The Third Gate

A Novel

By: Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Under the direction of famed explorer Porter Stone, an archaeological team is secretly attempting to locate the tomb of an ancient pharaoh who was unlike any other in history. Stone believes he has found the burial chamber of King Narmer, the near mythical god-king who united upper and lower Egypt in 3200 B.C., and the archaeologist has reason to believe that the greatest prize of all - Narmer's crown - might be buried with him. No crown of an Egyptian king has ever been discovered, and Narmer's is the elusive crown of the two Egypts, supposedly possessed of awesome powers.

The dig itself is located in one of the most forbidding places on Earth - the Sudd, a nearly impassable swamp in northern Sudan. Amid the nightmarish, disorienting tangle of mud and dead vegetation, a series of harrowing and inexplicable occurrences are causing people on the expedition to fear a centuries - old curse. With a monumental discovery in reach, Professor Jeremy Logan is brought onto the project to investigate. What he finds will raise new questions... and alarm.

In the hands of master storyteller Lincoln Child, The Third Gate breaks new ground and introduces a fascinating new protagonist to the thriller world.

©2012 Lincoln Child (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Lincoln Child's novels are thrilling and tantalizing." (Vince Flynn)

"Bestseller Child ( Terminal Freeze) more than succeeds in making a mummy's curse terrifying in this superb supernatural thriller.... Child evokes fear through understatement...Readers will hope to see more of [lead character] Logan in a sequel." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Ample gadgetry, New Age soul-shifting, and pyrotechnics sufficient to employ a stable of stuntmen when brought to film: Child's newest is the sort of thing to delight all those who got wrapped up in The Mummy. Think, a Dan Brown-ian adventure amongst Pharaohs ready with a pocket full of curses." ( Kirkus)

Excellent!

This book was excellent excellent excellent! I couldn't stop listening. The story and narration were both top notch!

His Best Solo to Date

Incredible story but made believable. No gaps or dead spots. Great character development Nice narration. Overall 10 out of 19

A Bit Contrived But Probably Worth the Credit

Any additional comments?

The basic underlying plot was a bit hokey. Yet this author always delivers good characters, a smooth and entertaining narrative. Found the setting interesting but just felt the storyline was too contrived and fell short of the author's usual standards. This may insult some people's intelligence.

The Third Gate

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I was really disappointed in the narrator.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lincoln Child? Why or why not?

Yes

What three words best describe Johnathan McClain’s performance?

I thought it was boring.

Was The Third Gate worth the listening time?

I struggled through since I paid for it.

Exciting but complex.

We’ll put together but so much to remember for reader to understand. Ending exciting but characters get lost.

Reliable Entertainment for Child Fans

A talented author in his own right, Lincoln Child is at his best when he is collaborating with Douglas Preston on the Pendergast series. That being said, I enjoy both Preston and Lincoln's independent novels as well.

Most of Child's stand alone stories have a similar flavor and pattern to them. The Third Gate is no exception, and if you are a regular reader you will recognize the general situation the protagonist is put in, and the type of characters he is surrounded by. The fun comes by sitting back, and allowing yourself to be carried along on an enjoyable story.

I hovered between placing the narration rating between a 2 and a 3; it was fine, really, but there were times when it appeared that Mr. McClain didn't know what the next sentence would say; so you end up with situations such as the narrator saying at full volume, ' "It can't be true!" he whispered ' - and then, having finally read the word "whispered", he completed the phrase whispering - ' "how could it happen?"

There were several moments like that, and so it wasn't my favorite reading; but it's not anything that will ruin the story for you.

As mentioned before, the plot line will feel somewhat familiar to those who regularly read Child's work; but that can be a good thing; it means you know what you're getting, and you know you like it. The second half of the book had a fun twist, and all in all I ended feeling entertained. There was one aspect of the book I found baffling, but it was strictly a side note.

I don't anticipate this will be many people's favorite book of all time, but I think fans will generally be satisfied.

Only okay

I have listened to most of Lincoln Child's books, as well as the ones he wrote with Douglas Preston. I enjoyed most of them, but I was disappointed with this one. It is okay, but it is not a book I'll listen to again and I probably won't recommend it to others. It just didn't work for me. The narrator was okay.

Meh

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was okay; there are certainly worse ways to spend time. The story felt somewhat pedestrian and derivative, Clive Cussler by way of Lincoln Child. Don't get me wrong; it was a fun enough book and I'm not sorry that I spent money and time on it. But if you're looking for The Summer Read of 2012....keep looking.

What three words best describe Johnathan McClain’s performance?

Uneven. Uninspired. Unwieldy.

Did The Third Gate inspire you to do anything?

I'll re-think reading a book written solely by Lincoln Child. (He's definitely much better when writing with a partner.)

Any additional comments?

If you want an adventure story that won't tax your brain and if you like to be able to guess what's going to happen next, this is the book for you!

No point

Is there anything you would change about this book?

A story

Has The Third Gate turned you off from other books in this genre?

Off

What three words best describe Johnathan McClain’s voice?

Pleasant, calm, professional

Was The Third Gate worth the listening time?

No

Any additional comments?

I don't really listen (or read) books like this, but I decided to try this one - I had a huge design project and I needed something to occupy my mind while I was working with my hands. The novel didn't do the trick. I just couldn't believe that the writer who clearly has a talent, wrote a story that didn't touch me in any way. Somewhat an "empty shell".

Not a great story. Good performance.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Learnt about Egyptian Pharaohs a lot. And how it was Unified.
Beyond that, meh.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lincoln Child? Why or why not?

Of course. Have tried out various other books.

What about Johnathan McClain’s performance did you like?

Brilliant. Made the best effort out of a mediocre story.

Was The Third Gate worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

50-50 I would say. Could have done better. I had assumed an alien interference, much like Impact.