THE TEMPLAR LEGACY by Steve Berry
Novelist Steve Berry is on a roll. He first arrived on the literary scene with his debut book THE AMBER ROOM. This was followed by THE ROMANOV PROPHECY and THE THIRD SECRET. His latest novel is THE TEMPLAR LEGACY and it is his most readable book yet. Berry is one of those authors who can blend history and adventure and satisfy both audiences, and he does that with precision in this latest story.
Cotton Malone is the man at the center of all the goings on in THE TEMPLAR LEGACY. A former US Government operative, he is now retired and living in Copenhagen. Divorced with one child, he has bought a bookstore and spends his time collecting old books. His mentor is Henrik Thorvaldsen, a wealthy man who also has an interest in books.
One day Cotton receives word that his old boss Stephanie Nelle is going to be visiting Copenhagen. He expects a nice visit and some enjoyable time spent catching up on people in the States. But Stephanie Nelle's visit touches off a series of events that brings Cotton back into action more exciting than that which he experienced when he was working for Stephanie.
Stephanie's husband Lars was a man in pursuit of a legend involving the Templar Knights. He had become so frustrated in his pursuit he eventually committed suicide. He and Stephanie had been estranged so Cotton did not know the man very well. Cotton did know that Stephanie had also been on bad terms with their son Mark, who had been killed in an avalanche after his father had died.
Shortly before Stephanie arrives in Copenhagen she is sent a journal her husband had compiled. Someone wants that journal and is willing to kill to get it, because shortly after Stephanie gets to Europe it is stolen. There is a chase after the man who stole it and he dies trying to keep the book.
One adventure follows another with members of the Templar Knights coming in to play. It seems the Order has stayed in existence over the centuries and the persons in charge of this group want to find the treasure the Order hid centuries ago. They also are looking for something called "The Great Devise" which are the bones of Christ. If they can be found it will disprove the notion that Christ was resurrected after his death.
Berry combines historical fact with legend and with fiction to make all elements of this story come together. Since the huge success of THE DA VINCI CODE stories that make this type of blend have been major successes and THE TEMPLAR LEGEND is no exception to that rule. The pursuit of a religious discovery makes the perfect backdrop for this action thriller.
Still you have to slog through a lot of history, both real and contrived, to reach the climax of this story. And when the "Great Devise" is found it strikes against the heart of Christian doctrine. Some may find this aspect of the story completely alienating to them, and it will destroy any good will the story has engendered. Others will take it as fiction and have a great time with the story. A small group will think it is all real and perhaps will begin to lose any belief they
may have had in the divinity of Christ.
There could be controversy resulting from this story if it were taken too seriously. It is best to just enjoy the ride that Cotton, Stephanie and others take and not give credence to anything concerning the Templar Knights and their discoveries.
Steve Berry knows how to fashion a plot that will grab the readers' interest, and how to add a little controversy to the blend that will make his book stand out from the rest.
THE TEMPLAR LEGACY is published by Ballantine Books. It contains 496 pages and sells for $24.95.