Saint Gabriel's Gospel

by Jerry Harber

In this tale of adventure, intrigue, danger, betrayal, and evil, Biblical archeologist Dr. Stephen Saint Gabriel and his team discover a first century codex hidden in an earthenware jar. As he begins to decipher the ancient writing, he comes face to face with the journal kept by Mary Magdalene as she followed Jesus during his ministry. As Gabriel and his team take high resolution photographs of the codex pages for study, the codex is stolen, but by whom? Is it forces within the Israeli government? Perhaps members of his own team? Or, is it a sinister group within the Catholic Church--The Dark Brothers--who seek to suppress the discovery and keep Mary’s revelations from the world?

Gabriel is joined by Nicki Taylor, a beautiful and wealthy volunteer on the dig, as they attempt to protect the photographic images and make Mary’s words available to the world. And in the process they make another discovery that could shatter two millennia of teaching by Christians around the world--a discovery which they must protect with their lives.

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2013

About the author

I'm a retired minister with an avid interest in mysteries and the unexplained, especially mysteries related to Christianity. I also love to watch crime shows and now I've turned these interests into writing. Saint Gabriel's Gospel, my first novel, was a long time in coming, but now I can't seem to stop writing. I've finished two others that are about Gabriel and Nicki, the main characters in that novel, that are waiting to be published.

I recently published Lips Sweeter Than Wine which introduces a new character, Patrick Orion. Paddy is a former Episcopal priest turned private investigator. He's hired to find a young college aged woman who seems to have been kidnapped. It's a routine case until Paddy discovers she may have been kidnapped by a serial killer obsessed with women's lips. It's a page turner, as Paddy races to find and save her. I'm currently working on the prequel titled The Priest's Dead Wife. It's a story of the seduction of power and money along with the terrible costs that often accompany both. The tale is wrapped in a mystery that Paddy has to solve to find peace and redemption.

Learn more about me and my writing at www.JerryHarberWriter.weebly.com.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertainment, quite enjoyable but with little literary merit. I suspended my disbelief and was carried along by the slight story of finding a sealed jar during an excavation in Jerusalem, some of the archaeological distils were interesting and the pace was never allowed to flag. I guessed the identity of the villain early on. I do not think I will bother with the sequel, but given it was “an artefact that will change the world” novel had feared the worst, but it never came.

[Mandy Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So hooked on this series! I'm on the last one now! Great characters! Love them!

[Paula Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting light mystery read. The book centers around an archaeological dig in Jerusalem. The dig group is from the US and led my Stephen St. Gabriel. The ICC in Jerusalem, as Gabriel, Gabby, to take on a second site for them. It is in this one that the team hits pay dirt. Now in Israel, as with most countries, anything found at the dig must be reported and submitted. Gabby didn't do this with the sealed vase that he found containing the writings of Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene..... going to draw attention from many, many groups,.. Israel, the Roman Catholic Church, Gabby and his team and of course thieves out to make a buck.

Adventure, archaeology, intrigue, religion, deceit, betrayal and even a hint of romance (not enough to make me gag) makes for a fast paced mystery.

1st of a series.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, although not a completely new concept. The Roman Catholic Church has been plagued for over two thousand years with rumors and innuendos about documents and artifacts that would or could threaten its very foundation. Writers have been writing about the situation almost as long as it has existed. Saint Gabriel's Gospel is the latest in a long line of these books. The story line is not bad, and most of the characters are believable. There is a lot of action in a very short time span, but the ending is a little abrupt, and leaves several loose ends. Another question that arises: Does the Church have its own version of the Navy SEALS?

The big distraction with this book is the need for proofreading. This does not involve misspelled words, but wrong words (is instead of it, discover instead of discovery, to list a few), missing words, and extraneous words.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believable

Believable

If you can get through the poor editing, this is a great archeological mystery novel. The story has a good historical and theological foundation.

[Sandra D. Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Very good story. Great characters,exciting plot. Noticed a few errors that were not caught in proofreading but didn't keep me from understanding the meaning for me. Could do without the profanity though. Will definitely read the next book.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know the author, whom I just adore, which can make reading difficult at times. This was a compelling light mystery with some good plot twists (frankly, church history and speculation are always interesting to me). It reminds me a lot of Peter Mayle's mysteries in depth and style. Fun, light.

[caz wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archaeology, religion and the race for a priceless prize!

Very enjoyable story, believable and full of intrigue. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Some interesting characters, good and bad of course.

[Tim Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick action

Quick action

This book keeps you guessing. A very fast paced and riveting story, with some expected and unexpected plot twists.
good read

[Kenny Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read.

As a fan of historical fiction this book is a good read. Nice story telling but the ending could have been a little more exciting.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 2 out of 5]

anti catholic

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

good enough to read the sequel

[John Mercer · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review of #3 in the series. Poor editing, mediocre word craft. Finished the series though due to my obsession with this genre.