Title: The Pharaoh Key
Author: Douglas Preston
First published June 12, 2018
311 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781455525829 (ISBN10: 1455525820)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Gideon Crew is a man with nothing to lose. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness and losing his job, he’s approached by his former colleague Manuel Garza with an offer too good to refuse.
Together, they set out to crack a code that has eluded scholars for centuries, contained within a mysterious stone tablet – the Phaistos Disc. The message on the disc hints at incredible treasures and a world-altering secret.
With no one else to turn to, Gideon and Garza embark on the mission of a lifetime, taking them across the globe and into danger at every turn. But as they get closer to the truth, they realize that the risks they’re taking may be greater than they ever imagined.
The Pharaoh Key is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Douglas Preston was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1956. He spent his childhood in the dull suburb of Wellesley.
After being expelled from a private nursery school, Preston attended public schools and the Cambridge School of Weston. He lost a fingertip at the age of three to a bicycle, his two front teeth to his brother Richard’s fist, and suffered various broken bones in fights with his brother.
Along with Richard and their younger brother, David, they roamed the suburbs of Wellesley, causing chaos with homemade rockets and incendiary devices.
Preston attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he studied a variety of subjects before settling on English literature. After college, he worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
His time at the museum resulted in the non-fiction book, Dinosaurs in the Attic, edited by Lincoln Child. During a midnight tour of the museum, Child suggested that it would be the perfect setting for a thriller.
This led to the writing of Relic, the first of many suspense novels written by Preston and Child.
In 1986, Preston moved from New York City to Santa Fe to write full time. He achieved small success with Cities of Gold, a non-fiction book about Coronado’s search for the Seven Cities of Cibola.
To research the book, Preston and a friend retraced Coronado’s route across Arizona and New Mexico on horseback. He has since published several more non-fiction books and a novel entitled Jennie.
Preston and Child write their books together via telephone, fax, and the internet. Preston also contributes regularly to The New Yorker and other publications.
He and his brother Richard are producing a television miniseries for ABC and Mandalay Entertainment.
Editoral Review
“The Pharaoh Key” by Douglas Preston is a thrilling adventure novel that takes readers on a heart-pumping journey through the deserts of Egypt. Preston is an American author of thriller novels, best known for his collaborations with Lincoln Child, including the popular Pendergast series.
Published on June 12, 2018, “The Pharaoh Key” is a standalone novel that follows the story of Gideon Crew, a former thief and adventurer hired by a wealthy businessman to uncover the secrets of an ancient Egyptian tomb.
The book is firmly rooted in the adventure genre, with a fast-paced plot filled with danger, mystery, and excitement. The story is set in Egypt, where Gideon and his team race to unlock the secrets of a pharaoh’s tomb before a rival team can beat them to it.
Along the way, they encounter treacherous traps, ancient curses, and unexpected allies. The main characters are well-developed and engaging, with Gideon Crew standing out as a charismatic and resourceful hero.
Preston’s writing style is descriptive and immersive, bringing the ancient world of Egypt to life with vivid detail. The book also tackles important themes such as greed, power, and the ethical implications of archaeological exploration.
Preston’s research is evident throughout the book, with accurate depictions of Egyptian mythology and history.
One of the strengths of “The Pharaoh Key” is its pacing. The plot moves quickly from one exciting set piece to another, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
However, this also means that some of the character development and emotional depth of the story is sacrificed in favor of action. Some readers may also find the plot to be somewhat predictable, as it follows a familiar formula of adventure novels.
Despite its flaws, “The Pharaoh Key” is an enjoyable and engaging read that will appeal to fans of adventure and mystery novels. It is a well-written and thoroughly researched book that showcases Preston’s talent for storytelling.
While it may not be a groundbreaking work of literature, it is a fun and entertaining read that will transport readers to another time and place.
Overall, “The Pharaoh Key” is a solid entry in the adventure genre that fans of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s work will enjoy. It receives a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on its strengths in pacing, setting, and plot, as well as its weaknesses in character development and predictability.
However, we recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling adventure story that will keep them on the edge of their seat.
