It’s an absolutely beautiful sunny day in London, a perfect day for reading. Here’s a long overdue review of a tasty little thriller. Enjoy.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have long been a fan of Glenn Cooper going back to his #libraryofthedead books. I love a good conspiracy theory thriller and Cooper’s books provide my fix with bells on. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is the fourth Cal Donovan book and it doesn’t disappoint. In this book, following the murder of Donovan’s mother we are plunged into the mystery of not only her death, but his fathers years earlier and what connection they have to the mysterious Showstone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Spanning locales including Iraq, London and Constantinople and zig zagging across multiple time periods we slowly unravel what the showstone is, what it does and the lengths some people will go to to own it. One of the most fascinating elements of the story were it’s connections to the fabled Dr John Dee, mathematician, astrologer, occultist, and an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. I have always been fascinated by the mysteries surrounding his life and this only fuelled this interest. If you want to escape from the current world crisis for a few hours then this book is perfect. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A thrilling, pulse pounding conspiracy thriller. Pure escapism ⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Glenn Cooper's books are automatic reads for me, always. This latest instalment did not disappoint as the author masterfully weaves together the story of a mysterious obsidian stone, it's history from 16th century England, to the ruins of Iraq in 1989 to the present day, when it is rediscovered by Cal Donovan, in his mother's possessions. While I personally have not warmed up to Cal Donovan's character, the storyline itself is engaging and entertaining as history comes alive within the pages of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

Mr Cooper can surely write a book that mixes historical facts and fiction, a book that keeps you on the edge till the end and it's unputdownable.
This one was no exception and it was an excellent read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the Severn House and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

What would you ask an fallen angel for? Cal is stunned when his mother is murdered and his girlfriend Jessica has found an unopened envelope that his father sent before he died. He has no idea what he has and little does he realise that someone will stop at nothing to get the stone from him. He has learnt some more about the black stone but he doesn't really believe that you can use it to talk to angels. After meeting Eve and spending time with her showing him how the showstone works does he realise that his father's death wasn't an accident and that the killer will be back for him. Can they find the answers before it is too late? Will they have time to stop the 49th call? A good interesting read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from netgalley and the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 4th book in the Cal Donovan series and gives us more information about Cal's background and his relationship with his father. Hiram Donovan died while working an archeology dig in 1989 in Iraq. An eyewitness saw Hiram when he found a black obsidian stone. Hiram decides to send it to his wife in the United States. 30 years later in 2019, Cal receives a phone call that his mother has been murdered. Cal and his friend, Jessica, find the envelope that Hiram sent home with the black stone and a note mentioning John Dee, British Museum/Scrying stone. Cal investigates the note and finds out that John Dee was Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer and alchemist. He also finds out that whoever possesses the black obsidian stone will have the power to scry which is an art of magic that allows communication with the angels.

Glenn Cooper mixes real historical facts with fiction in order to give us a very interesting and unique novel filled with mysticism, angels and evil spirits. He gives us information from 1095 and 1609 in regards to who owned the stone in the past and how it was used for religious and political purposes. The characters, good and evil, are very believable. One character, George Hamid wants the black obsidian stone very badly and chases Cal in order to obtain it. The book ends on a cliffhanger making me look forward to the next book. I would highly recommend this series to those who like history and mystery with a bit of supernatural. Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for an advanced copy for an honest review.

This Cal Donovan adventure revolves around the deaths of Cal’s parents, separated by thirty years – his father’s in 1989 and his mother’s in 2019. Both are murdered for the same reason; George Hamid seeks the showstone that Hiram Donovan found on an archeology dig in Iraq and managed to send home. According to histories of John Dee, a showstone or scrying stone enables the gifted (or mediums) to communicate with Angels.

Glenn Cooper’s story weaves history of how the showstone works through alternating chapters from the years between 1095 and 1609 in places like Al-Iraq, London, Krakow and Constantinople. In the present, Cal seeks the reason for his mother’s murder along with the culprit. Uncovering what the showstone is, how it works and who wants it leads to the answers. Cooper fabricates a plot that rivals Steve Berry and Dan Brown for rich, historical events that impact current affairs. The characters are believable, the situations intriguing and the pace almost relentless.

Cal Donovan is a character I have a hard time liking sometimes The Showstone does not change that. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Showstone is the fourth book in the Cal Donovan series. It is a phenomenal story pitting good against evil with very detailed character studies of the major characters. The showstone was a character unto itself and the factual elements about John Dee were a great addition to this story. Tying in historical facts with the mystery is one of the things that Glenn Cooper does very well.

Cal learns a lot more about his father's history in The Showstone. He knew where he died and when, but, this story teaches him that he doesn't know a lot about his father's life He seems to be a wonderful historian and professor and a great friend. But, he is a bit of a mess. He seems to be a functioning alcoholic and some of the flashbacks in the book show when Cal started on that path. It is not quite clear why, but, some of the conversations and thoughts that the reader is privy to in the story allows the reader to hazard a guess. It was good to see Cal having a semi-normal relationship with his girlfriend Jessica But, he still seems to struggle with who he wants to be or how he wants that relationship to go and it is evident to Jessica and Cal's best pal, Father Murphy. Despite me throwing up my hands at some of the missteps that Cal makes throughout the story, it is obvious that he is a good man who at least thinks about doing the right thing. There was some great action scenes and the supernatural aspects of the story were not far-fetched I enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next installment in Cal's story.

THE SHOWSTONE opens in Iraq in 1989 with Hiram Donovan finding an archeological piece on a dig that he mails back to his wife in the United States. Hiram dies in Iraq a few days later. Fast-forward thirty years, Cal Donavan, Hiram’s son, is ending the semester teaching at Harvard and has big plans for his summer furlough when he gets a call that his mother was murdered. There has been a break-in, but nothing is taken. Cal sets out to find answers, and his summer takes a whole new direction.

While cleaning up his mother’s apartment, Cal and his girlfriend Jess find an envelope that was mailed from his dad in Iraq in 1989. It had never been opened. The envelope contains a black obsidian stone and a note card with Dr. John Dee’s name. After a little research, Cal learns that this is a Showstone used for scrying, an ancient art of magic and connecting with God through an angel tongue. Additional research takes him to Arizona to meet Eve, a present-day scryer and authority on the subject. When Cal is attacked in his own home and questioned about the stone and a papyrus that should have accompanied it, he sets out to find the papyrus. The story morphs into a trek around the globe to beat the bad guys in finding the papyrus that contains the 49th Call.

THE SHOWSTONE is Glenn Cooper’s fourth novel in his Cal Donavan Thriller series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them, but this one is a little different adventure. It delves into Cal’s relationship with his dad and why he traveled the path he has taken in life. Mr. Cooper masterfully blends true historical events with fictional characters and happenings. The pacing of the story is quite good, the characters (good and bad) are very believable, the storyline is captivating, and the history/archaeology is mystifying as always. There are lots of little side trips into the past, revealing the history of the stone and the art of scrying. The plot focuses on the seedy characters who want to use the occult for religious and political purposes. I was a little disappointed that Cal did not make another trip to the Vatican and visit his dear friend The Pope, who has been featured in all his other adventures. Can’t wait for the next one!

4 stars

In 1989, Cal Donovan's father, Hiram was in charge of an archeological dig at an abandoned monastery in Algosh, Iraq. He finds what he believes is a very valuable artifact and for the first time in his archeological career hides it. He then mails it to his wife in Cambridge, Massachusetts the following day. When visited by some strangers later in his camp, he is suspicious. He has every right to be so. Feigning ignorance of the artifact, he is murdered in his tent.

Thirty years later while going through his murdered mother's belongings, Cal comes upon an unopened envelope from Algosh, Iraq. Inside is an obsidian stone and a note in his father's hand referencing Dr. John Dee.

Dr. John Dee was an alchemist and astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th Century. Dee has a cohort named Edward Talbot/Kelley who was persuaded by the then Secretary of State Walsingham to spy on Dee. Walsingham suspected Dee of being the worst thing a person could be in 16th Century England – a Catholic.

The story weaves back and forth from 16th Century England to the present in Massachusetts, England and eventually Egypt. It also gives brief testimony to those who owned the stone throughout it's history. The story morphs into a race around the globe to beat the bad guys to a mysterious papyrus that is said to explain much about terror and destruction.

I really enjoyed learning about Cal's father, Hiram and the relationship between father and son. Now perhaps I understand why Cal drinks so much. (A habit that annoys the devil out of me...). I like Cal a lot, except for the drinking, and wish he'd get rid of that part of his behavior. The story has thoroughly detestable bad guys in George Hamid and his henchman. The ending of this book was a disappointment for me, but so it goes sometimes.

The book is very well written and plotted as are all of Glenn Cooper's novels. However, I didn't think it was quite as good as some of this author's previous novels. Perhaps it was the let down at the end? It is written in a linear fashion; one event follows another in a logical manner, except for the little side trips into the history of the stone. I like the way Mr. Cooper uses his words to paint a picture. The thrilling action scenes are well described. The reader can almost feel the blows in the fights.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House/Severn House Publishers for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read ,enjoy and review.

'The Showstone' by Glenn Cooper is a conspiracy thriller following the character Cal Donovan as he is forced to re-examine some familial wounds that end up involving the famed magician Dr. John Dee. I love a good conspiracy and this book satisfied my summer craving for a murder, mystery, and magic book. This was the first Glenn Cooper book I read and I thought it had all the right elements to keep me hooked from the first page. As always with the conspiracy genre, I kept wondering if there was some historical truth to the story, specifically regarding Dr. John Dee and the showstone itself. There was something both uncomfortable and contemporary about the plot involving seedy characters using the occult for religious and political purposes. Society does seem to have ritualistic underpinnings to it and a novel like this begs the question “what if.”

The pacing was great, the characters were believable, the storyline was captivating, and the history/archaeology as mystifying as ever. I look forward to catching up on the rest of the Cal Donovan series.