Book Review for 30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray
Overview: A Christian suicide bomber. John the Baptist’s bones inscribed in ancient Greek. A dark secret carried from the foot of the crucifixion. Can science solve the world’s greatest mystery?
Pages: 632 Pages
Writer: Carolyn McCray
This book is not for the faint of heart, especially if you can’t handle controversial fiction like Dan Brown. It takes the Bible and gives it a twist, exploring what could have happened if things had gone a little differently. The story jumps between the time of Jesus and the present day, keeping you on your toes as scientists uncover clues from the past.
In the modern era, we follow Dr. Monroe on her quest to find the elusive “smart gene” that she believes some historical figures possessed. But her search is not without obstacles, as a mysterious group tries to thwart her at every turn. She finds herself under the protection of Sgt. Brandt and his team, facing danger and deception at every corner.
While I enjoyed the characters in this book, I did find it hard to believe that a soldier could be so well-versed in complex academic topics. The action is relentless, pushing the characters to their limits. I appreciated the attention to detail regarding supplies, although the characters seem to have an endless amount of money, even in foreign countries.
The climax of the story felt a bit forced, trying too hard to be an Indiana Jones-style adventure but falling short. Despite this, I found the book entertaining and would be interested in reading more from this author. The warning label of controversy seemed unnecessary to me – after all, fiction is meant to be a playground of imagination. If an author wants to explore alternate histories and challenge our perceptions, why not dive in and see where the story takes us?