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The Lost Throne

Review

The Lost Throne

In central Greece, an isolated monastery on a steep hilltop is
invaded in the middle of the night. Warriors wearing archaic
battledress and wielding primitive weapons murder and plunder in
search of a sacred artifact. After the headless bodies of several
monks are discovered on the rocks at the foot of the mountain,
Detective Nick Dial of the International Criminal Police
Organization (Interpol) is called on to investigate the horrific
murders.

Dial is assisted by Marcus Andropoulos, an eager and resourceful
Greek investigator. As they close in on solving the crime, they
uncover a mystery of historic significance, and the two men’s
lives are immediately in jeopardy at the hands of warriors who will
do anything and risk everything to protect their way of life.

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, Russia, an American treasure
hunter named Richard Byrd has discovered a secret about a much
sought-after treasure. Believing himself pursued for what he has
learned and in fear for his life, he makes several frantic and
unsuccessful phone calls for help in St. Petersburg, Florida. In
his desperation, Byrd is trying to reach Jonathon Payne, the former
leader of the MANIACs --- a Special Forces unit comprised of
crackerjack warriors from the Marines, Army, Navy, Intelligence,
Air Force and Coast Guard. Believing the calls are pranks, Payne
ignores them.

By the time fellow MANIAC D. J. Jones convinces Payne that the
calls are not a hoax and helps him track down the source of them,
Byrd has been assassinated. Byrd’s assistant, Allison Taylor,
who entered Russia illegally, is left behind, fearful for her life
and in desperate need of help. Payne and Jones crisscross Europe
and covertly enter Russia in an attempt to rescue Allison. During
their mission, the former MANIACs become swept up in the dangerous
underground world of illegal activities and blood sport, a world in
which the stakes are high and failure can be deadly --- but the
rewards are beyond imagination.

THE LOST THRONE is a complex thriller that takes the reader on a
whirlwind adventure from Florida to France, Greece, Germany,
Finland, Switzerland and Russia. Former English teacher Chris
Kuzneski has written an ambitious novel (at almost 500 pages) that
combines elements of archaeology, religion, mystery, history and
suspense with doses of humor for good measure. It's a fascinating
and fun read.

Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt on January 6, 2011

The Lost Throne
by Chris Kuzneski

  • Publication Date: July 23, 2009
  • Genres: Fiction, Thriller
  • Hardcover: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Putnam Adult
  • ISBN-10: 0399155821
  • ISBN-13: 9780399155826