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The Lost Temple
by
Tom Harper
For three thousand years, the world’s most dangerous treasure has been lost. Now the code that reveals its hiding place is about to be broken . . .
Greece, 1947. Europe is just beginning to heal after World War II, but the fighting in Greece continues as a civil war is waged. Sam Grant, a disgraced ex–Special Operations Executive soldier and an adventurer by trade, is
Hardcover, 330 pages
Published
by Thomas Dunne Books
(first published 2007)
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About 50-60 pages into the book, I stopped reading it. I selected it based on the summary on the dust jacket, thinking it would be something like The Da Vinci Code. It was, sort of, but it was so full of explosions and shootings, the puzzle and mystery became secondary to the plot.
At the beginning of the novel, 1941, I learn that Sam Grant is a British special forces sort of soldier who was bodyguarding the king of Greece. He meets an archeologist during the German invasion of Crete. The a...more
At the beginning of the novel, 1941, I learn that Sam Grant is a British special forces sort of soldier who was bodyguarding the king of Greece. He meets an archeologist during the German invasion of Crete. The a...more
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I loved the premise of this, Achilles armour and shield. That was what grabbed my attention in the first place. I was sad to say I never connected with the characters. For me to enjoy a book, I have to have that connection.
Grant, the main character was lackadaisical in my eyes, he never quite got the whole hero of the story down pat. Reed, the archaeologist...there were parts I wanted to shoot him, myself. The rest of the characters where so bland if I chose to mention them here, I wou...more
Grant, the main character was lackadaisical in my eyes, he never quite got the whole hero of the story down pat. Reed, the archaeologist...there were parts I wanted to shoot him, myself. The rest of the characters where so bland if I chose to mention them here, I wou...more
The Lost Temple is an energetic romp around the Mediterranean for historical adventurers. If the island of Crete, Minoans, Greek gods, Linear B, Nazis, Turks and Soviet operatives are your thing, then you will enjoy the book. If not, then you will find it to be worth the three stars that I gave it.
For me, I lived on Crete, visited Knossos, and know of the Nazi airborne invasion and a lot of the archaeological references. I enjoyed the book, but I am not sure that I am overly excite...more
For me, I lived on Crete, visited Knossos, and know of the Nazi airborne invasion and a lot of the archaeological references. I enjoyed the book, but I am not sure that I am overly excite...more
Uneven pacing and an ending that seemed rushed detract a bit from what is otherwise a solid thriller with an interesting historical perspective. In this one, which is mostly set in 1947, the good guys are on the hunt for the shield of Achilles. Yes, that Achilles. Seems there was more truth to the Iliad than many would have believed. In any case, it seems that one of the shield's components has some less savory uses in 1947, and both the Soviets and Americans are after it. All in all, a fun outi...more
This novel takes place in post-war Europe in 1947. A number of years ago Sam Grant is given a leather notebook by a dying archaeologist. When the KGB starts looking for this notebook, Grant decides to go on his own expedition to find the shield made for Achilles. He is helped by an Oxford professor, Arthur Reed, and a beautiful Greek archaeologist, Marina.
This was a fun adventure novel with the Russians on their tail, they travel all around Europe following clues that will take th...more
This was a fun adventure novel with the Russians on their tail, they travel all around Europe following clues that will take th...more
"The palace of Knossos was no longer the labyrinth it had been in legend, but there were still ways to lose yourself in it, and Pemberton knew the layout better than any man alive." Sadly, a pedestrian read but with enough gems of brilliance to keep me reading. Born in 1977, Harper studied History at Oxford and published this book in 2007. Harper commented on this book as follows "1.6.07 - The Bookseller claims that the novel is 'an unashamed Da Vinci Code rip-off'. That's mostly ...more
My review of this book isn't really fair. I found Goodreads right in the middle of it and I was far more interested in filling my "shelves" than reading the book. That it didn't hold my attention over this application says something. Gave it 2 stars, it was just OK.
I liked the concept - The hunt for an ancient artifact that we believe is only myth...
Biggest criticism - disjointed, awkward dialog sections where who was talking wasn't exactly clear.
I liked the concept - The hunt for an ancient artifact that we believe is only myth...
Biggest criticism - disjointed, awkward dialog sections where who was talking wasn't exactly clear.
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I never really get tired of the Indiana Jones type of story. A frantic search for a treasure of antiquity that holds a secret power. Post WW2. This time the shield of Achilles, which is made of a rare radioactive metal from a meteorite, that turns out to be capable of producing a mega-nuclear bomb. Stalin wants it, can't let him have it. Good airplane book.
This book was meh....not bad but failed to hold my interest for more than a couple chapters at a time. The hunt for the missing artifact was drawn out and the ending expected. However, I did enjoy the concept behind the novel and overall would recommend it to someone who has nothing else to read. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is worth the read.
Here's a book jumping on the coattails of the success of The Da Vinci Code (which was a poorly written book with a fascinating plot). This is slightly better written, but not terribly believable. I don't know why I keep picking these books up--I'm just hoping to find the treasure, I guess.
Hard to follow at times, but a good adventure. Talked a lot about Homer, which was cool. Good story about Classic "Heroes" but I didn't Like the ending. Borrowed this book from the library and am hesitant to add to my collection. Maybe only if I find it cheep.
This book was fairly disappointing. I kept falling asleep while reading it! There was a LOT of dialogue... too much in fact. The characters weren't well developed... they were more like charactures.
The Greek linear B writing still fascinates some.It's a book about the search for a Temple,...involves trips to the White Isle of the Black Sea,and to the Azov Sea...; and constant references to Greek mythology: Achilles and Helen,Ulysses,Athena,Perseus....Greek nostalgia.
A little bit of mystery in life is supposed to be good but it seems it can be a reason for a lot nasty stuff also. Loved reading this and was hard pressed to stay with my half hour a day schedule of reading.
I enjoyed how the author entwined some of the Greek classics into the story. Homer's Odyssey, the legend of Achilles, etc. I learned some things about Greek Mythology that I didn't know before.
Took a bit to get into. Nothing special, and wouldn't tell anyone to run out and get it, but wouldn't tell anyone to run away either.
Solid, Indiana Jones-esque, adventure. The characters are OK without being overly deep. Plot moves quickly and suspension of disbelief is required and easily enough given.
exciting thriller with lots of archeological and historical facts. Not quite in Dan Brown's league but still entertaining.
A pretty good read and an interesting spin on all the Da Vinci Code genre of books. Setting the story just after WW2 made a nice change as did the fact that the treasure being searched for was not biblical but was linked to Ancient Greek myths. The ending was a disappointment though.
This book seems to me as a messy compound of Indiana Jones and Ocean's Eleven. The only positives are interesting plot and good author's narrative skills.
A little slow at times and too much jumping from place to place, but overall a decent action-adventure thriller.
Not a bad read, was similar in style to any of the other lost artifact novels that are floating around (Dan Brown, et al) I'd consider reading more by this author.
Good escapist book. Nothing special. Set in Greece in like 1947.
I tried this book based soley on the title and the cover. It was an okay story.
Good book, pace is a bit slow in spots but the concept is interesting. It did make me want to reread the Greek Myths and Homer.
It was ok but not among my favorites.
Pretty good read!!
I didn't think it was particularly well written and definitely wasn't a book I couldn't put down. I did feel that I learned a little more of Greek history so for me it was a worthwhile read.
Somehow I expected this to be more exciting. On the front cover the Booklist quote said, "Fans of thriller with an Indiana Jones angle who just can't wait for the next James Rollins or Steve Berry novel should check out this very interesting tale." It was probably setting me up to expect more than this book delivered. There were interesting aspects to it, but it seemed to get bogged down off and on.
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Tom Harper was born in West Germany in 1977 and grew up in Germany, Belgium and America; he now lives in England. He is chair of the Crime Writers' Association and also a member of the Historical Novels Society and the Society of Authors.
Tom Harper also writes historical adventures as Edwin Thomas.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database wit...more
More about Tom Harper...
Tom Harper also writes historical adventures as Edwin Thomas.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database wit...more
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