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Not only is Hartley’s novel well paced, with enough twists and turns to keep most thriller fans satisfied, he avoids the missteps of most attempts to cash in on the Da Vinci Code zeitgeist by focusing on the faithful rather than freewheeling conspiracies; his is a welcome take that considers thoughtfully... issues of belief and doubt. ...This slam-bang title is a very fun, surprisingly satisfying read. (July)"

"Mixture of murder and history and travel, all well written, make this a 5-star read." Patricia E. Reid for Armchair Interviews

"Terrific plotting, first-rate suspense. On the Fifth Day is a ripping good read."

Kathy Reichs

"A.J. Hartley is a rare discovery: a writer capable of challenging a reader as much as he thrills . His latest novel, ON THE FIFTH DAY, careens at a breathless pace from dark crypts to exotic sunlit shores. Full of historical mystery, rife with intrigue and suspense, here is a tour-de-force sure to keep pages turning deep into the night."
--James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Black Order

"Rich with historical and archeological detail, this well-constructed debut from Hartley celebrates the power of legend while delivering an engrossing mystery that skips nimbly between continents and cultures... Hartley has created an enduring heroine in Deborah, who’s courageous, loyal and smart enough to learn from her mistakes. Although it’s unclear whether there are more adventures in Deborah’s future, this intricate and absorbing thriller augurs well for Hartley’s career."

P U B L I S H E R S W E E K LY
2/8/2006 3:25 PM Page 67

THE MASK OF ATREUS is a tightly plotted, imaginative and wholly engaging thriller that hits the reader with a doozy of a plot-twist at around the 3/4 mark. Hartley breathes life into his characters and puts them through their paces with the skill and enthusiasm of an accomplished storyteller. Is it any good? Let me put it this way....heck, yeah!

Jeff Cook for Round Table Reviews

"THE MASK OF ATREUS is an intriguing debut novel by A. J. Hartley, an author who clearly knows his subject. The action moves apace, and the plot twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing. The characters are well drawn and Deborah Miller is particularly vivid. For readers who find the setting of this novel interesting the author has provided a postscript about the source material he used... the threads of the story snap together in the final pages. I would certainly read another by this author." Kerrie Smith: For Reviewers-choice.com

"The Mask of Atreus is the kind of top-notch historical thriller that should appeal to fans of The Da Vinci Code and Michelangelo's Notebook. Fast-paced adventures, compelling characterizations, intriguing morsels of mythology, provocative historical details, some mind-blowing surprises, and - above all - a charismatic and imaginative heroine combine to make A. J. Hartley's debut novel a smashingly entertaining success."

"...well worth reading and one trusts Hartley will not stop at one novel." Denise Pickles for Mary Martin Bookshop

"This one has a surprise twist to the plot that you won't see coming--though it makes perfect sense in context. If this is how Mr. Hartley starts out, it will be interesting to see what comes next."

"THE MASK OF ATREUS is a terrific amateur sleuth mystery starring a likable intelligent 'amazon' struggling with her Jewish roots and Massachusetts family as her biggest 'issues' until the murder of her beloved mentor, a father figure to her. Deborah keeps the exhilarating thriller focused as she conducts her investigation using what she knows, myths and antiquities. A.J. Hartley provides a fabulous whodunit made fresh by its deep historical and archeological base and an endearing heroine."

"A Mycenaean death mask looted by the Nazis is stolen from an obscure museum, leading curator Deborah Miller on a thrilling chase to retrieve it before it falls into the wrong hands. A suspenseful debut." Clues Unlimited (a "particularly recommended" selection)

"This is exactly the kind of archaeological thriller I love--from its gripping opening on a battlefield in the waning days of World War II to its roaring finish. The Mask of Atreus is rich and dramatic -- a compelling novel that will grip you in its swift, dark currents and sweep you over the falls. My compliments to A.J. Hartley for an outstanding novel."

Douglas Preston, author of The Codex and Tyrannosaur Canyon, and co-author with Lincoln Child of The Cabinet of Curiosities and others.

"Intriguing. A labyrinth of history and mystery." Steve Berry New York Times bestselling author of The Templar Legacy

"The Mask of Atreus is the perfect debut--a high octane thriller crammed full of long buried secrets, treacherous betrayals, jaw-dropping twists, and a healthy dash of romance. Deborah Miller is an engaging, sympathetic heroine, who you can't help but root for. Move over Michael Crichton---A.J.
Hartley is right at your heels." J.A. Konrath (Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary)

"An exhilarating thriller rooted in the dark side of history and myth. Enormously entertaining...reading THE MASK OF ATREUS is like looking down a very dark and very scary tunnel--you have no idea what's looking back, waiting to pounce. Hartley is one terrific writer." Jeff Long (The Wall, The Reckoning, The Descent and other novels)

"I find The Mask of Atreus engaging because it's a rare accomplishment: a genuinely thrilling thriller that's also intelligent and brilliantly written. They said it couldn't be done." Phillip DePoy (The Fever Devilin Mysteries)

"Compulsively readable…the terrible beauty of ancient Greece collides with the merciless obsessions of the twentieth century. In a race to discover ancient secrets hiding behind the masks of the dead – and the living – the only winner is the reader." New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James

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