The Jericho Deception: A Novel

Read The Jericho Deception: A Novel Storyline:

At the intersection of science and spirituality lies the human mind.The Jericho Deception is a psychological adventure into the interplay of mind and spirit, science and religion, mystery and mysticism. A mysterious death in a Yale lab, a secret facility hidden in the Egyptian desert, a desperate chase through the ruins of pharaohs: all linked together by a psychological experiment that promises to expose the innermost workings of the human mind and soul. Ignoring the skepticism of his Yale colleagues, neuro-psychologist Dr. Ethan Lightman has dedicated his professional career to developing the Logos, a device that induces mystical experiences of the divine in his subjects through the use of electro-magnetic brain stimulation. After the mysterious death of his mentor in their Yale lab, Ethan is suspended from his research and teaching duties. Distraught, he uncovers a coded message written by his mentor on the night of his death that leads him to discover that the foundation funding their Logos project is a covert front for the CIA. Questioning his future, Ethan jumps at a cryptic invitation from the foundation's head to meet in person. He boards a private plane that whisks him to a remote desert in Egypt where he is brought to The Monastery, a secret religious training camp run by the CIA. Ethan is shocked to learn that the CIA is using his device, the Logos, to reprogram Islamic fundamentalists into Christians in a covert operation they refer to as Project Jericho. Asked to fix a flaw in the Logos that turns certain subjects psychotic, Ethan must decide whether to continue research that could plunge the Middle East into a religious war if it is discovered or to give up on his life’s work and possibly his own life.Ethan makes his fateful decision after he befriends a Muslim doctor, falsely imprisoned as a suspected terrorist. Their escape leads to a harrowing chase through a Bedouin desert camp in the dead of night, a violent confrontation with his mentor's murderer in the majestic ruins of an ancient temple in Luxor, and a final resolution with the deputy director of the CIA's covert operations in bustling market in Cairo. Along the way, Ethan discovers that the Logos also holds the key to understanding a mysterious mystical experience he has suppressed from his past.ReviewGold Medal for Best Suspense Fiction 2013—*Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards)[A] gripping thriller with a provocative premise….a fast-paced, intelligent read.—Arts ATL"The Jericho Deception spins out a brilliant, plausible premise into a ripping good novel, brimming with excitement, imagination, vivid settings and personable characters. Highly recommended."—Douglas Preston, #1 best-selling author of *The Monster of Florence*"This one pushes the envelope to the edge and beyond, captivating with plausibility and imagination. A gritty thriller — with plenty of meat on its bones."—Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of *The King's Deception*"The Jericho Deception is a blisteringly original, wondrously structured descent into a literal and figurative hell. Jeffrey Small's stellar tale of murder, treachery and international daring-do breathes new life into the moribund religious thriller genre as it blends science seamlessly with superstition. A high-tech Da Vinci Code on steroids, only better written."—Jon Land, bestselling author of *Pandora's Temple*"Chock full of fascinating insider detail, The Jericho Deception is a thrilling roller-coaster ride into the beauty and darkness of the human mind. With muscular prose and a high quotient of believability, you'll be riveted watching scientists, politicians, and spies vie for control of the Logos machine. Send out for food. You won't want to stop reading." -- Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of *The Book of Spies*"[A] fascinating look at the influence religion has over humanity. Small has taken a deeply divisive subject and weaved a fascinating novel that is well-written and compelling."—Mysteries Galore.com***About the AuthorJeffrey Small is the author of the award-winning bestseller, The Breath of God. Small’s critically acclaimed debut novel won the Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal for Best Fiction and was hailed as “a thought-provoking masterpiece” by RT Book Reviews, “visionary fiction” by Library Journal, and “a fast-paced adventure” by Kirkus.A popular speaker on religion and spirituality, Small holds degrees from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford Universities. He lives with his wife and daughter in Atlanta.*