Columbus, Ohio Jan 10, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - Deep in the Cambodian jungle, a stepped stone pyramid looms over sugar-palms and banana trees. In the ancient city of Koh Ker, many of the statues show signs of wear, some of tool marks.

Author Caleb Andrew uses Koh Ker and its history, both ancient and recent, as a backdrop for his new archaeological thriller. Delving into the story of the rebel king who built the mysterious pyramid of Koh Ker and why the city was abandoned after only forty years, Andrew's book is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat novel rooted in reality. But the story--an international art thief plundering a priceless Khmer antiquity--is not so far-fetched.

The ancient archaeological wonder of Koh Ker was newly appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023 but has a troubled history. Looters stole hundreds of artifacts and statues from Koh Ker between 1970 and 2010. In 2019, the US government brought criminal and civil charges against Douglas Latchford, a Thailand-based American art collector, for decades of theft and trafficking in art from Koh Ker and other temples.  

Reviews and interviews are available upon request. Available now at Amazon (Ebook, Paperback), Barnes and Noble, (Paperback) and other major retailers. Coming soon in Cambodia, and available in some Kinokuniya bookstores in Southeast Asia.

Key Highlights of "The Koh Ker Conspiracy":

• A Pressing Social Issue: The trafficking of antiquities is a billion-dollar industry, and affects many developing countries, like Cambodia. The novel puts this issue before the reader, explaining the importance of protecting cultural history.
• Unknown histories: The book presents well-researched insights into the historical significance of Koh Ker, bringing to light untold stories and forgotten tales that have shaped the region for centuries.
• Tourism Boom: According to recent reports from the local government, tourism to Koh Ker has surged by an impressive 71.2 percent since receiving the prestigious UNESCO designation. "The Koh Ker Conspiracy" aims to shed further light on this archaeological wonder.

Praise for "The Koh Ker Conspiracy":

"A literary Indiana Jones book: If you love Indiana Jones or The Mummy, this book is perfect!" - Briana, Amazon Reviewer

"The pillaging of archaeological finds is currently a problem in the country of Cambodia and this book brings it to life. I recommend this novel for anyone looking for an out of the box adventure inspired by history and archaeology." - Chris Wy, Amazon Reviewer

Author Bio:

Caleb Andrew is an author and lawyer, raised in Cambodia. The first time he saw the Koh Ker pyramid, it was abandoned, and he's thrilled to see it finally achieving the recognition it deserves. This is his first book, and it was a finalist in The Adventure Writers Competition 2021, prior to publication. He can be found online at: https://calebandrew.mystrikingly.com.