The Magic Circle

A Novel

By: Katherine Neville

Narrated by: Megan Follows

When her cousin is slain by an unknown assassin, Ariel Behn becomes the sole heir to a family legacy: a sinister cache of manuscripts that thrusts her into the deadly center of international intrigue--and an age-old enigma that spans the centuries. Whoever assembles and interprets the cryptic clues of this ancient mystery will possess the power to control the fate of the world.

What strange powers lie hidden within the manuscripts? Splashed against a lavish backdrop that sweeps from the rise of the Roman Empire to the fall of the Berlin Wall, THE MAGIC CIRCLE finds one woman standing at the center of it all: Ariel Behn. As she races across continents to reveal the dark secrets buried in her family's past, she begins to unlock the chilling truth of the coming millennium. . . .©1998 Katherine Neville; (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Tangled Pedigree and a Thrilling adventure

Any additional comments?

I had read this book when it first came out and this time listened to it as an audiobook. Ariel Behn comes from a rich, accomplished family with many different talents and incredibly tangled pedigrees. When her cousin Sam is killed, she inherits a great deal of money and documents from most of her disparate and far flung relatives. All of which puts her in immediate danger.

This is a book of international travel, complex relationships, ancient manuscripts, and tangled puzzles. The audio book narrator is very good. I must confess after listening to almost all as English actors, adjusting to an American one was a challenge. She was very, very good, doing male, female and accented voices with verve. It was a pleasure to listen to.

Remove the music!

The book was as expected. I very much enjoyed Katherine Neville's previous two novels. I rarely write reviews, but the music was so jarring that I am compelled to warn others. For some reason, the producer felt that music was required to embellish the narration.
Rather than improving the listener's enjoyment of the plot, it distracted. I had to force myself to continue listening. Get rid of the music please.

Impossible to abridge Katherine Neville's books

I read "The magic Circle" and it certainly is a FIVE STAR book. But abridging Neville's books is impossible. Looking forward for an unabridged version of this audio-book.

Mary Magdalene and Jesus were lovers

Typical mashup of Christian, pagan and occult secrets Familiar power mad baddies chastising the mulligan.

Only ok

Concept was good, the family drama was intriguing but the conclusion of what was being looked for and found was strange at best and not well flushed out. Won’t listen to again.