The Shroud of Heaven
"Sean Ellis expertly blends military thriller and archaeological adventure in a page-turning adventure! Shroud of Heaven is sure to be a hit with thriller fans."  --David Wood, author of Dourado and CibolaTHE SHROUD OF HEAVEN is as much a political thriller as it is an action/adventure...chases, and explosions. Dark, endless tunnels populated by creepy crawlies...flying bullets [and] lots of good old-fashioned terror and blood...From the opening scenes of this story to its adrenaline-pumping conclusion, Sean Ellis never gives the reader adequate time to breathe.-- Vi Janaway (Issue 59, V1) --Romance Review Today--http://www.romrevtoday.com/index.htmThe Shroud of Heaven is a fast-paced thriller with lots of action. Shroud opens with hero Nick Kismet on a mission in the first Gulf War. He makes a life-changing discovery, from which experience his future path is changed. From then on, he seeks to learn more about the Prometheus Group, a shadowy organization that seeks out ancient relics and knowledge, which seemingly has designs on Kismet. Moving forward in time, Kismet is brought to Iraq by Pierre Chiron, seeking Kismet's help tracking down looted artifacts. As the story progresses, there is plenty of action, and a sinister plot to be unraveled.There is much to like about The Shroud of Heaven. The action begins almost immediately, with battles, escapes, and mystery, with a beautiful woman along for the ride. The pacing is good, with no real "slow places" to speak of. Ellis's military experience shows through at times, and fans of the military thriller will appreciate his attention to detail in respect to weaponry and its uses. Ellis chooses a surprising but spectacular locale for the final showdown.I would have enjoyed a deeper exploration of Kismet's character. He is tough and resourceful, but I did not feel that I understood what makes him tick. The mystery angle is good, though the archaeological/ancient mystery aspect does not match up with what seems to be promised in the prologue. That is a matter of reader's preference, and I fall on the side of heavier ancient mystery and sense of wonder. The final scene, however, is well-done and makes up for some of what I would have enjoyed reading in the middle portion of the book.Overall, The Shroud of Heaven is a solid entry into the genre, and will be an entertaining read for anyone who enjoys fast pacing and a heavy dose of action. --Megalith: Books that Rock blog June 11, 2009 http://megalithbooks.blogspot.com/