I learned a lot from this book, which brings history and archeology into the mix with a vengeance. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and not all of them added much value to the plot, but other readers may welcome the sense of action this brings.

It took me a while to get into this book. A lot of characters were introduced in a short time and I had to get my head around who was who. The way the book is written is quite stilted so I found that it was not such an easy read. Later in the book you have to be pretty au fait with your biblical references too because the theory behind the scrolls is quite complicated. As the book progressed, I did enjoy it more and got to know who was who, but it was heavy going at times.
All in all, I was left with the feeling that this book was trying to be too clever, involving a complicated theory which could affect all known Christian religions (which did not quite work for me) and wanted us to know that it was set in Italy (from the language use and oblique references to the mafia). Not bad, but could have been better.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found it entertaining and engrossing. I liked the setting and was fascinated by the story of the scroll.
The characters are quite fleshed out and the plot is well thought.
It's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Did the Library of Alexandria exist? Was it lost when Vesuvius erupted? The volcano threatens to erupt again amidst murder and mayhem as Rossi and Nero investigate the murder of a good friend and colleague. If you like archaeological thrillers this book is for you.

I quite like the escapism of archaeological thrillers from time to time. However, I'm not sure about this one. For me, the plot of "The Heretic Scroll" by Will Adams was a bit hard to follow. I couldn't quite follow the murders but the part about the scroll was fascinating and the ending, where they go into the villa as Vesuvius is erupting was like something out of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Not enough to keep me gripped but I'd like to visit Herculaneum.

The Heretic Scroll is the second instalment in the Cesco Rossi and Carmen Nero archaeological thriller series, set in Italy. It is not necessary to have read the first instalment before this as the story is self-contained and enough backstory is provided to get new readers up to speed. The catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79CE buried Pompeii and the surrounding area beneath thick carpets of volcanic material, creating what was in effect an extraordinary time capsule of Roman life in the first few decades after Christ. And nowhere was this more true than at Herculaneum’s Villa of the Papyri, home to the only library ever substantially recovered from the ancient world and one of the most luxurious houses in the Roman empire. The Villa was rediscovered in the mid-eighteenth century by enterprising archaeologists burrowing down through the compacted lava. Along with numerous statues, mosaics and other treasures, they recovered some 1800 scrolls – charred, yes, but still capable of being unrolled and read. Historians, archaeologists and Christians waited eagerly for news that something extraordinary had been discovered. It never was.

But now the great volcano has started once more to stir, and a new scroll has been discovered in the debris, one with potentially seismic implications. But while there are those who seek only profit from its discovery, there are others who’ll stop at nothing to keep its secrets hidden. And with a savage murderer on the loose, historian Carmen Nero and reformed conman Cesco Rossi find themselves in their most consequential and perilous adventure yet. This is an action-packed, exciting and compulsive read from start to finish and I love that the historical detail the author provides is actually completely accurate. It's a little different to your normal thriller because it is set centuries ago but it is described so superbly you feel as though you are there. Despite being non-religious I do have an interest in theology so the parts relating to the Bible were intriguing, to say the least. The race against time to complete the mission safely as they were right in the shadow of a pre-eruption Vesuvius was filled with incredible tension and suspense, and Nero and Rossi have a great dynamic together. This is an entertaining and highly recommended read. Many thanks to Canelo for an ARC.

action-adventure, thriller, Italian-customs, Italy, historical-places-events, historical-research, archaeology, the-mob, noir, suspense*****

What happens when you mix Indiana Jones, Commissario Brunetti, Don Corleone, The Naked Archaeologist, and Josephus? A book with Vesuvius threatening the modern town of Herculaneum and a cruel sadistic murdered who wants to claim and sell an early Christian codex recently discovered by an archaeological consortium. As if that isn't enough, the first murder is a man who is bound and gagged in his Lamborghini which is then detonated in front of coworkers who are helpless to act. Add in old church intrigue and interesting intertwined characters to make this a suspenseful thriller! I did have to do a little comparison reading on some historical tidbits, but I really enjoyed this one.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Canelo via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was a ‘Da Vinci Code’ kind of book which was full of adventure and mystery following the exploits of Carmen and Cesco as they try to solve the horrific murder of a friend as well as working out why the scroll in the Naples Library where Carmen works, is so important and if it is connected.
I must admit that although I finished the book, I did not particularly warm to the characters and the actual mystery element and the biblical explanation given was far too complicated.
It is the second book in a series and as I have not read the first one I had to quickly pick up on some of the relationships between the characters.
Some aspects were well done including the eruption of the volcano and Cesco’s race to escape as well as the section when he was kidnapped.
This was not a bad book and it did entertain me over a couple of days transporting me to Italy from a miserable and rainy October in the UK.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

"The heretic scroll" is an intense archaeological adventure in which Cesco Rossi and Carmen Nero are back on the trail of some lost texts of Ancient Rome, supposedly store underground in the city of Herculaneum. They will face some threats against the excavations and its members, cause if those texts are found they could threaten the foundations of the Church. But if murders in a ritualistic way and Rossi's neo-nazis enemies weren't threat enough for our heroes, they will have to face the biggest threat of all, the inminent eruption of the Vesuvius.

I'm not religious at all and know only the basics we were taught in school about the Bible and the gospels, so it was nice to learn some new facts as the plot tries to answer some questions about the gospels and how accurate they are. I gotta confess that with so many data, names, dates, etc. some of those fact went over my head. I don't think religion is the most exciting topic to read about, but here the data was presented in such an entertaining context that I didn't mind at all.

My favorite part hands down was their race against Vesuvius. Will or will not the volcano become active? I found that situation terrifying and one I would not like to live for sure!

With a charismatic pair of main characters, an action packed plot with rarely a dull moment and some interesting historical facts thrown around, it is highly recommended for those who like action/thriller/archaeological adventures.

As the final line says, I have no idea what's going to happen next with Rossi and Nero but can't wait to find out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this.

Unfortunately I'm disappointed to say I really didn't enjoy it. I found the characters to be very unlikeable so was never fully able to engage with the story.