Marduk's Tablet: What If the Legend Is True? [Paperback]

T. L. Higley (Author), Tracy L. Higley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

Graduate student Emilie Nazzaro saw her father's obsession with Marduk's Tablet lead to his betrayal and murder. Now, she's been charged with deciphering the symbols on this centuries-old piece of clay, which legend says contains omens with healing powers. On a harrowing journey through Israel and into ancient Babylon, she tries to uncover the secrets surrounding her father's death--while fighting to stay alive herself. Along the way, she must decide if she will find answers to her own spiritual questions in the ancient mythologies of reincarnation or in the pages of Scripture--and the hands of God Himself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586607685
• ISBN-13: 978-1586607685
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tracy L. Higley travels the world, brings back adventure and writes novels that transports readers to ancient times and places.

Visit her website at TracyHigley.com or meet up with her on Facebook at facebook.com/tlhigley.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling historical mystery of great inspirational power, October 15, 2004

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marduk's Tablet: What If the Legend Is True? (Paperback)

Marduk's Tablet is an engaging novel of suspense built upon a foundation of archaeological discovery, but author T.L. Higley has a much grander purpose than mere entertainment behind her writing. The book is billed as fiction for the mind and soul, and Higley seeks to challenge readers with the spiritual truths of God. This spiritual depth actually adds to the story, in my opinion, but some readers may blanch at the sometimes overtly Christian message that lies at the heart of the novel. In one sense, I think readers should be aware of this facet of the story going in, but in a larger sense those who are turned off by Christianity or who are rarely exposed to the tenets of Christian faith are those who might benefit the most from this novel and should not be turned away at the gates. In any case, the religious aspect of the writing certainly takes nothing away from an exciting, action-packed story of historical mystery and modern-day suspense.

Marduk was one of the primary gods of ancient Babylon, and a recently discovered Marduk-related tablet is suspected of containing secrets of great healing power. 31-year-old graduate student Emilie Nazarro has a close association with the tablet; indeed, her father discovered it and became obsessed with deciphering its ancient writings - until he disappeared with the tablet when Emilie was 13 years old. His body had been found the following week, but the tablet had not been seen again - until now. To Emilie's great surprise, an associate of her father, Thomas Fitzwater, not only has the tablet, he wishes to hire Emilie to translate it for him. While she views the tablet as the reason for her father's ignominious death and worries about finishing her graduate studies, Fitzwater will not take no for an answer, telling Emilie that he is dying and needs to see if Marduk's tablet can somehow heal him - Emilie, he says, is the only person he feels he can trust. In short order, Emilie arrives at a dig site in Ashkelon, Israel, to begin working on the translation of Marduk's tablet. Little does she know that others plan on using her to steal the tablet out from under the noses of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Nervous and unsure of herself by nature, Emilie eventually makes a few friends but has a hard time figuring out whom to trust. One of the workers at the dig, Jack Cameron, makes a royal pest of himself, continually watching and approaching Emilie and thus causing her to suspect him as a potential thief. Her boss Dr. Herrigan is also very strange and has his own secret agenda. Another stranger, Sheldon Gold, makes a very bad first impression on Emilie but quickly repairs the damage by taking her out and showing a lot of interest in her and her work. Other characters weave in and out of the story, as Higley deftly juggles a number of little subplots without ever losing her focus.

Margaret, an older woman working at the dig site, sort of takes Emilie under her wing, and she is most responsible for awakening a sense of spiritual curiosity in the book's non-religious protagonist. At the same time, Emilie is pumped with New Age philosophy by her roommate Jenn and experiences vivid dreams about Marduk and ancient Babylonia that suggest the idea of reincarnation - but she eventually begins to follow Margaret's seven signposts of religious faith as she seriously ponders spirituality and Christianity for the first time. Rather than look for truth only in the past, Emilie begins searching for truth in the present and future. It is this nascent faith of Emilie's that helps to sustain her as she is played like a drum by those after the tablet and betrayed by the very individuals she thought to be her friends.

There is more than one conspiracy at work in these pages, and Higley does a wonderful job of developing each of them in turn. Her main characters are strong and well-constructed, and one never knows just how to judge any one of them until the story plays itself out all the way. The Christian subtext is very noticeable and, on a few occasions, seems to slow the story down, but the message is presented in a very effective, nonjudgmental fashion and does have a direct bearing on the story of Marduk's tablet itself. Inspirational as well as exciting, Marduk's Tablet makes for a great read for those inclined to seek the higher truths of this life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When logic isn't enough..., May 18, 2004

By 

Marilynn Griffith (Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Marduk's Tablet: What If the Legend Is True? (Paperback)

Rich with history, intrigue and thoughtful prose, Tracey Higley creates an intriguing character in Emilie, the daughter of a dead archeologist accused of stealing an ancient tablet supposed to have healing powers. When the tablet appears years later and Emilie is the one chosen to translate it, it seems everyone wants a piece of the tablet--and Emilie. With more twists and turns than most country roads, this seeker sensitive novel probes the thinker's path to faith through the eyes of a kind hippie-turned-Christian named Margaret who gives out kindness and truth in equally generous doses. From ancient Babylon to present day Israel, this book is a thrill from cover to cover. I look forward to reading her backlist and future titles.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Find!, February 1, 2008

By 

Sam D - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marduk's Tablet: What If the Legend Is True? (Paperback)

I happened upon this book in a clearance pile in a Christian bookstore. It was cheap and looked pretty interesting, and I saw that it included some archeology (which I love!) so I figured it was worth a shot. I barely put the book down. I was really looking for a historical thriller to fill my void after reading Angels and Demons and The Last Cato, and this really worked. As a Christian, I am usually disappointed with Christian fiction (though thankfully, I've found many exceptions lately) because of how cheesy it is. The stories come off as preachy or with a protagonist that is as two dimensional as a piece of paper. I really liked the characters, and was generally surprised with the twists and conspiracies. The Christian message did have a few cheesy moments, but most of it was very natural and beautifully done. The pacing was fantastic - just when it seemed like the action would lull, something else would happen. The romance worked, the history worked, the Christianity worked - great read! I would highly recommend.