Promotional Information

First in a fantastic series from an author who is already a bestseller in the USA. MAP OF BONES was nominated for the 2006 Barry Award for Best Thriller. James Rollins has just received a massive six-figure advance for his new book in the States. MAP OF BONES is in the bestselling tradition of Dan Brown and Raymond Khoury. 'This novel about an ancient secret society and the race to find priceless antiquities is sure to be compared to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, but, in every way, it's a much better book. Where Brown's best-seller was predictable despite its compelling premise, this tale is clever and suspenseful' Booklist. 'An adventure in the grand manner. Rollins takes the reader through the horror and intrigue...like no one else. The action never relents' Clive Cussler. Two other novels in the series are soon to be published in Orion - SANDSTORM and BLACK ORDER.

About the Author

James Rollins is the author of seven bestselling novels. An amateur spelunker and scuba enthusiast, he also holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine. He currently lives and writes in Sacramento, California.

Reviews

When a reliquary containing the bones of the Magi vanishes with the burning of a German cathedral, SIGMA force is rushed in to save the day. The start of a new SIGMA adventure series. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

A mysterious biblical object, nefarious Vatican spies and a deadly centuries-old religious cabal-sound familiar? Sacramento veterinarian Rollins offers more Da Vinci Code-style thrills for the seriously addicted. In this seventh outing, hooded men invade midnight mass at the Cologne Cathedral and slaughter almost everyone present, then break open a gold sarcophagus and steal... the bones of the Three Wise Men. Grayson Pierce, top agent in the Department of Defense's covert Sigma Force, takes a team to Rome, joins up with love-interest Rachel Verona, a carabinieri corps lieutenant, and her Vatican official uncle, Vigot. It seems that the Dragon Court, a medieval alchemical cult-cell that still operates within the Catholic Church, is to blame, and it also seems that the bones of the Magi aren't really bones, but the highly reactive Monatomic gold that the group plans to use to accomplish its ultimate goal-Armegeddon. Rollins has few peers in the research department, which makes the historical material fascinating, and he keeps the dialogue believably colloquial and the incidental elements motivated-and plausible for at least short stretches. Clumsy romance is mostly overcome by lots of action. Dan Brown-ers looking for methadone will add to Rollins's usual solid numbers. (June) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.