what they contained, and to whom they belong. Murders have been committed over them. Conspiracy theories abound. There are numerous surprises along the way.
This book is populated with likable characters such as Yossi Luria and Jeanne De Charney, as well as many of the people they go to interview about the missing scrolls. Luria and Jeanne make discoveries both about the history of the documents as well as about themselves. Luria was a brilliant detective who was forced out of his job and now acts as a private investigator. Jeanne who is a member of the very old and noble De Charney family dating back to William the Conqueror in 1066 England. Jeanne's visit to Luria to hire him is the catalyst for the race to find the scrolls.
I surely hope Mr. Katz writes more. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of his work. Although the book drug in a few places, it was a fine work for a debut novel. It was very well written and plotted. The tension in the story built slowly – perhaps too slowly in places. The action in the book was at a distance. The reader didn't necessarily experience it firsthand, but it sort of snuck in. All in all, very well done, Mr. Katz.
5 stars
Brilliant work of fiction! So full of historic tidbits, which I absolutely love in my books.
Since this book covers such a wide date range, there is much background information to be imparted. All of it I found fascinating.
The basic idea of the book is that there are some missing scrolls. There is a fierce debate about what they contained, and to whom they belong. Murders have been committed over them. Conspiracy theories abound. There are numerous surprises along the way.
This book is populated with likable characters such as Yossi Luria and Jeanne De Charney, as well as many of the people they go to interview about the missing scrolls. Luria and Jeanne make discoveries both about the history of the documents as well as about themselves. Luria was a brilliant detective who was forced out of his job and now acts as a private investigator. Jeanne who is a member of the very old and noble De Charney family dating back to William the Conqueror in 1066 England. Jeanne's visit to Luria to hire him is the catalyst for the race to find the scrolls.
I surely hope Mr. Katz writes more. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of his work. Although the book drug in a few places, it was a fine work for a debut novel. It was very well written and plotted. The tension in the story built slowly – perhaps too slowly in places. The action in the book was at a distance. The reader didn't necessarily experience it firsthand, but it sort of snuck in. All in all, very well done, Mr. Katz.
April 12, 2021
Amazing! A Secret In Time🙏
A Novel Based on Historical Facts...
This is a wonderfully detailed and amazing account of how ancient biblical times scriptures are fought over🔪 and handed down through time in secret, culminating in a 21st century murder and theft. The scriptures are in the hands of the Knights Templar🐺🙏🔪 at first, then eventually pass to Hebrew scholars. An Israeli detective is tasked to solve the murder, which opens up a whole new can of worms, when it is found that a history changing secret, contained in the very wonderful, ancient and valuable texts, was stolen and was the motive for the murder. Great book!
ARC Provided by Candid Book Reviews📚,
I also got this ebook with KU.
A Novel Based on Historical Facts...
This is a wonderfully detailed and amazing account of how ancient biblical times scriptures are fought over🔪 and handed down through time in secret, culminating in a 21st century murder and theft. The scriptures are in the hands of the Knights Templar🐺🙏🔪 at first, then eventually pass to Hebrew scholars. An Israeli detective is tasked to solve the murder, which opens up a whole new can of worms, when it is found that a history changing secret, contained in the very wonderful, ancient and valuable texts, was stolen and was the motive for the murder. Great book!
ARC Provided by Candid Book Reviews📚,
I also got this ebook with KU.
June 16, 2020
A new novel of major importance!
Israeli author Yoram Katz earned his degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Computer Engineering and has worked in the hi-tech industry. Now he turns his experience to writing with the publication of his debut book - LETHAL SCRIPTURE.
Unfolding a fine amalgamation of philosophy and psychology gained from his schooling and insights into history coupled with a clearly cinematic vision of presenting a dramatic story. Yoram arrests our attention with his opening pages, ‘The Monk – January 16th, 2006 (Monday) It was late. A lone monk, clad in a brown habit for head to toe, was making his way down the stairs, cautiously clinging to the railing. Having reached the end of the stairway, he opened the heavy library door, entered and flipped a switch, flooding the spacious hall with light. The library walls were densely covered with book laden shelves. A rectangular timber stood at its center, surrounded by wooden benches…’ In this visually atmospheric setting the monk’s retrieval of manuscripts ignite the story that develops, shifting to Galilee in 149 AD.
Distilling a complex plot such as this book contains is difficult, but the author condenses it well: ‘The quest for the old scrolls is on. The stakes are high. No one is safe. France, 1798. Cavalry Captain Pascal de Charney is summoned by his father, Roland, before leaving to Egypt with Napoleon’s army. Roland wishes Pascal to perform a task for him. Israel, 2010. Yossi Luria is an ex-cop turned private investigator, who still hurts over his dismissal from the police force. Jeanne de Charney, an enchanting Frenchwoman from Normandy, steps in to hire his services. She presents him with a batch of intriguing old letters from Pascal, which she has uncovered while searching in her family’s archives. In a letter written from Tiberias, Pascal tells his father about raids in which he participated while in the Galilee. He also mentions Rivka, a Jewish girl from the city of Safed, the cradle of Kabbalah, for whom he has developed a passion. Jeanne is seemingly seeking information about the mysterious Rivka. Eventually, she reveals her real objective: She is hunting for two lost scrolls, which Pascal appears to have obtained two centuries earlier. But she is not alone in the race. When murders from the past start catching up with the present, Yossi and Jeanne realize that the old mystery is lethal and continues to claim victims. Who is next in line? And why?’
The novel is a work of mystery with such a fine survey of centuries of time and development of credible characters are each moment in the stories ascent that it is worthy of becoming a screenplay. The author is rapidly securing his place in the queue of major authors of today. Highly recommended.
Israeli author Yoram Katz earned his degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Computer Engineering and has worked in the hi-tech industry. Now he turns his experience to writing with the publication of his debut book - LETHAL SCRIPTURE.
Unfolding a fine amalgamation of philosophy and psychology gained from his schooling and insights into history coupled with a clearly cinematic vision of presenting a dramatic story. Yoram arrests our attention with his opening pages, ‘The Monk – January 16th, 2006 (Monday) It was late. A lone monk, clad in a brown habit for head to toe, was making his way down the stairs, cautiously clinging to the railing. Having reached the end of the stairway, he opened the heavy library door, entered and flipped a switch, flooding the spacious hall with light. The library walls were densely covered with book laden shelves. A rectangular timber stood at its center, surrounded by wooden benches…’ In this visually atmospheric setting the monk’s retrieval of manuscripts ignite the story that develops, shifting to Galilee in 149 AD.
Distilling a complex plot such as this book contains is difficult, but the author condenses it well: ‘The quest for the old scrolls is on. The stakes are high. No one is safe. France, 1798. Cavalry Captain Pascal de Charney is summoned by his father, Roland, before leaving to Egypt with Napoleon’s army. Roland wishes Pascal to perform a task for him. Israel, 2010. Yossi Luria is an ex-cop turned private investigator, who still hurts over his dismissal from the police force. Jeanne de Charney, an enchanting Frenchwoman from Normandy, steps in to hire his services. She presents him with a batch of intriguing old letters from Pascal, which she has uncovered while searching in her family’s archives. In a letter written from Tiberias, Pascal tells his father about raids in which he participated while in the Galilee. He also mentions Rivka, a Jewish girl from the city of Safed, the cradle of Kabbalah, for whom he has developed a passion. Jeanne is seemingly seeking information about the mysterious Rivka. Eventually, she reveals her real objective: She is hunting for two lost scrolls, which Pascal appears to have obtained two centuries earlier. But she is not alone in the race. When murders from the past start catching up with the present, Yossi and Jeanne realize that the old mystery is lethal and continues to claim victims. Who is next in line? And why?’
The novel is a work of mystery with such a fine survey of centuries of time and development of credible characters are each moment in the stories ascent that it is worthy of becoming a screenplay. The author is rapidly securing his place in the queue of major authors of today. Highly recommended.
August 8, 2020
First Class Story
From the moment that I pick this book up it is only with reluctance that I put it down. It is a delightful blend of a fast moving story and well researched historical fact, with the result that it presents a conspiracy theory which sounds perfectly reasonable and believable. At the end of the work, the author outlines the parts which are complete fiction and those that are based on historic fact. As someone who has studied the history of The Templars, the fall of Acre certainly is accurately presented. Could this be the first in a series of books. Certainly I hope so.
From the moment that I pick this book up it is only with reluctance that I put it down. It is a delightful blend of a fast moving story and well researched historical fact, with the result that it presents a conspiracy theory which sounds perfectly reasonable and believable. At the end of the work, the author outlines the parts which are complete fiction and those that are based on historic fact. As someone who has studied the history of The Templars, the fall of Acre certainly is accurately presented. Could this be the first in a series of books. Certainly I hope so.
October 6, 2021
Fascinating
I love Jewish history. Especially, the period of the destruction of the second temple and the birth of Rabbinical Judaism and early Christianity. But I have quibbles. All of the speculation about Jewish sects of that time is well known to those of us who have those interests. One quibble...Jews do not believe Jesus is god, nor do Muslims, Hindus, and other non Christian religions. We do not, in academic writing use BC and AD. We use BCE and CE, before and of the common era. But I enjoyed thebook anyway.
I love Jewish history. Especially, the period of the destruction of the second temple and the birth of Rabbinical Judaism and early Christianity. But I have quibbles. All of the speculation about Jewish sects of that time is well known to those of us who have those interests. One quibble...Jews do not believe Jesus is god, nor do Muslims, Hindus, and other non Christian religions. We do not, in academic writing use BC and AD. We use BCE and CE, before and of the common era. But I enjoyed thebook anyway.
August 10, 2020
Confusing
I really tried to keep going with this novel, because I really wanted to know what the cartridge held. Great plot, but:
Too many time periods with too many characters bouncing back and forth between the time periods and a lack of a thread. I'm disappointed that I could not get thru it, but it was too confusing and I was unable to keep track over several days. What a waste.
I really tried to keep going with this novel, because I really wanted to know what the cartridge held. Great plot, but:
Too many time periods with too many characters bouncing back and forth between the time periods and a lack of a thread. I'm disappointed that I could not get thru it, but it was too confusing and I was unable to keep track over several days. What a waste.
September 7, 2020
ok so... this wasnt my genre..ill admit that up front.. i honestly didnt enjoy this story however im reviewing it based off the writing and it was well written and for someone into this genre it is a very good book. had a lot of interesting history in it and the characters were enjoyable. so i would recommend for those who are into this genre
August 1, 2020
Templars, Jesus, Judaism and Christianity
Three murders, family members and family trees, a former policeman and a beautiful Frenchwoman, two history professors, and an ancient mystery to solve.
Three murders, family members and family trees, a former policeman and a beautiful Frenchwoman, two history professors, and an ancient mystery to solve.
August 2, 2020
Interesting theory
This has some grammar errors at the beginning. This is distracting to a reader. The story was interesting and kept one reading, but it is a fiction and the misuse of scripture can create tensions in the world.
This has some grammar errors at the beginning. This is distracting to a reader. The story was interesting and kept one reading, but it is a fiction and the misuse of scripture can create tensions in the world.
August 27, 2020
Adequate
The second half is a reasonably good story. As to the first part, sometimes skipping back and forth through time works. This is not one of those times
The second half is a reasonably good story. As to the first part, sometimes skipping back and forth through time works. This is not one of those times
December 4, 2020
Lethal Scripture
Wow,this was a fascinating book, it kept my interest to the end. The characters were great, the storyline great. Awesome!
Wow,this was a fascinating book, it kept my interest to the end. The characters were great, the storyline great. Awesome!
September 4, 2024
confusing
This book was never concluded and was boring to read. I thought there would be insight to the mystery but, alas, no. I do not recommend it.
This book was never concluded and was boring to read. I thought there would be insight to the mystery but, alas, no. I do not recommend it.
August 9, 2020
This book was very interesting. I found the ideals in there quite bizarre on so many levels. The way some people choose to believe or rewrite history was crazy. There was so much to this book. It's complex and has so many stories and characters that are interwoven together. I liked some of the characters others I wasn't too fond of. It had an interesting balance between mystery, history, conspiracy theories, and s much more. I am sure lots of people will enjoy reading this book. I can't say I would recommend it but I can't say it was bad at all. It was well written and had enough to keep readers turning the pages. I actually liked it more than I thought I would so I am glad I read it. It's not a book I will ever read again but that is not saying too much because I don't read too many books more than once. This book is worth the readers time.
November 16, 2020
Wow what a jammed packed book of things to mull over in my head. I like history and the thrill of the adventure is what had me going through to the very end of this novel. I'll be honest if things did not pick up before I hit a certain chapter, I would of chalked it up to a book with a lot of historical information and nothing else. But I was drawn in so suddenly that it took me two days to completely read this novel. I read while I ate and got to sleep really late as a result too from staying up too late. I enjoyed a good murder mystery, with adventure and strife at every turn. When you think this book will be a total let down, it is just getting better.
I honestly don't want to a give prologue for fear I will give away the story. So read the author's prologue and be happy with that my friends.
I honestly don't want to a give prologue for fear I will give away the story. So read the author's prologue and be happy with that my friends.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews