Jezebel's Tomb

David Hilzenrath was online to discuss his novel " Jezebel's Tomb," the first work of fiction to be serialized at washingtonpost.com.

The book is a biblical mystery, archaeological thriller, action-adventure, and romance.

(No, it isn't a knock-off of That Other Novel That Shall Not Be Named.)

It is, however, a far cry from Hilzenrath's standard fare as a reporter on The Post's financial news staff. As a first-time author, he claims it's his best book yet. You can decide for yourself.

Hilzenrath has been interested in archaeology ever since his grandfather bought him a metal detector to scour the woods of historic Lexington, Mass. He began work on "Jezebel's Tomb" in 1996, while he was on a John S. Knight Fellowship at the University of Michigan. His research took him to archaeological sites in the Middle East and beyond.

For more information on this project, including the latest installment, go to www.washingtonpost.com/jezebelstomb, where new readers may begin with Day One. "Jezebel's Tomb" is also available in paperback exclusively from Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive and Lulu.com, which prints copies on demand.

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: http://www.jezebelstomb.com

David Hilzenrath: Thank you for joining us, and thank you to washingtonpost.com for the opportunity to be here with you.

I've gotten a lot of questions about how to find Jezebel's Tomb on the Web. The easiest way may be through the shortcut www.jezebelstomb.com.

Now on to your questions.

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Coral Gables, Fla.: I just finished reading Jezebel's tomb. I can't believe that you had such a difficult time finding a publisher. How do you now go beyond the internet to publicize and distribute this terrific novel?

David Hilzenrath: Thank you -- that means a lot to me.

Hopefully with help from readers like you. If you think your friends would enjoy it, please spread the word.

As for distribution, the complete printed book is available in softcover via www.lulu.com/content/632139 and the "Buy The Complete Book" buttons at www.jezebelstomb.com.

(I'm new to this, but I'm learning to make the plug.)

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Stockbridge, Mass.: I was stopped dead in my tracks by your quotes from Matthew and Luke-"New Testament words of Jesus, himself." Throughout "Jezebel's Tomb," the story is illuminated and becomes even more gripping by such inclusions of Biblical and historical references. Perhaps you research left you with questions. Certainly, your quotes left this reader with lots of questions and a surprising desire to look at your sources for myself.

David Hilzenrath: I think you're probably referring to verses such as these from the Gospels:

"Do you suppose I came to establish peace on earth? No indeed. I have come to bring dissension."

"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

(Luke 12:51 and Matthew 10:34.)

Like you, I was suprised by these passages. They challenged me to study the scripture more intently.

My personal journey through the Old and New Testaments was filled with countless similar moments -- enough to fill another book, "What They Don't Teach You in Sunday School."

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Beverly Hills, Calif.: Since I couldn't wait for installments, I bought the book. Three nights of late-to-bed. The layers of plot intersect so smoothly. The characters in this jigsaw puzzle fit in place convincingly. I am going to follow your career. Well done!

David Hilzenrath: Sentiments like that make it all worthwhile. Thank you for commenting.

I've heard from other readers that the pace and intensity ratchet up by quantum leaps as the various strands come together.

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Occoquan, Va.: What characteristics do you share with Benjamin Jordan? Since both of you are journalists, is it fair to assume that he's a fictionalized version of yourself?

David Hilzenrath: Benjamin Jordan is much cooler than I could ever hope to be.

Plus, like my brave colleagues in the war zones, he's working a much more dangerous story.

My occupational hazards tend toward the paper-cut variety.

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San Jose, Calif.: Can you discuss the creative process? Specifically: how do you turn off the financial investigative reporting spigot (that often times can be a dry piece on intricate shell games (Enron)) and turn on the creative spigot?

David Hilzenrath: There are a lot of similarities. Both efforts involve a lot of digging.

But, as I told one of my sources last week, he can finally accuse me of writing fiction.

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Washington D.C.: Your story is very gripping so far. Congratulations. Consider me hooked. It seems pretty clear so far that Benjamin is your hero. But I'm not at all sure which of the other characters are heros or villains. Is that intentional?

David Hilzenrath: You won't get the answers out of me.

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Washington, D.C.: Of all the biblical research that contributed to making this book so provocative, what surprised you the most?

David Hilzenrath: I don't think of the book as provocative. I hope it's thought-provoking.

But, in answer to your question, I was surprised to learn that the Gospels conflict.

From the Old Testament, I was stunned to learn the real reason why God parted the Red Sea . . . What actually happened when Joshua fought the battle of Jericho . . . How Moses commanded the massacre of the Midianites . . . and how God ordered the Promised Land cleansed of its prior inhabitants.

Suffice to say I wouldn't have predicted the answers from "Thou shalt not kill."

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Philadelphia: David,

Your novel is indeed refreshing. The Web serialization by the Post is intriguing. Smart move by leadership there.

Is this the proper venue for site suggestions? Is there a link like that to send our ideas? For instance, it would be a nice touch if you could ping readers when new installments are up.

David Hilzenrath: Thank you for the suggestion.

The serialization of Jezebel's Tomb is an experiment, and we're trying to learn what works for readers.

If you have any comments or suggestions as we go along, and if we don't get to them in this chat, please drop me an email via the link at www.jezebelstomb.com.

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Westchester, N.Y.: This book seems to have real soul. Intricate plot, fast read. Is there a forward to a friend link from your chapters? Don't see one.

David Hilzenrath: Another helpful suggestion.

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Manassas, Va.:"Jezebel's Tomb" seems like it would be a great movie. Is that something you thought about while you were writing it? Is there any interest in Hollywood?

David Hilzenrath: Many thanks. If you have friends in Hollywood, give me a call.

I tried to make Jezebel's Tomb cinematic -- not for the big screen, but to make scenes jump off the page.

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Fairfax, Va.: There is a very exciting scene from a Passover seder, which contradicts traditional interpretations of slavery as related in Exodus. How does the account in Jezebel's Tomb, which I find hard to swallow, square with the universal notion that God condemned slavery?

David Hilzenrath: I sympathize with your reaction.

When I was growing up, no holiday meant more to me than Passover, which commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In my family, it celebrated a universal human right: freedom.

Every year, we'd tell the Passover story. In our version, Moses decried the evils of slavery, and God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape the Egyptian army.

I was just as surprised as you are to discover that the Book of Exodus tells it differently.

In Exodus, God explicitly condones slavery. Even as God is freeing the Israelites, he's telling them they can keep slaves.

In Exodus, the Israelites are making good progress on their journey out of Egypt when God tells them to turn back and camp by the Red Sea. Why? God tells us:

"So that I many win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army."

For me, sadly, Passover has never been the same.

The acceptance of slavery runs through the New Testament, too. Tragically, it was invoked to defend the institution of slavery in America.

"Slaves, give entire obedience to your earthly masters . . . out of reverence for the Lord," Paul says in Colossians (3:22).

Peter tells servants to submit to their masters "with all due respect, not only to those who are kind and forbearing, but even to those who are unjust." (1 Peter 2:18-19)

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Chicago: Mr Hilzenrath,

The first four installments of the book are great! My question is how long is it going to take to get through the entire book? How many different installments are there?

Thanks!

David Hilzenrath: Glad you're enjoying it. It's scheduled to unfold over a period of months.

For readers who are too impatient for the installment plan, we're happy to deliver the softcover via Lulu.com.

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washingtonpost.com: Jezebel's Tomb on lulu.com

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Washingdon D.C.: How did you get the idea for the plot?

David Hilzenrath: Several threads of thinking came together to form Jezebel's Tomb. To mention a couple . . .

I was reading about the Dead Sea Scrolls for perspective on the Bible, and I came across two tantalizing footnotes to history.

One was a brittle, oxidized scroll etched in copper, unearthed in the Judean Desert in 1952, describing an ancient hidden treasure. Some scholars believe its clues point to the treasures of the Jerusalem Temple, spirited out before the city was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.

The second bit of inspiration for Jezebel's Tomb was the true, nearly forgotten story of a 19th Century Jerusalem shopkeeper. In 1883, he journeyed to Europe with a puzzling relic. He claimed it was an ancient biblical text. He said a Bedouin found it in a cave near the Dead Sea.

The trouble was, this biblical text differed from the versions that have come down to us through the ages.

The British Museum was reportedly poised to buy it for a fortune when it was ridiculed as a forgery. After all, one critic asked, how could a fragile document remain intact for thousands of years in a cave in the Holy Land?

The shopkeeper slipped out of London and committed suicide. His scroll was lost to history.

And, in the middle of the 20th Century, other ancient scrolls were found in caves near the Dead Sea. They came to be known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, and their discovery cast the shopkeeper's story in a whole new light.

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Washington, D.C.: In your answer above you say, "Suffice to say I wouldn't have predicted the answers from "Thou shalt not kill." What do you mean by that??

David Hilzenrath: Much blood was shed, on Highest authority.

For more, see Jezebel's Tomb.

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Washington, D.C.: What was the hardest part of writing your novel?

David Hilzenrath: Rewriting it.

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Takoma Park, Md.: I'm really enjoying the book! Thanks! The descriptions of the Middle East seem so vivid. Have you lived there? How did you do your research?

David Hilzenrath: I traveled in the Middle East, and I was overwhelmed by the vividness of the experience -- the sense of history, and the power of the land.

The pristine beauty of Wadi Rum. The drama of standing atop Masada, where Jews chose death at their own hands over Roman slavey.

Looking down from Masada, and seeing piled stones on the desert floor -- the outlines of the camps the Romans pitched thousands of years ago when they besieged Masada.

I could go on. I guess that's what novels are for.

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David Hilzenrath: I'm afraid we're out of time. If I didn't get to your question, please feel free to send an email.

Heartfelt thanks for your interest in Jezebel's Tomb.

I hope we can continue the discussion another day.

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