The Lucifer Gospel - Paul Christopher

The Lucifer Gospel
Paul Christopher
Onyx

Thriller - Mystery - Religion/Archaeology

Finn Ryan is on her way to Egypt to participate in a dig. She’s to be the cartographer and technical illustrator for the team. On the plane over, she meets Hilts, a pilot and photographer headed to the site, too. That evening, over an improbable dinner of lasagna in Cairo, Hilts gives Finn some interesting background about the expedition. This dig site was last occupied in the 1930s by an Italian-led team with many of the same ideas. They were looking for the remains of a Coptic Church. In particular, they were looking for the tomb of a monk believed to be the Apostle Thomas. This expedition disappeared in a sandstorm and was never heard from again.

Even before arriving at the site, Finn is chased through the City of the Dead by a man with a large saber and murderous intent. A strange midnight visitor to her hotel room brings more food for thought. At the dig site, the team uncovers evidence of an old murder, most likely from the 1930s expedition. Further digging uncovers a medallion that bears the name of a fallen angel. This discovery sets events in motion that will lead Finn and Hilts around the world in pursuit of a secret that could re-write history.

Readers who enjoy archaeological thrillers and Indiana Jones movies will love THE LUCIFER GOSPEL. The action begins almost immediately, and the narrative sets such a quick pace that the pages practically turn themselves. For all that, the author manages to inject enough realism to keep the story grounded and plausible, never veering into the absurd. That can be a hard line to walk in a thriller like this, but the author does it well. I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Rating: 8
August 2006
ISBN# 0-451-21223-0 (paperback)