Intelligent, well written, with a clever blending of fact and fiction set in the oft volatile Middle East.

A potent blend of archaeology, historically accurate events and the ensuing tension that is invoked following Professor Marr's startling discovery in the desert sands of Qumran.

Characters are well developed, the storyline is clear and easy to follow and it's an edge-of-the-seat read as the various religious factions vie for control of Marr's unsettling discovery.

The "what if" of the narrative and all its potential consequences will definitely stay with a reader long after the final page is turned.

I received an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley, Books Go Social and the author.

Qumran by Jerry Armernic is a book that could rival "The Da Vinci Code". I loved this book and was drawn into the story from the beginning. What happens when an archeologist discovers a mummified body that could effect Muslims, Christians, an Jews in the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found? It could change how the world sees things forever. Filled with a church that wants to cover up history, Muslims wanting to take it,.as well as fanatical Jews who would do anything to prove their right to the Holy Land, Qumran is a book for everyone. It is also a book about the wisdom of all three Abrahamic faiths. I couldn't put it down and if you liked "The Da Vinci Code" you will like this book as well.

The Holy Land has been fraught with dissention. For thousands of years, but never more so than in the present days since the partitioning after WWII. Christian, Jew, Muslim. Gentile, Jew, Arab. Israeli, Palestinian. Science, Religion. History, Biblical History. Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees. Its "endless passion for violence".

The protagonist in this story is a visiting professor at Hebrew University called David Marr. He's an archaeologist. He was present when the Dead Sea Scrolls were brought out of the caves at Qumran. He has seen the Shroud of Turin and the alleged cup from the Last Supper [the Holy Grail]. He is widely considered a world authority on the subject of crucifixion. Now, he has in his possession what may be the greatest find of all. A mummified man who appears to be about two thousand years old. A man who was crucified. Suspicious remains that just might put all Christian thought in danger.

The book circles around the questions of "Who is the owner of discovered antiquities?" and "Which geography is the correct geography?" Stories of Jesus figures go back thousands of years. As far back as twenty thousand years. In many cultures under many names. So, how literally are we to take the information in the Bible? Is religion a myth?

Meticulously researched, it is filled with easily recognized landmarks and Biblical personages such as The Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, Nativity Square in Bethlehem, Gaza, the West Bank, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, TelAviv, Masada, Joseph of Arimathea, John the Baptist, Jehohanan, and, of course, Qumran.

This is a thoroughly engaging piece of historical fiction that makes the statement, "Peace will come when they love their children more than they hate each other".

I read this Ebook courtesy of NetGalley and Books Go Social. pub date 08/20/15