The Lost Years

A Novel

By: Mary Higgins Clark

Narrated by: Jan Maxwell

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

In her long career as America's most beloved suspense writer, Mary Higgins Clark's The Lost Years is her most astonishing and dramatic work to date. At its center is a discovery that, if authenticated, may be the most revered document in human history - the holiest of the holy - and certainly the most coveted and valuable object in the world.

Dr. Richard Callahan, a world-respected biblical scholar, is astonished when Mariah Lyons shows him a letter left to her by her late father, a distinguished professor of ancient history. The letter, which contains a translation from a 2,000-year-old papyrus scroll, is accompanied by a dusty clay jar and a fragile fragment of papyrus torn from a scroll. If accurate, the translation made by Mariah's father, an Arabic scholar, shows that the scroll contains a letter in Christ's own handwriting, and more than that, concerns a pivotal moment in his life.

But the rest of the scroll has vanished, and Mariah is aware that somebody else out there wants it. With Dr. Callahan's help, Mariah is drawn into the search for the scroll, the very existence of which might change the world - and for which somebody close to her would kill to possess. Step by step, Mariah's quest takes her deeper and deeper into danger.

With all the elements that have made her a worldwide best seller, Mary Higgins Clark's The Lost Years is unpausable, a thriller that is at once a breathless mystery and a hunt for the most precious religious and archeological treasure of all time.

©2012 Mary Higgins Clark (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Excellent

This was an excellent book. It held my interest to the end. Easy listening. Will keep your attention as the least expected happens.

Not quite what I thought it would be...

If you could sum up The Lost Years in three words, what would they be?

A good mystery.

What did you like best about this story?

The story unfolded without giving away the ending.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I find it difficult to sit long enough to listen to any book, in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I thought that more of the story would be related to the history of the letter, where it had been and what would be happening to it.

Slow

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is pretty much what you can expect from Mary Higgins Clark. I am surprised it is on the best sellers list. It was okay but I wouldn't recommend it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Simple and nice. Bland like my description.

What three words best describe Jan Maxwell’s performance?

I thought the main character's voice was annoying but maybe it was her personality and the performance was really good.

Did The Lost Years inspire you to do anything?

No - as a rule I like Mary Higgins Clark books this one was just blah.

Good Old Fashion Greed

Mary Higgins Clark is an author that some stories are great, some good and some just OK, this is one of the good ones. The two main characters listed for the series is misleading as they are not the focus of the stories so far in the ones I purchased on sale. They're just the thread that binds the series. Authors summary is accurate and doesn't need to be added to. If you are a fan of MHC, this is for you. If you're just getting started you'll enjoy the series if you start with this one. Fast pace with plenty of red herrings to keep you interested.
Were my comments of help?

Not up to par

I typically care for very few female authors, not because I'm sexist but because I don't like the graphic way they describe sex scenes in their novels. With that being said Mrs Clark is one of my favorite female writers since I have yet to encounter that problem in her writing. I typically eagerly await her novels but this one along with her last couple have not been up to par. I like the plot but for me this was just not her typical mystery and it fell short. It simply wasnt as entertaining or edge of your seat as some of her previous novels I really enjoyed Where Are You Now? and I Heard That Song Before.

I have no complaints about the narration or the listenability of the story.

Elvira

Loved the story but Elvira was getting too bold and interferes with police too much

The plot

The story line was very touching. Drawing attention for additional research on Alzheimers. Good story.

not historical fiction

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

lovers of simple mystery stories

What do you think your next listen will be?

nothing by this author

What didn’t you like about Jan Maxwell’s performance?

reader is excellent

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

it was disappointing since there was nothing at all about Jesus's lost years

Don't bother !

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one

What could Mary Higgins Clark have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

This book was full of unnecessary details that did little to further the story.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jan Maxwell’s performances?

Perhaps

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Lost Years?

So many annoying details and scenes!

Not a good read

Boring, boring and boring, did not enjoy narration, who came up.with names like Elvira?? Did not enjoy at all.