The Syriac Testament
Publisher
:
Payot et Rivages
Parution date
:
2009
EAN
:
9782743618964
Number of pages
:
522
Description
● Italian rights already sold in auction
Le Testament syriaque is an explosive thriller—and a cry against religious ignorance—that involves an ancient sacred manuscript, the world and underworld of collectors, Islamic militants, and, of course, a beautiful secret agent.
Paul Mesure, a journalist, has just returned to Paris from Timbuktu, where he found, by chance, an ancient Syriac—old Aramaic—manuscript. Broke, he expects to resell it easily, but he has not factored in the bizarre behavior of the wealthy amateur collectors of such relics. He finds out that they form a worldwide subculture that keeps track of coveted items, especially when there’s money to be made.
As soon as word about the Syriac Testament gets out, bodies begin to pile up, including those of Paul’s best friends and neighbors. He knows that there are people—even seemingly civilized people—who will kill to get the manuscript. But why are secret agents from different countries, including Algerian Islamic militants, trying to track him down? He cannot decipher the Syriac Testament but assumes that it must contain something that gives it more than simple commercial value. Could it be Mohammed’s testament, an early version of the Koran, or even a lost gospel?
Out of fear, curiosity, and a desire for revenge, Paul and his girlfriend, Sonia, try to investigate on their own, but the police soon become involved. The matter is handed over to police chief Sarfaty, a philosopher-investigator well versed in Middle Eastern culture. The murder investigation takes Sarfaty deep into the origins of Islam, with its hidden enigmas and traditions of encoded texts. He thinks that he understands . . . but what he doesn’t know is that a brilliant Pakistani beauty is working behind the scenes, unafraid of leaving a trail of blood as she tries to return the sacred text to its country of origin.
Author
Barouk Salamé : Barouk Salamé is of Franco-Arab descent and is an expert in the philosophy of religion and in hand weapons. Le Testament syriaque is his first novel.
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