{"id":5438,"date":"2020-09-11T11:43:12","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T17:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/?p=5438"},"modified":"2021-07-07T12:40:15","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T18:40:15","slug":"saints-and-cynics-uncovering-the-mystery-of-maltas-elongated-skulls-by-chris-bonici","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/?p=5438","title":{"rendered":"Saints and Cynics: Uncovering the Mystery of Malta&#8217;s Elongated Skulls by Chris Bonici"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5440\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/?attachment_id=5440\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/saints-and-cynics.jpg?fit=216%2C346&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"216,346\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"saints-and-cynics\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/saints-and-cynics.jpg?fit=216%2C346&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/saints-and-cynics.jpg?resize=210%2C336&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5440\" width=\"210\" height=\"336\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A stunner\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Filled with intrigue, mystery, old secrets, and conspiracy, Bonici\u2019s deeply engrossing conspiracy thriller takes reader on an exhilarating journey as the archaeologist Tom Kettering sets on a quest to unravel a dangerous conspiracy involving the sudden disappearance of centuries-old dolichocephalic skulls. The archaeologist Tom Kettering\u2019s discovery of a bizarre shaped skull, similar to those previously exhibited in Valletta\u2019s Archaeological museum, until 1985, when suddenly and without explanation, they were removed from public display and never seen again, forces him to seek expertise of Father Alessandro Tiepolo, a renowned expert and a Jesuit priest. As Tom delves deeper into Malta\u2019s monumental past, he happens upon a surprising link between an astonishing revelation in the Ethiopian Book of Enoch and the ancient pharaohs. With people around Tom dying under mysterious circumstances and Tiepolo\u2019s own personal agenda, Tom\u2019s mission becomes too dangerous. Bonici writes with precision about the changing scenery as characters trudge their way across different landscapes. Fans of fine conspiracy thrillers will appreciate Bonici\u2019s skill at creating a rather accessible story that is jam-packed with usual genre tropes such as long-buried mysteries, intricately concealed old secrets, an unsuspecting protagonist finding himself uncovering sinful schemes beneath a polished exterior, elaborate disguises, religious sects, and political intrigue. Tom is a flesh-and-blood, humane character. Despite being plagued by doubt and uncertainty, Tom continues his quest of uncovering the truth about the ancient pharaohs. It\u2019s his resilience, the undying spirit that makes him so appealing. Father Tiepolo is Tom\u2019s polar opposite: assured, confident, and extremely willful. He eschews traditional Jesuit priest\u2019s expectations in his perusal of truth. The bond he shares with Marija is both tender and full of longing, and Bonici\u2019s graceful touch undercuts the potential for sappiness and give their relation a rich complexity and depth. The narrative is smoothly paced, and the prose crisp. From the first few pages, the story pulls the reader in, keeping them invested throughout. Early chapters of the book are as beguiling as the final revelations. Bonici\u2019s atmospheric setting\u2014 from the sweltering island of Malta and the dreaming spires of Oxford to the burning sands of the Egyptian desert\u2014and the deeply affective insights about people, God, religion, and life in general make this novel a triumph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Saints and Cynics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Uncovering the Mystery of Malta&#8217;s Elongated Skulls<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">By Chris Bonici<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Saints-Cynics-Uncovering-Mystery-Elongated-ebook\/dp\/B08GZWT16N\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authorhouse UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pub date 8\/9\/2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ISBN 9781728355184<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Price \u00a316.95 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle book<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A stunner\u2026 Filled with intrigue, mystery, old secrets, and conspiracy, Bonici\u2019s deeply engrossing conspiracy thriller takes reader on an exhilarating journey as the archaeologist Tom Kettering sets on a quest to unravel a dangerous conspiracy involving the sudden disappearance of centuries-old dolichocephalic skulls. The archaeologist Tom Kettering\u2019s discovery of a bizarre shaped skull, similar to those previously exhibited in Valletta\u2019s Archaeological museum, until 1985, when suddenly and without explanation, they were removed from public display [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145610851,"featured_media":5440,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"An Editorial Book review Website\n\nBook review: Saints and Cynics: Uncovering the Mystery of Malta's Elongated Skulls by Chris Bonici #amreading #WritersLife #Author #authors #Kindle #writingcommunity #amwriting #writers #books #chrisbonici #saintsandcynics","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[704896937,13078],"tags":[38100332,24777292,7223,726,91,460,3328,178,46313448,610903656,1473,1008073,856121,349],"class_list":["post-5438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conspiracy-thriilers","category-mystery","tag-amreading","tag-amwriting","tag-author","tag-authors","tag-blogging","tag-blogs","tag-book-reviews","tag-books","tag-conspiracy-thrillers","tag-indie-books-review","tag-reading","tag-review-blog","tag-review-website","tag-writing"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/saints-and-cynics.jpg?fit=216%2C346&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pajKJn-1pI","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/145610851"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5438"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9968,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5438\/revisions\/9968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theprairiesbookreview.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}