Beginnings: Hunt for the Treasure of Rennes le Chateau (The Tomb, the Temple, the Treasure) [Kindle Edition]

I really liked this book. It has a great story and written in a way that quickly draws you in and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. It is not a predictable story like many others of this type, but keeps you guessing and throws in many surprises along the way. The story is faced paced and full of excitement and action with great characters.

The plot is excellent. Well-written and a pleasure to read through to the final scene.

Characters are engaging and you quickly gel with them, even some of the villains. Very good writing.

I very much liked the settings as we are taken through history and the author does this well. Some books I have read have tried this but did it in such a way it was confusing, not so with this book. Very well done. My favourite parts in the book were the Fall of Jerusalem, where we learn of the creation of the Copper Scrolls and how one of them came to end up in the Qumran cave, and the Roslyn trap-filled catacombs scenes I found enjoyable, exciting and funny in places.

I purchased this book after reading Ben Hammott's Amazon Adventure Novel Teaser I loved that book and I loved this one also.

Beginnings is part one of the Tomb, the Temple, the Treasure series and I am very much looking forward to reading book 2 - the Priest's Secret.

If you are going to read this book, be warned, you will be hooked from the first page and will not want to put it down until you finish. Do not start reading if you have an an appointment or you will miss it, OR have something in the oven because it will be burnt to a cinder by the time you remember, OR you have to go to work as you will be late.

The action starts from the first page and carries on throughout the book. It's like a huge blockbuster action movie full of action and great characters. Likeable heroes and shady villains.

Hammott starts us off with the building of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem and then to the Destruction of the Temple by the Romans. We then move to the Crusades and the Knights Templar and then to the present day where we are taken below ground into the fabled catacombs below Roslyn Chapel in Scotland.

The way Hammott weaves all these timelines together, connecting each with the one before, is great writing. If I did not know better, having read Hammott's previous book Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar: Rennes-le-Chateau Secrets and Discoveries I would assume a well known established author of this genre had penned Beginnings. It's that good.

I thought all the characters were great and although Ben only describes them in the briefest of detail, it is surprisingly easy how our imagination fills in the blanks. With some of the characters their appearance is only slowly revealed. This again is a great writing and this is only Hammott's first novel. I believe Ben will go on to became an established author with a huge following if he keeps up this level writing.

Beginnings is book 1 of the TOMB, the TEMPLE, the TREASURE. The second installment is to be released shortly called the PRIEST'S SECRET and I look forward to reading it. If it is as good as the first part it will be another great read.

If you read Beginnings and enjoy the experience, please post a review. First time authors like Ben Hammott need all the exposure they can get. Hopefully he will then be picked up by one of the larger publishing house and many more readers will be able to enjoy Hammott's books.

First things first. I have read Ben Hammott's other Non-Fiction books but this is his first novel. When I first heard Ben was writing a novel based on his previous research and discoveries as revealed in his book Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar: Rennes-le-Chateau Secrets and Discoveries, I wasn't sure how well it would transcend into novel form. However, for those who have read Ben's Lost Tomb book, it is apparent from his humorous and yet enthralling writing style, the basics were there to succeed. I had always thought the way Ben solved the clues in the ancient French church in Rennes-le-Chateau to eventually lead him to a tomb complete with a mummified body and chests of treasure, would make a great movie, but would it make a a great novel? If so has Ben pulled it off?

I received the book a few days ago and as with all of Ben's books, I eagerly unwrapped it from its cocoon of parcel tape, brown paper and bubble-wrap. I grabbed myself a cup of coffee, and after sitting down in my favorite armchair, I began to read.

I was hooked from the first page. As usual, Ben's writing style makes for a pleasant and enjoyable read. I was soon drawn into the story wondering where I was going to be led next, and there were surprises along the way. It certainly is an exciting romp through history, but it all has a purpose, and as the back cover description says, all are connected.
I won't give anything away as I don't wish to spoil others enjoyment finding out what happens themselves, but there is a certain part in Ben's book where the main character has to kill someone, it must be the funniest assault in history. I laughed out loud for ages. I have gone back to read it again on more than one occasion and it always makes me laugh. It is worth the price of the book just for this part. I have had a few guests for dinner and I give them the book to read this section, and wait for the laughter to begin and it always does.
I am not sure how he does it, but even though the book is funny in places, it doesn't distract from the seriousness of the situation or the danger the characters find themselves in.

As you can probably guess, I thoroughly enjoyed Ben's Beginnings book and cannot recommend it enough.
It really is an exciting archaeological adventure that goes places I think no other author has yet trod. If I was pushed, the Roslyn catacombs story was perhaps my favorite section of the book. I was impressed by the way Ben brought together all the different time era's, linking them to what was happening in the present, like a chain of evidence in a crime scene.

Downside - For a paperback novel it is expensive, but please do not let this put you off buying it. I would rather spend my money on a more expensive book that I enjoy reading, than waste money buying two cheaper books that I don't. I don't regret the price I paid one little bit and I guess what you perceive as value for money is what it's all about.

Beginnings is book 1 of the Tomb, the Temple, the Treasure, and you can be certain I will be first in the queue to buy the second installment, the Priest's Secret. I have already read the preview chapters on Ben's website and it promises to be even more enthralling than this one. I can't wait.
Do yourself a favor and give this book a read. Also read Ben's excellent Lost Tomb of the Knights Templar, which I have also reviewed and can highly recommend.

If you like any of Ben's books, please post a review on Amazon as I feel Ben has a lot more books in him yet and the more he writes the more decent reads we can all enjoy. Reading through my review I sound like a publicist for Hammott, but I'm not. I believe a self published writer as good as Ben, needs to be encouraged. I would be very surprised if one or more of his books are not picked up by a large Publishing house, so his self published volumes may soon become collectors items. His first editions may even be worth much more than the cover price one day. Also check out Hammott's website for info and images detailing his research and discoveries.