Paul Sussman - The Hidden Oasis

PAUL SUSSMAN

BANTAM BOOKS

LONDON TORONTO SYDNEY AUCKLAND JOHANNESBURG

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Epub ISBN 9781409083917

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THE HIDDEN OASIS

A BANTAM BOOK: 9780553818734

First publication in Great Britain

Bantam edition published 2009

Copyright Paul Sussman 2009

Maps and Gateway illustration Neil Gower

Obelisk illustration Alicky Sussman

Paul Sussman has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Paul Sussman read History at Cambridge, where he also won a Boxing Blue. From an early age, his abiding passion has been archaeology. He has worked as a field archaeologist, in particular in Egypt where he was part of the first team to excavate new ground in the Valley of the Kings since Tutankhamuns tomb was found in 1922. His first two novels, The Lost Army of Cambyses and The Last Secret of the Temple, are international bestsellers, while his journalism has appeared across the media, notably in the Independent, Big Issue, Evening Standard and on CNN.com. He lives in London with his wife and two sons.

Acclaim for The Last Secret of the Temple and The Lost Army of Cambyses:

The intelligent readers answer toThe Da Vinci Code: a big, fat satisfying archaeological puzzle

Independent

Not just a tightly-plotted, richly-observed, thought-provoking thriller, but one with a soul The compelling mix of tough, page-turning suspense, archaeology, history and characters caught up in the brutal politics of the Middle East, make this a timely and authentic novel comfortably blends historical mystery with unflinching contemporary suspense

RAYMOND KHOURY, author of The Last Templar

A brilliant detective novel, hidden within a medieval saga, tucked inside an archaeological mystery, surrounded by a modern-day Middle East terrorist thriller a multi-layered quest where all the characters are real and alive, and we should expect the completely unexpected

KATHERINE NEVILLE, author of The Eight

www.rbooks.co.uk

Shines a light into a bloody part of the world, where it is hard to tell enemy from friend, and where ancient debts of pain and murder echo to the present. Here is a thriller on a par with the best it should be required reading

JAMES ROLLINS, author of The Judas Strain

A gripping mystery, intricately plotted and eloquently told Sussmans novel is not just thrilling, it makes the tension and promise of the Middle East heartbreakingly alive

WILLIAM DIETRICH, author of Napoleons Pyramids

Ambitious, large-scale adventure Sussmans fastidious research into the novels setting grants everything a plausibility his millennia spanning plot functions as a colourful backdrop

Good Book Guide

Another sure-fire winner from a gifted storyteller

STEVE BERRY, author of The Templar Legacy

A rollicking, feel-good adventure set among the murky and convulsive politics of the present-day Middle East

Jewish Chronicle

An exciting page-turner unusual and intriguing

Western Daily Press

A plot as complex as a hall of mirrors, and as gripping as a death threat

Kirkus Reviews

A tremendous adventure a great novel masterfully written

VALERIO MASSIMO MANFREDI

At last, a thriller that gets away from the hackneyed old curse of Tut stuff; and since Sussman has actually excavated in Egypt himself, we can trust his background detail the fast-paced plot is one among many good things in this very assured first novel

Scotland On Sunday

Spine-chilling, fast-paced it has all the ingredients of a James Bond adventure and it keeps you guessing right up until the final chapter

Sunday Business Post

Adrenaline-packed combines all the elements of a truly great adventure story a 2,000 year-old historical mystery, buried treasure, a race against time superbly evocative, with a huge epic sweep

Crime Time

An enjoyable adventure story, replete with archaeological lore

Spectator

A tough, sometimes brutal, but always engrossing thriller. Sussman knows his Egypt, past and present, and he has the gift for creating engaging heroes of both sexes and really, really vile villains

DR BARBARA MERTZ, archaeologist

A textured, well-researched and expertly paced debut truly inventive

Publishers Weekly

The twists in this detective story span 3,000 years and the credible surprises show the writer is a loss to the Secret Intelligence Service. Frederick Forsyth has a worthy contemporary

The Week

A cinematic, rip-roaring adventure mystery, brimming with details of Egyptian archaeology and history

Booklist

Satisfyingly full of ruthless characters, difficult situations and impossible odds

WBQ

Excellent twists this is Harrison Ford country Sussmans knowledge of Egypt past and present is really impressive

Shots

I am blessed to have found the most perfect oasis on earth, a place of shelter and warmth and joy unbounded. It is called my family: Alicky, Layla, Ezra and Jude.

This book is for them, with love, always.

There are an embarrassingly large number of people without whose advice, help and support this book could never have been written. First and foremost my beloved wife Alicky, who throughout has been there for me with wise counsel and calming words, and who has put up with more than any wife should reasonably have to put up with these last couple of years. I owe her a bigger debt of gratitude than I can ever repay.