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Overview
The year is 1799. As Bonaparte's army descends upon Israel, intent upon conquest, American adventurer Ethan Gage finds himself embroiled in an ancient mystery in the Holy Land, searching for a legendary Egyptian scroll imbued with awesome powers. The raffish and resourceful Gage must keep the mysterious document from his enemy, Napoleon—or, failing that, wrest it from him, even if it means pursuing his vengeful adversary back to France. And the wisdom of his great mentor, Benjamin Franklin, will offer Gage no solace should Bonaparte succeed in unlocking the terrible secrets of the Book of Thoth, and seizing ultimate power.
Synopsis
The year is 1799. As Bonaparte's army descends upon Israel, intent upon conquest, American adventurer Ethan Gage finds himself embroiled in an ancient mystery in the Holy Land, searching for a legendary Egyptian scroll imbued with awesome powers. The raffish and resourceful Gage must keep the mysterious document from his enemy, Napoleon—or, failing that, wrest it from him, even if it means pursuing his vengeful adversary back to France. And the wisdom of his great mentor, Benjamin Franklin, will offer Gage no solace should Bonaparte succeed in unlocking the terrible secrets of the Book of Thoth, and seizing ultimate power.
Editorials
Sacramento Bee
"Does the late George MacDonald Fraser’s irresistible anti-hero, Sir Harry Flashman, have some competition? We hope so."Anacortes American (WA)
"In recent years he turned to writing historical novels, successfully redirecting his knack for summarizing complex historical events quickly in clear, concise and interesting terms. His painstaking research and eye for detail allows him to bring characters and their surroundings vividly to life."Historical Novels Review
"Fast moving. . . . The descriptions of the myriads of cities and landscapes and cultures that Gage encounters are marvelous and filled with color. . . . The Rosetta Key is action packed, reads easily, and is ideal for the big screen."International Thriller Writers Blog
"An electrifying combination of battles, exotic landscapes, and colorful characters who really lived."Seattle Times
"An utterly captivating romp. . . . Dietrich spins a merry magical mystery tour, winningly intricate. . . . It’s the history that grabs you, rewritten as a pulse-pounding cliffhanger action flick. . . . Mr. Spielberg! Mr. Lucas! It’s your move."Anacortes Now (WA)
"For lovers of stirring historical adventure laden with intriguing myste ry and puzzles galore, The Rosetta Key is a terrific thrill ride not to be missed."Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"The prize-winning journalist/novelist . . . brings back the explorer hero from his popular adventure saga Napoleon’s Pyramids for a fast-paced sequel in which he continues his globe-trotting search for an Egyptian scroll reported to have magic properties."Newark Star Ledger
"The Rosetta Key creates a satisfying blend of military and ancient history, adventure and romance."Bookloons.com
"Sit down, suspend disbelief, and enjoy Dietrich’s fabulous romp through history."Booklist
"A full-bore thriller, and who better than Dietrich for an all-out romp with seductive characters, alluring plot, and dynamic historical elements?"National Examiner
"The Rosetta Key is a fast-paced thriller that races between the Holy Land and the New World."Booklist
“A full-bore thriller, and who better than Dietrich for an all-out romp with seductive characters, alluring plot, and dynamic historical elements?”Newark Star Ledger
“The Rosetta Key creates a satisfying blend of military and ancient history, adventure and romance.”Seattle Times
“An utterly captivating romp. . . . Dietrich spins a merry magical mystery tour, winningly intricate. . . . It’s the history that grabs you, rewritten as a pulse-pounding cliffhanger action flick. . . . Mr. Spielberg! Mr. Lucas! It’s your move.”Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“The prize-winning journalist/novelist . . . brings back the explorer hero from his popular adventure saga Napoleon’s Pyramids for a fast-paced sequel in which he continues his globe-trotting search for an Egyptian scroll reported to have magic properties.”Sacramento Bee
“Does the late George MacDonald Fraser’s irresistible anti-hero, Sir Harry Flashman, have some competition? We hope so.”Bookloons.com
“Sit down, suspend disbelief, and enjoy Dietrich’s fabulous romp through history.”Historical Novels Review
“Fast moving. . . . The descriptions of the myriads of cities and landscapes and cultures that Gage encounters are marvelous and filled with color. . . . The Rosetta Key is action packed, reads easily, and is ideal for the big screen.”National Examiner
“The Rosetta Key is a fast-paced thriller that races between the Holy Land and the New World.”Anacortes Now (WA)
“For lovers of stirring historical adventure laden with intriguing myste ry and puzzles galore, The Rosetta Key is a terrific thrill ride not to be missed.”Anacortes American (WA)
“In recent years he turned to writing historical novels, successfully redirecting his knack for summarizing complex historical events quickly in clear, concise and interesting terms. His painstaking research and eye for detail allows him to bring characters and their surroundings vividly to life.”Publishers Weekly
The packaging of this audiobook says "performed by Jeff Woodman," and does he ever perform! Woodman executes a variety of accents in both sexes as he brings to life this rollicking Indiana Jones-like story of an adventurer in search of ancient secrets, and the woman he loves, set during Napoleon's attempted conquest of Palestine and Egypt. Woodman creates a memorable first-person protagonist in American Ethan Gage, who remains likable despite his many foibles, con-artist morals, frankly admitted cowardice and frequent use of annoyingly folksy similes. Woodman also pulls off convincing French, British and Arabic voices. His pacing never flags through the endless twists, turns and hair-raising escapes that make up this treasure-hunting tale. This enjoyable audio should be accompanied by a large bowl of popcorn. A Harper hardcover (Reviews, Feb. 18). (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.School Library Journal
Adult/High School -A sequel to Napoleon's Pyramids (HarperCollins, 2007). American adventurer Ethan Gage, protégé of Benjamin Franklin, meets up once more with Napoleon as the French general is beginning his 1798 invasion of the Holy Land. Moving from Jaffa to Acre to Mt. Tabor to Petra and then to Alexandria and Rosetta in Egypt, Gage is never more than one step away from trouble. He is in search of his beloved, Astiza, last seen falling from a hot-air balloon into the Nile, and at the same time he is doing a little espionage for Napoleon's British enemies and hoping to find an ancient Egyptian scroll, the Book of Thoth. Gage's gambling skills, his knowledge of electricity, and his quick wits keep him alive in situations that would daunt a lesser man. He has adventures in love and war, comes close to solving an ancient mystery, and provides an ingenious explanation for the missing piece of the Rosetta Stone. Historical fiction meets thriller here, with plenty to interest fans of both genres. The action is nearly nonstop, the humor is plentiful, and the intrigue is more than enough to keep the pages turning.-Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA