The Rosetta Key Q&A
William Dietrich
Q: Do I have to read �Napoleon�s
Pyramids� to enjoy �The Rosetta Key?�
A: No. While The Rosetta Key is a sequel to the
earlier book, continuing the story of Ethan Gage�s adventures during
Napoleon�s invasion of the Middle East, it is a stand-alone read.
Background from the earlier story is provided in the saga. The first
book does make the entire epic more enjoyable, however, and I�m
betting readers of one will want to try the other.
Q: Why return to the same period
and character?
A: Ethan may be of dubious moral fiber at times, but he�s
proven oddly popular, his first story selling into twenty-five
languages to date. Those who read Napoleon�s Pyramids know
that its ending left some questions hanging (literally) and I was as
curious as anyone to find out what happens next. So I wrote The
Rosetta Key to find out, and bring the story full circle.
Q: What is the setting?
A: In 1799, Napoleon decided to invade the Holy Land after
his successful conquest of Egypt the year before. Cut off from
France by the defeat of the French navy by Admiral Nelson, Bonaparte
gambled that with a relatively small number of men he could
overthrow the Ottoman Empire and link up with Tippoo Sahib in India.
Had he succeeded, world history would have radically changed. But an
unlikely alliance of British, Muslim and French royalist leaders in
the city of Acre mounted a desperate defense to stop him. That siege
is the centerpiece of my story. The battles are all true.
Q: Are the characters the same
or new?
A: A deliberate mix, including what I hope will be some
surprises. Ethan meets such interesting people! I think readers will
have the satisfaction of seeing this particular episode in
Bonaparte�s career completed, while leaving open the door to more
Ethan Gage adventures.
Q: Did you visit the Holy Land
as you did Egypt?
A: Yes. I waded through underground tunnels in Jerusalem,
walked old ramparts and moats at Acre, found the Mount Tabor
battlefield on an Israeli kibbutz (you can bet they wanted to know
who this strange guy was taking pictures of empty fields), followed
the Jordan from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, and walked the
ruins of Petra in Jordan. I try to give all my novels a strong sense
of place.
Q: Does the Rosetta Key have
anything to do with the Rosetta Stone, discovered in Egypt and now
in the British Museum?
A: Sorry, you have to read the book. But if you have an
interest in ancient and medieval history, Templar and Kabbalah
secrets, or the early history of electricity, you�ll enjoy The
Rosetta Key.
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