The Expected One

By: Kathleen McGowan

Narrated by: Linda Emond

Length: 7 hrs and 38 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)

Brought Tears to My Eyes

This is probably one of the few audiobooks that brought tears to my eyes. I normally choose unabrigded versions and but since I wasn't sure I would like it I got the abridged version then later the unabridged version.

It is along the lines of Da Vinci Code but told more like a drama than a thriller. The abridged version is a good choice for those who like things more fast paced and I personally prefered this version.

The reader is overall quite good especially in the beginning, but later I think has a problem switching between the several different accents required. She sounds almost like the middle eastern accent she uses in the beginning in parts when she has to portray a french accent.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not your book if you believe the Bible.

What did you like best about The Expected One? What did you like least?

I liked that there was some mention of Jesus. I was disturbed by the rest.

Has The Expected One turned you off from other books in this genre?

Pretty much.

What does Linda Emond bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was the best part. I will get other books narrated by her. She was fantastic. I was repelled by the story but loved listening to her.

Did The Expected One inspire you to do anything?

Yes, stop listening to fiction about the life of Christ.

Any additional comments?

I guess I should have expected it to be way out there but since Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John's testimonies were a mirror of each other, I wanted it to be a female aspect of what they had said.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

a difficult review to write

The book is presented as a novel. However, the basic concepts underlying it are those encountered in the DaVinci Code (a novel) and Holy Blood, Holy Grail, (non-fiction) in which Mary Magdalene is viewed as the wife of Jesus. Then the author provides an afterward in which she affirms her fundamental belief that the basic ideas she talks about in the book are true. I am not about to speak to the underlying concept the author presents. That is beyond my pay grade. Since she publishes the book as a novel, I will consider it as a novel.

Many of the characters in the book are frustratingly one dimensional. They come on the scene, say their lines and are gone. They never emerge as real people, even when they are playing critical roles. Much of the dialog seems designed as a vehicle for presenting her ideas on Magdalene, rather than creating a sense of real people in conversation. The villains she create seem exceptionally incompetent, though she may be setting them up to do their thing in later episodes of what seems to be evolving into a trilogy.

Yet, despite my complaints, there were scenes which were genuinely engaging and breathed life into the story. For the most part, these were the scenes that took place back in the first century and involved Magdalene or the author’s portrayal of Jesus.

The narrator was good.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Left me wanting more!

In just a few short lines, the author, Kathleen McGowan, has told us about the genre, setting, and main character. Leaving us to question and ponder on the hidden Historical facts of our Lord and Savior.

So-so

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I don't know if the writer misspelled words, or if the reader mis-pronounced them. This was distracting. The plot is rather like a combination of a romance novel (minus the sex scenes) and a quest. The central idea is compelling, but this particular story is not.

Not worth your time

What disappointed you about The Expected One?

I had high hopes for this book but the narrators voice bothered me. The story wasn't good enough to finish.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kathleen McGowan again?

No

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Yes

What character would you cut from The Expected One?

I don't know, couldn't relate to any of them

Any additional comments?

Boring and irritating

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Predictable

A reasonable story, in spite of being entirely predictable. Well written and fairly engrossing.