Gold of Kings

I took a mild risk in choosing this book for my first Vine Review -- as the topic was one I had only encountered in movies or in separate works for the sub-topics. I chose to save this novel for a time and place to ensure unbroken reading and possible enjoyment. I first opened Gold of Kings in a comfortable big chair with a long free evening and with iced tea ready. I lost sense of passing time until about page 100 -- and got up to fetch some iced tea -- grateful that it was waiting and ready -- thereby keeping in my reading-flow. Davis Bunn had me hooked from the first page and I kept reading with no conscious effort. I am impressed with this author's narrative skill in adventure writting. The plot, drama, actors, actions, themes, scenes and knowledge-background seemed not only well-done but in a well-done balance. The action was fast-and-clever by fast-and-clever actors -- that got upset and injured and worse. I enjoy such deadly suspenseful intelligent adventure of mortals -- who succeed against odds via wits and daring, yet losing-out or losing-all at times. To my surprise and pleasure, I learned quite a bit more about Medieval, Middleastern and Mediterranian topics -- skillfully integrated into the narration. The smooth flow of it all is a wonder -- so no wonder Davis Bunn is a top-selling author -- if his other works come close to this one +++

I took a mild risk in choosing this book for my first Vine Review -- as the topic was one I had only encountered in movies or in separate works for the sub-topics. I chose to save this novel for a time and place to ensure unbroken reading and possible enjoyment. I first opened Gold of Kings in a comfortable big chair with a long free evening and with iced tea ready. I lost sense of passing time until about page 100 -- and got up to fetch some iced tea -- grateful that it was waiting and ready -- thereby keeping in my reading-flow. Davis Bunn had me hooked from the first page and I kept reading with no conscious effort. I am impressed with this author's narrative skill in adventure writing. The plot, drama, actors, actions, themes, scenes and knowledge-background seemed not only well-done but in a well-done balance. The action was fast-and-clever by fast-and-clever actors -- that got upset and injured and worse. I enjoy such deadly suspenseful intelligent adventure of mortals -- who succeed against odds via wits and daring, yet losing-out or losing-all at times. To my surprise and pleasure, I learned quite a bit more about Medieval, Middleastern and Mediterranian topics -- skillfully integrated into the narration. The smooth flow of it all is a wonder -- so no wonder Davis Bunn is a top-selling author -- if his other works come close to this one +++

When I read the reviews I thought that this might be along the lines of another DaVinci code book- with the difference being that the main character was a girl. While there is treasure involved and there is the story of the templars involved in this book; the focus is on a good old fashioned search for treasure while solving some modern day crimes. The characters are believable. The setting is interesting and well described. The plot moves fairly fast and yet it is easy to follow what is happening during this story. I completely enjoyed this book.

This an exhilarating and exciting story. Storm Syrrell's grandfather, Sean Syrrell, has been murdered. He had been expecting it, and had fired Storm from their fine arts business in an attempt to keep her safe. Harry Bennett, a treasure hunter and a trusted friend of Sean, was sprung from prison and tasked with keeping Storm from danger. When Storm discovered that Sean had left her money, paintings, an illuminated book, and a gold chalice, she realizes that the trouble the business was in had been caused by someone who wanted to buy it. A third person is Emma Webb, an FBI agent who distrusts her immediate supervisor, and transfers to Interpol. The three of them start investigating what Sean had been looking for; treasures from the Second Temple described on a Copper Scroll left by Jews during the time of the Roman massacres. Lots of excitement, chases, attacks, and a good ending. There is also a lot of early Jewish, Christian, Roman, Greek history I hadn't known. Highly recommend it.

What an electrifying and tantalizing tale Davis Bunn has spun! With roller-coaster wild twists and turns, this amazing story keeps the reader thinking long after the last page of the book is turned. I vicariously traveled to exotic locations, including Istanbul and Turkish Cyprus, in quest of the treasure, along with heroine Storm Syrrell and treasure hunter Harry, as Storm's murdered grandfather eerily directs them from beyond the grave. After reading this action-packed thriller, I am exhausted, but exhilarated. Along the way, the couple pick ups a third companion, who adds extra spice to the story. Obviously well researched, this book will give the reader a fresh appreciation of antiquities, especially Biblical treasures. This thrilling tale is not fantasy, but it is filled with intriguing and inspiring truths. After Bunn's descriptive narrative, I am ready to pack my bags for Turkish Cyprus. And many thanks to Mr. Bunn, for weaving a heartfelt romance into a great adventure. And I must confess the pairing came as a complete surprise to me, but happily so. I can all ready visualize this great adventure packed thriller on big screen! And I guarantee you that I, along with rest of the theatergoers, will be sitting on the edge of my seat, even though I know the story and the characters intimately.