Doomsday Match

The Dresden Codex, Book 1

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A vacationing family becomes pawns in an ancient ritual designed to bring about the apocalypse in a riveting thriller by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler.

A prophecy has waited for five centuries to be fulfilled. That time has come. Sacrifices will be made. Let the games begin.

When Jonathon Roth and his family are invited by their neighbors, the Beasleys, to join them at a luxury retreat in Cozumel, who can refuse? It’s the perfect winter getaway. Relaxing on the beach, gourmet food, sightseeing, and free accommodations. But if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Villa Sara de Calakmul, owned by mysterious tycoon Jacob Calakmul, is more isolated compound than private resort. Armed guards patrol the jungle perimeters. Pictures of previous guests—long disappeared—adorn the walls. And there are whispers of something coming called “the game.” Even in the sweltering heat, the Roths feel a chill—and the fear that they haven’t been invited to Villa Sara. They’ve been lured. But for what purpose? And to what end?

From the ruins, a death cult is reborn. A prophecy to bring down Western civilization is being realized. As a legendary blood sport is engaged, the Roths themselves may need to call upon ancient powers if they’re to survive, escape, and save the world from annihilation.

©2023 Jeff Wheeler (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Easy to follow, well-paced, and an intriguing concept.” —Midwest Book Review

“A fast-paced and enthralling thriller that blends ancient history, magic, and action. Once I started this book, I couldn’t stop—and loved every single scene. A masterpiece of story and setting. Highly recommend!” —A. R. Torre, New York Times bestselling author

“Jeff Wheeler knocks it out of the park with his supercharged thriller Doomsday Match. From the very first scene, you know you’re in for an incredible thrill ride full of constant danger and relentless twists—set against a jaw-dropping conspiracy background. Just when you think you’ve figured out Wheeler’s game, he artfully rips the rug out from under the reader, shaking up the plot. If you’re a fan of fast-paced, devious conspiracies with a little more than a touch of magic and mysticism, Doomsday Match is for you!”—Steven Konkoly, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

“Fans of James Rollins and Dan Brown will love this stunning new thriller from Jeff Wheeler. Doomsday Match is utterly engrossing, a dark and complex tale filled with ancient secrets, adventure, and betrayal. You won’t be able to put it down.” —Melinda Leigh, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author

Fascinating!!

I think I’ve ready every book that Jeff Wheeler has written. Some are poetically beautiful, others are gripping, but everyone has been a good read, and ones I’ll be reading again!! They are blood pumping but never crude. Love them!!

Pretty good but some inconsistency

I don’t know why but it really annoys me when Serena “fell asleep” in the cenotes that a few paragraphs before the author said had flat walls that couldn’t be climbed and that anyone in would need to tread water in. Sleep trending? 🤣

Super fan

I enjoyed this book and can hardly wait for the next. Jeff Wheeler never disappoints.

Great book!!

Best part about this book is how the author just jumps right in the action and he made sure the family wasn't some bumbling idiots and they figured it out pretty quickly. Great job on that!! Can't wait for book 2!!

Great start to a great series!

I love Jeff Wheeler and when I tan across this is was so excited. Needless to say I wasn’t disappointed.

Loved the book! Not sure if I ever want to venture into Mexico again!

Good story, kept me on the edge of my figurative seat while running, household chores, and putting away the Christmas decorations!

Compelling story line

Jeff Wheeler is a very gifted literary artist who can weave compelling characters and story lines together to draw you into the adventure.

Excellent

Well developed characters. Great story. I enjoyed every minute of this book. A must read.

A Wheeler fantasy set among Mayan ruins

This is an interesting change from Wheeler’s King fountain-like stories. Set in modern times, the Roth family accepts an invitation for a Christmas stay at s as private resort on Cozumel. They begin to suspect that they were invited for nefarious reasons when they see the compound guarded by men with automatic weapons.

The family escapes the compound and are hunted by those armed men. Most of the story covers the family’s fight to save their lives.

Elements of magic start to appear, but play a minor part in the plot until later in the story.

Oh My Goodness!!!

This was a bit of a surprise from Mr. Wheeler. And a good one! I love the departure from our old world wizards and stories of the abbeys. Not that I don’t want more of Muirwood! I loved that set of books! But this is absolutely a wonderful step into another culture that is so different from the Muirwood culture. And this has me just a bit nervous and jerky about things that could have a bit more of a chance to really be something that I need to watch! The characters are great. Roth and his kids (and I’m gonna have to get the Kindle book to see about the names because I can’t figure them out for sure) and the surprises that they find on their Christmas holiday in beautiful South America. I know that it doesn’t get cold there, but I don’t think I could deal with the jungle and the humidity and the heat. Or the snakes and the bugs and other creepy crawly things that go “crick click crick” in the night. And the darkness that would have me in a nervous rigor for the entire night! And the little girl that ran away with the Roth family - how horrible was that? One does become involved with each of these characters and with the trials that they go through. It’s one of my favorite things about this author. I become so attached to the characters in his books that it’s hard to let go of them. I am glad to see that the last book of this series will be out this month so I won’t be on pins and needles to know how all this ends up. I still have Book 2 to read and I will try to be good and not read all of it in one sitting… Narration is great and it is easy to tell who is talking for the most part. And the command of the languages - WOW!! Of course, I would have no idea if the Mayan is spoken as it should be, but it sure sounds like it is. I do know some Spanish, but not enough to know how well that’s being done. But it all sounds good. And one can tell that there has been some time - a lot of time - doing research on the history of the Mayan people. Bottom line - If you like mysterious, spooky stories about things that are pretty grisly, pick this one up for a good read. Of course, you will then have to buy the next two books of the series to find out what happens, but they are totally worth it!