Jodie Switzer is a biochemist, not a believer. But when a scientific excavation in the Kalahari Desert unearths an ancient stone, that line is stretched thin. At first touch, she is wrenched out of time, swept back to the first breath of creation in the Garden of Eden as Adam opens his eyes.
A Jewish scholar speaks the words etched into its surface. Na vened — Fugitive and Wanderer: Cain’s stone. Inscribed in God’s own hand. Hidden for millennia. And now in Jodie’s custody.
Heavenly attributes it demonstrated. Hellish forces it’s about to unleash. Jodie, racing against time in a world gone mad, must find a way to barter for the sake of the innocents, for humanity itself, against impossible odds, in a thriller reminiscent of James Rollins and Dan Brown.
A Pushcart Prize-nominated short story from 2022, an unusual encounter between a nurse (who is not really a nurse) and an innocent man (who is not really innocent) leads to an extraordinary discovery and an unexpected revelation of both characters’ true identities.
Unhappiness is an indifferent master with many faces. An homage to Gustave Flaubert and his fictional meeting with Madame Bovary. (500 words or less)
After his dad’s funeral, a son is thrust into his father’s harrowing experience fighting in the jungles of the Vietnam War and learns why some memories are best left for dead.
Sanity Bleeds. An eerie homage to Edgar Allen Poe of a man hoping to hold onto the last vestiges of his sanity. (500 words or less)
An impossible encounter between a grandmother and her grandson. An homage to Mitch Albom and his imaginative revelations. (500 words or less)
A new twist on the Old Testament, humanity is on the brink of self-destruction in ETCHED IN STONE and only an act of outrageous courage can bring us back from the precipice.
IT’S ALL IN HERE
This was such a riveting read that sucks you in from the very first page. At the start I was drawn in by Jodie’s character, a single white woman in the desert, running from past despair in pursuit of science and everything just unfolds from there from one event to the next. I thought the mixture of fantasy and biblical references was well done, blending the two worlds together. Each character, from Jodie to Dylan, to Schmuel, and Ricardo are woven together on a path they must follow to the end. And though I found the story engaging, I did feel like not enough was revealed about the true connection between each character and the stone….more could have been added toward the end there. I would have gladly welcomed 50-100 more pages of story and character development.
Overall I would highly recommend this book. I think the concept of finding the stone of Cain is brilliant and was well done in this book, I just wanted a little more…or wouldn’t mind a continuation!
Adrienne
Etched in Stone by Mark Lew is a fast-paced, thought-provoking adventure that grabs your attention from the start, and doesn’t let go. The story begins with a ground-breaking discovery in the Kalahari, which sounds quite fitting, given the nature of said discovery. The story unfolds at a great pace, blending ancient mystery with modern-day chaos, raising big questions about belief, truth, and the very foundation of society. This is a page-turner, with a plot that somehow manages to feel both wildly imaginative and entirely believable.
Jodie is a strong female lead. She’s smart, resourceful, determined and brave. I genuinely enjoyed following her character as she navigated every twist and turn. There’s strong support from Ricardo and Shmuel, adding both depth and strength to her journey. Their dynamic makes the high-stakes mission feel even more real and grounded. You’ll enjoy this book if you love a good sci-fi, mystery and adventure with a unique plot, and great characters.
Raisa M.
“Etched in Stone” by Mark Lew grabbed my attention from the first page and didn’t let go until the very end! The story starts out with biochemist Jodie who is studying a microbial dead zone with her team in the Kalahari Desert. There they uncover a mysterious ancient black stone with inscribed biblical references on it. After researching it, the team is suddenly faced with a moral dilemma and the terrifying possibility of the human population being destroyed forever. Or perhaps it’s all in their heads?…
I really like the story’s unique blend of science, the supernatural, faith, superstition, and psychological suspense. Jodie is a great female lead that is both strong, smart, and courageous, but is also secretly trying to heal from a painful loss. She has a vulnerability to her but is passionate as well. She forms a unique connection with Ricardo and Shmuel, which adds a nice emotional depth to the story.
The character development and authenticity in this story is impressive. You can see the characters’ emotions and changes in mindset develop throughout the whole book (especially with Dylan, who isn’t as confident as he seems on the outside).
I highly recommend this compelling story to all sci-fi, supernatural, and psychological suspense fans.
LD
I was hooked from the very start! I loved how the story blends science, faith, and the supernatural in such an unpredictable way. When I thought I was sure of what would happen, the story would take a turn. Jodie is a fantastic lead. She’s smart, brave, and determined, but she is also deeply human and vulnerable. Her connection with Ricardo and Shmuel adds so much heart. Even side characters like Dylan have great depth and growth. The mix of suspense, big ideas, and emotional moments made this book feel fresh and unforgettable.
Grace Greiner
