The Spider in the Laurel

By: Michael Pogach

Narrated by: Terry F. Self

In Tomorrow's America, Belief is the New Enemy. Even a Silent Prayer can get you Black-Bagged.

Historian Rafael Ward is a good citizen, teaching students the government approved narrative of the nation's history. Until the black-baggers come calling. They have a job for him, one he's not allowed to refuse: Ward must go undercover as a Believer and smuggler to hunt down and destroy the artifacts he cherishes. Before he knows it, he's following fugitive Hannah MacKenzie on a fool's quest to recover the legendary Vase of Soissons, a Dark Age relic prophesized to restore faith to the world.

Soon, however, Ward is betrayed by the Republic he's trying to serve. His only chance to save himself is to come clean with MacKenzie and, together, find the Vase first. Pursued through the cathedrals and catacombs of Europe, Ward and MacKenzie must battle their mistrust of each other to stay alive. Only when they are within reach of their goal do they discover the Vase is not what they thought. With more than just their lives on the line, Ward and MacKenzie must choose between each other and the Vase, between belief and salvation.

"A fascinating dystopian tale from one of speculative fiction's rising stars" (C.T. Phipps, author of Lucifer's Star)

©2015 Michael Pogach (P)2017 Michael Pogach

Highly Underrated

Stop reading this right now and go slap down a credit on this bad boy.

Okay, for those of you who are still reading this, you're in for an excellent treat. Pay no attention to the meager reviews here on Audible. Check out the Amazon scores if you must, and you'll see a totally different picture. Part dystopian, part tomb raider, you're in for an action-packed ride that sucks you in from start to finish. Plus there's enough twists and turns that keep you guessing.

All right, I'm done. Now take the plunge and have fun.

Must Listen.

What did you like about this audiobook?

As much as I enjoyed listening to the book once, I won't be listening to it again because I just don't have the time to listen to something twice. I have a long list of pending books that I need to finish.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

This was the first time I've listened to a book narrated by Terry and I'm satisfied. The narration was top notch and drew me into the story. It felt like I was watching a movie. Each character was distinguishable and had unique voice.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Definitely.

Do you have any additional comments?

I received this audiobook for free from the author / narrator / publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great Indiana Jones vibe

Any additional comments?

I started and stopped this listen a few times. It dealt with religion and the abuses thereof/therein so I had to take it one chapter at a time.

The listen was vast and involved and evolved and head-scratching and well, unnerving. It was full of adventure, Indiana Jones style, and the continent jumping hero was constantly in motion - in body and in mind.

I found the narration to be well-suited to the subject and will look for more titles by him.

All in all, if you are ready to have your beliefs challenged, get ready to jump into the deep end.

Dystopian Indiana Jones

I really enjoyed this book which kept my interest with its action and twists. It's about a new world where any kind of faith is illegal and punishable by death. The "agents" are the enforcers of this law and the main character Rafe is one of these agents and is pulled into an adventure on his first solo mission. He begins to question all he has been told and with the help of a "believer" chases relics across the world. I really enjoyed the characters and look forward to more by this author and narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you!

The Spider in the Laurel

I was very impressed by this book.It is a take on a possible America that puts christians in the spotlight being oppressed.If you are reported for praying,say goodbye to your family.A man tasked with going undercover to bring tresspassers to light ultimately starts to see things differently.Terry F.Self was a fine narrator.I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”