The Forgotten Alphabet: A Dual-Timeline Thriller

The Blackwell Files #17

by Steven F. Freeman

Sometimes the past should remain hidden.

Underwater archeologists have discovered a lost, encoded manuscript linked to Saint Theo Erkenwald, a seventh century Benedictine monk. When a team of scholars unravels the secrets embedded in the medieval document, they realize the long-hidden knowledge threatens the entire world with a disaster of biblical proportions.

The threat grows even more urgent when the details of their discovery fall into the hands of a shadowy organization with sinister motives. Racing to trace the leaked data, the team must combine their modern expertise with the buried secrets of Saint Erkenwald himself if they are to prevent a modern apocalypse.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2024

About the author

Thriller/mystery author Steve Freeman is a former member of the US Army's Signal Corps, a thirty-four-year employee of a large American technology company, and an avid traveler who has visited every continent but Antarctica. His novels draw from firsthand knowledge of military service, the tech industry, and the diverse cultures of our world.

He currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, daughter, and four dogs.

Reviews

[Miss Julia Mary Nix · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible

This book is just so bad it is almost funny. Potatoes in 7th century England? The constant use of Americanisms in a story set in England? The weak and predictable story line... OK, I've read less than 10%, but honestly there's better ways to spend your time than reading this drivel. Choose something else. Anything.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this intriguing story that meshed past and present along with religion, history and science. I didn't know it was part of the series until the end so it can definitely be read without one having read the rest of the series.

[Jillian Higham · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay adventure, but some awful clumsy clunkers. For starters "11 days from the events in chapter 1". Some of the language of the 7th century monks was just too modern and it grated. One of the American women was described as having "obsidian hair" - What? Only the Americans could save the day - the Brits either committed suicide or were bumped off. Nasty typo - Ethen's office. A passable bit of fluff.

[Selwyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written and probably aimed at YA, because of the unnecessary detail for an adult mind. The author must assume that readers have a brain and know something about the world - hence my thought about it being aimed at YA.

[Peggy McAloon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some secrets buried in the ocean’s depths should perhaps remain undiscovered by man. No spoilers here as this is one of the best historical thrillers I’ve ever read.

The story’s foundation rests in the vision and faith of one man: Saint Theo Erkenwald, a seventh century Benedictine monk.

The Forgotten Alphabet is driven by two mysteries: A secret kept for centuries in ancient writings of an unknown language and a religious artifact capable of bringing the strongest of humans to their knees. The writings hold the key to an ancient secret that could destroy the world as we know it.

One of the scenes swept me back to the day I first stepped into the holiest catacombs. Instantly, I felt as if every molecule of oxygen had been swept from the room as tears poured down my cheeks unchecked. This book will do that for you.

The Forgotten Alphabet (The Blackwell Files) will have you scrambling for the answers as the pages seemingly turn themselves. This mystery will not leave your consciousness even when you turn off the light to go to sleep…The threat is real.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Alphabet is an interesting book. The dual timeline is done very well and it added to the appeal of the story for me as a reader as I saw what was a current day mystery being set up in the 7th century as very reasonable activities.
While the story is fiction, it blends in a real Benedictine monk, Saint Erkenwald, and real events that occurred in his time.
The second half of the book focuses more on the current day timeline and introduces a lot of characters to keep up with, but that is needed as the plot has changed from solving mysteries to preventing disasters.
I didn’t know this was part of a set until I finished reading it, so you don’t have to have any previous knowledge of the other books to enjoy this one.

[Diane Brazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forgotten Alphabet

I really like books about conspiracies. But not in real life. This book had an underground conspiracy. I couldn't read it fast enough, and I am a very fast reader.

The thing that bothered me with this book was the way the way the characters were introduced. The were a number of characters without too much introduction, making it difficult who was who.....unless I was just reading too fast. I thought the characters should have even a bit more known, how did they know the other characters? Perhaps a slower,.or longer, announcement when they went by different names. It didn't ruin the entire book, but it certainly didn't help it.

The tempo was fast moving, and the mystery was fascinating.

[Gary Hardenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read from Steven Freeman

I really enjoyed this book and is another fun Blackwell Files saga. I pulled this book up from my Kindle list and started reading. I was over 30% in before Alton and Mallory Blackwell showed up. I really like the jumps between the 1500s and the present. The alphabet mystery was awesome and the characters fun. I removed a star because it seems the story wrapped up quickly without and “gotchas” in the end. Also, Some of the dialogue was weak. In the end, though, it’s a fun adventure much like Mr Freeman’s other books. I will read more of them.

[Sharron Grodzinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language and historical facts in this story will take you back to ancient history and the secrets of a long lost language. Then you will be propelled back into the present day and thrilling action and intrigue. This is the best written dialogue set in 600Ad that I have ever read.

This Blackwell series thriller is based on a long lost language and artifact. Following the life of Theoctistus Erkenwald, a monk, whose story leads you to present day danger that will keep you reading. You won't want to put this one down.

[Brandy Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forgotten Alphabet is a great little book. It's a quick read, but is full of mystery. I did like the dual timeline, reading about the current time, and then back to the seventh century with St Erkenwald. It built up the mystery of finding the meaning of the found document and discovering how the message relates to history and current events. Definitely a recommended read.
Thank you to LibraryThing and the author for giving me a chance to read it.

[Macjest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay, although I had hoped for more. A monk back in the day discovers a way to cure the plague but it has unintended consequences. He hides the recipe behind a secret alphabet/code. In present day it is discovered and cracked. Now drug dealers want to use his recipe. Parts of the story dragged and it was easy to figure out certain parts. Still, not bad for a freebie.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the way the duel timelines built on one another through the first half of the book. Wish the duel timeline ran through the whole book, but it made sense for the story.
Lots of characters to keep track of in the "present day" timeline but each did have their place.

[Archee Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

I was delighted with the storyline and the plot. Very interesting premise.
The author has a vivid imagination and a talent of description that is very pleasing.
I look foward to reading his other works.

[Jeff Rowland]

As good as it gets . Action, suspense throughout. Good plot

[donna hennebury · Rating 4 out of 5]

past and future

This was a good read .A little bit of adventure to keep your imagination peaked.
The characters were interesting.
History and the present.

[DrJLove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy I just liked this story. A blend of DaVinci and Indiana Jones. Great historical references and modern times and real headlines and fears.

[Deborah Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed it. It had an interesting story line. It could have been a bit more in depth. But otherwise an interesting story.

[Daniel]

Not at all into the heavy religion.