The Ouroboros Key, published by Odyssey Books, blends Sumerian mythology, esoteric Templar secrets, and a detective story, all played out in the mountains of modern day Colorado.

Before Dan Tenney can understand the strange dreams he’s had all his life, he’s attacked by an enigmatic group, the Brotherhood of the Grail. When he is whisked away from them into an underground sanctuary by an even less explicable pair of men, he comes into the possession of what is apparently an ancient relic. His dreams get worse!

His friends search first for Dan, and then for the meaning behind the mystifying events they stumble upon. We readers learn the clues, the connections and the mythologies at the same pace as the band of searchers as they dodge murderous villains and attempt to pin down straight answers. This is as much a story about these characters and their idiosyncrasies and relationships as it is about a myth-riddled artefact. I liked this approach, as the details and lore of each mystery never got too heavy, too scholarly. We learn, together with our little band, enough to get some sense of things, and then are on the way again, as the quest develops into a dangerous trek in the mountains.

This novel will especially suit those who love to delve into the mysteries of ancient myths and at the same time enjoy a good adventure – and isn’t that most of us? ( )

This is an engaging mystery with a complex plot. Leslie writes very well and creates a great feel for setting in the novel and it romps along at fast pace.

When I first started reading this I thought it was going to be a bit of clone of all the grail / Messianic myths / conspiracy books (I was thinking along the lines of Michael Baigent through to Dan Brown). IT IS NOT a clone of any of these. Patricia Leslie has combined a blending of world mythology / folklore with religious myth in an entirely new way.

If you're a fan of mysteries and like your mythology / history give this a try - it's not what you expect. ( )

This is a strange but engaging novel involving a team of private detectives in modern-day Colorado and a mysterious fantasy land called Elphane.

The main characters are well-developed and the group of “heroes” are likeable, diverse and interesting.

The plot involves various creation stories, the Holy Grail, the equivalent of the Knights Templar and a lot of action.

The writing is quite descriptive and of good quality but this is more of a holiday read than literature.

It is a novel about destiny and the future and should be enjoyed by aficionados of Dan Brown and any thrillers with a historical/mythical background.
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