The Codex

by Douglas Preston

Book Overview

"Greetings from the dead," declares Maxwell Broadbent on the videotape he left behind after his mysterious disappearance. A notorious treasure hunter and tomb robber, Broadbent accumulated over a half a billion dollars' worth of priceless art, gems, and artifacts before vanishing---along with his entire collection---from his mansion in New Mexico. At first, robbery is suspected, but the truth proves far stranger: As a final challenge to his three...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765307006
• ISBN13: 9780765307002
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Exciting Jungle Adventure

There is an old say `Don't Judge a Book by its Cover.' This book has a real stunning pick me up and buy me cover and fortunately the content is an entertaining and exciting read. Not the best book I have ever read, but I have certainly ploughed through a lot worse. A notorious treasure seeker and tomb robber mysteriously disappears without a trace. After his death a video tape he left behind is played and Maxwell Broadbent declares from the tape `Greetings from the dead.' But the strange thing is that not only has Broadbent disappeared, but the priceless collection of artefacts, gems and art have disappeared with him. As the story unravels it becomes apparent that Broadbent has buried himself and his treasures in a tomb somewhere in the world, much the same as the Ancient Egyptians used to bury their Pharaoh. It is a final challenge for his son's. if they wish to claim their inheritance, ironically they must find and violate the carefully concealed tomb of their father, much the same as he had done throughout his life. Not only do his three son's have to search to locate their father's tomb, the fact is that they are not the only ones looking for it . . .

AWESOME! Indiana Jones hunts for the Holy Grail in Honduras

You are going to LOVE this book. It's exciting, but it's also really funny. I laughed out loud the whole way through. Not as much focus on the historical clues, etc. Excellent plot.

The Codex.....excellent and enjoyable read

I loved this book by Preston. i recently had returned back from Nicaragua and the book felt all too real. alot of action and a feeling like you are indeed in the jungle with the characters...i loved the scenery that Preston created in this book.....Fun read....also recommended: Tyrannosaur Canyon (another really good read by Preston)

A fun, fantastic book that takes you deep into the jungle!!!

I am a huge fan of the Preston/Child books, and I enjoyed Utopia (Lincoln Child's first solo effort), so when I picked up The Codex, I was very excited! The Codex does not disappoint!Douglas Preston takes you deep into the jungle with 3 brothers in search of their past, and a valuable book, The Codex. The Broadbent brothers take on a dangerous journey after their eccentric father takes his fortune with him to his tomb. The brothers split up, and each search for the fortune on their own.Douglas Preston has created a great story that transports you to the deep jungle. He has created a great story that I highly recommend to any, not just fans of the Preston/Child books.

Thrilling, Fast-Paced and Chock Full of Surprises

Together Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have written --- in my opinion --- some of the best thrillers of our time. Preston's solo effort THE CODEX earns that same praise. And if you are a fan of quest stories, you will enjoy this unique twist on a popular theme.Aging and ill, Maxwell Broadbent has devised a highly unusual plan for the distribution of his impressive estate. An archaeologist-tomb robber, Broadbent has spent his life amassing an unparalleled collection of art and artifacts. His three grown sons are disappointments to him, but he can change that by sending them on the greatest adventure of their lives.When the boys arrive at Broadbent's mansion to find it ransacked and virtually emptied out, they think their father has not only been robbed but kidnapped as well --- until they find the tape that begins with Broadbent himself saying, "Greetings from the dead." The eccentric millionaire has taken all his prized possessions and buried them in a crypt in Central America, and left instructions that the son (or sons) who find the treasure will inherit it. Oh, and Broadbent has buried himself with the goods!The adventure begins. Vernon, the hippie spiritualist in the group, enlists his questionable guru for help. Philip, a professor, tracks down his father's former expedition partner, now a P.I., thinking who better to find Broadbent than the man who knew his past quests best. And Tom, a vet, declines to search until a beautiful young doctor convinces him that amongst the treasures is an item vital to the future of medicine and the future of mankind: the Codex.The Codex is a Mayan book that contains the medical applications of the indigenous plants of Central America. When a failing pharmaceutical company learns of its existence, the race to feed greed and find Broadbent is on.Thrilling, fast-paced and chock full of unexpected surprises --- including one Honduran who has claims on the inheritance as well --- THE CODEX is all that and more. --- Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara