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Chris Bronson #2
The Moses Stone
AN ANCIENT CODE
A clay tablet covered in ancient writing is found by an English couple in Morocco. A day later they are dead, killed in a car crash. But where is the relic they died to protect?
A SINISTER SECRET
Determined to uncover a secret that's endured for two millennia, Chris Bronson follows a trail of clues that lead him from the hustle of a Moroccan souk to the deserted caves of Qumran; from the sinister echoes of a water-filled tunnel under the city of Jerusalem to a windswept fortress whose name spells death.
A DEADLY CHASE FOR THE TRUTH ...
Threatened on every side by violent extremists, Bronson is plunged into a mystery rooted in biblical times. For the stone he must find is older and far more dangerous than he could ever have imagined ...
A clay tablet covered in ancient writing is found by an English couple in Morocco. A day later they are dead, killed in a car crash. But where is the relic they died to protect?
A SINISTER SECRET
Determined to uncover a secret that's endured for two millennia, Chris Bronson follows a trail of clues that lead him from the hustle of a Moroccan souk to the deserted caves of Qumran; from the sinister echoes of a water-filled tunnel under the city of Jerusalem to a windswept fortress whose name spells death.
A DEADLY CHASE FOR THE TRUTH ...
Threatened on every side by violent extremists, Bronson is plunged into a mystery rooted in biblical times. For the stone he must find is older and far more dangerous than he could ever have imagined ...
481 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2009
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1763 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
September 29, 2012
I'm sure that the 'Moses', linked to the word 'stone', gives you a fair clue as to what this one is about.
Unfortunately, this is another one that begins well enough, but which could have been much better. Becker decides to slip into an already well-worn formula, even though the other one of his I read previously 'The First Apostle', I remember as being really quite good. Makes you wonder if his publisher asked him if he had a 'Me Too' historical/religious artefact thriller lying about and Becker rush finished this one and they pumped it out.
What really irritated me, is something that happens in many of this type of book. It is the 'technique' of having the characters explain to each other, at great length, the historical or technical information the author feels the reader needs next to understand the novel or the next development in the story. Having the information conveyed by a character, rather than the author just putting the necessary information into the narrative, always makes me wonder how lucky our plucky hero is to stumble across the leading experts in their various fields with total recal and photographic memories. And it annoys the whathaveyou out of me. 'The Moses Stone' does it at nearly every turn. It's not alone in doing this, as I've said, but it really got to me before the end of the story.
I may have to think twice before reading another of his.
Unfortunately, this is another one that begins well enough, but which could have been much better. Becker decides to slip into an already well-worn formula, even though the other one of his I read previously 'The First Apostle', I remember as being really quite good. Makes you wonder if his publisher asked him if he had a 'Me Too' historical/religious artefact thriller lying about and Becker rush finished this one and they pumped it out.
What really irritated me, is something that happens in many of this type of book. It is the 'technique' of having the characters explain to each other, at great length, the historical or technical information the author feels the reader needs next to understand the novel or the next development in the story. Having the information conveyed by a character, rather than the author just putting the necessary information into the narrative, always makes me wonder how lucky our plucky hero is to stumble across the leading experts in their various fields with total recal and photographic memories. And it annoys the whathaveyou out of me. 'The Moses Stone' does it at nearly every turn. It's not alone in doing this, as I've said, but it really got to me before the end of the story.
I may have to think twice before reading another of his.
July 20, 2017
Drei oder vier Sterne, schwer zu sagen. Jedenfalls deutlich besser als der erste aus der Reihe, aber ich denke die Waage neigt sich dann doch deutlich Richtung drei Sterne.
Wir haben also wieder Chris Bronson vor uns, der im ersten Band die Verschwörung Neros mit Paulus aufgedeckt hat. Und der einzige Grund warum ich mit diesem Buch überhaupt begonnen habe, war weil ich wissen wollte, wie Becker das nun in sein Buch einfließen lassen würde. Kurze Antwort: Gar nicht. Hallo? Da beweist jemand unwiderlegbar, dass das Christentum auf einer Lüge basiert und nichts in der Welt verändert sich? Also dafür muss man eigentlich ja schon mal das Buch zur Seite legen, aber so schlecht war es dann doch nicht.
In Marokko taucht jedenfalls ein Artefakt auf und ganz zufällig wird schon wieder Chris Bronson hingeschickt - weil er Französisch spricht. Naja, Becker hat also offenbar noch nicht so ganz heraußen, dass Thriller durchaus eine reale Entsprechung haben könnten. Aber das mit den Zufällen, die nicht so gut passen kennen wir aus Band eins und es ist doch ein bisschen besser geworden. Wie insgesamt das ganze Buch besser geworden ist als der erste der Reihe. Weniger Zufälle, mehr Umwege - leider noch immer alles auf einem Haufen. Alle finden immer alles und OK, ja es gibt natürlich auch immer wieder Zufälle, die nur bei einem James Becker auftauchen.
Also berühmt war es daher dann doch nicht, aber deutlich besser als Band eins. Flüssig erzählt, spannend (zumindest spannend was Neues auftauchen wird) und das war es dann auch schon.
Wir haben also wieder Chris Bronson vor uns, der im ersten Band die Verschwörung Neros mit Paulus aufgedeckt hat. Und der einzige Grund warum ich mit diesem Buch überhaupt begonnen habe, war weil ich wissen wollte, wie Becker das nun in sein Buch einfließen lassen würde. Kurze Antwort: Gar nicht. Hallo? Da beweist jemand unwiderlegbar, dass das Christentum auf einer Lüge basiert und nichts in der Welt verändert sich? Also dafür muss man eigentlich ja schon mal das Buch zur Seite legen, aber so schlecht war es dann doch nicht.
In Marokko taucht jedenfalls ein Artefakt auf und ganz zufällig wird schon wieder Chris Bronson hingeschickt - weil er Französisch spricht. Naja, Becker hat also offenbar noch nicht so ganz heraußen, dass Thriller durchaus eine reale Entsprechung haben könnten. Aber das mit den Zufällen, die nicht so gut passen kennen wir aus Band eins und es ist doch ein bisschen besser geworden. Wie insgesamt das ganze Buch besser geworden ist als der erste der Reihe. Weniger Zufälle, mehr Umwege - leider noch immer alles auf einem Haufen. Alle finden immer alles und OK, ja es gibt natürlich auch immer wieder Zufälle, die nur bei einem James Becker auftauchen.
Also berühmt war es daher dann doch nicht, aber deutlich besser als Band eins. Flüssig erzählt, spannend (zumindest spannend was Neues auftauchen wird) und das war es dann auch schon.
June 30, 2022
Didn’t like it.
July 15, 2016
Although technically I am currently reading it, I haven't actually read it for ages, I'm stuck about three quarters of the way in it and I keep getting distracted by other books. It just hasn't got the momentum I would like.
The Moses Stone by James Becker
I have moved house twice since I started this book. There are some things that James Becker does well, especially tension. The parts of the book where Bronson and Angela are running through the steets, followed by armed men are great. I often found that I was holding my breath and only released it at the end of the chapter. This book made me want to visit the numerous locations it talks about. It would also make a great movie with it's half-blind villians and chase scenes through busy town centres.
However, there were several points that let it down. The characters of Bronson and Angela were a little bit one-dimensional and some of the dialogue they exchanged was unrealistic. The statement I made before about the book having no momentum I'm sticking to. The last few chapters that I read should have appeared much earlier, as a result the end of the book seemed rushed.
Overall, the book was a bit of good fun, but it's nothing that could be taken too seriously and the majority, if not all of the characters hadn't really been developed.
The Moses Stone by James Becker
I have moved house twice since I started this book. There are some things that James Becker does well, especially tension. The parts of the book where Bronson and Angela are running through the steets, followed by armed men are great. I often found that I was holding my breath and only released it at the end of the chapter. This book made me want to visit the numerous locations it talks about. It would also make a great movie with it's half-blind villians and chase scenes through busy town centres.
However, there were several points that let it down. The characters of Bronson and Angela were a little bit one-dimensional and some of the dialogue they exchanged was unrealistic. The statement I made before about the book having no momentum I'm sticking to. The last few chapters that I read should have appeared much earlier, as a result the end of the book seemed rushed.
Overall, the book was a bit of good fun, but it's nothing that could be taken too seriously and the majority, if not all of the characters hadn't really been developed.
August 12, 2012
Becker is yet another British author who takes biblical texts or relics as the foundation for an excellent thriller/mystery. His books rank right up there with his UK colleagues, Sam Bourne and Tom Knox, as well as his US counterpart Joel C. Rosenberg, though he keeps from inculcating the reader into the power of being a Christian over all else, unlike Rosenberg’s annoying habit. Becker weaves a wonderful story and, for the most part, keeps it 'real', though one must also suspend some belief (as with the three previously mentioned authors) that some run of the mill guy is going to discover something that could turn the Christian or Jewish world on its ear.
This book was full of fast-paced action and tidbits of religious history that keep the reader entertained and learning at the same time. You never know what is about to happen and while it does it a tad 'cookie cutter' in some of "the hero is trapped, oh what shall he do?" moment, it does keep progressing, which makes the book a worthy read.
This is so prize-winning book, but highly entertaining for a summer beach read, a rainy day read or even something that matches well with a winter curl up by the fire.
Well done, Mr. Becker. I am a fan!
This book was full of fast-paced action and tidbits of religious history that keep the reader entertained and learning at the same time. You never know what is about to happen and while it does it a tad 'cookie cutter' in some of "the hero is trapped, oh what shall he do?" moment, it does keep progressing, which makes the book a worthy read.
This is so prize-winning book, but highly entertaining for a summer beach read, a rainy day read or even something that matches well with a winter curl up by the fire.
Well done, Mr. Becker. I am a fan!
February 2, 2010
From the back of the book:
AN ANCIENT CODE
A clay table covered in ancient writing is found by an English couple in Morocco. A day later they are dead, killed in a car crash. But where is the relic they died to protect?
A SINISTER SECRET
Determined to uncover a secret that's endured for two millennia, Chris Bronson followed a trail fo clues that lead him from the hustle of a Moroccan souk to the deserted caves of Qumran; from the sinister echoes of a water-filled tunnel under the city of Jerusalem to a windswept fortress whose name spells death.
A DEADLY CHASE FOR THE TRUTH
Threatened on every side by violent extremists, Bronson is plunged into a mystery rooted in biblical times. For the stone he must find is far older and far more dangerous than he could ever have imagines.
__________________________________________________________
This book is stuffed with fascinating history and is exciting and fast paced, a great read for anyone interested in archaeology and biblical history.
AN ANCIENT CODE
A clay table covered in ancient writing is found by an English couple in Morocco. A day later they are dead, killed in a car crash. But where is the relic they died to protect?
A SINISTER SECRET
Determined to uncover a secret that's endured for two millennia, Chris Bronson followed a trail fo clues that lead him from the hustle of a Moroccan souk to the deserted caves of Qumran; from the sinister echoes of a water-filled tunnel under the city of Jerusalem to a windswept fortress whose name spells death.
A DEADLY CHASE FOR THE TRUTH
Threatened on every side by violent extremists, Bronson is plunged into a mystery rooted in biblical times. For the stone he must find is far older and far more dangerous than he could ever have imagines.
__________________________________________________________
This book is stuffed with fascinating history and is exciting and fast paced, a great read for anyone interested in archaeology and biblical history.
December 31, 2009
this is one of the most irritatingly written books I have ever read - the author clearly has greast knowledge of middle east archaeology but should retire from writing novels - interspersed between the childish dialogue of daft US films 'hey, 'wow' 'lets go' you have cardboard one dimensional characters and completely unbelievable baddies. There is more colour and dimension in the Beano. It is a disgrace such writing can be promoted so heavily. The dumbing down of popular literature - notable that the author pays special tribute to his marketing teams and the cover designers -
It is far more interesting to read his historical notes - one star for that - read the rest if you want to be patronised. Make a stand against connery in popular literature and avoid this author
It is far more interesting to read his historical notes - one star for that - read the rest if you want to be patronised. Make a stand against connery in popular literature and avoid this author
June 10, 2018
Love it. Great book.
July 28, 2011
Ugh. This is one I would not recommend. It doesn't actually take that much to keep me interested. When I'm not reading non-fiction, I just want a distraction. This one, however, didn't even get to that level. Let me just say that it didn't create any real tension and the characters were one-dimensional (in addition to some unrealistic dialogue). It appears to have been set up as a series with the same characters
May 23, 2017
What an intriguing read, and the historic references to the various sites were compelling. Strangely enough, I enjoyed the short history lesson after the story almost as much as the actual story... It gave a sense of validity.
This is an action thriller, and as such portrays some very ruthless behaviour. However, it's not graphically violent. The story draws you in, and is difficult to put down. I look forward to discovering more tales in this series.
This is an action thriller, and as such portrays some very ruthless behaviour. However, it's not graphically violent. The story draws you in, and is difficult to put down. I look forward to discovering more tales in this series.
March 16, 2025
Dios bendito. Tiene solo dos cosas buenas y es la historia de las reliquias y algunos pasajes de los diálogos que eran realmente interesantes, por el resto deplorable.
Yo leí crepúsculo y creía que Bella era y siempre sería el personaje más insoportablemente terco y suicida. But, conocí a Ángela y logré entender que juzgué muy mal a la pobre de Bella.
Es, con diferencia, el personaje más insoportable. No solo por la incongruencia de su tenacidad y su deseo de seguir con la búsqueda, para posterior mente estar espantada del susto cada que los están por matar, sino que me parecía desmedido el nivel de terquedad cuando era más que evidente que mínimo debía conseguir un arma para defenderse. Pobre de su ex, que era el único que siempre tenía que salir a salvarlos.
La hostia en sí tiene lagunas, tiene incoherencias, no explica como algunos personajes llegan a las conclusiones que llegan, no te queda claro como hacen lo que hacen o que se yo.
No sé, fue agotador y por muchos momentos los diálogos interminables hacían que el ritmo se sintiera lento y pesado. Mataron a como 10 personas y nada que vos digas algo le pasa a alguien.
En fin, no es un libro ni medianamente destacable dentro de su género.
Yo leí crepúsculo y creía que Bella era y siempre sería el personaje más insoportablemente terco y suicida. But, conocí a Ángela y logré entender que juzgué muy mal a la pobre de Bella.
Es, con diferencia, el personaje más insoportable. No solo por la incongruencia de su tenacidad y su deseo de seguir con la búsqueda, para posterior mente estar espantada del susto cada que los están por matar, sino que me parecía desmedido el nivel de terquedad cuando era más que evidente que mínimo debía conseguir un arma para defenderse. Pobre de su ex, que era el único que siempre tenía que salir a salvarlos.
La hostia en sí tiene lagunas, tiene incoherencias, no explica como algunos personajes llegan a las conclusiones que llegan, no te queda claro como hacen lo que hacen o que se yo.
No sé, fue agotador y por muchos momentos los diálogos interminables hacían que el ritmo se sintiera lento y pesado. Mataron a como 10 personas y nada que vos digas algo le pasa a alguien.
En fin, no es un libro ni medianamente destacable dentro de su género.
July 18, 2024
I am an avid fan of books with a lore behind it or some kind of ancient back story. This book offers it, with it's great explanation and ancient background; but for the love of all things bright and beautiful this book was just... lacking.
If I have to use another word to describe it. It was shallow. The characters were one dimensional and their dialogs where just plain and juvenile. There were also many times where they found themselves in sticky predicaments but somehow come out on top of it barely a scratch and spare the bad guys AND still act as if their lives are not in trouble.
I had such a hard time finishing this book and now that I have I am going to let a friend read this so they suffer like me.
If I have to use another word to describe it. It was shallow. The characters were one dimensional and their dialogs where just plain and juvenile. There were also many times where they found themselves in sticky predicaments but somehow come out on top of it barely a scratch and spare the bad guys AND still act as if their lives are not in trouble.
I had such a hard time finishing this book and now that I have I am going to let a friend read this so they suffer like me.
October 1, 2017
Creo que este libro fue un poco plano, aunque tenían muchas escenas de acción, me parece que todas eran obvias y se esperaba que iba a pasar, el lado histórico de este libro tenía mucho más para explotar, contar detalles, histora! Sin embargo el autor no saco todo el potencial de estos datos, leyendas e historias, no quiero decir que sea un mal libro, por el contrario es un libro entretenido que se lee súper rápido por los capítulos cortos que tiene, pero en general esperaba algo más profundo y divertido. Me quedo con un sin sabor porque compre el libro con unas muy altas expectativas que lamentablemente no fueron cubiertas del todo.
July 13, 2019
Prepare to take a tour of Jerusalem guided by our rock star know-it-all, Angela! Chris will be her brave assistant who will fend off death from bad guys at every turn. He is dumb as a rock but hey, this is his series so rest assured, he doesn't die in the end.
Ugh. What I really need to do is just read the 3 paragraphs at the end about what the ancient artifacts in these adventure thriller books were/are capable of and be done with it. I'm a lore whore but peddling myself out to these paper thin stories with no character development at all is really taking it's toll.
Ugh. What I really need to do is just read the 3 paragraphs at the end about what the ancient artifacts in these adventure thriller books were/are capable of and be done with it. I'm a lore whore but peddling myself out to these paper thin stories with no character development at all is really taking it's toll.
June 6, 2023
This is going to be another quick one. If you like these kinda novels then this is perfectly serviceable and a decent sequel to the first. Chris Bronson is remarkably down to earth. He is lucky and brave but he doesn't get away with the ridiculous and unrealistic stuff some novel heroes do. The science seemed about right and the ultimate questions about religion can as always be answered by the readers own faith or lack of it. Rock and roll, this was good fun and I will be reading the third in the series shortly.
May 26, 2019
A historica action plot that moves and is well written.
After a slow start, our policeman and his ex wife get embroild in the hunt for some ancient jewish tablets that lead to both a silver scroll and the Moses Convenant.
It's very well researched, which comes over in the (slightly too long) history lession explainy bits but that really doesn't detract from the story too much.
A nice set up for the next in the series which I'm now addicted to.
After a slow start, our policeman and his ex wife get embroild in the hunt for some ancient jewish tablets that lead to both a silver scroll and the Moses Convenant.
It's very well researched, which comes over in the (slightly too long) history lession explainy bits but that really doesn't detract from the story too much.
A nice set up for the next in the series which I'm now addicted to.
August 7, 2019
A race to find the sacred silver scroll, long buried somewhere in Israel over two millennia ago. Clues marked on clay tablets have come to light, and people are being murdered in the quest to acquire them all in order to read the coded inscription. Set in Morocco, Kent and Israel, this is a good adventure story, featuring the police officer Chris Bronson who I first met in The First Apostle. The plot kept me gripped throughout.
February 9, 2021
Very interesting book.
These are more of a detective story than a thriller and I suggest it will be a case of love or hate them. I really enjoy them, as much for the historical research that goes into them. The story telling us good although the hero's are exceptionally lucky to escape their fate on numerous occasions. It is a novel so I can excuse that. I have read several of James books and would recommend them.
These are more of a detective story than a thriller and I suggest it will be a case of love or hate them. I really enjoy them, as much for the historical research that goes into them. The story telling us good although the hero's are exceptionally lucky to escape their fate on numerous occasions. It is a novel so I can excuse that. I have read several of James books and would recommend them.
April 26, 2023
So, the story could have been good. I enjoyed reading about the religious history. However, the book has way too much going on: too many "caught ya" moments, where the protagonists get away at the last moment in unbelievable situations. Also, I really dislike a novel where the bulk of the story is told in conversations between the characters.
I liked the first Bronson story when I read it 10 years ago, but I think I'll pass on the next one.
I liked the first Bronson story when I read it 10 years ago, but I think I'll pass on the next one.
December 19, 2020
The second book of the series finds Bronson called to investigate the strange death of a couple who witnessed a murder in souk in Morocco. As he investigates he fids it may be connected to an old artifact the couple picked up and he gets his ex wife involved as they travel around the Middle East trying to solve an ancient mystery. Good read.
March 15, 2023
Policeman Chris Bronson and his ex wife ceramics expert Angela who works for the British Museum, become entangled in a chase across Morocco and Israel after an English couple are murdered over an ancient relic that everyone seems to want…
Who can they trust?
A dangerous cat and mouse game, a lot of fun to read.
Who can they trust?
A dangerous cat and mouse game, a lot of fun to read.
August 11, 2017
Interesting information but I just found the whole story line, and characters to be boring. Bronson seemed to be as dumb as a box of rocks, at least he came in handy a few times during some encounters with some shady folks who were also looking for the Moses Stone.
January 7, 2018
3.5/5. A Dan Brown-esque thriller with a search for historical treasure. An easy read with lots of interresting historical detail from the bible about the area covered by Israel today. A farcical conclusion but overall enjoyable.
November 21, 2018
Started well and fast paced but then it became a drag and a bore as the storyline just kept dragging. Did not keep the reader invested in the story as the same thing started to happen again and again. Not worth your time imo.
March 13, 2021
Super enjoyable book.
Adventures are well described, characters evolve thru the book and best of all, writer showed he investigated the archeological background of the book.
This gave me motivation to start his other book (First apostle)!
Adventures are well described, characters evolve thru the book and best of all, writer showed he investigated the archeological background of the book.
This gave me motivation to start his other book (First apostle)!
July 11, 2021
DNF
Maybe because I read The First Apostle recently but I find this book such a worn formula. The hero thinks something isn’t right and is attacked, thereby confirming that something is definitely wrong. And the endless history lessons from the experts.
Maybe because I read The First Apostle recently but I find this book such a worn formula. The hero thinks something isn’t right and is attacked, thereby confirming that something is definitely wrong. And the endless history lessons from the experts.
January 20, 2023
I swear I give it 2 cuz I'm generous but at first I thought its good then the events are TOO SLOW and the author writes in detail like too much details that can be deleted and add more useful events. I didn't like that he made history for Israel like WHAT R U SAYING ??? And I didn't like he put his own assumptions on religions, different religions, so no I didn't like at all
June 25, 2023
Quite a historical read but an enjoyable ride. With a murdered couple in Morocco can British Detective Bronson and ex wife Lewis find out why they were killed, and what is the history of this strange clay tablet they had in their possession. From Morocco to Israel we follow their quest.
July 9, 2017
Brilliant book and the sort i like to read. I was on tenterhooks at times. Then I would breathe a sigh of relieg]f and then back to tenterhooks again.
November 17, 2017
I put it aside to read something else, it was moving to slow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews