'The Relic Hunters' was my introduction to the writing of David Leadbeater and I loved reading it. Fast paced., the plot of this adventure charges across many countries and treks back through the centuries as a group of likeable rogues sets out, albeit reluctantly, to save the world. Looking to escape to a more colourful, exciting world, then I can thoroughly recommend you to this book. Enjoy.

I'm at the start of what I hope is a new series of books by one of my favourite authors, David Leadbeater.  As the title suggests the main character is a member of a team looking to retrieve relics.  Guy Brodie is a professional thief who is broken out of a Mexican jail by the CIA.  They want Brodie and his team to recover an object which is believed to have been stolen and destroyed.  Only time will tell if this is the case, or if the team are successful..

On this occasion I have reviewed the book as 4/5 but that is no reflection on the author or the content of the book.  It is because I am learning about the background of new characters and my brain is a it slower these days!

Pick up this book and enjoy.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

A shadowy figure enters a museum in Greece to procure a single object. Shortly after his departure, an explosion rocks the city and brings down the museum. At the same time, Guy Bodie, professional thief, is broken out of a Mexican prison by none other than the CIA. They want to recruit Bodie and his team to recover an object deemed to be one of the Seven Ancient Wonders: the Statue of Zeus. It was reportedly stolen and then destroyed but clues have surfaced which indicate that may not be the case. This job will take Bodie and his team around the world, racing against time and dodging a group of assassins known as the Hood and the organization they work for: the Illuminati.

“The Relic Hunters” by David Leadbeater is the first in what shows promise to be an entertaining series. While it’s certainly true that featuring the Illuminati as the villain is certainly not new or even original, Leadbeater does put a different spin on the group as to their personality. This is the first book I’ve read by Leadbeater and while it certainly isn’t the best thriller I’ve ever read, it is far from the worst. I’ve found that most authors improve a series as it progresses, fleshing out characters more and improving the plot. That said, I am going to split the difference and rate this book 3/5 stars.

*A copy of this ebook is only consideration received in exchange for this review.*

A bit too manically religious for me. The author should concentrate more on the actual storyline without trying to shove religions down peoples throats. Characters were introduced then got rid of very quickly never to be seen again.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via #NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review
David Leadbeater is hands down my favourite author, the Matt Drake books are something I get really excited about so I was looking forward to reading this new series.    Full of fast-paced action, this historically featured novel really grips you, and I have already taken to Brodie.  Some of the characters need more development to make you either love or loathe them.  I am curious in the direction that this will develop as a series, but I do hope it differs from the Drake novels as I would love to have a separate adventure series to enjoy.  Looking forward to the next instalment

I received the free copy of this book from Netgalley. This is the first time I am reading this author and I enjoyed the fast pace of the book. Guy Bodie is the main character who escaped Mexican jail in exchange of helping CIA.

The story revolves around getting one relic from the organization called Illuminati and how the team faces danger at every turn but still come out victorious.

A thoroughly enjoyable if somewhat unbelievable story centring around a group of Relic hunters that are coerced  into working for the CIA. They follow the clues from an old map to find the secret hiding place of the Illuminati. 
Its the kind of book that's non stop action and wont let you put it down.

This the first book in a new series from Leadbetter. It features a group of people who come together to find relics and steal them. The leader, Bodie, likes to think of these people as his team. The relic they are hunting in this outing, is a map that is believed to lead to the hiding place of one of the classic Seven Wonders, the statue of Zeus. However, there are those people, Illuminati (yes, that Illuminati) who want to keep the statue to themselves.

This book starts slowly with the description of the bad guys stealing the map from a museum and then blowing the museum up. The man stealing the map is the traditional bad guy working for the megalomaniac – a flesh and blood robot who will do anything the boss man asks him to do no matter how many bodies he leaves behind him. Then Bodie is introduced. He’s in a Mexican prison where there are no rules. He has no idea why he’s in the prison, but does know he will die there if his “team” doesn’t rescue him. In the meantime, he is attacked – twice –  and takes out a half dozen people by himself. He’s rescued, not by his team, but by the CIA.

Leadbetter has nearly perfected the formulaic writing of thrillers. If read carefully, there is nothing new here – same group of people to save the world, artifact, society – the same protagonists – powerful men led by a megalomaniac who wants to dominate the world –  wrapped in lots of violence.

If you love a traditional thriller, this is the book for you. If you like your thrillers to be well written and something more than formulaic, you probably should pass this book by.

Another fast paced adventure thriller from David Leadbeater. 
Having read my way through the Matt Drake series this offers a new team, led by Guy Bodie to track down a lost treasure and follow the clues. Things don't go to plans as rivals are never too far away.
The book is a real page turner and the pages just kept turning. I would of liked a little bit more character develpment in the down time sections but I'm sure that will follow in future books. The protagonists did jump from country to country a little too easily but that can be forgiven.
Thoroughly enjoyable

I am an avid reader of the Matt Drake series and the spin off books with the main characters. I looked forward to this new book from David Leadbeater. 
Fast paced, full of action. Very similar to Matt Drake series. I enjoyed the book but would like to see how the characters develop and where this series will be different from the Drake series. 
disclaimer “I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review”

I finished reading the advanced reader's copy (ARC) of The Relic Hunters by David Leadbeater provided via NetGalley and Thomas & Harper and was impressed overall.

To me, it was a combination of International Intrigue, Action/Adventure, Family Drama, and Archeology genres.

Guy Bodie and his "family" may not always get along but they do agree on at least one thing, doing a job well. So when they have to adapt to a fluid situation that doesn't go according to their usual way of doing things, they get a little off-kilter. When dealing with the type of characters in this venture, that isn't a good thing. 

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and even if they were real people they would be "characters".

Warning: There is violence, sometimes graphic, as well as adult language and situations.

More of a 3.5 than 4 star.

Guy Bodie leads an elite band of art thieves.  He sees them as carrying out victimless crimes, he targets only those who already stole something or who can afford to replace it.  He and his merry band of crooks all have their own skills but together they're like the A-Team meets McGyver! 

On their last heist things went pear-shaped and not even Guy's pearly whites can get him out of the hell-hole prison he finds himself in.  Just as the team head in to bust him out, a CIA led spec-ops team swoops in and before they know it they're involved in a huge Illuminati spider web of thefts.

Just switch the brain off and enjoy the romp across the globe.  Is it as intricate as Dan Brown - No.  Is it as seat-of-your-pants as Matthew Reilly - No.  My main gripes was constantly being told who was the muscle/planner/geek!  It could be better and I'd read the 2nd in the series to see if it does.

Confusing. Boring. Characters that are supposed to be a tight group, but keep harping to each other. The umpteenth book about the Illuminati. Need I say more?

An action packed book from start to finish, great characters with enough detail to keep you going. I have read a few books which have to much detail that it distracts and I lose interest, not this one I couldn't put it down I like Leadbeater's style of writing. I'm New to David's books so I'm just working my way through the Matt Drake series but I already like Guy Bodie and the rest of the team and looking forward to the next adventure.

This was a real page turner. Right from the start I felt very comfortable with the storyline and I love the action and pace in David's books. This book has set the scene for a series and I look forward to reading the next one when it is available.

Have never read any of his books, but really enjoyed this one. Look forward to reading more from him.. Fast paced, easy read.

This is the first in a new series from David and follows a similar line to his Matt Drake series. Guy Bodie is a master thief, after finding himself in a Mexican prison, he is rescued by the CIA and pressed into working for them. He and his unique team are on the trial of the Statue of Zeus, which leads them into the secret world of the Illuminati. This is a good book, a bit slow to start, but then kicks into action. It has potential, the character interaction did not seem as natural as in the Matt Drake series, but this series has a lot to live up too!!

I received a free copy of the The Relic Hunters by David Leadbeater in exchange for an honest review.  This book sets up a possible series.  Guy Bodie and his team are thieves focused on taking things only from those who can afford the loss.  Guy wakes up in a prison camp that seems to be more of a shooting gallery than an actual prison with no idea how he came to be there.  When the CIA rescues Guy from imminent death, the United States government demands payment.  Guy and his team must follow new information to lead the CIA to the Illuminati.

This tale consists of non-stop action.  It reads like an action movie, which means all of the focus is on the chase and the fight, so minimal time is spent in character development.

#TheRelicHunters #NetGalley

Great page turner and thriller by Leadbeater! Look forward to more in the series as he’s an engaging author

The Relic Hunters starts off with a literal bang, and then it’s off to the races. It never really slows down, and it’s a binge read book if I’ve ever read one. 
We first meet Guy Bodie in a Mexican prison where he’s fighting for his life while trying to figure out how exactly he ended up there. Bodie is a first rate relic hunter/thief who, along with his team, has stolen some very difficult to get to items. Bodie and his team are conscripted by the CIA to help uncover a secret society that has been manipulating the world for hundreds of years. The rest of the book is non-stop action and intrigue as Bodie and his team race across Europe trying to stay ahead of the bad guys who seem to know everything. 
All in all this is a quick, action-packed, adventure that introduces us to a team of characters that we’ll hopefully see more of in the future. I recommend this first installment in this adventure series and I can’t wait for the next book!
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.