Mondays Book Talk - Apocalypse

Written by MikeH

Apocalypse by Eric Giacometti & Jacques Ravenne 

Eric Giacometti, journalist, and Jacques Ravenne, high-degree Freemason and literary critic, transformed a life-long friendship into a bestselling creative adventure with their Antoine Marcas thriller series. This French Freemason detective is the hero in Apocalypse. In this new journey, Marcas is taken from Paris to Jerusalem and finally to Rennes-le-Château, where the story should end. 

Released in 2009, this electrifying thriller combines fiction, Freemasonry, conspiracy, multiple assassinations and the struggle of the Judas Society, a secret organisation who are trying to destroy a millenary secret which can alter the course of history forever. 

Apocalypse is an exciting thriller proposing an alternative theory to the mystery of Rennes-le-Château, perfect for conspiracy lovers. The story is very easy and pleasant to read and the style is very descriptive, although one can be confused during the first chapters as it refers to important historical facts such as the origins of Christianity with Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Judas, giving the impression they have no connection with the main plot. As the story goes, one becomes aware of the extent of all those facts and how they relate to more recent facts and characters such Joan of Arc, the French Revolution with Louis XVI, Nicolas Poussin and even the mystery of Rennes-le-Château with its priest Béranger Saunière. 

All Giacometti-Ravenne books are very well researched and this is what called my attention. An appendix is available at the end of each book with all the references and source material having inspired each story, aiming at helping readers to distinguish truth from fiction. And Apocalypse is not the exception! Even though it is fiction, its authors based the story on recent conspiracy theories, from the seventies, claiming that the Freemasons would have been the protectors of a treasure buried by the Templars at Rennes-le-Château. Of course more details about these references are available at the end of the book. 

Finally, I must admit that this fictitious thriller, based on factual characters and events, had a positive influence on me. It even drove me to visit Rennes-le-Château in 2012 without the need of carrying out any previous research on internet, the pull was simply that magnetic. As I entered Saint Mary Magdalene church, I was literally speechless to see all the similarities and descriptions from the book. I felt I was walking in the footsteps of the character Antoine Marcas. 

As mentioned previously, the conspiracy lovers will certainly find in this thriller good material to fuel their imaginations.