The Grail Conspiracy

A Cotten Stone Mystery #1

by Lynn Sholes, Joe Moore

Winner of Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award for Best Mystery

On assignment in the Middle East, television journalist Cotten Stone stumbles upon an archeological dig that uncovers the world's most-sought-after religious the Holy Grail. With his last dying breath, Dr. Gabriel Archer gives it to Cotten, uttering "You are the only one" in a language she's heard from only one other person--her deceased twin sister.

What begins as a hot news story for the ambitious young reporter soon turns into a nightmare when the Holy Grail is stolen and strange "accidents" befall her dearest friends. Running for her life, she turns to John Tyler, a priest with firsthand knowledge of religious artifacts, for help. An anonymous source leads them to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, where an abominable experiment is underway that--unless destroyed--promises to unleash an ancient evil upon the Earth. 

#1 Kindle book on Amazon (December 14, 2011)

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

343 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Lynn Sholes co-authors with Joe Moore the Cotten Stone thriller series including THE GRAIL CONSPIRACY named 2005 Book-of-the-Year by ForeWord Magazine, THE LAST SECRET, THE HADES PROJECT, and THE 731 LEGACY. THE PHOENIX APOLSTLES was a departure from the Cotten Stone series. THE BLADE features a new heroine, Maxine Decker which is followed by THE SHIELD, and THE TOMB. The newest is BRAIN TRUST. Their books have been published in 25 languages and have appeared on international bestseller lists.
Lynn also writes pre-history fiction all available for download.
WOMAN OF THE MISTS, TOUCHES THE STARS, KEEPER OF DREAMS, WALKS IN STARDUST, SPIRIT OF THE TURTLE WOMAN and DAUGHTER OF THE FIFTH MOON.

THE SHIELD is up for a free giveaway until July 13
See all the books at http://www.sholesmoore.com/or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SholesandMoore

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reporter is witness to a murder attempt on an archeological dig site. The attacker gets killed in the struggle and the archaeologist is fatally wounded. In his last breath, the archaeologist hands the reporter a little box and says something to her in a rare old language.


This is a fast-paced archaeological thriller in the vein of The Da Vinci Code. The object on the line here is the Holy Grail and the reporter might have a bigger role to play than she ever could have imagined.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Grail Conspiracy” by Lynn Sholes is another bargain book I got through a Kindle daily deal. It was a definite page turner and a fun read, no matter how far fetched it may have been at times. It was a solid piece of writing with likable characters, a good plot, and a few twists I didn't see coming. I will confess to having a minor addiction to the plot premise of some ancient or holy object or artifact being found or sought after; certainly some books are certainly better than others. Although not the best, Sholes’ “The Grail Conspiracy” is still well done and worth the time to read.

The story mainly follows Cotten Stone, an aspiring reporter for the SSN, who is on assignment in the Middle East. While trying to slip out of the country in the dark of night, Stone stumbles upon an archeological dig. She is then given a box from a dying archeologist, Dr. Gabriel Archer, who then tells Cotten with his last dying breath: "You are the only one." Shockingly, it is spoken in a language only one other person knows --her deceased twin sister. In the box is the world's most-sought-after religious relic: the Holy Grail. And the story builds from there as a mysterious organization seeks to own the Grail for its own reasons.

If you are like me and loved the Dan Brown books, then most likely, you will like this one as well. It is not nearly as good as the Brown series; however, it is still an enjoyable read with some surprises. Certainly the suspense, intrigue and the clever twists of the story make up for some of the weaknesses. Still, once I started the book, it was hard to put down as I grew to like the main characters, and I wanted to know what would happen. Happily, there are some more books of this series, and I will read some more by this author to see where she takes the character of Cotten.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zondag tijdens de dienst werd het verhaal van Job verteld. Job moest naar Nineveh, om het volk terug te doen keren naar God. Nu is het verhaal van de niet luisterende Job in de walvis wel bekent, ook Cotton Melone gaat tegen de wens van haar baas in naar Irak voor een cover-story over de gevolgen van economische sancties al is het gebied onstabiel. Ze strand in de woestijn.

uit het epiloog:
Maar aangezien God voelde dat de tijd van Lucifers wraak niet ver meer was, liet Hij Furmiëls vrouw een tweeling baren, van wie de tweede dochter op de aarde zou wonen. Zij groeide op zonder te weten dat het bloed van de Nefilim door haar aderen vloeide. En vanwege die bloedlijn zou er ooit een beroep op haar worden gedaan.

Avontuur, geheimen, verraad, archeologie, bijbelse theologie en ethische vraagstukken omgordend met een onmogelijke liefde. Leest als een trein.

[John Hanscom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably more like 4½, but very good. I hated "The DiVinci Code." This is the book it could have been. It had all the same elements plus the daughter of an angel. It lacked the anti-religion and anti-Roman Catholic bias. It did not confuse theory with truth. The book was a lot of fun.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My one complaint is that I felt like it took too long for certain things to be explained or revealed to the reader when the main character was already aware of it. I understand wanting to build a mystery so when the main character is in the dark, it's okay for the reader to be in the dark too... but when the main character knows or discovers something but the reader is kept in the dark for a while longer, it gets annoying. Too many chapters ended on a cliffhanger of the characters discovering something important but the author not revealing it to the reader until later on in the book. If that happened once or twice, it might not be a big deal but it was much more frequent than that.

But apart from that, I managed to really enjoyed it. It was based on a very interesting premise, there was a lot going on in the plot, and the characters were well fleshed out.

If you like Da Vinci Code style books, this is one of the better ones.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not compare this book with the DaVinci Code! This book was easy to read and without in-depth explanations. This book was all plot and story line, with believable action. Some science fiction thrown in, but once again, believable. Cotten Stone is a great, normal character. I liked this book a lot more than the DaVinci code. I wish the ending was a bit different, but still good.

[Allen Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't have a much of an expectation, but it far exceeded that. It was good. I had fun reading it, in fact, it was hard to put down.

[Tita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cotten Stone é uma jornalista americana que após uma investigação está a tentar sair do Iraque e depara-se com uma escavação arqueológica no deserto, onde o arqueólogo principal lhe deu uma misteriosa caixa de madeira, lhe diz uma mensagem enigmática e acaba por morrer.
Já nos EUA, Cotten acaba por descobrir que a caixa tem o possível Graal, a relíquia mais procurada. E começa a sentir receio pela própria vida quando algumas das pessoas mais próxima começam a sofrer acidentes.
Temos uma história bem construída que mistura bíblia, templários e maçonaria, com muita acção, com várias reviravoltas finais que me surpreenderam bastante.
A escrita é bastante acessível, com capítulos relativamente curtos, que aliada a uma história com ritmo, me fez ler o livro em pouquíssimas horas.
Um bom livro para quem gosta de livros do género de Dan Brown, com muita acção, teorias da conspiração e mistérios religiosos.

[Andreia Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://d311nh4.wordpress.com/2020/09...

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time that I read this book. I picked it up to have something to read at the doctor's office knowing that I had already read it. But I have a poor memory so I didn't remember what was going to happen as I continued to read it. I knew I didn't love the book but since I had kept it, I figured I must have at least liked it. I thought I just didn't like the ending. Reading it again, I stayed interested in the story while still trying to remember how it ends but having no clue. I liked it enough this time around to read the next book "The Last Secret" that is also on my bookshelf. I wonder if I've already read that one, too.

[Bert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best summary is "Ummm what?". While the writing style is good, it is not a recommended read. The first 3/4 of the book is a Dan Brown rip-off, then the author attempts a Stephen King ending which is a sprint with gobs of confusion as if someone is begging them to "wrap it up".

Luckily I did not pay much for the book (Kindle sale), but after being out $0.99 and time, I still kinda feel slighted. It is really sad, as I do like the author's writing style, but the structure of the book is just bad.

Best advice: skip it--there are better choices for your time and money.

[Audie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A the beginning of the book I was sure there were a few chapters missing - and at the end of the book as well. I figured this would be a great grail-hunting story (like Indiana Jones or Angels and Demons) but it was more of what could happen if the grail was found in this modern world. But the sides and background stories - as pointed out at the very beginning of the book - ruin much of the suspense. The authors didn't really get a chance to keep you guessing and there weren't any major plot twists. I'm not really interested in reading any of the other books in this series.

[Rahmat Sunyoto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selalu dan selalu..., saya selalu penasaran terhadap misteri para ksatria Templar berikut tindak tanduk mereka sepanjang era kekuasaan kerajaan latin di Al-Quds Asy-Syarif [ Jerusalem ].
Buku ini, salah satunya, mengupas penemuan kembali cawan suci yang dikatakan menyimpan tetes darah Yesus - sesuai keyakinan umat Nasrani - yang secara rahasia telah dijaga oleh kstaria Templar sampai terpendam lama di gurun Iraq Utara.
Dari sinilah petualangan itu dimulai...

[Sven]

Ik vond het wel een leuk boek. Een heerlijk tussendoortje waar je niet teveel moet over nadenken.
Het graalcomplot is zeker geen copie van de Da Vinci code. Langs de ene kant goed, maar achteraf gezien had het misschien wel beter geweest.
De andere boeken van Lynn Sholes staan zeker nog op mijn "nog te lezen-stapel".

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you enjoy mystery? Do you enjoy mystery with brilliance in possible motive and opportunity? Do you enjoy a good read? "The Grail Conspiracy" is a brilliantly written mystery that keeps your interest from the start and never stops. It's filled with uniqueness. It's filled with entertainment. It's a book to add to your Kindle Fire or bookcase.

Open your mind and start reading!

[Douglas Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence, ""Get out!" The Iraqi driver's thin, high-pitched voice filled the car."

Lynn Sholes;Joe Moore. The Grail Conspiracy (A Cotten Stone Mystery) (p. 1). Kindle Edition.

[Qhoirun Nisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woowww, tapi gak se yang woow itu. Setelah menghabiskan waktu kurang lebih tiga hari untuk menamatkan buku, akhirnya aku memutuskan untuk memberikan rating 3,7 /5 ⭐.

Novel ini menceritakan tentang Cotten Stone seorang jurnalis dari Satellite Neews Network ( SNN) . Dalam perjalannya dalam mengambil liputan mengenai konflik di Irak tanpa sengaja menyaksikan terbunuhnya seorang arkelog bernama Gabriel Archer. Tapi sebelum meninggal Archer memberikan sebuah kotak misterius kepada Cotten dan mengucapkan sebuah bahasa yang tidak di ketahui oleh siapapun . Isi dari kotak misterius tersebut yang selanjutnya akan membawa Cotten bertemu dengan seorang pendeta muda tampan bernama John Tyler. Isi dari kotak tersebut membawa mereka dalam perjalanan yang seru dan mendebarkan. Mulai kuburan seorang prajurit Salib di Irak, kubah megah gereja Vatikan, hingga laboratorium genetika seper canggih yang ada di Missisipi.

Secara keseluruhan aku cukup menikmati untuk membaca buku ini dari awal sampai akhir. Ceritanya cukup sukses membuat penasaran dan dan bertanya-tanya bagaimana akhirnya serta akan dibawa kemana sebenarnya semua ini. Namun, aku merasa kalau alur ceritanya cenderung terlalu lambat dan berputar-putar ke arah yang tidak penting. Selain itu pemenggalan cerita dari satu adegan ke adegan lain yang kadang disertai perpindahan tokoh terasa kurang pas di beberapa bagian. Aku merasa kalau novel ini merupakan gabungan dari Angels and Demons dan The Da Vinci Code dari segi tema yang diambil dan setting cerita. Walaupun tetap terdapat perbedaan antara dua novel tersebut dengan novel ini, salah satunya adalah teori dalam novel ini tidak dijabarkan semendalam Dan Brown dalam kedua novelnya.

Selain itu tokoh utamanya Cotten Stone sukses membuat gregetan dalam beberapa momen. Seperti dia yang menurutku terlaku naif, kurang cekatan dan plin plan. Padahal awalnya aku berekspektasi akan di sajikan adegan penuh aksi kejar-kejaran, tembak-temabakan, petualangan di padang pasir hingga adegan perebutan harta karun seperti yang ada di film Indiana Jones. Namun, dalam buku ini aksinya cuma sedikit di akhir cerita itupun terasa biasa saja tidak sememukau itu. Romance yang ada dalam buku ini antara Cotten Stone dan John Tyler cukup sukses membuat ku nyengir di sela-sela membaca. Apalagi karakter John yang diceritakan sebagai pendeta muda sekaligus arkeolog yang tampan dengan mata sebiru lautan yang sebelumnya belum pernah dilihat (narasi Cotten). Sayang sudah di tegaskan bahwa mereka tidak akan bisa bersama karena John yang seorang pendeta dan diakhir cerita dia diangkat menjadi uskup di Vatikan. Walaupun terkadang saat aku membaca momen romantis mereka ada yang tidak pada tempatnya, masak hampir di penghujung cerita yang seharusnya sudah tegang-tegangnya malah beradegan romantis. Namun, karakterJohn sangat greenflag, dia sangat peduli dan rela melibatkan dirinya dalam bahaya demi menolong Cotten. John juga yang meyakinkan Cotten untuk percaya pada takdirnya dan ikhlas menerima tugas yang memang di berikan kepadanya.

Walaupun menurutku alur cerita dan tokoh utama seperti itu karena memang merupakan buku pertama dari keseluruhan series. Mungkin di buku selanjutnya alur ceritanya akan lebih kompleks dan karakternya lebih berkembang. Buku ini juga memperkenalkan tentang sejarah agama Katolik dan para Ksatria Templar dengan menarik serta secara tidak langsung menambah pengetahuan. Sedikit unsur fantasi juga diselipkan dibuku ini mengenai iblis dan para malaikat jatuh dalam kepercayaan Katolik. Selain itu buku ini juga sedikit menyinggung tentang rekayasa genetika. Pengkloningan menggunakan sel darah, walaupun tidak di singgung secara mendalam. Setelah membaca buku ini aku tetep di buat penasaran dengan cerita Cotten selanjutnya, semoga saja di perpustakaan kota Malang ada lanjutannya hihi. ☘️🌷🦩

[dilalogy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Grail Conspiracy adalah buku pertama dari kisah Cotten Stone seorang koresponden berita SNN, dan masih ada 3 buku lagi. di goodreads banyak yang membandingkannya dengan davinci code. bukan hanya pembahasan tentang cawan dan para templars, thegrail juga mengajak pembaca bermain dengan isu kontroversial yang berhadapan langsung dengan dogma kepausan, tentang mengkloning manusia!

#thegrailconspiracy misteri dibalik penemuan piala suci by #lynnsholes & #joemoore

Dari makam prajurit perang salib yang baru digali di Irak, kubah-kubah harta karun vatikan yang dijaga ketat, hingga laboratorium genetika rahasia di bank-bank mississipi. Novel ini memadukan antara ilmu pengetahuan modern, ritual kuno dan ketegangan tiada akhir. Jika kamu menikmati buku buku Dan Brown kemungkinan besar kamu akan menyukai ini. Tapi jangan pernah membandingkannya, ini tidak serumit seri Langdon! Buku ini lebih mudah dibaca tanpa penjelasan yang rumit dan mendalam. Plot yang begitu sederhana namun masih merupakan bacaan yang memuaskan dengan beberapa kejutan!
Sebenarnya saya kurang suka dengan tokoh utama wanita, cerdas, tangguh dan liar pada saat yang sama dan Cotten Stone memiliki itu. dan begitu terlihat lemah ketika penulis memberi taburan romance dalam kisahnya. Dibantu John Tyler seorang pendeta dan sejarawan katolik terkemuka yang sedang tidak bertugas namun masih terikat sumpah. mereka bermain dengan teologis yang menyenangkan dan bertahan dengan rapuhnya keimanan.

Karena cawan suci tertalu seksi untuk mereka penikmat diskusi, asal kamu tahu.. cawan suci mempunyai daya tariknya tersendiri!

#thegrailconspiracy by #lynnsholes & #joemoore

-dilalogy

[M.A. Kropp · Rating 3 out of 5]

TV journalist Cotton Stone is on assignment in the Middle East when she is dumped on the side of the road by her driver. Trying to find help, she stumbles on an archeological dig that uncovers the Holy Grail. When Dr. Gabriel Archer, the discoverer of the relic is murdered, he gives Cotton the Grail, telling her "You are the only one" in a language she has only ever heard from her dead sister. Chasing the story- and the Grail- Cotton and Father John Tyler, an expert in religious artifacts- follow the trail to New Orleans, where an unimaginable evil is about to be unleashed. Unless Cotton can find out why she is chosen for this mission, and stop it.

This was a decent read. It follows in the footsteps of books like "The DaVinci Code" with the religious overtones, holy relic, and fast-paced plot elements. It moves faster than the above noted book, with less explaining of the background and detail. It also doesn't suffer from those omissions. Characters are decently developed, and the good guys are likable. It stretches the history a bit here and there, but most in this category do. The backstory is perhaps a little lacking but still gives most of the information needed without interrupting the plot's action too much. There is a decent amount of mystical tie-in that adds a different dimension to the story.

I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it if you like mystical adventure, Grail conspiracies, and a decent story with some twists and good characters. If you are a stickler for authenticity in your Grail/Templar/Mason tales, you might skip this one. But you'd be missing a fun, easy to read thriller.

[Heri · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILER
setelah Da Vinci Code, muncul novel2 lain yang sejenis yg bertema konspirasi seputar Templar, agama kristen, keturunan yesus atau Vatican. novel ini pun sejenis dengan itu. namun campuran antara fantasi mahluk malaikat dgn dunia nyata tidak berpadu dgn baik. mereka ada tapi tidak memakai kekuatan supranatural dgn cara yg tampak di luar logika kecuali bagian terakhir.

dan Sinclair? setelah begitu banyak bab yang menceritakan aksinya, di bagian akhir dia tidak muncul utk ikut terlibat dan diakhiri begitu saja. bagian terakhir juga terasa terlalu memudahkan tokoh utama untuk sampai ke tempat kejadian dgn alasan memang sudah diarahkan demikian

dibandingkan dgn Da Vinci Code atau bahkan Angels and Demons, novel ini tampil dengan ciri khas novel thriller tapi dgn eksekusi akhir yg terlihat terlalu memudahkan pihak jahat dan baik bertemu dgn cara yg terlalu sederhana dan terlalu mulus, bahkan tindakan tokoh utama tidak dihalangi pihak jahat sehingga seolah2 pihak jahat memang sengaja ingin digagalkan. akhir cerita juga secukupnya saja tanpa ada antiklimaks dan penutup yang mengesankan

[andrea kartika · Rating 4 out of 5]

an epic mystery fantasy story! i read the indonesian translation at ipusnas. in short, this book tells a story about the discovery of the real holy grail, the grail Jesus Christ use at The Last Supper. i love the way the author make use of bible as the reference. funfact, this book makes me open my bible a lot😄 i never knew the reference of The Book of Revelation (Wahyu) could turn into an amazing plot! i adore the collaboration of modern science and Catholic religion here. the cardinal, pastor, reporter, knight of templar, freemason, and many figure of conspiracy are written here. i also lovee the relationship dynamics between Cotten and John, the duo that i don't know we need it! uhm, i'm not expecting the fantasy scene anyway hahahah but okay still acceptable eventho i'm not very fond of it. for indonesian translation, i think there are still little mistranslation i found. but, overall as a general reader, you can still enjoy it! highly recommend if you reaaaalllyy likee mystery and slight historical story💐

[Bonnie Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really loved the premise; The (*cough* secretly Luciferian *cough*) Templars, the evil-to-the-core Masons, and a shared, ancient goal of One-World Order (New World Order) are 100% up my alley.

But.

This novel was cliché overload; "I'm going to go soak up some sun." Ugh. A syrupy relationship with a (token gay; Vanessa being gay had nothing to do with anything, so...why?) BFF who, every time she was exclaimed over as "Nessi" I was not only transported, visually, to a Loch, but I also cringed. Hard. Then there was Cotten, 'the chosen one' who's just an aw-shucks-ordinary-girl-from-Kentucky....no.
No.
Premise good, writing not.
Sorry. This was a miss.

[Three Souls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of conspiracy thrillers & historical puzzles will find "The Grail Conspiracy" to be an exciting ride.
With a hunt for a fabled artifact, historical intrigue & suspense, Lynn Sholes creates a gripping narrative.
Although adhering to certain genre cliches, the book offers an enjoyable read that will keep readers interested all the way to the very end.
Suggested for individuals looking for an action-packed adventure with a historical twist.

[Matteo Castagnoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una piacevole sorpresa questo libro.
Iniziato in un periodo senza impegni letterari, si è rivelato un romanzo archeo-thriller molto ben fatto.
La lettura scorreva veloce, con una buona caratterizzazione dei personaggi ed il tutto accompagnato da un ritmo incalzante che invoglia la lettura.
Unico aspetto che poteva essere esteso, è il soprannaturale, solo accennato e senza quel mordente che poteva avere.
Si è comunque rivelato una sorpresa.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een spannende thriller met goddelijke interventie. Een boek dat ik in een paar dagen heb uitgelezen, benieuwd wat er in het volgende hoofdstuk zou gebeuren.

Het einde was wat abrupt en voelde wat afgeraffeld, vandaar de wat lagere rating, maar verder een leuk en spannend boek.

Ik heb weer 2 nieuwe boeken op mijn lijstje gezet, want ik wil graag weten wat Cotton Stone nog gaat beleven in de volgende 2 boeken.

[Balkaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fulfilled my recent want for grimy-yet-not-too-grimy thriller.
With decently complex characters, compelling backstory, exciting action and satisfactory amounts of mysticism, it's book is for the whole family.
Well written but tends to be a bit too on-brand for the genre, like the author just wanted to tick all the mystery-thriller boxes.

[Lucia Blázquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una historia que de primeras no engancha mucho, sin embargo, a medida que avanza la trama se siente más interesante y la incorporación de ciertos personajes hace que el libro sea más entretenido.
El final me disgusto un poco, ya que el cierre que se le da a los protagonistas se siente un poco abrupto, pero por lo demás ha sido un libro interesante para leer.

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s as wooden as a piece of the true cross. Not engaging at all.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next book, please!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesante gran acompañante en mis tiempos libres