An ancient code. A deadly killer. A truth buried beneath the sands of time.
FBI Special Agent Charlie Rebb thought the Surgeon - a notorious serial killer - was a ghost from the past. But when a new series of murders erupts, each marked with strange, arcane symbols, the trail leads Rebb across continents to Egypt... and to a chilling revelation: the Surgeon has returned, and this time, his killings follow a pattern—one tied to a purpose more terrifying than anyone imagined.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, Alex MacLure has uncovered more encoded messages in ancient tablets. An ancient Egyptian was searching for a forgotten symbol. His name appears in a programme written by a brilliant AI student. The student reaches out with a wild theory - but before MacLure discovers the truth, he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.
Thrown together by fate and hunted by forces beyond their understanding, Rebb and MacLure must unlock an ancient secret. They must stop the Surgeon before he unleashes a plan, millennia in the making.
What did I think?
Murray Bailey is really giving Dan Brown a run for his money with this fantastic Egyptian Stones series and having read The Heretic Cypher, I couldn't wait to read The Mark of Eternity. You could definitely read it as a standalone as it has its own contained storyline featuring Egyptologist Alex MacLure.
Now I have to say that I thought I had opened the wrong book on my Kindle when I started reading as the story starts with what looks like religious murders in Atlanta, Georgia. Well this isn't Egypt, I thought...but it's not my first Murray Bailey book so I knew that everything I was reading would fit together somehow and wow it sure does.
The pacing is blistering as the case in Atlanta moves to Cairo and there's always that magical element of mystery and buried secrets where the ancient Egyptians are involved. I had my heart in my mouth at the end and couldn't read fast enough to get to the breathtaking conclusion.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I am enjoying The Egyptian Series more than The Robert Langdon series. Yep, Bailey is better than Brown! It almost feels unfair to compare them but with codebreaking and ancient mysteries they do have similarities. I am completely invested in Alex MacLure's story and Murray Bailey is such a skilful writer that every word is there for a reason and there's no padding required.
Riveting, action-packed and mysterious, The Mark of Eternity is an absolutely cracking thriller and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Very highly recommended.
I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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