This book is apparently the first in a new series by David Leadbeater following expert thief Guy Bodie and his team across the world to dangerous locales to save the world- in this case from the Illuminati. This book is a feverish ride around the globe as Bodie searches for the statue of Zeus, in the employ of the CIA. This book is in the vein of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels, with some tongue-in-cheek humor  and a rollicking adventure that makes for an enjoyable read. There are some "unbelievable" escapes and over the top villains but that is the charm of Leadbeater's novels, and I look forward to the next one.

Being in a profession where I have to deal with the Government on a daily basis, I really enjoy reading books that are fast paced, enjoyable and have lots of action. I stumbled on David Leadbeater and the Matt Drake series and immediately read all of David's books

I was happy to see David started a new series (The Relic Hunters) and thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series. This is in fact a 2nd version of the book, and after reading it again (I read the first version last year sometime), I really was impressed at the polishing up of the manuscript. The characters are interesting and the plot is fast moving. I am really looking forward to the 2nd in this series as The Relic Hunters is setting up a good long term story line.

I received a free advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

I love books like this and this is the first I've read in quite some time. I love the history, learning about the history behind relics and the reasoning behind the crimes to hide it. I suppose I like the conspiracy theories behind them. 
The Relic Hunters definitely has a sense of family about it and that has drawn me in. Others like this I've read has usually been a couple of people, but here we have, Bodie, Cassidy, Cross, Blunt, and Sam. Along the way they pick up Jeff who is an archaeologist and not forgetting CIA agent Heidi Moneymaker (I know right! Made me chuckle too!). This team is finely tuned and they know exactly what they are doing. 
It was certainly a fast paced edge of your seat read and I liked the little comments of sarcasm, especially during a fight. After I got going I couldn't put it down and quickly finished it. Can't wait to pick up Book 2 in this series. I'm giving this book a 4/5 rating. Keep this series coming David!

The Relic Hunters is the first book by David Leadbeater that I have read.  It was an enjoyable read, albeit needing a slight suspension of reality to fully enjoy it.

The plot fairly buzzes along and the characters deal with what life throws at them and, as long as the reader can accept that ordinary civilians, albeit crooked ones, can best special forces trained soldiers/mercenaries in combat situations, then there is no reason to not like the book.


For me, I've gone on to buy other titles by the author, so the story was not that too far-fetched.

A mash-up of Ocean's 11 and The Da Vinci Code. Solid, fun premise with some great action sequences. Aside from Bodie, however, the characters are a bit bland (I kept getting Gunn and Cross confused in my head). The Illuminati have played the villain in far too many similar stories, so I wish that Leadbetter had taken a different route; additionally, turning them into actual human-sacrificing Satan worshippers was a bit much. That said, I will continue with the second book in the series, if only to see how some of the unanswered questions in the first book are (hopefully) answered. Fans of the Indiana Jones and National Treasure films will likely enjoy this series. [Based on a net galley copy.]

I loved this. I’m a huge fan of archaeology but I shockingly have never read a novel about it. Go figure. I am glad that is changed now. Thanks NetGalley. Can’t wait to continue with this series. 4 stars

The first book in a new series...is there anything more exciting??  Not for me.  I love getting to know new characters, and places, and situations.  There was a lot of action and adventure in this one and I really appreciated that.  Mr. Leadbeater does a terrific job in his world building and character development.  I instantly fell in love with Guy.  I mean, come on?  Who doesn't love a relic smuggler?  What a unique idea for a character!
This book was also a case study on who to trust, and what can happen when you trust the wrong people.  You'll travel around the globe with this mystery and you'll love every single second(page) of it!

Thankyou to NetGalley,  Amazon Publishing UK and David Leadbeater for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Relic Hunters.
From the very start, you are immersed in non stop action and adventure.  The storyline was well thought out and fast paced. I loved reading this book.  Can't wait to read more from this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters.  I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

DNF at 37%. I didn't like the writing, but I thought maybe the plot would carry me along anyway, but nope, it just didn't work for me.

My pet peeve is poor editing.  I simply can't finish a book when I find grammar and spelling errors.  I also didn't care about any of these characters.  The  plot was well thought out but it was never made clear why the groups were willing to murder so many people for a statue.  Overall this book was disappointing because it had the potential to be so much better.  With some good editing and some polishing this could become a better book.

This is the first book in a new series for David Leadbeater and you can tell it is trying to find it's feet so i expect book 2 will be even better once it get a good flow going. I liked the characters as you got to know the team more through out the book, there were also characters you loved to hate as well as ones you wouldn't tangle with no matter what and the story evolved and unfolded well. Bodie grew up rough but after being taken in and shown how to steal he found a direction in life and started to build a family around him of people who had skills that made them a masterful team. Now the CIA need their help tracking down a map and finding a long thought destroyed relic unfortunately Bodie nor his team can say no otherwise Bodie goes back to prison where he will likely be killed. There is plenty of action through out the book as well as riddles, twists and times where you think the team will fail which keeps you reading page after page.

I'd received a free advance copy of this book via #NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. I have read all of David Leadbeater books and have enjoyed them all. I love the new character Guy Brodie in this new adventure and can not wait for the next book.

a good page turner well worth the read by David Leadbeater the characters are in a good position to expand and fill out, book two is now released on Amazon

I have read all of David’s Matt Drake series and loved them all. I was eager to read his new Relic Hunter series. In this new series opener, Guy Bodie finds himself with a band of misfits that he calls his team. They are after one of the Seven Ancient Wonders the Statue of Zeus, which has been missing for thousands of years. With the Illuminati hot on their tails along the way, will they be able to reach their elusive prize before the enemy can? You will be left on the edge your seat as this fast-paced story-line takes you on a wild ride from start to finish.

This looks like it’s going to be a great new series with a great cast of characters. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming second novel Atlantis Cipher the 2nd in the series coming in September. Keep up the great writing David and I look forward to your other upcoming new books as well. 'I received a free advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.'

I'd received a free advance copy of this book via #NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. I have been reading  David Leadbeater's books for quite some time and the Martin Drake ones are a particular favourite.  This fast paced, all action book introduces us to a new set of characters, who chase across many countries.  Guy Brodie, the likeable leader of a band of Relic Hunters, has been broken out of jail by. The CIA to track down a map to the Statue of Zeus, which is being sought by the Illuminati, an ancient, dangerous and shadowy organisation.  A real page turner. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters and their relationships develop.

An action packed, riviting roller coaster read, once you read one of Mr Leadbeaters books you really have to read them all.
A covert infiltration team of relic Hunters chasing across countries following waypoints on an ancient map, explosions, car chases, boats, planes, lots of non-stop action.
The sense of humour of this mismatch family will keep you laughing whilst you turn every pageAn action packed, riviting roller coaster read, once you read one of Mr Leadbeaters books you really have to read them all.
A covert infiltration team of relic Hunters chasing across countries following waypoints on an ancient map, explosions, car chases, boats, planes, lots of non-stop action.
The sense of humour of this mismatch family will keep you laughing whilst you turn every page

Great story that has been re-written and is now an even better read. Great story concept that keeps you turning the page right to the end and looking the sequel up on the internet to find out what happens next. 
Good introduction to anew series and hopefully it will be as good as the Matt Drake series.
Do yourself a favour and give it a read.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this as I have been an avid follower of the Matt Drake series.  The main character comes across as a bit unlikable in first few chapters but seem to grow as the book went along.
A good story and well written characters.  Good to see it is in the same universe as Matt Drake so there is always the possibility of a cross over.   It would be interesting to see Cassidy and Alicia Myles interact.
Looking forward to next Relic Hunters

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Relic Hunters by David Leadbeater from NetGalley in order to read and give an honest review.

Fast-paced, this book is non-stop action…

I’m new to this author and it’s a bit outside the genres I normally read but being an armchair archaeologist as well as a history student the description caught my eye.  Honestly, the archaeological component, action, and mystery were fantastic, very reminiscent of the Davinci Code. However, I had a few issues with it that I will address later which knocks my rating down to about a 3.5 stars.

This story starts with our protagonist Guy Bodie, relic hunter and master thief being set-up and languishing in a Mexican prison. While his elite team of thieves tries to mastermind a breakout he is rescued by the CIA. In return for breaking him out, lead agent, Heidi Moneymaker needs him and his team to help track an important relic which would lead them to the remains of the infamous Statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the world.   Bodie faces betrayal at the hands of an old mentor but presses on with his team to follow clues leading them to the relic.  The hunt takes them around the world, Istanbul, Bavaria, London and Greece all the while facing assassins from a centuries-old order still in existence who will stop at nothing to keep the relic hidden. It was full of intrigue, fast-paced non-stop action, very detailed fight scenes which really did keep me reading to the end.  My issues don’t come from the story as much as the characters interactions. Much of the dialogue felt very YA to me, bordering on being bantering you’d hear on a schoolyard. Immature nicknames (aka Frizz-bomb), unnecessary bullying of the geek on the team and the constant allusion that anyone over 40 is old and decrepit (really????). Despite the great story, these issues were a turn off for me I’m afraid. Now reading is very subjective and although I didn’t enjoy those particular points, some readers may find it refreshing.

All in all, despite my issues mentioned above, it was entertaining to some degree and if you’re out for a quick and easy-to-read thriller this might be for you.