Name: The Cana Mystery
Author: David Beckett
ISBN: 9781939627100

Published:

Aug-2013
Formats:

Print / eBook
Main Genre:

Action Adventure
Pages:

338
Purchase:
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One of 2013's most unexpected successes,David Beckett's bestselling mystery-adventure, described by critics as "cool"(Westlake Magazine), "thrilling" (Cambridge Day),"inventive" (Hills and Heights), and "dazzling" (Helotes Weekly), bears some resemblance to The Da Vinci Code. Yet Beckett's work has been lauded as stylistically superior,winning the IPBA's Silver Medal for best "Suspense/Thriller" novel. A fusion of the popular treasure hunt, historical fiction, and techno-thriller genres, The Cana Mystery became Amazon's No. 1 kindle download just six weeks after its record-breaking U.S. bookstore debut. The book's plot tracks a brilliant American grad student, Ava Fischer, summoned from her studies in Boston to solve an ancient puzzle. Reunited with an old flame, Ava is chased from Yemen to Egypt to Malta and, finally, to Italy. The couple must rely on their wits as they struggle to stay alive and escape a mélange of murderous terrorists, evil drug lords, and other ruthless villains. The meticulously-researched plot involves Pope Benedict's resignation and Pope Francis' election, set against a backdrop spanning centuries. Real-world dramatis personae, plucked from the annals of history, play crucial roles. Jim Adair, PhD, professor of literature and executive editor of Voices de la Luna, praised the novel's "action-packed story, chock full of both history and modern technology!" Despite thrilling action sequences and chase scenes reviewers likened to National Treasure and Raiders of the Lost Ark, Beckett's tale omits gratuitous sex and gore. The book was, consequently, embraced as a rare, family-friendly thriller. Lake Travis Life praised it as "an engrossing adventure tale that's garnered rave reviews and enjoyed immediate popularity." San Antonio Express-News Book Editor Steve Bennett enthusiastically recommended Beckett's work, hailing its"rapidly paced adventure" and "well-rounded protagonists." Dr.Jeff Mirus (Ph.D. Intellectual History, Princeton, 1973) recommended The Cana Mystery, calling it "quite good" and "thoroughly engaging" thanks to its "deft plot and strong characters." Public comments are even more effusive. On the website Goodreads, members voted The Cana Mystery 2013's 5th best thriller (of 150 nominees), 8th best overall book with "strong women characters" (of 400 candidates), and #1 recommended book for "intelligent teens." To date, more than 375 readers have reviewed The Cana Mystery,with 90% leaving positive feedback. For example, Anna Dobritt wrote, "Avery good book and cast of characters. The plot was very interesting and held my attention. This is a book I would read again." As "Serenity,"one of 165 Amazon reviewers giving 5/5 stars, opined: "The Cana Mystery artfully weaves history, religion, philosophy, archeology, mystery and adventure into an excellent novel. This book is one that is very hard to put down."