The Map Thief: A Historical Thriller that Captures the Past and Present

I’ve always been fascinated by the past. Ancient civilizations, mysterious ruins, grand temples, and archaeological sites – they all provide a window into helping us understand the past. But how much do we really know? When did Native Americans really arrive in the New World and how? Did the Egyptians sail to other parts of the world and teach other civilizations how to build giant pyramids? Were the Portuguese the first to sail around the world and map it? These intriguing questions have always intrigued me, and the question of just how much we know about each one is still debated. The last question has been accepted as fact for quite some time. Or has it?

The new book by author Heather Terrell questions this commonly accepted fact with mystery, intrigue, and adventure. The Map Thiefis a thriller of a book – involving archaeological finds, mysterious maps from ancient voyages, and secret Portuguese societies, and more.

During the Ming dynasty’s reign in China, a vast naval fleet was assembled and commanded by Zheng He. His mission was to sail around the world and map it. According to legend he was successful, but upon returning to China the map was destroyed and Zheng He disappeared. Now, 400 years later an archaeologist has unearthed a mummy clutching onto a mysterious map. Word gets out and suddenly the map disappears. Who is this map thief?

Mara Coyne, a lawyer who dabbles in antiquarian art and archaeology, is hired to investigate what has happened to this map. During her investigation we learn that Zheng He did not disappear, but actually made his way to Portugal and gave the map to Antonio Coehlo, a Portuguese navigator who was on the famous Vasco de Gama expedition that is largely accredited with being the first to sail around the world.

Mara Coyne, however, begins to think that this received wisdom may not be accurate. Perhaps China beat the Portuguese in being the first to map the world. Thrown into this mystery of past history is a secret society known as the Order of the Christ. Their mission is to make sure that knowledge of the map never gets out and that the Portuguese are regarded as the first world mappers. As Mara chases down the true facts behind the missing map from the archaeological site, the Order of the Christ is also chasing down something – Mara.

The Map Thiefis a historical thriller that challenges understood history in a way that will have you asking similar questions. Highly recommended, this is one book that will have you asking when Heather's next thriller will come out. Not soon enough!

Buy Secure via Amazon or find other Great Thrillers here:

Silent Thunder by Iris and Roy Johanson

Leading Lady by Heywood Gould

The Forgery of Venus by Michael Gruber

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