Title: Serpent of
Moses
Author: Don Hoesel
Pages: 320
Year: 2012
Publisher: Bethany
House
Note: I received a
complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Follow my other reviews at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ and on twitter @lcjohnson1988
In the
Old Testament, Numbers chapter 21, the Israelites were grumbling and doubting
not only Moses, but God. The Israelites
battled with and voiced their grumblings, so God acted. He sent snakes to bite them. To save them, Moses was to make a snake
emblem, place it on a pole, lift up that pole, and anyone who looked at it
would be saved. There are many Biblical
artifacts that have never been located here on earth. The author takes a true historical event and creates
a fictional story that is engrossing and enjoyable.
Jack is
an archeologist who, for the most part, hasn’t delved into Biblical archeology
until recently. He acts very impulsively
without any forethought to the repercussions to his friends or himself. Jack knows many people from his international
travels, but not as many as his girlfriend’s brother, who deals in the world of
antiquities.
Jack is
on journey that proves to be more about learning what is really of value to him
compared to what others believe is of value.
Jack’s friend Ducky was a former CIA agent who retired, but when Jack
once again disappears Ducky is compelled to go and locate his friend. Romero and his sister Espy, who is Jack’s on
again off again girlfriend, also join in the search for Jack. Where do they begin looking? Espy is ready to tell Jack that their
relationship is off. She is a linguist
expert who finds the disappearing behavior of Jack all too frustrating.
Jack’s
friends aren’t the only ones looking for him either. There is a man who seeks to find Jack for
answers to certain questions. What
questions? As you read the story, you
will be surprised at what he asks him.
Several nations want what is now in Jack’s possession and the price some
pay to attain it may be very high. From
the desert in Africa, to Libya, to other places, Jack is hounded by one
Egyptian in particular who wants to kill him.
Does he maybe have other orders to the contrary? Does he obey?
The
artifact that Jack discovers by accident is more than what it originally
appears to be. Is that why so many want
to get their hands on it? Does Jack even
know what happens when the artifact is finally revealed? Don Hoesel writes an action-packed story that
will leave you wanting to read more of his work. This story combines Biblical archeology,
suspense, and intrigue to make an excellent novel.
My rating is 5+ stars. I can’t wait for the next story with these
characters to come out, at least I hope there is another one!