Blood and Bone

Hoesel’s third book featuring archaeologist Dr. Jack Hawthorne (Elisha’s Bones, Serpent of Moses) has the hero again in search of Elisha’s bones, which he found and buried 13 years ago—but this time the lives of his sons are at stake. Rogue CIA agent Marcus McKeller wants the bones, and as Jack and his wife Esperanza desperately search for the bones stolen from a burial spot in the Australian desert, another enemy threatens. Jack and Espy elude killers in Australia, ending up in London looking for information about an age-old organization tasked with protecting Elisha’s bones. They wander cemeteries; hole up in no-name hotels; dash to St. Petersburg, Russia; find hidden chambers; annoy the Mossad, Israel’s spy agency; and slowly piece together the history of a mysterious religious group before a final showdown in Paris. Hoesel has created a tale worthy of Indiana Jones and Robert Langdon, complete with secret codes, ancient artifacts, globetrotting action, and wily enemies. An exhilarating read for sure. Agent: Les Stobbe, Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. (July)