The Doomsday Key: A Novel

Overview

Three brutal murders, three high-profile victims, three bodies marked with a mysterious and archaic symbol... The massive new Sigma Force thriller from the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of MAP OF BONES and THE JUDAS STRAIN.

Editorial Reviews

Bestseller Rollins's labyrinthine sixth Sigma Force thriller (after The Last Oracle) offers plenty of intriguing science and history lessons. Sigma Force director Painter Crowe gathers the usual crew-Cmdr. Grayson Pierce; Pierce's best friend, Monk Kokkalis; lumbering Joe Kowalski-to discover why an experimental agriculture site in Africa has been attacked and razed, killing everyone, including a U.S. senator's son. "The future of mankind" may depend, they learn, on the "Doomsday key," a strange substance brought to England long ago by ancient Egyptians that holds the promise of a new and powerful medicine. A few of the book's many highlights include genetic manipulation, traitorous beautiful women, illuminated manuscripts, saints, prophecies, curses and miracles. Rollins deftly juggles all this and more as the Sigma team races from the depths of the Vatican to the outer reaches of Norway toward an explosive confrontation with the shadowy forces of evil known as the Guild. (June)

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Author Information

Bio of James Rollins

James Rollins is the bestselling author of five Sigma Force thrillers (Sandstorm, Map of Bones, Black Order, The Judas Strain, and The Last Oracle), the novelization of Lucasfilm's blockbuster movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and five individual adventure-thrillers. He's now working on The Doomsday Key, his twelfth thriller. His first adventure for kids and adults, Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow, will be available May 2009. Known for building high-octane adventures on a solid science foundation, Rollins juxtaposes the familiar with the exotic and then turbocharges his tales with suspense. Always mindful of history's legacy, Rollins reveals how secrets, some hidden for centuries, can change the course of human events. His novels explore how advancing technology can affect society--not just the physical threats of unchecked advancements, but also the spiritual and moral challenges. "The true terror of technology is not the cogs and the wheels, but how it will change us," he says.

Customer Reviews

• A Wild Ride

  Posted July 02, 2009 by Mary R., Virginia Beach, VA

  Wow, this book starts off with a bang and just keeps on going from there. There is lots of adventure and tight spots for the Sigma force. From the frozen arctic reaches to a French medieval abbey in the middle of a high security prison, Rollins takes the reader on a well plotted ride through history. In my opinion, this is one of Rollins best novels yet. If you like adventure mixed with history then might also like David Gibbins novels. While not quite in the same league as Rollins novels, they are still a good read if you are looking for adventure and escapism.

• excellent

  Posted July 20, 2009 by Luis, Dana Point CA

  can't put it down! I'm a slow reader! but its so good that I finished in 2 days! good history

• Very good read

  Posted September 12, 2009 by CS, Cold Spring, NY

  Very entertaining book, well written, with well-thought plot and brilliant story flow - highly recommend

Additional Info

Imprint

HarperCollins e-books

Filesize

2.59 MB

Number of Pages

448

eBook ISBN

9780061894695