[.ca] The Masada Scroll (ISBN 0765313383)

Informative, entertaining religious thriller:
Joining the ranks of the growing list of religious thrillers, `The Masada Scroll' is a fictional account of the archaeological discovery of a gospel that predates those included in the Bible's New Testament and the adventures that ensue for the people involved. Secret societies, betrayal, murder and narrow escapes are revealed as parallel lives unfold in this gripping work by co-authors Paul Block and Robert Vaughan. The novel begins with an assassination and a frantic attempt to protect the scroll, which is purported to have been written by Dismas bar-Dismas, the son of the Good Thief who was crucified beside Jesus. It is later uncovered and found to contain a symbol combining the Jewish Star of David, the Christian Cross and the Muslim Crescent and Star. The icon, representing Trevia Dei, "speaks of three great paths to God, but it means that for the believer, all sacred paths ultimately lead to the one true Lord." The plot moves back and forth between the past and the present, linking the events and characters so subtly and cleverly that you have to marvel at Block and Vaughan's attention to detail and ability to suspend nuggets until precisely the right moment. The seamless movement between the two times is just one of aspects of the book I found fascinating. The co-authors also effortlessly weave in historical context and religious theory, conveying their knowledge on the subject matter while never bogging down the fast-paced, dynamic tone of the book. `The Masada Scroll' is informative and entertaining, striking the right balance between the two and captivating the reader. Easy to read and next to impossible to put down, it will transport you to the Holy Land and Ancient Rome, while making you confront your own beliefs and prejudices.