by: Maxime Trencavel
Series: Mystery of the Matriarchs
Genre: Sci-Fi Romantic Suspense
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Publisher: Tail of the Bird Books
Zara Khatum, a woman haunted by ancient visions, finds herself drawn deeper into the heart of a perilous quest. Guided by a mysterious voice, she seeks to fulfill an ancient prophecy and find the cavern of blue light - a sanctuary rumored to hold the key to saving humanity. But the path to salvation is fraught with danger, and Zara is torn between her destiny and her heart.
A shadowy organization, known as NiQihs, seeks to exploit the power of the legendary black object, the source of Zara's visions, for their own sinister ends. They are not alone. The world's superpowers, driven by greed and ambition, race to control the artifact, threatening to unleash unimaginable devastation.
Joining Zara in this dangerous pursuit is Rachel Capsali, a brilliant Israeli archaeologist driven by a personal quest to uncover evidence of Asherah, a forgotten goddess who held a pivotal place in ancient Israelite faith. Unbeknownst to them, both women are bound by a shared destiny - a prophecy foretelling the cavern of blue light and a final, heartbreaking truth: two women will fight to the death, and only one will save us all.
Adding to the complexity, a passionate triangle forms as Rachel vies for Peter Gollinger's affection, a man deeply entangled in the ancient mystery. Zara, torn between fulfilling her destiny and her own feelings for Peter, finds herself caught in a web of conflicting desires.
As Zara and Rachel navigate a treacherous landscape of hidden agendas, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, their rivalry for Peter's affections intensifies. Can love survive the forces that threaten to tear them apart? Will the quest for salvation lead to a heart-wrenching sacrifice?
Zara Khatum:
Zara, a devout Kurdish woman, possesses a quiet strength and a fierce determination born from years of fighting for her people's freedom. She speaks with a soft, measured tone, her words reflecting her deep faith and unwavering commitment to peace. Her troubled past, marked by violence and trauma, drives her desire to find a path to spiritual enlightenment and to create a better world for her people. Although drawn to Peter's kindness and intelligence, she struggles with the complexities of their relationship, knowing they come from very different worlds. She is a reluctant hero, guided by a divine voice she alone can hear, whose pronouncements often lead her on a perilous path to fulfill ancient prophecies.
Peter Gollinger:
Peter, a gentle and thoughtful American copy editor, possesses a keen intellect and a childlike wonder that draw him to the mysteries of the ancient world. His voice is soft-spoken, his words reflecting his intellectual curiosity and his search for understanding. His family's legacy of ancient legends and secrets, as well as his father's tragic suicide, drive him to seek meaning and purpose in a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable. He is deeply in love with Zara and admires her strength and resilience. He is a man of peace, who seeks to use his knowledge and skills to help others, even if that means facing extraordinary challenges.
Alexander Murometz:
Alexander, a powerful and manipulative former Russian oligarch, now world puppet master, with an unsettling aura, operates with an air of arrogance and a cold detachment. He is a master of manipulation, with a sly smile and a calculating gaze that betrays a ruthless ambition for power. Driven by a dark family legacy, he seeks to control the world, seeking the secrets of the "black object" and the "cavern of the blue light" to achieve absolute domination. He views individuals, cultures, and nations as pawns in his grand scheme. His actions, however, are often veiled in an air of philanthropy and concern for the world's well-being, making him a troublesome man to fully understand.
Rachel Capsali:
Rachel, a determined Israeli archaeologist, possesses a fiercely independent spirit and a relentless thirst for knowledge. She speaks with a sharp, authoritative tone, her words reflecting her passion for uncovering the truth about the ancient world, especially the role of women in ancient societies, or more specifically the truth behind the banished Israeli/Canaanite goddess Asherah. She is haunted by a family vendetta, seeking to avenge her great-grandmother's murder, a pursuit that has led her to betray her principles and make some troubling decisions. She is drawn to Peter's intelligence and his shared interest in the ancient world. She is a woman of action and courage, ready to face danger and sacrifice to achieve her goals.
World Building Blocks:
The Mystery of the Matriarchs series crafts a complex world that feels both familiar and fantastical, blending elements of contemporary society with ancient myths and hidden histories. The narrative is anchored in our present, where advanced technology, spearheaded by the all-powerful MoxWorld corporation, has transformed nearly every aspect of life. From ubiquitous MoxWraps that provide access to instant information and communication to the futuristic MoxMovers that have revolutionized transportation, the world is a dazzling showcase of technological progress.
But beneath this veneer of technological advancement, the novel reveals a world deeply rooted in ancient secrets and spiritual forces. Oral traditions passed down through generations, like those held by Peter's family and Zara's clan, speak of powerful artifacts and long-lost prophecies. These ancient legends weave through the narrative, connecting the present to a past filled with mystical figures, extraordinary events, and the search for the "cavern of the blue light" that holds the key to ultimate truth and power.
The novel's setting extends beyond the modern world, encompassing diverse and fascinating locations. Redwood forests, reminiscent of the California landscape, provide a sanctuary for Peter's exploration of his inner self and his connection to nature. The ancient city of Çatalhöyük in Turkey, a site of early human civilization, serves as a backdrop for Tallia's quest to build a world of peace and equality. And the bustling city of Jerusalem, steeped in history and religious significance, becomes a battleground for competing forces seeking power and control.
The novel also introduces NiQihs, a mysterious and powerful corporation that operates in the shadows, manipulating world events from behind the scenes. NiQihs has a long history, dating back to the time of the First Emperor of China, and its influence extends across Central Asia and China. The corporation has its own agenda, driven by a quest for ancient secrets and a desire to reshape the world in its own image. NiQihs is a formidable adversary to MoxWorld, and their conflict adds a layer of political intrigue and suspense to the narrative.
The Crimea, a region steeped in historical and geopolitical significance, becomes a central battleground in the novel. It is here that the ancient legends intersect with the modern world, where ancient secrets are buried, and where the conflict between MoxWorld and NiQihs intensifies. The Crimea holds a pivotal place in Peter's family's quest to unravel the mysteries of the "black object" and the "cavern of the blue light," as well as in the larger struggle between the world powers. The novel uses the Crimea as a backdrop to showcase the clash of ideologies, the struggle for power, and the ancient forces that continue to shape the world.
The novel's world building is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of the narrative. It shapes the characters' motivations, their relationships, and their conflicts. The power dynamics between nations, the clash between traditional beliefs and technological advancement, and the struggle for control over ancient secrets contribute to the story's sense of suspense and intrigue. The novel's world is a complex, often contradictory space, where the past, present, and future collide, forcing characters to confront their deepest fears and desires. The story's world building serves as a reminder that we are all connected through our shared history, our common anxieties, and our pursuit of a better future.
Another dewdrop hits her nose. But this time, she does not wipe it off as it mingles with the drops from her eyes while she searches inside for the strength to remember that which remains unresolved in her life, with her family, with her destiny. Is he really the one? Should she reveal what should only be revealed to the one man who will bring her to her destiny?
A purse of her lips and she finally says, "Sara, my great-grandmother, she was our link to the wisdom of generations of spiritually inspired women before her."
Still facing away from Peter, she says, "Sara liked you. She saw something in you when she first met you at that first dinner at her ancestral house when we were staging for our mission to retrieve the object."
Turning back to him, she says, "Sara said to my grandmother Roza, her daughter, that you harbor the same light her husband, a Sufi imam, my great-grandfather, had within him when they first met."
She points to his eyes. Blue ones which naturally go with his once-blond and now-sandy-brown hair. “Sara said the light is blue. The light we should seek is blue. The world thinks the light is white. But the one we seek, we yearn for, we die for, is blue. She so feared dying before she could find the blue light. For in the blue light, we shall return”, she said.
Peter, who knows so much trivia because he is an editor of all sorts of topics, papers, and books, is speechless until he finally mutters, "Blue? Where did that come from? I'm not getting the connection to the mystery of the ancient matriarch we solved."
"As you had with your grandfather, your pappy, who entrusted you with an ancient family oral tradition, passed from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation, as far back in time as that temple, the world's oldest temple, which our follies led to be destroyed, so there is a line of similar wisdom passed down in my family line. But through the women. Mother to daughter and to granddaughter."
A purse of her lips and she finally says, "Sara, my great-grandmother, she was our link to the wisdom of generations of spiritually inspired women before her."
Still facing away from Peter, she says, "Sara liked you. She saw something in you when she first met you at that first dinner at her ancestral house when we were staging for our mission to retrieve the object."
Turning back to him, she says, "Sara said to my grandmother Roza, her daughter, that you harbor the same light her husband, a Sufi imam, my great-grandfather, had within him when they first met."
She points to his eyes. Blue ones which naturally go with his once-blond and now-sandy-brown hair. “Sara said the light is blue. The light we should seek is blue. The world thinks the light is white. But the one we seek, we yearn for, we die for, is blue. She so feared dying before she could find the blue light. For in the blue light, we shall return”, she said.
Peter, who knows so much trivia because he is an editor of all sorts of topics, papers, and books, is speechless until he finally mutters, "Blue? Where did that come from? I'm not getting the connection to the mystery of the ancient matriarch we solved."
"As you had with your grandfather, your pappy, who entrusted you with an ancient family oral tradition, passed from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation, as far back in time as that temple, the world's oldest temple, which our follies led to be destroyed, so there is a line of similar wisdom passed down in my family line. But through the women. Mother to daughter and to granddaughter."
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