THE ESSENE CONSPIRACY [Kindle Edition]

S. Eric Wachtel (Author)

Book Description

A high ranking Israeli minister has been murdered in Jerusalem. Muslim terrorists are suspected, but no group has claimed responsibility.

Finding a barely legible name scribbled on a blood-stained card in the shirt pocket of the slain minister, the Director of Israeli Intelligence calls upon international security consultant Harry McClure to investigate a possible American connection to the brutal crime.

Follow McClure as he uncovers a new threat to Israel’s security; a sophisticated Wall Street money-laundering scheme linked to a clandestine Brotherhood’s plot to return Israel to its biblical roots.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Writers Digest

The Essene Conspiracy is a fascinating crime/political thriller. The
writer brings together characters from Wall Street to Jerusalem, showing
his extensive knowledge of cultures, languages, and historical and
contemporary political events. The titular conspiracy unravels nicely in
the novel. McClure begins the novel with two cases that gradually become
intertwined . . . Short chapters, shifting perspectives , and lean prose
help make the plot movealong at a good pace while the reader remains
engaged in finding out more with each revelation McClure makes. . . .

About the Author

Blending fact and fiction, in his thriller, THE ESSENE CONSPIRACY, he draws on his extensive international business experience. Eric lives with his wife and Russian Blue cat in Washington, D.C. A member of International Thriller Writers, he is at work on the next Harry McClure thriller.

Product Details

• File Size: 310 KB
• Print Length: 310 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615426468
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004TNGV7U
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,199 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, full of suspense--highly recommended April 7, 2011

By Sonia Delaunay

Format:Paperback

I don't typically read thrillers, but I picked this up at the suggestion of a friend and couldn't stop reading it. Aside from being a compelling and amazing story, it is very well-researched and the history was fascinating to me as someone who is interested in but not very knowledgeable about the Middle East. Whether you are interested in the nexus of religion and history or just love fast-paced thrillers that involve politics and corruption, I highly recommend this book.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essene Conspiracy April 20, 2011

By lorr8

Format:Paperback

The Essene Conspiracy is a fast and easy read, an intriguing story line punctuated by interesting historical and cultural asides. Although I rarely read fiction, I liked it!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Warmed over . . . weak . . . not a page-turner June 9, 2012

By tombab1231

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Too many major mistakes by the author.

Never does the author create, in the reader, empathy for the hero.

Never does the author create a character arc for the hero. The hero goes through the entire novel without facing any inner demon, without facing / overcoming conflict, without changing. The hero is boring, pompous, even irritating ('he lit his cuban cigar with a cedar match'); almost certainly because of the weakenesses in the story.

Never in the novel is there a hint of a three dimensional character - not villan or hero. Every character is flat and predictable.

The plot is linear, one-dimensional. A thriller this novel is not. Even a casual reader deduces the totally predictable ending well before the half-way point in the story.

The author is far too impressed with his masonic conspiracy back story - done better by Dan Brown - or his arc of the covenant backstory - done better by Indiana Jones - or the villain's slippery escape - done better by Darth Vader in the first Star Wars movie.

Far too many trite overused clinches throughout, too numerous to itemize in a brief review.

Loved the last line in the novel ...... 'the hero felt a shiver run up his spine.' When I reread it I hoped that it said..... 'the hero felt a shive run up his spine.'

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read January 20, 2012

By Kindle Reading Musician

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Good read. Plots that involve Israel draw me. Kept my interest level throughout.

Wachtel showed his bias in several unnecessary paragraphs that explained how the Apostle Paul created Christianity. This discussion didn't advance the plot, for me it detracted from it. The Apostle Paul didn't create the detailed Messianic prophecies the Hebrew Bible (i.e. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalms, et al). Nor did he author the Gospel of John.

Aside from the bias, I enjoyed the book and would read another by Eric Wachtel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Competent writer, dull book May 23, 2012

By S. Toyofuku

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The author is a competent writer but, unfortunately, the book is dull and completely devoid of suspense. Dan Brown's books, of which this is a clone, are at least page-turners; THE ESSENE CONSPIRACY has a soporific effect on this reviewer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Dan Brown conspiracy in a Jewish Setting May 19, 2012

By Suncoast TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book but I really don't know why. It is essentially a Dan Brown secret society theme in a Jewish setting - and I am not a fan of Dan Brown or secret society themes. It was not really a page turner because the author described the Jewish religious background in excessive detail.

Probably I enjoyed it because I like stories about Israel where the history and current day situation are real life adventure stories. Some of my favourite novels have an Israeli background - Exodus (Leon Uris), The Power and The Glory (Herman Wouk) and the Daniel Silva (the Gabriel Allon series) - all of which are in another league to this book.

The plot is basically about an extreme orthodox Jewish sect (the Essene group) with links that go back centuries that wants to restore Israel to its former religious glory. To do this they need lots of money, which they acquire through stock market manipulation in the US, and money laundering and smuggling.

I still don't really know why I liked the book - but I suggest you read it and see what you think.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Lost it about half way through. December 11, 2012

By S. Edwards

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This started out pretty good although it wasn't the best I've read. I kept going though until I got to the middle and all of a sudden the author started getting into weird theological stuff. I'm sure that some would find it all interesting but for me, not so much. Deleted it from my library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read!! June 29, 2011

By Carla B. Wynn

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I truly enjoyed this book. It reminded me a little of the "DaVinci Code" but different. It is well written and the intrique and mystery grab you immediately. Even though it's fiction, the factual information was very educational. I will recommend this book to others.

More About the Author

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My Bio

S. Eric Wachtel was born and raised in New York City and graduated from the University of Missouri. While in college, he crafted his first historical based short story.

Starting on Wall Street, he was later a vice president of an international conglomerate, and then president of an innovative medical technology company.

A history buff, in his debut novel, THE ESSENE CONSPIRACY, he draws on his extensive international business experience.

Eric lives with his wife, Lynn, and Russian Blue cat in Washington, D.C. and Vermont. A member of International Thriller Writers, he is at work on the next Harry McClure thriller.