Historian Maureen Paschal finds herself in the middle of a religious cult war. On one side is a group that believes her to be the descendent of Jesus Christ and his wife, Mary Magdalene. On the other side is a violent sect that worships John the Baptist as the true savior and seeks to “kill the whore.” Linda Stephens gives clear voice to Maureen; her Irish-Catholic cousin, a priest; and a Scottish cult leader. Stephens’s skills are less suited to some of the accents, but her portrayals remain clear and consistent. While the plot premise sounds derivative, the details and performance offer enough variety to satisfy fans of the genre. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
The Expected One: A Novel
Narrated by Linda Emond
Kathleen McGowanUnabridged — 17 hours, 57 minutes
The Expected One: A Novel
Narrated by Linda Emond
Kathleen McGowanUnabridged — 17 hours, 57 minutes
Audiobook (Digital)
Free with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription | Cancel Anytime
Already Subscribed?
Sign in to Your BN.com Account
Related collections and offers
FREE
with a B&N Audiobooks Subscription
Overview
Two thousand years ago, Mary Magdalene hid a set of scrolls in the rocky foothills of the French Pyrenees, a gospel that contained her own version of the events and characters 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'attendue-The Expected One.
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. She becomes deeply immersed in the mystical cultures of southwest France as the eerie prophecy of The Expected One casts a shadow over her life and work and a long-buried family secret comes to light. Ultimately she comes face-to-face with Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, Judas, and Salome in the pages of a deeply moving and powerful new gospel, the life of Jesus as told by Mary Magdalene.
CONTAINS NEW, UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL FROM THE ARQUES GOSPEL.
Editorial Reviews
The standard religious-thriller architecture is evident in McGowan's much-heralded debut, which coincidentally shares similarities with The Da Vinci Code (e.g., murders, Vatican interference, nefarious secret societies), but mostly the characters sit and talk about biblical history and the search for Magdalene-connected treasure. Biblical dreams and visions plague American Maureen Paschal, author of the bestselling HERstory-a Defense of History's Most Hated Heroines. When she travels to France's mysterious Languedoc region at the urging of Magdalene scholar Lord Berenger Sinclair, Maureen finds what has eluded centuries of treasure hunters-the original Magdalene scrolls that detail her love affair with Jesus, their marriage and the crucifixion. Though the author makes no effort to render these gospel excerpts in period prose, they're the most compelling part of a novel otherwise freighted with romance-fiction stylings and unadorned facts numbingly narrated. Originally self-published, this first of a trilogy has already sold foreign rights in 22 countries. 350,000 printing; 15-city author tour. (Aug.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Thanks to the movie adaptation of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, Mary Magdalene and her relationship to Jesus is a hot topic in the fast-growing biblical/ancient mystery/thriller genre. In what is sure to be a big summer hit, journalist McGowan's page-turning debut introduces readers to Maureen Pascal, a journalist unprepared for the visions that haunt her as she researches her new book on misunderstood heroines of the past. In France, Maureen uncovers a family secret and a document that many have died to protect (both linked to Mary Magdalene) and becomes entwined with two secret societies whose rivalry has extended over centuries. McGowan's ability to create dimensional characters while sustaining multiple, fast-paced story lines is sure to win her many readers. This work, based on 20 years of research, may prove to be more controversial than Brown's book, as it addresses not only the possibility that Jesus and Mary Magdalene produced offspring but also that other biblical relationships may have differed from what the Catholic Church had ordained to be true. Public libraries should purchase multiple copies to meet demand. Highly recommended. [This was the first big (as in seven-figure) deal for former Warner Books chairman-turned-literary agent Larry Kirshbaum, and rights have been sold in 22 countries; coming in October from Pearlsong Press is another Mary Magdalene novel, Mary Saracino's The Singing of Swans.-Ed.]-Nanci Milone Hill, Nevins Memorial Lib., Methuen, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
"Highly evocative . . . keenly imaginative." USA Today
"Riveting." People
"A tour de force . . . profoundly moving . . . full of love and pathos." San Antonio Express-News
"Shimmering . . . engrossing . . . masterfully balanced." Irish Edition
Historian Maureen Paschal finds herself in the middle of a religious cult war. On one side is a group that believes her to be the descendent of Jesus Christ and his wife, Mary Magdalene. On the other side is a violent sect that worships John the Baptist as the true savior and seeks to “kill the whore.” Linda Stephens gives clear voice to Maureen; her Irish-Catholic cousin, a priest; and a Scottish cult leader. Stephens’s skills are less suited to some of the accents, but her portrayals remain clear and consistent. While the plot premise sounds derivative, the details and performance offer enough variety to satisfy fans of the genre. R.L.L. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940170509652 |
---|---|
Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date: | 07/25/2006 |
Series: | Magdalene Line Series , #1 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
Read an Excerpt
Chapter One
Marseille
September 1997
Marseille was a fine place to die and had been for centuries. The legendary seaport retained a reputation as a lair for pirates, smugglers, and cutthroats, a status enjoyed since the Romans wrestled it from the Greeks in the days before Christ.
By the end of the twentieth century, the French government's efforts at whitewash finally made it safe to enjoy bouillabaisse without the fear of getting mugged. Still, crime held no shock value for the locals. Mayhem was ingrained in their history and genetics. The leathered fishermen didn't blink when their nets yielded a catch that would prove unsuitable for inclusion in the local fish stew.
Roger-Bernard Gélis was not a native of Marseille. He was born and raised in the foothills of the Pyrenees, in a community that existed proudly as a living anachronism. The twentieth century had not infringed on his culture, an ancient one that revered the powers of love and peace over all earthly matters. Still, he was a man of middle age who was not entirely unworldly; he was, after all, the leader of his people. And while his community dwelled together in a deeply spiritual peace, they had their share of enemies.
Roger-Bernard was fond of saying that the greatest light attracts the deepest darkness.
He was a giant of a man, an imposing figure to strangers. Those who did not know the gentleness that permeated Roger-Bernard's spirit might have mistaken him for someone to be feared. Later, it would be assumed that his attackers were not unknown to him.
He should have seen it coming, should have anticipated that he would not be left to carry such a priceless object in absolute freedom. Hadn't almost a million of his ancestors died for the sake of this same treasure? But the shot came from behind, splintering his skull before he even knew the enemy was near.
Forensic evidence from the bullet would prove useless to the police, as the killers did not end their attack on a note of simplicity. There must have been several of them as the sheer size and weight of the victim required a certain amount of manpower to accomplish what came next.
It was a mercy that Roger-Bernard was dead before the ritual began. He was spared the gloating of his killers as they set about their gruesome task. The leader was particularly filled with zeal for what came next, chanting his ancient mantra of hate as he worked.
"Neca eos omnes. Neca eos omnes."
To sever a human head from its resting place on the body is a messy and difficult business. It requires strength, determination, and a very sharp instrument. Those who murdered Roger-Bernard Gélis had all of these things, and used them with the utmost efficiency.
The body had been at sea for a long time, battered by the tide and chewed by hungry inhabitants of the deep. The investigators were so disheartened by the ragged condition of the corpse that they assigned little significance to the missing digit on one hand. An autopsy, buried later by bureaucracy -- and perhaps something more -- simply noted that the right index finger had been severed.
Jerusalem
September 1997
The ancient and bustling Old City of Jerusalem was filled with the frenetic activity of a Friday afternoon. History hung heavy in the rarified and holy air as the faithful hurried to houses of worship in preparation for their respective sabbaths. Christians wandered the Via Dolorosa, the...