12.22.12 The Vessel by Killian McRae
Overview: Archaeologist Sheppard Smyth has staked his career and the honorable memory of his wife and partner on proving his widely panned theory: Cleopatra, the last sovereign pharaoh of Egypt, was not a victim of suicide as history suggests, but of a well-concealed murder. When a statue of the doomed Queen is unearthed in a pre-Columbian excavation site in Mexico, Shep rushes to investigate and, hopefully, find the proof that has evaded him for so long. The find, however, is only the first clue suggesting a mysterious connection between Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica, and possibly – beyond. Suddenly thrust into the heated rivalry between sexy and enigmatic antiquities thief Victoria Kent and the infamous Russian mafioso Dmitri Kronastia, Shep finds himself a common pawn played by forces working to see out a quest older than the pyramids and cloaked in the Mayan Doomsday prophecy of 12.21.12.
Pages: 264 Pages
Writer: Killian McRae
Recommendations: 30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray
The tale revolves around a distinguished professor of Egyptian history who has dedicated his life to proving that Cleopatra was murdered, not a victim of suicide. His world is turned upside down when his wife is tragically killed on a dig site, sending him spiraling into chaos. However, everything changes when his old pal Hector uncovers something intriguing that piques the professor’s interest enough to temporarily set aside his bottle of booze and investigate.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – this book could use a bit of a polish. It’s like finding a diamond in the rough, but with a little editing magic, it could shine even brighter. Don’t get me wrong, the characters are engaging, but some interactions could use a little extra oomph.
Think of it as Indiana Jones meets The Mummy – a winning combo if you ask me. I found myself getting hooked about halfway through, unable to tear myself away. Overall, I did enjoy the read, despite its rough edges. I’m eagerly anticipating more adventures in this series. Cheers to that!