The Codex

by Douglas Preston
The Codex  
published 2006 by Pan Books
first published 2005
binding Paperback
isbn 0330448633   (isbn13: 9780330448635)
pages 416
description "Greetings from the dead," Maxwell Broadbent declared from the videotape he left behind after his mysterious disappearance. A notorious trea...more
date added
07-07-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 579)



Brooke
06/12/07

bookshelves: 2007, own
Read in June, 2007
I'm a huge fan of the series of books co-authored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I also enjoyed Child's first solo novel, but Preston's The Codex left me wondering if Child is the heart of their writing duo (although Child's Utopia certainly had some plot holes).

In The Codex, Maxwell Broadbent is a multi-millionaire who is dying of cancer. Instead of simply leaving his fortune to his three sons, who were never able to live up to his unreasonably high expectations, he decides to seal h...more
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Skyw4lker
Skyw4lker rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/04/08

Did the first 24 chapters - everything has been set; the search, the place, the swamp, and the help from local villages. There are 3 teams in search of the buried treasure; Tom & Sally, Philip and his father old friend, Vernon and the Teacher. Along with couple of strong armies. Seems more a race to the treasure buried by Max. The only gift given to the 3 sons - is it worth the challenge...
Yup is worth the challenge...not to spoil your reading. But is something you must read on to find ou...more
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JayeL
05/28/08

Read in May, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Rae
04/19/08

bookshelves: suspense-adventure-thriller
A not particularly riveting story of an old man dying of cancer who decides to entomb himself and all his riches in a Guatemalan Mayan grave site. His sons will only receive their inheritance by coming to Central America and finding where the wealth is buried. The reader really has to suspend disbelief!

I did enjoy the information re Guatemalan archaeology and did a little research about Site Q (from which many items have been plundered and sold on the black market) and its specific identific...more
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Robin
04/25/08

Read in May, 2005
Right after I started this one, it seemed familiar. I think my dad listened to it on audio when it came out in hardback and told me about it. Three sons, an inheritance, and their crazy old man who decides to make them prove themselves by burying himself and his "treasure" in a tomb for them to seek out and claim. Action-packed, psycho bad-guy, lots of jungle adventure, and even a little romance. A quote on the cover compares it to Indiana Jones and the Amazing Race, and it's no...more
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Highlander1
Read in January, 2008
Took me a while to get into this. Started it once. Put it away. Then picked it up again and finished it. Slow getting started. Not enough action. Too much background setting. Slow-moving plot. The second half of the book is much better than the first half. Didn't like the frequent use of poor language. Almost threw it in the garbage. The history was interesting.
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Rachel
08/22/07

bookshelves: 2007, preston-child
Read in April, 2007
in a perfect world this would be read before Tyrannosaur Canyon. Three brothers are on a search in the South American jubgles for buried treasure. Actually, the buried treasure is their family's personal wealth...their eccentric, adventurer father is making them work for their inheritance, so to speak.

It was another fun read.
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Loren
12/20/07

Read in December, 2007
I put the other two books I'm currently reading on hold because I was excited about this one. Well, that was a mistake. Douglas Preston's stories are clearly much better when Lincoln Child is involved in the writing. The only thing that really kept me reading was my idea of what the plot could be.
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Maribel
bookshelves: alreadyread
Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in May, 2007
It seems generic to say this is like an Indiana Jones movie but it is really a fascinating page turner. You are immediately drawn into the characters (3 brothers who search for their billionare fathers' ancient artifacts). It sounds weird, I know, but it was actually REALLY good. Hope you enjoy.
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Mae
05/28/08

Read in May, 2008
recommends it for: travelers, adventure lovers
I can honestly see this book with the excitment and thrill expected in a movie but as a book it kind of falls a bit flat. I enjoyed the characters and was enthralled in the plot but I felt there were some parts that could have been cut short and other things that could be expanded.
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Kelly
bookshelves: fiction, multicultural, thriller
I liked the premise of this book - rich man buries himself with his 1.5 billion treasures and challenges his three sons to find him and it if they want their inheritance. Lots of murder and backstabbing. I enjoyed the Mayan jungle lore and native elements and backstory most of all.
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Tony
03/27/07

Read in March, 2007
This is a quick, fun, read. It gets bogged down at times with crosses and double crosses and some of the premises don't make a lot of sense. I.E., you can steal $500 million dollars but a character seems more concerned about $50 million dollars.
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Tiffany
Read in September, 2006
recommends it for: anyone
This book is about a 3 brothers that receive inheritance and then find out it has been stolen and moved to a remote amazon location since the father worked as a researcher in his younger years. Lots of twists, it was good.
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Bryanna
Described on the back of the book as a mixture of Indiana Jones and The Amazing Race.

That pretty much sums it up!

It was an enjoyable book, with a fast paced story line, and humorous characters!
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Tracie
07/03/08

A great beach/plane read. A great thriller that incorporates Mayan history. Not necessarily the best writing ever but you will fly through it so fast that you won't even notice.
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Debbie
07/23/08

bookshelves: audio, mystery-thriller
Interesting story of a wealthy man who buries himself and all his fortune somewhere in Central America, and tells his 3 sons that whoever finds him will get the inheritance
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Kristin
bookshelves: mystery-horror
Millionaire has himself buried in secret tomb in the rain forest with all of his priceless art and artifacts. Wants his sons to come and find their inheritance. Too long.
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Austin
06/21/08

Read in June, 2008
recommends it for: anyone who likes an adventure book
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't really have any expectations going in so I was pleasantly suprised. It has fun idea and I really like some of the characters. Fun read.
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Dena
Dena is currently reading it (review of isbn 076534629X)
08/20/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
Just started this one today. I love Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child books. This is the first one that I have read that was exclusively Douglas Preston. So far so good!
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Tessa
01/14/08

Read in September, 2007
Great book. One part is a little inappropriate but it is a great book. If you like those edge of your seats "what's going to happen next" books, this is a must!!
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.64 (471 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.67 (9 ratings)
number of reviews: 45






other editions

The Codex (Mass Market Paperback)
The Codex (Hardcover)
The Codex (Audio CD)