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The Order of the Sanguines #0.5
City of Screams
From New York Times bestselling author James Rollins and award-winning suspense novelist Rebecca Cantrell comes a disturbing story of vengeance, bloodshed, and creatures that prowl the night.
In the haunted, war-torn highlands of Afghanistan, amid the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archaeology team is massacred in the night. Sergeant Jordan Stone and his crack forensic team are called in to examine the site, to hunt for the perpetrators of this horrific act. But the discovery of a survivor—a child of ten—will shatter all the team knows about life and death. Among the crumbling bones of dead kings, something hoary and murderous stirs out of the ancient past, lurching forward to claim vengeance on those still living.
Included with this thrilling story is a sneak peek at The Blood Gospel, where the further exploits of Sergeant Stone and his team will be revealed.
In the haunted, war-torn highlands of Afghanistan, amid the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archaeology team is massacred in the night. Sergeant Jordan Stone and his crack forensic team are called in to examine the site, to hunt for the perpetrators of this horrific act. But the discovery of a survivor—a child of ten—will shatter all the team knows about life and death. Among the crumbling bones of dead kings, something hoary and murderous stirs out of the ancient past, lurching forward to claim vengeance on those still living.
Included with this thrilling story is a sneak peek at The Blood Gospel, where the further exploits of Sergeant Stone and his team will be revealed.
100 pages, ebook
First published October 30, 2012
289 people are currently reading
3670 people want to read
About the author
James Rollins
123 books14.2k followersJames Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together.” NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with two furry companions, Echo and Charlie. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
November 25, 2018
3.5 "exciting and promising" stars !
This is the prequel to James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell's, "The Order of the Sanguines" series and I decided to give it a whirl as I had Book 1 on my to read list.
The writing was extremely plot driven, fast paced and interesting to the max. I found myself wanting so much more as this little ditty was way too short and and could easily be expanded to a novella if not a novel.
The mountains of Afghanistan, archaeology, curses, leopards. What else could one want in an adventure story?? More of it.
Really looking forward the first novel in this series. I'll hang on tight for the ride.
This is the prequel to James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell's, "The Order of the Sanguines" series and I decided to give it a whirl as I had Book 1 on my to read list.
The writing was extremely plot driven, fast paced and interesting to the max. I found myself wanting so much more as this little ditty was way too short and and could easily be expanded to a novella if not a novel.
The mountains of Afghanistan, archaeology, curses, leopards. What else could one want in an adventure story?? More of it.
Really looking forward the first novel in this series. I'll hang on tight for the ride.
May 1, 2025
City of Screams by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell is a novella that I decided to read before starting my re-read of The Blood Gospel. It's the only book in the series I've read so far, and I want to revisit it to see if I like it enough to continue with the rest. To be honest, I can't really remember much about it or why it didn’t exactly blow me away the first time.
That said, City of Screams was really good, action-packed all the way through, with a lot of interesting history woven in, like the story of the city of Shahr-e-Gholghola. I even had to take a quick Wikipedia break to learn more about it!
That said, City of Screams was really good, action-packed all the way through, with a lot of interesting history woven in, like the story of the city of Shahr-e-Gholghola. I even had to take a quick Wikipedia break to learn more about it!
May 4, 2019
به عنوان داستان کوتاه خوب بود دیگه.
مگه توی داستان کوتاه 70 صفحهای میشه کار دیگه ای هم کرد؟!
مگه توی داستان کوتاه 70 صفحهای میشه کار دیگه ای هم کرد؟!
December 29, 2020
This is the lead in to The Order of the Sanguines trilogy. It follows, Sgt. Jordan Stone, who is stationed in Afghanistan when he's sent to help some archeologists who have been attacked. When they get there the bodies are all gone and strange things are afoot. It ends with Jordan's team being sent to Masada, Israel where The Blood Gospel begins. It's a solid introduction to a new character and series from James Rollins.
October 3, 2018
3.5 stars
It was as if the world had shrunk to this small village. And its bloody secrets."
I picked up this short ebook on sale for Kindle and now I have a new series to check out. As an introduction to the Order of the Sanguines series it did it's job by making me curious to read more. The plot here, involving an ancient betrayal and a group of slaughtered archeologists in the modern day, easily could've supported an entire, full-length novel. The writing style was easy and balanced well against the weird stuff going on and the characters were presented in a way that makes me want to get to know them better.
It was as if the world had shrunk to this small village. And its bloody secrets."
I picked up this short ebook on sale for Kindle and now I have a new series to check out. As an introduction to the Order of the Sanguines series it did it's job by making me curious to read more. The plot here, involving an ancient betrayal and a group of slaughtered archeologists in the modern day, easily could've supported an entire, full-length novel. The writing style was easy and balanced well against the weird stuff going on and the characters were presented in a way that makes me want to get to know them better.
December 15, 2022
Good starting of a interesting series ig, some spooky and action filled parts made me finish this in one sitting, afterall it was a short story.
September 20, 2025
A group of soldiers investigate a reported attack on a group of archeologists in Afghanistan. When they get there something is not right.
October 30, 2012
A riveting quick read jam packed with suspense. A story so full of ancient lore, it will leave you thinking for days. Sergeant Jordan Stone, a team leader for JEFF (Joint Expedition Forensic Facility), a CSI type group of investigators in Afghanistan, receives audio of a perplexing crime committed against a group of archaeologist, he and his team move to investigate scene in the “Cursed City.” Accompanied by a nervous archaeology professor, Thomas Atherton, Stone and his men find themselves in the ruins of an ancient city where Genghis Khan slaughtered more than a 100, 000 citizens. Later, Buddhist monks inhabited the area adorning and meditating in the nooks and crannies of rocky mountainous terrain, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The story is a fascinating tale full of reality teasing twists!
December 31, 2015
3.5
City of Screams is the last story I've read this year. I am going to be generous because I enjoyed it and I am curious about the whole series now.
Sergeant Jordan Stone thought nothing could surprise him any more. He was wrong. Something in the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archaeology site in Afghanistan, has killed a whole team of archaeologists and he and his team have to find out the truth.
City of Screams is the last story I've read this year. I am going to be generous because I enjoyed it and I am curious about the whole series now.
Sergeant Jordan Stone thought nothing could surprise him any more. He was wrong. Something in the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archaeology site in Afghanistan, has killed a whole team of archaeologists and he and his team have to find out the truth.
January 4, 2021
This was a great action packed short read! Chilling atmosphere in war torn Afghanistan, along with intense characters like a military forensics team, a superstitious archeologist, and a frightened little girl - add them to a fast action story of suspense, supernatural fear, and leopards...yes, leopards, where you just want to ignore the dishes in the sink and read the story from cover to cover.
October 31, 2012
This is a wonderful teaser for a spooky novel coming later. It's just a brief glimpse, but it also has the first chapter for The Blood Gospel at the end.
It's well worth the $0.99. The writing is smooth (of course) and the characters interesting.
It's not your usual Rollins read, though there are plenty of things you'll recognize about his style from quirky supporting cast to a dynamic hero type with strong sense of courage.
Oh, yea, things do go boom here too.
It's just a teaser, but it's a good teaser. Cantrell is a good influence on Rollins as far as writing is concerned. I haven't read any Cantrell to see if he is as positive an influence on him. (by positive I mean in quality and style, not that the stories have cuddly bunnies and butterflies in them.)
Warning:
The general violence warnings etc that go with Rollins and this genre... but that's normal and, all well written as to not be gratuitus or sensationalized more than needs be to meet the moment it's written for.
the warning is that this has some hardships visited on children both in the short story and chapter 1 of Blood Gospel. City of Screams the violence is more referenced than shared with us. In Chapter one of Blood Gospel, the violence to children is handled mercifully (as is possible under the circumstances of the scene) and certainly not dwelled upon more than needed for the story. I'm okay with it, as it's written but some people are sensitive. I believe this is something you read through and find warmer, more enjoyable reading waters beyond. (A point of history in the story, not so much the main thrust). However, if you are sensitive to this kind of thing, beware, it's here, even if only briefly.)
It's well worth the $0.99. The writing is smooth (of course) and the characters interesting.
It's not your usual Rollins read, though there are plenty of things you'll recognize about his style from quirky supporting cast to a dynamic hero type with strong sense of courage.
Oh, yea, things do go boom here too.
It's just a teaser, but it's a good teaser. Cantrell is a good influence on Rollins as far as writing is concerned. I haven't read any Cantrell to see if he is as positive an influence on him. (by positive I mean in quality and style, not that the stories have cuddly bunnies and butterflies in them.)
Warning:
The general violence warnings etc that go with Rollins and this genre... but that's normal and, all well written as to not be gratuitus or sensationalized more than needs be to meet the moment it's written for.
the warning is that this has some hardships visited on children both in the short story and chapter 1 of Blood Gospel. City of Screams the violence is more referenced than shared with us. In Chapter one of Blood Gospel, the violence to children is handled mercifully (as is possible under the circumstances of the scene) and certainly not dwelled upon more than needed for the story. I'm okay with it, as it's written but some people are sensitive. I believe this is something you read through and find warmer, more enjoyable reading waters beyond. (A point of history in the story, not so much the main thrust). However, if you are sensitive to this kind of thing, beware, it's here, even if only briefly.)
November 5, 2012
James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell have teamed up for a brand spanking new and exciting thriller due out in Jan. It's called THE BLOOD GOSPEL, first in The Order of the Sanguine series. I am so looking forward to reading this one and was stoked that there's a brand new e-short prelude to the series available right now.
In CITY OF SCREAMS, Sergeant Jordan Stone of the Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facility in Kabul, and his team are sent out in response to a mysterious SOS call from an archaeology team in the Bamiyan Valley. The call, screams and the words "They're coming again... helpushelpushelpus...!" followed by gunfire and an unintelligible murmuring, sends the team racing to the Valley. They are joined by the only member of the archaeology team who happened to be off site at the time of the call, Professor Thomas Atherton. Atherton is able to confirm that the last part of the call is an ancient dialect that hasn't been spoken for years. In fact, the language dates back to the time of the site in question. When they learn what the end of the message means, they're certain they may be too late.
Beware readers, you will be dying to get your hands on THE BLOOD GOSPEL after this little teaser of a story. Not only that, but the e short comes with an excerpt of BLOOD GOSPEL as well. It promises to be the perfect blend of Rollins and Cantrell's individual talents and an exciting new series!
In CITY OF SCREAMS, Sergeant Jordan Stone of the Joint Expeditionary Forensic Facility in Kabul, and his team are sent out in response to a mysterious SOS call from an archaeology team in the Bamiyan Valley. The call, screams and the words "They're coming again... helpushelpushelpus...!" followed by gunfire and an unintelligible murmuring, sends the team racing to the Valley. They are joined by the only member of the archaeology team who happened to be off site at the time of the call, Professor Thomas Atherton. Atherton is able to confirm that the last part of the call is an ancient dialect that hasn't been spoken for years. In fact, the language dates back to the time of the site in question. When they learn what the end of the message means, they're certain they may be too late.
Beware readers, you will be dying to get your hands on THE BLOOD GOSPEL after this little teaser of a story. Not only that, but the e short comes with an excerpt of BLOOD GOSPEL as well. It promises to be the perfect blend of Rollins and Cantrell's individual talents and an exciting new series!
November 1, 2012
A team of archaeologists had been slaughtered in the Afghan valley where the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol were being investigated. their screams and gunfire were heard over the radio, finally some strange dialect later identified as a language that had died out several hundred years before. Supposedly. Someone who knew it said the words meant "We have her!"
Sgt. Stone and his forensic team were sent in with Rangers to investigate. What they found strained the imagination.
Leopard prints in the snow, two animals that would have to run close to three hundred pounds. Impossible, but there they were.
And an ancient evil had been awakened.
Liked this one. An introduction to the authors' forthcoming novel THE BLOOD GOSPEL.
Sgt. Stone and his forensic team were sent in with Rangers to investigate. What they found strained the imagination.
Leopard prints in the snow, two animals that would have to run close to three hundred pounds. Impossible, but there they were.
And an ancient evil had been awakened.
Liked this one. An introduction to the authors' forthcoming novel THE BLOOD GOSPEL.
November 15, 2012
I enjoy Rollins's Sigma books for plot-driven adventures that dive into globe-trotting--and, occasionally, absurd--conflicts. This short, which offers a peak into a collaborative effort between Rollins and another writer, heads towards supernatural territory. The setting is Afghanistan; the players are archeologists, U.S. soldiers, and local guides and peoples; and the conflict appears to be an awakening evil. This could be the makings of a contemporary Indiana-style adventure, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy this, or that I am uninterested in "Blood Gospel," the first novel-length book written by this duo. Who knows: come January, I could be in the mood for this kind of thing.
September 17, 2015
A short story to introduce co-writer Rebecca Cantrell no doubt. I read it because I'm a James Rollins fan, but this is not a James Rollins work. It's a short story so I didn't expect much substance, and it met my expectations.
July 18, 2021
City of Screams is the prequel short story to the Order of the Sanguines series which are thrillers with a paranormal twist.
In the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archeology team is massacred in the night with a haunting radio call the only clue as to what happened. Sergeant Jordan Stone and his forensic team are called in to examine the site and find those responsible. But when the team arrives they find no bodies and discover a lone survivor, the ten year old daughter of the site's cook. With the girl too traumatized to help them, the group spread out to search the area uncovering an enemy from the distant past that has come forth to claim their revenge.
I'm a big fan of Rollins' Sigma Force series and I have been interested in trying more of their books for some time. City of Screams seemed like a good place to start as it's short and I was intrigued by the premise of the series. I will say this story reads a lot differently than the Sigma Force series which could be due to it being cowritten or just that as a prequel the authors haven't found their flow yet.
The massacre at the archeology site proved to be an intriguing storyline. It was clear soon after the team arrived that something strange occurred. As the team arrives near nightfall with a snowstorm moving in, they need to work fast to uncover what happened. The story is quite fast paced although it was a bit disjointed at times. I had a bit of a hard time following the plot as the authors went the route of keeping information from the reader which isn't my favorite. I will say the ending was suspenseful with a bit of action to keep things interesting. I am curious to learn more about the main character Jordan Stone and I hope to see more of his backstory in future books.
Overall City of Screams was an enjoyable introduction to the series and I'm interested to see how the authors do with a full-length book. I will definitely be picking up the first book, The Blood Gospel, soon.
In the ruins of Shahr-e-Gholghol, an archeology team is massacred in the night with a haunting radio call the only clue as to what happened. Sergeant Jordan Stone and his forensic team are called in to examine the site and find those responsible. But when the team arrives they find no bodies and discover a lone survivor, the ten year old daughter of the site's cook. With the girl too traumatized to help them, the group spread out to search the area uncovering an enemy from the distant past that has come forth to claim their revenge.
I'm a big fan of Rollins' Sigma Force series and I have been interested in trying more of their books for some time. City of Screams seemed like a good place to start as it's short and I was intrigued by the premise of the series. I will say this story reads a lot differently than the Sigma Force series which could be due to it being cowritten or just that as a prequel the authors haven't found their flow yet.
The massacre at the archeology site proved to be an intriguing storyline. It was clear soon after the team arrived that something strange occurred. As the team arrives near nightfall with a snowstorm moving in, they need to work fast to uncover what happened. The story is quite fast paced although it was a bit disjointed at times. I had a bit of a hard time following the plot as the authors went the route of keeping information from the reader which isn't my favorite. I will say the ending was suspenseful with a bit of action to keep things interesting. I am curious to learn more about the main character Jordan Stone and I hope to see more of his backstory in future books.
Overall City of Screams was an enjoyable introduction to the series and I'm interested to see how the authors do with a full-length book. I will definitely be picking up the first book, The Blood Gospel, soon.
October 19, 2022
3.5 Stars
This was another short story that I bought on Audible the other week when they were having their massive sale on novellas and short stories. I think that I have only read one or two books by this author and they have all been shorts. This story, if I understand correctly, is the prequel for a new series by Mr. Rollins called The Order of the Sanguines. Since I am not already a reader of Mr. Rollins, I do not know if these characters are new characters or if they are already existing characters that we now get to see in a different story arc.
This book introduces us to Sgt. Jordan Stone and his team as they are sent into the desert of Afghanistan to investigate the(supposed) deaths of a group of archeologists. Unfortunately, there are not any bodies left that might help them figure out what happened. I immediately like Sgt Stone and the circumstances surrounding the mystery immediately made me curious. There is just enough of the "woo-woo" along side the archeological information to make things interesting. The narrator - Christian Baskous- did a fine job which is saying a lot because there were different accents and a couple of different languages thrown in as well.
The story itself was a little over 2 hours and plenty enough time to get the reader interested, build the drama and then have a fairly dramatic climax. I am now curious to find out what trouble is up next for Sgt Stone and his team.
This was another short story that I bought on Audible the other week when they were having their massive sale on novellas and short stories. I think that I have only read one or two books by this author and they have all been shorts. This story, if I understand correctly, is the prequel for a new series by Mr. Rollins called The Order of the Sanguines. Since I am not already a reader of Mr. Rollins, I do not know if these characters are new characters or if they are already existing characters that we now get to see in a different story arc.
This book introduces us to Sgt. Jordan Stone and his team as they are sent into the desert of Afghanistan to investigate the(supposed) deaths of a group of archeologists. Unfortunately, there are not any bodies left that might help them figure out what happened. I immediately like Sgt Stone and the circumstances surrounding the mystery immediately made me curious. There is just enough of the "woo-woo" along side the archeological information to make things interesting. The narrator - Christian Baskous- did a fine job which is saying a lot because there were different accents and a couple of different languages thrown in as well.
The story itself was a little over 2 hours and plenty enough time to get the reader interested, build the drama and then have a fairly dramatic climax. I am now curious to find out what trouble is up next for Sgt Stone and his team.
July 10, 2018
Really really short stort.
Don't waste 99cents on this! I usually like their books but this is a waste of time and $. 28 pages...
Don't waste 99cents on this! I usually like their books but this is a waste of time and $. 28 pages...
November 6, 2019
Not my favorite by Rollins .... for someone reason I can’t get into the books that co-writes with Rollins.
May 28, 2022
Good intro to series
Great intro to Blood Gospel series. Read this and also few chapters of Blood Gospel included and you can decide if you want to read more.
Great intro to Blood Gospel series. Read this and also few chapters of Blood Gospel included and you can decide if you want to read more.
Read
August 8, 2021maybe Van Helsing feel was intended, but I got Jonathan Harker
December 2, 2017
Great prelude to Blood Gospel. A quick short story about sergeant Stone.
January 8, 2013
City of Screams by Rollins and Cantrell is a teaser to introduce character found in Blood Gospel to be released on January 8. The story is set in and around Kabul, Afghanistan. Sg. Jonathan Stone and Specialist Paul McKay are members of an elite teams that is the military version of CSI. They are called investigate a strange transmission that carries fear and mystery. After the adventure in City of screams Stone is not at all sure that it was what is was or that his memory is accurate. The Blood Gospel will have our pair heading to Masada, Israel.
November 5, 2012
Gripping short story, loved every word of it. James Rollins shows again why he is such a great author.The short story rocked from beginning to end.The characters were awesome, and the best part was he left me wanting more, much more of them.Personally I am hooked on them.I would not pass this up, to much fun, to much action,basically an intense read.
November 4, 2012
Another intersection of action, history, and horror. Nice introduction into the world of the Blood Gospels which will be out in January of 2013. Rollings is really on a roll.
October 31, 2012
Want more!!
October 31, 2012
Quite enjoyed this quick read.
January 2, 2018
Not his best work to date, but I have hope that this new collaboration with provide a new perspective. Although his previous wiring has always been at the peak of excellence!
September 25, 2021
eponymous sentence:
p11: "Shahr-e-Gholghola. The City of Screams."
I'm still on the fence for this one.
Time to change authors, though.
p11: "Shahr-e-Gholghola. The City of Screams."
I'm still on the fence for this one.
Time to change authors, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews