Books

When a Special Crimes Division Team member is kidnapped along with the priceless artifact he is safeguarding, Michael Stratton and his team of operatives find themselves enveloped in an international firestorm. With a Washington administration determined to protect its own, Michael is given the authority to do whatever it takes to get them back.

But as Michael’s team tracks down the mysterious cult responsible for the kidnapping, they uncover a darker conspiracy beyond anything they could have imagined.

In a race against time to save his friend and a world in jeopardy, Michael discovers that the only hope for victory lies in an impossible act that could destroy him and everyone he loves.

To protect humanity, Michael must walk through the very gates of damnation and face an enemy like no other: An ancient, incomprehensible evil, a horrific power beyond human imagining – The King of the First Fallen.

Combining historical and religious details with the non-stop action of today’s best thrillers, Tobias Shoemaker’s Book of Ashes brings an epic conclusion to the First Fallen Saga. A riveting adventure that is an ingenious and breathtaking tour de force that explodes with revelation while offering a disturbing new view of our place in the grand scheme of existence.

During a Sunday morning service, armed intruders storm a crowded cathedral and unleash a nightmare of death and destruction. But the killers have not come for money. They seek a more valuable prize hidden in its depths, an ancient scroll with the ability to unleash Armageddon upon our world.

God help those who cross detective Michael Stratton, especially when his family’s life is at stake. Investigating the cathedral theft Michael uncovers an insidious conspiracy in the heart of America’s capital. But when his sister is found murdered and his wife and daughter abducted, his vendetta becomes personal.

With the lives of his loved ones on the line, Michael will find himself caught in the infernal cross-hairs of an ancient conflict A battle formed by murder, human sacrifice, and a terrifying secret held by a ruthless organization bent on world domination.

Spanning the globe from Saint Peters Basilica in Rome to the dangerous halls of Washington DC the First Fallen builds to a riveting white knuckled climax where shocking truths will be revealed concerning belief, religion, and the true nature of an ancient evil devoted to bringing an end to the human race. 



Recent Reviews

“This book takes the reader on one wild ride, with the suspense not letting up until the very end. Tobias Shoemaker’s stoic hero Michael Stratton is one part Jack Reacher and one part Robert Langdon – and it just doesn’t get any better than that!” – National Book Review

“I loved this book – it was extremely suspenseful, interesting and a real page turner. I could not put the book down and was quite surprised with a part of the ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story!” – Sam Fenn

“The book is addicting right from the start. The characters were believable and engaging to read about. I was so intrigued about the missing religious book and everyone’s perspective regarding it. I love a good mystery thriller and this book doesn’t disappoint. It reminded me of The Da Vinci Code, in the best of ways! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written action-packed, chilling story! I can’t wait to read the second book in the series!” – Lisa C

“Ancient scrolls written in a long-dead language. A secret society. Mercenaries. This book was like Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Davinci Code in terms of the level of intrigue, mystical symbolism, and the use of violence in order to steal the scrolls to enact their purpose. It took me a few hours to read this thrilling story and I loved it! Fans of Dan Brown’s books will enjoy this series. This book is the first in the series, and I will definitely be reading the next one!” – Julie Martin

“Michael is a strong MC for this action packed story. The author has a well researched plot, and strong voice. After I started this book, I was instantly hooked with its powerful opener. It’s a thought provoking page turner. The writing is fast paced and filled with great twists that kept me on the edging of my seat trying to guess what would happen next!
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.” – Allan

“Somewhat reminiscent of the Da Vinci Code, set within the bowels of a Roman Catholic cathedral, Washington DC and shrouded in ecclesiastical mystery, The First Fallen, is rich with underground conspiracies. Murder, mayhem, kidnapping, and an existential threat to the planet contained within the secrets of the Church, are the insurmountable challenges that detective, Michael Stratton, must contend with. No easy feat, as the detective finds himself caught in a whirlwind of ancient conflicts spiraling through the labyrinth of history. The book is a fast-paced easy read that will take the reader on a riveting adventurous ride. Well honed character development immersed in a litany of plot twists and suspenseful dramatic action make this a page-turner. I highly recommend this book for thrill seekers and conspiracy buffs, or any one who just wants to indulge in escapism with a good book.” – Michael Best

“Wonderful, fast paced action thriller! Intelligently written and a treasure trove of in depth historical information provided in the story-line.” – Books a million Review

“Was on the edge of my seat reading this book. Loved the author’s use of descriptive words and imagery.” – Barns & Noble Review

“As a big fan of Dan Brown, particularly The Da Vinci Code series, I have to say Shoemaker has achieved something that tops the master of religion-thrillers. He has created a central character that has all of the positive traits of Robert Langdon, but gives him just enough Jason Bourne to make him formidable. The only criticism I have is I wanted more, but what was there moved quickly and kept me turning the pages to the very end.” – Bvaughn

“This is a well written thriller evoking Dan Brown, and even Indiana Jones. The first in a series, it is prone entertainment for those who like mayhem and superheroes. I liked it very much because if its creativity and character development. It is fast paced and suspenseful. Just what I like. Kudos to the author!” – Dan Santos

“This was a dark mystery with a mix of religious theology and the supernatural sprinkled in. I had a hard time stopping once I started reading it. It is an engaging page turner that you won’t want to put down. I recommend it to fans of Dan Brown, mystery, and thriller fans.” – Deesreadingtree


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