JACK STERLING & THE SPEAR OF DESTINY

In Griggs’ debut thriller, a search for a religious relic endangers a salvage-company owner and his friends.

Jack Sterling runs a salvage and boat recovery service in Florida. While on a job, he discovers a 1940s coin with a Vatican-related inscription on one side and a swastika on the other. He connects his find to rumors that Pope Pius XII aided Hitler during WWII. The coin most likely came from a lost U-boat, which contains the Spear of Destiny. This relic has changed hands throughout history and reputedly harbors great power—obtained when it was used during Jesus’ crucifixion. But someone evidently doesn’t want Jack to have the spear and blows up his tugboat. It’s not long before nefarious groups—wanting to obtain the spear and the accompanying treasure or to shut down pope-Hitler allegations—threaten Jack and his crew, which includes his girlfriend and his bestie. The search continues, though simply staying alive quickly takes precedence. Griggs, a film director and producer, writes a story that could easily be a Hollywood script. It races from scene to scene even while developing Jack’s historically rich backstory. There are ample clashes, action sequences, and neo-Nazis. Griggs creates effervescent scenes, like this view from Jack’s minisub: Orange jellyfish are “floating lamps…spreading in the vacant waters, encrusting like stars in the massive sky.” While the lurking danger makes for exciting scenes, much of the story is predictable. But that changes with the final act. It’s a gleefully hectic denouement bursting with surprises and a superb ending that perfectly sets up future volumes of Griggs’ prospective series.

A riveting sea adventure that will leave readers craving sequels.