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Soul Identity #2
Soul Intent
A VILLAIN'S REQUEST In 1946, soon-to-be-executed Nazi General Hermann Goering asks young Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan to take his looted gold and deposit it in a soul line collection, there to await his soul's rebirth. A GRIM RESISTANCE Flora, a seventeen-year-old Gypsy girl whose father died in the Dachau concentration camp, is sure that Goering stole the gold. She struggles to persuade Morgan to reject the Nazi's deposit, but Morgan prevails. A MYSTERIOUS THEFT Sixty-four years have passed. A repentant Morgan opens Goering's collection and discovers the gold is gone. In its place lies a cryptic journal. Morgan asks security expert Scott Waverly to find the thief and recover the gold. A THRILLING ADVENTURE Scott must race through Europe to uncover the elusive secrets of what really happened in Nuremberg... secrets that threaten to reopen old wounds, settle old scores, and lead to the gold's-and his own soul's-recovery.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
40 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Batchelder
5 books101 followersOne of the world's experts at fighting cybercriminals and the co-founder of a growing internet safety company, Dennis Batchelder started writing novels with a 2006 New Year's resolution, vowing he wouldn't return from his 2-year overseas posting to India without a first draft in hand. Oversight is his fourth novel-following his best-selling Soul Identity series-and his debut for young adults. Dennis lives in West Seattle with his wife, his mother-in-law, and his three youngest sons. He writes both on-scene and back home at his desk overlooking the Puget Sound.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 27, 2009
Batchelder definitely didn't suffer from sophomore slump in this novel. It was more tightly plotted, faster paced, and I found myself caring more about the characters since he managed to slip in a little more about their motivations.
Soul Intent alternates between past and future as it tells the story of a lost treasure and continues the story of a company whose mission it is to reunite reincarnated souls with their past. It's an original idea and it's well-executed here.
Soul Intent alternates between past and future as it tells the story of a lost treasure and continues the story of a company whose mission it is to reunite reincarnated souls with their past. It's an original idea and it's well-executed here.
September 26, 2009
Well Finished this today.
Well done Dennis another cracker...
Different from Identity (which sets the scene)
I liked the switching from 1946 to Present
If you like something different try this mans work it is great.
I eagerly await the next one.
Well done Dennis another cracker...
Different from Identity (which sets the scene)
I liked the switching from 1946 to Present
If you like something different try this mans work it is great.
I eagerly await the next one.
August 22, 2009
Another rousing adventure from Dennis Batchelder. I was thrilled to discover that he had released a sequel to Soul Identity, which I thought was one of the best books I read in 2009. Yes, Amazon jumped the gun and released the Kindle edition of Soul Intent almost a full month before the paperback edition, but that just meant that I got a headstart on those people who are stuck with nothing but paper books!
Although I purchased Soul Intent as soon as I heard it was available, I intended to catch up with a few books that I had promised to send out to folks over at BookObsessed, but I just couldn't stand it any longer and on the 18th, I pulled it ahead of all my other TBRs and plunged right in. I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer to get started; and I read through it as fast as possible. One of my biggest frustrations was that I had to work each day and thus had to limit my reading to meal times and the evenings.
So, where to begin? As the sequel to Soul Identity, this novel builds on the premise that after death a soul—not the consciouness—will return in another body. Soul Identity, Inc. offers individuals the service of depositing money, possessions, journals, etc. to be retrieved by their souls in a future lifetime. Now, other than this particular foundational premise, there's nothing science-fictionish or fantastic about the story; it's just a wonderful adventure story.
Scott Waverly, a security consultant, is asked to find out who stole $25 million dollars in gold bullion deposited with Soul Identity by Hermann Goering in 1946. Along with his wife Valerie, Archie Morgan, Madame Flora, and her two great-grandaughters, Scott travels to Eastern Europe following stories of the Nuremberg trials and the spiriting away of Goering's gold.
I really enjoyed this novel and I'm convinced that Batchelder priced it too low. It's a top-notch story and very well written. Yes, independently published, but certainly not worth any less than books from well-known authors and publishing houses. Oh well, that makes it a definite bargain for Kindle owners. And, if you don't own a Kindle, you can get an electronic version from Smashwords or hang on until 9 September when the paperback is released.
Although I purchased Soul Intent as soon as I heard it was available, I intended to catch up with a few books that I had promised to send out to folks over at BookObsessed, but I just couldn't stand it any longer and on the 18th, I pulled it ahead of all my other TBRs and plunged right in. I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer to get started; and I read through it as fast as possible. One of my biggest frustrations was that I had to work each day and thus had to limit my reading to meal times and the evenings.
So, where to begin? As the sequel to Soul Identity, this novel builds on the premise that after death a soul—not the consciouness—will return in another body. Soul Identity, Inc. offers individuals the service of depositing money, possessions, journals, etc. to be retrieved by their souls in a future lifetime. Now, other than this particular foundational premise, there's nothing science-fictionish or fantastic about the story; it's just a wonderful adventure story.
Scott Waverly, a security consultant, is asked to find out who stole $25 million dollars in gold bullion deposited with Soul Identity by Hermann Goering in 1946. Along with his wife Valerie, Archie Morgan, Madame Flora, and her two great-grandaughters, Scott travels to Eastern Europe following stories of the Nuremberg trials and the spiriting away of Goering's gold.
I really enjoyed this novel and I'm convinced that Batchelder priced it too low. It's a top-notch story and very well written. Yes, independently published, but certainly not worth any less than books from well-known authors and publishing houses. Oh well, that makes it a definite bargain for Kindle owners. And, if you don't own a Kindle, you can get an electronic version from Smashwords or hang on until 9 September when the paperback is released.
December 6, 2009
Soul Intent - The Sequel Delivers!
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Dennis Batchelder
Available: Paperback, Kindle
1946 Nuremberg German – Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering faces the death penalty for the atrocities he has carried out in the name of Nazi Germany. After learning of “Soul Identity”, Goering makes arrangements to have his entire ill gotten gold fortune bequeathed to his soul line for retrieval by future soul carrier. In the present, Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan discovers that Goering’s gold has been stolen. In order to solve this mystery, Morgan once again turns to Scott Waverly who must recreate the actions of those taken in 1946 in order to uncover the secrets held at the highest level of the company.
While Soul Intent is the sequel to Soul Identity, this offering by Batchelder is much different from the first. The backbone of this story centers on Madame Flora and Archibald Morgan’s early days with Soul Identity on how each of them made choices to further their causes which they have had to live with for over fifty years. Batchelder takes the reader on an alternating journey through 1946 Germany and the present day as events of the past unfold through actions in the present. He brings back some of my favorite characters from the first book including, Scott, Val, Archibald, Flora and her granddaughters all who must journey back to Germany to once again find and retrieve what has been stolen. I also found it interesting how Batchelder wove in Waverly’s discover of his own soul line and how intertwined he and the others at Soul Identity have been throughout time.
If you liked “Soul Identity” you’ll find this an even richer and more entertaining chapter in the series.
Rating: 4 of 5
Author: Dennis Batchelder
Available: Paperback, Kindle
1946 Nuremberg German – Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering faces the death penalty for the atrocities he has carried out in the name of Nazi Germany. After learning of “Soul Identity”, Goering makes arrangements to have his entire ill gotten gold fortune bequeathed to his soul line for retrieval by future soul carrier. In the present, Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan discovers that Goering’s gold has been stolen. In order to solve this mystery, Morgan once again turns to Scott Waverly who must recreate the actions of those taken in 1946 in order to uncover the secrets held at the highest level of the company.
While Soul Intent is the sequel to Soul Identity, this offering by Batchelder is much different from the first. The backbone of this story centers on Madame Flora and Archibald Morgan’s early days with Soul Identity on how each of them made choices to further their causes which they have had to live with for over fifty years. Batchelder takes the reader on an alternating journey through 1946 Germany and the present day as events of the past unfold through actions in the present. He brings back some of my favorite characters from the first book including, Scott, Val, Archibald, Flora and her granddaughters all who must journey back to Germany to once again find and retrieve what has been stolen. I also found it interesting how Batchelder wove in Waverly’s discover of his own soul line and how intertwined he and the others at Soul Identity have been throughout time.
If you liked “Soul Identity” you’ll find this an even richer and more entertaining chapter in the series.
April 20, 2011
Security expert for Soul Identity, Scott Waverly, has been asked by SI’s executive overseer, Archie Morgan, to find out who stole the gold bars—once belonging to Nazi General Hermann Goering—from Soul Identity’s depositary. Sixty-four years have passed since the gold was first deposited and Scott’s job, along with his life partner Val, (who also works for Soul Identity) is to find out how and when the bars were taken.
This is the second book in Dennis Batchelder’s intriguing series, and for those who haven’t read the first book, Soul Identity is a twenty-six-hundred-year-old secret society that tracks souls from generation to generation through one’s eyes. Members can deposit valuables and other things for their soul successors, thereby keeping the line going from generation to generation.
In this story, Batchelder switches time periods from 1946 Nuremberg Germany, days before Goering is due to be executed, to the present time. By doing so, we learn the stories of both Archie and the young gypsy he helped rescue from Germany, Flora Drabarni. Flora, now in her 80’s and still associated with Soul Identity, doesn’t want the gold to be found. Nazis killed her father and she never believed the gold belonged to Goering in the first place.
The time switches work well in this novel. It was interesting to hear the voices of a young Flora and Archie as they struggle to survive and complete their missions. The ending is thrilling and action-packed, and I heartily recommend this book.
This is the second book in Dennis Batchelder’s intriguing series, and for those who haven’t read the first book, Soul Identity is a twenty-six-hundred-year-old secret society that tracks souls from generation to generation through one’s eyes. Members can deposit valuables and other things for their soul successors, thereby keeping the line going from generation to generation.
In this story, Batchelder switches time periods from 1946 Nuremberg Germany, days before Goering is due to be executed, to the present time. By doing so, we learn the stories of both Archie and the young gypsy he helped rescue from Germany, Flora Drabarni. Flora, now in her 80’s and still associated with Soul Identity, doesn’t want the gold to be found. Nazis killed her father and she never believed the gold belonged to Goering in the first place.
The time switches work well in this novel. It was interesting to hear the voices of a young Flora and Archie as they struggle to survive and complete their missions. The ending is thrilling and action-packed, and I heartily recommend this book.
January 22, 2013
After reading Soul Identity, I needed Soul Intent. Many of the same characters are involved, but the story flip-flops between two different times, 1946 and the present.
Hermann Goering wants to join Soul Identity, causing a dilemma, is it morally right to allow this? Two of the main characters have lived with many secrets since that time and the story revolved more around the characters than the business itself.
The author's writing style is easy going and easy reading!
Hermann Goering wants to join Soul Identity, causing a dilemma, is it morally right to allow this? Two of the main characters have lived with many secrets since that time and the story revolved more around the characters than the business itself.
The author's writing style is easy going and easy reading!
May 15, 2012
Maybe it was the Nazi connection throughout the book and the search for a lost treasure, but the storyline of Soul Intent reminded me a lot of an Indiana Jones type adventure. The main plot revolves around the Soul Identity corporation, a company that stores memories and personal effects for an individual's future descendants in his or her 'soul line'. The account of Herman Goering has been discovered to be missing a large deposit of gold that was left with Soul Identity only days before he was slated for execution in the 1940's. The story jumps between the modern day search for the gold and the post-WWII events concerning the deposit of the gold.
This is a fairly entertaining adventure/mystery. I haven't read the first book in the series, but except for a mention here and there of the events that happened last year and a reference or two to their prior adventures, this book is fairly stand-alone. The relationship between the characters is made fairly clear and earlier events really don't have much to do with what happens in this novel. The story-lines are pretty interesting and there are some good action sequences and tense moments that keep the reader interested and the story moving along at a good pace. I'd recommend this novel and will most likely purchase the first novel in the series.
This is a fairly entertaining adventure/mystery. I haven't read the first book in the series, but except for a mention here and there of the events that happened last year and a reference or two to their prior adventures, this book is fairly stand-alone. The relationship between the characters is made fairly clear and earlier events really don't have much to do with what happens in this novel. The story-lines are pretty interesting and there are some good action sequences and tense moments that keep the reader interested and the story moving along at a good pace. I'd recommend this novel and will most likely purchase the first novel in the series.
December 5, 2013
YAY! What a fantastic book! Romance, intrigue and adventure mixed in with some science fiction and history and this was one of the best books I've read in a while!
This was better then part one, and I adored part one! (soul identity)
This book would make an incredible movie! Edge of your seat stuff here!
March 9, 2011
Soul Intent didn't let me down! I'd just finished Soul Identity (literally) and bought this book, opened it and started reading (kindle). I absolutely loved it. It captured me from start to finish. I was angry with Madame Flora the entire book, the ENTIRE book. Scott began to get on my nerves to at a point, but George is still one of my all time favorite characters. I love the premise that the story is based upon and will recommend this book again and again. I already have several ladies in my office hooked!!
June 12, 2011
AMAZING! The first book was just so-so for me but this book was brilliant, heart breaking, funny! I was so glad I took the time to read this book... Good guys -vs- bad guys, where sometimes you wonder hmmm are the good guys really good guys. AMAZING.....
Soul Identity is under attack again, this time there are Nazis and scuba diving in opal mines, Think low tech james bond, it was non stop from page 1....
Soul Identity is under attack again, this time there are Nazis and scuba diving in opal mines, Think low tech james bond, it was non stop from page 1....
December 29, 2011
Okay... Soul Identity novels aren't going to win any major literature awards, but WHO CARES? They are fun adventure stories that have some new age twists. I have really liked Batchelder's two books so far and I hope he does more.
I don't think he's a full time writer, though, and that these are just a sidelight. No matter... I hope to see more in the future.
I don't think he's a full time writer, though, and that these are just a sidelight. No matter... I hope to see more in the future.
August 10, 2016
Excellent follow-up to Soul Identity!
This one had a little bit of everything. The characters were filled out better than before. Batchelder handled the jumps back in forth through time well enough that they didn't annoy me the way they do in many books.
I'd like to read more of his stuff. I hope he keeps writing.
This one had a little bit of everything. The characters were filled out better than before. Batchelder handled the jumps back in forth through time well enough that they didn't annoy me the way they do in many books.
I'd like to read more of his stuff. I hope he keeps writing.
June 29, 2011
Better than the original!
Dennis improved his standing with me upon writing this prequel to Soul Identity. This novel was more enjoyable, believable, and encouraging in every detail. I will continue reading this authors materials.
Dennis improved his standing with me upon writing this prequel to Soul Identity. This novel was more enjoyable, believable, and encouraging in every detail. I will continue reading this authors materials.
October 7, 2014
Better than the first (and the first was pretty good). Writing was more polished and the story had more twists and turns. The mystery becomes deeper, so that more can be revealed. Very engaging.
May 12, 2015
This was a fun follow-up to Soul Identity.
December 4, 2025
Nazis in the present day? If it weren't for recent events, I would say that's rather far fetched. It was fun to dive back into this universe and find out more about Madame Flora's mysterious beginnings. While some parts seem rushed, the overall pacing kept the book engaging. I love his ability to meld the past and the present without needing a literal time machine. This is a great addition to the series and worth the read if you enjoyed the first book.
December 26, 2020
I enjoyed the first book years ago. This one started off well but just got dry and blah. To the point over halfway through I decided to call it good. I hate not finishing books but I just truly didn’t care what happened here.
October 25, 2017
A daring adventure follow up of book one! Divers, gold, Nazis, and swimming in caves are all factors in this edge of the teeth romp! Shocking ending, too!
June 18, 2018
Excellent Book
I enjoyed reading this book though not as much as the first book in the series.
Whilst well written I think it had a slightly poor ending.
I enjoyed reading this book though not as much as the first book in the series.
Whilst well written I think it had a slightly poor ending.
May 2, 2025
I claimed that this was a re-read, but boy I do not remember it at all.
May 21, 2025
great read
May 29, 2012
This was a kind of "futuristic read", set in what appears to be modern-day time. It is a difficult book to describe without going into a great deal of detail.
From Batchelder's website:
"You can't take it with you...
...but what if you could?
Most people believe their souls outlive their bodies.
Most people would find an organization that tracks their souls into the future and passes on their banked money and memories compelling.
In 1946, soon-to-be-executed Nazi General Hermann Goering asks young Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan to take his looted gold and deposit it in a soul line collection, there to await his soul’s rebirth."
The only reason I decided to read it was because it is the sequel to another book by Batchelder, Soul Identity, which I enjoyed. Although you didn't need to read the first one to enjoy this (Batchelder provided enough backstory to bring readers up to speed but not bore those who had read the first book) it certainly helped with understanding the characters and how they'd developed in the first book.
I found this one more exciting than the first, probably because the backstory was already in place and Batchelder could focus on plot development instead of character.
From Batchelder's website:
"You can't take it with you...
...but what if you could?
Most people believe their souls outlive their bodies.
Most people would find an organization that tracks their souls into the future and passes on their banked money and memories compelling.
In 1946, soon-to-be-executed Nazi General Hermann Goering asks young Soul Identity overseer Archibald Morgan to take his looted gold and deposit it in a soul line collection, there to await his soul’s rebirth."
The only reason I decided to read it was because it is the sequel to another book by Batchelder, Soul Identity, which I enjoyed. Although you didn't need to read the first one to enjoy this (Batchelder provided enough backstory to bring readers up to speed but not bore those who had read the first book) it certainly helped with understanding the characters and how they'd developed in the first book.
I found this one more exciting than the first, probably because the backstory was already in place and Batchelder could focus on plot development instead of character.
March 13, 2010
Just to give some insight into the 4 vs 5 star question that may have crossed your mind already. I reserve 5 star ratings for books that either affect me on a personal level, or by established authors that I have grown to love over a multitude of novels. This is only the second book I've read by Mr. Batchelder, so I feel that to be fair to myself, and to him, I can only give a 4 star review. That said, I'm chomping at the bit for the next novel by Dennis, and at that point, if he sticks with his marvelous story telling abilities, I fully intend on giving him full marks. A continuation from his first book, Soul Identity, Soul Intent is the tale of a team of security specialists in their journey to recover Nazi gold and return it to the descendants of those it was originally taken from. The tale is well crafted, incredibly scripted and thoroughly researched. Thank you Dennis for another wonderful journey through your imagination and I look forward to joining you again in the future.
February 13, 2011
I love the concept of this story and, for the most part, the way the characters interact. It can be difficult to follow a circular timeline, but Batchelder made it feel seamless, and the excitement and pace of the story he began with Soul Identity is once again repeated in this book. But, much in the way I found Scott's announcement to join Soul Identity anti-climactic in the first book, several individual conflicts resolve themselves in very simplistic ways that aren't quite congruous with the characters. Revelations that should have enraged or at least annoyed some characters were accepted almost affably and without much comment. And the final resolution of the saga story was also difficult to grasp: at once somewhat predictable and annoyingly simple. I was hoping for a twist that might provide a hook for reading another in the series or another Batchelder title, but this story didn't deliver.
September 23, 2009
INTENT ACCOMPLISHED!
Dennis Batchelder's SOUL INTENT, the sequel to SOUL IDENTITY, is an entertaining read, and I do recommend it. This comes as no surprise, as I breezed through SOUL IDENTITY very quickly. As many others have said, Mr. Batchelder is a gifted story teller.
The difference between the two books for me is that SOUL IDENTITY grabbed me right away, whereas it took a little getting used to the back and forth between a 1946 flashback, or a reference to SOUL IDENTITY and the present day story in the beginning of SOUL INTENT. Don't let that stop you. Very quickly, I found myself picking the book up during the day to read just one more chapter, especially as I neared the exciting conclusion.
Well done, Mr. Batchelder - looking forward to the next book!
J.R. Reardon
author, CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dennis Batchelder's SOUL INTENT, the sequel to SOUL IDENTITY, is an entertaining read, and I do recommend it. This comes as no surprise, as I breezed through SOUL IDENTITY very quickly. As many others have said, Mr. Batchelder is a gifted story teller.
The difference between the two books for me is that SOUL IDENTITY grabbed me right away, whereas it took a little getting used to the back and forth between a 1946 flashback, or a reference to SOUL IDENTITY and the present day story in the beginning of SOUL INTENT. Don't let that stop you. Very quickly, I found myself picking the book up during the day to read just one more chapter, especially as I neared the exciting conclusion.
Well done, Mr. Batchelder - looking forward to the next book!
J.R. Reardon
author, CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS
July 4, 2010
This was a great follow on to the original Soul Identity. I liked the continuation of the story, and how a lot of the questions I had about how the society worked from the first book were answered in this one. I still think it is sort of a "guy" book they way it was written but the premise and idea of the secrets of souls is fascinating and there are so many possibilities. I really enjoyed meeting the author at a neighborhood book club which helped me appreciate the story line and what is to come even more. Bring on the next one!
February 12, 2010
Another great book by Dennis Batchelder. If you enjoyed Soul Identity you will like this book, too. The author expertly uses flashbacks to add pieces to the mystery, and offers enough twists to keep me guessing until the end.
The dialog is smooth and believable, making this an easy book to read - before you know it, you'll be finished.
I even learned things about metallurgy, diving and mining!
The dialog is smooth and believable, making this an easy book to read - before you know it, you'll be finished.
I even learned things about metallurgy, diving and mining!
June 13, 2011
Just meh. I did read the entire novel, but found it rather dull. Nothing much happens until the last 60 pages and even that is pretty uninspired. I found it difficult to care about any of the characters, even the bad guy was really too bland to hate until perhaps right at the very end. The first book (Soul Identity) was quite a bit better and I recommend reading it, but this one is probably worth skipping.
September 22, 2010
Not as good as Soul Identity, which I really liked. But I still liked it, I just felt as though there could have been more to it. I mean the premise of a soul used by a Nazi War Criminal leaving behind not only ill gotten gold but also boxes of books could have been really rich. Of course there is still book 3 of this trilogy coming so who knows where this can go. Still a good read.
June 12, 2011
Interesting idea on following the soul line ( which his previous book goes into more detail about) Also got me looking into the trial of Goering to see how the facts weight up as they are used in this story, so at least got me thinking more. Possibly not as good as first book but still worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews