New York Times bestselling authors James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell combine their talents in a gothic tale about anancient order and the hunt for a miraculous book known only as . . . The Blood Gospel.
An earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators–Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist–are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.
But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb’s sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ’s own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.
From crumbling tombs to splendorous churches, Erin and her two companions must confront a past that traces back thousands of years, to a time when ungodly beasts hunted the dark spaces of the world, to a moment in history when Christ made a miraculous offer, a pact of salvation for those who were damned for eternity.
Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ’s own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.
In the end, be warned: some books should never be found, never opened–until now.
“A thriller of dark subterranean complexity, rather like a rare, vintage redwine.” — New York Journal of Books
“Rollins, noted for his fast-paced thriller-adventure novels, often decorated with religious iconography, and Cantrell, a writer of historical mysteries with Nazi Germany as the backdrop, combine their talents for this mash-up of thriller and paranormal… the pacing is heart-pounding and the conceit irresistible…The Da Vinci Code meets vampires.” — Booklist
““This work is all thriller fans would expect from a combination of Rollins and Cantrell: cutting-edge science, ancient history, and a solid gothic mystery plot. Fans of the authors will not be disappointed, and those who lapped up The Da Vinci Code will be clamoring for more in this series.”” — Library Journal (starred review)
“The Blood Gospel is an impressive collaboration between Rollins and Cantrell, revealing a complex and fascinating tale, as well as an intriguing world that sucks in the reader from the start…a depth and intricacy that is not usually common in these types of thrillers…Whether you’ve tried Rollins or Cantrell before, The Blood Gospel will be the ride of your life.” — San Francisco Book Review
” This is the book that readers of Anne Rice, Dan Brown, and Toyne’s “Sanctus” trilogy have been waiting for: the suspense is ratcheted up by the use of a timeline/clock at the start of each segment; the cast of characters is continually a surprise (Judas–check. Lazarus–check. Elizabeth Bathory–check.); and a cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for Book Two.” — School Library Journal
“James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell collaborate on a gothic tale that will make vampire fiction fans howl in delight…The final product is a book that showcases the strengths of two well-respected novelists and promises to keep readers spellbound until the final page. “The Blood Gospel” has “action movie” written all over it; the only question is how long it will take to bring it to the big screen!”– Times Publishing Online
““Their story seamlessly blends modern-day technology with historical intrigue and otherworldly phenomena. The highly original plot combines gripping world-could-end drama with characters who are complex, fascinating and personable.” — Romantic Times
“A great read for anyone looking for a new series about vampires.” — Tampa Bay Books
“Pure genius…The pairing of Rollins and Cantrell has brought the best out of both authors. “The Blood Gospel” is not just a must read, it would be a sin not to read it!” — Suspense Magazine
“Good escapist reading in the Dan Brown vein. And these writers can write.” — Kirkus Reviews
“THE BLOOD GOSPEL is a fast-paced adventure that blends the thrill of the archaeological hunt with real and vicious horror and even a touch of romance…simply excellent…If you like history, action, and horror twined together, then do pick up this bloody good read.” —VampChix
“If you like fast-paced action/adventure/suspense stories, you will love ‘The Blood Gospel.’” — examiner.com
“This is the first in The Order of the Sanguines series, and it is a truly fascinating spin on the Catholic religion and an amalgamation of their mythos combined with vampirism…incredible imagery, bountiful monsters, and plenty of action.An intriguing, alluring and fun read, THE BLOOD GOSPEL is a welcome addition to my bookshelves, and should be for yours as well.” — Fresh Fiction
“Blood Gospel is an impressive collaboration between Rollins and Cantrell, revealing a complex and fascinating tale, as well as an intriguing world that sucks the reader in from the start…Whether you’ve tried Rollins or Cantrell before, The Blood Gospel will be the ride of your life.” — Book Banter
“This is a powerhouse fun-ride, and because it’s Rebecca Cantrell and James Rollins piloting us through it, you know that the writing is going to be great and the science accurate and breathtaking.” — Seattle Mystery Bookstore
“This book had me from the start. intrigue, a little romance and history.” — Up All Night Novels
“The first exciting Order Sanguines Christian horror thriller grips the audience from the moment the tomb in Mount Masada is discovered and keeps that hold until the final sacrament occurs. Readers will enjoy traveling to Germany, Russia and ultimately the Vatican with the protagonists as our guides through a Church with a history of good and bad…The Blood Gospel is a super ride.” — The Mystery Gazette
“The Blood Gospel, by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell, is a combination of genres that will make readers go wild. The suspense and history of The DaVinci Code meet with the paranormal, bringing vampires and other supernatural creatures into the world of the bible and Christian history, and the secret operations of the Nazis to hoard ancient artifacts and priceless collectibles are sprinkled on the top, just to give it a little flavor. If you love paranormal fiction, intelligent historical novels, archaeology, religious history, or any combination of the above, the Order of the Sanguines Series, of which The Blood Gospel is the first, is a must-read.” — library crystal
“The Blood Gospel is triumph of imagination, characterisation and fast paced action adventure, book two cannot come soon enough.” — Parmenion Books
“By far the best suspense thriller I read last year, The Order of the Sanguines Se..ries (#1): Blood Gospel by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Recommended to: people who enjoyed The Davinci Code, Angels and Demons, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, or the True Blood series, people with a long plane ride ahead, history buffs and vampire fanatics.” — In the Next Room
“James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell collaborate on a gothic tale that will make vampire fiction fans howl in delight…The final product is a book that showcases the strengths of two well respected novelists and promises to keep readers spellbound until the final page. The Blood Gospel has action movie written all over it; the only question is how long it will take to bring it to the big screen!” — Book Loons
“The Blood Gospel has something for everyone: conspiracy, ancient mystery, action-adventure, and a touch of the Bible. Just as the Rollins’ Sigma series is a thriller with a tinge of science fiction, this novel is also a thriller, but one with a lot of fantasy. Once again Rollins, along with Cantrell, has shown that it is possible to write an intriguing story that can leap over different genres.” — Black Five
“THE BLOOD GOSPEL…is a fast-paced adventure that blends the thrill of the archaeological hunt with real and vicious horror and even a touch of romance…The story was simply excellent. If you like history, action, and horror twined together, then do pick up this bloody good read.” — VampChix Bite Club
CLICK HERE to read an excerpt.
