A Dual Timeline of Secrecy, Deception, Alchemy, and Murder - an Editorial Review of "The Sulphur Priest"

Book Blurb:

In this sweeping novel about one of the most fascinating periods in history, The Sulphur Priest weaves together two dramatic stories occurring six-and-a-half centuries apart at a medieval castle in the dense Mediterranean forest of western Galilee. In 1271, a young German squire was witness to strange and treacherous events that took place in the Crusader castle when it was under siege. In 1926, archeologists on an American-led expedition to the same castle in British mandate Palestine stumble on a concealed subterranean passage, and within it, a remarkable find. These two episodes come together to expose a double drama of secrecy, deception, alchemy, and murder. The Sulphur Priest is a must-read for anyone who enjoys action-packed historical fiction.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/PDLcLo

Author Bio:

Adrian Boas is an archaeologist and historian of the Crusades. He has excavated several crusader-period sites, including, for the past fifteen years, the fortress that serves as the principal location in The Sulphur Priest, his first novel. A professor emeritus at the University of Haifa, he has published several academic books.

Editorial Review:

This book starts off with a quote from Ecclesiastes about a wise man and a fool, and it’s very fitting for the story we are about to dive into.

The wise man, his eyes are in his head; But the fool walks in darkness. And I also perceived that one event happens to them all. Then said I in my heart: ‘As it happens to the fool, so too it will happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance forever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool!

Ecclesiastes 2. 14–16

It also begins with a cast of characters that will prove so helpful at understanding who is who within the story. There is a great, colorful cast of characters, so this was very helpful at keeping it all straight.

Adrian Boas's masterfully crafted historical thriller, The Sulphur Priest, is filled with intrigue, duplicity, and alchemy while transporting readers to two distinct histories. The narrative, which is set in the same medieval castle in western Galilee, alternates between the tumultuous year of 1271, when a young German squire witnesses terrifying and perilous events in a besieged Crusader stronghold, and 1926, when an American-led archaeological expedition unearths a shocking secret and a secret passageway.

He didn’t know when exactly it was that he learnt how to slip from a mode of emotional involvement into one of impassive observation. It was an ability he had somehow picked up, and though it was far from perfected he was pleased to see how he was generally able to remain outside of the events that at an earlier time in his life would have entirely engulfed him. These past few weeks had been like reading a novel, which, to his great satisfaction, he found he could step out of almost whenever he wished.

The title of this novel, The Sulphur Priest, is taken from the poem by Dylan Thomas “It is the sinner’s dust-tongued bell”, The Collected Poems of Dylan Thomas: The Centenary Edition, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, courtesy of the Dylan Thomas Trust. I love all the fun little historical facts and connections that bring this whole story together.

Boas engages the reader with an engrossing and captivating introduction from the first page. Without wasting any time, the narrative immerses us in the dangerous milieu of the Crusader fortress and builds tension. It is hard to put the book down because of the captivating hook created by the rich scene-setting and evocative language.

The novel's intricately constructed parallel timeline is one of its strongest points. I love dual-timeline stories, and this one worked well for the historical fiction element. The plot of 1271 transports readers to the center of a Crusader siege, where treachery and sinister secrets are revealed, and tensions build behind the fortress walls.

The protagonist, a young German squire, is a keen observer of the clandestine operations and shifting allegiances that take place throughout the castle. The narrative seamlessly shifts to 1926, when archaeologists discover a hidden underground conduit that leads to the thrilling disclosure of long-kept truths. The skillful handling of the past-present interplay guarantees a constant feeling of suspense and expectation.

Throughout the book, Boas's proficiency as a Crusade historian and archaeologist is evident. The plot is never overshadowed by the astonishing level of historical authenticity. His descriptions vividly capture the sights, sounds, and dangers of the early 20th-century and medieval environments.

We were taken to a makeshift refectory set up in one of the chambers of the outer ward near our dormitory. After a rather fine meal, a brother named Martin who, like Brother Walther had been given the task of taking care of guests, took us to see another chapel on the first floor of the great tower, not a large room but one of considerable beauty with finely carved decorations and painted walls. At the altar he showed us a small, gilded chest in the form of a gabled building, studded with precious stones. “This contains our holy relics,” he said.

“What relics are they?” I asked, my interest in relics had awakened since hearing about the quest of Albert’s son.

“Well, for example, the hairs that the Pharisee Nicodemus tore from his head as he mourned over our Lord and aided Joseph of Arimathea in preparing for the burial.” Then he opened the lid of the reliquary and showed us a tiny rock-crystal vial which he said held twelve tears shed by twelve widows who witnessed the agonies of the Lord as he passed by them on the streets of Jerusalem on his way to Calvary. “And here is the finger of Saint Thomas that touched the wound of our Lord on Mount Zion, and in this vial”—a beautiful cylindrical vessel of engraved silver—“are contained the peals of the bells of Jerusalem that rang out to announce the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem.”

This novel's unique structure, which combines aspects of an archaeological mystery and historical thriller, will make it an engaging read for fans of The Name of the Rose or The Alchemist.

The dialogue was also really well done. It felt natural, flowed well, and was keeping with the history of the times in which it was taking place. This helped bring the characters to life for me even more.

The Sulphur Priest's characters are compelling and expertly developed. The path of the young German squire in the 1271 timeline, which is characterized by devotion, dread, and the weight of responsibility, is riveting and relevant. The archaeologists in the 1926 plot are each given unique characters and motivations, which enhances the story's complexity. The book does a fantastic job of developing complex, likable characters that change over the story.

Boas skillfully strikes a balance between two distinct but related tales, making sure that each chronology makes a significant contribution to the main plot. The novel's flow is never abruptly interrupted by the seamless transitions between the past and present. The secrets of the two timeframes get more and more entwined throughout the book, leading to a satisfying conclusion that masterfully unifies the historical and archaeological elements.

The book is easy to read because of its well-written text and careful editing. With careful handling, historical and archaeological jargon is incorporated, making it understandable to both general readers and history buffs.

Boas provides a gratifying and thought-provoking conclusion. The ending offers closure without revealing any spoilers, but it also leaves the reader with enough suspense to keep them interested. By successfully bridging the two timeframes, the resolution guarantees that the mysteries unearthed in the 20th century provide fresh insight into historical events.

The Sulphur Priest is a captivating historical thriller. This book provides a pleasing blend of medieval intrigue, archaeological discovery, and dramatic pacing for readers who enjoy complex, cerebral fiction.

4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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