Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

An evocative but flawed book, 12 Oct 2005
Easterman draws the reader into two fascinating narratives, one taking place today, the other in wartime Morocco anbd ending with the start of Operation Torch. The atmosphere of encroaching evil and betrayal is well conveyed; the sights and sounds of the Maghreb effectively caught. Of the two stories, the earlier one is the more compelling and tragic: we can guess what will happen to its main character who tries to behave decently and compassionately in a war-time environment of race hatred and prejudice.

The modern story is much weaker, and the finale is simply nonsense - the author has obviously got himself into a pickle and seeks a deus ex machina (literally) to rescue his main characters. I won't spoil the plot (such as it is) but the last 50 pages really need a re-write to make the ending more credible. A typical airport book: I read most of it in southern Spain, not too far away from Morocco.

Loose ends, 05 Nov 2003
I was captivated by the plot from the very beginning, finding the technique of weaving present and past very effective. However, the author left several things unresolved. I read the end three times, trying to make more sense out of it and to find answers to questions which had been presented earlier in the book. The end was too fast, too vague, too unrealistic. Furthermore, I think Eastermann coud have eliminated the few sensuous parts instead of forcing them in just because that's what one expects nowadays. The romance would have developed more delicately had he left it alone.

This was my first Eastermann book. I'm eager to read another one!

Past and present mystery in Morocco, 13 Jul 2003
I picked up this book at Brussels Airport merely because I love Morocco, but not particularly thrillers. I read half on my one and a half hour plane journey (!) and the rest in two days: I thought the atmosphere created by Easterman of Morocco during WWII was very credible and authentic, as well as of present-day Marrakesh - behind the usual tourist hype. I was amazed at his obvious in-depth knowledge of Morocco and Arabic. The plot was fast-moving (perhaps a little too much, especially at the end...) but a highly recommended read for lovers of Morocco - and of course for thriller fans too!

Very good read, but could be better, 16 May 2003
I've been reading Easterman since 1991. My favourites of his books are:

The Last Assassin - brilliant debut, one of the best
The Ninth Buddha
Night of the Seventh Darkness (arguably his best book)
Name of the Beast

I enjoy reading all his books, however I have found like many other readers that Easterman is not at his best in recent years.

The good thing about Maroc, like nearly all his other books is that it draws you in from the beginning. Page after page, you want to continue till you reach the end, then you're devestated.

Good read, but could be better - not a classic. Hope his next book is better.

A thrilling tale of Morocco past and present., 22 Jan 2003
This offering from Daniel Easterman has two different stories unfolding alongside each other, one set during World War 2 and the other set in the present day. The majority of the book is set in Morocco and the author provides an intoxicating and evocative glimpse into this middle eastern world. As usual with Easterman this book is filled with thrills and kills, and the odd dash of compulsory romance. An enjoyable and interesting read, not his best I have to say, but I would certainly recommend it to others.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining story well and the Sword is evidence of that. The plot, whilst dealing with familiar contemporary issues such as the war on terror, conflict in the middle east & radical Islam, is sufficiently original to remain interesting. The main characters are given sufficient depth to allow the reader to empathise with them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing at how events will pan out. Overall The Sword is an above average thriller.

Maybe the reason I wasn't wholly bowled over by it is therefore due to my own personal tastes. Its difficult to put my finger on precisely why I didn't really connect with the book. I think it was a combination of reasons. Whilst Easterman succeeds in keeping the plot feeling reasonably fresh there is no denying that I have read umpteen thrillers in recent years that deal in one way or another with 'The War on Terror' and it takes a very special book to stand out from the pack. The Sword is good but not special. Equally I found some elements mildly distasteful, which affected my opinion of the book. In one scene inparticular, involving a Coptic family, I found the violence depicted unnecessarily savage and horrific. Readers already knew the perpetrator of the violence to be psychotic and didn't need the event Easterman portrays to confirm that. Finally the ending, after what is not a short book (it could probably do with being tighter), felt pat, predictable and underwhelming.

For these reasons I can only give The Sword three stars. Its good to have Daniel Easterman back after a break and I will almost certainly give his future books a try. He undoubtedly has talent. The Sword however, whilst good, is far from his best work,

YIELDING THE SWORD OF PROPHESY , 31 Jul 2008
Daniel Easterman [Dennis MacEoin] is an Islamic studies academic (and a former Bahaist) who has always published novels with a realistic grasp of international power games. And real people getting caught in the gears of said games. When it comes to Near East political yarns, there is simply no contest: Easterman delivers.

As with other novels, THE SWORD is page turner with each crisis resulting in an even higher level of urgency. The balance of the world seems to hang on every turn the hero takes and every bullet he fires. The main problem with Easterman's novels (ever since the The Seventh Sanctuary), is the writer's eagerness to kill off main characters or their loved ones. Sometimes these deaths serve as character motivation. Sometimes they are just pointless.

Not for light reading but recommended.

Yet another thrilling success from Easterman..., 10 Jun 2008
Professor Jack Goodrich lives with his wife and daughter in Cairo. When an ancient sword is given to him for safekeeping little he does realise the consequences this will bring, but he soon finds out to his cost that there is a group of people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the artefact...

As usual this is another thrilling novel from Easterman. He interweaves violence and bloodshed (lots of it, be warned) with exquisite descriptions of Cairo; the commotion of the modern day metropolis juxtapose with the seedy back streets and time worn surburbs of an ancient city, and interspersed throughout all of this is a truly exciting, and at times terrifying, plot.

I've read all of the author's works of fiction and this is another compelling novel from him. Fast-paced and fascinating, highly recommended.


Disappointing ending, 19 Nov 2007
The story begins as a man is crucified in Afghanistan in order to extract the whereabouts of a sword which is believed to have once belonged to the Prophet from him. Then we are transported back two months earlier to Cairo where the story begins in earnest. Unfortuantely the author gets caried away with a love story and forgets to tell us how the man came to be in that situation in the first place. Had it not been for that this would have received 5 stars. Easterman has written some very good stories on the middle east but this is definitely his poorest.
Try also his ghost stories written under the pen name Jonathan Aycliffe.

A ripping yarn, but..., 13 Jan 2006
Picked it up for a light holiday read, which it definitely was. While this book has moments of fast pace and intriguing possibilities, it is riddled with cliches and leaves many questions unanswered and plot lines undeveloped. After finishing it, I still don't understand the significance of the title.

Perhaps his best novel, 06 Oct 2003
This novel is a combination of several genres: it is a thriller with a well constructed plot. This is true for the Declan Carberry plot that is set in Europe. It is also a genuine horror novel with its scary atmosphere in Maya temples, Mexican prisons and European horror cabinets, the role of horrible spiders, the ritual murders, the constant re-appearance of scenes of human sacrifices in Mayan religious rites. And it is a novel in the tradition of archaeological adventure stories that also very often have some affinity to horror stories. You may think Indiana Jones is round the corner but the subject does not allow the humour and lightness of those.
The characters are full-fledged and believable persons (it is good to see Declan’s professionalism again) , the two main plots create utmost suspense and make the novel a first-class page turner. The author’s background knowledge about Mayan culture and history appeals to the more educated reader as well as it makes the layman curious. A very interesting horror novel, thriller or … whatever.

Doesn't quite deliver, 13 Jun 2002
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next, but when I had come to the end I didn't feel that everything had been explained - the loose ends weren't quite tied up and I think you were supposed to make certain assumptions as to how various things were connected instead of being told. The idea is a very interesting one and the characters fairly well developed, but I thought it could have been done much better. I did enjoy the ending though, which gave me the shivers. The baddie should have been given a more gruesome death though!

An exciting adventurous thriller., 28 Jan 2002
The other reviews on this page suprised me as I loved this book, and felt that it was one of Easterman's finest. The descriptions of the jungle and the discovery of the Mayan city were captivating and the storyline was so thrilling that I literally stayed up half the night to complete the book. Not for the faint hearted - a great and gory adventure story from start to finish. I've read all of Easterman's books now and this was one of my favourites. Try it!

Disappointing..., 02 Nov 2001
I picked up this book at the airport for a light read during the flight, having read the blurb, and liking similar types of books (as, for example, Cussler). Having finished it some days later, the end result was that the whole plot, although with interesting ideas as a basis, was rather contrived, with incomprehensible junctures to join plot strings (such as Declan arriving in Mexico to free Leo from prison, leaving him in the US and disappearing back to France) and some missing explanations (such as who was behind the first excavation robbery, and why?). Obviously in this type of books you have to suspend reality somewhat (as in action films) but you do demand some connection between the action that is happening. I do not think I will be reading any more books by Mr. Easterman.

Different but not entirely satisfying, 11 Sep 2008
Until I picked up The Sword I hadn't read a Daniel Easterman novel since Midnight Comes at Noon back around 2002. I had recollections of enjoying the likes of Day of Wrath and K nearly a decade earlier, but I was worried that either my tastes would have changed during the intervening period or the author's skills as a thriller writer might have deserted him.

I needn't have been unduly worried on the latter front. Daniel Easterman still knows how to tell an entertaining