Crown of Serpents

The Tununda Mysteries

by Michael J. Karpovage

With the discovery of a campaign journal from an American Revolutionary War officer who fought against the Iroquois Indians, the U.S. Army calls in their top field historian to assess its contents. Jake Tununda, combat vet, half-Seneca Indian, and Freemason is stunned when he gleans from the journal's cryptic Masonic passages clues to the location of an ancient shaman's crown once protected by the White Deer Society, a secret cult of his forefathers. Jake soon realizes why his ancestors' history was best kept buried. And why peaceful, rural central New York's Finger Lakes region can be deadlier than any battlefield he had ever faced. Crown of Serpents, a mystery thriller set in the former heartland of the Iroquois Empire, takes Jake on a fast-paced hunt to find the elusive crown - and protect it. He teams up with Rae Hart, an alluring state police investigator, as they snake their way across a politically turbulent landscape marked with murder, arson, lies, and deceit. Deciphering codes, digging up war loot, and fending off the henchmen of billionaire Alex Nero, a ruthless Indian casino magnate, Jake and Rae's survival skills are put to the test. The clues to the crown ultimately lead them deep within sacred Indian caves hidden under the abandoned Seneca Army Depot where the magnitude of the crown's power is revealed.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

396 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2009

About the author

Michael Karpovage is a native of western New York and a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology. He has worked in the design and marketing field for over twenty years as an art director and map illustrator. He lives in Roswell, GA.

SKULL OF DISGUISES (2018) is Michael's third mystery thriller and features a military historian on a hunt for Nazi loot in a wrecked U-boat on the coast of Georgia.

MAP OF THIEVES (2014) is Michael's second mystery thriller and features a military historian on a hunt for an ancient Cherokee treasure.

CROWN OF SERPENTS (2009) is Michael's debut mystery thriller and features a military historian on a hunt for an ancient Iroquois treasure.

FLASHPOINT QUEBEC (2003) was his first novel in the military fiction genre. Out of print.

SAVANNAH HISTORIC DISTRICT ILLUSTRATED MAP (2012). This birds-eye-view, 3D pictorial map illustration features Savannah's Historic Landmark District chock full of history factoids, renderings of popular attractions, and utilitarian tourism lists. Awarded Best Recreational/Travel Map in the 40th Annual Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS) Map Competition (2012).

HAUNTED SAVANNAH ILLUSTRATED MAP (2015). Savannah's hauntings seemingly rise from every street corner. Our 3D birds-eye-view panoramic map gives you the big picture of where these strange tales originate.

BONAVENTURE CEMETERY ILLUSTRATED MAP (2016). One of Savannah's most visited destinations for tourists and locals alike. This map is a must-have for taphophiles–people who visit cemeteries to learn the history of those interred within.

CHARLESTON HISTORIC DISTRICT ILLUSTRATED MAP (2018). The Best Illustrated Map of Charleston's Historic District! This centuries-old artform depicts the heart of peninsular Charleston in a unique 3D birds-eye-view perspective.

Reviews

[Gregory Stewart]

Masonic fiction is hard to come by, and good Masonic fiction even harder, but Karpovage has delivered both in Crown of Serpents. Beyond the fact that it exists as a Masonic fiction, the book is a fun and exciting read and delivers on every level.

[Michael Karpovage]

The following reviews have been added by author Michael Karpovage from his website www.karpovagecreative.com

“Crown of Serpents is a bombshell of a book! Starring Jake Tununda, special forces officer turned field historian, it is a suspenseful mystery and high-fueled adventure all wrapped in one. The action never stops as the hero attempts to foil a corrupt, power-seeking Indian casino owner from obtaining an ancient Iroquois relic that would make him invincible. Precise maps and historic manuscripts help lend credence to a compelling scavenger hunt that burns across the reservations of Western New York. If a major studio hasn’t turned this book into a summer movie release, they’d better get on the stick!”
- William P. Robertson, “Bucktail” novelist
——
“Karpovage crafts a story rich in intrigue, history, folklore, and the mystery of the white deer. His myriad of subplots and personalities keeps the reader entranced and on edge, begging for more.”
- Dennis Money, Chairman, Seneca White Deer, Inc., Canandaigua, NY
——
“I just finished the book and Wow!!! I don’t want to say too much and ruin it for those who will be reading Crown of Serpents by giving away the details and twists and turns. What a fascinating and thrilling book!! I loved it!! Folks, if you haven’t ordered your book yet, you are definitely missing out on a most entertaining novel. And, Michael, if you haven’t started writing the sequel yet ~~ get busy!!”
- Kay Carpenter, Willard, NY
——
“Crown of Serpents is a page-turning story with a creative plot backed up with incredible historical tidbits from the author’s extensive research. Karpovage’s careful crafting throughout compares him very favorably with others in the genre such as Follett and Ludlum.“
- Sue Lofstrom, Associate Professor of English, Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta, GA
——
“Finished reading your book yesterday and loved it! Non-stop action kept my interest up and I couldn’t wait to find the time to get back to reading it. The mystic scene in the blue glowing cave chamber was spellbinding and creepy enough to send chills up my spine. The descriptions were great. I could see the evil in Nero’s eyes.”
- Gene Conrad, Berkshire, NY
——
“Crown of Serpents is like National Treasure meets the DaVinci Code.”
- Lil-G, Dunwoody, GA
——
“I simply could not put this book down. I needed to know what was going to happen next. The scenes were so vivid. And the subject matter, I couldn’t tell what was real and what was fiction. I don’t know how you weaved together such an impressive story.”
- Laura Kouns, Stockbridge, GA

[Virginia]

Climbing down a hole to find a dead body that leads to the adventure of a lifetime is not what U.S. Army Major Robert “Jake” Tununda had planned. After twenty years of service and a chest full of metals he was looking forward to his new position with MHI or the Army’s Military History Institute as a way to follow his passion of military history with out risking his life on a daily basis, or so he thought.

But the body found in the well leads to the uncovering of the truth about a sacred herd of white deer confined in the fences of an abandoned Seneca Army Depot, a lake that never gives up its dead or its secrets, and the combining of the freemasons and the hunt for a ancient Indian crown of unknown power.

Jake must find the answers to the location of the Crown of Serpents before Alex Nero, ruthless billionaire who is dying to control the crown gets there first. Jake soon finds that following the clues left through history is full of unknown dangers.

Crown of Serpents by Michael Karpovage is a well written story with just enough intrigue to keep you reading till the end and maybe wondering what lies beneath the ground you live on. While this does well as a stand alone book, I hope Jake finds more adventures in Karpovage’s next book, I for one would read it.

I won this copy from Goodreads and would recommend it to all who are looking for an adventure book that will keep you reading.

[librarian4Him02]

Plot: Army Major Jake Tununda is on his wa to an appointment when an emergency call is picked up on his portable police scanner. GPS coordinates read out by the dispatcher indicate he's very close to the scene. So, he stops to give aid. Little does Jake know he's about to become involved in something much deeper...a plot involving the Free Masons, a Native American secret society, and a politically powerful fellow tribesman bent on gaining even more pose. It all centers around a tidal legend and the torture and death of a revolutionary war soldier - a true event that's never really been explained satisfactorily.

This is a first novel, self-published and I had a heck of a time finding a copy in my local libraries. It's been on my to-read list for a good couple years now. I have no idea how I found out about it, but I'm glad I did. Secret societies, family secrets, loads of action, treasure hunting...what's not to like?

Some of the writing seemed a bit forced. Some of the plot points were wrapped up a little too neatly for my liking. Still Karpovage has great potential as a fiction author. His website indicates he's at work on book number two. I'll be watching for it to add to my to read list.

[Chandler]

Who would think there was a connections between our American Indians and Masons? This book is a great casual read to enjoy during fall afternoons and evenings.

This book is derived from honest roots from the American Revolutionary War and the masonic connections between American Officer Boyd, British Officer Butler and American Indian Chief Brant. Half-Seneca Indian Jake Tununda tries to rescue a local who fell into an ancient Indian gravesite. A button with a white deer holding a snake inside it is found and kicks off a series of events to recover the Crown of Serpents.

I loved learning about current Indian dynamics, politics and relationships. Enter a ruthless and dying Alex Nero, an evil Casino owner who keeps a secret stash of old and new scalps hidden under this lair and you have the making of murder, arson and dishonesty.

Now this is not the best written book I have ever read but I like it anyway. Jake is great guy and is pure of heart. I became tired of the police woman and her "tough" act. Why can't someone write a book about a feminine police detective without a chip on her shoulder?

Okay my movie suggestions:
Jake Tununda: Lou Diamond Phillips

[Justin Sylvia]

If your into Native American culture like i am then i definitely think that u would enjoy this book. You would definitely enjoy this if your a mason who likes and enjoys native american culture or if your just a mason in general. This book is definitely to be considered in the category of page turners for sure. There were times that i found it quiet hard to book this book down and even if i had to put it down it sucked! The main characters are well built and seem to have a moral compass about them which helps as u read along. Oddly enough i found out about this book through a FB recommendation on a side link to either the website for this book or the website for the author a gentleman named Michael Korpovage. At first you might think that this might be an odd book due to the odd looking cover which has an image of a native american man wearing a headdress of serpents with antlers and feathers attached to it but don't be deceived by the look of it, inside you will find a story worth getting stuck on

[Linda J. Corder]

Extremely interesting historical novel

Karpovage did a remarkable job weaving historical data and mythology into a story I could barely put down, even to sleep. I know nothing about the Freemasons other than many men in the war for independence were members and some of their symbols appear on U.S.currency. This lack of knowledge was not a problem in reading or understanding the book. I lived in western NY for many years and I could picture the geography and topography in the book. I graduated from high school in Roswell GA so that link with the author added to my interest. I learned a lot about Native Americans in both South Dakota and Western NY and found this story to be very accurate, given the history of our native people that I know. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Jeffrey Lors]

Having lived on the Navajo Reservation for years and meeting and reading everything by Hillerman, I was wary of this book. The cover caught my attention and my two great loves, Freemasonry and Indian Culture, led me to buy the book for my Kindle! The book is the proverbial page turner...but with so much more. The history, culture and entwined historical fiction really gives the book meat while providing dessert! The book will leave the reader with the sudden urge to explore the Finger Lakes. Alex Nero has to be played by Wes Studi and Rae Hart needs to be played by my favorite Navajo actress (and dear friend) Yolanda Nez - Jake hmmm....tough to cast! This needs to become an action packed movie! Buy it, read it - Great Book!

[Beverly]

Major Robert Jake Tununda goes to the aid of a man who fell into a well and begins a life changing experience. Jake is a combat vet, field historian and half-Seneca Indian. Unfortunately the man did not survive, but he had stumbled onto an old Indian burial site. Jake is then called to assess a new find -- the campaign journal from an American Revolutionary War officer who fought against the Iroquois Indians. Masonic passages and other clues lead Jake and state police officer Rae Hart on a hunt to find an ancient shaman's crown before the evil, rich and powerful Alex Nero gets to it. The action takes place in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Shades of Dan Brown and Tony Hillerman makes for a good read.

[Beth]

A modern suspense novel interweaving the story of the Native Americans during the various British/American wars with a modern day Military man. The interwoven story makes much more sense when you realize that the military man is also Native American and a historian.

We have the bad "Indian" who is trying to take over all the Native Americans in the New York State area.

I know the area that the book is set in and there are some small discrepancies. Effecting a rescue near Seneca Lake (Fingerlakes area) during the middle of the day and still making a meeting at Fort Niagara before 5 - I don't think so. I have driven that multiple times and no can do.

Otherwise it is an interesting story re-telling the history that I am familiar with and twisting it a bit.

[Sean]

Interesting story with fact and fiction woven together with a great familiarity of the Finger Lakes Region. Although I enjoy reading this story, it reminded me of a b-movie I'd see on the Sci-Fi channel. Like so many of those movies, I have a hard time stopping once I start. The story moves well with many cliche lines and scenes. My favorite part was seeing the Finger Lakes Region so described with such detail in this story. I typically read much more fictional stories, so it was interesting reading a book that was so factual and grounded in reality... mostly.

I'd recommend this book.

[Bmquiram]

I received Michael Karpovage’s, “Crown of Serpents” from Goodread’s first reads.
I was a little skeptical about this book because I am not a big fan of history. It became clear to me very quickly that I would have a love of history if I had a teacher who was as passionate about history as Michael Karpovage clearly is.
Crown of serpents is book to be treasured. It is filled with mystery, suspense, interesting historical details, and action. The cleaver combination kept me interested from beginning to end.

[Larry Ridley]

I have read the book "Crown of Serpents" by Michael Karpovage. All I can say is I wish Michael had more books to read. He keeps you interested all the way through the book. Some history is included and I did not want to put it down. A lot of work has gone into his writing and if you get a chance to read this, you will agree with me. Jake is one top man. Indians and Masons. Thanks Michael for a great book.

[Josh Lund]

A pretty good mystery/thriller with a Native American twist. This one's about a recurring character this author has created. Jake Tununda is a pretty typical "this guy is a total badass" protagonist, but at least he also has some brains to go with it. Definitely didn't see the ending coming, and there were some entertaining twists and turns along the way.

[Dean]

Great book... I found it interesting that Michale was able to weave fiction in with true historic figures. The book caused me to go look at the real historic figures and uncover more for myself. A recommended read for the Freemason friend who likes historic accounts of civil war freemasonry and maybe a bit of Dan Brown-esque fiction.

[Monty]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It's loosely based on actual events beginning with the Revolutionary War though it's not really an historical novel. There is lots of action and mystery in the book. I would have given the it a top rating but the characters were a tad bit stereotypical--the book is well worth reading nonetheless.

[Kelly]

I cannot begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book, from the get go it captures your attention until the very last page, yet it still leaves you wanting more. You can tell a lot of time, effort and research went into the writing. If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favour and pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

[Beverly]

Excellent reading most especially if you come from Upstate, Central, and Western New York. Fast read, mysterious, and thrilling account of Six Nations history, Colonial War practices, albeit a little different from what I know it to be. The author used a bit of literary license but it is well worth the read. Good summer thriller/mystery read.

[Paula Howard]

Great book. Well researched. Great mix of Native American Indian lore, events of American Revolutionary Ward and the Freemasons. Good movement between events that occur at the same that interlock.

[Charlie Mcgrath]

Loved this book. I was stationed at Seneca Army Depot, so I knew the layout of the land. Michael Karpovage weaves an intriguing tale of American History with both Native American and Masonic history. I read this in about two days. Highly recommend this book

[Chuck Springer]

This is exactly the genre that appeals to me. It is action-packed thriller that delivers a mix of factual history, legend, and modern fiction. It was a very entertaining and the author included all the historical information. Looking forward to the next book.

[Layne]

This was an excellent book. The history was fascinating. He had a lot of history and back story to get through, but he was able to weave it into the plot with out dramatically slowing down the flow. Nice job!

[Bryan Brown]

"...Honey, you can mess up my crime scene any time you want.”

This was the first book I've read by this author, and I think It pretty good. There is a lot going on, but I never felt lost.

What does the quote mean? You'll have to read the book. It's part of my favorite paragraph in the book ;-)

[Simon Townsend]

Really good story, well written. Could be another movie! Characters were well created and you felt immersed in the story. Second half of the book was gripping! I couldn't put it down! Well recommended.

[Carolyn Walkden]

An interesting mix of history and fiction and I was fascinated with the American Indian perspective. Michael Karpovage has put a lot of research into this story and then mixed it in with modern day action. A very good read.

[Harriet]

I really liked this book! it was a little slow at times, but still kept me interested!

[Billy Gould]

July 7, 2014

[Trace Miller]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and admirably researched. It is fast paced and very believable. Masonic references are accurate and limited to general public knowledge.

[Linda Cole]

Very mystical

Enjoyed the history and the fact good won over evil. the free masons connection was a little confusing but it just added to the mystery

[Graham Lawes]

Not my usual storyline but enjoyable. Compared to other novels I read it was a bit like a TV movie. Thoroughly enjoyable but kind of knew where it was going.