Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Altar of Bones by Philip Carter

"They didn't have to kill him…He never drank from the altar of bones."


This book is being published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.  I was provided an eGalley for review (thank you).  The hardcover edition will be coming out in March.


I see I'm not the first person who thinks this book has the flavor of Dan Brown.  All Simon & Schuster says is that it is a pseudonym for an internationally known author.  My curiosity makes me want to scream:  "Yeah, but which one???"


This is a very interesting mix of folk lore secrets, "magical" people, spies, and the mafia.  The story starts out with a chase and murder and never slows down.  The adventure goes from state side to international, people die along the way, and the main characters have to be versatile, smart, brave, and willing to take chances if they wish to stay alive.


The story is a mix of old US history about some incidents that many feel have never really been resolved, a generally unknown old folk lore from Siberia, and a hunt for immortality.  Is any of it true?  Probably not, but it's a very good read.


The first few pages suck you into the story and then the race is on.  The book is 464 pages, but I read it in two evenings.  It was too good to let sit there.


Pick up a copy at your local bookstore in March - it's a wild ride.

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