Secret of the Scroll [Paperback]

Chester Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Retired Air Force OSI agent Greg McKenzie thinks his troubles with the Metro Nashville Police are a problem. Then he brings a souvenir Dead Sea Scroll home from the Holy Land and things go from bad to worse. A Palestinian terrorist group invades his home, fails to find the scroll and takes his wife, Jill, hostage. Greg finds himself with an ancient Hebrew scroll worth millions, wanted by both the Palestinians and a radical, far-right Israeli organization. When he tries to exchange it for Jill's freedom, everything goes wrong. Then the police target him as a suspect in his wife's disappearance. He sets out alone on a perilous chase to save her life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Grabs you from beginning to end. A great read." -- Don Goldman (What Goes Around)

"Gripping. I could not put it down." -- Stephane Daimlen-Völs (Hour of the Wolves)

About the Author

I got bitten by the writing bug when I started work as a newspaper reporter while a journalism student at the University of Tennessee. That was more than 60 years ago. Since then I've worked as a freelance writer, a magazine editor, a political speechwriter, an advertising copywriter, a public relations writer and an association manager. I started writing novels after retirement. I write the Greg McKenzie mysteries featuring a retired Air Force OSI agent. The first, SECRET OF THE SCROLL (2002), takes place in Nashville and Israel. The second, DESIGNED TO KILL (2004), is set around Pensacola, FL, and the third, DEADLY ILLUSIONS (2005), wanders about Nashville. The fourth,  titled THE MARATHON MURDERS (2008), involves the long-defunct Marathon Motor Works in Nashville, and the fifth is A SPORTING MURDER (2010), dealing with professional sports in Nashville. My second mystery series follows the adventures of Nashville PI Sid Chance. The first book, titled THE SUREST POISON (2009), deals with a toxic chemical spill in a suburban county.

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: Durban House; 1st edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930754248
• ISBN-13: 978-1930754249
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,473,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After following a snake-like career path that writhed about from newspapers to magazines to speechwriting to advertising to PR to association management, I settled on novel writing after retirement. I'm having a blast. My PI characters do things I'd never dare attempt. The reviewers love 'em, and so do the fans. Most of my stories are drawn from life, from all the weird and wonderful things that go on around me. Since I've been observing this for the last 85 years, there's no shortage of stuff to draw on.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and refreshing..., October 23, 2002

By 

Richard A. Emerson "Renaissance Redneck" (Westmoreland, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret of the Scroll (Paperback)

The Secret of the Scroll contains the high level of political deniability inherent in the espianage novel, causing the hero to rely on something other than the might and right of countries. Going it alone, Greg McKenzie picks up an intrigueing entourage of sidekicks as he races through the tale. The refreshing part is that the hero isn't exceptionally gifted with super powers of observation, incredible martial art skills, or packing tons of hardware. It is a story of man's greed affecting the innocent, resolved by a lifetime of experience,and fueled by a determination born of love. While the twists and turns are intricate, it is all told with a smooth grace that never pulls the reader out of the fantasy. I have found a new author whose next work I'll anticipate from the time I close the cover.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secret of the Scroll, May 2, 2003

By 

Donald L. Morgan "word merchant" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret of the Scroll (Paperback)

A first person, narrative mystery thriller of the first order. Adroitly titillates your sense of anticipation and suspense while slyly giving you a close-up feeling for the Israeli/Palestinian struggle. The plot and the pages go fast and as you realize you are thoroughly enjoying the story the book comes to an end. If you like good solid writing, thoughtful characterization and a believable story you'll enjoy this book.
Rus Morgan -- Host Interviewer for PBS "Book Talk" at Radio Station WYPL in Memphis TN. (103 books read and authors interviewed in the series since its inception in 1993). The male 'Grandma Moses' of mystery fiction. Member of MWA and PMA. Author of three novels, the stunning "Blackberries Got No Thorns" and two sizzling scifi mysteries, "The Voodoo Vortex" and "Luci"...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for the Sequel, September 12, 2002

By 

Tina Timlin (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secret of the Scroll (Paperback)

Received the book the night before last and I could not put it down. Great read. I felt like I was living the entire story myself. Being a Nashville native it was enlightening to see the city in a different light. I truly cannot wait for the sequel to come out. The authors knowledge of the Holy Land made the book so true to life.