Digging into the secrets of fiction's Independent Egyptologist, Anson Hunter

“A universally likeable lead. Equally likeable due to his sarcastic observations and dry wit as he is due to his agreeable nature.”

(Anson Hunter first appears in “The Smiting Texts”*, followed by a series of investigate adventure mysteries and archaeological thrillers) “The Smiting Texts is a delightful investigative novel, which takes the reader into a labyrinth of conspiracy theories and government cover-ups.' The thriller takes off with a murder of an Egyptologist, dragging in his son and the US Department of Homeland Security. The renegade archaeologist son, Anson Hunter, is then joined by a Coptic Egyptian girl and the US intelligence team on a roller coaster ride through Egypt followed by radical elements and local authorities. Hints of a secret which should shake the foundations of major world religions makes it a hard to put down book and draws on the author’s vast knowledge.’ “Although the novels are written in the third person, the reader is mostly exposed to information within the protagonist – ‘alternative Egyptologist Anson Hunter’s – sphere of perception, creating a sense of experience and empathy that draws you in from the start.” Note: One title in the series, “Egypt Eyes” is related by Anson Hunter himself in a series of revealing Field Reports, blog style.

Author’s Note: The brutal Hollywood synthesis of a story is so-and-so meets so-and so. How would I apply the formula to my Egypt adventure series? How would I sell my Egypt adventure thriller trilogy as a Hollywood ‘high concept’ pitch? Indiana Jones meets House? Stargate meets Wilbur Smith? Rider Haggard meets X-Files? I have heard all of these descriptions and find it hard to reconcile them all. Wilbur Smith? I must admit I'm not a fan of large, roaring, two-fisted heroes. Dr House? My archaeologist character Anson Hunter is a renegade and although sardonic at times is apparently immensely likeable to readers. Indiana Jones? Anson Hunter is more cerebral and he has far more human flaws. (His ex-wife described him as having the burning eyes of a fanatic). Stargate? There are elements of fantasy in my novels, but I am not a fan of the Egypt and aliens combination. I am an amateur Egyptologist, so I like to ground my stories in substantive fact. Rider Haggard? I love the lost race idea (think 'She'), but I don't have to invent lost races. The Egyptians will do for me. X-Files? I love to leave the question of the supranormal hanging and have a certain belief in unseen realities , but I also like a real world plot. Anson Hunter, independent Egyptologist, is an investigative character who brings a fresh angle to archaeological detective work. But his ambiguous position in his field has its difficulties. As he reflects: "A truly open mind never won many friends, as the saying went, and all sides would probably disapprove of his approach, he guessed, which might make for interesting television. He was too flexible for mainstream Egyptologists, and for fringe historians, frustratingly dubious about theories such as alien and Atlantean pyramid builders..." Anson Hunter is someone who respects hidden dangers and forbidden secrets from the ancient past, and he grants value to the ancient sacred, unlike some of today's Egyptologists with their knee-jerk agnostic reflex against religion. JOIN ANSON'S INTRIGUING COMPANY IN THIS SERIES (AMAZON BOOKS AND KINDLE)