Wil's Bones [Paperback]

Kevin Bowen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

Archaeologist Wil Wilson turns the world upside down when he discovers the bones of Jesus. The contemporary adventure begins with the Secretary of State's visit to Israel being less than a week away. Islamic fundamentalists, hoping to thwart the peace process, have threatened to kill the Secretary and as many Americans as possible. The Israeli and U.S. governments are determined to keep a lid on the situation as they search for explosives believed to be hidden at one of the famous tourist sites. They recruit world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Wil Wilson to help them. However, following an unexpected discovery, everything is changed. Wil's discovery threatens to impact the incumbent President's re-election and a cover-up ensues that Wil cannot stomach. With his announcement, Wil earns the wrath of the most powerful person in the world and forces the President's spin doctors to go into overdrive. Congress is in an uproar, the press is in frenzy, and Wil must flee for his life. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. An election hangs in the balance, truth is about to be buried, and Wil is still in love with Hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . I could not put this book down. The story is fascinating and very well written." -- Dan Poynter, The Self-Publishing Manual

". . . thoroughly engrossing . . . a boldly conceived plot." -- Eugene Schwartz, Publishing Consultant, Consortium House

It had the feel of an Indiana Jones or 007 movie script." -- Heather Williams, Switch Entertainment

From the Publisher

Engage Publishing's intent is to entertain while engaging the readers mind.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Engage Publishing; 1ST edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930892128
• ISBN-13: 978-1930892125
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,501,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, December 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wil's Bones (Paperback)

Kevin Bowen brings an interesting mix to his writing: a Master of Divinity; a Master in Health Care Management; and a Bachelor of History. He has lived in disparate parts of the world, and has experience both in the corporate world and academia.

Wil's Bones is the story of a complicated man with a sad personal history who makes it his life's quest to find the bones of Jesus and disprove theories of Christianity. Dr. Wil Wilson's father was a hypocritical sadist who used religion as a shield to batter his wife and children and lead an alcoholic life. Wil resolves to destroy the religion that produced such a painful cycle for him and his mother. He becomes a renowned archaeologist living in Israel.

When the Israeli and U.S. government hire Wil to search for explosives in the two most logical places that Jesus would have been buried after being taken down from the cross, Wil is ecstatic. But when he uncovers a hidden room with bones and a tablet that translates "King of the Jews," his rebellious announcement to the public causes chaos in the Christian world and puts his life in danger. With a presidential election close at hand, Wil's next discovery is even more terrifying:

"It was obvious. Ninety-two names times 100 grand equaled $9.2 million. They were funding the President's re-election campaign from Wil's project. Wil's mind was flying. He remembered Brock's peculiar look of concerned shock the previous day, when he made reference to the congressman and the large amounts of money they were spending on the project. Did they think he knew?"

Wil's Bones is a classic adventure story. The good guy is cast as a bad guy, while the bad guys are up to their tricks. It is up to the good guy to expose the plot, clear up his good name, and...oh yes...get the girl in the end. And, there is a wonderful cat story stuck in the middle.

Wil's Bones is the type of book that is almost impossible to put down once the reader gets past the first page. What could be more engrossing than the discovery of the bones of Jesus? And what is more logical than to tie such a discovery into the rise and fall of politicians, churches, and governments? The plot is fantastic; the characters are engaging, and the love story between Wil and Hope is tender and innocent. A great read.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exciting thriller, October 21, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wil's Bones (Paperback)

Internationally renowned archeologist Wil Wilson waited a lifetime for this post at the Institute for Palestinian Research in Israel. Will knows this job gives him the opportunity to find evidence that will play havoc with his "Dad's Religion" Christianity. While growing up in Washington State, Wil's abusive, bible-quoting father used religion to condone his nasty behavior. Even today, his mother, who in Wil's mind did nothing but rationalize her husband's behavior at the expense of her son's well being. She knows how obsessively angry her son remains.

With the American Secretary of State coming to the region to promote peace, Wil is tapped to help search for explosives at famous sites. Instead of bombs, Wil makes a discovery that will shake more than just Christianity out of its complacency. Everyone wants the find reburied except Wil who defies the establishment to tell the world the truth.

WIL'S BONES is an exciting thriller that never eases up until the plot is finished. Wil is an intriguing character who is heroic in an epic way even as the powerful combines forces try to discredit and ultimately kill him. His beloved provides him hope that he can survive the ordeal as he struggles to inform the world the truth. Although the characters are never fully developed or understood except to a degree Wil, Kevin Bowen packs plenty of non-stop action in his fast-paced plot.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Fast-moving plot, thankfully, November 3, 2003

By 

Joshua M. Clark (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wil's Bones (Paperback)

This really wasn't my type of book. It's an interesting premise, and I had heard various people recommend it, but it left me with a blah feeling. It is a fairly engaging adventure, and it's kinda fun following people through the story. But a lot of the stuff was really quite routine, and partially due to the fantastic nature of the book, a lot of it just seemed outlandish, even reading in a huh-wouldn't-it-be-interesting-if-this-happened mindset. It probably was not my cup of tea, but I was glad for the fast-moving plot: I was able to get on to another book as quickly as possible.