Acorn interview with Joann Groff

Calabasas author releases book to major fanfare 

By Joann Groff (joann@theacorn.com)

Ron Cutler

Although he calls himself a very spiritual man, author Ron Cutler isn't a religious person. But when he traveled to Israel in 1993, Cutler felt something he could hardly explain.

"When I walked into Israel, I was like, 'Wow,'" Cutler said. "Something about the land just grabs you. It's hard to understand, but there's something about that place."

The protagonist in Cutler's soon to be released first novel, biblical archaeologist Josh Cohan, has a similar experience when he takes a long-overdue sabbatical from his post at a Pennsylvania university.

"When Josh comes to Israel from Pennsylvania it changes his life," Cutler said. "He has an eerie feeling he's been there before."

"The Secret Scroll," which will be released nationwide Feb. 13, follows Cohan on a journey to a cave where he discovers a 2,000year-old scroll. The writings look to be those of Yehoshua ben Yosef, known today as Jesus Christ. Cohan's monumental discovery immediately puts him in danger, as an extremist religious sect is eager to destroy the scroll.

"The villains are sort of a metaphor for al-Qaida," Cutler said. "They'll do anything they can to get their way. Even though they are a sect, there are influential members in various parts of the world and they have an agenda to destroy the world and reshape it their way."

Despite the prominent religious and violent tones, Cutler said his goal was to write a book people loved reading.

"I'm not looking to redefine or change anyone's point of view," Cutler said. "I just wanted to create something fun and entertaining. The majority of people who read it, if they don't take it too seriously, will really enjoy it.

"I just want people to think a little bit about how we're taught things- not change anything- just think about it."

Cutler grew up in Philadelphia where he was a radio disc jockey by age 18. It was the beginning of a near20 year career in radio during which Cutler owned a variety of stations and produced a number of radio shows. He also operated nightclubs and movie theaters.

Cutler said he's wanted to write a novel for about 30 years, but in January 2004 he became "obsessed" with research for "The Secret Scroll."

"I read a vast library of books on the subject- at least 75 books on Jesus Christ's life from biblical scholars," Cutler said. "In my head things started to come together."

Cutler read college textbooks on archaeology and visited Israel again in 2006 to double-check facts. He interviewed countless scholars and archaeologists all around the world.

"Normally in a thriller there's just a linear story- a beginning, middle and end," Cutler said. "It's all plot driven, and not a lot of character development. I tried to do more than that. There's a love story mixed up with killings, kidnappings and this amazing scroll. It's a mixture of facts, fiction and historical speculation, and the reader can decide which is which."

"The Secret Scroll" is already creating quite a buzz. Eight major publishers outside the United States have already picked up the book and it will be released internationally in 2009. And a couple weeks ago the American Booksellers Association, a group of 1,200 independent bookstores, voted "The Secret Scroll" a notable selection for its February catalogue.

"I've spent the last five years doing this book," Cutler said. "I'm surprised and overwhelmed at the feedback I'm getting."

Cutler sent copies of the book to his three favorite thriller writers, and all three wrote back with very positive reviews.

James Rollins, bestselling author of "The Judas Strain," was one such fan.

"Lightning-paced, meticulously researched, 'The Secret Scroll' is a thriller bound to shake the world," Rollins wrote. "Both a thoughtful treatise on faith and a riveting voyage of discovery, here is a debut to be savored well into the night."

On Feb. 9 Cutler will host his first signing at Barnes & Noble in Calabasas from 5 to 7 p.m. He will sign limited editions of the book, the first 250 off the press.

"Calabasas is my home and I have lots of friends in the area," Cutler said. "I thought it would be nice to open up in that environment."

Cutler said "The Secret Scroll" is the first of a proposed trilogy.

For more information visit www.thesecretscroll.com.