Review – Elisha’s Bones

Dr. Jack Hawthorne, Professor of archaeological antiquities again said “…I think you’re reaching…” and again explained why. Emphasizing that two obscure Bible verses recorded in 2 Kings and never mentioned again didn’t equate to a conspiracy no matter how Reese read them.

The eccentric billionaire had touched a nerve of excitement, even a bit of greed in Hawthorne with his extraordinary offer of a blank check to find the legendary miracle working bones of the Prophet Elisha. However, it was mostly because of the excitement and intrigue over an archaeological legend.

The old man repeated the Bible story from 2 Kings, about raiders interrupting an Israelite burial that caused them to toss the dead body into Elisha’s tomb on the raiders approach. Then he said,”…when the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.”

Hawthorne had left field work after his brother’s death at an Egyptian dig six years ago, in favor of safe students and classrooms. He’d been looking forward to his usual winter Christmas break gorging on frozen cookie dough and ESPN until a mysterious man presented him with what he could only describe as a “fools quest,” that brought him to this meeting.

Now, intrigued by an idea he’d long-toyed with himself, excited over the offer of a “blank check” and prospect of adventure, Hawthorne reluctantly agreed to Reese’s terms, not knowing the danger he just put himself in. Before he left he asked why Reese was so certain the bones, if they existed and could even be found, contained any kind of power.

“Because the power of God does not fade over time…,” he replied. “Their healing energy is as alive today as the day they brought the dead to life.”

Thus begins the unusual fast-paced thriller from an exciting new debut author, Don Hoesel. In a first-person account that follows the archaeologist’s search from Egypt, to Venezuela, Australia, Ethiopia and beyond, to find Elisha’s bones and prove Reese right or wrong.

The tale is written in the style of Indiana Jones and The DaVinci Code, except for the limiting first-person viewpoint which isolates the narrative to Jack’s point-of-view. The reader can only know what Jack sees, hears and experiences. I suspect some readers will be frustrated with that limitation.

However, the fast-moving plot keeps the pages turning to learn what happens next, from a deadly global conspiracy, to shadowy conspirators and dangerous death-defying encounters. I look forward to Hoesel’s 2010 release, Hunters Moon, with a haunting story of greed and betrayal.