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Anlon Cully Chronicles #3
Curse of the Painted Lady
The gruesome death of Anabel Simpson, a retired archaeologist living in a small college town, had rocked her friends and neighbors and stymied the medical examiner. After all, she had been a quiet woman known for her ornate garden, Holstein knickknacks and stories of her days exploring ancient ruins. Little did they know, it was all a cover for a woman with a terrible secret steeped in treachery, jealousy and murder.
But Anabel’s secret began to unravel after Jennifer Stevens first visited the crime scene. Then came the bank robbery, followed by the armed intruder in Anlon Cully’s home and the ransom demand for the safe return of Pebbles McCarver.
For Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer, the ensuing chase to solve the mysteries hidden by Anabel’s carefully crafted persona is a perilous journey with rapid-fire twists and turns. It is a hunt that stirs up old terrors and new, leading to an epic showdown with an ancient tyrant, the discovery of a priceless, prehistoric treasure and the haunting truth about sweet, little Anabel.
Curse of the Painted Lady is the third installment in The Anlon Cully Chronicles series, a thrilling saga of ancient myths, mystical relics and murder. It is the conclusion of the mystery first explored in Shadows of the Stone Benders and continued in Race for the Flash Stone.
Fans of series from Dan Brown, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and James Patterson will most appreciate the blend of murder mystery, archaeology and fantasy baked into Curse of the Painted Lady and the preceding installments of The Anlon Cully Chronicles.
But Anabel’s secret began to unravel after Jennifer Stevens first visited the crime scene. Then came the bank robbery, followed by the armed intruder in Anlon Cully’s home and the ransom demand for the safe return of Pebbles McCarver.
For Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer, the ensuing chase to solve the mysteries hidden by Anabel’s carefully crafted persona is a perilous journey with rapid-fire twists and turns. It is a hunt that stirs up old terrors and new, leading to an epic showdown with an ancient tyrant, the discovery of a priceless, prehistoric treasure and the haunting truth about sweet, little Anabel.
Curse of the Painted Lady is the third installment in The Anlon Cully Chronicles series, a thrilling saga of ancient myths, mystical relics and murder. It is the conclusion of the mystery first explored in Shadows of the Stone Benders and continued in Race for the Flash Stone.
Fans of series from Dan Brown, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and James Patterson will most appreciate the blend of murder mystery, archaeology and fantasy baked into Curse of the Painted Lady and the preceding installments of The Anlon Cully Chronicles.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2018
1335 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
K. Patrick Donoghue
9 books116 followersK. Patrick Donoghue is the author of two series; the Anlon Cully Chronicles, an archaeology-based mystery-thriller series, and the Rorschach Explorer Missions, a new sci-fi thriller series.
Patrick's inspiration for the Anlon Cully Chronicles is rooted in his long-standing interest in ancient civilizations. In particular, a series of still-unexplained archaeological discoveries that suggest at least one advanced society thrived on Earth long before consensus views.
In similar fashion, Patrick takes a contrarian/alternative view toward deep space exploration, the existence of extraterrestrial life and ancient aliens in The Rorschach Explorer Missions.
His books include:
Shadows of the Stone Benders
Race for the Flash Stone
Curse of the Painted Lady
Priestess of Paracas (upcoming release: fall 2019)
UMO (Kindle eBook only at this time)
Skywave
Magwave (new release: July 31, 2019)
Patrick's inspiration for the Anlon Cully Chronicles is rooted in his long-standing interest in ancient civilizations. In particular, a series of still-unexplained archaeological discoveries that suggest at least one advanced society thrived on Earth long before consensus views.
In similar fashion, Patrick takes a contrarian/alternative view toward deep space exploration, the existence of extraterrestrial life and ancient aliens in The Rorschach Explorer Missions.
His books include:
Shadows of the Stone Benders
Race for the Flash Stone
Curse of the Painted Lady
Priestess of Paracas (upcoming release: fall 2019)
UMO (Kindle eBook only at this time)
Skywave
Magwave (new release: July 31, 2019)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 29, 2018
This is the third and last book of a surprise trilogy. I found this new author in 2016 and read his first book in this series and was delighted at the adventure it gave the reader. Sadly, there was a cliffhanger and another book to look forward to. The author never indicated to the reader his intent to stretch this story out for three books and had he done so I probably would have passed on the experience. I do not like cliffhangers or trilogies because the reader is then required to wait for a nearly a year or more for the next book. Well 2016 was book one so I was committed to the story so I waited until 2017 and read the next book only to be further disappointed to learn of yet another book. I was really tempted to end my commitment but I did want to see how the story played out. Now it is 2018 and I've read the last book and it does illustrate another reason why I hate literary devices like the trilogy.
The author has assembled an incredibly involved plot that spans the three books he has written. I can't recall ever criticizing a work of fiction for having a plot that was too complicated but that's how I feel about this work as a whole. The time lag between books really destroys the continuity of the story for the reader and makes recalling plot elements really difficult. When the story has all the elements that this one has then the task for the reader becomes almost impossible. I kept waiting for the author to include references to the prior books to assist the reader in recalling keys plot points but if such assistance was offered I failed to see it. It took me a long time to recall enough of what was going on to realize what was going on. So my primary complaint is that this was a really good story that was too complex and didn't need to be three books. Had the author simplified his story he could have put it into one really good thriller. My god at points there were what seemed to be half a dozen different villains independently at work in this story and that is no exaggeration. Nobody likes a thriller with an obvious plot and we all like to be surprised and even fooled but don't make us have to go back and find a book from a year or two ago and reread it in order to figure out what is going on in the present book.
So my annoyance has been vented but I still give the book 4 stars. I gave the first book 5 stars because it was a very unexpected surprise but book two got 4 stars because of the second book leading to an unexpected third exhausted my patience. Nevertheless, this book does tell an entertaining story and the entirety of the work goes from a simple murder mystery to an archeological mystery to a sci-fi thriller and is quite engaging. Now that all three books are on the market and a reader can get all of them at once the continuity of the story can be maintained and maybe the complexity of the plot can be better understood by the new readers. I enjoyed the book a great deal but it was a struggle to remember things that I read last year and the year before. Come on Patrick I turned 70 yesterday and my little brain doesn't need this kind of exercise. I wanted to be entertained not have cranial muscle strain. I would ordinarily give the readers of my reviews a bit of a plot summary but not this time, it would be best if my reviews of the previous two books were used for that purpose. The author seems to indicate that this work is the beginning of a series involving the character Anlon Cully. If further works are published I will consider purchasing them but I do hope the author can exercise some restraint and still provide the reader with a challenging and entertaining plot.
The author has assembled an incredibly involved plot that spans the three books he has written. I can't recall ever criticizing a work of fiction for having a plot that was too complicated but that's how I feel about this work as a whole. The time lag between books really destroys the continuity of the story for the reader and makes recalling plot elements really difficult. When the story has all the elements that this one has then the task for the reader becomes almost impossible. I kept waiting for the author to include references to the prior books to assist the reader in recalling keys plot points but if such assistance was offered I failed to see it. It took me a long time to recall enough of what was going on to realize what was going on. So my primary complaint is that this was a really good story that was too complex and didn't need to be three books. Had the author simplified his story he could have put it into one really good thriller. My god at points there were what seemed to be half a dozen different villains independently at work in this story and that is no exaggeration. Nobody likes a thriller with an obvious plot and we all like to be surprised and even fooled but don't make us have to go back and find a book from a year or two ago and reread it in order to figure out what is going on in the present book.
So my annoyance has been vented but I still give the book 4 stars. I gave the first book 5 stars because it was a very unexpected surprise but book two got 4 stars because of the second book leading to an unexpected third exhausted my patience. Nevertheless, this book does tell an entertaining story and the entirety of the work goes from a simple murder mystery to an archeological mystery to a sci-fi thriller and is quite engaging. Now that all three books are on the market and a reader can get all of them at once the continuity of the story can be maintained and maybe the complexity of the plot can be better understood by the new readers. I enjoyed the book a great deal but it was a struggle to remember things that I read last year and the year before. Come on Patrick I turned 70 yesterday and my little brain doesn't need this kind of exercise. I wanted to be entertained not have cranial muscle strain. I would ordinarily give the readers of my reviews a bit of a plot summary but not this time, it would be best if my reviews of the previous two books were used for that purpose. The author seems to indicate that this work is the beginning of a series involving the character Anlon Cully. If further works are published I will consider purchasing them but I do hope the author can exercise some restraint and still provide the reader with a challenging and entertaining plot.
June 23, 2019
Great book — suspense right to the end with well written characters — right through from the beginning of the trilogy to the end
May 21, 2019
Curse of the Painted Lady - a review by Rosemary Kenny
This is the last in the Anton Cully Chronicles Trilogy series and it's the most exciting tale yet! K Patrick Donoghue weaves a tapestry of action, with MCs who are 3-dimensional characters with real emotions and relationships - good and bad - and a developing pattern of interactions with extra-terrestrial superhumans who have lived many millennia and used magnetically-resonant stones to help Earth cultures develop, far beyond what was previously thought possible, potentially changing history as we have come to know it.
The Painted Lady whose eponymous curse centres around particular stones, hidden on Earth and rediscovered by Cully's Uncle Devlin Wilson in book 1, is Aja - a vindictive megalomaniac, [and sister of Malinyah from the previous two books]. Seekers for the stones are rivals of Cully's, agents of the violently jealous and unstable Aja, (who will stop at nothing to get her revenge on the sister she believes stole her place) and Anabel Simpson, long-time lover of Wilson's, plus others.
With mind-melding memory stones, powerful stones that can be used for good as tools, or for evil as weapons and the kidnap of Cully's lady-love, 'Pebbles' McCarver, leading to a heady and dramatic climax in a stone temple hidden deep in the tropical jungles of South America, you'll be hard-pressed to do or think of anything else except read and thrill to Curse of the Painted Lady (and the previous two fantastic books in the trilogy), by K Patrick Donoghue.
What are you waiting for? - go get 'em!
This is the last in the Anton Cully Chronicles Trilogy series and it's the most exciting tale yet! K Patrick Donoghue weaves a tapestry of action, with MCs who are 3-dimensional characters with real emotions and relationships - good and bad - and a developing pattern of interactions with extra-terrestrial superhumans who have lived many millennia and used magnetically-resonant stones to help Earth cultures develop, far beyond what was previously thought possible, potentially changing history as we have come to know it.
The Painted Lady whose eponymous curse centres around particular stones, hidden on Earth and rediscovered by Cully's Uncle Devlin Wilson in book 1, is Aja - a vindictive megalomaniac, [and sister of Malinyah from the previous two books]. Seekers for the stones are rivals of Cully's, agents of the violently jealous and unstable Aja, (who will stop at nothing to get her revenge on the sister she believes stole her place) and Anabel Simpson, long-time lover of Wilson's, plus others.
With mind-melding memory stones, powerful stones that can be used for good as tools, or for evil as weapons and the kidnap of Cully's lady-love, 'Pebbles' McCarver, leading to a heady and dramatic climax in a stone temple hidden deep in the tropical jungles of South America, you'll be hard-pressed to do or think of anything else except read and thrill to Curse of the Painted Lady (and the previous two fantastic books in the trilogy), by K Patrick Donoghue.
What are you waiting for? - go get 'em!
Read
April 8, 2023Although I enjoyed reading (for the most part), "Curse of the Painted Lady", I was ultimately disappointed in the ending and by the 'sameness' of all the characters. The author writes well and the characters seem like old friends if you read the entire set of the series, but the ending disappoints as all the characters seem one dimensional and act, think and speak much like each other. The story is plausible enough through 90% of the book, but like in a bad television script, key points only the main characters know are only revealed at the end of the book. The novels starts off well and is entertaining, but it seems like it ends too soon, as if the author decided to finish this story in a hurry to get to the next book he's writing. Lots of sizzle and no steak.
June 20, 2018
Enjoyed reading the three books and looking forward to the 4th one. Author writes well and clearly which I found important with his created society and the different characters and their interactions with the past and their involvement with the present. Because there was a delay between Book 2 and Book 3, I found the author's format in the 3rd book helped me to have the necessary continuity. Of course if one doesn't read the stories, my review may sound confusing. Bottom line: Good story and likeable characters. Also, I would like to ask the author, Mr. K. Patrick Donoghue to read my book, ONLY CHILD?, a story where the use of technology keeps families and friends TOGETHER.
June 17, 2020
KUDOS to KPD for his growth as an author!
I kinda struggled with the first book in the Trilogy; second was better, but the third was considerably better! I like the way that he planted clues / revelations then expanded on them later in the text of the third book. This kind of depth was missing in the earlier attempts. His dialogue matured considerably as well. I almost stopped reading after the initial book because I found the dialogue a bit childish.
I still struggled with the fantasy theme of this set, but I suppose it is an acceptable genre of literature; no worse than anything in STAR WARS!
I kinda struggled with the first book in the Trilogy; second was better, but the third was considerably better! I like the way that he planted clues / revelations then expanded on them later in the text of the third book. This kind of depth was missing in the earlier attempts. His dialogue matured considerably as well. I almost stopped reading after the initial book because I found the dialogue a bit childish.
I still struggled with the fantasy theme of this set, but I suppose it is an acceptable genre of literature; no worse than anything in STAR WARS!
August 26, 2018
Pure Excitement!
This was the finale of a series I never wanted to end. Over the course of three thrilling books I've come to know characters I like (and a couple I hated). Making new literary friends is tough because you know that eventually they won't have anything else to say to you! That's how I feel about Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer. They're so realistically written, it's hard to say goodbye. The story is exceptionally well plotted and the suspense stayed true for all three books. It will be very easy to recommend this series to anyone who enjoys good thrilling stories!
This was the finale of a series I never wanted to end. Over the course of three thrilling books I've come to know characters I like (and a couple I hated). Making new literary friends is tough because you know that eventually they won't have anything else to say to you! That's how I feel about Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer. They're so realistically written, it's hard to say goodbye. The story is exceptionally well plotted and the suspense stayed true for all three books. It will be very easy to recommend this series to anyone who enjoys good thrilling stories!
May 14, 2018
Interesting new mystery
I like most everything about the plot and the history behind the storyline but I do not like Anlon's love interest. She is shallow, silly and self absorbed. does not fit with his character- sophisticated intelligent thoughtful classy and team player - I don't know why the author chose such a good digger bimbo to be his partner. Take her out!!!! I wouldn't buy this series again for that reason.everything else works.
I like most everything about the plot and the history behind the storyline but I do not like Anlon's love interest. She is shallow, silly and self absorbed. does not fit with his character- sophisticated intelligent thoughtful classy and team player - I don't know why the author chose such a good digger bimbo to be his partner. Take her out!!!! I wouldn't buy this series again for that reason.everything else works.
August 30, 2019
I just love the storyline! The stones, and this theory about magnetism, reminds me tv shows from gaia tv, called Ancient Civilizations and others. Also I can feel that writing style improved since first book. I know that fourth book is coming out in October but I don't think I'll read it as I don't believe there is more of this story. However if you read first two books I strongly suggest reading this one too
April 12, 2019
Excellent
If at all possible Book 3 was even more exciting than the first 2. Great twists and turns, great stubborn characters added, great manipulation, deceit and, surprising violence. But also a great demonstration of good versus evil at various levels. Looking forward to reading about the trios next adventure. Thanks again Mr Donoghue.
If at all possible Book 3 was even more exciting than the first 2. Great twists and turns, great stubborn characters added, great manipulation, deceit and, surprising violence. But also a great demonstration of good versus evil at various levels. Looking forward to reading about the trios next adventure. Thanks again Mr Donoghue.
November 17, 2019
Interesting characters and plot but the author needs a better editor. The narrative often switches from one character voice to another with no clear delineation. The frequent typos, misuse of words, and other mistakes takes one out of the story; for instance the supposed French character often using Spanish.
With a better editing this would be top notch.
With a better editing this would be top notch.
June 17, 2020
This third in the Anlon Cully series completes the story of the ancient civilization with technological marvels. Artifacts from this civilization found by Anlon's uncle sparked a series of murders and kidnappings by a woman from that time and her cronies. Lots of cards in the air to keep track of in this one but edge of your seat tension & action all the way.
September 28, 2021
A Bitch is a Bitch So Never Switch
The story is well crated and fits seamlessly into the other books. I only have one complaint. The issue is dealing with swearing. if one is in extreme danger by another person, you don’t say f….n instead of fuckin. This does reappear multiple times and is not in line with the characters.
The story is well crated and fits seamlessly into the other books. I only have one complaint. The issue is dealing with swearing. if one is in extreme danger by another person, you don’t say f….n instead of fuckin. This does reappear multiple times and is not in line with the characters.
April 2, 2018
Satisfying end to the (maybe not the end of the story?) trilogy.
Ripped right through the second book to get to this one. Lots of twists and turns, which I devoured eagerly. Loved the conclusion which I was afraid was not going to be what I wanted.
Ripped right through the second book to get to this one. Lots of twists and turns, which I devoured eagerly. Loved the conclusion which I was afraid was not going to be what I wanted.
June 26, 2018
Can’t wait for the next one!
Another great book in the series! Seriously can not wait for the fourth book to come out! I hope Mereau features in it. I’d love to learn more about him and his past!!!!!
Another great book in the series! Seriously can not wait for the fourth book to come out! I hope Mereau features in it. I’d love to learn more about him and his past!!!!!
June 27, 2018
i really enjoyed the continuation of the cully chronicles. i'm glad there will be a fourth one. in this book, we learn alot about how all these stones and civilizations came about. i enjoyed the twists and turns.
August 22, 2018
Good but I think genre has been overdone
Not bad but not original enough to capture my imagination. Give it a try. I think most people would enjoy this work. A lot of thought went into it.
Not bad but not original enough to capture my imagination. Give it a try. I think most people would enjoy this work. A lot of thought went into it.
October 10, 2018
Great job
I enjoyed the storyline and can't wait to read the next adventure. Although this is science fiction it was believable. Since I don't believe we evolved from a single cell this is another theory of what happened in ancient times.
I enjoyed the storyline and can't wait to read the next adventure. Although this is science fiction it was believable. Since I don't believe we evolved from a single cell this is another theory of what happened in ancient times.
December 11, 2018
Great Story
A interesting combination of archaeology & science along with a cast of really bad villains and really good smart people. A mystery concerning a 10,000 year old culture from earth with amazing science and objects that interact with us.
A interesting combination of archaeology & science along with a cast of really bad villains and really good smart people. A mystery concerning a 10,000 year old culture from earth with amazing science and objects that interact with us.
July 4, 2019
Great story, would live to see a movie or series along this line.
Great story, few surprises, kept me up late wanting to read more. Highly recommend this series, can't wait to read more.
Great story, few surprises, kept me up late wanting to read more. Highly recommend this series, can't wait to read more.
July 8, 2019
Great finish to this series
In this book all the pieces of this mystery are put together.
A intriguing finish with many twists and secrets revealed.
I have already the follow up series book and can't wait to start.
In this book all the pieces of this mystery are put together.
A intriguing finish with many twists and secrets revealed.
I have already the follow up series book and can't wait to start.
November 2, 2019
Curse of the Painted Lady (Anlon Cully Chronicles #3) by K. Patrick Donoghue is third in the series and the best one yet. I love archeological thrillers with paranormal/science fiction infuences. I understand there is to be a 4th in the series. Seriously looking forward to it!
April 23, 2020
The Betrayer
Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer are right in the middle of kidnapping, robbery and murders. The mystery takes them across the U.S. and into Mexico as they chase the murderer.
Anlon, Pebbles and Jennifer are right in the middle of kidnapping, robbery and murders. The mystery takes them across the U.S. and into Mexico as they chase the murderer.
June 29, 2020
Interesting Ancient Science in the Fiction
This story of a pre Flood civilization technology being used by people is absolutely fantastic. I’m a little miffed by so many points of view toward the end that I’m scared for the next book. Great story nonetheless
This story of a pre Flood civilization technology being used by people is absolutely fantastic. I’m a little miffed by so many points of view toward the end that I’m scared for the next book. Great story nonetheless
Read
September 11, 2023A complicated adventure that leaves you wanting more
The Anlon Cully Chronicles books are a great adventure that spans 10,000 years. The complex weave of multiple stories makes me want to go back and read them again and again.
The Anlon Cully Chronicles books are a great adventure that spans 10,000 years. The complex weave of multiple stories makes me want to go back and read them again and again.
October 6, 2023
A thrill ride
Moves along at a fast pace with many twists and turns. Keeps you guessing until the end. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here. Looking forward to the final book.
Moves along at a fast pace with many twists and turns. Keeps you guessing until the end. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here. Looking forward to the final book.
April 14, 2018
Great Read
The story has lots of surprises and directions that change just after I think I know the plot.
Looking for the next book.
The story has lots of surprises and directions that change just after I think I know the plot.
Looking for the next book.
April 28, 2018
Great read
Interesting story line, plausible, at times a little long winded,but overall,thought provocating like to see more along this line soon.
Interesting story line, plausible, at times a little long winded,but overall,thought provocating like to see more along this line soon.
June 20, 2018
I enjoyed all three of the books in this series.
October 5, 2018
Enjoyed this series immensely
Kept me up, and got behind on my laundry, LOL... Very entertaining. I do recommend the whole Series. Enjoy, have a great escape.
Kept me up, and got behind on my laundry, LOL... Very entertaining. I do recommend the whole Series. Enjoy, have a great escape.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews