The Lost Tomb-David Gibbins

The Lost Tomb
David Gibbins
Dell, Sep 30 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553591194

Many thought that Claudius died from poisoning in 54 AD, but the diabolical Roman Emperor faked his death and that of his freedman Narcissus because he knew his health did not allow him to rule any longer. He rushes to Herculaneum in the shadows of the Vesuvius where he takes up his writing .He once met with Herod Agrippa who he knew in Rome and later met with him and Jesus in Galilee where he hoped the Christ would cure him of his affliction. He didn’t but Claudius writes down their encounter but to guard Jesus he hid the scroll in a safe place.

In the present marine archaeologist Jack Howard confirms that he has found the shipwreck that St. Paul was on when he was being deliveried to Rome. Before Jack and his crew can complete their quest, he is called to Herculaneum by his colleague Costas, who found the secret villa of Claudius that was devastated by an earthquake, but the quake opened up a concealed secret room that contains information about a scroll written by Jesus. They head to Rome seeking the lost gospel; there a message sends them to London devotion that leads them to Santa Paulo, California and finally to Jerusalem. The last decipher proves difficult but ultimately they find a secret chamber in a a church; those who were following them want them killed.. Jack understands immediately why as what he and Costas has found will send tsunami like waves throughout organized religion.

Obvious Brownian connections aside, this tale is filled with adventure and action as readers will enjoy the escapades of the two brave heroes. Jack is an Indiana Jones style archaeologist who understands the danger he and his friends will face as he accepts the mission. He is on a scavenger hunt that if successful will change the world as he simply seeks the truth, which in some ways may not set people free. David Gibbons provides a fun tale that feels like a cross (no pun intended) between Dan Brown, Clive Cusssler and George Lucas.
Harriet Klausner