I loved this book!!!! ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At first it looks like yet another Da Vinci Code knockoff, but it absolutely should not be dismissed as such. Bridging the genre between an archaeological thriller in the veins of Douglas Preston (or Indiana Jones) and socio-political/theological study, The Secret Scroll presents an intriguing and captivating journey, immersed in the turbulence of Jersualems past and present. I would recommend this book particularly to people who thought The Da Vinci Code was interesting in concept but flawed in execution. Josh is a far superior (and more likeable) hero, and the tale itself is more engrossing. Cutler also succeeds where I feel Dan Brown failed -- he never hits you over the head with what's going on, or the message he's putting forth. The entire book has a very natural flow of ideas and exploration. ( )

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/2008/05/jenns-review-secret-scroll.html ( )

Many of the events in this novel feel... capricious. Convenient. Whenever the main character, Josh, needs to figure something out, he gets a hunch, meditates, has a vision or dream, or realizes something by instinct.

Josh isn't a very likable character. I realize that part of the author's agenda is wanting us to see him as flawed and human; however, the author is very heavy-handed in terms of Josh's moral judgments of others. Josh debates and prods at others' beliefs in ways that bely his own dislike of judgmentalism and turn him into an annoying hypocrite.

Danielle, Josh's love interest., spends virtually the entire book being viewed and used as a sex object, and using her sexuality as her ostensible only weapon (and a poor one at that). She's supposedly an intelligent archaeologist, yet she's entirely shut out of that side of the plot and raises only a token protest. She's referred to repeatedly as being brilliant, resilient, remarkable, etc., yet she spends almost the entire book simpering, coming onto Josh in front of everyone, needing to be rescued from danger, etc.

As for the bad guys, they're obvious, stupid beyond belief, stereotypically eeeeevil, and one-dimensionally maniacal. They've supposedly remained a secret sect for nearly 2,000 years. Yet they have a proselytizing web page, they put out pamphlet propaganda, and they carve their 'secret' sign into blatant ritualistic killings. A five-year-old could keep a secret better than these guys.

The premise and setting had a lot of potential, but unfortunately everything else is one-dimensional, predictable, heavy-handed, and stilted. This is clearly meant to be the first book in a series, and as a story it would be an interesting one to follow, but the writing itself is too painful for me to want to continue with it.

For a longer version of this review, visit Errant Dreams. ( )

Josh Cohan, an American archaeologist on sabbatical in Israel discovers a centuries old scroll possibly authored by Jesus. After reporting his find to the Israeli Antiquities Authority, a number of strange happenings occur which soon indicate Josh’s life and the lives of those around him are in peril. Josh joins a team of archaeologists in translating the ancient scroll before it can be stolen by a fanatical religious sect called The Guardians. Along the way, Josh uncovers a special healing gift within himself as well as romance.

The Secret Scroll is author Ronald Cutler’s first novel. Set amid the history of Israel and full of historical references to Christianity and the Palestinian conflict, it is evident that Cutler did his research. The story idea is an intriguing one: the discovery of a relic which could change the way the world views Christianity.

Despite these strengths, the novel stumbles on several levels including cliche characters, too much telling rather than showing the action, lack of tension and a disappointing predictability. The Secret Scroll is a religious suspense-thriller which lacks the suspense. Josh and his love interest, the beautiful Danielle, fail to engage the reader on much more than a superficial level; and there is almost no development of their relationship, so that when the inevitable love scene occurs, it misses its mark.

Ronald Cutler was an award winning radio personality for much of his career before penning The Secret Scroll (released in early February 2008 through Beaufort Books). He has a website dedicated to the novel which includes author background, as well as additional information about the book.

I am appreciative to the publisher for sending me a copy of The Secret Scroll for review. Unfortunately, it is not a book I can recommend. Rated 2/5. ( )