The Sacred Vault

The Sacred Vault, the sixth book from Andy McDermott, is a veritable barnstormer of a novel. The book is jam packed with adventure, murder and archaeological discovery and a pace Usain Bolt would envy, is a sure fire hit.

My first introduction to Eddie Chase (ex SAS) and Nina Wilde, The Sacred Vault is your typical “boys own” novel. The action doesn’t let up from start to finish and together with cheesy humour I loved every minute! Very easy to read I found it hard to put it down, and only then to take a breather from its frenetic pace.

A cross between Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones (there are numerous references to Indiana in the book) and James Bond, Andy McDermott serves up a slice of escapism.

Available from Amazon & The Book Depository now.

The book opens with one of the most ingenious and descriptive thefts I’ve read of late. Michelangelo’s David, the latest in a series of audacious thefts, is stolen from the Galleria dell’Accademiain in Florence, Italy. The operation is slick and controlled, the thieves, all working as one, are well trained leaving nothing to chance. Every minute detail is covered, every second accounted for.

Weeks later, the same gang head to San Francisco to steal the Talonor Codex, a precious journal charting the expeditions of the great Atlantean explorer. It is believed that the Codex, once translated, will offer up the hidden and powerful secrets of Shiva. Rumoured to contain the legendary Shiva Vedas, the chronicles of the ancient Hindu god of destruction, the vault if discovered could bring about World destruction.

As Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase discuss the newly discovered Atlantean treasures with the Mayor of San Francisco and guests, the gang strikes. Bullets fly and guards fall, the Talonor Codex is stolen and leaving a trail of destruction the thieves make their well-oiled escape. Eddie Chase, no stranger to wrong place – right time, gives chase through the streets of San Francisco.

In a world where time is precious and a tendency to want everything “yesterday”, reading a book is a great investment of time. With that in mind the first thing I always ask myself after reading an action book is “was it enjoyable?” I’m not looking for Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky I just want to be entertained, losing myself in the thrill of daring exploits – with that in mind I can answer in the affirmative, The Secret Vault is most definitely enjoyable and highly entertaining – a thrill a minute!

Comedic in places, mainly thanks to Chase’s humour, the book has a fluent pace and the subplots blend well together ensuring continuity. The characters are what you would expect from an action novel – the heroes are heroic and the baddies plain evil! Although concentrating on Wilde and Chase for a big portion of the book, the author does introduce numerous supporting characters with one or two unexpected moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and although part of a long standing arc, The Sacred Vault is a superb standalone novel. I look forward to the follow up!

Published by Headline, The Sacred Vault is available from Amazon & The Book Depository now.