I received a glowing review from Janet Dimond over at Christian Books Today for The Lost Scrolls. I’m not sure if it will link correctly, so I am sharing it in its entirety here.

“The fact something has never been found does not mean it never existed.”

An edge-of-your seat page-turner that will lead you across Turkey, Syria, the U.S. and elsewhere in a cat-and-mouse search for a scroll revealing the location of the missing autographs (original manuscripts) of the New Testament. Finding them, and being able to date and compare them to other ancient copies already in existence, would prove the accuracy and authenticity of the New Testament. But there is another mystery to solve and protect – a strange artifact – a fifth gospel written in Greek on what has become known as the Egerton papyrus. The scroll holds the key to everything.

In this spy vs. spy meets James Bond meets Indiana Jones quest, Dr. Jonathan Munro is reluctantly dragged into the chase to find the scroll before a private collector, professors, monks, priests, mercenaries and police on several continents, each with their own motivation – money, fame, research, knowledge, the contentment of knowing the scrolls are with their rightful owner.  Who that turns out to be will shock you.

We’re immediately hooked as we’re dropped into the midst of the race with a stabbing and a strange key. Jon’s ex-friend, archaeologist Dr. Stephen Kaufman, has been seriously injured in an attempted murder, and has sent Jon a clue and a message that he needs his help. Add Stephen’s sister (Jon’s ex-girlfriend) to the mix, and you have a recipe for adventure and issues of trust/mistrust that move the story forward at a frantic pace. Don’t rest or daydream during this one – you’ll miss key clues as you try to unravel the mystery yourself behind the location and meaning of the scroll.

Several stories intertwine in this mystery-suspense with holy and unholy alliances, twists and turns and unexpected outcomes. Intrigue grows as the story is told from several points of view, all mixed together, like viewing a movie through different cameras and angles. This makes perfect sense as the book could easily be made into a screenplay. It reads like one of those movies where you’ve bought the popcorn, but forget to eat it because you’re so wrapped up in the storyline and what’s happening in front of you.

Michael’s writing is brilliant. The facts are not handed to us on a platter. We are shown just enough evidence at the right time to link events that later make sense. And just when things seem to be calming down enough to take a breath, or rest your eyes, there is another shadow in the dark waiting to take you somewhere else. Your mind is never left idle. Characters and locations are drawn in vivid detail, and we are transported through the action without thinking much about it. We are simply “there.”

Jon Munro has devoted his life to providing evidence for the faith, even though he at times struggles with his own. It’s a refreshing honesty. And the fact he says science proves the Bible accurate, time and again, and has never been disproven, is a comfort to those seeking the Word of God as truth in their lives.

As an ancient history buff, and former translator, I was instantly drawn to the story and found it hard to put down. The Egerton papyrus really does exist, and it was interesting to think about the real-life quest that must have taken place to find and keep it. Michael has blended fact and fiction seamlessly. Well worth the read, this is fast-paced, non-stop action and intrigue at its best.

Janet Dimond is a freelance editor, proofreader, corporate and technical  writer with over 25 years’ experience in writing and editing for various  audiences. Several of her authors have won Word Guild awards. Some of Janet’s clients include Faith Today Magazine, Tyndale University College & Seminary, and Augsburg Fortress/Castle Quay Books. She believes the author’s voice should prevail, not hers, and can help take you from rough copy to published material. Easy to work with, Janet offers positive, concrete solutions at reasonable rates.

Please visit her website for additional services and information.

So there ya go! If you want to read the book (and who wouldn’t after a review like that!) you can pre-order a copy now from Amazon. The book is slated to come out in June (about three months earlier than we thought!).

[twitter-follow screen_name='AuthorMichaelJS' show_count='yes']