The Third Gate

4 stars

In this book we meet Jeremy Logan, a new hero for Lincoln Child. He is an enigmalogist. That is someone who investigates unknown phenomena such as hauntings or other unexplained occurrences. This is Jeremys word for what he does. He is a professor of medieval history at a university when he is not exploring the unknown.

He receives a request from Dr. Ethan Rush a former surgeon whose wife had a near death experience. He has a proposition for Jeremy. Tantalizingly slowly, Jeremy draws the mission out of him. They are to join an expedition of the famous explorer Peter Stone in attempting to locate the tomb of Narmer, the king who was supposed to have unified Egypt in approximately 3200 BC. Mr. Stone suspects and hopes that King Narmers crown is buried with him.

The problem is that the location of the tomb is in the Sudd, a location in northern Sudan that is all but impassible and is a growing swamp. Isolated and growing larger by the day, the task is on a heroic scale. One of the archeologists Christina Romero shows Jeremy a document that she says is the reason he is at the site. The lead archeologist is the famous Fenwick March. On the paper is described a curse to be released if anyone disturbs the tomb.

The mysterious occurrences and accidents keep happening at the site. Then things go from bad to worse.

This is an action-filled thrill ride. It combines the average persons fascination with ancient Egypt with a historical take on an adventure story. It is well written and plotted. I liked Jeremy Logan and his theories dont sound so far-fetched. Well done, Mr. Child. I will continue to read his books, along with those he writes with Douglas Preston.

An excellent, well written novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy a good thriller with a supernatural twist. The author does not make the supernatural elements so heavy handed as to move the book into the fantasy realm but the psychic/occult elements leave the reader wondering just what the heck is going on, all through the book. Add to that the interesting Egyptian archeological elements, twisted into a story about the first pharaoh of unified Egypt and this story has something for everyone.

The Third Gate combines the best efforts of a leading Egyptologist, enigmologist (someone who specializes in enigmas), an uber-rich treasure hunter, a spattering of archeologists, the best high technologists money can buy, medical doctors, a previously dead woman, and a space station-like work center. All this and these sit amid the worlds most formidable and impenetrable swamp called the Sudd on the Nile River.

No expenses have been spared in setting up a self-sufficient, scientifically competent, well supplied lab and tunnel visioned task force dedicated to finding the unbelievably well hidden tomb of an ancient pharaoh. There is also a curse worthy to be called a curse.

Lincoln Child did his homework to come up with this techno archaic science fiction fact-filled fiction novel that throws in sufficient names and real historical instances to establish credibility with the story line. The authors in-depth research is apparent and produces an interesting read that moves along quickly and has a surprise at every juncture.

This treasure hunting backdrop combines its suspense and often eerie sequence of events with the subject of near death experiences. The reader is presented with the unique possibility of invasion or possession of a body by a spirit other than that of the deceased due to modern medicine taking too long to resuscitate the almost corpse.

If one believes in the occult afterlife that prompted the building of the pyramids and well stocked tombs of the early Egyptian kings or pharaohs, this book will guarantee aaahs and ooohs. Egyptology tidbits will delight the discerning history buff.

Fighting the looming deadline of a dam completion that will terminate their efforts, the crew of this discovery operation tastes victory, albeit short lived. The terrible wrath and power of something or someone lashes out to wreak havoc on the modern humans that have set their greedy minds on ransacking the ancient sacred tomb and disturbing the rest of its chief occupant.

The interesting death duel that ensues diminishes the edge provided by science and money and ushers many of the best equipped and brilliant professionals into the netherworld they so ineptly and sacreligiously have invaded.

The final battle against the terrible and sickening Sudd swamp is masterfully waged by Lincoln Child as he describes the ugliest, most repulsive, completely overwhelming, naturally produced slime and pit of decay imaginable.

The plot is somewhat predictable, but the twists and turn are priceless and leave the reader wanting more. The characters are charming, greedy, believable, well crafted, and interesting. Nothing was left out of this fine work of a highly creative imagination and excellent wordsmith. The reader can almost smell the rotting botanical ooze, feel the mosquitoes and hear them buzz, and in the end, feel the compressed mass become a death shroud about their sinking bodies.

This book is recommended for anyone who really likes adventure mixed with reality and fed to them as fast as they can devour it.

Jeremy is asked to come on an adventure without knowing what it is about until he is on the plane headed toward Eygpt. Facts are in short supply as he learns about the king who united upper and lower Eygpt. They are looking for his tomb in the Sud; a very unfriendly place. As they finally find the tomb, the description of what they find and how they set up a tunnel to unseal the tomb is awesome. Their are unholy actions taking place as more bad luck befalls the group. Enjoy this one!

This was a well-developed story that used archeology and history to support the tale. Anyone who enjoys Egyptology will enjoy the author’s use of both intertwined throughout the narrative to support the progress of the story. The characters fit well into the tale and the reader could “see” them in action experiencing the lively movement that accompanies the tale. I highly recommend the author and the book as an easy read that has built-in suspense and anticipation as hooks to keep one hanging on to the last page.

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