The Grail Conspiracy (A Cotten Stone Mystery) [Paperback]

Lynn Sholes (Author), Joe Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2005

Winner of Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year Award for Best Mystery

On assignment in the Middle East, television journalist Cotten Stone stumbles upon an archeological dig that uncovers the world's most-sought-after religious relic: the Holy Grail. With his last dying breath, Dr. Gabriel Archer gives it to Cotten, uttering "You are the only one" in a language she's heard from only one other person--her deceased twin sister.

What begins as a hot news story for the ambitious young reporter soon turns into a nightmare when the Holy Grail is stolen and strange "accidents" befall her dearest friends. Running for her life, she turns to John Tyler, a priest with firsthand knowledge of religious artifacts, for help. An anonymous source leads them to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, where an abominable experiment is underway that--unless destroyed--promises to unleash an ancient evil upon the Earth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This page turner is bound to show up on Da Vinci Code read-alike lists..."

About the Author

Lynn Sholes has worked as a writing trainer for Broward County Schools and Citrus County Schools in Florida. Before writing thrillers her interest in archaeology led her to write historical fiction under the name Lynn Armistead McKee. Lynn is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and The Authors Guild.

Joe Moore is a former marketing & communications executive and two-time EMMY® winner with 25 years experience in the television postproduction industry. Joe serves on the International Thriller Writers board of directors as Co-President. He writes full time from his home in South Florida.
 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 343 pages
• Publisher: Midnight Ink; Uncorrected Proof edition (September 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738707872
• ISBN-13: 978-0738707877
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a DaVinci clone., December 5, 2007

By 

Henry Philip - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grail Conspiracy (A Cotten Stone Mystery) (Paperback)

This is not Da Vinci. It's not any less than Da Vinci either in it's plot and scope . I have become addicted to these historical/religious thrillers that have a central premise built around the Bible, Christ, the Holy Grail, Knights Templar, Virgin Mary, the possible bloodline of Jesus etc. In this particular novel, the central premise is that the Book of Revelation may be true and that the world could possibly see the second coming of Christ (another novel that also uses the Book of Revelation to great effect is The Rozabal Line). The book starts off in the Iraqi desert where a dying man hands over a box to a news reporter who then manages to smuggle it out of Iraq, authenticate it and then have the "holy grail" delivered to the Vatican only to see it stolen from there. This leads to a raging battle between the good and bad forces, while the dead bodies pile up around the central characters. Given the tremendous fan following of the Da Vinci Code, it is but obvious that several "clones" will flourish. This is not a clone. A great book that keeps you wanting to turn the pages.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, July 1, 2006

By 

Thriller Lover (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Grail Conspiracy (A Cotten Stone Mystery) (Paperback)

This book is an enjoyable read. It resembles the Da Vinci Code only superficially -- it does deal with the Holy Grail, but in a completely different manner that Dan Brown's book did.

This book takes the Bible much more seriously, and in some ways resembles the plot of some of the "Left Behind" books with its focus on the Book of Revelation and the anti-Christ. I found the plot to be highly original, but not quite believable.

The book is written in a simple, straightfoward style that is easy to read. The authors don't waste a lot of time on description, and get right down to moving the plot forward. If you like books with a fast moving storyline, this book should meet your needs.

This book is apparently the first book in a trilogy, with the same central character in all 3 books. I look forward to the next book.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do not compare this to the Da Vinci Code!!!, May 24, 2008

By 

Amy M. Merritt "Amy" (Wolcott, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Grail Conspiracy (A Cotten Stone Mystery) (Paperback)

I am so sick of everyone comparing every single book that has any religious plots with the Da Vinci code. Enough already. It's like identifying every single lawyer book with the Firm. One has nothing to do with the other. I loved!!! this book, and thankfully bought all 3 that have been published in the series. I read them one after the other and can't wait till the 4th one is out in October. I love Cotton Stone and can't wait to see what happens next. I just hope I won't have to wait so long for the 5th!!!!!