The book-a-week challenge continues with The Coelho Medallion, by Kevin Tumlinson.
If there’s one thing an archaeologist likes it’s a good dig. The promise of hidden treasure or a historical find that spurs them on. Some do it to satisfy their insatiable thirst for knowledge. Some, for monetary gain. Others, for fame.
But what about terror?
The Coelho Medallion was discovered at a Pueblo research site and is revered as a link to a discovery that has captured the nation’s imagination: the Vikings’ arrival in North America long before Columbus, and that somehow they trekked far inland, where they built a city of gold.
But now the medallion has been stolen. A linguist has been kidnapped. And a sinister terrorist plot has been set in motion.
Dan Kotler, an independent researcher well-connected in the archaeology community, makes it his business to find his kidnapped friend. But before he takes a step he has to deal with the FBI, terrorists, an egomaniacal billionaire, and danger that comes in many forms: all of this before he discovers a plot that may kill thousands, if not millions, and the comes to realize the real city of gold. Kotler is a hero who is easy to like, a James Bond-type who lives by his wits and isn’t afraid to put himself in harm’s way. He’s smart and quick and convincing: handy attributes for a hero. Tumlinson has a winner here. Now with five books in the Dan Kotler series, I’m sure his fans agree.
The Coelho Medallion is an action/thriller with elements of history, archeology and real-world geopolitical consequences. It’s easy to believe this story could happen. It could be happening right now.
And it’s easy to tell from his writing that Kevin Tumlinson loves his subject. And he keeps the action coming. The plot twists are timely and surprising and will keep the reader turning the page. Tumlinson is a thorough writer — at times a bit too thorough — in laying out what’s happening, what the character is thinking, the ins and outs and possibilities of what’s to come, or might come. Tumlinson has a lot of threads to keep track of in this story and he does a good job of keeping track of them all. The Coelho Medallion is a smart tale and a clever one, and it’s easy to understand the appeal to readers who like historic/action-adventure thrillers.
The Coelho Medallion, by Kevin Tumlinson. Book 1 in the Dan Kotler Archaeological Thriller Series.
4 stars out of 5
Available at Amazon as ebook, paperback, and audiobook, and at Barnes and Noble as a paperback.
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Check in every week for Book Review Wednesday. I’m reading and reviewing a book a week throughout 2018. Join me. Authors, if you have a book you would like reviewed, send me an email at joe@josephmarkbrewer.com.
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