The Lost Throne

Payne & Jones, Book 4

By: Chris Kuzneski

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1890, a man collapses near the Piazza della Santa Carita in Naples, Italy. Strangers manage to revive him, but he is unable to speak. Police carry him to the nearest hospital, where he is not admitted because he has no money or identification. Frantically trying to communicate, he scribbles notes in ancient Greek and German that would have told the world about a discovery of immense importance - if anyone had read them...

Reaching from the wonders of ancient Greece to a harrowing quest in modern-day Europe, The Lost Throne features Jonathon Payne and D. J. Jones former members of a top secret, very special unit of the armed forces. Now as private citizens they still get recruited from time to time for the most delicate - and dangerous - missions. Payne and Jones must race to recover the lost treasure that could rewrite history, before it is destroyed by a group of men who will stop at nothing to conceal the secret.

©2009 Chris Kuzneski (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great Listen

Kuzneski has written a seriously non-formulaic actioner. The premise is pretty much hidden from the listener until well into the book, but that is not a problem since the action and the characters drive the plot. There's a compelling - real world/not so real world - mix of story lines which all converge without strain. I enjoyed The Lost Throne and will listen to more of Kuzneski (who uses his own name in a character's mispronounced reference to the unibomber - clever and funny).

Great!

I really love the character interactions with one another. Exiting story line. I would recommend the whole series.

very enjoyable

This is a great travel book, not too girly for the guys, enough likable charecters for the girls and a fast paced mystery for all.

High adventure, ancient secrets

What did you love best about The Lost Throne?

Chris Kuzenski shares some really interesting historical facts that I knew nothing about. So I learned some new things about ancient Greece and the Byzantine era. I also loved the non-stop action.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved the interaction between Payne and Jones. Lots of humor and a great team with an almost psychic bond that aids them in their adventures.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Dick Hill?

Unfortunately, some of my favorite writers use Dick Hill as a narrator. I don't care for his narrations, but what can you do? He is fine on "he-man" type of voices, but terrible on voices that require an accent or are another gender. They come out sounding whiney and squeaky and very annoying. It boggles my mind that he narrates so many books. I have actually returned some books that he completely ruined the story by his narration. In my opinion he ranks as one of the worst narrators.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

High adventure and ancient secrets.

Any additional comments?

I had read a book several years back whose author and title I couldn't remember, but really loved. I searched around on Audible trying to find it and when I found that this one took place in Greece (which was the setting of the one I read before) I purchased it. When I had listened for awhile, it seemed to veer off to Russia and so I thought that I had purchased the wrong book and returned it. Later I did some research on the internet and found out that, indeed, this was the book. So I repurchased it and patiently progressed through it,until it returned to the setting in Greece ( Mount Athos) that I found so intriguing. I wasn't disappointed. This is one of the best adventure stories I've read/listened to and I will definitely purchase the others in the series. Besides lots of great history, non-stop action, globe trotting adventure, and interesting characters, there is lots of humor which is a must for me. The only down side is that it is narrated poorly.

The best Kuzneski yet

I liked this fourth Kuzneski thriller the best so far. I enjoyed the idea of using the Greek monastery from the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only" in the plot. Kuzneski brings two independent ongoing investigations of the same crime together in the story's exciting denouement. The relationship between the two main characters -- Jonathan Payne and David Jones -- has developed since the beginning of the series, so that they not only save the world, but provide comic relief in the process. Even Dick Hill's reading, which previously annoyed me in earlier audiobooks, has improved. He is now providing excellent voices and accents without over-acting the way he used to. Altogether, I recommend "The Lost Throne" to anyone who likes well-researched, well-written thrillers.

Messy trip through Europe

Dick Hill and Chris Kuzneski team up to produce a darn good historical thriller. Rather than the usual Catholic church related intrigues of many contemporary thrillers, this one takes place all over Europe excluding Italy. As such, it lends itself to abit more interest, learning and fun.
Somewhat violent in places, it held my interest to the end, and the narration is up to Hill's usual fine standards.
Worth it for what it is for , which is entertainment!

Worth the read!

This book is fast paced and has the cool historical/conspiracy aspects to it much like Dan Browns novels...though you don't fall in love with the characters as much as Browns...

not as good as the Kuzneski books

I do get a bit tired of the Payne as lone ranger and Jones as Tonto routine. Also, spartan armor under NO circumstances is bullet proof, especially at close range. Stupid. Also, as usual no one has night vision etc. Hell im not a secret spy and i have a cheapo night vision scope. Fairly accurate portrayal but the idea of the Spartans still existing in modern day Greece and so forth is a bit loony. Probably my last Kuzneski book, at least for now, and okay book and the writers comments at the beginning and end are always interesting in any book. Always interested in the "making of" type shows and this is fun. Good general story and narration.

fun & exciting

this is a very exciting booking, the writting is excellent and i really did enjoy the way it came together. Great writting in my opinion.

Great Book

From start to finish this is an excellent book. It keeps you engaged in the activity. The reader does a great job. This is a must read. I put this book in with the great adventure books.