Judas the Apostle

This was a quick read that kept me interested from beginning to end. Being Catholic, I enjoyed how the author wove bits of the Bible throughout the book, including some very interesting discussions around the Gospels. I was afraid the book would "preach" religion at the reader, but it didn't at all. It only talked about how the verses discussed were relevant to the story, which also helped move the plot along. The characters were well written and the plot was engaging. The settings were described quite well, also.

All in all, I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to continuing with the series.

5/5 stars.

Dr. Clotile Lejeune, scholar of ancient languages, and her son J.E., return from Seattle to her hometown of Madisonville, Louisiana, after the murder of her estranged father. Thib's death appears to be the the result of a break-in, and he managed to shoot the intruder when the intruder shot him. But the police can't identify the dead intruder, and it's not immediately obvious what he was after.

Things get stranger when Clotile, J.E., and Thib's parish priest, Father Aloysius, attend the reading of Thib's will. The house has been left to the parish, to support charitable work, except that Clotile is to take any items she wants from the house first. The one specific bequest to Clotile is an ancient oil jar, that Thib found in a cave in show more Tunisia during World War II. He's left a letter telling her the story of the jar--and it quickly becomes clear that the jar is what the intruder was after. He didn't find it and clear out before Thib awoke and they had their fatal encounter, because Thib had become alarmed by an attempt to buy the jar from it and moved it to the church for safekeeping.

And he wanted Clotile, whose career he had followed, to find out the secrets of this jar bearing the name of Judas Iscariot, in Greek.

Of course Clotile accepts the challenge. And of course, despite the murder of her father, she has only the dimmest idea of just how dangerous this will become.

This is a very solid thriller built around an intellectual puzzle, some speculative history, and smart, strong, complex characters, including a nicely challenging and evil villain.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. show less

This is a good solid four star read. Much like the DaVinci Code and other books of that ilk, its basic premise is what was Judas Iscariot's role in betraying or aiding Jesus? A professor of ancient languages inherits a jar which contains an ancient and obscure manuscript brought back from Tunisia by her father at the end of World War II.

Her father is murdered for the jar and so begins the cat and mouse game for its acquisition. There are many players but the main ones are the professor and her son, just returned from military duty in Iraq; a monsignor from the Vatican backed by members of the Swiss Guard and staff at LSU who use amazing technology to open the jar and ensure the integrity of the contents.

What I really liked about this show more book was the the professor, Cloe LeJeune, uses her mind and the knowledge she has in her field to start unraveling the mystery of what the manuscript is and what it means. Unlike Dan Brown's hero, Cloe does not have a complex set of phobias that must be overcome nor is she ultimate authority of every subject in which she comes in contact.

The monsignor is there to provide the reader with religious background information, her son and the Swiss Guard provide the tactical action and military expertise and Cloe provides the history and knowledge of the ancient world. She is also not prone to miraculous feats of escapism. She uses what any intelligent woman would use to get out of situations: her intellect and the ability to match wits with the foe, known as the Kolektor - which had just enough of a James Bond factor to keep me happy.

The book moves along at a great pace - even with the heavy lifting at LSU as they study the jar and its contents, there is action that keeps everyone on their toes. Some have noted that the book is "wordy". i found it to be intelligently written instead of purely action driven. Another amazing BookBub find. This is one that will hold the interests of all kinds of readers from the first page to the last. Why not five stars?

Well, the end frankly. The big resolve is not there. It is open ended. Not for another book but for readers to ponder upon the information provided and think about all the "what if" scenarios that were presented along the way. If that is enough to satisfy your soul, then its a five star read. I just wanted an ending to a great book. show less

In Judas the Apostle, a unopend jar residing as mmantelpiece becomes the cause for a whirlwind of malicious treasure hunters, Roman Catholic Church leading figures and entourage of the Swiss Guard. Dr. Clotile (Cloe) Lejeune, expert in ancient languages lives a quiet life in Seattle, when her boat is rocked upon learning that her father has been murdered. With her soldier son J.E. she returns to Lousiana where her late father lived. The two-thousand-year-old oil jar now is hers as part of her father's heritage. With the help of a mysterious cleric, her son, and a letter from her father, LeJeune soon discovers that the content of the jar may be the most important relic uncovered in recent archaeology Is the original gospel of Judas show more Iscariot, the disciple that betrayed Jesus Christ with a kiss and according to the synoptic gospels committed suicide afterwards found. What if Judas didn't die at all? And what would be the consequence of having an original account of the last days of Christ before his death? Who should own this treasure?
The fast-paced page turner brings you from North Africa and Lousiana to Lyon in France and ultimately to the old city of Jerusalem in Israel. Can the translation be done in time? And if the one who hunts down Dr. LeJeune is merciless and accepts no failures the one to keep what he desires? Judas the Apostle was a pleasure to read. Ancient texts, involvements of both legal and illegal operating church clerics and civilians packed in a thriller. show less

Brilliant! We all learn that Judas betrayed Jesus - but the story may be more complex than that simple statement suggests.

Dr Clotile (Cloe) LeJeune - expert in ancient languages - is devastated when her father is murdered. Decades before her father had found an ancient jar, inscribed with the name Judas Iscariot. This jar, which has for decades sat on his mantlepiece, was what the killer was looking for - but her father had thought to remove it to safety.

When Cloe is reunited with the jar, it has to be unsealed with great care by a team of university scientists so that the jar itself, and its contents, are not damaged. The account of the science behind the examination and opening of the jar is fascinating in itself. Once opened, Cloe show more then gets to work to translate the writings found in the jar.

There are people who are desperate to steal the jar and its contents - and Cloe and those working with her are in danger as a result.

Why is it of such importance?

This was a very interesting story, highly recommended. show less

I enjoyed this book about Judas. Not sure that that an older female scholar is capable of going so far against an international, psychopathic criminal but reality is easily suspended while reading. This is a well researched book (as far as my limited knowledge goes) and I loved how the criminal got his comeuppance.

I could not put this book down!!! This book is great for readers who love anything to do with religious fiction history & thriller very much in line with the like of Dan Brown this is fast paced with a good back story. I highly recommend.
p.s just a side note ...Having never been to America i also liked the setting & the description of the creole food too!!