Nick Hawkes

A British Museum-sponsored archeologist works at a site in Syria to uncover the code that would finally enable translating an ancient writing, but she is prevented from gaining any real knowledge from the clay tablets by the Syrian general heading the project. So the Brit tricks him, and obtains images of them, while also inadvertently coming into possession of 12 of the key tablets. So far so good. Unfortunately at this point the story “jumps the shark” and becomes unbelievable and reaches an unrealistic conclusion. Very complex and very well written nonetheless so it’s still a pick for me. The narrative also is just shy of sermonizing about Christianity, but when I read the author was also a theologian I realized he did well walking what I felt was a fine line. The author is well travelled and I could tell—his writing made me feel I was in each far-flung place.… (more)

crime, adventure, mysteries, thriller, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, international-crime-and-mystery, artifact, Egyptology, remorse, murder, murder-investigation, rescue, relationships, religious-symbolism*****

The tale begins in 2004 with the release of Aussie Peter's release from Belmarsh prison and the subsequent massive changes in every area of his life. Some parts I found interesting and/or fun, but as a real history geek I best enjoyed all of the well-researched aspects of the search for answers. This is the first I've read in this series, but that is not at all significant. Very well done with excellent characters and a complex plot. The publisher's blurb is a good hook, so no need to repeat it. Loved it!… (more)

This is one of those books that I place on the margins of crime fiction: but there is murder, there is mystery and there is crime.

I bought the book recently at a book launch held at our local library by the author to celebrate his third book.

There's something a little old fashioned about the plot and style of this book - it reminds me of some of the books I read decades ago. Having said that though, I am not denigrating it. I really enjoyed the story. At the book launch Nick Hawkes said he favoured happy endings and this novel certainly works towards that. It is a stand-alone and its characters are engaging and, as the Caleb Prize might warn you, there is an underlying theme about the meaning of life.

The setting ranges from South Australia to the Scottish Hebrides and they are places which the author appears to know and love.

If you are looking for some very readable, feel-good, crime fiction then this might just hit the spot for you.… (more)