CARLi: The Last Scroll

(Paperback)

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Description

On the morning of her fourth birthday in 1812, a little girl encounters an alien being who silently conveys a secret code that she recalls a lifetime later only hours before her death in 1857. Frail and nearly unable to speak, she transmits the code to a trusted colleague who hides it, only to be discovered and decrypted in 1940 by Nazi scientists who believe its secrets can perpetuate the Third Reich.

A young nurse who is abducted from Amsterdam and conscripted to serve the medical needs of Hitler's generals in the Berghof, his vacation residence in Bavaria, foils the plot by stealing the secrets of the code that now envelopes her with extraordinary powers. Consumed with vengeance and obsessed with reclaiming the code, a vicious Nazi general relentlessly pursues the fleeing nurse who is now protected by a mysterious extraterrestrial device known as CARLi, which holds the promise of eternal youth and the secrets to scientific breakthroughs that can alleviate human suffering.

Interlaced with facts from historical events and inspired by phenomena officially designated as unexplained, CARLi is filled with suspense, romance, horror, and mystery.

Reviews

1. I read a lot of historical novels, and especially WWII novels. This story line was fascinating. The dialogue and action kept me totally invested. The blend of history and technology is intriguing. I want Rachel to "win". She has all the great character traits of a strong protagonist. I also really like Dr. Turner. I like how she wants to help Rachel - not to become her, but to support her in her own way. And not in a parental way, but in an apprenticeship model. It's so interesting to watch how they develop trust in their relationship. (Elizabeth L.)

2. Somewhere as the plot was thickening I was wondering if this didn't lend itself to a movie script. (Paul F.)

3. The story is incredibly exciting. (Donna R.)

4. I just finished a reading of CARLi: The Arrival. You will be pleased to know that in spite of my aversion to science fiction, fantasy, and futuristic literature, I didn't put CARLi down. In fact, I couldn't!

A couple of times, I had to put the book down out of fear: I knew something awful was about to happen but I wasn't emotionally prepared for what it might be.

Your book meets and exceeds the Number One requirement of a narrative: suspense. We want to know what will happen next!

Your melding of historical people and events with Rachel and CARLi is fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the encounter with Einstein and his secretary. I suspect you had a secretary like that, as have I. Pat Thomann comes to mind for me, as does a secretary Randy and I had at Vanderbilt.

The most intense part of your novel so far, for me, is the sequence of events at the Berghof. Once underway, those events completely engrossed me. In our lifetimes there is hardly anything more horrible than the Third Reich and what it reveals about humanity. Being at the very center of it with Rachel, a character in constant danger and so incredibly vulnerable, was almost unbearable. I did put the book down several times to recoup enough detachment to proceed. (Douglas T.

Author Bio

R.A. Portnoy's novel is CARLi - The Last Scroll, inspired by unexplained reports in today's headlines blended with historical fact, takes readers on an exciting journey spanning space and time. Steeped in the thrill of storytelling, the author takes great joy in the reactions of readers as they cheer for the heroes, jeer for the villains, and revel in the satisfying endings. CARLi - The Last Scroll is the author's first novel. It marks the beginning of his storytelling journey.