The Doomsday Key by James Rollins

Review by Ed Homa

The action starts in Princeton University, where a famed geneticist dies; in Rome a famed Vatican archaeologist dies; in Africa the son of a senator dies all marked with the same mysterious symbol. The chase is on for Sigma Force.

This is the sixth book in the Sigma Force saga but don’t let that stop you if you have never read a Sigma, you can jump on with this book and not be lost because you haven’t read the first five. Sigma is a covert force of the U.S. Government made up of ex-Special Force operatives trained in different disciplines of science. Killer scientists with guns!

Sigma Force is in a race for the DOOMSDAY KEY, which is the answer to an ancient plague that has surfaced in the present day. The adversary for the DOOMSDAY KEY is the mysterious organization known as the Guild. The Guild has been a thorn in Sigma’s side for sometime and they make their return after a period of laying low. The Guild (a modern day SMERSH or SPECTRE) has always been in the shadows and we begin to learn about the secret organization this time around.

The chase takes place from Africa to England and across Europe and the Arctic. Rollins weaves history with legend and science in a very entertaining and action filled adventure. Once again Rollins introduces the reader to topics and teaches the reader about topics of science and history while spinning his story.

There is enough action to satisfy any adventure fan and science and history to keep things very interesting. While I have enjoyed all of the Sigma novels this is the best Sigma since Black Order of a few summers ago. The book is fast paced and the story doesn’t drag or slow. Once again Rollins gives us a good summer read.

The DOOMSDAY KEY is Rollins second release this year. The first is a book geared towards younger readers featuring JAKE RANSOM, but you don’t have to be young to enjoy it. If you are looking for an enjoyable read this summer after you read the DOOMSDAY KEY look into JAKE RANSOM by James Rollins. And in the fall Rollins will have a third book, a stand alone adventure call the ALTER OF EDEN released.

With JAKE RANSOM and the DOOMSDAY KEY Rollins has two winners, two very enjoyable reads for the summer!