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Lang Reilly #4
The Coptic Secret
It was a gala evening to celebrate the find of the century—previously unknown Gospels containing startling revelations. But before the parchments could be revealed, shots rang out in the British Museum and the Gospels—along with Lang Reilly’s friend—were taken. An ancient and mysterious organization will gladly kill anyone who comes close to the parchments, but Lang can’t be intimidated. The more his life is threatened, the more determined he is to find the truth behind…The Coptic Secret.
348 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2009
53 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Loomis
19 books61 followersGregg Loomis is an American author of thrillers. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he spent his youth traveling the world, and has worked as a commercial pilot, a racecar driver, and a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation. He published his first novel, the bayou thriller Voodoo Fury, in 1991. His greatest success came in 2005, when The Pegasus Secret introduced the world to lawyer Lang Reilly; Loomis charted that character’s globetrotting adventures through five more novels, including The Coptic Secret (2009) and The Cathar Secret (2011). With Gates of Hades (2007), Loomis began a new series centered on Jason Peters, an international operative working for NARCOM, a private corporation that does what the CIA cannot. Hot Ice (2013) is the second Jason Peters novel. Loomis now writes and practices law in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 11, 2022
4,25 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Het Koptische geheim is dit het vierde deel met Langford Reilly in de hoofdrol.
Na een gewelddadige diefstal en ontvoering van een vriend van Lang in het British Museum, wordt Lang als een gevaar aanzien door een religieuze orde.
In zijn zoektocht naar een onbekend evangelie, lopen ze hem geregeld voor de voeten en proberen hem het zwijgen op te leggen.
Ook in dit boek kan Lang beroep doen op enkele oude bekenden uit de vorige boeken van Gregg Loomis. Dit is dus geen stand alone. Wil je het boek en de karakters goed kunnen volgen, lees de boeken dan in volgorde.
Een dosis humor kun je ook terugvinden, wat mij erg aantrok. Het is even een luchtige hap adem tussen een snel voortschrijdend spektakel.
Het Koptische geheim is dit het vierde deel met Langford Reilly in de hoofdrol.
Na een gewelddadige diefstal en ontvoering van een vriend van Lang in het British Museum, wordt Lang als een gevaar aanzien door een religieuze orde.
In zijn zoektocht naar een onbekend evangelie, lopen ze hem geregeld voor de voeten en proberen hem het zwijgen op te leggen.
Ook in dit boek kan Lang beroep doen op enkele oude bekenden uit de vorige boeken van Gregg Loomis. Dit is dus geen stand alone. Wil je het boek en de karakters goed kunnen volgen, lees de boeken dan in volgorde.
Een dosis humor kun je ook terugvinden, wat mij erg aantrok. Het is even een luchtige hap adem tussen een snel voortschrijdend spektakel.
May 17, 2025
The Gospel of James. The Knights of Malta. A kidnapping. A manuscript. A German with a baby. Wait... What?
Gurt doesn’t just return, she comes back with a child. Lang’s child. Yes. Gurt and Lang had a moment off-page, possibly between gunfights. The result? A son.
The MacGuffin:
Behold, the Secret Gospel of James, an actual, real-life text from the Nag Hammadi collection, now upgraded in this novel to full world-shattering artifact. It claims to contain teachings from the resurrected Jesus to his brother James. It’s Gnostic. It’s controversial. And it suggests that Simon Peter, James, and perhaps even the Knights of Malta had access to secrets that could rewrite the foundations of Christianity.
Lang Reilly’s billionaire friend, Sir Eon Weatherston-Wilby has just announced a bombshell: the British Museum is unveiling 4th-century parchments that could authenticate elements of the Gospel of James. Lang shows up for the launch. Champagne is poured. Intellectuals are smug. Then all hell breaks loose, and Sir Eon is abducted. And when Eon is found murdered and a historic discovery gone, Lang is determined to uncover who killed his friend, and why. With a translated copy of the Gospel of James finally in hand, Lang realizes why so many people are dying: if this gospel is true, it could rewrite the very essence of Christianity, and undermine centuries of power.
Lang sets out to find the parchments and decipher them, hoping the contents will reveal not just the gospel’s truth, but the shadowy powers behind the murder. A secretive ancient Catholic faction, older than Vatican bureaucracy and far less patient, is out to bury the Gospel. Unnamed agents tied to the Knights of Malta do not wish to make this text public. Their motto? "If God won’t stop you, we will."
This entry hits harder than its predecessors. Eon’s death adds weight, the conspiracies feel genuine, and Gurt’s evolution into a fierce, stealthy mother makes for a surprisingly tender (and lethal) subplot.
Gurt doesn’t just return, she comes back with a child. Lang’s child. Yes. Gurt and Lang had a moment off-page, possibly between gunfights. The result? A son.
The MacGuffin:
Behold, the Secret Gospel of James, an actual, real-life text from the Nag Hammadi collection, now upgraded in this novel to full world-shattering artifact. It claims to contain teachings from the resurrected Jesus to his brother James. It’s Gnostic. It’s controversial. And it suggests that Simon Peter, James, and perhaps even the Knights of Malta had access to secrets that could rewrite the foundations of Christianity.
Lang Reilly’s billionaire friend, Sir Eon Weatherston-Wilby has just announced a bombshell: the British Museum is unveiling 4th-century parchments that could authenticate elements of the Gospel of James. Lang shows up for the launch. Champagne is poured. Intellectuals are smug. Then all hell breaks loose, and Sir Eon is abducted. And when Eon is found murdered and a historic discovery gone, Lang is determined to uncover who killed his friend, and why. With a translated copy of the Gospel of James finally in hand, Lang realizes why so many people are dying: if this gospel is true, it could rewrite the very essence of Christianity, and undermine centuries of power.
Lang sets out to find the parchments and decipher them, hoping the contents will reveal not just the gospel’s truth, but the shadowy powers behind the murder. A secretive ancient Catholic faction, older than Vatican bureaucracy and far less patient, is out to bury the Gospel. Unnamed agents tied to the Knights of Malta do not wish to make this text public. Their motto? "If God won’t stop you, we will."
This entry hits harder than its predecessors. Eon’s death adds weight, the conspiracies feel genuine, and Gurt’s evolution into a fierce, stealthy mother makes for a surprisingly tender (and lethal) subplot.
July 28, 2019
For the most part, the plot lines were well thought out and intrigueing. There were several sentences that ended before I could tell where they were meant to go. I was, however, enrapt in the idea that the secret involved Simon Peter, James (the brother of Jesus), and ultimately the Knights of Malta. It was, however, no more of a stretch than many conspiracy theories aimed at the heads of the Roman Catholic Church. Over all an extremely readable and exciting novel.
September 4, 2022
DNF Read approximately 25 %
This book just didn't catch on with me. After two attempts on Lang's life, in as many chapters, as well as jumps in location with no explanation of how the characters got from point A to B, I gave it up. Plus. in the little I read, there was next to nothing about Coptic manuscripts, or what this book was actually supposed to be about.
I was underwhelmed. I have loved other Lang Reilly books, but the last two I tried have been really disappointing.
This book just didn't catch on with me. After two attempts on Lang's life, in as many chapters, as well as jumps in location with no explanation of how the characters got from point A to B, I gave it up. Plus. in the little I read, there was next to nothing about Coptic manuscripts, or what this book was actually supposed to be about.
I was underwhelmed. I have loved other Lang Reilly books, but the last two I tried have been really disappointing.
November 2, 2025
The Coptic Secret had me decoding hieroglyphs in my sleep. Gregg Loomis once again proves that no ancient mystery is safe from Lang Reilly’s chaotic brilliance. One moment you’re knee-deep in dusty scrolls, the next you’re dodging bullets and wondering if you should’ve paid more attention in Sunday school. It’s brainy, fast , and dangerously entertaining — like Indiana Jones with a law degree and trust issues
January 16, 2021
Very fast read
3rd Gregg Loomis book I have read. They usually start out slow and sometime hard to remember some characters but suddenly it so come together and it is hard to put down.
3rd Gregg Loomis book I have read. They usually start out slow and sometime hard to remember some characters but suddenly it so come together and it is hard to put down.
August 28, 2010
The BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): a solid 3 stars, worth borrowing or getting from the library.
The Cover: Looks like it might be Jerusalem. But the Title, "The Coptic Secret"! BIBLICAL FICTION ADVENTURE CONSPIRACY BEACH READS!! THIS IS MY UNHEALTHY ADDICTION! I'm not even 20 pages in and I already give it three stars due to the fact it is Biblical Conspiracy fiction & the subtitle is, "A Lang Reilly Thriller".
The back cover: It was a gala evening to celebrate the find of the century - previously unknown Gospels containing startling revelations. But before the parchments could be revealed, shots rang out in the British Museum and the Gospels - along with Lang Reilly's friend - were taken. An ancient and mysterious organization will gladly kill anyone who comes close to the parchments, but Lang can't be intimidated. The more his life is threatened, the more determined he is to find the truth behind...
THE COPTIC SECRET
Sustain: I finished the book and it will stand strong at 3 stars. I enjoyed the fact that the Catholic secret society didn't have more than 5 or 6 guys who knew how to shoot a gun, and they had absolutely no idea how trail a person, kidnap the family, or even how to contact an organization skilled enough to do it outside of Italy.
There was a character in the book named, Larry Henderson who was one of the fun sidekicks for only a few chapters. He was an honest farmer in rural Georgia but as larger businesses drove the price down he couldn't feed his family, so he switched to Marijuana he sells at a good price to druge dealers out of Atlanta. The character was hilarious and I found myself trying to picture an actor who would play the part in a movie version of the book.
Improve: OK, you have the beautiful Femme fatale from Germany who is a CIA operative. Yet, she cannot speak proper English. Ridiculous. Since she is a reoccurring character in the books I found myself hoping in this book she might finally die. It was this character alone that helped me decide to not read anymore books by this author. Seriously could not stand her or her inability to keep a low profile. What? we are on the run from an organization bent on killing my family with global reach and the ability to track our every move? LETS GO SHOPPING! The character kept trying to turn the novel into an episode of sex in the city. Seriously, wicked crappy character.
Overall: It is a good airport novel or maybe worth a library trip. The author did a much better job developing the supporting cast for this novel than most in the genre do. They are all cliche, stereotypical, plot supporters (the nanny, the secretary who handles everything, the contact in the government, etc) yet the author does a good job of making them believable in a few short paragraphs. The well written supporting cast sucks you into the book; until Frau freakin' ridiculous shows up again on the next page. Seriously hate that chic.
The Cover: Looks like it might be Jerusalem. But the Title, "The Coptic Secret"! BIBLICAL FICTION ADVENTURE CONSPIRACY BEACH READS!! THIS IS MY UNHEALTHY ADDICTION! I'm not even 20 pages in and I already give it three stars due to the fact it is Biblical Conspiracy fiction & the subtitle is, "A Lang Reilly Thriller".
The back cover: It was a gala evening to celebrate the find of the century - previously unknown Gospels containing startling revelations. But before the parchments could be revealed, shots rang out in the British Museum and the Gospels - along with Lang Reilly's friend - were taken. An ancient and mysterious organization will gladly kill anyone who comes close to the parchments, but Lang can't be intimidated. The more his life is threatened, the more determined he is to find the truth behind...
THE COPTIC SECRET
Sustain: I finished the book and it will stand strong at 3 stars. I enjoyed the fact that the Catholic secret society didn't have more than 5 or 6 guys who knew how to shoot a gun, and they had absolutely no idea how trail a person, kidnap the family, or even how to contact an organization skilled enough to do it outside of Italy.
There was a character in the book named, Larry Henderson who was one of the fun sidekicks for only a few chapters. He was an honest farmer in rural Georgia but as larger businesses drove the price down he couldn't feed his family, so he switched to Marijuana he sells at a good price to druge dealers out of Atlanta. The character was hilarious and I found myself trying to picture an actor who would play the part in a movie version of the book.
Improve: OK, you have the beautiful Femme fatale from Germany who is a CIA operative. Yet, she cannot speak proper English. Ridiculous. Since she is a reoccurring character in the books I found myself hoping in this book she might finally die. It was this character alone that helped me decide to not read anymore books by this author. Seriously could not stand her or her inability to keep a low profile. What? we are on the run from an organization bent on killing my family with global reach and the ability to track our every move? LETS GO SHOPPING! The character kept trying to turn the novel into an episode of sex in the city. Seriously, wicked crappy character.
Overall: It is a good airport novel or maybe worth a library trip. The author did a much better job developing the supporting cast for this novel than most in the genre do. They are all cliche, stereotypical, plot supporters (the nanny, the secretary who handles everything, the contact in the government, etc) yet the author does a good job of making them believable in a few short paragraphs. The well written supporting cast sucks you into the book; until Frau freakin' ridiculous shows up again on the next page. Seriously hate that chic.
February 21, 2017
Interested read and characters... reminds me a lot of Steve Berry books. Will look for the earlier ones to try those.
July 18, 2014
I picked up this book in an airport, thinking it might be interesting, as I have been involved in scholarship relating to the Thomasine Gospels and recent writing surrounding the Nag Hammadi codicies. On the surface, and expecting a well-researched fiction, it intrigued me - Templars, Vatican secrets, spies, intrigue at the British Museum - why not? Well, it was only into the second chapter that I couldn't keep reading it. Between the poorly-written text, the author's contradictory, yet stilted and strong political views permeating the work, his excessive use of British slang for one of the English characters, the all-too-convenient plot directions far too early, and - wait for it - the really shallow method of research and conclusion-drawing upon which he based the whole, my willing suspension of disbelief was overtaxed.
Even Dan Brown at his worst does not demand so much patience from his readers with plot contrivances, author ego-trips and covering up poorly-researched background material with convenient devices. Umberto Eco does it with much more style, and seems to write each character well, even if they are unlikable. I could never develop any sympathy for Reilly, and no other characters offered any respite for the reader - all very cardboard.
It was cumbersome, overly macho, and one-dimensional. The characters were boring, the dialogue insipid, the action tiresome. The entire time I felt as if the author was living out his own wild fantasies in this badly-written train wreck, that had nothing to do with his audience. I cannot imagine how this book would hold enough interest for any reader to get itself on the bestseller list.
Even Dan Brown at his worst does not demand so much patience from his readers with plot contrivances, author ego-trips and covering up poorly-researched background material with convenient devices. Umberto Eco does it with much more style, and seems to write each character well, even if they are unlikable. I could never develop any sympathy for Reilly, and no other characters offered any respite for the reader - all very cardboard.
It was cumbersome, overly macho, and one-dimensional. The characters were boring, the dialogue insipid, the action tiresome. The entire time I felt as if the author was living out his own wild fantasies in this badly-written train wreck, that had nothing to do with his audience. I cannot imagine how this book would hold enough interest for any reader to get itself on the bestseller list.
March 31, 2020
The fourth book in the Lang Reilly series. Lang has another adventurous mystery to solve. Shallow and unbelievable.
September 21, 2011
Lang Reilly's friend, multibillionaire and entrepreneur Sir Eon Weatherston-Wilby, is unveiling some 4th century parchments at the British Museum. Unbeknownst to Lang, there are powerful forces working to destroy the parchments, and during the evening, they strike, taking Eon and the historical documents.
When Eon turns up murdered, Lang decides he must track down the people responsible. To do so, he needs to find the parchments and have them deciphered. Whatever information those documents hold, someone wants hidden and is willing to go to any lengths to keep it that way. As Lang begins his investigation, he is struck down and left fighting for his life.
When Gurt arrives back in the U.S., Lang discovers he has more to live for than ever before. And if he's ever to have peace and happiness again in his life, he will have to find Eon's killers or spend the rest of his life on the run. Lang and Gurt are pursued across continents, Turkish islands, through cities, hotels, markets, mosques, and the backwoods of Georgia by law enforcement officers and killers, surviving by the skin of their teeth.
When Eon turns up murdered, Lang decides he must track down the people responsible. To do so, he needs to find the parchments and have them deciphered. Whatever information those documents hold, someone wants hidden and is willing to go to any lengths to keep it that way. As Lang begins his investigation, he is struck down and left fighting for his life.
When Gurt arrives back in the U.S., Lang discovers he has more to live for than ever before. And if he's ever to have peace and happiness again in his life, he will have to find Eon's killers or spend the rest of his life on the run. Lang and Gurt are pursued across continents, Turkish islands, through cities, hotels, markets, mosques, and the backwoods of Georgia by law enforcement officers and killers, surviving by the skin of their teeth.
December 19, 2014
The Coptic Secret is another adventure of Lang and Father Francis. This time Gert is back with a surprise for Lang.
After the death of a friend of Lang stemming from the exhibition of the Gospel of James from the Nag Hammadi, Gnostic texts, Lang is nearly murdered. He has obtained a copy of the Gospel of James and has it translated.
An ancient Catholic organization has no intention of allowing that Gospel to be made public. It could change the Church forever.
The mission becomes very personal when the group sends killers who endanger not only Lang but Gert and her son.
Love the Lang adventures.
After the death of a friend of Lang stemming from the exhibition of the Gospel of James from the Nag Hammadi, Gnostic texts, Lang is nearly murdered. He has obtained a copy of the Gospel of James and has it translated.
An ancient Catholic organization has no intention of allowing that Gospel to be made public. It could change the Church forever.
The mission becomes very personal when the group sends killers who endanger not only Lang but Gert and her son.
Love the Lang adventures.
September 25, 2014
This is another book in the Lang Reilly series and brings to mind "The DaVinci Code." Lang races around the world in an adventure related to the lost gospel of James. A near death accident brings Lang a new found family which he must balance with the chaos and killings that seem to follow him. Fast paced read!
May 18, 2011
A good thriller read! And for purchasing at WalMart in the $1.99 bin, I found the book surprisingly cheap for a good story. The Lang Reilly Thrillers are a set of stories based on that character, each can be read without worrying about not having read another of the series. Enjoy!
July 24, 2016
So I've read the Pegasus Secret, the Sinai Secret, the Coptic Secret.
I've enjoyed them all. Lang Reilly sure puts the 00 in 007. With that being said, on to my next Lang Reilly novel, the Bonaparte Secret.
Until then, Ciao!
I've enjoyed them all. Lang Reilly sure puts the 00 in 007. With that being said, on to my next Lang Reilly novel, the Bonaparte Secret.
Until then, Ciao!
April 6, 2011
A fun action/adventure book, in the genre of Dan Brown or Steve Berry. I will read the other books in this series.
January 23, 2015
Really enjoyed this, have read all the previous Lang Reilly books very similar to Steve Berry and Dan Brown, had to wait ages for this to be released on Kindle but well worth it bring on the next.
March 7, 2012
like it
March 14, 2012
Love this series!
April 7, 2014
Unnamed religious order takes on Lang Reilly his family and friends. Meh.
March 13, 2015
Poor plot and poor stort which had more potential. Easy and non exciting turns
May 22, 2016
Religious persecution
Elimination of all who disagree with a secret scripture. How far will the church go in modern day? A who done it but I am still not sure.
Elimination of all who disagree with a secret scripture. How far will the church go in modern day? A who done it but I am still not sure.
October 4, 2016
I give it a 2.5 because of the research and how the history was woven into the story. Not very exciting nor believable.
November 6, 2016
This was a fun read but the mystery itself wasn't all that interesting. Plus the solution was nearly anticlimactic and didn't particularly resolve anything. 2.5 stars rounded up.
April 1, 2018
Finished last year can't rember anything..
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews