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Payne & Jones #4
The Lost Throne
Carved into the towering cliffs of central Greece, the Metéora monasteries are all but inaccessible. Holy Trinity is the most isolated, its sacred brotherhood the guardians of a secret that has been protected for centuries.
In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves….
Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But there are those who are dedicated to protecting it, and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery.
Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues, Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help. The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught in an adventure that will change their lives forever.
In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves….
Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But there are those who are dedicated to protecting it, and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery.
Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues, Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help. The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught in an adventure that will change their lives forever.
590 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
160 people are currently reading
4284 people want to read
About the author
Chris Kuzneski
25 books1,217 followersChris Kuzneski is the #1 international bestselling & New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels and one novella. His thrillers have been translated into more than twenty languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. One of his books (THE HUNTERS) is currently being made into a major motion picture, and another (THE PRISONER’S GOLD) won an ITW Thriller Award for Book of the Year.
Armed with witty prose, a unique narrative voice, and a penchant for blackmail, Kuzneski has garnered praise from many of the top authors in the world: James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, Lee Child, Vince Flynn, James Rollins, Tess Gerritsen, Douglas Preston, Lisa Gardner, Steve Berry, Scott Mariani, Allison Brennan, W.E.B. Griffin, Graham Brown, Boyd Morrison, John Gilstrap, Raymond Khoury, David Morrell, Andrew Gross, Joseph Finder, Jeremy Robinson, and his writing idol, Clive Cussler.
Simply put, his books are awesome.
A former football player at the University of Pittsburgh, Kuzneski worked as a journalist until he realized it was easier to make stuff up in the comfort of his own home. He has been writing fiction and sleeping in ever since. The only thing that has slowed him down is his obvious need for a pen name, since most people don't know how to spell or pronounce 'Kuzneski'. [Hint: Seven of the letters are silent.]
Armed with witty prose, a unique narrative voice, and a penchant for blackmail, Kuzneski has garnered praise from many of the top authors in the world: James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, Lee Child, Vince Flynn, James Rollins, Tess Gerritsen, Douglas Preston, Lisa Gardner, Steve Berry, Scott Mariani, Allison Brennan, W.E.B. Griffin, Graham Brown, Boyd Morrison, John Gilstrap, Raymond Khoury, David Morrell, Andrew Gross, Joseph Finder, Jeremy Robinson, and his writing idol, Clive Cussler.
Simply put, his books are awesome.
A former football player at the University of Pittsburgh, Kuzneski worked as a journalist until he realized it was easier to make stuff up in the comfort of his own home. He has been writing fiction and sleeping in ever since. The only thing that has slowed him down is his obvious need for a pen name, since most people don't know how to spell or pronounce 'Kuzneski'. [Hint: Seven of the letters are silent.]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
January 27, 2010
The Lost Throne is the author’s first hardcover debut, the third in his Payne and Jones thriller series. This was my first book by this author, I had not read the first two books in the series prior to picking up this new installment. The reason I decided to try this one first was due to my previous interest and fascination with the history of Meteora Greece and it's mysterious monasteries.
The story itself, a murder mystery involving eight monks at one of the monasteries of Meteora, is a pretty usual and predictable, yet well written action thriller. Nothing fabulous but quite entertaining. The story details some interesting facts of that area of Greece, and of the monasteries themselves, but not as much as I had hoped. I have read books on Meteora and felt that the author could have thrown in some additional interesting tidbits on the background behind the monks and architecture of this wonderful and magical place. However, Kuzneski does present some good history of the ancient Spartans that gave the story some credibility and I believe made the story much more fascinating.
What I didn’t like, was that the book had two stories going simultaneously. Nick Dial, a detective from Interpol is on site in Meteora in charge of the murders, and has assistance from a local cop who is a great character. Their investigation and teamwork scenes were wonderfully written and engaging. The other half of the book has the main characters of Payne and Jones, who have been contacted by friends to investigate a murder in Russia that of course has an eventual link to the crime in Greece, but it took a long time to hook up the two stories in the end. Way too long. For me it was like reading two books at once without much interconnection that flowed together. As for Payne and Jones as characters for this series, I found them tremendously disappointing. Their slapstick antics and not-funny humor was simply ridiculous and really became annoying after awhile. No one talks like that constantly on a regular basis and I found it was a factor that truly ruined the book. While the character of Nick Dial as Interpol detective offered a very serious and complex murder investigation, Payne and Jones presented like Laurel and Hardy and I found the two split scenarios too different to blend well.
As I kept turning the pages, I kept wishing chapter after chapter that the author would just leave Payne and Jones out of the stories and use Nick Dial alone for the series. He's a good detective and good literary character. He has a good personality that is tough as well as sensitive, and has a light sense of humor himself. I wanted to love the book but I must say that the characters of Payne and Jones that the series is based on, may have put me off to read another in the series. All in all as a whole the book is a decent action thriller with historical entities that made it palatable, even if the characters were not to my own liking. I highly recommend readers of this book take some time, and go to one of the main Meteora websites to really take a look at the photos of the village and monasteries so you can actually see for yourself this amazing place. Kuzneski does NOT do the town justice with his descriptions of the soaring razor edge cliffs that the crow’s nest monasteries are precariously perched on and didn’t really give the reader enough of the history and timeline of the monastic life there.
The story itself, a murder mystery involving eight monks at one of the monasteries of Meteora, is a pretty usual and predictable, yet well written action thriller. Nothing fabulous but quite entertaining. The story details some interesting facts of that area of Greece, and of the monasteries themselves, but not as much as I had hoped. I have read books on Meteora and felt that the author could have thrown in some additional interesting tidbits on the background behind the monks and architecture of this wonderful and magical place. However, Kuzneski does present some good history of the ancient Spartans that gave the story some credibility and I believe made the story much more fascinating.
What I didn’t like, was that the book had two stories going simultaneously. Nick Dial, a detective from Interpol is on site in Meteora in charge of the murders, and has assistance from a local cop who is a great character. Their investigation and teamwork scenes were wonderfully written and engaging. The other half of the book has the main characters of Payne and Jones, who have been contacted by friends to investigate a murder in Russia that of course has an eventual link to the crime in Greece, but it took a long time to hook up the two stories in the end. Way too long. For me it was like reading two books at once without much interconnection that flowed together. As for Payne and Jones as characters for this series, I found them tremendously disappointing. Their slapstick antics and not-funny humor was simply ridiculous and really became annoying after awhile. No one talks like that constantly on a regular basis and I found it was a factor that truly ruined the book. While the character of Nick Dial as Interpol detective offered a very serious and complex murder investigation, Payne and Jones presented like Laurel and Hardy and I found the two split scenarios too different to blend well.
As I kept turning the pages, I kept wishing chapter after chapter that the author would just leave Payne and Jones out of the stories and use Nick Dial alone for the series. He's a good detective and good literary character. He has a good personality that is tough as well as sensitive, and has a light sense of humor himself. I wanted to love the book but I must say that the characters of Payne and Jones that the series is based on, may have put me off to read another in the series. All in all as a whole the book is a decent action thriller with historical entities that made it palatable, even if the characters were not to my own liking. I highly recommend readers of this book take some time, and go to one of the main Meteora websites to really take a look at the photos of the village and monasteries so you can actually see for yourself this amazing place. Kuzneski does NOT do the town justice with his descriptions of the soaring razor edge cliffs that the crow’s nest monasteries are precariously perched on and didn’t really give the reader enough of the history and timeline of the monastic life there.
February 7, 2009
Oh dear ... what a disappointment. The previous two books ['Sign of the Cross' and 'Sword of God':] were formulaic but had a certain raw energy and innocent paciness that made them enjoyable. Chapters were short and ended on a high note so you wanted to keep turning the page even though you knew that you were just munching on boy-chocolate.
This one is formula without the energy, too long and leisurely, with dull plot McGuffins, hackneyed characterisation and an excessive use of cut-and-paste wiki-description of the sites (a fault of the first books, overlooked by the fact that things actually happened faster in the scenery). Halfway, I was dying for one of the heroes to make a pass at the Barbie-blonde Alison just to relieve the tedium.
Here's a tip to the author. Get a new Editor, someone prepared to do one of two things - either cut the book by a quarter and keep to the formula or able to stand up to you and say the formula is no longer working. Penguin are getting lazy and are doing a disservice to their author.
One of the interesting aspects of the two previous two books was a totally politically incorrect and wonderfully naive approach to Catholicism in the first book and Islam in the second. I yearned for a first strike at Tibetan Buddhism or Judaism (and outrage in California or a court case in Germany), but instead we get a half-hearted false reading of the Orthodox Church and of Heinrich Schliemann's archaology and a reading of Spartan culture straight out of a dumbing down of '300'. Ouch!
Not recommended even if you expect to be bored on a long journey. Shame though - the first two in the series were mad, rollicking adventures and this third suggests that there should not be a fourth.
This one is formula without the energy, too long and leisurely, with dull plot McGuffins, hackneyed characterisation and an excessive use of cut-and-paste wiki-description of the sites (a fault of the first books, overlooked by the fact that things actually happened faster in the scenery). Halfway, I was dying for one of the heroes to make a pass at the Barbie-blonde Alison just to relieve the tedium.
Here's a tip to the author. Get a new Editor, someone prepared to do one of two things - either cut the book by a quarter and keep to the formula or able to stand up to you and say the formula is no longer working. Penguin are getting lazy and are doing a disservice to their author.
One of the interesting aspects of the two previous two books was a totally politically incorrect and wonderfully naive approach to Catholicism in the first book and Islam in the second. I yearned for a first strike at Tibetan Buddhism or Judaism (and outrage in California or a court case in Germany), but instead we get a half-hearted false reading of the Orthodox Church and of Heinrich Schliemann's archaology and a reading of Spartan culture straight out of a dumbing down of '300'. Ouch!
Not recommended even if you expect to be bored on a long journey. Shame though - the first two in the series were mad, rollicking adventures and this third suggests that there should not be a fourth.
March 5, 2020
Payne & Jones, book 4: My first Payne & Jones read. Hate to say this about a book but this is completely forgettable and not worthy of publication. It might be of more interest to people who read the previous instalments, but this lacklustre adventure feels like it's stolen hours of my life that I'll never get back! A Formulaic multi-location adventure thriller, featuring mass murder, an assassination in Russia and a treasure hunt! 2 out of 12.
July 28, 2011
Really, really, laugh out loud AWFUL!
It appears to have been written by a teenaged boy, full of dreadful cliches and steryotypes.
I kept imagining a Micky Spillane type voice-over.
I was expecting something a bit more like Matthew Reilly or Lee Child - delightful hokum - but the writing in this is soooo bad I couldn't help chuckling, for all the wrong reasons!
It appears to have been written by a teenaged boy, full of dreadful cliches and steryotypes.
I kept imagining a Micky Spillane type voice-over.
I was expecting something a bit more like Matthew Reilly or Lee Child - delightful hokum - but the writing in this is soooo bad I couldn't help chuckling, for all the wrong reasons!
January 26, 2022
This book was 538 pages that could have easily been 700. Their was a big scene at the beginning, followed by two different storylines that were slow, but gradually got larger on both sides. The last 5 chapters is where most everything happened, but it wasn't consistent with the rest of the book. The descriptions of places and things stopped, and it seemed smushed together. However, I like the story, and the banter between Jones & Payne was great. I think Payne should have got the girl.
February 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. A great mystery/thriller about monks being murdered in a monastery in Meteora, Greece. What made this even more interesting and enjoyable for me was that I visited 3 of these monasteries when I traveled to Greece.
August 19, 2017
Very well written and enjoyed the action but especially loved the bits of history intertwined in the story.
September 23, 2020
Not really as substantial as his previous 2 books I read.
April 5, 2015
The Lost Throne is a decent enough read; it won't have you on the edge of your seat, but it probably won't bore the pants off of you. Does it have some issues? Yes, it has quite a few of them. Do any of these problems matter? No, not unless you hate either a) information dumps relating historical information and/or b) characters that it's difficult to relate to. In which case it may be best to go elsewhere.
Although Kuzneski has both of these issues, they are a rather common "weakness" of this genre of book. In this case it's all too easy to blame the main characters, Payne and Jones, for many of the others such as the lack of real conflict within the pages of this novel.
See, these guys are likeable enough characters whose interactions are enjoyable to read. However, their abilities are completely off the scales which means that it's all but impossible to imagine them not achieving whatever goal they've set out to do, and with minimum fuss. There is absolutely no sense that either of these two characters could ever die, but if they did it wouldn't bother me much. While they fit the story and the role they're meant to inhabit, that's all they do.
And secondarily, the large info dumps serve only to disrupt the pace of the story. Am I up for learning some interesting facts about the past? Yes. Do I want an in-depth history (for example) of a church? Not really.
Although Kuzneski has both of these issues, they are a rather common "weakness" of this genre of book. In this case it's all too easy to blame the main characters, Payne and Jones, for many of the others such as the lack of real conflict within the pages of this novel.
See, these guys are likeable enough characters whose interactions are enjoyable to read. However, their abilities are completely off the scales which means that it's all but impossible to imagine them not achieving whatever goal they've set out to do, and with minimum fuss. There is absolutely no sense that either of these two characters could ever die, but if they did it wouldn't bother me much. While they fit the story and the role they're meant to inhabit, that's all they do.
And secondarily, the large info dumps serve only to disrupt the pace of the story. Am I up for learning some interesting facts about the past? Yes. Do I want an in-depth history (for example) of a church? Not really.
February 22, 2011
Kuzneski reminds me of some of my favorite authors like; Steve Berry, James Rollins, and Matthew Reilly. Their stories take the reader back to mysteries of the past but are told in the present.
Jonathan Payne and David Jones are former military that belonged to a group called "Maniacs".
Jonathan receives a call at night asking for help. The call leads Jonathan and David on a mission to Greece. The find that the call for help came from Richard Byrd who as been murdered. His attractive assistant, Allison Taylor, is in dire need of help because she may well be the next victim.
It seems that Richard and Allison may have been close to finding a lost treasure that will lead the trio to Orthodox monasteries that have been built into Mount Althos.
They are greeted on their arrival with the news that 10 monks have been beheaded and were thrown off the mountain. The holy men may have taken the secret of the treasure with them to the grave.
It is discovered that an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons were responsible for the murders.
It is up to Jonathan, David, and Allison to sift through the clues to find out who these warriors were and in the process, find the lost treasure.
An excellent read for those who like mystery and action.
Jonathan Payne and David Jones are former military that belonged to a group called "Maniacs".
Jonathan receives a call at night asking for help. The call leads Jonathan and David on a mission to Greece. The find that the call for help came from Richard Byrd who as been murdered. His attractive assistant, Allison Taylor, is in dire need of help because she may well be the next victim.
It seems that Richard and Allison may have been close to finding a lost treasure that will lead the trio to Orthodox monasteries that have been built into Mount Althos.
They are greeted on their arrival with the news that 10 monks have been beheaded and were thrown off the mountain. The holy men may have taken the secret of the treasure with them to the grave.
It is discovered that an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons were responsible for the murders.
It is up to Jonathan, David, and Allison to sift through the clues to find out who these warriors were and in the process, find the lost treasure.
An excellent read for those who like mystery and action.
April 1, 2016
Depending on who you listen too, this is either the 3rd or 4th book in the Payne and Jones series. I did get the sense that the writer has now settled on his style, and has got comfortable with it. The two main characters, Payne and Jones, do seem a bit larger than life, but their humour is often a welcome break, although some might view the humour as a bit juvenile.
Initially the storyline follows two different threads. There is an Interpol investigation, headed by Nick Dial, into the massacre of a group of Orthodox monks at a secluded Greek monastery. Then there is an expected plea for help sent in a phone call to Jonathon Payne. He doesn't have a name, or a location, so what can he do to help? Those who have read the preceding books in the series will recognise the names, and eventually the two threads do merge. Perhaps they took too long, but then again this is quite a lengthy book.
In places it still reads like a Wikipedia guide to Europe, with large chunks of information served up at various points. Any non American character falls foul of the stereotyping brush. If you are after a thriller, with a few unexpected plot twists, that you don't have to concentrate too hard on, then this series of books might entertain.
Initially the storyline follows two different threads. There is an Interpol investigation, headed by Nick Dial, into the massacre of a group of Orthodox monks at a secluded Greek monastery. Then there is an expected plea for help sent in a phone call to Jonathon Payne. He doesn't have a name, or a location, so what can he do to help? Those who have read the preceding books in the series will recognise the names, and eventually the two threads do merge. Perhaps they took too long, but then again this is quite a lengthy book.
In places it still reads like a Wikipedia guide to Europe, with large chunks of information served up at various points. Any non American character falls foul of the stereotyping brush. If you are after a thriller, with a few unexpected plot twists, that you don't have to concentrate too hard on, then this series of books might entertain.
July 7, 2009
Looking for a beach or plane read? Like adventure? The Lost Throne fits the bill. A wealthy amateur archaeologist, who entered Russia illegally, is killed, execution style, in St. Petersberg, Russia. His beautiful but brainy assistant, Allison, calls on Jon Payne and DJ Jones, intrepid ex-MANIACS (special ops guys), to rescue her. At the same time, seven Greek Orthodox monks are beheaded in an all but inaccessible monastery.
Will these two threads merge? You bet they will. Payne and Jones, with the help of that brilliant babe and a hard drinking fisherman, must outwit a Russian assassin, identify and track down an ancient treasure, fight a dozen die-hard Spartans (really!), and save the lives of all the remaining monks in Greece, all without a lunch break.
The Last Throne is not War and Peace, nor is it meant to be. It's a rapid fire, non stop action tale with more zigs and zags than today's financial charts. So, suspend your sense of reality, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the crazy ride.
Will these two threads merge? You bet they will. Payne and Jones, with the help of that brilliant babe and a hard drinking fisherman, must outwit a Russian assassin, identify and track down an ancient treasure, fight a dozen die-hard Spartans (really!), and save the lives of all the remaining monks in Greece, all without a lunch break.
The Last Throne is not War and Peace, nor is it meant to be. It's a rapid fire, non stop action tale with more zigs and zags than today's financial charts. So, suspend your sense of reality, buckle your seat belt, and enjoy the crazy ride.
June 6, 2019
A good read . Some good characters , mystery , myth and adventure.
July 21, 2020
Came across this book quite late- 11 years ! . Took as light holiday read . Fair enough “detective” novel with fast moving plot but for me seriously let down by lazy historical analysis, awful stereotyping , and some major characters defaults . A very poor Dan Brown copy ..
- Identification of the Spartans on basis of having less ornate helmets and more muscular body armor than other greeks is a joke and not correct . Staggering is claiming that Spartans were not particularly religious - quite contrary and as is well documented the reason for “No Show” at Battle of Marathon and only 300 Spartans available to fight the second Persian invasion was their strict religious rules . The description of the hoplite sword as a classic Spartan weapon is wrong, in fact a shorter sword of 1 foot ( not 3 foot ) would in fact identify as Spartan. Sparta was not really a “great maritime power” ( that was more Athens) . I am not nit picking but these facts are presented as historically correct and as key points of investigation .
- The french inspector at Interpol is depicted as lazy , chain smoking , drunk and a womanizer , what else can he be if French ! “All Europeans ignore traffic rules” it is claimed - clearly Kuzneski never visited Germany , Scandinavia , the low countries or UK ; Russian soldiers are indisciplined and hungry after western women ; only subject to talk about whilst in Germany is sausages and a quote made is incorrect both in spelling and exact meaning , Most in the plot - cc except Americans seem backward , corruptible or stupid. Only persons who are in control are the American Interpol chief , the American ex forces duo Payne and Jones and some American called Clive who by chance is found “walking free and easy “ on beach who helps boat the Interpol agents into the sacred mount . ( is this character Kuzneski ‘s alter ego ?)
- the characters of Payne and Jones , as others have written , are simply laughable and their banter is kid like and grating .. the American “ damsel in distress “ who Payne and Jones go to save ,Alison, is supposed to be a top young researcher in Troy’s discoverer H. Schliemann and ancient greek treasurers but can not read Greek! ( not sure how she would ever read original text !) ; by chance, on other hand, two key orthodox monks who live secluded monastic lives speak perfect English - very handy for the American investigator -
- , the start of settings in european cities are done like lifting paragraphs from Lonely Planet introduction.. very annoying.
I will never read a Kuzneski novel again .
- Identification of the Spartans on basis of having less ornate helmets and more muscular body armor than other greeks is a joke and not correct . Staggering is claiming that Spartans were not particularly religious - quite contrary and as is well documented the reason for “No Show” at Battle of Marathon and only 300 Spartans available to fight the second Persian invasion was their strict religious rules . The description of the hoplite sword as a classic Spartan weapon is wrong, in fact a shorter sword of 1 foot ( not 3 foot ) would in fact identify as Spartan. Sparta was not really a “great maritime power” ( that was more Athens) . I am not nit picking but these facts are presented as historically correct and as key points of investigation .
- The french inspector at Interpol is depicted as lazy , chain smoking , drunk and a womanizer , what else can he be if French ! “All Europeans ignore traffic rules” it is claimed - clearly Kuzneski never visited Germany , Scandinavia , the low countries or UK ; Russian soldiers are indisciplined and hungry after western women ; only subject to talk about whilst in Germany is sausages and a quote made is incorrect both in spelling and exact meaning , Most in the plot - cc except Americans seem backward , corruptible or stupid. Only persons who are in control are the American Interpol chief , the American ex forces duo Payne and Jones and some American called Clive who by chance is found “walking free and easy “ on beach who helps boat the Interpol agents into the sacred mount . ( is this character Kuzneski ‘s alter ego ?)
- the characters of Payne and Jones , as others have written , are simply laughable and their banter is kid like and grating .. the American “ damsel in distress “ who Payne and Jones go to save ,Alison, is supposed to be a top young researcher in Troy’s discoverer H. Schliemann and ancient greek treasurers but can not read Greek! ( not sure how she would ever read original text !) ; by chance, on other hand, two key orthodox monks who live secluded monastic lives speak perfect English - very handy for the American investigator -
- , the start of settings in european cities are done like lifting paragraphs from Lonely Planet introduction.. very annoying.
I will never read a Kuzneski novel again .
October 19, 2017
Perhaps not the best example of literature, Kuzneski's "The Lost Throne" is the perfect read for the lovers of action/adventure novels. With an excellent plot, fast pacing and amusing though somewhat juvenile banter between the two lead characters, the pages will practically turn themselves. A great read for sitting next to a fire or for a day at the beach, the adrenaline rush caused by this story is one sweet ride.
Carved into the towering cliffs of central Greece, the Metéora monasteries are all but inaccessible. Holy Trinity is the most isolated, its sacred brotherhood the guardians of a secret that has been protected for centuries. In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves. Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But there are those who are dedicated to protecting it, and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery. When Jonathan Payne and DJ Jones hear from his lovely assistant that Byrd has been assassinated and she is in danger, they journey to Russia to save her and help unravel the mystery of his death. Meanwhile back in Greece, Nick Dial of Interpol is working to solve the riddle of the monk's murders. As the two investigations continue a day of reckoning awaits both teams on an isolated mountain in Greece.
Gets docked a star for little to no character development but thriller fans will gobble up this exciting tale.
Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues, Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help. The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught in an adventure that will change their lives forever.
Carved into the towering cliffs of central Greece, the Metéora monasteries are all but inaccessible. Holy Trinity is the most isolated, its sacred brotherhood the guardians of a secret that has been protected for centuries. In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves. Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But there are those who are dedicated to protecting it, and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery. When Jonathan Payne and DJ Jones hear from his lovely assistant that Byrd has been assassinated and she is in danger, they journey to Russia to save her and help unravel the mystery of his death. Meanwhile back in Greece, Nick Dial of Interpol is working to solve the riddle of the monk's murders. As the two investigations continue a day of reckoning awaits both teams on an isolated mountain in Greece.
Gets docked a star for little to no character development but thriller fans will gobble up this exciting tale.
Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues, Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help. The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught in an adventure that will change their lives forever.
January 2, 2018
I really liked this book, it had Interpol, retired special forces chaps, who were holidaying in Tampa near McDill AFB, treasure hunts and Spartans! Along the way Monks who tell nothing, who live in the past, but hid secrets, while Spartans hunt them down and chop their heads off!
It all started with Payne and Jones getting a phone call, by the time it is answered the person needing their help has been killed. They take off for Russia to help a young lady who is working on her thesis, who has been hired by the chap who got killed. But... the plot thickens, they are then off to Greece to hunt for a missing throne. This clue comes from a coat that had belonged to Heinrich Schliemann, who had found the supposedly treasures of Troy. He did find wonderful treasures, which have been dated 1,000 years after Troy, but spectacular none the less. Which were once in Germany, and removed to Moscow during end of WWII. This is not the story, Heinrich in this story is suppose to have a new map of wonderful treasures that have been hidden, he had died and the secret was to have died with him. Payne and Jones with the researcher find his coat with the map hidden in a seam inside. From there, with help of friends they search for the treasurer. In the meantime, Spartans are also alerted, and want to get to the treasure first, they
kill all in their way. Do they find the treasure? What is it? Why can't Interpol get an audience with
the Church. Do they all get killed? Have to read it to find out.
It all started with Payne and Jones getting a phone call, by the time it is answered the person needing their help has been killed. They take off for Russia to help a young lady who is working on her thesis, who has been hired by the chap who got killed. But... the plot thickens, they are then off to Greece to hunt for a missing throne. This clue comes from a coat that had belonged to Heinrich Schliemann, who had found the supposedly treasures of Troy. He did find wonderful treasures, which have been dated 1,000 years after Troy, but spectacular none the less. Which were once in Germany, and removed to Moscow during end of WWII. This is not the story, Heinrich in this story is suppose to have a new map of wonderful treasures that have been hidden, he had died and the secret was to have died with him. Payne and Jones with the researcher find his coat with the map hidden in a seam inside. From there, with help of friends they search for the treasurer. In the meantime, Spartans are also alerted, and want to get to the treasure first, they
kill all in their way. Do they find the treasure? What is it? Why can't Interpol get an audience with
the Church. Do they all get killed? Have to read it to find out.
March 26, 2020
As the fourth book in the Jones and Payne series, it is an absolute treat for all historical fiction fans.
DJ and Payne are in Florida when they receive a mysterious call for help from a Richard Byrd in Russia.
Nick Dial head of International Homicide Division has flown in to Greece to check out a gruesome murder of 7 monks from the Holy Trinity Monastery.
As the friends save Allison, Byrd's assistant, she is the only link to find out why Richard was killed and what was he after..
At the same time Nick is to figure out why the monks were killed and their heads stacked into a pyramid. Is this more than a crime against the Orthodox faith?
Packed with history about ancient Greece and Heinrich Schliemann (the German businessman who discovered Troy) it is nothing less of a action packed treasure hunt. A story that is impossible to put down. High stakes and packed with action, this has to be my favourite series alongside Dan Brown in this genre.
The banter between the friends is just the icing on the cake. Chris Kuzneski is a wonder to read and to be honest its hard not to crush on Payne as you progress with the series.
DJ and Payne are in Florida when they receive a mysterious call for help from a Richard Byrd in Russia.
Nick Dial head of International Homicide Division has flown in to Greece to check out a gruesome murder of 7 monks from the Holy Trinity Monastery.
As the friends save Allison, Byrd's assistant, she is the only link to find out why Richard was killed and what was he after..
At the same time Nick is to figure out why the monks were killed and their heads stacked into a pyramid. Is this more than a crime against the Orthodox faith?
Packed with history about ancient Greece and Heinrich Schliemann (the German businessman who discovered Troy) it is nothing less of a action packed treasure hunt. A story that is impossible to put down. High stakes and packed with action, this has to be my favourite series alongside Dan Brown in this genre.
The banter between the friends is just the icing on the cake. Chris Kuzneski is a wonder to read and to be honest its hard not to crush on Payne as you progress with the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2020
Two freelance former special ops investigators come to the aid of a research assistant whose boss was assassinated in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, an Interpol cop is investigating the slaughter of eight monks in a remote monastery in Greece. Little do any of them know that both crimes are connected.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a good treasure-hunting conspiracy theory novel, and though I didn’t realize this was part of a series, it was not necessary for me to have read any of the preceding books. It was a fun adventure with a little action, but it was the sleuthing I liked the best. I found the history of Greek orthodox monasteries most fascinating, as well as the history of how Greek artifacts ended up in Constantinople. There’s even some decent background about one of the lost 7 wonders of the ancient world. The characters were clever and their dialogue was often humorous, if a little corny. It was a fun, fast-paced read; not entirely sophisticated, but enjoyable and intriguing enough.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a good treasure-hunting conspiracy theory novel, and though I didn’t realize this was part of a series, it was not necessary for me to have read any of the preceding books. It was a fun adventure with a little action, but it was the sleuthing I liked the best. I found the history of Greek orthodox monasteries most fascinating, as well as the history of how Greek artifacts ended up in Constantinople. There’s even some decent background about one of the lost 7 wonders of the ancient world. The characters were clever and their dialogue was often humorous, if a little corny. It was a fun, fast-paced read; not entirely sophisticated, but enjoyable and intriguing enough.
March 8, 2018
This is the Only Book of Kuzneski which I had the pleasure to read and O Boy, what a great and fascinating book it was. What lacked in Dan Brown's books was fulfilled in Kuzneski's fiction. I was hooked from the very first page and I read this book in buses, in metros, in cafes, I mean everywhere.
I won't say anything about the plot but it is surely one of the most fast-paced novels I have read so far. I will definitely read more of Kuzneski's works because the way he introduced these places, and artifacts, and real details, it was mesmerizing.
The characters were created with perfection. The good dose of humor and style is what I really liked about this book. Highly recommended to those who prefer reading mythological thrillers, and treasure hunt kind of stories, but let me remind you, it won't have one protagonist narrative, but there are many timelines running parallel, which actually makes it more exciting.
I will rate it 4 stars out of 5.
I won't say anything about the plot but it is surely one of the most fast-paced novels I have read so far. I will definitely read more of Kuzneski's works because the way he introduced these places, and artifacts, and real details, it was mesmerizing.
The characters were created with perfection. The good dose of humor and style is what I really liked about this book. Highly recommended to those who prefer reading mythological thrillers, and treasure hunt kind of stories, but let me remind you, it won't have one protagonist narrative, but there are many timelines running parallel, which actually makes it more exciting.
I will rate it 4 stars out of 5.
May 19, 2017
In place of tension we have testosterone, instead of style we have stereotype. The author constantly reminds that the two main protagonists are highly trained ex-members of an elite American force (the MANIACS - try not to laugh out too loud over that). This training serves as the default Deus ex Machina to cover a multitude of sins and the constant referencing to the protagonists past rapidly becomes a tedious droning mantra. There is a coy (and occasionally not so coy) glorification in the violence, (this is clearly a book for the boys own locker room) which is pointless and slightly disturbing.
Don't get me wrong I love really cheesy thrillers and action books and accept their frequently preposterous plots and overblown heroes. The old everyone likes a hamburger once in a while cliche applies but here the hamburger is stale noxious and laden with salmonella
Don't get me wrong I love really cheesy thrillers and action books and accept their frequently preposterous plots and overblown heroes. The old everyone likes a hamburger once in a while cliche applies but here the hamburger is stale noxious and laden with salmonella
June 23, 2025
The “ex-special forces soldiers hunting treasure around the world” genre has been pretty much done to death, so this book needed something special to set it apart and it didn’t have it.
The characters, while entertaining, lacked much depth, particularly the sole female in the entire book. I’m not sure how many times we were told how she was clever as well as pretty. More than necessary, that’s for sure.
I also struggled with the two main characters motivation to go treasure hunting in the first place. Apparently they didn’t really need one, just a thirst for boys own adventure and a desire to look brave and manly in front of our “clever but still pretty” lead female.
Finally, without giving any specific spoilers, the ending is poor. It lacked any kind of build to a climax and left me wondering why any of the characters had really bothered in the first place.
The characters, while entertaining, lacked much depth, particularly the sole female in the entire book. I’m not sure how many times we were told how she was clever as well as pretty. More than necessary, that’s for sure.
I also struggled with the two main characters motivation to go treasure hunting in the first place. Apparently they didn’t really need one, just a thirst for boys own adventure and a desire to look brave and manly in front of our “clever but still pretty” lead female.
Finally, without giving any specific spoilers, the ending is poor. It lacked any kind of build to a climax and left me wondering why any of the characters had really bothered in the first place.
May 3, 2018
Although this is book #4 it can be read as a stand alone. That being said, I will go back and read the first 3 books to see if the characters have developed in the interim. The story is quite interesting with a historical overtone which I enjoy. It is well written and kept me reading late into the night. I finished the book at 3 AM!! It would have been finished more quickly if I had not been otherwise occupied. This author's writing is similar to that of Steve Berry which I also enjoy but has a little more humor thrown in. I am always glad to find a new author to read and will continue with this one. An excellent read I would recommend to anyone liking action/adventure with a dash of history.
October 7, 2018
I only picked up this book because it recieved high praise from Clive Cussler and it was well deserved.
It's not hard to see similarities between The Lost Throne and any of Dan Brown's writing. The style is effortless and the plot progresses at a steady pace. If anything, just like Dan Brown's works, you'll leave this book having learnt a few new fascinating facts about the world.
While I doubt this book has a lot of re-read potential, it makes up for that with some smart humour and fun dialogues. There were multiple moments where I had to stop and laugh.
This is a recommended read if you want something that will be a great distraction while it lasts. However, this is hardly the kind of book that changes your life.
It's not hard to see similarities between The Lost Throne and any of Dan Brown's writing. The style is effortless and the plot progresses at a steady pace. If anything, just like Dan Brown's works, you'll leave this book having learnt a few new fascinating facts about the world.
While I doubt this book has a lot of re-read potential, it makes up for that with some smart humour and fun dialogues. There were multiple moments where I had to stop and laugh.
This is a recommended read if you want something that will be a great distraction while it lasts. However, this is hardly the kind of book that changes your life.
October 2, 2022
Libro muy sencillo. Típica novela de bolsillo cuya sinopsis y su brutal comienzo es lo más llamativo. Su historia es plana y lineal, con personajes sin trasfondo y sin grises. El dúo protagonista (que da nombre a la saga) tiene menos personalidad que un par de boniatos en remojo.
La existencia en la actualidad de una sociedad espartana que ha seguido con las tradiciones antiguas podrías resultar interesante pero no se aprovecha y queda como una anécdota,al igual que todo el tema de la Interpol.
Aún no se porqué compre la novela en su día, ya hace bastantes años. Los impulsos de antes ya no deberían repetirse con libros así, y ser más selectivo.
No merece la pena, ni para los amantes de la Grecia Clásica, ni para los que gustan de los thrillers criminales.
La existencia en la actualidad de una sociedad espartana que ha seguido con las tradiciones antiguas podrías resultar interesante pero no se aprovecha y queda como una anécdota,al igual que todo el tema de la Interpol.
Aún no se porqué compre la novela en su día, ya hace bastantes años. Los impulsos de antes ya no deberían repetirse con libros así, y ser más selectivo.
No merece la pena, ni para los amantes de la Grecia Clásica, ni para los que gustan de los thrillers criminales.
June 22, 2017
Once more Kuzneski creates a treasure hunt for ex-Marine types Payne and Jones. Back too, is Nick Dial from Interpol, and both parties weave their own strands through this lengthy journey. The actual content of Lost Throne could easily be condensed, and the sheer volume of redundant narrative creates a bloated action adventure through Europe. The research is evident, and expected, although at times a little shoe-horned in. The main villains of the piece are well thought out and interesting. However Lost Throne is not as good as the sum of its parts, it's to long and the characters are rather shallow and unlikeable. Overall, its an entertaining enough read, it just won't be one to remember.
March 31, 2022
I love mysteries filled with action, adventure, and curious, puzzling notions. And this novel fulfilled all of them.
It was my first time reading Chris Kuzneski's novel, and I am not disappointed. Yes, there are times when it becomes boring and you want to turn the page as quickly as you could, but all the existing information is vital to the story-building. Nearing the climax guaranteed all fun and thrill (I finished last chapters in one reading!). His writing style is lucid, which makes it easier to get immersed into this story.
And I am excited to read more of his books! And to what kind of world he lets me travel to.
- Tejashree
It was my first time reading Chris Kuzneski's novel, and I am not disappointed. Yes, there are times when it becomes boring and you want to turn the page as quickly as you could, but all the existing information is vital to the story-building. Nearing the climax guaranteed all fun and thrill (I finished last chapters in one reading!). His writing style is lucid, which makes it easier to get immersed into this story.
And I am excited to read more of his books! And to what kind of world he lets me travel to.
- Tejashree
August 16, 2025
Another fast paced thriller by Chris.
Another wonderful adventure involving Jones and Payne and Nick Dial, oh I love Nick Dial.
When I read his books, I always have google map opened, all the locations, all the monuments, the palaces, all are real and it' so fascinating to track them all around the world. I love that the history is accurate upto some point. I have always liked history and the way Chris portrays it, is very effective and very entertaining.
The lost throne, the treasures of the ancient world, spartans and much more. A very fulfilling book and is very fast paced thriller. A race against time that I would never forget.
**RECOMMENDED**
Another wonderful adventure involving Jones and Payne and Nick Dial, oh I love Nick Dial.
When I read his books, I always have google map opened, all the locations, all the monuments, the palaces, all are real and it' so fascinating to track them all around the world. I love that the history is accurate upto some point. I have always liked history and the way Chris portrays it, is very effective and very entertaining.
The lost throne, the treasures of the ancient world, spartans and much more. A very fulfilling book and is very fast paced thriller. A race against time that I would never forget.
**RECOMMENDED**
April 4, 2026
I felt like it had steady pacing up until the end where everything happened so quickly. It felt like a rushed ending. I didn't particularly like how it just tells us who involved the Spartans, but it doesn't say how he knew of the book or when the meeting would take place, etc.
I liked how we did get to see Nicholas in the end, nicely tied up his character.
I do overall like the dynamic of Payne and Jones. I also liked how Dial went about his investigation. It was a overall good read with the right amount of mystery and thought out investigation but there were a few little things that stuck with me.
I liked how we did get to see Nicholas in the end, nicely tied up his character.
I do overall like the dynamic of Payne and Jones. I also liked how Dial went about his investigation. It was a overall good read with the right amount of mystery and thought out investigation but there were a few little things that stuck with me.
February 11, 2021
I don't read these kinds of books for " great literary characters" or "brilliant prose". I read these books strictly for a bit of usually brainless entertainment which is a lot better for my mental health than grabbing a stiff drink and sitting in my front row seat watching the apocalypse. I did completely enjoy this bit of fluff. This kind of book always takes place in exotic locations and thanks to Google I can go on a small armchair trip and look at those places. Meteora is stunning. Next stop St. Petersburg Russia....
March 22, 2022
With the main two characters, stereo and type, excelling at everything, intelligence, knowledge and physical prowess, ably supported by a few similar typows with neverending resources, how can they lose. Of course they dont and teh plot become3s more unbelievable as teh book porgresses. Excellent aircraft read, but good for nothing else except maybe propping up a wonky bookshelf. With people like these, Amerca could conquor the world in a weekend. Fortunately, they don't exist, except in fevered right-wingers imginations!
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