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Templars #2
The Templar Magician
Murder and mayhem set at the time of the secretive Templar Order.
The year is 1152, and Jerusalem is still in the hands of the Crusaders, although the lofty ideals of before have now been replaced by subtle power-play. Meanwhile, in England, King Stephen is waging bloody war against Henry Fitzempress. The Templar Order, now fifty years old, is a wealthy power, glittering with tempting riches. Against this background of bloodshed, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, and Englishman Edward Sendal find themselves caught up in a murder mystery when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, is brutally assassinated. Who would have wanted to murder Raymond, and is it possible that the answer may lie within the hallowed ranks of the Templar order itself?
The year is 1152, and Jerusalem is still in the hands of the Crusaders, although the lofty ideals of before have now been replaced by subtle power-play. Meanwhile, in England, King Stephen is waging bloody war against Henry Fitzempress. The Templar Order, now fifty years old, is a wealthy power, glittering with tempting riches. Against this background of bloodshed, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, and Englishman Edward Sendal find themselves caught up in a murder mystery when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, is brutally assassinated. Who would have wanted to murder Raymond, and is it possible that the answer may lie within the hallowed ranks of the Templar order itself?
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2008
37 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 21, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 2nd, and so far last episode, of this Templar mini-series.
This tale is set between AD 1152-1154, and the Templar Order now fifty years old, very wealthy, glittering with tempting riches, and Jerusalem still in the hands of the Crusaders, but the lofty ideals from the beginning have been replaced by subtle powerplay.
In England in the meantime King Stephen is waging war against Henry Fitzempress.
In Jerusalem, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, is caught up in the mystery of the assassination of Raymond, Count of Tripoli.
Who can be responsible of this murder, did it come from without, the Saracens, or did it come within, the
Templar Order itself.
For Robert de Payens and the Englishman, Edward Sendal, a case worthy of solving before more resurrections and murders within the Templar Order will occur, and the sooner they'll find the culprit the better it is for the whole situation within the Holy City, and peace in the Holy Land.
Very much recommended, for this is a wonderful follow-up of this great Templar mini-series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Good Templar Sequel"!
This tale is set between AD 1152-1154, and the Templar Order now fifty years old, very wealthy, glittering with tempting riches, and Jerusalem still in the hands of the Crusaders, but the lofty ideals from the beginning have been replaced by subtle powerplay.
In England in the meantime King Stephen is waging war against Henry Fitzempress.
In Jerusalem, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, is caught up in the mystery of the assassination of Raymond, Count of Tripoli.
Who can be responsible of this murder, did it come from without, the Saracens, or did it come within, the
Templar Order itself.
For Robert de Payens and the Englishman, Edward Sendal, a case worthy of solving before more resurrections and murders within the Templar Order will occur, and the sooner they'll find the culprit the better it is for the whole situation within the Holy City, and peace in the Holy Land.
Very much recommended, for this is a wonderful follow-up of this great Templar mini-series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Good Templar Sequel"!
August 23, 2010
After only recently finding this author through one of his other series ( Hugh Corbett)which I enjoyed, I decided to try this one.
Found it hard to get into the characters quickly enough and didnt feel 'involved' at all.
Gave up after the first few chapters.
Found it hard to get into the characters quickly enough and didnt feel 'involved' at all.
Gave up after the first few chapters.
January 27, 2012
Boring --- rather than descriptions he has endless lists (on the street there were sellers of fish, clothes.....)
July 26, 2018
I really like the author’s other series and I so wanted to like the Templar series, but both books, especially this second one, fell flat. The characters and story lines failed to come to life for me.
April 30, 2024
Excellent
The usual excellent fare from Mr Doherty. Interesting plot intertwined with well researched fact and a hero that is as believable as he is deadly.
The usual excellent fare from Mr Doherty. Interesting plot intertwined with well researched fact and a hero that is as believable as he is deadly.
May 15, 2010
This book is rich with historical detail about the rise of the Knights Templar in England. For those who enjoy studying this era, Doherty’s attention to historical accuracy will be appreciated; however, the novel as a story left a bit to be desired. I found the main character, Edmund de Payens, frustrating in his indecisiveness and naiveté and had trouble caring for him or about what happened to him.
The novel is initially set in Outremer (Palestine), the headquarters of the Templars and moves to various places in England. Although, again full of historical detail, the constant change of setting is tedious rather than pacey. The plot is full of intrigues within intrigues which frankly made it confusing rather than interesting. I had figured out who the villains were well before the main character and found myself cross with him for being too dense to see who it was.
I would recommend The Templar Magician to anyone with an interest in the era of the Knights Templar and the Crusades as it is rich with historical detail and peopled with figures from the past. As a novel, I found it very easy to put down.
Review by: Anne A of www.cherrymischievous.com
The novel is initially set in Outremer (Palestine), the headquarters of the Templars and moves to various places in England. Although, again full of historical detail, the constant change of setting is tedious rather than pacey. The plot is full of intrigues within intrigues which frankly made it confusing rather than interesting. I had figured out who the villains were well before the main character and found myself cross with him for being too dense to see who it was.
I would recommend The Templar Magician to anyone with an interest in the era of the Knights Templar and the Crusades as it is rich with historical detail and peopled with figures from the past. As a novel, I found it very easy to put down.
Review by: Anne A of www.cherrymischievous.com
April 11, 2014
I really hate to give a PCD book only two stars, but it just wasn't his normal quality. Whilst it was as atmospherically detailed as usual (rat-skin hood, anyone?!), the main character, Edmund, sucked. Was trying to think of a more elegant way of saying that, but, nah, he basically just irritated me from the go-get. This novel had all the tickpoints for being a rip-roaring yarn - Templars, black magic, Outremer, civil war, even a trip to Assassin Regional HQ, for goodness sake - but our Eddy just slowed the whole book down. You're hunting a warlock and a witch, and oh my, coincidentally this nice brother and sister are helping you? Use your noggin, Eddy! This book had potential, but failed to grip, which is the first time PCD has done that in my experience. Do not make this your first read of him, choose any other one to begin with as they are all better!
August 5, 2012
3 1/2 stars. This story revolved around 1100 - 1300 AD and the Templars of that period. I loved the history surrounding this story - but it seemed rather heavy and at times reading it seemed to take some effort. This is my first Doherty book so I don't know if that is typical of this author or not.
January 1, 2013
I normally don't read mysteries but I like learning about the Templar so this book should have been a "can't put it down" read but it wasn't. I found the lead character od de Payens to a naive takes to long to learn his lesson but doomed to repeat them failure. The msytery of the book did nit hold my attention.
July 23, 2011
c2009 Great story. thoroughly enjoyed this one although there were hints of plot devices used before. Anyway, is an interesting perspective and an interesting period of history nicely incorporating some of the modern theories of the Templars.
October 7, 2013
not too many Paul Doherty books l don`t enjoy,but l have to admit,this one.....lost my interest.There just wasn`t enough plot,and l kept saying to myself so.....what is the actual turning point of this?oh,oh yes.....witches and a rogue templar.in the end l skipped to the end.disappointing.
June 24, 2014
Set fifty years after the formation of the Knights Templar, the novel has a pair of Knights investigate the assassination of Count Raymond in Jerusalem. Accusations of witchcraft and the use of magic are introduced. I found this novel a little difficult to read due to the way language was used.
October 27, 2015
I gave up early -- this just wasn't up to the standard of quality I've come to expect and admire. Perhaps being such a prolific writer is finally impacting quality. If you haven't started, don't bother. Sad.
December 20, 2015
I think I tried this one before and abandoned it because of awkward phrasing and flow. I did read it through this time because of interest in the time period and it followed historical events faithfully so I put up with the writing style. I don't need to read any others in this templar series.
August 10, 2010
I read 100+ pages but still couldnt tell you what the book was about. In those pages I think 3 wars took place an a few dozen other people were killed, so if you like that kind of stuff, enjoy.
May 3, 2011
It was, as all his books are, very evocative and also informative.
March 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this second book about the Templars - I can't quite put my finger on what made this better than the first but it was certainly was.
March 18, 2012
Couldn't get into it despite an interest in the Templars.
September 27, 2012
Good story. Classic who done it style.
November 8, 2012
Was an interesting read - especially as I have always been interested in the conflict between King Stephen and Henry Fitzempress.
August 30, 2015
Historical details interested me but the story was awfully dull.
September 29, 2024
Boring and uninspiring.....
September 15, 2015
The story was an interesting one by more convoluted than seemed necessary and very bloody.
December 30, 2016
good solid book, lacked a bit of bite in the middle but ended with a flourish
May 21, 2018
It was not as good as his other books, and I've read almost all of his books.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews