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A Darker Gold
Ian McGregor (Mac) harbours a terrible secret, an unforgivable crime that drove his wife to suicide, caused him to resign from the CIA and, if she ever discovers the truth, would devastate his adopted daughter, Jessie. Tormented by a past he can never reveal, he now smuggles illicit art through international borders.
But there is something ominous about Mac’s latest consignment. Unearthed in the Libyan Desert in 1948 and then possessed by a succession of wealthy men, the artefact he carries is impossibly old. Like the arrow that pierced Achilles’ heel, it is a myth and to the outside world does not exist.
Until it is stolen, and a man called Lincoln demands that he retrieve it, warning of a holocaust the world could not imagine. Mac contacts the CIA, but nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. Even worse, Lincoln has recruited his adopted daughter, Jessie – and that is unforgivable.
But Jessie is not who she thinks she is, and nor, incredibly, is Lincoln, although nothing could have prepared Jessie for the truth about her father, or the tragedy that is about to unfold. The recovery of Egypt’s true legacy has become a deadly race, to stop our world reverting to the Stone Age.
But there is something ominous about Mac’s latest consignment. Unearthed in the Libyan Desert in 1948 and then possessed by a succession of wealthy men, the artefact he carries is impossibly old. Like the arrow that pierced Achilles’ heel, it is a myth and to the outside world does not exist.
Until it is stolen, and a man called Lincoln demands that he retrieve it, warning of a holocaust the world could not imagine. Mac contacts the CIA, but nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted. Even worse, Lincoln has recruited his adopted daughter, Jessie – and that is unforgivable.
But Jessie is not who she thinks she is, and nor, incredibly, is Lincoln, although nothing could have prepared Jessie for the truth about her father, or the tragedy that is about to unfold. The recovery of Egypt’s true legacy has become a deadly race, to stop our world reverting to the Stone Age.
366 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2012
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 18, 2013
Sometimes I wonder if I am being unfair toward the books I read as I expect of them to be as wonderful as some other of my favourites.
But if all of them were my favourites, how would I decide which ones were top?
I really believe all the books I read should fall under ratings of three to five stars. If it’s less than three, chances are I am never going to finish it. If I finish it, it must be at least good enough to merit three stars.
And even though I read this one without reading something in between, I think that’s because nothing at the moment catches my fancy much.
I wonder if anyone else thinks about books “clicking”. What I mean is that sometimes, everything fits together and the book just clicks as good.
This one didn’t. The thing is, for me, nothing clicked. I kept reading, expecting for everything to fall together, but it didn’t. Nothing did actually.
Characters felt unfinished, story felt unfinished, dialogues were sometimes unbelievable (in trying to convince the other side especially), and the whole premise of the story was unsatisfyingly described. Much was left to the imagination of the reader, which I don’t really mind if everything else functions, but in this case, it feels like the editor didn’t do a good job of editing the book.
That said, I obviously didn’t find it bad enough to stop reading. There is actually much working in its favour, from Ludlum-like spy world, to the fantastic premise of some of James Rollins’ books, everything is in there to make it into a thrilling book. It just doesn’t seem seamlessly connected into a whole. Which is something I found really frustrating.
Possibly it’s just my expectations, but after reading some of Rollins’ early books, I know it’s fixable (he had the same problem with making a book seem a seamless whole).
That’s why I’ll give other works by Mr. Ashbrook a try (this is his first full-length novel), I’m sure he can only get better.
But if all of them were my favourites, how would I decide which ones were top?
I really believe all the books I read should fall under ratings of three to five stars. If it’s less than three, chances are I am never going to finish it. If I finish it, it must be at least good enough to merit three stars.
And even though I read this one without reading something in between, I think that’s because nothing at the moment catches my fancy much.
I wonder if anyone else thinks about books “clicking”. What I mean is that sometimes, everything fits together and the book just clicks as good.
This one didn’t. The thing is, for me, nothing clicked. I kept reading, expecting for everything to fall together, but it didn’t. Nothing did actually.
Characters felt unfinished, story felt unfinished, dialogues were sometimes unbelievable (in trying to convince the other side especially), and the whole premise of the story was unsatisfyingly described. Much was left to the imagination of the reader, which I don’t really mind if everything else functions, but in this case, it feels like the editor didn’t do a good job of editing the book.
That said, I obviously didn’t find it bad enough to stop reading. There is actually much working in its favour, from Ludlum-like spy world, to the fantastic premise of some of James Rollins’ books, everything is in there to make it into a thrilling book. It just doesn’t seem seamlessly connected into a whole. Which is something I found really frustrating.
Possibly it’s just my expectations, but after reading some of Rollins’ early books, I know it’s fixable (he had the same problem with making a book seem a seamless whole).
That’s why I’ll give other works by Mr. Ashbrook a try (this is his first full-length novel), I’m sure he can only get better.
March 1, 2024
Hello Everyone!
I have just finished reading this novel, and I need to scream about it. In a great way, let me clarify.
I don't normally read thriller books, I'm normally into fantasy-esque genres as they really keep my attention. But this book was perfectly captivating and really intriguing.
The plot was unique and flowed well with the concept, keeping you guessing, wanting to know the final outcome. Which character will triumph or lose in the end.
As well as really wonderful characters who held their own and made me 100% invested in them. Hoping and nail biting, that nothing bad would happen to them. Which just built the suspense whilst reading, making me need to finish it, not being able to put it down.
I hope this author gets some recognition and writes some more books like this one. I hope everyone on here could also enjoy the book!
~ Juno
I have just finished reading this novel, and I need to scream about it. In a great way, let me clarify.
I don't normally read thriller books, I'm normally into fantasy-esque genres as they really keep my attention. But this book was perfectly captivating and really intriguing.
The plot was unique and flowed well with the concept, keeping you guessing, wanting to know the final outcome. Which character will triumph or lose in the end.
As well as really wonderful characters who held their own and made me 100% invested in them. Hoping and nail biting, that nothing bad would happen to them. Which just built the suspense whilst reading, making me need to finish it, not being able to put it down.
I hope this author gets some recognition and writes some more books like this one. I hope everyone on here could also enjoy the book!
~ Juno
May 14, 2013
Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions.
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!
It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions.
I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews