The Inca Prophecy

Curtis O'Connor #3

by Adrian d'Hagé

An eerie clue to the Inca Prophecy lies hidden in a tomb near the ancient city of Machu Picchu. The prophecy itself is concealed deep in the Amazon jungle, amongst the ruins of Paititi, the Lost City of the Inca. Disaffected CIA agent Curtis O'Connor and Guatemalan archaeologist Dr Aleta Weizman are convinced a mysterious crystal skull, discovered near the Inca Trail, will lead them to it. What is hidden in Paititi that would attract the attention of both the CIA and the Vatican's espionage service? All O'Connor can be certain of is that both he and Weizman are now in mortal danger

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Contemporary, Action

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Adrian d'Hagé was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and the Royal Military College Duntroon (Applied Science). He served as a platoon commander in Vietnam where he was awarded the Military Cross. His military service included command of an infantry battalion, Director of Joint Operations and Head of Defence Public Relations. In 1994 Adrian was made a Member of the Order of Australia. As a Brigadier, he headed Defence planning for counter-terrorism security for the Sydney Olympics, including security against chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

In October 2000 Adrian left the Army to pursue a writing career, moving to Italy to complete The Omega Scroll (Penguin 2005). Now into its sixth printing, The Omega Scroll was voted one of the top 50 books of 2006 (Booklovers Guide) and has been published in ten countries. His next bestselling novel, The Beijing Conspiracy, dealt with biological terrorism and what might happen if smallpox and Ebola are genetically engineered (Penguin 2007). His latest novel, The Maya Codex was published in August 2010.

Adrian also holds an honours degree in Theology, entering as a committed Christian but graduating 'with no fixed religion'. In 2009 he completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Dean's Award) in Oenology or wine chemistry at Charles Sturt University, and he has successfully sat the Austrian Government exams for ski instructor, 'Schilehrer Anwärter'. Adrian is presently a research scholar and tutor at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at ANU. His doctorate is entitled 'The Influence of Religion on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East'.

Reviews

[Heather]

I'm giving up on this only 34 pages in (my usual rule is to read at least 30% of a book, but that would mean I'd have to read to page 120 of this one and I just don't think I can make it). All I could think was that it was like The Da Vinci Code mixed with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls, with a bit of modern politics/conflict thrown in to give it some relevancy. I'd enjoy any one of these things separately, but put them all together and it just doesn't work for me.

[Muphyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

23 Sep 2013: Ok, this is hopeless! It's got to be THE most boring thriller ever (though I think I may have said that before but this time, I'm absolutely positive!). There are so many useless and unrelated sub-plots, the first half of the book appears to have got nothing to do with the rest (well, there's a teensy tiny link at the end but seriously?!) and it's just such ridiculous nonsense I'm struggling to find words.

The afterword by the author just had my eyes rolling... turns out that this book is meant to be educational and educate us about the dangers of nuclear power and the Middle East. Really?! You chose a ridiculous story to "educate me"?!!! If you're concerned, write a book that I can take seriously, not rubbish like this.

Sorry if I'm a bit harsh but it just feels like such a waste of my time and I can't believe I stuck with it.

ps: About 5% of the book is actually set in Peru... so much for getting me in the mood for my upcoming Peru trip...

---

21 Sep 2013: Trying again, this time things seem a bit better :)

26 April 2013: I might try this again some other time but after listening to CD1 and being totally lost, I can't be bothered at the moment. Perhaps it's better read - not as an audiobook - but there were just too many plots to keep track off from chapter 1 onwards.

Had hoped for some cool thriller or mystery set in Peru but hm, yeah, maybe not. Seemed to be set in Italy, the Vatikan and Paris (the Paris setting was nice... :) ).

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this but there was something missing from the narrative to make this a really good book. I think it was due to the time line being all over the place. This novel is in two parts and they are almost two different stories. There is an explained time gap between the two stories in which a lot seemed to have happened but not properly explained. There there is the ending. It just ends. The final words could have been "It's your move, now." Not a conclusive ending. It could have been better.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

d'Hage only gets better and better. This was probably my favorite of the series. From the Vatican to tracking down an Incan relic in jungles of the Amazon, to the White House Situation Room, this book delivers on so many levels! This book makes reading the whole series in sequence worth it.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull and formulaic. Reads as if the author sat down with Google Maps to come up with much of his location descriptions. And, for an Australian author, a rather excessive use of American, although even this is done inconsistently.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fast-paced action in interesting locations; suspend belief and enjoy!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, although I seem to have come into the series too late (I think I missed at least the first book in the series). Normally I don't mind but there was a fair bit of back story I missed out on. When I read about it I thought it may have been a stand-alone story using recurring characters (similar to Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels), but this was not the case.

It is a pretty fast moving plot, which is good, however I think the pacing is a bit out - it's fast when it shouldn't be and slow when it should be fast. The slow parts aren't slow as in boring, it's just time spent setting the scene and building up to important events, but when you get there it is all over too fast. For example, spend all this time building up the need to find this Incan ruined city that no-one has seen or found ever. Then they head out into the jungle and a few pages later they've been there and done that. Even the ending seems a bit rushed to me.

All told it was still a good read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm probably so critical because I liked it so much!

Do yourself a favour: read this book (but I strongly recommend reading the series in the appropriate order)

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like in the Maya Codex, Mr d'Hage has presented an exciting and thrilling ride through the corridors of power, to romance, into adventure and a bit of comedy and humour thrown in. As a librarian I am in awe at the amount of research the author has put into this book. No one person could know so much detail about the topics and themes covered in this book. Although a quick and fast paced read, you won't be disappointed. If you like Matthew Reilly grab a copy of dHages books. The green tinge at the end is great, gives us all something to think about, but it has left me wanting more. No doubt the new Bishop of Rome will appear in a new book once Von Heissens diaries are 'discovered'.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I always enjoy books that are set in Peru, Maccu Picchu and weave in historical elements about the Incans. The characters in this story are multifaceted and believable. The author takes the reader of a journey of adventure, whilst not so subtlety warning of the dangers of relentlessly pursuing areas that may ultimately have catastrophic effects on tomorrows society and environment. A thought provoking read.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow at the beginning while all the characters and subplots were introduced, but then it was quite a page-turner as the hunt for the crystal skulls started in earnest. However, the last few chapters felt rushed and there were a number of loose ends which left me feeling unsatisfied which annoyed me as I was enjoying the book until then.

[JR · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pace and content of the book kept me reading in great interest to see what happened next, though at times it felt more like a dissertation than a novel. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre.

[Rosita Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm on my third attempt and I'm about to shelve it again. Very slow going and hard to get into. I want to read more about crystal skulls and prophecies not Middle East conflict, I hear enough of that on the news.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suspend your disbelief...get over the fact this isn't even close to being as much fun as the Indiana Jones or as believable as The DaVinci Code as it tries to be, and THEN you might enjoy.

[Nella · Rating 2 out of 5]

CIA, Vatican and Incas - thriller elements galore. Too many loose ends and too simplistic a finish but it's worth listening to the afterward.

[Derek Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many gaps in the story to be a fluent read and the subplots do not always tie up.