ATLANTA, GA – Deep within the carved stone of sacred sanctuaries, beneath the chants and cloaks of ancient orders, lies a secret history never meant to be spoken. In his gripping novel, In the Shadow of the Temple: The Lucifer Principle, author Roy Goodliffe drags it into the light.
Equal parts investigative thriller and historical exposé, In the Shadow of the Temple: The Lucifer Principle follows a truth-hungry reporter whose simple assignment becomes a dangerous descent into the origins of violence cloaked in scripture. This is a story that doesn’t blink—a novel that dares to question the very institutions built to house the divine.
When the Sacred Turns Sinister
For Brent Ketchum, a curious young journalist working a beat on religious politics, everything changes with the arrival of a strange manuscript—a book detailing rites, rituals, and blood-soaked secrets that stretch from medieval Templars to modern-day power brokers. But the moment he opens it, he becomes a marked man.
Entangled with shadowy figures—Septimius Seldon, an ex-Mason who knows too much; secret societies guarding legacies of fire and control; and the silent threat of those who kill not for money but for doctrine—Brent finds himself in a breathtaking cat-and-mouse chase. He navigates coded histories, hidden rituals, and a violent reckoning waiting just beneath the altar.
Goodliffe writes with the pulse of a newsroom and the depth of a philosopher. The novel poses a haunting question: When the men behind the curtain wear the robes of faith, who dares call them to account? The subtitle, “The Lucifer Principle,” a nod to Howard Bloom’s theory on the inherent duality of humanity, adds another layer of intrigue. While Bloom’s theory, exploring the “Devil’s Brand” bestowed upon men and women at creation, may be less prominent now, its resonance within the narrative adds depth and complexity to the themes of faith, power, and the human condition.
A Masterpiece of Suspicion and Revelation
Unlike traditional thrillers, In the Shadow of the Temple: The Lucifer Principle doesn’t hide behind fiction—it leans into the uncomfortable truths that inspired it. The historical parallels are precise. The theological questions are bold. The conspiracy feels less imagined than uncovered.
Evoking the literary tension of The Da Vinci Code and The Name of the Rose, this book will appeal to readers who crave intellectual weight alongside thrilling suspense. However, Goodliffe crafts a unique narrative, grounding each twist in the emotional turmoil of a man grappling not just with the mystery around him but also with his own faith.
In the Shadow of the Temple: The Lucifer Principle is available now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats. Read it if you dare. Believe it if you must.
About the Author
Roy Goodliffe is a researcher, storyteller, and literary dissenter whose work challenges the boundaries between religion and revelation. Drawing from decades of study into secret societies, ecclesiastical history, and cultural theology, he crafts novels that not only entertain — they provoke. In the Shadow of the Temple is his breakout work fiercely written, fearlessly researched, and unforgettable in its execution.
About Authors Tranquility Press
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Authors Tranquility Press exists to amplify stories that matter — stories that provoke, uplift, and endure. With a commitment to bold storytelling and global reach, ATP helps authors reach audiences ready for truth in every form.
Media ContactCompany Name: Author’s Tranquility PressContact Person: Louela Sanders – Marketing Fulfillment AssociateEmail: Send EmailPhone: (866) 411-8655Address:531 Roselane Street NW Suite 400-175City: MariettaState: Georgia, 30060Country: United StatesWebsite: www.authorstranquilitypress.com
