After centuries of destruction, one unsuspecting woman stands at the center of a conspiracy that could change the world forever in this thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Templar. Portugal, 1705. In the dungeons of a Templar castle, a dying old man bequeaths an ancient, half-burnt book to his young inquisitor. Keeping one step ahead of those who would kill to wrench the book's secret from his hands, the inquisitor turns his back on his calling and sets off on an impossible journey to complete the old man's quest. Baghdad, 2003. Hunting for a mysterious bioweapon scientist, an army unit discovers a concealed state-of-the-art lab where gruesome experiments have been carried out on men, women, and children. The scientist escapes, but a puzzling clue is left behind: a circular symbol of a snake feeding on its own tail. As the power of the symbol comes to light, revealing centuries of destruction left in its wake, a woman desperate for answers holds the fate of the world in her hands...
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"This author absolutely amazes me with the quality of work he has produced. I believe he has another Best Seller on his hands, with his second novel. This story is about the quest for eternal life....The reader will not be disappointed with this page turner! A great read that I really don;t want to give up too much about the story. I am convinced that once one reads the first chapter they will be sucked into the novel like a being trapped in whirlpool!"
— Deborah (5 out of 5 stars)
" It was ok -- your typical summer beach read. It didn't bore me, but it was also forgettable. "
— Lori, 1/30/2014" A good historical fiction adventure story with a little conspiracy theory thrown in. I enjoyed it. "
— Kelsey, 1/27/2014" Very fast moving. Fun. Good topic. "
— Charlotta, 1/23/2014" Intriguing, secret society, ancient hatreds carried forward, reaching for the impossible goal, type of book. With flashbacks to 1700's, but mainly centering in the situation and politics of the current Iraq area. Enjoyable. "
— Jean, 1/19/2014" Subject matter (fountain of youth) compelling but the story was a little shallow. Should have been a screenplay... "
— Rudy, 1/4/2014" Too many car chases and flying bullets for my liking. I didn't really care whether I finished it or not. "
— Tony, 1/4/2014" Did you ever buy a book thinking it was about something else? This book was readable but improbable. I still read it even though I guessed much of the plot early into the read.. "
— Deborahfil, 1/4/2014" OK, a bit drawn out, "fountain of youth" premise hard to believe "
— Elizabeth, 11/3/2013" Audio Book. Archaeoligists in Iraq and Lebanon, a book with a snake eating it's own tail, CIA and an elixir that slows aging letting people live to 200 yrs. "
— Jake, 9/25/2013" So far, not so catchy. "
— Nathalie, 9/3/2013" Not the most original plot, but it kept my attention. I definitely got caught up in wanting to know how the issues were going to play out for all the main characters, and who was on the level and who wasn't. I enjoyed it. "
— Jeanette, 9/2/2013" This was an interesting and enjoyable book. It was a fairly quick read, but was very reminiscent of the book The Sigma Protocol. I couldn't help the feeling that I was re-reading much of that book as I was reading this one. "
— Jason, 7/7/2013" This book read exactly like a movie - in fact if this ever becomes a movie I would go see it. Just your typical action fare, but fun. "
— Debbie, 4/28/2013" I enjoyed the previous book The Last Templar by this author, this one was a little more basic in the plot and character development. I would read another by this author but would think carefully about when I read it and not read it right after a much better book. A good airport read. "
— Bill, 4/15/2013" Took three attempts to get into this book. Finally finished it and was marginally entertained. Now that I know what to expect from the author, I may try another title - but it will take some time. "
— Dan, 4/12/2013" Was an enjoyable read which I expected. "
— Marji, 1/15/2012" Very much like a Dan Brown but nowhere near as good. I much preferred Khoury's two other books. "
— Josh, 12/28/2011" An interesting book with an interesting theme. How would mankind react to a method of life extension. My opinion is not well, to many would turn to greed and profit instead of helping humanity. "
— Kendall, 9/9/2011" My dad loved it too. "
— Frederic, 7/9/2011" Not worth the discount shelf price "
— Jai-shen, 5/7/2011" Audio Book. Archaeoligists in Iraq and Lebanon, a book with a snake eating it's own tail, CIA and an elixir that slows aging letting people live to 200 yrs. "
— Jake, 5/6/2011" Long and drawn-out, one-dimensional characters. Got interesting about the last 100 pages. Sorry, not much to say about this book. "
— Shauna, 4/20/2011" Fast-paced and good twists!! :) Just a little bit too modernist for my taste. And i have some questions left unanswered. "
— Karissa, 3/27/2011" Interesting book and a quick read. "
— Sasha, 3/27/2011" on the whole very good but went on a bit too long "
— Hazel, 3/16/2011" I found it to be a slow read. The many details caused me to get bored. Over all it was a good story but I had to force myself to finish it. "
— J.W., 2/22/2011" I love books like this. I love to read about possible artifacts from the past that are discovered or searched for. Even if they are fiction I still find them VERY interesting. I think in another life I was an archeologist. "
— Robin, 2/12/2011" 2nd book i've read by him, and I wasn't dissapointed. "
— Laura, 1/5/2011" Cardboard cut-outs do battle over a book which may or may not hold a secret which could change the way we live. Exotic locations, pointless time shifts: it all seemed as flat as the page it was printed on. "
— Ian, 12/14/2010Raymond Khoury is the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Templar, The Sanctuary, The Sign, The Templar Salvation, and The Devil’s Elixir. Also an acclaimed screenwriter and producer, he lives in London with his family.
Richard Ferrone recorded over 150 audiobooks including thrillers, romances, science fiction, and inspirational novels. He won the prestigious Audie Award and was a finalist for four Audie Awards, including for Best Solo Male Narrator. He was named an AudioFile "Voice of the Last Century" and a "Rising and Shining Star." He earned many AudioFile Earphones Awards, including being named the 2011 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense as well as the 2009 Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. A science fiction fan, he narrated Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy. He also narrated works by James Patterson, Walter Mosley, John Sandford, Eric Van Lustbader, and Stuart Woods.