Rating: 
Summary: A Religious, Archaeological Mystery-Thriller
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up because I'm interested in historical fiction, and the cover caught my eye. When I first read the book three years ago, I found it really gripping, and wished I had someone to discuss the story with. I decided to pick it for my bookclub this month, and just re-read it in anticipation of our discussion. I finished the whole thing in a day, and it was as good as I had remembered. Personally, I did not think the love interest detracted from the story, and I thought it was handled in a very appropriate way. I think the author has really done a good job of imagining all the things that could realistically happen if Jesus' bones were discovered, and I liked the intrigue the main character had to go through to solve the mystery. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in archeology, historical novels, or religious themes.
Rating: 
Summary: intelligent and intense
Review: I took a History at Western Michigan that Dr. Maier taught in the 1980's> I can still remember details of his lectures. He has a gift to tell a good story. And his books are also very good. He knows his subject very well. I just finished reading the Skeleton and The Di Vinci code. The skeleton is far better written far more interesting and far less mis-leading then the Di Vinci code. Dr. Maier clearly states that this is a work of fiction. He clearly states that the words are his own. He respects his readers intelligence. Most of what I have read by Dr. Maier has been very good indeed. This is worth hunting down. Because it is out of print you will
need to find creative ways to find this book. Maybe buy used or look around at differant resources. My husband is reading more than a skeleton right now but I will start that one as soon as he finishes.The story is very intense and interesting. It is also easy to follow and read because it is well written.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, for a Christian Indiana Jones.
Review: I usually don't like Christian fiction, but this one impressed me. What would happen to Christianity if archaeologists discovered Jesus' body? That's the premise of this well-written, engaging story.
The author evidently did substantial homework in order to write this book. The descriptions of the painstaking archaeological work show careful research and attention to detail. Biblical scholars will enjoy the material on textual analysis, and those who question the historicity of Christianity will find compelling data and evidence for at least some degree of belief. Unlike most Christian fiction, this novel has no sense of "preachiness." While some plot twists are a stretch, the storyline is no less credible than a Grisham or Grafton. It's simply a well-told tale that raises interesting issues and suggests some answers.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting premise but poorly written....
Review: I was really looking forward to reading this book. The basic plot sounded quite interesting (althought I'm going to try and not reveal any plot spoilers). But I was very disappointed in some of the obvious plot devices.
For example, professional archaeologists make an important discovery inside a stone tomb. They know it's very important so they're determined to make no mistakes. They're in the process of finishing up and are determined not to leave anything.
""We really ought to ake every thimbleful of dust and debris out of that cavern," said Jennings. "Armies of archaeologists will want to comb this place one day, Jonathan, and it would be dreadfully embarrassing if we overlooked something, now, wouldn't it?"".
Later on that day, they finished the job....
"Jonathan called outside, in dig argot: "The clearance of the cavern is complete!" "Are you sure, Jonathan? Nothing else?" "Have a heart, Papa!" Shannon called back. "Hasn't this cave given us enough?" They heard chuckling. "Well, I suppose it has. Come on out then...".
So Shannon climbs out and Jonathan starts to follow but gives "his trowel a parting shove into the floor of the pit".
No archaeologist would deliberately leave his trowel there. But even worse - this 'parting shove' *happens* to scrape against a something that is pivotal to the plot. But this 'something' is not a tiny bead or something small that could conceivably be overlooked. No, it's an intact sealed clay jug that's 7" tall and 4" wide. There's no way professional archaeologists would almost miss something that size.
This might seem like a simple plot point to increase the tension - but it came across as just stupid. The book is full of things like this. College-age archaeology students asking how they can tell if the skelaton is a male or female. (Duh, even I know about pelvic differences.)
As others have mentioned, the 'romance' was juvenile. And totally obvious from the beginning.
A previous reviewer compared it to 'Indiana Jones'. He's right - except it's even more unbelievable.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining yes, problematic? yes
Review: I wasn't sure as I started to read this book if the publisher was a Christian house or not, so I wasn't sure (but suspected) how it would end, knowing it before hand probably makes it a little less suspenseful. There are a few problems with this book, the most glaring one being that if a major newspaper came out with a story that the bones of Jesus were found most Christians I know would laugh, I don't care how serious the reports. Most people would "know that they know" that it would end up being a hoax and there lies the problem with this story line. I also found many of the people depicted just a bit to much "overboard" and the romance part of the book was a bit "forced". On the positive side, I enjoyed reading this book and trying to figure out if the author was going to let us hang at the end or solve the mystery, I would suggest giving this book to a christian friend as a gift, but try and convience them that it was written by an atheist.
Rating:
Summary: Went Beyond My Hopes!!
Review: I've never been a big fan of Christian fiction, as I usually read books on Christian theology, philosophy, history, and apologetics. I saw Paul Maier interview on the Michael Coren (Christian Journalist/Personality in Toronto Area) Show and I thought I'd give this guys books a try. Well I bought both of his "Skeleton" books and took four days to read them both. This one is about finding the bones of Jesus. The book is suspensful, but would have been more so if I didn't know that the author is a Christian. Overall this was a fun book and very addictive. I had to keep reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next. This book would have received five stars if he had just left out the romantic parts. They seemed the sort of romance in teenage novels. He could also write his women with more depth of character as I found them vapid. Over all this is a tremendously fun read, and could be read without offense by any orthdox or standard Christian.
Rating:
Summary: Great reading!
Review: Maier's novel is so realistic that I had to keep reminding myself that it was only fiction. A surefire "Page Turner". I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: 95% meat, 5% creme filling
Review: One of the few books that has held my attention hostage. A fantastic "What if?" story on a spell-binding subject. Will definitely make Christians and non-Christians think harder when it comes to the ressurection of Jesus. Could have done without the gilded romances and the legion of ultra beautiful geniuses - but alltogether its a substantive read for people of average intellect such as myself. Worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: A rivoting, spiritual awakening
Review: Paul Maier truly captures the essence of the question, Did Jesus really exist and ascend into heaven? He accurately ponders this and other questions and is able to look at a side of the Christian faith that if were found out to be true, would cause a spiral of chaos and confusion throughout this world. Maier does an excellent job in this book, and truly examines the ultimate, What If
Rating:
Summary: The Next Indiana Jones Adventure?
Review: Spielberg could do well putting this to film and what an impact it could have. Like others, I became deeply troubled about this book and the possibilities it presents. What would the world be like if Jesus had not been resurected? A remarkable adventure!
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