The Tavernier Stones: A Novel [Paperback]

Stephen Parrish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2010

Product update: The Tavernier Stones has won the 2011 Independent Publisher (IPPY) gold medal in the mystery/suspense/thriller category.

When the body of seventeenth-century mapmaker Johannes Cellarius floats to the surface of a bog in northern Germany with a 57-carat ruby clutched in his fist, the grisly discovery ignites a deadly twenty-first-century international treasure hunt to unearth the fabled Tavernier stones.　 The hoard reputedly contains some of the world's most notorious missing jewels, including the 280-carat Great Mogul diamond and the 242-carat Great Table diamond.

Scrupulously honest Amish-born cartographer John Graf teams up with outlaw prospector and gemologist David Freeman in a ferocious race to find the treasure and break a secret code that will unravel the centuries-old Tavernier stones mystery. But other fortune hunters, opportunists and criminals alike, are in hot pursuit of the mismatched partners---and they'll stop at nothing to possess the legendary jewels.

"The Tavernier Stones has something for every reader--adventure, intrigue, information, and no small amount of wit. An exciting debut from a talented new author, this novel delivers the goods." --Debra Ginsberg, author of The Grift and The Neighbors are Watching

"An utterly compelling adventure that pulls you along on a rollicking ride and doesn't let go of you until you turn the last page. The writing just sparkles." --Patricia Wood, author of Lottery

"From the opening pages to the closing scene, Stephen Parrish has created a literary mystery, one with adventure, history, cartography, jewels, and unforgettable characters. I can't recall the last time I finished a mystery that also moved me so much." --Erica Orloff, author of The Roofer and Freudian Slip

"The Tavernier Stones is a sparkling, multi-faceted gem of a fast-paced thriller." --Eric Stone, author of Shanghaied

"Relentlessly fascinating, Stephen Parrish's The Tavernier Stones is reminiscent of Dan Brown's Lost Symbol, but this treasure hunt based on real historical figures involves ancient maps, complex codes, and a cache of mysterious lost gems. It's one hell of a good time." --Mark Terry, author of The Fallen

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parrish's debut, a Da Vinci Code satire, fails to make the most of its intriguing premise. When a bog man preserved in peat turns up near Hamburg, Germany, the police discover an enormous ruby clenched in his fist. Authorities identify him as Johannes Cellarius, a 17th-century cartographer, who was possibly done in with a pickaxe by a jealous husband. The really cold corpse inspires a global treasure hunt for the legendary Tavernier Stones, of which the ruby was part, lost by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605–1689) during his fabled seventh journey to the Orient. The last map Cellarius drew contains a clue composed of medieval runes. John Graf¸ an Amish cartographer, teams with David Freeman, a brilliant thief and gemologist, but more ruthless folks are also after the jewels. A gemologist and cartographer himself, Parrish slyly mixes fact and fancy as the progressively more silly action builds to an over-the-top climax. (May)
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Review

"The author certainly knows his subject matter and relates it to historical fact. There should be something to appeal to readers of all persuasions."
--The Mystery Reader

"Parrish keeps the dialogue light, throws in more than a few witty scenes, and ties it all up in a neat and satisfying bundle at the end. What more could you want from a late summer read?"
--Bookgasm

"If his subsequent novels are researched to the same degree, he could claim a legitimate position among the notables of this genre."
-Library Journal --April 1, 2010

"The author clearly knows his subject--the details about map-making and gemology ring true--and even better, he knows how to tell a good story." --Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 370 pages
• Publisher: MIDNIGHT INK; 1 edition (May 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738720569
• ISBN-13: 978-0738720562
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,399,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Parrish is the author of The Tavernier Stones and The Feasts of Lesser Men. In 2011 he was awarded the Independent Publisher (IPPY) gold medal in the mystery/suspense/thriller category. He edits a start-up literary journal, The Lascaux Review, and blogs at www.stephenparrish.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Jewel of a Novel April 18, 2010

By Sarah Hina

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Propelled by a spectacular opening, in which the corpse of seventeenth-century mapmaker Johannes Cellarius is discovered in a bog with a 57-carat ruby clutched in his fist, THE TAVERNIER STONES quickly unfolds into a treasure hunt adventure even more riveting than the real-life story of the jewels which spawned it. With its effortless weaving of memorable characters--each harboring his or her motive for coveting the stones--and intricate subplots, I found this novel to be an immensely satisfying and enjoyable read. While the ingenuous ending left me hungry for more from this gifted debut author whose writing is as accomplished as his storytelling.

Parrish incorporates an impressive depth of knowledge about cartography, cryptology, gemstones, and history, and his technical command of these details lends a precious believability to the hunt that is foundational to the book's success. While tension-filled and plenty thrilling, the action never veers off into the realm of the cartoonish, as Parrish grounds us so believably in his world of maps, codes, Amish culture, German lore, and, of course, precious jewels. I love a book where I learn as much as I'm entertained. Especially when the subject matter is as rich as this.

But none of that stuff would mean much without characters that live and breathe on the page. And live they do. Amish-born cartographer John Graf's struggle between the religious and familial roots he's severed and the worldly quest which becomes his obsession serves as the heart of this novel, and is deftly handled by the author. I was really invested in this character, and was pleasantly and poignantly surprised by where Parrish takes him. While his relationship of necessity with jewel thief David Freeman and his girlfriend, Sarah Sainte-James, crackles with a wit and spark that keeps the pages turning.

To sum up, I tore through THE TAVERNIER STONES in a couple days. And I guess that's the best recommendation of all. Parrish is the real deal.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars cheaper than jeans, too May 17, 2010

By Aerin Rose

Format:Paperback

FIRST LINE: "There's a dead guy out there."

When a very old body and an even older gem surface in a bog in northern Germany, persons worldwide realize they're the missing clues to the Tavernier stones, a lost cache of legendary jewels. Amish-born cartographer John Graf throws in his lot with scholar-turned-thief David Freeman in this modern-day treasure hunt. Together with David's gorgeous partner-in-crime Sarah, they race around the world. They don't know it, but they're up against a German Kommissar, a rival crook, and a penurious gentlewoman who bears a striking resemblance to the Wicked Witch of the West.

MIDLINE
You know when you find the perfect pair of jeans? It's when you try them on in the fitting room, checking from all angles, and realize, "Wow, these make my butt look amazing." That's how you'll feel about Tavernier Stones (more or less). Reading this book makes you look - and feel - amazing.

Let's be honest. I wouldn't have picked up Tavernier Stones on my own. I'd read the first chapter at Book Roast (RIP), and I'd ordered a copy in support of Stephen, a friend in our 100+ person writing circle. Still, considering I'm named after a YA fantasy heroine, I didn't expect to adore this one quite so much as I did. I inhaled it - reading time: 2 hours, 47 minutes.

Stephen Parrish, much like a snake charmer, coaxed me out of literary complacency with a novel of intelligence and wit (o, the wit; the startling humor!) As a lover of YA, I'm suspect of harsh, bitter writing. Parrish's writing can be mellifluous, almost poetic. He's not permanently jaded about the human condition, as evidenced by this early, poetic statement about John Graf:

His eyes stared frankly and uncritically, and if he made people feel transparent, he compensated by finding no flaws in their vitreous souls.

Of course, as a theologian, I'm suspect when religion garners mention on the book jacket. Parrish, however, dealt justly with the Amish faith and culture. As an intellectual, I'm suspect when mathematics code takes an entire chapter. Parrish keeps the pace going. The plot doesn't lag even in the chapters featuring pigpen cipher. Plus, I congratulated myself after I puzzled my way through the clues (with Parrish's omnipresent guidance).

I'm afraid one particular strength of this novel will be overlooked, because it's so seamlessly and naturally assumed in Parrish's writing: its organic feminism. For example, Parrish could have flattened Sarah (Smith) Sainte-James into a caricature pancake. (And the one character who is flattened - literally - defies gender stereotypes.) Instead we see, as Graf does, through to Sarah's potential. As she develops her own strength, she realizes this is who she could have been all along. I liked Sarah, by the end (despite the fact that she's responsible for the worst romantic choice since Jo picked Dr. Baer over Laurie.)

BOTTOM LINE
If your favorite authors include Danielle Steele, Stephanie Meyer or Sarah Dessen, this is not a book you'd love. Everyone else will enjoy, if not devour, this fast-paced, carefully crafted treasure hunt. It's certainly gift-worthy, an absolutely perfect Father's Day gift, right down to the dedication Parrish makes to his daughter.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars One hell of a ride. April 28, 2010

By Holly Elaine Crisler

Format:Paperback

Now THAT was fun! A historic treasure hunt that reads like a roller coaster ride with characters you love and love to hate. Parrish gives the reader a good, hearty introduction to the art of maps and the beauty of precious gems with the charmingly naive hero, John Graf, and the clever and thieving David Freeman. The pace is quick and little bombs of humor keep it moving. Heads up, Hollywood, this would make a great movie.