The Expected One

By: Kathleen McGowan

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

When journalist Maureen Paschal begins the research for a new book, she has no idea that she is stepping into an ancient mystery so secret, so revolutionary, that thousands of people have killed and died for it.

Two thousand years ago, Mary Magdalene hid a set of scrolls in the French Pyrenees: the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, her version of the life of Jesus and the events of the New Testament. Protected by supernatural forces, these sacred scrolls could be uncovered only by a special seeker, one who fulfills the ancient prophecy of L'Attendu, the Expected One.

As Maureen becomes immersed in the mystical lore of L'Attendu, the eerie prophecy of the Expected One casts a shadow over her life and work, and a long-buried family secret comes to light. Maureen's extraordinary journey takes her from the dusty streets of Jerusalem to the cathedrals of Paris to the rocky foothills of southwest France. To search for the scrolls, she must unravel clues that link history's great artistic masters, dynasties, and scientific minds. Ultimately, she comes face-to-face with Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, and a love triangle that changed the course of history in a deeply moving and powerful new gospel...the greatest story never told.

©2006 McGowan Media, Inc. All rights reserved (P)2006 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"[A] much-heralded debut." (Publishers Weekly)

Worth the Read

Overall, I enjoyed the story and plot. I really wish, considering the paradigm shifting subject matter, that the author could have given more information regarding where she got some of her background information regarding the sourse material she was using. I understand these are secret traditions throughout Europe, but are there actual ancient documents, or was most of the information passed down through word of mouth? Is the Arc Gospel an actual document or something the author invented from secret information? But I understand she needs to protect her sources. Anyway, it was a great story that left me wanting to know much more about the subject of the life of Mary Magdalene. I will be reading the other books in the series.

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

There is a lot going on in this book. The afterward by the author intimates that it is not quite fiction although it must be categorized as such and I thought it was very brave of her to do that. The story does make you think and I do agree with the author when she says that history was written by the winners - so who knows what they didn't tell us? I look forward to the sequels - I hope there are many. I would listen to this book again.

Amazing story

Although this is a book of fiction, I feel like I finally met the real Mary Magdalene and Jesus. This is the second time I have read this book, and will not the last. As a lapsed Catholic, it has re-awakened my belief in God and Jesus.

Should this be in the non-fiction section?

Wow!!! Some may find this heresy, but it rings true! I highly recommend. I can't wait to read the book of love.

FANTASTICAL!!

I have loved this book since the first time I read it! I have looked into the culture of the people at the time of Jesus and what is described here is accurate. I would highly recommend this book because of the variety of different backgrounds that it gives. I do remember the days where my grandmother and grandfather told me stories of my family background. A form of folklore no different then others have told instead of writing stories down.
Politics and Power have always changed how history has looked in writing and Women always seem to be the Lesser beings. We struggle for equality, and an identity. Fear always changes how we are perceived. However Nazarene women we're always valued and held as equals. We can learn but mostly my belief is in just Being... Knowing I Am equal.
This author .... This Woman... is a Leader.
The teachings of Jesus are Always what I have followed.

Thank you Kathleen

Certainly a story whose time has come.

I have often wondered if Jesus actually had a wife and children, if He had brothers and sisters, and whatever happened to His descendants. Why not? He was a man who actually lived, after all. A Holy Teacher and a Human Being. It makes sense.

Raised as catholic, I was very surprised to discover (later in my life) that "Mary" is not considered Holy by every religion that follows Jesus's teachings. Interesting!
Then, what's really true? All too often, history is written favoring the writers.


My gratitude is extended to Kathleen McGowan for her courage in researching and writing this book considering its magnitude and its obvious possible repercussions/implications. Bravo!

I thought this audiobook was read beautifully by Ms. Linda Stephens, changing her voice intonations to suit the different characters accordingly.

I highly recommend this book.

Excellent!

I first heard of this Author on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. He interviewed her and I was very intrigued. I went out and got all her books available. well worth the time and money.

Phenomenal story and performance

Phenomenal story and performance. Thanks to the author for sharing this story. thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and submit.

Excellent research

As a graduate of a Protestant seminary and turned Catholic for 15 years and now independent in my belief system, Kathleen McGowan sheds wonderful light on Mary Magdalene and Judas! It was so inspiring to read this book and constantly looking up so many items to back up her research! This is so inspiring!

Chick lit meets Dan Brown

This is a hard book to review.
Does this sound familiar? Mary Magdalene, information hidden in paintings in the Louvre, secret societies, an eccentric aristocrat hidden away on an estate in the French countryside
Add to this: designer suits, Manolo Blahnik shoes, an "unusually petite" protagonist.
I almost gave up more than once, but the "bones" of a good story are there and I wanted to hear more. The narrator does an excellent job of covering many characters with a variety of regional accents -- though the Scottish burr and Irish brogue overlapped at times. There is enough passion about the story of Christ, and respect for the story, that it is neither offensive nor dopey.
The author's afterward is worth a listen and says a lot about her motivation for writing this book (excellent) and the amount of serious research she put into the project (commendable). Fiction it is, though she implies that it is only marginally so. Clearly, there are sequels either out or in the works.
Ultimately, this was decent and not a waste of time, but rather painful to slog through at moments.