The Magdalene Cipher [Mass Market Paperback]

Jim Hougan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2006

From the shadows of history -- out of the ancient prophecies and sacred texts -- comes a conspiracy so vast, so deep, so earth-shattering that the CIA itself is merely a cover for it.

The ritualistic slaughter of a college professor right under the nose of CIA agent Jack Dunphy has damned the disgraced operative to a living hell of paper-pushing obscurity. But Dunphy's not ready to surrender his career until he uncovers the truth behind his demotion -- embarking on a covert investigation that's leading him into a world he never dreamed existed. And following a twisted trail of lies, Jack's about to become ensnared in a monstrous international web spun by a secret society as old as civilization.

Escape is impossible -- because the players are too powerful, the consequences are too deadly . . . and what's at stake is no less than the destiny of the human race.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“f[F]antastic and zany, but, more to the point, it’s fast-paced and very enjoyable.” (Library Journal )

“[F]ast-paced.” (Orlando Sentinel )

“[F]illed with mysterious omens and just enough nasty violence to give it an edge.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“[I]ntelligent and pulse-pounding debut thriller.” (Publishers Weekly )

“The pacing is brisk...a highly entertaining tale.” (Canberra Times )

About the Author

Jim Hougan won awards for investigative journalism. He is the author of three nonfiction books, is an Alicia Patterson and Rockefeller Foundation fellow, and is the former Washington editor of Harper's magazine. He has reported for NPR's "All Things Considered" and has produced documentary films for "Frontline," "60 Minutes," A&E, and the Discovery Channel. With his wife, Carolyn, he has co-written a series of books under the pseudonym John Case, including the New York Times bestseller The Genesis Code. They live in Afton, Virginia.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Avon; 1st Avon Bks Ppbk Print: March 2006 edition (February 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060846267
• ISBN-13: 978-0060846268
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,345,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Originally published as "Kingdom Come", April 4, 2006

By 

abt1950 "abt1950" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magdalene Cipher (Mass Market Paperback)

With "The DaVinci Code" riding high on the bestseller lists and dragging similar novels along on its coat tails, it's a good time for fans of conspiracy novels. It's an even better time to be a conspiracy novelist, as older novels are being dusted off and reprinted. Sometimes that makes for some ho-hum reading, but at other times, it's a treat for readers who might have missed the book the first time around.

The latter is definitely true for "The Magdalene Cipher," originally published in 2000 under the title of "Kingdom Come." This is an espionage-cum-secret society novel that combines fast action with religious mystery. Its conspiracy includes almost everything but the kitchen sink--Roswell, UFOs, cattle mutilations, visions of Mary, government cover-ups, ancient cabals, and Merovingian history. If nothing else, Hougan has chutzpa throwing this all into one book.

The basic plot follows, Jack Dunphy, a CIA operative who is pulled out of his cover when the subject of a wiretap is murdered in a distinctively ritualistic way. Brought back to Washington, DC, Dunphy is assigned to a low level desk job where his career will likely wither away. His decision to investigate what really happened and why he's been sidelined leads to consequences he doesn't expect. Soon he and his British girlfriend are on the trail of a conspiracy whose origins lie buried in history.

Overall, this was a quick read. The characters were cardboard figures, but who cares? The plot was fast moving enough that it hardly mattered, and there were occasional unexpected touches and even flashes of humor. I got the feeling that Hougan didn't take himself too seriously and that he was using the Merovingian legends without any hidden agenda-they were just a convenient plot device. Personally I find that a relief in contrast to the ponderous seriousness of many other novels based on religious motifs. Books like this may not be quality literature, but they make for fun reading.
This, and books like it, are pure escape.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars anyone for a conspiracy?, January 4, 2007

By 

Robbie De Clercq (Gent, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magdalene Cipher (Mass Market Paperback)

If you like conspiracies, this is the book for you. The author has used almost all of the biggest conspiracies of the 20th century to write this book (UFO's and crop circles are only two of them). But, as always, the mystery of Maria Magdalene is the main theme here.

A lot of people might think that the author has tried to make easy money by writing another Mary Magdalene book, but 'The Magdalene cipher' was actually published before 'The Da Vinci code'.

But this book isn't 'The Da Vinci code'. Although it is a fast read and funny at times, I was disappointed. The cardbord characters didn't help, but the worst of all was the 'big finale'. One of the most bizarre endings ever.

A page turner with interesting ideas, but a horrible finale.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way cool!, March 13, 2006

By 

G Ramirez (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magdalene Cipher (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the most conspiratorial book I've ever read. It's just way cool, and has everything---the CIA and fake UFO sightings, the Priory de Sion (under a different name) and this geezer named Gomelez who turns out to be the last Merovingian. Anyway, what makes it so believable (really!) are the characters, and the way it all goes down. An investigative reporter, Hougan obviously knows how the CIA gets things (and people) done. What makes it even more incredible is that this book actually came out before the Da Vinci Code (though I don't think I ever saw it). I guess the publisher re-issued it with a new title, so the Magdalene posse would jump on it. Glad they did.