The Templar Legacy

A Novel

By: Steve Berry

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Exciting . . . hard to put down without reading one more page.”—The Florida Times-Union

The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes . . . until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was—and its true nature could change the modern world.

Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts—and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind.

It begins with a violent robbery attempt on Cotton’s former supervisor, Stephanie Nelle, who’s far from home on a mission that has nothing to do with national security. Armed with vital clues to a series of centuries-old puzzles scattered across Europe, she means to crack a mystery that has tantalized scholars and fortune-hunters through the ages by finding the legendary cache of wealth and forbidden knowledge thought to have been lost forever when the order of the Knights Templar was exterminated in the fourteenth century.

But she’s not alone. Competing for the historic prize—and desperate for the crucial information Stephanie possesses—is Raymond de Roquefort, a shadowy zealot with an army of assassins at his command.

Welcome or not, Cotton seeks to even the odds in the perilous race. But the more he learns about the ancient conspiracy surrounding the Knights Templar, the more he realizes that even more than lives are at stake. At the end of a lethal game of conquest, rife with intrigue, treachery, and craven lust for power, lies a shattering discovery that could rock the civilized world—and, in the wrong hands, bring it to its knees.

©2006 Steve Berry (P)2006 Books on Tape

Fascinating

Greatly enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and taught me all sorts of things I never knew about the bible and biblical times. Tho mixed in with fiction, just a fascinating, fun read! Steve Berry is now on my list of favorite authors.

Fantastic research shows

Historical fiction when it involves Templars is always entertaining but when it is well researched the story shows it. I don't like spoilers so you won't get any from me but the plot twists were well done and kept with the characters. I also appreciated the breakdown between truth and fiction at the end, almost as intriguing as the book itself.
The narrator of the book was fantastic, easy to listen to and I will be looking for more of his works as well as the authors.

Divinci Code Wannabe

This was similar in style to Divinci Code but not quite as strong. Its good enough that if you're in the mood for that style and out of Dan Brown books then give it a try. Not exciting enough for me to seek out more from the author though.

BEST BOOK...EVER!

The book is very good. Paul Michael has a different voice for each character in the book. The voice describe each character very well. I could read the book twice. I have read this book so fast because it was so good of a book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, history and crime books.

Conspiracy theory genre lives

Great story, excellent drama & characters I hippie to come as across again! Fantasy meets history

Page Turner Worthy of Michael Crichton

This novel is a glorious mix of fact and fiction. Often blurred just enough so that you can't quite tell which.
Templar lore aficionados will love the adventure and satisfying conclusion.

Good with some caveats.

The Templar Legacy is a good story. I found the author’s tendency to use the phrase “he made clear” repeatedly instead of “said “ tedious. And while the narrator was good overall, the main character’s “southern” accent was terrible. I don’t understand why a southern accent is so difficult to replicate but this narrator is not the first to make me cringe. I’ll listen to the next book in the series and see whether the pace is any faster and the plot a little more compelling.

Good listening with a touch of old world history

What did you love best about The Templar Legacy?

Clear speech and great story line. Captures your attention from the first paragraph.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Templar Legacy?

The articulate speech and graphic description of events.Even though it is a complicated novel with historic events, the teller makes it easy to listen to and comprehend.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

Mark

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No change of novel heading

Any additional comments?

great listening

Excellent read

If you like the Da Vinci Code kind of book, you will love this one. Much of the same story elements but in different settings. Not quite as clever as Da Vinci Code, but more action. The ending is a bit of a let down otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.

Fantastic

My first Steve Berry book. As someone who loves history,the mixture of fact and fiction was blended masterfully.