Book picks similar to
Temple of the Snake by Nick Thacker


1st-in-series
action-adventure
archeological-mysteries
contemporary-romance-or-fiction

The Secret Gospel


Dan Eaton - 2015
    This multi-faceted work of history, conspiracy and religion will gain favour among fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry."-Publishers WeeklyIn 1958, a young Bible scholar stumbles upon a version of the Gospel of Mark far older than that recorded in the New Testament. Unfortunately, his discovery brings him nothing but vilification and accusations of forgery. Eventually, the Secret Gospel simply disappears.Fifty-one years later, the scholar is dead, the victim of an apparent heart attack. However, evidence found in his room, coupled with a letter to Cairo-based journalist Alex Fisher, suggests murder-and hints that the missing gospel harbors deep secrets.Alex, his girlfriend Sadie, and British diplomat Aubrey Bairstow's attempts to locate the gospel quickly turn deadly. An Islamic terrorist group, an Israeli intelligence agent, and the head of a scandalous Christian sect also want the gospel. In Egypt's Western Desert, in the midst of a massive sandstorm, the fate of the Secret Gospel will be decided in blood.As the hunt grows increasingly dangerous, it becomes apparent the lost manuscript has ties to both Nazi Germany and the Vatican's refusal to condemn the Holocaust. More is at stake than a lost text: the Secret Gospel could spell disaster for the Catholic Church-and change the balance of power in the Middle East.A rousing religious conspiracy thriller, The Secret Gospel ties religion, politics, and history into a tangled skein of intrigue. It has at its heart a true story - the discovery in 1958 of fragments of a previously unknown account of the life of Jesus by Morton Smith. The rest is pure fiction.It was shortlisted in the Rethink Press New Novels competition in 2014 and a quarterfinalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award."A well-written and engaging plot keeps readers going...""Thoroughly researched, this novel is steeped in history..."-Publishers Weekly

Raiders


Rob Jones - 2017
    The oldest secret order on earth has just woken up... They want nothing less than the world... They are the Hidden Hand... The race is on to find an ancient power and stop the greatest sacrifice in history… With the same high-octane pace and thrills of the Joe Hawke series, Raiders is an archaeological and historical action-adventure featuring a great new team and a terrible new enemy. Former soldier Jed Mason is working as an asset recovery specialist – retrieving kidnapped people and stolen goods in a dog-eat-dog world of international crime, violence and ransoms. Nearly killed on a dangerous mission, he must deal with a terrible personal tragedy, but when a mysterious private consortium briefs him on a violent kidnapping he quickly discovers when one door shuts, another opens. Why was the head of the Vatican’s secret archive murdered in Rome? Why was a leading American archaeologist snatched? Mason must lead his old team on a new adventure to stop a truly terrifying enemy intent on the sacrifice of millions. Drawing on the same fast-paced action as the world of Joe Hawke, Raiders introduces a new series with an exciting and compelling band of brothers – and sisters – who must stand together in the face of adversity or die one by one.

The Pharos Objective


David Sakmyster - 2010
    Until today. Until the Morpheus Initiative - a team of psychic arcaeologists- use their abilities to solve the mysteries of the Pharos and bypass its deadly defenses. But as they close in on the chamber, they are suddenly thrust into an ancient conflict between the keepers of the Pharos's astonishing secret and evil forces bent on its destruction.

Chronicle of the Mound Builders: An Angela Hunter Mystery


Elle Marie - 2012
     Archaeologist Angela Hunter unearths an ancient codex from a Native American burial mound. But how could an illiterate society have produced such complex writing? Seven hundred years ago, a thriving civilization suddenly vanished. As Angela deciphers the mysterious codex symbols, she unravels one of archaeology's greatest mysteries. Despite forces trying to stop her from learning the chronicle's secrets, Angela discovers the horrifying truth. Can she prevent the tragedies of the past from happening again today? If you enjoy action packed archaeology mysteries and thrillers about ancient civilizations, you'll like this archaeology adventure that takes you on a journey in two timelines: the era of the Aztecs & Cahokia Mound Builders and the present with archaeologist Angela Hunter. Fans of Kathy Reichs and Elizabeth Peters will enjoy the strong female characters in Chronicle of the Mound Builders. Interview with the Author Q: Where did you come up with the idea for your novel? A: Living near the mysterious Cahokia Mounds, I always wondered what happened to the Mound Builders who lived there long ago. When I read an article about a newly discovered Mound Builders village right in my hometown, I couldn't wait to explore it. That sparked my idea to write a novel about how the civilization vanished, and center the story around the Aztex codex, a fictitious relic. Q: Have you always been a fan of archaeology? What intrigues you most? A: I love both fiction and nonfiction books about archaeology. It's fascinating how archaeologists solve mysteries through the clues they find and interpret from digs. The Native American cultures in particular interest me. I love learning what their lives were really like. Q: Without giving too much away, can you describe the book's element of mystery? A: The basic mystery is what happened to the Cahokia Mound Builders. Their civilization vanished overnight and no one knows why or how. Chronicle follows the people living in that time period as they move toward their destiny, while archaeologist Angela Hunter tries to solve the mystery in modern times by uncovering clues from a relic: the codex. Q: What do you hope readers take away from your novel? A: I hope readers enjoy the action and adventure while learning about the ancient Aztecs and their culture, such as Aztec sacrifice and the Mexican pyramids, as well as the culture of Cahokia City of the Sun. I hope I've kindled an interest in archaeology, ancient artifacts, and ancient civilizations. Q: How did you learn about archaeology? A: Dr. Meredith Hawkins of Archaeological Research Center of St. Louis graciously showed me around the Dampier Dig site and provided basic instruction on archaeology. Q: If you could be one of your characters, who would you choose? A: Definitely Angela Hunter. She's a strong female protagonist: smart, funny, and courageous, but not perfect. I'd love to be more like her. Q: What are your favorite genres to read? A: I enjoy archaeology mysteries and thrillers, of course. I also read historical fiction, chick lit, and science fiction. Very eclectic! Q: What genre is Chronicle? A: It's mostly archaeology fiction adventure, with elements of mystery and historical fiction.

Bracing For the Storm


Matt Lincoln - 2019
    When Linda Reyes takes her daughter on a trip across America, she tells her a story about her days in the Coast Guard stationed in Puerto Rico, a tale about her fight against a Columbian drug cartel.

The Shroud of Heaven: A Nick Kismet Adventure


Sean Ellis - 2008
     For more than a decade, Nick Kismet has traveled the world protecting priceless relics and cultural heritage sites from looters, while searching for answers to the mystery that has haunted him since the first Gulf War—a mystery that has defined his life. Now, a new war has brought him back to the bloody battlefield where his search began. Summoned by his friend and mentor, Pierre Chiron, Kismet soon finds himself on the trail of the holy relics of Solomon’s Temple, captured centuries before by Babylonian conquerors and thought to be lost to history. But Chiron’s quest is not merely to find ancient artifacts; he seeks to find proof—the very fingerprint—of God. Driven to uncover secrets that have haunted mankind for millennia, pursued by a mysterious assassin and an enemy consumed by hatred, Nick and Pierre journey into the desert to find the terrible truth that lies behind… The Shroud of Heaven. "Sean Ellis expertly blends military thriller and archaeological adventure in a page-turning adventure! Shroud of Heaven is sure to be a hit with thriller fans." --David Wood, author of Dourado and Cibola "An entertaining read for anyone who enjoys fast pacing and a heavy dose of action. --Megalith: Books that Rock

The Tombs of Eden


Rick Jones - 2012
    Believed to have been created by lost technology, it is quickly determined by a team of archeologists to be the centerpiece of Eden, a once illustrious civilization and the cradle of mankind. But what if Eden is not the Paradise texts make it out to be? What if it held dark secrets and unholy terrors instead? As Senior Archeologist Alyssa Moore and her team of experts discover the truth of man’s beginning, she realizes that the secrets of man’s true origins lie within the sacred tombs inside the temple. But the journey for the truth is not without its dangers or pitfalls . . . Something walks the warrens within.

Sunken Treasure Lost Worlds: A Colten X. Burnett Novel (The Risky Business Chronicle Book 1)


Hep Aldridge - 2019
    or get them killed. From the depths of the Atlantic off Cape Canaveral Florida, searching for sunken Spanish treasure, to the Andes mountains of Ecuador chasing the legend of a lost golden library, Dr. Colten X. Burnett and the Risky Business team are on a quixotic adventure.While trying to make an honest, well sort of honest living, searching for remnants of the lost 1715 fleet, Risky Business Ltd. becomes entangled in a mystery that covers two continents and may rewrite history.The lure of uncovering a lost civilization, as well as the secrets it holds, motivates the team on their dangerous journey into a cosmological unknown. -Sunken Treasure Lost Worlds is the first book in Hep Aldridge's action and adventure series about Dr. Colten X. Burnett and the Risky Business team Grab a copy today.

The Blood of Alexander


Tom Wilde - 2014
    A field agent for the Argo Foundation, a company that makes it their business to preserve humanity's history by liberating stolen artifacts from thieves and looters, Blake is used to dangerous assignments. But when he is forced by the US government into a deadly mission involving a missing Napoleonic standard, he finds himself in over his head.Blake is pitted against Vanya, the head of a fanatical cult, who seeks a gilded bronze eagle that holds a vital clue to the lost tomb of Alexander the Great.From ancient ruins in Afghanistan to the catacombs of Paris to a chateau high in the French Alps, Blake must unravel the secret truth of the final fate of Napoleon Bonaparte, the murder of Percy Bysshe Shelly, and the hidden remains of Alexander. And he must do it before Vanya's apocalyptic plans for humanity come to their deadly fruition.

The Serpent's Fang


Ryan Mullaney - 2017
    And now a secret branch of the U.S. government needs her help. The proposition: locate and retrieve The Serpent's Fang - a fabled Aztec ceremonial dagger used in ritual human sacrifice. For her efforts, she'll be given information about her parents, who died on a military base when she was still an infant.Possessed by the desire to dig into the mysteries of her past, Simone joins special operative Lincoln Lewis and field agent April Farren on what was supposed to be a simple expedition. But when a wealthy collector of rare antiquities and his team of hired mercenaries join the hunt, bullets fly and Simone quickly realizes the object she's after is no ordinary dagger, but a weapon whose unfathomable power must not fall into the wrong hands.The hunt for an exciting new archaeological action / adventure series is over. Now, the hunt for The Serpent's Fang begins. THE TREASURE HUNTRESS SERIES The Serpent's Fang The Tomb of Souls  coming Summer 2018 For more information, visit sunbirdbooks.org.

The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra


J.T. Osbourne - 2018
    Egypt is in mourning.Egypt, 30 BC. Roman soldiers storm a site rumored to be the final resting place of Egypt's Queen Cleopatra. Hiding in the shadows, a fierce patriot, Neferu watches the scene unfold. Despite observing the torture and murder of the site's priests, Neferu smiles - the soldiers will not find their coveted prize. His secret is safe. Maverick history professor Brook Burlington has devoted her life to locating the whereabouts of Cleopatra's tomb. But when Brook's ex-boyfriend Ali Rahman claims to have made a breakthrough in the case, Brook must swallow her pride and her feelings to join his expedition. In her quest to fulfill her lifelong obsession, she discovers a secret message left behind by a previously-unknown stone carver that she's convinced will help her unlock one of history's greatest mysteries: Find Me and You Will Find Him and Her.Tom Manor's Grand Tour wasn't supposed to end this way. The son of a hedge fund tsar, Tom made the decision to turn his back on the family business and Wall Street life to find his own way. Upon arriving in Egypt, terrorists raid his privately-hired felucca while it is sailing down the Nile and Tom is taken as a prisoner. When Brook's entourage crosses paths with the lost tourist, they each realize their lives have changed forever, but questions remain. Who is this beautiful adventurous professor who has taken him in and what has brought her to the desert? Who is this handsome young American, kidnapped, beaten and left for dead. And what is his connection to the Russian oligarch, Strelov, who has taken such a keen interest in her work? Find out why reviews have called The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra "An extremely entertaining combination of historical drama and action thriller" ,"Ambitious", "exciting" and "engaging".

Treasure of the Mayan King


Alex Zabala - 2012
    Chauncy Rollock is an amiable archaeologist with just the right knack for solving logic problems. And the Mexican Military captain Gustavo De Leon is tired of fighting corruption at all levels of government. All three men and their families become entangled in the secret of the Mayan Riddle found on the steps of a newly discovered pyramid. Those who would use the treasure for personal gain are never far from their goal and must be stopped at all costs.The Yucatan will never be the same.Treasure of the Mayan King is a clean action-adventure novel that is safe and enjoyable for the whole family to read. “If you like Indiana Jones, you’ll love this book!”From the back cover:A violent tropical storm has uncovered a previously unknown Mayan pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. On the steps of this temple lies a riddle that leads to the hidden treasure of a great Mayan king. One man, the French linguist Dr. Sova, believes he knows the secrets of the riddle. But his efforts to find it are cut short and the information falls into the hands of unscrupulous people. The race is on to see who will be the first to find the treasure of the Mayan king!

The Granite Key


N.S. Wikarski - 2011
    Five objects buried beneath the rubble of lost civilizations point to the hiding place of the fabled Sage Stone. The real adventure begins when a secret society known as the Arkana deploys its agents to recover the relic. They find their quest hampered at every turn by members of a fanatical religious cult called the Blessed Nephilim. The cult's leader, Abraham Metcalf, believes that the Sage Stone can help him create a terrifying new world order.Although keeping the relic out of Metcalf's hands is important, it is even more critical to keep him from finding the Arkana's troves of archaeological treasure. This cache, which has taken centuries to amass, proves the existence of advanced matriarchal cultures on every continent predating patriarchy by thousands of years. The Nephilim would like nothing better than to destroy the cache and its guardians. The global treasure hunt for the Sage Stone has put the Nephilim and the Arkana on a collision course. The only question is whether anyone will survive long enough to claim the prize.Volume One - The Granite KeyIn a nightmare, nineteen-year-old Cassie Forsythe sees her sister attacked by a man in a cowboy hat who demands something called "the key." Her nightmare mutates into reality when she is called to identify her sister's body, murdered exactly as her dream foretold. Cassie dismisses her vision as a fluke until the night she catches the man in the cowboy hat ransacking her sister's apartment. He bolts with an odd-looking stone cylinder--the Granite Key. From that moment, Cassie's normal world evaporates.She learns that her sister led a double life retrieving artifacts for a secret society called the Arkana. Cassie's sister had the ability to touch a relic and relive its past. Cassie has now inherited this dubious gift. The leader of the Arkana wants the girl to take over her sister's role in the organization. She reluctantly agrees in the hopes that they might find her sister's killer. Teamed with librarian Griffin and bodyguard Erik, Cassie is sent to the Minoan ruins of Crete to decipher the key's code. Even as the trio rakes through megalithic tombs and Minoan palaces for clues, Nephilim operatives are closing in. Will Cassie And Company solve the mystery in time or fall victim to the religious cult's ruthless assassin? THE GRANITE KEY holds all the answers.

Deadly Lockdown


Misty Zaugg - 2021
    Panicked lockdown. And two sisters who’ll stop at nothing to save each other.The second wave of the Siberian Flu catches the country completely unprepared.Instead of killing the old and frail, the young and healthy are dropping . . . in hours, not days.Kate, a new doctor, will sacrifice everything to break her and her sister free from a controlling stepfather and a dead-end small town existence. Moments from landing the critical job she needs, St. Louis falls apart around her. Now it’s a race to survive. She has to fight through a city turning deadlier by the second and traverse a chaotic country to save her sister.Alisa should be safe at home in their small town, but she’s never been happy to sit back and let life pass her by. Concerned for her stepbrother, she finds herself embroiled in a far-reaching conspiracy that might be even deadlier than the pandemic.As an invisible killer spreads like wildfire, society breaks down with astonishing speed. Refusing to succumb to the chaos, the sisters will have to dig deep for strength, rely on new friends, and fight a vicious battle to survive.From the authors of the top-selling Aftermath series, Deadly Lockdown is the first book in a gripping post-apocalyptic series full of everyday, driven characters who never quit fighting through non-stop peril and danger. A post-apoc thriller just right for fans of Kyla Stone, T.L. Payne, Ryan Schow, Jack Hunt and Mike Kraus.(NOTE: This book was written in 2019 and finished before the current pandemic.)

The 13th Tablet (A Mina Osman Thriller)


Alex Mitchell - 2012
    Lawlessness is spreading throughout the country and looters have plundered the museums and historical sites. Mina Osman, a young American archaeologist of Iraqi descent, is fighting to preserve the country's antiquities. When she stumbles upon an ancient cuneiform tablet, it proves to be of unimaginable significance - its cryptic language holds a secret that will play a part in a series of earth-shattering events. Aided by ex-US Army Major Jack Hillcliff, Mina travels across the world to unlock the secrets of the 13th Tablet but at each step she is pursued by deadly enemies who will stop at nothing to obtain the tablet and its power for themselves.