From Publishers WeeklyA mysterious biblical object, nefarious Vatican spies and a deadly centuries-old religious cabalsound familiar? Sacramento veterinarian Rollins offers more Da Vinci Codestyle 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 goalArmegeddon. 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 motivatedand 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 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.From BooklistThis 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. Where Code featured ropey dialogue and assembly-line characters, this one offers (mostly) real people engaging in (mostly) real discourse. Like Brown, Rollins makes the most of a moderately implausible premise, this one requiring that the reader accept the literal truth of a certain allegorical aspect of the Bible. But, as both books prove, a thriller can be as implausible as it likes as long as it is entertainingly developed. Fans of The Da Vinci Code will obviously want to read Map of Bones, but even those who found Brown's opus unpalatable will thoroughly enjoy the taste of this one. David PittCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved "Sure to be compared to Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, but, in every way, it's a much better book."-- Booklist (Booklist)"Rollins has few peers in the research department, which makes the historical material fascinating....Dan Brown-ers looking for methadone will add to Rollins's usual solid numbers." -- Publishers Weekly why do i love reading books Map of Bones (Sigma Force)
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. WOW! Fantastic Story!By JudeRJust when you think you have a situation figured out, Rollins slips in a new twist and keeps doing it til the end, all the while developing an exciting and coherent story line, along with great character development.If you enjoy a thrilling mystery, with a bit of ancient history and mysticism thrown in then this is the story for you.Rollins , as usual, does not disappoint.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Another Great James Rollins novel!!By Ann HathenbruckJames Rollins amazes me every time I read one of his books! This one is great also. I have read almost all of his books. I still have a few to go. Can hardly put his books down!I absolutely love the science, history, geography, etc that he throws in. My favorite books to read are Historically factual fiction.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Just can't do itBy Heather S.This is the third time I've tried to get into the book. The opening is great and I love where it may be going but it's soooooooo slow and the characters are all over the place. I have found myself reading the same paragraph 10 times because I keep nodding off. I just can't do it. I can't make it beyond chapter 4 and I even made it through Gone Girl. Sorry - I don't like giving bad reviews especially since I didn't finish it. I just want to warn people like me who need a fast paced thriller that this one may not be for you.