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The Shroud
In 16th-century England, Queen Elizabeth's former spymaster, Hertford, is recruited by a court faction, the Owls, to recover the Shroud of Turin from Rome before a rival faction can do so and use its supernatural power to usurp the throne. He succeeds, but when a third party starts killing off people from both sides to take the Shroud for himself, Hertford discovers that an old enemy of England has reemerged to destroy them all...
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 25, 2023
What I Did Like:
+The setting in relation to the time period is upheld well. The language is appropriate for the time and there’s never a break from that time.
+The fantasy element is an interesting addition to the story. It gives it a little something extra.
+There are moments here that remind me of DaVinci Code, which is cool.
Who Should Read This One:
-Readers who enjoy well researched historical fiction that dedicates itself to period accuracy.
My Rating: 3 stars
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2023/...
+The setting in relation to the time period is upheld well. The language is appropriate for the time and there’s never a break from that time.
+The fantasy element is an interesting addition to the story. It gives it a little something extra.
+There are moments here that remind me of DaVinci Code, which is cool.
Who Should Read This One:
-Readers who enjoy well researched historical fiction that dedicates itself to period accuracy.
My Rating: 3 stars
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2023/...
May 8, 2023
Trigger Warnings: general gore, death, gunfire, violence and murder and slight swearing and also talk of religion.
The book was filled with action from the beginning, describing in-depth sword, gun and magic fights between the different factions throughout and I love that the magic was only usable from saying a Latin spell, as sometimes magic can feel a bit over powered, but Bachman managed to display an equal mix, and managed to immerse me as if in a movie. I also love the use of possession, revival, angels and exorcism, linking the history of The real shroud to the powerful, fantasy version and must have been researched for a long time to create a story of a real relic that history lovers can conspire on. The dialogue was historically accurate n my opinion and my favourite chunks were when the characters were talking politics, conspiring and solving problems with each other and I feel they were true to what would have been discussed. I did occassionally get confused when the latin and other languages were not translated, which only happened a few times and I also got confused when the POV changed abruptly, but was put on track easily again. I didn't develop a favourite character, although I did enjoy Queen Elizabeth's anger, but that didn't ruin the connection and emotion I felt towards them and the plot. I am happy that the focus of the story was not blinded by a romance, but I hope more female characters can be implemented in the future.
The book was filled with action from the beginning, describing in-depth sword, gun and magic fights between the different factions throughout and I love that the magic was only usable from saying a Latin spell, as sometimes magic can feel a bit over powered, but Bachman managed to display an equal mix, and managed to immerse me as if in a movie. I also love the use of possession, revival, angels and exorcism, linking the history of The real shroud to the powerful, fantasy version and must have been researched for a long time to create a story of a real relic that history lovers can conspire on. The dialogue was historically accurate n my opinion and my favourite chunks were when the characters were talking politics, conspiring and solving problems with each other and I feel they were true to what would have been discussed. I did occassionally get confused when the latin and other languages were not translated, which only happened a few times and I also got confused when the POV changed abruptly, but was put on track easily again. I didn't develop a favourite character, although I did enjoy Queen Elizabeth's anger, but that didn't ruin the connection and emotion I felt towards them and the plot. I am happy that the focus of the story was not blinded by a romance, but I hope more female characters can be implemented in the future.
April 11, 2024
An interesting concept.
It was a great read with an interesting concept of the 16th Century Elizabethan time period mixed with a little fantasy, which was an interesting mix. I did enjoy the book but did find myself skipping pages as some pages weren't needed or were too wordy, and my interest slipped a little. Good read.
It was a great read with an interesting concept of the 16th Century Elizabethan time period mixed with a little fantasy, which was an interesting mix. I did enjoy the book but did find myself skipping pages as some pages weren't needed or were too wordy, and my interest slipped a little. Good read.
January 6, 2026
History and fantasy collide in The Shroud, set in the midst of 16th century England. With rival factions hunting for the titular mythical Shroud, the plot is heart racing and keeps you turning the page until the very end. I would definitely recommend.
December 31, 2023
Well researched historically accurate Elizabethan era thriller! I would recommend this a lot. Thanks for the arc.
March 26, 2023
Book Review:
Title: The Shroud
Author: George Bachman
Publisher: Sublime Ltd
Date of Publishing: October 15, 2022
Length: 398 pages, Kindle Edition
ISBN: 9780990899044
The Shroud by author George Bahman is a historical spy novel set in 16th Century Europe.
The novel starts mysteriously, and within a few pages, the plot thickens. The story centres around retrieving the lost the Shroud of Turin from Rome.
All those who love Dan Brown's books and have appreciated the Da Vinci series (books or films) are going to fall in love with The Shroud by author George Bahman.
Although the first few chapters start with the mystery and the chase, like the Dan Brown series. And, the similarity ends just there. We see a story of a different era unfold. The narration, dialogue delivery, setup of the plot, and vocabulary transport us @welovequalitybooks to the 16th century.
The Shroud by author George Bahman is a well-researched novel.
The story runs a little slow in the first few chapters because it introduces the characters, and gives a peep into the plot, including all its complexities. Then the story gathers pace and keeps us hooked throughout.
The novel ends on a high and the fate of The Shroud by author George Bahman is happily sealed for some of the characters in the novel. Without revealing the end of the story, we @welovequalitybooks can say the conclusion is positive and much deserved. The readers are likely to enjoy the outcome.
The Shroud by author George Bahman is for anyone that loves Elizabethan history, intrigue, mystery and the slice of the past.
For the well-researched, well-thought and perfectly executed version of The Shroud by author George Bahman, we @welovequalitybooks give the novel 4 stars.
Title: The Shroud
Author: George Bachman
Publisher: Sublime Ltd
Date of Publishing: October 15, 2022
Length: 398 pages, Kindle Edition
ISBN: 9780990899044
The Shroud by author George Bahman is a historical spy novel set in 16th Century Europe.
The novel starts mysteriously, and within a few pages, the plot thickens. The story centres around retrieving the lost the Shroud of Turin from Rome.
All those who love Dan Brown's books and have appreciated the Da Vinci series (books or films) are going to fall in love with The Shroud by author George Bahman.
Although the first few chapters start with the mystery and the chase, like the Dan Brown series. And, the similarity ends just there. We see a story of a different era unfold. The narration, dialogue delivery, setup of the plot, and vocabulary transport us @welovequalitybooks to the 16th century.
The Shroud by author George Bahman is a well-researched novel.
The story runs a little slow in the first few chapters because it introduces the characters, and gives a peep into the plot, including all its complexities. Then the story gathers pace and keeps us hooked throughout.
The novel ends on a high and the fate of The Shroud by author George Bahman is happily sealed for some of the characters in the novel. Without revealing the end of the story, we @welovequalitybooks can say the conclusion is positive and much deserved. The readers are likely to enjoy the outcome.
The Shroud by author George Bahman is for anyone that loves Elizabethan history, intrigue, mystery and the slice of the past.
For the well-researched, well-thought and perfectly executed version of The Shroud by author George Bahman, we @welovequalitybooks give the novel 4 stars.
December 26, 2022
4.5 Christmas stars..
Why? because this book was one of my Christmas reads. And it was perfect.
I'm a history buff. I enjoy historical fiction a lot, even if I haven't been reading it a lot recently, but it's always dear to my heart.
Being able to get lost in a time period, its intricacies, language, mannerisms, even the change in the surrounding appeal so much to me. And this book takes it up a notch. Not only does it has the history of 16th Century England, but also so much magical mystery, betrayal, adventure, intrigue and the clever confrontation between spy masters.. As you can see, a perfect Christmas read.
Our main character is clever, dedicated and everything we expect from the best spy master, albeit a retired one.. and how he deals with all that's thrown out at him during the story is quite entertaining.. Not only the search for a powerful artifact ( and this adds another layer to any history buff) but the betrayal and later on price on his head with the cherry on top of saving the fate of England.
I recommend this book to any who wants to have a good time reading an intelligently written historical fiction with some fantasy elements thrown in.
Thanks to the author for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Why? because this book was one of my Christmas reads. And it was perfect.
I'm a history buff. I enjoy historical fiction a lot, even if I haven't been reading it a lot recently, but it's always dear to my heart.
Being able to get lost in a time period, its intricacies, language, mannerisms, even the change in the surrounding appeal so much to me. And this book takes it up a notch. Not only does it has the history of 16th Century England, but also so much magical mystery, betrayal, adventure, intrigue and the clever confrontation between spy masters.. As you can see, a perfect Christmas read.
Our main character is clever, dedicated and everything we expect from the best spy master, albeit a retired one.. and how he deals with all that's thrown out at him during the story is quite entertaining.. Not only the search for a powerful artifact ( and this adds another layer to any history buff) but the betrayal and later on price on his head with the cherry on top of saving the fate of England.
I recommend this book to any who wants to have a good time reading an intelligently written historical fiction with some fantasy elements thrown in.
Thanks to the author for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2023
Grand Read!
George Bachman writes a fantastical tale with The Shroud. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. I enjoyed reading this story, as it had a mix of history, magic, and adventure, all the things that make up a great fantasy, while making the story feel so real. There are a bit of twists, along with betrayal, intrigue and the wonder of what is coming around the corner next. The reader is introduced to Hertford, a former spy who is recruited to find this supernatural shroud of Turin and use the powers, something that everyone wants for themselves. A simple assignment brings action, and enemies all vying for the same thing. Power. The author weaves a tangled web of story, and captures the reader. This author brings the story to life. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. A very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! The Shroud is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
George Bachman writes a fantastical tale with The Shroud. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. I enjoyed reading this story, as it had a mix of history, magic, and adventure, all the things that make up a great fantasy, while making the story feel so real. There are a bit of twists, along with betrayal, intrigue and the wonder of what is coming around the corner next. The reader is introduced to Hertford, a former spy who is recruited to find this supernatural shroud of Turin and use the powers, something that everyone wants for themselves. A simple assignment brings action, and enemies all vying for the same thing. Power. The author weaves a tangled web of story, and captures the reader. This author brings the story to life. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. A very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! The Shroud is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
October 25, 2025
The Shroud is a historical spy thriller that blends Elizabethan intrigue with supernatural suspense. Set in 16th-century Europe, it follows Hertford, Queen Elizabeth’s former spymaster, as he’s pulled back into a web of court conspiracies, rival factions, and a dangerous quest to recover the Shroud of Turin before it falls into the wrong hands.
Mr. Bachman clearly did his homework. The language, setting, and political maneuvering feel authentic to the time, and the dialogue never breaks character. This world of catacombs, coded messages, and shaky alliances, and the fantasy elements of magic, possession, and exorcism would make for wonderful movie.
I don’t read historical fiction often. The pacing was a little slow at times, especially in the beginning, but it picks up and held my attention.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, The Shroud delivers a satisfying mix of espionage, mysticism, and old-world drama.
4 Stars
Mr. Bachman clearly did his homework. The language, setting, and political maneuvering feel authentic to the time, and the dialogue never breaks character. This world of catacombs, coded messages, and shaky alliances, and the fantasy elements of magic, possession, and exorcism would make for wonderful movie.
I don’t read historical fiction often. The pacing was a little slow at times, especially in the beginning, but it picks up and held my attention.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, The Shroud delivers a satisfying mix of espionage, mysticism, and old-world drama.
4 Stars
February 9, 2026
The Shroud of Turin has long been a subject of personal fascination for me. Given my background as a scientist, Ive spent a significant amount of time poring over books and even papers about scientific studies and chemical analyses performed on the rare material traces authorized for release by the Catholic Church. Naturally, a thriller centered on a plot by English spies to steal the Shroud immediately piqued my interest. Since the work is a piece of fiction, one might be inclined to forgive the occasional historical inaccuracy in favor of the narrative arc.
However, while the central premise is compelling, the execution is not without its flaws. The occasional dense, sprawling narrative passages stall the story’s momentum. Furthermore, the prose relies heavily on dialogue tags ("said," "asked," and even "barked").
However, while the central premise is compelling, the execution is not without its flaws. The occasional dense, sprawling narrative passages stall the story’s momentum. Furthermore, the prose relies heavily on dialogue tags ("said," "asked," and even "barked").
May 12, 2023
“The Shroud” is set in 16th century Europe and centers around the fight and search for the Shroud of Turin. It introduces Hertford, Queen Elizabeth’s former spymaster.
Overall, I was a little mixed on this tale. I found the concept interesting and was instantly drawn to the possibility of a Dan Brown-esque story. The mystery and religious aspect surrounding the the Shroud was intriguing, but the similarity ended there. A majority of the story was spent with different groups and individuals fighting over and chasing the Shroud. I am not a huge fan of overly descriptive fight scenes within books and this was a big part, especially earlier on. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I was a little mixed on this tale. I found the concept interesting and was instantly drawn to the possibility of a Dan Brown-esque story. The mystery and religious aspect surrounding the the Shroud was intriguing, but the similarity ended there. A majority of the story was spent with different groups and individuals fighting over and chasing the Shroud. I am not a huge fan of overly descriptive fight scenes within books and this was a big part, especially earlier on. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
December 30, 2025
In this novel, we have rival factions running around, stealing the shroud, killing each other and betraying each other. The shroud seems to be infused with magic powers, but it's also possible that it's not the right one, or has been replaced or replaced another one. The inclusion of magic and demons is a signal to me not to worry too much about historical accuracy, but then that takes some of the fun out of it. I found it hard to follow: hard to figure out what characters were saying or implying, when I didn't know clearly who they were or who they were working for.
February 20, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4
First, let me say I was absolutely intrigued by the blurb - magic and intrigue in Elizabethan times all surrounding the famous shroud that once wrapped the body of Jesus. Bachman has a singular talent for describing action scenes in a way that get the heart racing. The plot moves along in fits and starts, but keeps the reader intrigued enough that you want to know what happens next. Overall, an interesting historical thriller with nice fantasy elements woven in.
First, let me say I was absolutely intrigued by the blurb - magic and intrigue in Elizabethan times all surrounding the famous shroud that once wrapped the body of Jesus. Bachman has a singular talent for describing action scenes in a way that get the heart racing. The plot moves along in fits and starts, but keeps the reader intrigued enough that you want to know what happens next. Overall, an interesting historical thriller with nice fantasy elements woven in.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews