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  • The Stone Cypher

  • Mysterious Scotland, Book 3
  • By: Tormod Cockburn
  • Narrated by: Stewart Crank
  • Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)

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The Stone Cypher

By: Tormod Cockburn
Narrated by: Stewart Crank
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Summary

They thought Orkney’s standing stones studied the heavens. It never occurred to anyone, the heavens might be studying us.

Magazine editor and part-time archaeologist, Gill McArdle is getting it together. Or at least, he thinks he is, until the death of a friend throws his life into turmoil. He’s on Orkney, researching an elaborate stone carrying an ancient religious motif. But he’s perplexed as the carving long predates any previous incidence of the symbol’s first use. Either someone is tampering with Orcadian archaeology, or Gill is facing a puzzle that can’t be resolved. Complicating his investigations, a secretive teenager passes Gill a notebook, packed full of numbers. At first, unexplained and impenetrable, the analysis starts to point to a mystery among the stars. As Gill battles to unlock the truth he realizes he’s on the cusp of his most startling discovery yet.

©2022 Tormod Cockburn (P)2024 Tormod Cockburn
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What listeners say about The Stone Cypher

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good story but.....

Right from the start of this series there has been an undertone of the slightly older man lusting after young women, who the author chooses to describe as having perfect teeth, hair, complexion etc. etc. This booked, however, has ramped it up a notch. Characters wanting a piece of bar maids and the relief at flirty women being middle aged and plump. While using derogatory terms to describe women and reducing them to male objects of desire says more about the author than anything else, we won't be listening to anymore books from this author.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

I love this series, combining scientific fact with Scottish folklore. I'm so glad that they are now on Audible. Looking forward to the next.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great story but a shame about the evangelising.

I found it annoying that the Christian religion was being pushed so hard, especially for such flimsy reasons.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another great installment

These books are beautiful and the third installment in the series is no different. Blending together science, faith, and mystery, they are deeply thought through and an enthralling listen. Great story, incredible narration, and highly recommended if you want something a bit different!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

No more from this author for me sadly

Oh dear, I really loved the first two novels in this series but the insertion of religion, Christianity, absolutely ruined this story for me. I loved the archaeological and scientific details but the introduction of religion into the mix has me deciding not to continue with this series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book had me hooked from the beginning

What a great start to this book , as always the narrator was amazing and perfect for the stories of Gill McArdles adventures. Hooked from the beginning with its many twists and turns another fabulous journey of problem solving and intriguing details to keep the reader just wanting more. Look forward to reading more in this series, thank you

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So challenging

Have to admit I find this credible and that inspired me. Tormod, you are quite fey, quite amazing!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Intriguing premise, but second half sad demise

Fascinating plot and great characters all set in the amazing Orkadian Neolithic ritual landscape. So far so good. Then along comes yards of prayer, the Christian god, teams of angels and the whole light mysterious mood changes things into some sort of born again Christian gub. So disappointing, so boring. Totally ruined the story and broke the contract with the reader, when the whole genre shifted. I will try one more to see if the writer can steer this series back on track, but right this minute I am not feeling charitable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Stone Cypher

Found these books by accident and decided to give them a go. I devoured them, one after the other. The story lines are excellent - a perfect blend of fact, fantasy with a dash of otherness. The narrator was an inspired choice, he brought the story and characters to life. I’ve since learned there are another four books in the series and I can’t wait for them to be available on audible.

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