During the first Gulf War, Nick Kismet is a part of a mission to fly in to Iraq and rescue a defector who might possibly be a member of Saddam Hussein’s group of advisors. The mission becomes more complicated when Kismet is led to the man’s family and an ancient religious relic. Soon, gunfire erupts, and the rescue fails tragically with the man and his family all brutally murdered by a mysterious group calling themselves Prometheus. Kismet’s left with the cryptic message that he’s not to be harmed and that they’d meet again.

Twelve years later, Kismet is back in Iraq, invited by his mentor and close friend, Pierre Chiron. After the fall of Iraq, many ancient art treasures have been looted, and rumors are that there’s a list circulating among collectors. With much excitement, Chiron also tells Kismet that there’s a possible discovery of religious artifacts coming from King Solomon’s temple, artifacts that will prove the very existence of God.

What follows is an adventure-filled, dangerous journey where nothing is as it seems where allies, and enemies, show up in the most unlikely of places and circumstances.

Sean Ellis’ debut novel, The Shroud of Heaven, is a heart-pounding, intense journey, crossing continents and oceans as the reader follows one man’s path of discovery and adventure. Nick Kismet is likened to a military action figure that always seems to know how to pull himself successfully out of dangerous, often life-threatening situations. There are no lulls in this story, and the ending is rather mind blowing. In fact, I had to read the last chapters again to completely digest the book’s climax. Once the last line was read, I shrieked with impatient anticipation for Kismet’s future adventures.

If The Shroud of Heaven is any indication of future efforts from Mr. Ellis, I could easily see his books gracing hardcover shelves along side other thriller authors. Kudos, Mr. Ellis. I’m hooked!

Reviewed by: Bella