The Jack Howard Series fascinate me in that they detail a great deal of action underwater, and as a non-swimmer, I become enthralled with his mainly under sea, or in this case down an abandoned mine, exploits. Mr. Gibbins has done a tremendous amount of research and allied a number of events to produce a very readable instalment in the series. The only problem I had was that there was almost too much factual information involving Heinrich Schliemann and his exploits regarding the discovery of Troy, plus the involvement of William Gladstone and Otto Von Bismarck, along with Nazi concentration camps. It was almost overload, but it did lead to an exciting series of episodes, culminating in a very satisfactory conclusion – although I think that the next book in the series may link back to parts of this one.
Howard and his full time companion Costas have an almost telepathic understanding with each other, enabling them to succeed when others might have failed. The only failing in the book is making the Russian thugs who are involved in the diving as thick as they appear to be in the story – experienced divers would not take that risk! That apart the involvement of Jack Howard’s young daughter, Rebecca, herself training as an archaeologist, and the threat to her well-being, make this a very good read. ( )

While i did enjoy this book, the last third was a bit to predictable. Far too much of what happened in the last third of the book was sign posted. You knew that Rebecca would get kidnapped, that the swastika would not be in the salt mine, that all the russian thugs would die and that the girl from the concentration camp would be found alive. ( )

The Mask of Troy by David Gibbins is an excellent thriller set in Troy. The story revolves around marine archaeologist who is leading a dig at Troy and in the ocean off of Troy in Turkish waters. The book alternates between the late 1800's during the initial discovery of Troy, World War II in Nazi Germany, and present day Europe. The story revolves around finding the treasure initially discovered by Heinrich Schliemann in the initial digs at Troy and other Bronze Age sites around the northern Aegean Sea. The Nazi's had hidden various parts of the treasure at the end of the war.

At the end of the novel, the author explains what parts of the novel are historically accurate and what are pure fiction. This is a good in that it allows you to pick up some historical facts you may not have known. ( )

This book has 2 story lines. The unearthing of treasures at the site of Troy & the search for a secret weapon that may have been developed by the Nazis. The 2 story lines are intertwinned throughout the book but, do get bogged down at times with the dialogue between historical characters. And, whatever was hidden in the bunker at Belsen was never revealed! Maybe in the next book. ( )

1876, Mycènes, Grèce, lors d'une fouille secrète, l'archéologue Heinrich Schliemann découvre le masque d'or d'Agamemnon et un autre artefact extraordinaire, dont il ne parlera jamais.

1945, Allemagne, la libération d'un camp de concentration révèle des indices menant à des antiquités volées par les nazis, mais aussi à une arme plus terrifiante que toutes celles jamais conçues.

De nos jours, en mer Egée. Jack Howard fouille l'épave d'un navire de guerre qui aurait fait partie de la flotte d'Agamemnon et se lance dans une chasse au trésor de tous les dangers. Mais, de la guerre de Troie à la Solution finale, l'Histoire dissimule des secrets monstrueux. Et à vouloir les exhumer, Jack prend le risque de perdre ce qu'il a de plus précieux au monde.