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The Sword of Cyrus: A Conspiracy Thriller Where History Fuels Modern Warfare (A Rossler Foundation Mystery Book 4) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 724 ratings

A weapon smaller than a phone. A threat larger than civilization.

Deep in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, a secretive group calling themselves The Sword of Cyrus has engineered the ultimate weapon—a nanotech nuclear device small enough to fit in a mobile phone yet capable of unleashing the force of seven Hiroshima bombs. Its purpose? To wipe Western civilization off the map.

For Dalir Jahandar, vengeance is more than a mission—it is his destiny. A descendant of kings, he is determined to restore the ancient Persian empire to its former glory. Just as Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon by outwitting his enemies, Dalir and his secretive network of powerful allies will infiltrate their enemies from within, striking when they least expect it.

Daniel and Sarah Rossler, along with their team at the Rossler Foundation, find themselves at the forefront of the battle. Known for their work in archaeology and cutting-edge science, the Foundation is drawn into a global conspiracy where history, technology and warfare collide. With Dalir’s operatives closing in and time running out, they must navigate a treacherous landscape of espionage and betrayal to stop the unthinkable from happening.

Will the Rossler Foundation prevail, or will the world succumb to the devastating power of the Sword of Cyrus?

The Sword of Cyrus is the fourth gripping installment in JC Ryan’s acclaimed Rossler Foundation Mystery series, where ancient ambitions meet modern warfare in a high-stakes battle for the future of civilization.

________________________________________________________

Praise for the Rossler Foundation Mystery series:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ There is not a page wasted in The Sword of Cyrus—every moment as tight and gripping as the next one.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ JC Ryan is a literary alchemist.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ From cover to cover I was unable to put the book down.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Definitely a five-star novel.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Captivating and suspenseful!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ...these novels literally leave you clutching the edge of your seat.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Frances Neuwirthon Amazon Reviewer - Exciting. The Sword of Cyrus was as exciting as the first three books in this series. I have already downloaded books five and six and am looking forward to the Rossler's next adventure.

D.J.(Psychol),Chester,UK Amazon Reviewer - The pot at the end of the rainbow. The perfect culmination to a series of books which offer a master class in the writing of'thrillers' with an archaeological background.

J.C. Ryan, writing with a deceptively minimalistic writing style, creates story lines and characters that the reader cannot help caring about,set in carefully researched scenarios. His four books to date clearly deserve the attention of Hollywood looking for 'block-buster' films, but those of us who prefer the written novel will realise that this series of 'Rossler Foundation' books will become a classic in the genre which seeks to appeal not only to those with a passion for archaeology, but also those with an interesting the immediate future. Read all four books to gain the maximum benefit! You will not be disappointed. It is to be hoped that J.C. will continue to mine the seam of gold he has created.

Deborah Stachowiecz Amazon Reviewer - So Glad I Persevered And Read Book 4. My journey through the Rossler Foundation series was almost derailed by my reaction to the storyline in Book 3! The author used his excellent writing skills but for some reason there was this dark bleakness for me in the very plausibility of the central pandemic scenario. Though I gave Mr Ryan full marks for his characters again, I wasn't sure I could face another such dark story in Book 4.

And when I encountered the deep and abiding hatred used to logically fuel the "why" behind Book 4's villainous plot, my heart once again dropped. ISIS' despicable actions in the evening news showed Mr Ryan's premise was quite in line with extremist sentiments.

So instead of sailing through Book 4 in a matter of a few hours, I kept just dipping a toe in and then finding some other task or reading project I simply HAD to complete first.

But, because I had SO enjoyed the first 2 books in the series and even the writing skill in Book 3....I never could just give up on reading it. I just had to be in the right frame of mind to "tackle it".

Finally, that day arrived and I began seriously reading the storyline and soon discovered...or rather, rediscovered why I had written such glowing reviews of the first two books.

I admire Mr Ryan's skills in creating interesting and likeable characters I soon find myself rooting for and caring about their "thoroughgoing" their struggles.

The quantum physics connection gave a nice platform for the plausibility of his "solution's alert" mechanism while still giving me a nice hidey hole that all of this was just a good science fiction story."It couldn't REALLY happen." Even when the factors of human hatred and political machinations felt way too plausible in our world today.

At long last the story's dramatic tensions and plot points captured my need to answer "What happens next? Are they going to solve it in time! HOW are they going to solve it?"

That's when Mr Ryan's writing skills once again captured my involvement and made me glad I'd kept reading.

I even started getting excited by the email alert that says Book 5 will soon be released. I'll be interested to see where he takes us, his loyal readers now, next!

Meghan Top Amazon Reviewer - Brilliantly written! JC Ryan's new book, 'The Sword of Cyrus',is as deeply riveting as his previous three thrillers--although having read("devoured" is perhaps the better term) the author's previous books, I get the strong sense that the Rossler Foundation Series just keeps getting better and better. And here I speak as someone who does not make unnecessary high praise lightly. JC Ryan's latest book is astonishingly well-crafted, the layers of meaning cleverly interwoven and meticulously built up so that by the time you're reading the last few chapters, it all feels as satisfying as a desperate embrace.

In 'The Sword of Cyrus', author JC Ryan quite cleverly stabs a finger into the open wound of the old tension between the US and Iran.However, Ryan ups the ante--and in quite a breath-taking literary fashion at that--by making the threat real and palpable--especially when you have a determined villain who takes his cues from Biblical prophecies. Especially when you have a villain who is in possession of the world's most powerful, hitherto unimagined weapon: a bomb so small and portable yet so powerful that it can level multiple cities and annihilate countless millions. The target? The American heartland.Now, it is up to the men and women of the Rossler Foundation to counter the threat. If they fail, the consequence is unimaginable.

It is worth noting that, like any other good book, the plot of 'The Sword of Cyrus' is driven by an emotional gravity that anyone can relate with. Sure, Dalir Jahandar maybe someone you can easily hate or fear,given the current world events and the rampaging onslaught of a group like the ISIS. But Dalir is also coming from a place of incredible loss, and his thirst for revenge--which makes him blind to everything else and sets his path on fire--is utterly believable. On the other hand, the Rosslers are awesome, yet vulnerable in certain aspects. And it is this vulnerability that makes Ryan's books such a joy to follow and inhabit--these novels literally leave you clutching the edge of your seat.

This is the fourth book in the acclaimed Rossler Foundation Series. And these are full-length novels, not one of those "novellas" others keep on churning for the sake of a quick buck. The quality--and the delicious length--of Ryan's books always make any book he releases such an enjoyable literary treat. And yes, although this is the fourth book in the series, it can stand on its own--you get a good sense of what the Rossler Foundation is,anyway, and what its agents do. But then again, as a highly recommended modus,I suggest you pick up a copy of the previous books ('The Tenth Cycle', 'Ninth Cycle Antarctica' and 'Genetic Bullets'). In any case, you'll meet familiar characters (the Rosslers, of course), and a few new intriguing additions that add a deeper dimension to the story.

Most importantly, I have said this before and I'm saying it again: JC Ryan is a literary alchemist: he has the knack for crafting a blend of archaeological facts and scientific knowledge and transforming them into literary gold. There is not a page wasted in 'The Sword of Cyrus'--every moment as tight and gripping as the next one. Read even the first few pages of 'The Sword of Cyrus' and you'll see what I mean.

Get a copy. Techno-thriller fans who actually love well-written suspense books that will take you on an unforgettable ride--you will love this book.
Definitely a five-star novel.

About the Author

Since the publication of his first book, The Tenth Cycle, JC Ryan's books received high acclaim from readers who bought more than 800,000 of his books and read more than 57 million pages.   Ryan has been married to his college sweetheart since 1978. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and one grandchild.   Before he started writing mystery-suspense novels, Ryan got a military degree and served as an officer in the military for seven years before a crippling back injury forced him to change careers. He returned to university, studied law, and became a lawyer, running his own private practice for more than fifteen years before he moved to another country, became an IT project manager, and finally, in 2014, got the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of being a writer.   If you want to know more about JC Ryan and when his next book will come out, please visit his website at http://www.jcryanbooks.com, where you can download free eBooks and sign up to receive an email when he is about to release a new book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00N3K2LMO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vinci Books (October 18, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 18, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 436 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 724 ratings

About the author

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JC Ryan
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JC Ryan is a bestselling author renowned for his intricate espionage, archaeological thrillers, and conspiracy mysteries. With over 30 acclaimed novels, including the popular Rex Dalton K9 Thrillers, Rossler Foundation Mysteries, and Carter Devereux Mystery Thrillers, Ryan has captivated readers around the globe.

Drawing from his diverse professional background—as a military officer, lawyer, and IT manager—Ryan creates compelling narratives that skillfully blend historical accuracy with thrilling adventure. He is celebrated as a master storyteller, known for crafting riveting plots, meticulous historical details, and engaging, multidimensional characters. Ryan’s meticulous research lends authenticity and depth to each story, immersing readers in richly constructed worlds filled with intrigue, suspense, and adventure.

Fans of David Baldacci, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Nelson DeMille’s John Corey, Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp, Mark Greaney’s Gray Man, Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X, Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon, Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan, Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath, James Rollins’ Sigma Force, Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone, and Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon will find JC Ryan’s novels equally compelling and unforgettable.

When not writing, Ryan enjoys spending time with his college sweetheart, whom he married in 1978. They are proud parents of two daughters, have two sons-in-law, and are grandparents to two grandchildren.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
724 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book an exciting read with a suspenseful plot that keeps them turning pages, and they appreciate how the story unfolds. The book features well-developed characters and a fast-paced narrative, with one customer noting how the science blends perfectly with character development. Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one review highlighting how religion and fanaticism are masterfully written, while another describes it as a stunning addition to the Rossler Foundation series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

69 customers mention "Readability"69 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an exciting and engrossing read that gets better with each book in the series.

"...It is worth noting that, like any other good book, the plot of ‘The Sword of Cyrus’ is driven by an emotional gravity that anyone can relate with...." Read more

"...Odd. Anyhow, this is a decent read and if you are caught up in the series, this will come as a nice continuance of the story arc." Read more

"...This book was so well-written and perfectly executed that it’s difficult to capture everything I feel in one measly little review...." Read more

"I found this book to be quite interesting in that it continues well with the rest of the series written so far and JC Ryan's writing seems to be..." Read more

43 customers mention "Suspenseful"40 positive3 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, describing it as an exciting political thriller that keeps readers turning pages.

"...has the knack for crafting a blend of archaeological facts and scientific knowledge and transforming them into literary gold...." Read more

"...if you are caught up in the series, this will come as a nice continuance of the story arc." Read more

"...real talent for capturing the reality of the horror and the tension of every plot twist, making you feel like you’re right there with the characters..." Read more

"...The plot was reasonably acceptable if the book was a stand alone but melded well with the previous books...." Read more

35 customers mention "Story quality"33 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as well-written, compelling, and utterly believable.

"...well-crafted, the layers of meaning cleverly interwoven and meticulously built up so that by the time you’re reading the last few chapters, it all..." Read more

"...While I found myself intrigued and enjoying the way the story unfolded and the way certain characters developed, I found this to be a bit of a..." Read more

"...JC Ryan has a real talent for capturing the reality of the horror and the tension of every plot twist, making you feel like you’re right there with..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the story line for being plausible and in keeping with the entire series train of thought...." Read more

22 customers mention "Character development"22 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer noting how the science blends perfectly with character development, while another mentions enjoying the new characters Salome and Roy.

"Fast paced, intrigue. Well told and heart pounding. Loved the characters and villans. Great series looking forward to the next" Read more

"...He wrapped up this series in exciting fashion. Very interesting cast of characters with some new bad villains...." Read more

"...another well-crafted story complete with intriguing and well-developed characters and dynamic story-telling. This is definitely an author to watch." Read more

"...Great cast of characters with great strength of conviction. Wonderful series!" Read more

7 customers mention "Pace"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the fast-paced plot of the book.

"Fast paced, intrigue. Well told and heart pounding. Loved the characters and villans. Great series looking forward to the next" Read more

"I had no idea where this idea came from but it's timing is right there! Held my breath many times through to the next moment I was right there!..." Read more

"...I stumbled on the series and am glad I did. Liked the pace of the plot and it's plausiblility." Read more

"...I felt like the characters were family. The pace of the story is fast. I found myself thinking ahead trying to solve the mysteries...." Read more

7 customers mention "Sexiness"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book sexy, with one customer describing it as a stunning addition to the Rossler Foundation series, while another appreciates its nice blend of modern elements.

"...On the other hand, the Rosslers are awesome, yet vulnerable in certain aspects...." Read more

"What a stunning addition to the Rossler Foundation books!..." Read more

"Well Mr Ryan did it again. He wrapped up this series in exciting fashion. Very interesting cast of characters with some new bad villains...." Read more

"...A nice blend of our world today and a look at what could be in our future. Enjoyed his work." Read more

5 customers mention "Thought provoking"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one review noting how the layers of meaning are cleverly interwoven, while another describes how religion and fanaticism are masterfully written.

"...breath-taking literary fashion at that—by making the threat real and palpable—especially when you have a determined villain who takes his cues from..." Read more

"...The exploration of political conflict and religion fanaticism are masterfully written. What really hooked me were the characters...." Read more

"...Ho hum. The characters are well written, thoughtful, caring people who give us hope that perhaps the good people of America will slip their..." Read more

"...The buildup to the final few pages was heartstopping and exillirating at once...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014
    JC Ryan’s new book, ‘The Sword of Cyrus’, is as deeply riveting as his previous three thrillers—although having read (“devoured” is perhaps the better term) the author’s previous books, I get the strong sense that the Rossler Foundation Series just keeps getting better and better. And here I speak as someone who does not make unnecessary high praise lightly. JC Ryan’s latest book is astonishingly well-crafted, the layers of meaning cleverly interwoven and meticulously built up so that by the time you’re reading the last few chapters, it all feels as satisfying as a desperate embrace.

    In ‘The Sword of Cyrus’, author JC Ryan quite cleverly stabs a finger into the open wound of the old tension between the US and Iran. However, Ryan ups the ante—and in quite a breath-taking literary fashion at that—by making the threat real and palpable—especially when you have a determined villain who takes his cues from Biblical prophecies. Especially when you have a villain who is in possession of the world’s most powerful, hitherto unimagined weapon: a bomb so small and portable yet so powerful that it can level multiple cities and annihilate countless millions. The target? The American heartland. Now, it is up to the men and women of the Rossler Foundation to counter the threat. If they fail, the consequence is unimaginable.

    It is worth noting that, like any other good book, the plot of ‘The Sword of Cyrus’ is driven by an emotional gravity that anyone can relate with. Sure, Dalir Jahandar maybe someone you can easily hate or fear, given the current world events and the rampaging onslaught of a group like the ISIS. But dalir is also coming from a place of incredible loss, and his thirst for revenge—which makes him blind to everything else and sets his path on fire—is utterly believable. On the other hand, the Rosslers are awesome, yet vulnerable in certain aspects. And it is this vulnerability that makes Ryan’s books such a joy to follow and inhabit—these novels literally leave you clutching the edge of your seat.

    This is the fourth book in the acclaimed Rossler Foundation Series. And these are full-length novels, not one of those “novellas” others keep on churning for the sake of a quick buck. The quality—and the delicious length—of Ryan’s books always make any book he releases such an enjoyable literary treat. And yes, although this is the fourth book in the series, it can stand on its own—you get a good sense of what the Rossler Foundation is, anyway, and what its agents do. But then again, as a highly recommended modus, I suggest you pick up a copy of the previous books (‘The Tenth Cycle’, ‘Ninth Cycle Antarctica’ and ‘Genetic Bullets’). In any case, you’ll meet familiar characters (the Rosslers, of course), and a few new intriguing additions that add a deeper dimension to the story.

    Most importantly, I have said this before and I’m saying it again: JC Ryan is a literary alchemist: he has the knack for crafting a blend of archaeological facts and scientific knowledge and transforming them into literary gold. There is not a page wasted in ‘The Sword of Cyrus’—every moment as tight and gripping as the next one. Read even the first few pages of ‘The Sword of Cyrus’ and you’ll see what I mean.

    Get a copy. Techno-thriller fans who actually love well-written suspense books that will take you on an unforgettable ride—you will love this book. Definitely a five-star novel.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2016
    Okay, here we are at the fourth installment of "The Rossler Foundation" series. The plot involves how the Rosslerites handle having unleashed an ancient virus that, because of genetics, only kills most people of Semitic ancestry. It is due to an old bit of "junk" DNA. Even though they created the vaccination and cure, certain Muslim Jihadists decide that the time has come for them to take over the world. One cleric, well, actually two, declares himself the prophesied "Twelve Imam." One of them dies from the virus so we are left with the worst of them. While I found myself intrigued and enjoying the way the story unfolded and the way certain characters developed, I found this to be a bit of a predictable story. If you have read the previous three books in the series, you are likely to enjoy this one. One aspect of the story is after the Rosslerites realize what a threat the ancient order of behind the scenes manipulators, the Orion Society, is, they dispatch all of its members in a rather quick and somewhat hard to believe manner. After all, they have been manipulating world events from behind the scenes, anonymously, for a very long time. Yet the Rosslerites, with the help of law enforcement around the world, eliminate them. Odd.
    Anyhow, this is a decent read and if you are caught up in the series, this will come as a nice continuance of the story arc.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2014
    What a stunning addition to the Rossler Foundation books! I did not think I could possibly be more riveted and engrossed than I was while reading the previous books, but The Sword of Cyrus has impressed me once again. This book was so well-written and perfectly executed that it’s difficult to capture everything I feel in one measly little review. From cover to cover I was unable to put the book down; I was locked for hours within the intriguing pages of this action-packed and suspenseful technothriller.

    JC Ryan has a real talent for capturing the reality of the horror and the tension of every plot twist, making you feel like you’re right there with the characters; their struggles are your struggles. I feel like it must have taken a TON of research and hard work to develop this book as expertly as the author has done. The exploration of political conflict and religion fanaticism are masterfully written. What really hooked me were the characters. Every one of them was so real to me, and I was deeply invested in the conflict.

    Overall, this was a fantastic reading experience, and I would love to see these stories on the big screen someday. I did like the chapter titles in the previous book a bit more, because I felt they were more lighthearted and humorous, but these ones were more serious. I felt like this book had a much darker vibe, which was part of what made it so captivating. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys any sort of truly intense mystery, thriller, or suspense.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2015
    I found this book to be quite interesting in that it continues well with the rest of the series written so far and JC Ryan's writing seems to be improving, even though it was very good to begin with.
    I enjoyed the story line for being plausible and in keeping with the entire series train of thought. I found only one minor detail incorrect out of the entire book, not the theory or mechanics which I do not have the background to challenge, but with a comment in the book. There may have been others that I did not catch but that is for others to find.
    The characters continue in their development through the series with new characters being introduced.
    The plot was reasonably acceptable if the book was a stand alone but melded well with the previous books.
    I really can't say that there is anything that stands out which I did not enjoy about the book.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Robert Singer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Talk About Suspense !!!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 6, 2023
    This book is filled with it right from the beginning right through to the last word on the last page. Wondering if the world is going to survive kept me on the edge of my seat, where I remained until the very end.
  • sjc
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Sword of Cyrus
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2020
    Another fantastic book from JC Ryan it keeps you totally engrossed all the way through you will want to read it again and again
  • Darklldo
    5.0 out of 5 stars The fourth in the series and just as good as the first one written
    Reviewed in Australia on November 11, 2014
    The fourth in the series and just as good as the first one written. I couldn't put it down and was captivated by the theories of previous advanced civilisations on this plant which has been around for four and a half billion years. It is entirely conceivable that there were other people before us and that we are their descendants.
    Have our ancestors been thrown into such chaos by the disruption of some world catastrophe that they lost the memory of their own past? It is very likely and not remembering it means we have no known link to our previous distant ancestors even though they no doubt existed.
    JC Ryan takes this on board and with great skill introduces us to a remarkable and pleasant group of people who delve into the mysteries and come up with some pretty convincing theories.
    Read The Tenth Cycle first, then The Ninth Cycle before going on to Genetic Bullets and finally The Sword of Cyrus.
    JC Ryan takes today's stresses in hand and delivers some very compelling thoughts on the subject.
  • grrrrrrowler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on September 10, 2015
    love all the books in this series
  • David Corbally
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2015
    A good series to read.

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