The Seventh Wonder
About
"A fast-moving, high-stakes archeology thriller that is perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child." -BestThrillers.com
In the shadow of history’s greatest monuments, a secret lies buried---one with the power to change the world...
When a long-lost artifact linked to the legendary Pharos of Alexandria surfaces, Dr. Matt Elliot---renowned archaeologist and Metropolitan Museum curator---is thrust into a deadly race against time. Legends whisper that the ancient lighthouse concealed more than a beacon of light...it hid a weapon of unimaginable power.
What begins as a scholarly pursuit in London with his teenage daughter quickly spirals into chaos---a break-in, a brutal murder, and a ruthless enemy with limitless resources. Billionaire industrialist William Roscoe will stop at nothing to unlock the artifact’s deadly secrets.
With Scotland Yard’s DI Susan Walker at his side, Matt follows a perilous trail from Oxford’s ancient libraries to the scorching deserts of Sinai and the dazzling heights of Dubai. As the stakes rise and the bodies fall, he must outwit a global conspiracy before Roscoe’s ambitions ignite a catastrophe that will reshape civilization itself.
The Seventh Wonder is a gripping blend of history, mystery, and action---perfect for fans of high-stakes adventure and heart-pounding thrills.
"Thanks to Siditsky’s tight prose, well-structured plot and imaginative spin on Egyptian lore, the story hits all its marks for fans of the genre." - BestThrillers.com
Praise for this book
The Bottom Line: A fast-moving, high-stakes archeology thriller that is perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.
The Seventh Wonder opens in 270 B.C.E., as a Macedonian warship approaches the ancient city of Alexandria. The crew believes they are seeing the impossible – the legendary lighthouse of Alexandria, thought to have been destroyed. Just minutes after its menacing appearance, the ship bursts into flames.
In present day New York City, renowned archeologist and Dr. Matt Elliot, curator of Egyptian art and archeology at the Met, receives a mysterious package containing a fragment of an ancient manuscript. Examining the papyrus, Matt is able to make out symbols and complex equations that could potentially call into question everything modern science understands about astrophysics.
The sender, Dr. Chad Billingsley, happens to be Matt’s longtime mentor. In a brief call, Billingley summons Matt to come to London at once. When Matt declines due to his responsibility to his 14-year-old daughter, Jessie, Billingsley invites Matt to bring her along, positioning it as a paternal duty: "For the promise of a brighter future for Jessie." But as any experienced thriller fan knows, bringing Jessie is a decision Matt is likely to regret.
From there, author Andrew Siditsky draws Elliot as a passionate academic who is thrust into an unlikely role as a savior. As archeology thriller heroes go, Matt is far more Robert Langdon than Indiana Jones, empowered with intellect, expertise and survival instincts. Hence the presence of attractive Scotland Yard detective Susan Walker, who acts as both Matt’s security and love interest (he’s a grieving widow). Susan initially enters the story to investigate a break-in, but soon finds herself in a murder investigation.
It’s a good thing Matt and Susan have solid chemistry, since Billingsley isn’t the only one eager to unravel the mysteries of Egypt’s ancient lighthouse. Billionaire William Roscoe – a man who practically owns half of London – is obsessed with securing the Pharos artifacts and formulas, and he doesn’t care who he has to hurt or kill to get what he wants. Roscoe’s aggression triggers a chain of events that takes the action from London to Dubai and even Egypt. Along the way, Siditsky showcases his considerable gift for descriptive language (don’t read hungry, as Siditsky has a way of making everything from éclairs to fish and chips sound irresistible). Thanks to Siditsky’s tight prose, well-structured plot and imaginative spin on Egyptian lore, the story hits all its marks for fans of the genre.
As a novella-length adventure, The Seventh Wonder can easily be finished on a coast-to-coast flight.