Book Review: Secret of the Scroll

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

Secret of the Scroll     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Chester D. Campbell
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Espionage
Series: Greg and Jill McKenzie # 1
2002, Durban House, 243 pp.

An ancient parchment has been unknowingly smuggled from Israel to the US, and is the subject of a struggle between rival groups of Palestinians and Israelis. Colonel Greg McKenzie’s wife is kidnapped and held as a hostage for the scroll, so it is down to Greg to launch a black operation inside Israel to save his wife.

The main problem with ‘Secret Of The Scroll’ is that it did not strike me as realistic. McKenzie is an old, retired man, yet he still had the physical capabilities to go to Israel and battle against much younger, infinitely more dangerous people. In addition, the ending was tied up much too neatly. I like neat endings, but in this case, every tiny plot strand was dealt with in a too pat way.

Campbell has written an interesting story, but the rival groups involved were not professional enough and if it really were a situation of this magnitude, there would be a lot more interest in the scroll than Campbell shows here. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant read that will pass the time, be it on the beach or for an aeroplane journey.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Luke Croll - Conference interpreter and translator
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