The Bone Box: A Novel [Paperback]

Bob Hostetler (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 7, 2008

Combining the adrenaline-fueled adventure of Indiana Jones with the thrills of a Steve Berry Novel, The Bone Box is the latest in biblical archeological suspense.

Archeologist and agnostic Randall Bullock has come to Israel to try and resurrect his crumbling career and shattered life. Teaming up with Miri Sharon, a beautiful representative of Israeli Antiques Authority, the two unearth a stone casket marked "Joseph, son of Caiaphas," which contains several fragile scrolls that document the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This discovery launches Miri and Randall, along with his estranged nineteen-year-old daughter, Tracy, into a race to validate the monumental find, no matter what the Israeli authorities, media circus, and archaeological rivals want the world to believe. Forced to face the power of this historical resurrection, Randall must also struggle with his own beliefs -- or lack of them -- while trying to keep the consequences of their discovery from taking a disastrous turn.

The Bone Box, fraught with political intrigue, is a suspense-filled blend of historical fact, romance, and transforming faith. Through all the danger and struggle, Randall discovers how easy -- and deadly -- it is to ignore the evidence and reject the true story of Christ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Are there secrets, long hidden, which could prove that Christianity is the one true faith? This tantalizing premise underlies the latest excursion into religious fiction by Hoestetler (American Idols), a pastor-writer. Randall Bullock, an archaeologist who recently lost his wife, agrees to investigate a cave in Israel that turns out to contain not only the bones of Joseph, son of Caiaphas, but also an ancient scroll that appears to verify Jesus' resurrection from the dead. The author knows his ancient history and labors to explain rituals, texts and biblical geography. He develops the Bullock character, making him a believable and sympathetic figure. Other characters, such as Bullock's daughter Tracy and his love interest, Miri Sharon, do not propel the plot forward much at all. The Christian apologetics toward the end seem heavy-handed. Bullock faces a crisis in his own faith as he attempts to convince the world that he has found unquestionable proof that Jesus is indeed the Messiah; the author generates theological questions that will give Christian readers much to contemplate.
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About the Author

Bob Hostetler is a writer, editor, pastor, and speaker from southwestern Ohio. His twenty-one books, which include the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and American Idols, have sold over 2 million copies. He has won two Gold Medallion Awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation Award. He is a co-founder and Pastor of Leadership and Teaching at Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, Ohio. He and his wife Robin have two grown children, Aubrey and Aaron.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416566473
• ISBN-13: 978-1416566472
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,914,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bob Hostetler is a writer, editor, and speaker from southeastern Ohio. His 30 books, which include "Quit Going to Church" and the novel, "The Bone Box," have sold over 3 million copies. He has coauthored a dozen books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling "Right from Wrong: What You Need to Know to Help Youth Make Right Choices" and the award-winning "Don't Check Your Brains at the Door." He has won two Gold Medallion awards, four Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation award.

Bob is a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and retreats. He has been a disk jockey, pastor, magazine editor, freelance book editor, and, with his wife, Robin, a foster parent to 10 boys (though not all at once).

Bob and Robin have two adult children, Aubrey and Aaron.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read February 11, 2009

By Douglas Burr

Format:Paperback

I just got back from vacation where I finished "The Bone Box." I had to write this comment and let others know how much I enjoyed it!

Anyway- a great story! I love to read a good book and have quite a few stacked on my bookshelf to get to, but put this one on the top of the list for vacation. I'm glad I did.

Hostetler has a good writing style and the content kept my attention throughout. I developed a relationship with the characters so I actually cared about what happened to them. I liked the back and forth between the two main story lines- current time and in Jesus' day. I liked the short chapters; makes it easier to read, I think. I also liked the "common language" style which helped the story feel more real- as if I was hearing the story from a friend. I found myself rushing to the end to see what finally happened. I couldn't put it down for the last fourth of the book!

This is a fine fiction story that ties many Christian truths and facts into it. The author has done a lot of excellent research and there is a section at the end with notes about that research that added to the overall experience. Included is a thoughtful reason why some people don't want to accept Jesus.

Read it- you'll like it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bone Box won't turn you loose! November 21, 2008

By Heather Burch

Format:Paperback

THE BONE BOX is a roller coaster ride that grabs you on page one and won't turn you loose until the end! Present day danger mingles with historical deception. A life altering discovery is rejected by the community that should embrace it, and a surprise redemption unfolds in this fast paced story. I highly recommend this read! You will not be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and Educational May 3, 2013

By Tracy K.

Format:Paperback

The Bone Box by Bob Hostetler was an exciting book. I enjoyed the alternating time periods between current day and Jesus' day. As someone who is constantly searcing for new learning about my Christian faith, I appreciated the author's thoroughly researched approach to introduce the events surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The plot line was intriguing throughout. I recommend reading this book if you are someone who enjoys a moving story line as well as learning history along the way.