Agent John Decker is tracking down the DIA and CIA's leader on the most wanted terrorist group in Afghanistan. Ramses al Tarik, current leader of the Lions of Justice, and Asad al Adala possesses some ancient writing that may once belonged to Moses and be the key to a great power that can be used to reek vengeance on the Americans. Archaeologist Samantha Conway is brought in by American Special Forces to interpret ancient writing that could lead to a plague of biblical proportions. Tarik kidnapped her brother to get Samantha under his control. Dexter has to rescue her before the world is destroyed.

This tale is an archaeologist's find of a life time. ( )

W. G. Griffiths. Methuselah’s Pillar. Headline Books, 2012
Indiana Jones Meets James Bond
Samantha Conway, a real-life Indiana Jones, searches in the Valley of the Kings for jewels hidden by Senenmut for his alleged lover, the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut. Her search, based on directions she found in hieroglyphs found many years ago by other archaeologists, sent her well-diving in the desert sands of Egypt. She continues deeper chasing the Metropolitan Museum’s expensive camera. Sam finds a man-made opening and begins to follow shafts running parallel to the well. She moves from one opening to the next until she is above the water level of the well. She finds herself in a chamber, surrounded by skeletons, and Senenmut’s treasure.

“She is the real deal alright, not just some beautiful Hollywood impersonation designed for big ratings on the History or Discovery Channel. She was a modern day Lewis and Clark embodied in a raw scientist.”

Hakeem Salim, a twenty-two-year-old Afghani sheep-herder hiding from missiles, bombs, and trucks climbs into empty darkness. He discovers a secret chamber that appears to be a place of worship. In the chamber, Salim finds a flat smooth stone and a tall stone pillar covered with ancient writing. As the pillar falls and the chamber begins to crumble, he escapes with two broken pieces of the pillar. Hakeem finds himself pinned up to armpits in falling earth. He struggles trying to get free. Suddenly the Lions of Justice move into his ravine. They try to release him but when they discover the pieces of the pillar they shoot him and leave with the treasure.

Ramses al Tarik, hiding in an Afghani cave, worshiping at the altar of Anubis, is the current leader of the Lions of Justice, Asad al Adala. He is also the current leader on both the DIA and CIA’s list of most wanted terrorists on the planet. The pieces of the pillar led to a legend. Methuselah who, in this way, might have given his grandson Moses the Knowledge of Good and Evil that allowed him to crush a nation to its knees and lead a nation out of bondage.

Agent John Decker, an American James Bond, traced Tarik to his hideout. Little did he expect to encounter first-hand biblical plagues. And the chase begins. Somewhere among legend, myth, Bible story, and reality, lies a world in peril and a pillar to be found. Decker and Conway become an unlikely team searching for answers and a wanted man.

This is a story rich in descriptions and filled with suspense. Every move from changes of location or point of view leaves the well-fleshed characters in cliff-hanger situations. The story is well-conceived and well-told. The twists and turns of the plot will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. W. G. Griffiths has created larger-than-life characters the reader will love or love to hate. The book ends with the reader waiting impatiently for the next one to start.

One can only hope this first-place winner of the Hollywood Book Festival will be followed by more than another book in a series. Michelle Rapkin, whom Griffiths acknowledges, told him to drop what he was doing and write this novel. His readers will hope Griffiths will once again discard all the projects he is working on, and write the screenplay, and the sequel that is waiting to be told.

Reviewed for Readers Favorites. ( )

When the beautiful and talented Samantha Conway accepts a job from the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), she has no idea what is in store. She has a reputation as the Metropolitan Museum’s most glamorous treasure hunter, and she is the best at her job. Suddenly Sam is plunged into a world of biological warfare using an ancient recipe dating back many thousands of years; a terrorist who sees himself as exacting revenge upon Israel for the plagues that Moses unleashed on Egypt; and a life-and-death race against time to prevent an unparalleled holocaust.

The story begins when a US bombing cascade unearths a cave hidden in the side of a mountain in Afghanistan. A simple shepherd finds an ancient pillar covered in indecipherable writing. The cave collapses, but not before he manages to seize a fragment. This finds its way into the hands of Tarik, a terrorist with the money and means to recreate the plague unleashed by the Angel of Death on the firstborn of Egypt. Enter DIA agent John Decker, a man charged with the task of bringing Tarik to justice. His path crosses with Sam’s in this compelling and exciting novel. Can they succeed in tracking down Tarik and saving humankind from a horrendous fate, especially when first Sam’s younger brother Jesse is kidnapped and held hostage, and then Sam herself faces death?

What a read! Author WG Griffiths has done his homework well. From archaeology in Egypt, to bombings in Afghanistan, to mid-air plane rescues, the tension never ceases, the action is non-stop, and the clues unfold in a most captivating way. The author combines myths, Biblical history, modern day science and technology, geography, and archaeology in a riveting package. It’s a wonderful retelling of an ancient myth: the Methuselah Pillar contains all the information Adam left to his great grandson Methuselah (seven times down the line). What vital information does the 145 million-year-old pillar contain? How does an ancient inscription translate into a modern day biological weapon? Fascinating stuff that will keep readers glued to the very last page. The characters are real and believable, and the fledgling romance between John and Sam is delightful. A great read, with an ending that hints at even more adventures. I loved this book! An explosive adventure for adrenaline junkies. Highly recommended.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite ( )