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Benedict Hitchens #2
The Emerald Tablet
The Suez Canal, 1956. The world teeters on the brink of nuclear war and the Middle East is a tinderbox.
Conversely, redeemed archaeologist Benedict Hitchens is enjoying a peaceful existence after years in the professional and personal wilderness. His recent discoveries in western Turkey secured him a place in history and the smart thing to do would be to ignore his growing fear that Britain, France and Israel's imminent invasion of Egypt to liberate the Suez Canal is only a diversion.
But Ben's natural inclination towards self-sabotage is never far below the surface. When he learns that the woman who betrayed him is leading a team into the Sinai Desert in search of an ancient treasure, he puts everything at risk to seek his revenge.
She is as brilliant as Benedict, but has had to fight to survive in a world dominated by men. Having aligned herself with unprincipled and ruthless men to further her own interests, her motivations are laid bare as she confronts ghosts she'd rather forget, and makes amends for past wrongdoings.
Both are forced to grapple with their own personal demons as they race to unearth a secret that will, in the wrong hands, mean the annihilation of humankind.
'Pure escapism in the mould of Dan Brown or Indiana Jones...vivid evocations of place' Saturday Age
Conversely, redeemed archaeologist Benedict Hitchens is enjoying a peaceful existence after years in the professional and personal wilderness. His recent discoveries in western Turkey secured him a place in history and the smart thing to do would be to ignore his growing fear that Britain, France and Israel's imminent invasion of Egypt to liberate the Suez Canal is only a diversion.
But Ben's natural inclination towards self-sabotage is never far below the surface. When he learns that the woman who betrayed him is leading a team into the Sinai Desert in search of an ancient treasure, he puts everything at risk to seek his revenge.
She is as brilliant as Benedict, but has had to fight to survive in a world dominated by men. Having aligned herself with unprincipled and ruthless men to further her own interests, her motivations are laid bare as she confronts ghosts she'd rather forget, and makes amends for past wrongdoings.
Both are forced to grapple with their own personal demons as they race to unearth a secret that will, in the wrong hands, mean the annihilation of humankind.
'Pure escapism in the mould of Dan Brown or Indiana Jones...vivid evocations of place' Saturday Age
- GenresHistorical Fiction
416 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2019
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
5 books12 followersMeaghan Wilson Anastasios is a reformed archaeologist, historian, university lecturer, and art auctioneer who has done the logical thing and segued her chequered past into a career as an author and screenwriter. With highlights including exploring a Turkish ghost town with Russell Crowe, and making Sam Neill eat walrus meat, she hasn’t entertained many second thoughts about the career change.
Meaghan’s works in print include the best-selling adaptation of Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner; her novels, The Honourable Thief and The Emerald Tablet; and the bestselling non-fiction book, The Pacific: In the Footsteps of Captain Cook.
Meaghan’s latest novel, Sunday Riley is All Out of F*cks to Give, is being published in 2026. It’s a funny, sweary read about a woman of a certain age who upends her life and heads off to the Greek Islands in search of good times. It’s a departure for Meaghan because, well, she’s also completely out of f*cks to give. This is Meaghan without guardrails.
Some of the serious things Meaghan has written for screen include The Pacific in the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neill, Shane Delia’s Spice Journey, and Gourmet Farmer Afloat. Loot, a documentary series she created and wrote about the connection between organized crime, terrorism, and the trade in stolen antiquities screens locally and internationally.
Meaghan lives in Melbourne with her screenwriter husband, putting paid to the conventional wisdom that creative couples are a recipe for disaster, though they are looking forward to laughing together all the way to the poorhouse. With two children who look to be joining them on the professional creative rollercoaster, plus a dog and three cats, life in Meaghan’s household is never dull.
Meaghan’s works in print include the best-selling adaptation of Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner; her novels, The Honourable Thief and The Emerald Tablet; and the bestselling non-fiction book, The Pacific: In the Footsteps of Captain Cook.
Meaghan’s latest novel, Sunday Riley is All Out of F*cks to Give, is being published in 2026. It’s a funny, sweary read about a woman of a certain age who upends her life and heads off to the Greek Islands in search of good times. It’s a departure for Meaghan because, well, she’s also completely out of f*cks to give. This is Meaghan without guardrails.
Some of the serious things Meaghan has written for screen include The Pacific in the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neill, Shane Delia’s Spice Journey, and Gourmet Farmer Afloat. Loot, a documentary series she created and wrote about the connection between organized crime, terrorism, and the trade in stolen antiquities screens locally and internationally.
Meaghan lives in Melbourne with her screenwriter husband, putting paid to the conventional wisdom that creative couples are a recipe for disaster, though they are looking forward to laughing together all the way to the poorhouse. With two children who look to be joining them on the professional creative rollercoaster, plus a dog and three cats, life in Meaghan’s household is never dull.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 8, 2023
Find more reviews at: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios, using her knowledge as an archaeologist and her time working in the Middle East, has written an atmospheric and riveting story centred around a race to find a mythical emerald tablet that holds the power to destroy mankind.
The Emerald Tablet is set in 1956 during a time of political upheaval in the Middle East as Britain, France and Israel fight over the rights to the Suez Canal.
Benedict Hitchens puts everything on the line as he follows the clues and deciphers the puzzle that presumes to lead to the final resting place of the Emerald Tablet.
The Emerald Tablet was a fabulous read, fast paced, full of twists and rich in danger. I enjoyed following Ben as he found the clues and deciphered each one to move on to the next clue. It was a race against time as the countries he crossed were in the midst of political turmoil and he also had an old foe to beat to the final prize. That is, if the Emerald Tablet is fact and not purely a myth!
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios evokes an astute sense of place and time with lots of history included and extracts from The London Times.
I loved everything about this story; the race, the twists, the suspense, the betrayals and I found it hard to put down as the story sped to the final conclusion.
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios, using her knowledge as an archaeologist and her time working in the Middle East, has written an atmospheric and riveting story centred around a race to find a mythical emerald tablet that holds the power to destroy mankind.
The Emerald Tablet is set in 1956 during a time of political upheaval in the Middle East as Britain, France and Israel fight over the rights to the Suez Canal.
Benedict Hitchens puts everything on the line as he follows the clues and deciphers the puzzle that presumes to lead to the final resting place of the Emerald Tablet.
The Emerald Tablet was a fabulous read, fast paced, full of twists and rich in danger. I enjoyed following Ben as he found the clues and deciphered each one to move on to the next clue. It was a race against time as the countries he crossed were in the midst of political turmoil and he also had an old foe to beat to the final prize. That is, if the Emerald Tablet is fact and not purely a myth!
Meaghan Wilson Anastasios evokes an astute sense of place and time with lots of history included and extracts from The London Times.
I loved everything about this story; the race, the twists, the suspense, the betrayals and I found it hard to put down as the story sped to the final conclusion.
June 23, 2019
Review to come upon Australian publication date! Thanks Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of this book to review!
August 7, 2019
The Emerald Tablet is not my usual reading fare, but I enjoyed it. Written by Melbourne author Meaghan Wilson Anastasios who has a career in archaeology in the Mediterranean and the Middle East behind her and now uses her expertise to work as a researcher for film and TV, the novel has been described in a Saturday Age review as pure escapism in the mould of Dan Brown or Indiana Jones.' But though I think the flawed main character has the same kind of charisma as Harrison Ford, I think The Emerald Tablet is infinitely better than anything by Dan Brown on which I confess to having wasted my time.
The book begins with a well-constructed introduction that includes all the central characters, alludes to the quest that drives the narrative, and provides just enough of the geopolitics of the 1956 Suez Crisis to bring the reader straight to the story: what is this mysterious tablet that is wanted by all the superpowers converging on the Middle East? Yes, it's a reworking of an ancient theme: similar in concept to The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter series et al, The Emerald Tablet is a quest for a power that in the right hands can protect the world and in the wrong hands would destroy it. The emerald tablet, hidden somewhere in the Middle East, is thought to hold the secret of alchemy, which is not, historically, (as most people wrongly think) about the transmutation of metals i.e. from lead to gold, but was aimed at the production of the fabled ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, which really had nothing to do philosophy but was supposed to bestow spiritual wealth and immortality. (See The Sceptical Chymist at The Logical Place if you want to know more about this.) In this novel, it's the possibility of nuclear knowledge in the wrong hands that makes the quest credible for a 21st century reader, and it's the chemistry between Ben and Essie that makes for interesting reading.
Anastasios builds a complex character in Ben. Like his mansion, he is a handsome edifice that had seen better days. He's obviously beddable, but not suitable for long term commitment because he's built for adventure. As Fiona soon finds out. She's despatched by page 53, berating herself for being sucked into his vortex and calling him out as a self-destructive narcissist. She agrees that she'll be safer leaving him, but not in the way that he — in the frame for murder, in a country that wants a culprit rather than justice — means it. Fiona's indignant departure sets up the possibility of romance between Ben and Essie, but previous betrayals muddy the waters and maybe there's a Book #3 before they resolve things one way or another?
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/08/07/t...
The book begins with a well-constructed introduction that includes all the central characters, alludes to the quest that drives the narrative, and provides just enough of the geopolitics of the 1956 Suez Crisis to bring the reader straight to the story: what is this mysterious tablet that is wanted by all the superpowers converging on the Middle East? Yes, it's a reworking of an ancient theme: similar in concept to The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter series et al, The Emerald Tablet is a quest for a power that in the right hands can protect the world and in the wrong hands would destroy it. The emerald tablet, hidden somewhere in the Middle East, is thought to hold the secret of alchemy, which is not, historically, (as most people wrongly think) about the transmutation of metals i.e. from lead to gold, but was aimed at the production of the fabled ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, which really had nothing to do philosophy but was supposed to bestow spiritual wealth and immortality. (See The Sceptical Chymist at The Logical Place if you want to know more about this.) In this novel, it's the possibility of nuclear knowledge in the wrong hands that makes the quest credible for a 21st century reader, and it's the chemistry between Ben and Essie that makes for interesting reading.
Anastasios builds a complex character in Ben. Like his mansion, he is a handsome edifice that had seen better days. He's obviously beddable, but not suitable for long term commitment because he's built for adventure. As Fiona soon finds out. She's despatched by page 53, berating herself for being sucked into his vortex and calling him out as a self-destructive narcissist. She agrees that she'll be safer leaving him, but not in the way that he — in the frame for murder, in a country that wants a culprit rather than justice — means it. Fiona's indignant departure sets up the possibility of romance between Ben and Essie, but previous betrayals muddy the waters and maybe there's a Book #3 before they resolve things one way or another?
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/08/07/t...
June 27, 2019
I received a copy of The Emerald Tablet from Pan Macmillan Australia to review.
It’s time for another exciting archaeological adventure in the turbulent 1950s as Meaghan Wilson Anastasios returns with the second book in her Benedict Hitchens series, The Emerald Tablet.
In The Honourable Thief, Hitchens, a respected academic and war hero, was seduced by the beautiful Eris, who showed him a fabulous collection of artefacts she had apparently recovered. The seduction and the artefacts were revealed to be part of an elaborate con which ended up ruining Hitchens’s academic reputation and forced him to live a life of exile in Istanbul. The incident also provided Hitchens with a series of clues which eventually leads him to the hidden tomb of Achilles. However, this was revealed to be part of a further con: while he was able to find the tomb, Eris and her employer, Garvé, a man who Hitchens had significant history with during World War II, subsequently stole the tomb’s greatest treasure, the Shield of Achilles.
Now, a year later in 1956, Hitchens’s excavation of Achilles’s tomb has helped restore his academic reputation, and his life is back on track. However, he has never forgotten Eris, who still has a hold on his heart even after she betrayed him. When he finds out that Eris, now calling herself Essie, is in Istanbul researching a rare and ancient document, he decides to investigate what she is up to. He quickly discovers that she and Garvé are searching for the Emerald Tablet, a legendary artefact rumoured to hold powerful alchemical secrets that could alter the world.
Determined to keep the Emerald Tablet out of Garvé’s hands, Hitchens begins his own hunt for the tablet. With his friend the crooked antiques dealer Ilhan Aslan at his side, Hitchens follows a series of clues deep into the Middle East. However, this is a dangerous time, as tensions between Egypt, Israel and the European powers are at an all-time high. Hitchens and Aslan soon find that the Emerald Tablet’s trail leads them right into the middle of the chaotic Suez Canal crisis. With agents of the various world powers also searching for the tablet and a murderous assassin following Hitchens’s every move, can he recover the tablet before it is too late, or will Garvé once again outsmart him? And what will happen when Hitchens once again comes face-to-face with the woman who stole his heart?
View the full review at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2018/08/02/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 27 June 2019:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/06/27/...
For other exciting reviews, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
It’s time for another exciting archaeological adventure in the turbulent 1950s as Meaghan Wilson Anastasios returns with the second book in her Benedict Hitchens series, The Emerald Tablet.
In The Honourable Thief, Hitchens, a respected academic and war hero, was seduced by the beautiful Eris, who showed him a fabulous collection of artefacts she had apparently recovered. The seduction and the artefacts were revealed to be part of an elaborate con which ended up ruining Hitchens’s academic reputation and forced him to live a life of exile in Istanbul. The incident also provided Hitchens with a series of clues which eventually leads him to the hidden tomb of Achilles. However, this was revealed to be part of a further con: while he was able to find the tomb, Eris and her employer, Garvé, a man who Hitchens had significant history with during World War II, subsequently stole the tomb’s greatest treasure, the Shield of Achilles.
Now, a year later in 1956, Hitchens’s excavation of Achilles’s tomb has helped restore his academic reputation, and his life is back on track. However, he has never forgotten Eris, who still has a hold on his heart even after she betrayed him. When he finds out that Eris, now calling herself Essie, is in Istanbul researching a rare and ancient document, he decides to investigate what she is up to. He quickly discovers that she and Garvé are searching for the Emerald Tablet, a legendary artefact rumoured to hold powerful alchemical secrets that could alter the world.
Determined to keep the Emerald Tablet out of Garvé’s hands, Hitchens begins his own hunt for the tablet. With his friend the crooked antiques dealer Ilhan Aslan at his side, Hitchens follows a series of clues deep into the Middle East. However, this is a dangerous time, as tensions between Egypt, Israel and the European powers are at an all-time high. Hitchens and Aslan soon find that the Emerald Tablet’s trail leads them right into the middle of the chaotic Suez Canal crisis. With agents of the various world powers also searching for the tablet and a murderous assassin following Hitchens’s every move, can he recover the tablet before it is too late, or will Garvé once again outsmart him? And what will happen when Hitchens once again comes face-to-face with the woman who stole his heart?
View the full review at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2018/08/02/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 27 June 2019:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2019/06/27/...
For other exciting reviews, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
October 11, 2019
I received this book from Beauty and Lace and I am pleased I read "The Honorable Thief", the first Ben Hitchens novel even though I felt it was over written and way too wordy because The Emerald Tablet wouldn't have been as meaningful or interesting, I believe, without the background of the first novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed much of this novel and particularly enjoyed the excellent way total fantasy is blended with absolute fact. I was very interested in the Emerald Tablet as an ancient artifact which is believed to be real. The setting of this novel, with the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956 with extracts from The Times, London, is masterful. The story is believable in many aspects, parts that sound reasonably fanciful don't detract from the story. I particularly liked the way fact was woven with fiction.
The author is well qualified to write about aspects of archaeology with her background as an archaeologist.
The graphic sexual content was often strange - detailed happenings of what I imagine is an orgy I could well have done without. I'd be horrified with a teenager who is passionate about archaeology reading this because of that aspect. I really did feel that a warning regarding graphic sexual content should have been noted.
The map in the front of the book was particularly helpful with my knowledge of The Sinai Peninsula sketchy and I referred to the map frequently. I felt the characters were well drawn and their actions, for the most part believable.
While I definitely wouldn't compare the Ben Hitchen's novels to Dan Brown, as Saturday Age did, I found the book to be interesting and a much more enjoyable read than I expected.
I thoroughly enjoyed much of this novel and particularly enjoyed the excellent way total fantasy is blended with absolute fact. I was very interested in the Emerald Tablet as an ancient artifact which is believed to be real. The setting of this novel, with the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956 with extracts from The Times, London, is masterful. The story is believable in many aspects, parts that sound reasonably fanciful don't detract from the story. I particularly liked the way fact was woven with fiction.
The author is well qualified to write about aspects of archaeology with her background as an archaeologist.
The graphic sexual content was often strange - detailed happenings of what I imagine is an orgy I could well have done without. I'd be horrified with a teenager who is passionate about archaeology reading this because of that aspect. I really did feel that a warning regarding graphic sexual content should have been noted.
The map in the front of the book was particularly helpful with my knowledge of The Sinai Peninsula sketchy and I referred to the map frequently. I felt the characters were well drawn and their actions, for the most part believable.
While I definitely wouldn't compare the Ben Hitchen's novels to Dan Brown, as Saturday Age did, I found the book to be interesting and a much more enjoyable read than I expected.
August 8, 2019
The second Benedict Hitchens story and he is plagued by the woman who betrayed him in book 1 (The Honorable Thief). Finally having a life that he wanted, doing what he enjoys, digging up the past in an archeological dig that he controls. He has a good woman in his life and things are going well, until a visit from his favourite policeman, Hasan Demir, brings the evil in his life back to life... the woman who seduced and betrayed him, that he just cannot shake. The opportunity to have his revenge on her, to find his own justice oh so tempting, he loses the woman in his life and sets off to find the emerald tablet.
Hitchens isn't the only one looking for the tablet. Under the guise of a war over the Suez canal, the English are in the picture, the Russians also want this trophie, the thing that could bring power to those who have it, both evil and good. Taking his good friend (and bad influence) Ilhan on the journey, trouble and death follow Hitchens to find the evidence to locate the tablet. Can he find it before those also seeking it, among them the man who is resposible for the death of his wife?
A great sequel to the first book this was a pleasure to read and a great story. While it does tend to rely on knowledge from the first book in the series it is possible that it may stand alone. But really worth getting both books to get the whole picture.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace book club for giving me an amazing opportunity to read the new Benedict Hitchens tale!
Hitchens isn't the only one looking for the tablet. Under the guise of a war over the Suez canal, the English are in the picture, the Russians also want this trophie, the thing that could bring power to those who have it, both evil and good. Taking his good friend (and bad influence) Ilhan on the journey, trouble and death follow Hitchens to find the evidence to locate the tablet. Can he find it before those also seeking it, among them the man who is resposible for the death of his wife?
A great sequel to the first book this was a pleasure to read and a great story. While it does tend to rely on knowledge from the first book in the series it is possible that it may stand alone. But really worth getting both books to get the whole picture.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace book club for giving me an amazing opportunity to read the new Benedict Hitchens tale!
October 7, 2019
The continuing saga of formerly disgraced archaeologist Benedict Hitchens. Set a few years after the original, Ben has been restored to his former standing until a new challenge appears. Chasing after his most hated enemy and also former lover this is an exciting adventure through Egypt and Isreal as all of the characters chase the alchemical Emerald Tablet which contains the secrets to Eternal Life....in the right hands. Thoroughly enjoyed the second book and tied up the story lines from the first.
January 5, 2020
I enjoyed this OK. Probably liked the first instalment more, nonetheless this was an easy and interesting read. Some of the characterisation was underdone, but the plot was well constructed. Will definitely continue reading this series.
March 26, 2024
Interesting reading mainly due to the moment in history of the setting. The improbable story links well with the events of the time. I had a problem relating to the two main characters, they were over the top in terms of personality and even so dropped out of the painted character many times.
June 23, 2019
Review coming soon!!
July 7, 2019
An archeological romp through ancient lands brought out in gorgeous sensory detail. Especially entertaining for me as a woman who grew up wanting to be Indiana Jones :)
August 24, 2019
Little bit of Indiana Jones but not bad. Enjoyable reading the rich history of Mediterranean and Middle East.
May 24, 2020
A good whodunnit! With goodies and baddies and searches for mystical items. Well worth the read during lockdown!
July 23, 2020
THIS WAS SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE FIRST NOVEL!!
currently either 3.5 or 4 stars.
It still has its problems but at least I could enjoy it.
currently either 3.5 or 4 stars.
It still has its problems but at least I could enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews