The Doomsday Key

Author: James Rollins
Genre: Thriller
Status: Library Book
Grade: Tough to say, let's give it an A

Three murders on three continents occur in rapid succession leaving behind only one clue-- all the victims are branded with a Druidic pagan cross. The horrific murders thrust Sigma Force -- an ultra clandestine unit working for the US Government -- into a battle of wits and wills with an organization determined to unleash a centuries old horror on mankind. As Director Painter Crow and Commander Gray Pierce attempt to put the pieces of the puzzles together before it is too late they find themselves jumping continents, raiding ancient relics and watching everyone around them to determine just who is friend or foe. Because they know someone on the inside of their little group has leaked information to the enemy. But just who is that traitor? And will this betrayal prevent them from ultimately discovering The Doomsday Key?

TDK is book 6 in the Sigma Series that Rollin's began with "Sand Storm". In the tradition of thriller writers like Alistair MacLean, Tom Clancy,Dan Brown and George Lucas (the mastermind behind Indiana Jones ;-) Rollins combines fast paced action and ancient mysteries to create a suspenseful, edge of your seat style read. One thing that puts Rollins at the top of the game is the absolute excellence of his research. The books are worth reading for the author's note alone. He also has the perfect writing style for this type of work -- being able to include his information into the text that doesn't result in an info dump that readers simply skip over. Good thing cause we need the info to solve the mystery.

And the mystery is what makes these books. I mentioned Indiana Jones specifically because that is what this series is most like. The mysteries being solved go all the way back to very ancient times. Much time is spent in crypts, in caves, going to restricted areas in museums -- you get the picture. It is not just people with guns but smart people with guns. There is almost always a professor involved -- normally two or three. In this case they are trying to solve the riddle of a modern day food farm massacre, an ancient plague, mysterious saints and their journals and how all that ties in to the Druidic cross.

We are introduced to a couple of new characters in this book, though not any that really impact the plot. One of them is clearly thrown in just for the PC aspect but again, no real impact on the plot. Somebody needs to wear a red shirt to keep things real, right? ;-) Old favorites like Painter, Gray, Kat, Monk, Rachel, Seichen are all there. This novel was less of a character growth book than those in the past, though. The characters pretty much kick butt, take names and have time for nothing else. Makes sense although he has been able to pull off both in the past before but maybe this book just got away from him.

One of the problems with reading a series book in which you have read all the preceding books is that you don't really know if it would work as a stand alone. I am going to say both yes and no. Yes, it would work but really you wouldn't get the full experience. And the preceding books are so good why deny yourself the pleasure?

Preceding Books:

Sandstorm
Map of Bones (personal fave)
Black Order
The Judas Strain
The Last Oracle

The Tea: Using tea leaves: A friend in Scotland told me a trick that has always resulted in a good pot of tea -- add one for the kettle. So when making your pot, add a teaspoon of leaves for each cup of water and then add an extra teaspoon for the pot.