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A Rose By Any Other Name....
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I guess I let the cat out of the bag prematurely. In a blog entry earlier this month, I mentioned that the stand-alone thriller due out this coming winter was to be titled Beasts of Babylon. Well, that’s been changed. The new title is ALTAR OF EDEN (at least for now). Then again, perhaps revealing those two names may offer a small clue as to the contents of that new book. But I’d better leave any further details until later. Who knows what else might change?
And speaking of change, in that same blog I had also mentioned Steve Berry’s book coming in December. I had reported the title as The Paris Club. Well, Steve learned this past week that his title has been changed, too. It’s now The Paris Vendetta.
So at least it’s not just happening to me....
Anyway, what I CAN reveal with good confidence is an early peek at the jacket flap copy for The Doomsday Key. It might change slightly between now and publication, but here it is:
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THE DOOMSDAY KEY
At Princeton University, a famed geneticist dies inside a biohazard lab. In Rome, a Vatican archaeologist is found dead at the heart of St. Peters Basilica. In Africa, a US Senator's son is slain outside a Red Cross camp. These three murders on three continents bear a horrifying tie: all the victims are marked by a Druidic pagan cross burned into their flesh.
The bizarre murders thrust Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force into a race against time to solve a riddle going back centuries, to a ghastly crime against humanity hidden within a cryptic medieval codex. The first piece of the puzzle is discovered within a mummified body unearthed from a peat bog in England, a body bearing a gruesome secret, one that threatens America and the world.
Aided by two women from his past—one his ex-lover, the other his new partner—Gray must piece together the horrifying truth. But such revelations come at a high cost: for any hope of the future, Pierce must sacrifice one of the women at his side. Yet even that price might not be enough, for as he soon discovers, the only true path to salvation lies within a dark prophecy of doom.
In an adventure spanning from the Roman Coliseum to the icy peaks of Norway, from the ruins of medieval abbeys to the lost tombs of Celtic kings, Sigma Force will face mankind’s greatest threat, one locked within a talisman buried by a dead saint, an ancient artifact known only as the Doomsday Key.
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Moving on. In the news item area, I had mentioned about a promotion going on at HarperCollins Canada’s website, titled "HaperCollins March Madness". In that contest, books are pitted against each other on a weekly basis. Winners are selected by the most votes. One of my novels, The Judas Strain, is in the mix. So vote often (not that I’m not slightly biased here on the outcome)
I noticed that if The Judas Strain wins this week against its opponent, that I’ll be pitted against Michael Crichton’s novel Next. That’s a tough call for me. As many of you know or might guess, I’m a huge Michael Crichton fan. I have all of his books, including a signed first-edition of The Andromeda Strain. His mix of science, adventure, and suspense is the stuff I love. It’s the reason I write what I do today. He is an author I admire both for his versatility and his bottomless ingenuity. Though many have tried to follow in his footsteps, none have succeeded. He will be missed.
Lastly, since I haven’t done it in a while, and it is the end of the month, here we go.
Favorite Book I read this past month: I read an advanced reader’s copy of a book by Jack Kilborn (AKA J.A Konrath) tentatively titled Trapped. I read this book in one long, sweaty sitting. It is terrifying. Why mention this now? Because in March, this same author’s book titled Afraid hits stands. I had given that book a blurb, something along the lines of “best novel I read this year.” So check it out.
Favorite Movie I saw this past month: Slumdog Millionaire (well deserving of its Oscar, though it’s not quite the ‘feel-good’ movie as advertised. It’s quite a brutal story. In fact, my sister-in-law had to walk out of the theater about a quarter of the way into the picture because of one specific act of horror perpetrated against a child in the movie. So be forewarned!)
Book I’m currently reading: Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (I read this book back in high school. It’s about a science fiction writer who falls out a window during a party, dies, and goes to hell....literally. He ends up in Dante’s proverbial nine circles. I decided to re-read this classic because a sequel to this book just came out, titled Escape from Hell. I can’t wait to read it!)
Movie I can’t wait to see: WATCHMEN (I read Alan Moore’s graphic novel when it first came out in the mid-Eighties…I can’t wait to see how it’s brought to the big screen).
Comments
Name: Kevin J. Kelly Date: 2009-02-27
Hi James, Your proofreaders probably caught this but just wanted to let you know that it should be "at his side" not "as his side". Otherwise, it looks great and can't wait for thator Altar of Eden. I just have to read The Last Oracle to catch up and find out what happens to Monk. Keep up the great work and see you on Facebook.
Name: Jer Date: 2009-02-27
I have to say that after reading all of your books that were out at the time , I was disapointed with Next. I kept comparing it to your wiritng and I felt that it was disjointed and lacked the gripping flow that your witing has. I am totaly stoked that you have three books coming out and I am planning on gettin Jake Ransome in my twelve year old son's hands ASAP. (After I to read it) Thanks
Name: Tabitha Date: 2009-02-27
Can't wait to meet up with the Sigma Force again!
Name: jeff Date: 2009-03-02
I started reading your books when you first came out with Subterranean, your best book out of all, you hit it out of the park on your first at bat with that one, Ice Hunt was a close second. I have read all the Sigma series and they are great but I still prefer the individual adventures. Especially the monsters, the caving and scuba diving, and all the other creepy critters. Is your new book along these lines? I hope so. I have not read Indiana Jones and was wondering if it was much different from the movie? Anyway keep up the good work and looking forward to your new books, I have preordered them.
Name: Ashley Purdy Date: 2009-03-02
Hi James, I absolutely LOVE all your books (individual and SIGMA series). Although, I originally got hooked on AMAZONIA. PLEASE don't ever stop writing!! I am eagerly awaiting your new books. Will you ever do a book tour in Gainesville, FL? GO GATORS Ashley Purdy
Name: Anette Date: 2009-03-05
Can't wait to get my hands on The Doomsday Key!! Especially luuuuve the fact that you mention that parts is set in Norway :o) (Can guarantee you we DO have a chilly winter here at the moment, brrr!!)
Name: Ulla D'Asti Date: 2009-03-10
Hello James, I am happy that all is well with you and that you are working away on your next book. I cannot wait to read it. By now, I have been able to catch up on all of your books (under James Rollins) and I agree with one of the earlier posts, Subterranean was your best and Ice Hunt riding right on its coat tails. Loved them! I like the Sigma novels as well, but there was something special about those two. As a side note, your web site is working just fine now. ;o) Salutations, Ulla
Name: Elaine Date: 2009-03-11
Just finished "Black Order," which I borrowed from a neighbor. It was my first James Rollins' read, and I was hooked. I'm now into "The Judas Strain" with other volumes waiting in the wings. WOW!
Name: Mike Date: 2009-03-15
Your sigma series is great. I started reading your books when they first came out and I really liked the style of not favoring any particular character in your book. No one was safe from being killed. Glad to read you have another stand-alone coming this winter.
Name: Debbie Date: 2009-03-18
I can't wait to get a copy! I loved all your other books and also got my husband started on your Sigma series.
Name: Cherei in Texas Date: 2009-03-24
I've been voting for 'The Judas Strain' in the March madness.. and it is a HUGE relief.. to see that you were just as torn with Michael Crichton's book, "Next". He will be missed by many. Our youngest.. uses his books.. for his debate tournaments! He SHALL live on.. through his books!
