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The Lost Journal
In 1778, during the peak of the Revolutionary War, a secret document is hidden and its whereabouts are known to only one man. Now, more than two centuries later, Seth Layton accidentally discovers the journal that will unlock its location and he is on a quest to find it. Joined by his grandfather and new female friend, Madison, they are chased by unsavory characters and some powerful people through historic Philadelphia to the streets of Washington DC. What American secret will the journal unveil and will Seth and his companions live long enough to reveal it?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2011
142 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 23, 2013
Allow me to sum up this book in one word...lame.
I think it was a well intentioned effort by Chris Blewitt, but the novel fell well short in its promised premise. I found the work to be a poor man's edition of "National Treasure"
The characters were weak and shallow meaning that the good were too good and the villains were not very bad. The plot was predictable. The puzzle was too easy to figure out and the players jumped to impossible conclusions and, go figure, they were always right. The only reason I finished the book was that I wondered where it would end. And I was disappointed by that as well.
I would pass on this book.
I think it was a well intentioned effort by Chris Blewitt, but the novel fell well short in its promised premise. I found the work to be a poor man's edition of "National Treasure"
The characters were weak and shallow meaning that the good were too good and the villains were not very bad. The plot was predictable. The puzzle was too easy to figure out and the players jumped to impossible conclusions and, go figure, they were always right. The only reason I finished the book was that I wondered where it would end. And I was disappointed by that as well.
I would pass on this book.
April 12, 2014
This was a fun story, very much along the line of National Treasure. It was a joy to read. The author kept the story moving along. He didn’t get stuck at some favorite point of his. It had lots of intrigue from multiple quarters. A big bonus was the lively descriptions of the national monuments that he has obviously visited in person.
This was very light–hearted and enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting an easy–going adventure to read
This was very light–hearted and enjoyable. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting an easy–going adventure to read
June 25, 2013
A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of The Lost Journal by Chris Blewitt
I purchased this book in the Kindle edition and was unfamiliar with the author or any previous works he had written. “The Lost Journal” was a surprisingly entertaining book to read. It was a fun story about finding and solving a mystery of some event in American history.
It is an interesting premise about a promise made and one which has to be kept secret. The revelation of this secret would have had significant impact on the continuation of this country.
The heroes are a quartet of unlikely people thrown together as a result of a discovery of a key and the labyrinth of clues they must follow to solve the mystery. The hurdles they encounter involve not only the American government but an international group hell bent on finding the contents of this mystery before the four hapless individuals who make it an important thing in their lives.
This is a hunt not unlike the search for the Ark of the Covenant or The Chalice of Jesus, it has its comical moments and unexpected twists and turns that leave the reader guessing through out the book.
While the mystery is plausible, thankfully it is the fantasy of the author, however, maybe...
I gave this book four stars and recommend it to those interested in reading something of a “change of pace" and fun, especially for the history buffs.
I purchased this book in the Kindle edition and was unfamiliar with the author or any previous works he had written. “The Lost Journal” was a surprisingly entertaining book to read. It was a fun story about finding and solving a mystery of some event in American history.
It is an interesting premise about a promise made and one which has to be kept secret. The revelation of this secret would have had significant impact on the continuation of this country.
The heroes are a quartet of unlikely people thrown together as a result of a discovery of a key and the labyrinth of clues they must follow to solve the mystery. The hurdles they encounter involve not only the American government but an international group hell bent on finding the contents of this mystery before the four hapless individuals who make it an important thing in their lives.
This is a hunt not unlike the search for the Ark of the Covenant or The Chalice of Jesus, it has its comical moments and unexpected twists and turns that leave the reader guessing through out the book.
While the mystery is plausible, thankfully it is the fantasy of the author, however, maybe...
I gave this book four stars and recommend it to those interested in reading something of a “change of pace" and fun, especially for the history buffs.
April 21, 2014
Historically fun.
I enjoyed your book tremendously.. it was fun and intriguing..loved all the historical info and the pictures your words made in my head. going to read another of your books very soon. Thank you so much for this story. it was full of WOWs!
I enjoyed your book tremendously.. it was fun and intriguing..loved all the historical info and the pictures your words made in my head. going to read another of your books very soon. Thank you so much for this story. it was full of WOWs!
March 26, 2018
The Lost Journal
How can you be so intrigued by a single key? I was from the beginning. First of all, the SUV sitting across the street from the house made me keep reading. Quite a surprise when you’re doing a job to help out your dad and grandpa. The research done for this book was great. The ending was a surprise. I did like this book and would read another story by Chris Blewitt.
How can you be so intrigued by a single key? I was from the beginning. First of all, the SUV sitting across the street from the house made me keep reading. Quite a surprise when you’re doing a job to help out your dad and grandpa. The research done for this book was great. The ending was a surprise. I did like this book and would read another story by Chris Blewitt.
March 8, 2020
Great read!
If you enjoyed “National Treasure”, the movie, this book is for you! Not only was it a fun read, but the historical mentions and areas were lots of fun!
If you enjoyed “National Treasure”, the movie, this book is for you! Not only was it a fun read, but the historical mentions and areas were lots of fun!
March 3, 2012
Not the best book I've ever read; but not the worst either. If you like history (um, yeah) and action (ok, I admit it), then this is a good read. I started it because I love the "National Treasure" movies and hope it would be similar ... it was. Plus, every they went in DC, I've been so it was like being there all over again.
March 31, 2012
I hate to think this could be true. It reminded me a lot of the national treasure stories, so if you like that sort of thing you will like this as well. It was a very quick read for me taking only two days.
May 29, 2012
This book is a fun read along the lines of the "National Treasure" movies. However, the author needs to learn to write character voices. In his book the President of the US, a Secret Service agent, and a British thug all use the same language/words. Hard to believe and rather unimaginative.
January 27, 2013
I borrowed this book from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library and read it now and then over the past week. It's a simple story, which in some instances is awkward in its wording and structure. Even so, I found it overall entertaining and applaud the author's efforts to bring his story to print.
March 20, 2012
I loved reading The Lost Journal was intriguing and kept me wanting more.
June 20, 2013
Great book! I really enjoyed reading about our nations historical spots, some I had been lucky enough to visit as a child.
June 24, 2013
A lot like National Treasure. Was very good.
June 27, 2013
Really enjoyed this book got it for free off kindle! Was a fun and easy read
July 18, 2014
Very interesting story. Well worth the time
July 18, 2018
I'll be honest, with apologies to Chris Blewitt, I'm flabbergasted. The nearly 300 Amazon readers who rated this book at an average of four stars obviously saw something I didn't see. I found this book to be so poorly written, unimaginative, cliche, and predictable that I simply put it down less than half way through and couldn't make myself finish it. Upon reviewing his bio, I was disappointed to find that Mr. Blewitt is not a high school student writing to a YA audience--in which case I could have overlooked the numerous groaners--but is indeed a father of three with at least one or two other novels under his belt at the time Lost Journal was written. (He now has a total of eight.) Am I a reading snob? Perhaps. I'll let you be the judge after you've read it for yourself, but read at your own risk. Meanwhile, since I seem to be in the minority, I'll accept the responsibility for this horrible review and assume the fault is mine, and that this book just doesn't cater to my preferences.
January 31, 2018
Seth Layton discovered a note in his grandfather’s home which indicated somewhere was a journal that had belonged to George Washington. Seth, a friend, Madison, Arthur his grandfather, and Wilson, an army friend of his grandfather begin following clues that take them from Betsy Ross’s home, Mount Vernon, and more.
But they are chased by British agents as well as the Vice-President’s agents. Interesting story.
But they are chased by British agents as well as the Vice-President’s agents. Interesting story.
October 24, 2018
Interesting who done it plot
This was an interesting plot to find out who all the players were and why. With the world the way it is I thought Seth and his girlfriend Madison were too naive to never consider why they were always being followed and found so easily. I also thought that the British characters too flawed and simplistic as were the VP's detail.
This was an interesting plot to find out who all the players were and why. With the world the way it is I thought Seth and his girlfriend Madison were too naive to never consider why they were always being followed and found so easily. I also thought that the British characters too flawed and simplistic as were the VP's detail.
December 3, 2021
A really fun mystery/thriller based on a great premise and some historical fact. The author built and held the mystery of this missing document really well and until the very end.
Seth's repeated whining about wanting to give up seemed out of place, but Madison and Seth's grandfather are awesome characters who stayed true to themselves throughout. Well done!
Seth's repeated whining about wanting to give up seemed out of place, but Madison and Seth's grandfather are awesome characters who stayed true to themselves throughout. Well done!
July 11, 2018
Oh my more hidden governmental secrets
Great story line, greatly enjoyed this book about a fictional case of governmental coverup.
Highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in what might of happened in the past.
Great story line, greatly enjoyed this book about a fictional case of governmental coverup.
Highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in what might of happened in the past.
January 29, 2021
A quick read
The events and action are sometimes a little disjointed and confusing, and other times filled with superfluous detail, but an enjoyable story overall. Less believable than even 'National Treasure' with its stretching of historicity, but fun.
The events and action are sometimes a little disjointed and confusing, and other times filled with superfluous detail, but an enjoyable story overall. Less believable than even 'National Treasure' with its stretching of historicity, but fun.
March 25, 2022
The Lost Journal by Chris Blewitt - 2.75 stars rounded up
This book wants to be The Da Vinci Code or National Treasure, but it misses the mark. The characters are one dimensional, and the plot dragged. The big reveal at the end was satisfactory.
I don't recommend.
This book wants to be The Da Vinci Code or National Treasure, but it misses the mark. The characters are one dimensional, and the plot dragged. The big reveal at the end was satisfactory.
I don't recommend.
May 14, 2022
This book was better than the movie. Wait, is it a movie? If not it should be. I couldn't stop, actually crashed reading it and had to start a chapter over since I dreamed about it and my dream and the book got mixed up. I really enjoyed this one!! Ten stars!!
May 31, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
October 6, 2017
The lost journal
The lost journal by Chris Blewitt was a fun and exciting adventure. Just like many other fun adventuress I've been on through my reading library.
The lost journal by Chris Blewitt was a fun and exciting adventure. Just like many other fun adventuress I've been on through my reading library.
July 8, 2018
Ripped from the annals of history!
What a delightful book. You will love the characters and the story. Keeps you in suspense until the very end.
What a delightful book. You will love the characters and the story. Keeps you in suspense until the very end.
February 19, 2019
Entertaining although it's not the best written book.
Read
September 10, 2019Decent read if a little far fetched, but enjoyable.
April 21, 2022
If you want to read the script for National Treasurer, here you go.
August 11, 2024
Great Adventure
Lots of intrigue and action. Kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what the big secret was.
Lots of intrigue and action. Kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what the big secret was.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews