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

Great story but poor characters

I really like the plots and story but at times it’s boring and I cannot tell which characters are who. Berry is like an off-brand Dan brown & Michael Crichton who can keep you glued to a book.

Steve Berry a true realistic fiction writer

This novel is the first Steve Berry novel I've had the chance to listen to has it showed the realistic and ground to current understands of the world threw a more simplistic theory of Christianity lay avoiding faith based ideas and beliefs. I've also seen lots of novels use Templars in them but this was different from the mold has made them more a shadow of there famous history or conspiracy say about them it makes them has a group with just practice there faith and trying to find awsys to survive in a mordern society where religious power is less prominent with masses. Do theys where good points for a novel in originality it didn't sit will my beliefs in the afterlife from Christian teachers but that's me so no hard feelings I guess.

An atheist’s dream

If you’re an atheist or agnostic, this is your read. Others may enjoy a suspense-filled romp.

Just the overall story

I have always been fascinated by the Templer stories. This is a whole other type of story one that Nicolas Cage would star very well in reminded me very much of one of his movies. Not fond of the poetic liecening with the story of the resurrection but that’s just me.

not a bad waste of time

I think I would have enjoed this if I hadnt read the DaVinci book first. I can see how the author says it was copied, they are remarkably similar. However, I liked this hero better, and I liked the writing style more.

Fantastic

Looking forward to reading more by this author. Kept my on the edge of my seat.

Yet Another Dan Brown “DaVinci Code” Wannabe

Good action. Jumps right into the suspense, intrigue and action. The performer does an admirable job changing voice style to indicate different people in the narrative.

All this is let down by a rehash of the gnostic gospels, Christianity is a myth etc. (Trying to avoid giving away too much of the conclusion.). At this point it would be a surprising ending if something was discovered to “prove” the gospel narrative.

Finally the rambling attacks on discrepancies in the gospels are so easily refuted it is child’s play. By way of example (and not saying this is fact or conclusion) - The recent Sussex interview. Markle said discussions of Archie’s potential complexion occurred while she was pregnant while Harry said that the comments occurred before they were married. Based on the premise of this book they are liars and that it never happened because their statement of fact and time differed. And that is a single, recent incident. The gospels cover hundreds of events over 3+ years from various sources.

Love a Great Templar Story!

Any additional comments?

I'm a big fan of realy good mystery / thrillers with solid historical context. This is great paced story built on enough solid factual history to make it believable while you're in it. The only issue I have with this story (and most of Berry's stories actually) is that they just go on too long. He always writes the perfect moment to wrap it all up but that typically takes place a couple hours before the end. Editors help him out please.

Held my interest

If you could sum up The Templar Legacy in three words, what would they be?

Similar to DaVinci Code

What did you like best about this story?

The search mixed with danger

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

I liked him as a reader and the different voices. Definitely would listen to him again.

Any additional comments?

Liked at the end clarification was made what was fiction vs fact

Templar legacy

SO did great research to be able to write this intriguing novel. A good listening.