A fast-paced adventure into the world of ancient manuscripts. I enjoyed it immensely.”—John Grisham

“The one book every bibliophile needs to read. . . . mysterious, hilarious, and heartwarming . . . A fun, literary adventure in the spirit of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Book of the Grail is a wildly entertaining story bibliophiles everywhere will love.”—Bustle

“[The Lost Book of the Grail] blends romance, history, booknerdom, and questions about faith and religion into a literary mystery that’s not only incredibly fun but super smart. . . . If your idea of a good time is sifting through the shelves of an old library, this book will speak to your heart.”—Book Riot’s Best Books of 2017

“Book lovers will relish author Lovett’s attention to loving detail. . . . The Lost Book of the Grail is . . . ever so readable.”—St. Louis Post Dispatch

“Diffident Arthur Prescott [is an] endearing hero. . . . [A] thoroughly enjoyable novel . . . The light tone . . . blends well with the clever academic sleuthing.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A pleasing treasure hunt mixed with [romance] . . . [a] bookish diversion with a distinct Masterpiece Theater flavor.”—Kirkus

“Former antiquarian bookseller Lovett here does what he did so well in his debut . . . he uses a contemporary setting to vivify and contextualize ancient writings.”—Library Journal

“Diverting . . . a mystery, a history, a pleasure—and a treasure. Find yourself within [these] pages, and you find yourself remembering the virtues of books and book-making.”—Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked and After Alice

“Charlie Lovett knows his English history and nowhere it is more evident than in his latest charming, compelling novel. A literary mystery with fantastic historical detail and a modern love story—what more can you ask for in one book?”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue
 
“The Lost Book of the Grail is for every book addict. Full of suspense, delightful twists and turns, this is a tale about friendship, love, and the purpose of life.”—Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop

“A vivid, engaging tale that takes the reader along on a delightful search through the ancient libraries of a crumbling cathedral. Settle back and enjoy: this is both a love story and a detective story filled with wonderful historic detail.”—Kate Alcott, New York Times bestselling author of The Dressmaker

“The Lost Book of the Grail is a book lover’s book. Ambitious in scope, the cheerful bounce of Lovett’s prose skillfully guides the reader through history’s twists.”—Erika Swyler, author of The Book of Speculation

04/15/2017
Arthur Prescott has been schooled by his grandfather in Arthurian tales and the search for the Holy Grail. Legend has it that the Grail was brought to England by an early Christian disciple and that Arthur believes it might be hidden in Barchester. He does his research in the Barchester cathedral library, which he has come to think of it as his own, and is shocked when Bethany Davis appears. This energetic and annoying American has come to digitize the manuscript collection, but her interest in Grail literature makes Arthur suspicious of her motives. Meanwhile, the cathedral faces some daunting maintenance issues that may require the sale of the manuscript collection. It seems only a miracle can save the library. Set in the town of Barchester—made famous by Anthony Trollope in the 19th century—Lovett's (The Bookman's Tale) latest novel juxtaposes scenes from the present with the story of the secrets hidden in Barchester from ancient times forward. The plot twists and turns make for entertaining listening. Well read by Charles Armstrong, whose charming voices give life to the characters. VERDICT Listeners who enjoy mystery, Grail-related fiction, and Trollope will enjoy this book. ["Highly recommended for bibliophiles, historical fiction fans, and all who enjoy a solid literary mystery": LJ 2/1/17 starred review of the Viking hc.]—Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence

The fictional cathedral city of Barchester, England, is the setting for this rich mix of history, romance, and mystery. Narrator Charles Armstrong recounts the story of a quest to uncover a lost ancient manuscript and the secret of the Holy Grail. Armstrong does a sterling job of bringing to life Arthur Prescott, an English professor who lives for his time in the library. The listener quickly gets a feel for Prescott’s dry wit and slightly pedantic nature. Armstrong’s characterizations of other key characters are strong, helping the listener to follow the plot, including flashbacks to an earlier time. The narration also allows the humor in the writing to shine, further adding to the enjoyment of this pleasurable novel. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine