Search: A Novel of Forbidden History [Hardcover]

Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2010

A nine-thousand-year-old conspiracy. Three families. One secret. The epic race to uncover history’s greatest mystery has begun.

Beneath the sparkling blue water of a remote Pacific atoll, a merciless killer stalks an underwater archaeological dig. His goal: to bring his employer---billionaire industrialist Holden Ironwood---an impossible artifact that proves a lost civilization’s knowledge of astronomy was thousands of years ahead of its time.

At the same time, in the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab in Maryland, haunted young researcher David Weir risks his freedom to identify a handful of people with nothing in common except their nonhuman genes---genes that he shares.

While in the Arctic tundra, a deadly airborne assault on a pipeline crew propels young paleogeologist Jessica MacClary into the innermost circles of her staggeringly wealthy and powerful family as she learns the astonishing secret her ancestors have defended since the beginnings of recorded history.

Now these three strangers on their separate quests to unlock their pasts are unexpectedly driven into violent collision, only to discover that together they hold the key to answering the ultimate question of humanity’s origins---provided the U.S. Air Force doesn’t stop them first. . . .

Acclaimed New York Times bestselling novelists Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens once again bring their unique blend of relentless suspense and cutting-edge science to a page-turning story of adventure that spans the globe and millennia of human history, racing from long-buried ruins in Cornwall and the casinos of Atlantic City to the forgotten caves that protect a shocking revelation that will tear the veil off the true history of humankind.

With a mystery more profound than Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and scientific speculation more provocative than Michael Crichton’s Next, Search is an adrenaline-fueled, action-packed thriller that goes beyond wild theories of ancient astronauts and sunken empires to suggest a startling new vision of the birth of human civilization.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Geneticist David Weir makes a shocking discovery: there is ancient, nonhuman DNA in his genetic makeup, and, apparently, it’s going to kill him. Desperate to find the source of the DNA, and (he hopes) save his own life, he joins forces with Holden Stennis Ironwood, a powerful man with deep pockets and some out-in-left-field beliefs. Together they try to locate the geographic origin of the nonhuman DNA. But there are others who would do anything it takes to keep them from unlocking the secrets of this mystery. A combination of thriller and science fiction, the novel should appeal to fans of both genres. It has some nicely developed characters, a tantalizing ancient mystery with potentially devastating contemporary ramifications, and a conclusion that mixes pyrotechnics with jaw-dropping revelations about the history of humankind. --David Pitt

Review

Praise for Search:

“This fine archeological quest novel from the Reeves-Stevens duo (Icefire) smoothly blends a fast-moving fantasy plot with a solid scientific backdrop…. Smart, suspenseful writing and a clever concept add up to a compelling read.” –Publishers Weekly

“A combination of thriller and science fiction, the novel should appeal to fans of both genres. It has some nicely developed characters, a tantalizing ancient mystery with potentially devastating contemporary ramifications, and a conclusion that mixes pyrotechnics with jaw-dropping revelations about the history of humankind.” --Booklist

Praise for the Works of Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens

“In Icefire, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens have created a hardwired, totally riveting, dare-you-to-put-it-down story of disaster, heroism, and suspense. There’s no need for techno-thriller fans to wait for the next Clancy or Coonts; Icefire is the best suspense novel of its type since The Hunt for Red October.”
---Stephen King

“A fast-paced, high-tech, edge-of-your-seat adventure that is both an excellent whodunit and a nicely woven suspense story tinged with global moral issues for the twenty-first century.”
---The Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska)

“If you’re waiting on the edge of your seat for the next Tom Clancy techno-thriller, then pick up Icefire and hang on.”
---The Denver Post

“Required reading . . . an out-of-this-world thriller sure to quicken the heartbeat.”
---The New York Post on Freefall

“This follow-up of the Reeves-Stevenses bestselling Icefire insures their entre to the techno-thriller elite.”
---Publishers Weekly on Quicksilver

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (August 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312377444
• ISBN-13: 978-0312377441
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little perspective, August 22, 2010

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Search: A Novel of Forbidden History (Kindle Edition)

One of the ways, perhaps the most important way, I select Kindle books is on the basis of the reviews I read. That has worked very well for me in the past. But not this time. The reality about "Search" I didn't pay sufficient attention to was that it had only 3 reviews when I bought it. Mistake. I'm writing this review, my first, to let others know not everyone is thrilled with "Search".

"Search" is not a horrible book. It is generally well written and a good read, except when the authors attempt to add science lectures to the story. When they stick to the plot, "Search" is interesting and moves along at a good pace. So, what's my beef? I've been reading Science Fiction and Fantasy for more than fifty years, if "Search" belongs to the genre at all, it's only at the fringe. If I had read the various editorial reviews carefully, I might have guessed that. "Techno-thriller"? Yes. Science Fiction? Hardly. If you're looking for an SF, you may well be disappointed. If you expect an archaeologically themed techno-thriller, that's a different story.

To my way of thinking, as an SF fan, the end of "Search" was disappointing. While it did resolve the thriller aspect of the story, it left the more interesting issues raised by the book hanging. Frankly, I expect a compelling story line, but I also expect some interesting science fiction/speculation to be fleshed out. Which leads me to my last point. It is common practice, these days, for stories to span multiple books. It would be nice to be warned when that is the plan. "Search" reads like a book that is setting up a trilogy.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like your mysteries ancient, your societies secret, and your action pulse pounding - this is the book for you., August 29, 2010

By 

Daimion - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Search: A Novel of Forbidden History (Hardcover)

"Search" has a little something for everyone in it. A dash of Indiana Jones, a flavor of Graham Hancock, even a hint of Art Bell; they all can be found swirling around these pages. It's at times a fast paced thriller, a well thought out archeological mystery, and a compelling speculative history of mankind. It was refreshing to read a book that didn't involve the Templars or Illuminati for a change.

This is a novel that can be enjoyed on many different levels. It works very well as a straight-up adventure book - a perfect companion to pass the day away on the beach. There are exotic locations, lost treasures, and danger enough for the most demanding reader. If, however, you want to read deeper, it also works as an exploration on the nature of learning, and the place of knowledge in society.

On balance, I thoroughly enjoyed "Search". It's a book that will both entertain you and make you think. Good for the both the casual reader or the speculative history aficionado, there is much to sink your teeth into in this story. If you like your mysteries ancient, your societies secret, and your action pulse pounding - this is the book for you.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holy COW! This couple can write one amazing story!, August 9, 2010

By 

Jeff Edwards "RadioJeff" (Twin Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Search: A Novel of Forbidden History (Hardcover)

I have been an all-out converted fan of the Reeves-Stevens' since I read (and LOVED) their Star Trek novel, 'Federation'. Yeah, I KNOW what you're thinking: but I thought this was a techno-thriller?? Well...it IS. This husband-wife writing phenomenon have written a pretty amazing variety of novels over the years. They may best be remembered for their absolutely incredible Trek books (ALL of which are a HUGE cut above even the best *regular* Trek stories available) however, that all changed when they released 'Icefire' back in '99. Even Stephen King said it was amazing...and yes, he was 100% correct. Talk about a techno-thriller on steroids! They have since followed that up with several other great novels in the same vein (Quicksilver & Freefall), but I believe 'Search' is treading on entirely new ground for this couple.

At the heart of the story we have one world-class 'What If' conspiracy--of course I'm not gonna ruin it for you, but TRUST me, the story rocks. Ever since Dan Brown released the Da Vinci Code, there has been (literally) an over-abundance of similarly themed historical/regligious-themed thrillers, the VAST majority of which were obviously written to capitalize on the immediate craze without ANY regard to plot...most were about as deep as a teaspoon (if that...). Not so with 'Search'...not at ALL. At once we have multiple storylines all progressing along quite rapidly--most of which seem completely unrelated to one another--but never fear, they ALL tie together before long in what has GOT to be one of the more creative plot-lines I have read in quite some time. While I wouldn't necessarily describe the *Mystery* as 'more profound' than The Da Vinci Code, it certainly IS more so than what we discovered at the end of 'The Lost Symbol' (whose ending was ultimately a let-down if you ask me).

While NO living author (or dead for that matter) can write with the kinetic energy on the printed page like Matthew Reilly, there ARE a few authors who come pretty close. As far as realism is concerned, most blow Reilly out of the water, seeing as pretty much ALL of his books are wildly inventive, but all but impossible to swallow. 'Search', while more believable, certainly DOES require some hefty suspension of disbelief in order to get through--but then again, what techno-thriller doesn't more or less? I really would like to be more in-depth regarding the fabulously creative storyline, but one of my #1 pet peeves here at amazon are reviewers who take the time to spoil so much for unsuspecting readers who want nothing more than to just see if you liked what they were thinking of purchasing. I refuse to give away such detail...however, I WILL say this: if you are looking for a techno-thrilling, ass-kickin' adventure, look NO FURTHER than 'Search'. TRUST Me, however you get a copy of this great novel, it will definitely be money well spent. I can hardly wait to read it again.