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Shadow Ritual

(Antoine Marcas #2)

Eric Giacometti,

Jacques Ravenne,

Anne Trager (Goodreads Author) (Translator)

3.53 · Rating details · 574 ratings · 101 reviews

An electrifying thriller about the rise of extremism. Two slayings—one in Rome and one in Jerusalem—rekindle an ancient rivalry between modern-day secret societies for knowledge lost at the fall of the Third Reich. Detective Antoine Marcas unwillingly teams up with the strong-willed Jade Zewinski to chase Neo-Nazi assassins across Europe. They must unravel an arcane Freema ...more

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Paperback, 270 pages

Published March 25th 2015 by Le French Book (first published 2005)

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Start your review of Shadow Ritual (Antoine Marcas #2; Antoine Marcas - English Translation Order #1)

Feb 09, 2015 Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2015

Two murders, one in Rome and one in Jerusalem brings detective Antoine Marcas and special agent Jade Zewenski, the head of security of the embassy in Rome together. Jade's friend Sophie is killed by three blows to her upper body. Her shoulder, her neck and her head. In the same day a man is killed in the same way in Jerusalem.

Zewinski is in no way pleased about working on the case with Marcas. She doesn't like anything that has to do with Freemason and Marcas is a member of the group. But as the ...more

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Mar 24, 2015 Melinda rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015

A riveting conspiracy theory thriller loaded with history. Freemason’s vs. Thule society vying for power. With such extensive coverage of Freemasons, you will be well versed long after you close the cover. Plenty of esoteric secrets to pique your interest and curiosity.

Villains you will loathe, a hero and heroine savvy enough to solve the intricate puzzle, you will support them in their relentless pursuit.

Full of action, extremely fast paced, not to mention riveting. A story offering suspense, m ...more

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Jan 06, 2015 Anne Trager rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

I liked this enough to translate it into English. I had the honor of working with the French authors to pare it down and adapt this first-in-series, making the adventure very exciting. I liked the action, the premise and the characters. Some favorite details: Inspector Antoine Marcas's total disregard for any mention of the Templars, the character Jade as a whole, the discussion about Le Procope, the final climatic scene (for the setting as much as anything else), and the bits and pieces of real ...more

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Mar 21, 2015 Vicki rated it liked it

Shadow Ritual is first in a projected series of nine books featuring Inspector Antoine Marcas. It is newly translated into English from the French, but the original series has already been published worldwide in French and 16 other languages.

I received an advance e-copy of the book courtesy of NetGalley and Le French Book.

A thriller that pits the secret societies of Thule, a precursor of the Nazi party, and the Freemasons, this novel begins with mysterious ritual killings in separate cities. The Shadow Ritual is first in a projected series of nine books featuring Inspector Antoine Marcas. It is newly translated into English from the French, but the original series has already been published worldwide in French and 16 other languages.

I received an advance e-copy of the book courtesy of NetGalley and Le French Book.

A thriller that pits the secret societies of Thule, a precursor of the Nazi party, and the Freemasons, this novel begins with mysterious ritual killings in separate cities. The plot is based on the real life theft of many French Masonic archival records by Nazis during the French occupation of WW II, which then fell into the possession of Communist Russia upon the defeat of the Nazis.

Members of the mysterious Thule became elite members of the Nazi party as it surged to power before WW II, and when its defeat was imminent, they arranged the escape and new lives for their own members. Their belief in the supremacy of the Aryan race had preceded the rise of Nazism and continues after its demise. The intent of the escaping Nazi/Thule members was also to protect the archival records they had stolen in France but the papers were confiscated by the incoming Russians before the Nazis could get them past the German borders.

So 60 years later, Thule is still trying to recover the papers and to discover the hidden meaning of some passages that have confounded the non-Masonic scholars who have pored over the documents, believing there is a missing clue which would uncover the recipe of an elixir that may be the path to eternal life. In the meantime an ancient stone, possibly part of a tablet that dates to Solomon's Temple, has been found and is now being studied by an archeologist in Jerusalem. That archeologist, a Dachau survivor, is soon to be discovered ritualistically murdered.

The ritual killings are recognizable to Police Inspector Marcas and others familiar with the origins of Freemasonry. The killings mimic the legendary death of Hiram, the builder and architect of Solomon's temple and the reputed founder of Masonry.

The murders start piling up and when Inspector Marcas begins checking on previous deaths of Masonic members, he notes that the ritual style has been used before. He and his supervisor Jade Zewenski are moving fast to solve the murders, but the Thule members are moving faster and are ruthless, not to mention cruel and sadistic, in their quest to get the answers that will enable them to move to the next level of their perceived superiority.

Zewenski is head of security at the embassy in Rome where one of the murders occurs. Her disdain for Freemasonry and her mistrust of the French police inspector who is also a Freemason means that her longer "learning curve" puts the team and the case at risk. The good news is, with eight books to go, surely some of the good guys will survive! ...more

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Mar 24, 2015 Jennifer (JC-S) rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-books, net-galley

‘Designed to last a thousand years, the bunker’s foundations were showing signs of weakness.’

Two slayings - one in Rome and the other in Jerusalem - rekindle an ancient rivalry between two separate secret societies. The two are in competition for information lost when the Third Reich fell, and will do whatever it takes to achieve their objectives.

‘There was no longer any room for doubt. It had all started in Germany and had continued over the course of centuries.’

Detective Antoine Marcas is relu ...more

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Mar 02, 2015 Susan Johnston rated it really liked it

Nazis, Freemasons, secret societies and mystic symbols abound in this book. It took a while for me to get into the story because there were just so many threads but once it started to weave together, it was a beautiful tapestry.
Two ritualistic murders bring our hero and heroine together. Since they immediately despise each other, you know sparks will fly. She is the head of Security in the French Embassy where one of her childhood friends is murdered. He is brought on board as a policeman as muc ...more

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Mar 11, 2015 Betty rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-books

Chaos reins in Berlin as Russian forces near the city.The SS's convoy carrying plunder occupied countries is stopped except for lead vehicle. Present day in the French Embassy in Rone MURDERs and in Jerusalem occur. They are similar as both were kill by 3 strikes, one to shoulder, next to the neck and finnally a blow to head. This a thriller with good information about World War Two and Freemasons. Why the method of killing?The ending is a suprise.This book was translated from French into Englis ...more

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Mar 03, 2015 Gopal rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Thanks to the Author Eric Giancometti and Jacques Ravenne, Publisher Le French Book and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Copy of the book for review purposes. I in no way make any profit from my reviews and all the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and genuine.
I quote this from the publisher "When this book was first released in France, it sold 250,000 copies and was translated into 17 languages. Now it is finally in English. The nine-book series has gone on to sell 2 ...more

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Mar 21, 2015 Cheryl rated it really liked it

"Flesh falls from the bones"

SHADOW RITUAL is an action-packed thriller that follows two separate secret societies - the Freemasons and the Thule - on a deadly quest.

The book started out a bit slow for me but was soon barreling along non-stop, alternating between societies. A lot of history was included in this tale and it was interesting to me especially to see where the Freemasons began.

The synopsis of the book on Goodreads says this is actually based on a true story. Hmm...seems farfetched to ...more

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Dec 21, 2014 Bill rated it it was amazing

Jump on the rollercoaster of a read with Parisian Detective Antoine Marcas and angry special ops Jade Zewinski as they race to unravel the meanings of strange inscriptions on a recently unearth ancient stone, Freemason papers once stolen by the Nazis, then by the victorious Russians following World War II before the terrorist Palestinian or the dark and violent group that helped give birth to the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler.

Jade Zewinski can hardly tolerate Marcas, ordered to work with her to di ...more

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Aug 25, 2017 Sheila rated it it was amazing

Tightly written thriller. Marcas is a Freemason and a cop. He is to help investigate a murder that happened in the French embassy in Rome which has Freemason ties. His partner for the case, Jade, has no use for Masons so he has an uphill battle dealing with her. She comes to rely on him as the case proceeds.

I loved this! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. It was a page turner. The characters are good. Marcas and Jade are fun to watch. I liked that Marcas explained different Mason ...more

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Dec 22, 2020 Doug rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Sadly I was not impressed with Shadow Ritual. I was really disappointed with the overall plot and characters. It's hard for me to give 2/5 to an author when I realize, I personally am not talented enough to tell stories and put them into print for others to critique. However, I believe that as a series opener this book did not deliver. The plot was straightforward and plausible. The characters and some of the situations they escaped from were a bit over the top unbelievable. While I did not enjo ...more

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May 07, 2017 Mike Dishmon rated it it was amazing

I came across this book by chance, and am glad I did. I loved this from page one. Characters are sharp and real, tale reads well, no long drawn out sections that lag the flow.

I do not want to give too much away, but I would highly recommend this one to anyone who likes a good thriller loaded with mystery and suspense.

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Apr 03, 2015 Marlene rated it it was amazing

Originally published at Reading Reality

This is the second book in the series featuring Antoine Marcas, and based on this entry in the series, I hope that the publisher gets the rest of the series translated tout de suite. Meaning, as fast as the translator Anne Trager can get them out.

Shadow Ritual is edge-of-the-seat thrilling, very much in the vein of The Da Vinci Code but with much better editing. The pace is taut, and the story, even the parts about rituals and history and the secret society ...more

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Jul 21, 2020 Louis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A great summer holiday read.
On top of learning quite a bit about freemasons, it reminded me of on of my reads from last summer: the cosmic serpent. They both deal with a mystic drink that connects you to the super natural.
I almost wish all this was true sometimes.

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Dec 18, 2018 Greg Parrott rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fast read...

Never knew much about Freemasons.... Now I'll have to read more. Fast paced and just enough narrative to keep the flow going and the interest high! ...more

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Dec 22, 2020 Markus rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle

For me - awesome! A struggle between good (Freemasonry) and bad (The Order of Thule), between past and present. I love this!!!

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Feb 23, 2015 Martha rated it liked it

Starting with a prologue in which François Le Guermand, originally from France, and now an SS officer is inducted into the rites of the Black Order, Thule, and includes an all too familiar incident of Nazi looting and finishes with the curious ritual murder of a delirious prisoner in Dachau, Shadow Ritual is a book filled with diverse secret orders, grizzly deaths and a thrilling hunt through Europe, the Middle East and France to prevent an ancient and powerful secret from falling into the hands Starting with a prologue in which François Le Guermand, originally from France, and now an SS officer is inducted into the rites of the Black Order, Thule, and includes an all too familiar incident of Nazi looting and finishes with the curious ritual murder of a delirious prisoner in Dachau, Shadow Ritual is a book filled with diverse secret orders, grizzly deaths and a thrilling hunt through Europe, the Middle East and France to prevent an ancient and powerful secret from falling into the hands of dangerous and unprincipled men.

As the story proper begins, Antoine Marcas, French policeman and Freemason, is in Italy giving a lecture on the origins of Freemasonry to the Cagliostro Lodge of Rome. We, the reader, are immediately presented with one of the problems imbedded in this otherwise interesting book. We get the first of many, too many, long INFO-dumps concerning Freemasonry, and its past and current problems.

After his lecture and a Q&A session Antoine, declines the traditional, we are informed, offer to share food and drink, and takes a taxi to the Farnese Palace, now the French Embassy, for a reception. He’s been invited by an old friend Alex Jaigu, who now works for French Intelligence. During the party a young graduate student of Freemasonry, Sophie Dawes, is ritually murdered with three blows: to the hand, the shoulder and to the head. Alex is the first to be made aware of the murder and persuades Marcas to look at the body with him. He is trying to get a step ahead of his boss, Special Agent Jade Zewinski, who dislikes him as much as her dislikes her. When she arrives, she orders the two men to leave. “It’s my case, my jurisdiction.” And Sophie had been a friend.
At the same time, in Jerusalem, the murder of a concentration camp survivor and Freemason is being commissioned. Marek, whom we had encountered briefly in the prologue, is studying the inscriptions on an ancient tablet which had recently been sent to him. Bashir Al Khansa, Arab hit-man for hire, has been paid to steal this stone and kill Marek in the same specific ritualised fashion as Sophie in Italy.

Back in Paris, the connection between the two murders is quickly obvious and Special Agent Zewinski and Detective Marcas are ordered to work together. She hates men generally and Masons specifically. Newly divorced, Antoine has become a loner and is not comfortable working with anyone, much less the angry and taciturn Jade.

All is in place for a fast-paced, frequently bloody, chase through Paris and rural France, leading to a well realised outcome with overtones of budding romance. Jade is a complex and capable woman; just the kind of female character everyone talks about wanting to see. I found Antoine a bit dorky with his Freemasonry obsession. Nonetheless, this would be a delightful way to pass a rainy weekend, if it were not for the extensive propagandising. I accept that there needs to be some background presented, but surely this could be accomplished without long paragraphs of unadorned explication. For example, the prologue, because of its immediacy, works better than the body of the book.

I’m not anti-Freemason. Members of my family are Masons; I was in one of their youth sections during high school. I wanted to like this book, but the constant hard sell was distracting and made it unpleasantly difficult to concentrate on the story.

There is much to enjoy about Shadow Ritual, if only the authors had cut back on the propaganda. 3***
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Apr 14, 2015 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Another good find from NetGalley, this book piqued my interest from its synopsis. I'm a sucker for symbols, mysteries and adventure. This book had all of that and more. There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn't expect and some that I knew were coming from having read other similar stories in the past. However, this book did a good job of stepping down other avenues while retelling familiar tales. It was refreshing to have another element added to the usual mystery or suspense type no Another good find from NetGalley, this book piqued my interest from its synopsis. I'm a sucker for symbols, mysteries and adventure. This book had all of that and more. There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn't expect and some that I knew were coming from having read other similar stories in the past. However, this book did a good job of stepping down other avenues while retelling familiar tales. It was refreshing to have another element added to the usual mystery or suspense type novel. There was a definite French and international flavor to the novel, due in large part to the authors, as well as many layers and conspiracies which played upon myths or legends within several regions of France.

Much of the story followed Antoine Marcas, a French detective and Freemason, who found himself saddled with a partner who didn't like his fraternal order much. Jade Zewinski had experienced a lot in her young life and it all began with some bitter dealings with Freemason. This particular conflict gave way to some good dialogue as well as opened doors for further information to be put into the novel without weighing the conversation or reader down. Other characters filled the ranks on both sides of the chase, each one a little more disturbed/sane than the next. I liked the fact that the book had both a male and a female character that could not only take the lead but seemed strong, resilient even without the other present. In truth there were a couple of characters on the "bad" side that made me feel the same way. With their deep-rooted likes or dislikes, many of the characters seemed as real as you or I.

There were plenty of action scenes within the novel. While much of the book took place in modern or present day places and time, a few important scenes occurred in the past to set the stage for the book as a whole. With so much information to impart to the reader, the authors did a great job of sliding it into conversation or within manuscripts that the characters read on their own. The combination of the usual thoughts and feelings about one secret society versus another also added a new dimension to the novel. I really liked how they took what has become standard in regards to Freemason theology and put a new twist on their myths and legends. Though I could guess where the story led a few times, I was pleasantly surprised more often than not by the events that took place in the book.

Overall, this book wasn't a run-of-the-mill type of mystery novel that centered around symbols and myths. The authors took information that had been used many times before and displayed it in such a way that made it seem fresh and new. I did enjoy the fast-paced excitement of the chase as well as the slow unearthing of information as a few characters dug through ancient archives. While the book does lean toward French audiences, anyone can enjoy the hunt and the terror the authors put into the pages. If you're a lover of ancient myths and secret societies or simply enjoy a good mystery surrounded by the past, this book should be on your TBR pile! ...more

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Jun 23, 2015 Killer Nashville rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: killer-nashville-book-of-the-day

In Éric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne’s international bestseller “Shadow Ritual”, the past leaks into the future as two murderers leave the Parisian government and an ancient society reeling.

Levelheaded Inspector Antione Marcas must begrudgingly team up with Special Agent Jade Zewinski—a hard-hitting, quick-tempered woman with a wit to match her physical stamina—to solve a crime that links together thousands of years of history and elitist societies that jockey for domination. But with Marcas’ In Éric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne’s international bestseller “Shadow Ritual”, the past leaks into the future as two murderers leave the Parisian government and an ancient society reeling.

Levelheaded Inspector Antione Marcas must begrudgingly team up with Special Agent Jade Zewinski—a hard-hitting, quick-tempered woman with a wit to match her physical stamina—to solve a crime that links together thousands of years of history and elitist societies that jockey for domination. But with Marcas’ intimate knowledge of Freemasonry as their best asset and Jade’s intense hatred for this brotherhood, the two must overcome their differences in order to track down the murderer of a young archivist.

As Marcas and Jade trace the crime’s origins back through time, the two face Neo-Nazis, a ruthless assassin, and a legendary quest whose prize has been sought after—and killed for—since medieval times.

Fast-paced and chilling “Shadow Ritual” is an electrifying narrative that combines a historical thriller with modern speed and humor. Giacometti and Ravenne seamlessly weave together different cultures and character perspectives. The result is a fuller reading experience that crosses borders—from Rome to Paris to Jerusalem. Translated by Anne Trager “Shadow Ritual” retains its wonderful and distinct storytelling in its transition into English.

Marcas and Jade are both wonderfully intelligent characters, and the villains of the story are particularly striking in their inventive cruelty and elitist agenda. Almost reminiscent of an “Indiana Jones” film with the invocation of WWII and its striking, chilling ending, “Shadow Ritual” will take readers on an adventurous ride.

With the strong duo created in Marcas and Jade along with the story’s intricate, historical plot, “Shadow Ritual” gives crime fiction an original flair. I would recommend this novel to readers who are interested in World War II fiction, modern thrillers, and elements of the occult. I would warn potential readers, however, that the storyline can become a little dark and mildly graphic in its violence. The entire novel is, however, an excellently fun and vivid read, and I can’t wait to see the rest of the series.

Reviewer: Alycia Gilbert is an aspiring writer. Gilbert enjoys penning short stories and poems, and is currently writing her first novel. She acts as editor-in-chief of a university’s two literary journals, and loves to help other student writers through editing and strengthening their talents.

Killer Nashville's Review of Shadow Ritual
Killer Nashville's Past Book Reviews ...more

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Sep 27, 2016 James E. Clark added it · review of another edition

Boring!

If I never hear the word freemason it will be too soon. It was just one LONG description about how wonderful they are.

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Mar 21, 2015 John Purvis rated it really liked it

“Shadow Ritual” was published in 2015 (March) and was written by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne. This is their first english language publication, though they have published more extensively in Europe.

I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence and Mature Language. This Thriller novel is set in contemporary times and takes place primarily in France. The primary characters are Antoine “Shadow Ritual” was published in 2015 (March) and was written by Eric Giacometti and Jacques Ravenne. This is their first english language publication, though they have published more extensively in Europe.

I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence and Mature Language. This Thriller novel is set in contemporary times and takes place primarily in France. The primary characters are Antoine Marcas, a Paris Homicide detective and amateur expert on masonic symbols, and Jade Zewinski, a former French commando, now serving as head of security for the French embassy in Rome, Italy.

Marcus is invited to a party at the French embassy in Rome by a long time friend. While there, a young woman is discovered murdered and Marcas is asked to take a look by his friend.

Zewinski is not happy that her domain as head of embassy security has been encroached upon. She is particularly distraught as the young woman that has been murdered was a close friend of hers.

While they do not get along with one another, Marcus and Zewinski are tasked by the French government to investigate the murder. They quickly discover that the victim was an archivist at the Grand Orient Freemason headquarters in Paris, and that her death seems to be tied to work she was doing for them.

The Thule, an Aryan secret society established long before the Nazi party, has been operating in the shadows. One of their leaders is seeking secrets that he believes the Masonic order has hidden. The ensuing race to find the identity of the murderer and to discover the hidden secret leads Marcus and Zewinski on a harrowing journey.

The book has many exciting moments as the story unfolds. It is somewhat reminiscent of “The Da Vinci Code”, but I do not think that the plot was as well developed. While I enjoyed the 6.5 hours I spent reading the novel, I think it could have been better developed. I did like the characters of Marcus and Zewinski. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. ...more

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Mar 24, 2015 Aaron (Typographical Era) rated it really liked it

Blending historical fact with fast-paced, thrilling adventure, authors Jacques Ravenne & Eric Giacometti’s first entry in a nine book(!) series to be translated into English takes lovers of conspiracy theories and archaic mysteries on a roller coaster-like ride deep into the heart of competing secret societies. When two ritualistic murders occur on the same day, thousands of miles apart, a most unlikely pair of law enforcement officials will be forced to work together to crack the case, but can ...more

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Mar 29, 2015 Mave rated it really liked it

This thriller engages you from the first page, it's really hard to put it down: it's full of action, twists and unsolved mysteries, three spectacular places such as Rome, Jerusalem and Berlin where everything takes place, and let's not forget the main characters, a French detective really good and a brave girl. It 's a really intriguing mystery to solve: two murders, a Masonic sect and a secret society who seek to dominate the world.
The secret society Thule had tried to dominate the world with H ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Joanne rated it liked it

An interesting premise and for the most part a fun read. The author does well for keeping the reader turning the pages. However the plot is somewhat fantastic and over the top which detracts. By the end of the book, while I found an interesting read, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at how things had developed. ...more

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May 29, 2015 Merenda rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: adult readers

I was given this book as a Goodreads giveaway winner for MY personal opinion and review of it. And that is what I have left here.

This book is a full of action thrill ride! Mystery, dripping in hearty suspense offerings. It offers intrigue and fast paced action to keep the story flowing like a river cascading down a mountainous terrain. There are crossing of Nations and locations. Mystery unfolding at each to take you to the next piece of the puzzle. The easiest way to describe it would be Dan ...more

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Jul 30, 2016 Kitty Catalyst rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Intense

Two very different secret societies drive the plot of The Shadow Ritual.
French police officer Antoine Marcas, who is also a Freemason, is investigating a murder at the French embassy in Rome. The cause of death is three blows. One blow to the shoulder blade, one to the back of the neck, and a finishing blow to the forehead. On the surface, the attack does not seem in any way special, but Marcas know differently. This is the exact way the founder of The Freemasons was murdered 1500 years a ...more

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Mar 04, 2015 Susan rated it it was amazing

In Berlin 1945 Martin Borman gives valuable cargo to a Frenchman turned SS officer Francois Le Guermand who then escapes the Red Army. Fast forward 60 years into the future where Detective Marcus gives a speech on Freemason ancient rituals while a Dachu survivor researches ancient relics. Two people are killed. Detective Antoine Marcus and Special Agent Jade Zewinski are paired up together after a firiend of Jade's is killed. Her friend had discovered an ancient secret. What secret was worth kil ...more

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Dec 18, 2014 Elisa rated it liked it

Shelves: first-reads

I received a free copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Le French Book!
Le French Book has been doing a great job publishing interesting crime novels, but I wasn't impressed by Shadow Ritual. Part of a series that is a hit in France and which will finally be published in English., it is not the best book I've read about Masonic rites and Nazi conspiracies. I didn't like the characters: or the interactions amongst them. The heroes' bantering, which I assume shows how th ...more

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Mar 11, 2015 Suzanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads

Shadow Ritual is reminiscent of the early Robert Ludlum books. Those early conspiracy thrillers were my favorites, before his work became Bourne-centric or other authors extended his 'brand'. The authors have constructed an elaborate tale that spans two secret societies, multiple religions, failed and flourishing states and ultimately, vast swaths of time. As always with tales of this magnitude, there are conspiracy theories and all involved search for a key that yields something fantastic, awfu ...more

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