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Caedmon Aisquith #4
The Templar's Secret
When the pope unexpectedly dies, a plot is put into play to seize the papacy. It is masterminded by a shadowy conspirator known as Irenaeus. Aided by members of Santa Muerte, a satanic brotherhood, Irenaeus is desperate to obtain a lost gospel written by one of the Three Magi which reputedly shatters the myth of the most enigmatic man in all of history – Jesus of Nazareth. Irenaeus intends to use the Evangelium Gaspar to blackmail the Vatican conclave, and he will stop at nothing to retrieve it . . . including the brutal abduction of a young Oxford student. Caedmon Aisquith, Templar expert and former MI5 operative, receives an ominous ransom demand – ‘find the Evangelium Gaspar or your kidnapped daughter will be killed.’ Hurled into a dangerous labyrinth of Templar intrigues, Caedmon and his assistant, photographer Edie Miller, race against time as they attempt to solve a series of clues involving esoteric symbols and artfully encoded riddles. All the while staying one step ahead of the bloodthirsty members of Santa Muerte. From India to the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and finally to a Merovingian church in the heart of Paris, Caedmon hunts the most explosive secret of all – a two-thousand-year-old cover-up that will forever change the course of history. The Templar’s Secret is an epic quest that perfectly combines esoteric lore and thrilling intrigue. PRAISE FOR C.M. PALOV’S “Fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry will be enthralled.” – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) “The action starts right from the beginning and doesn’t stop until the dramatic ending.” – Suspense Magazine “Crackles with tension and imagination from the first to the last page.” – Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author “Heart-stopping suspense, ancient mysteries, and rollercoaster action that will have you turning pages well into the night.” – James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author “One action-packed and adrenaline-inducing ride.” – RT Review ABOUT THE C.M. Palov is the internationally published author of the TEMPLAR SERIES (Ark of Fire, The Templar’s Code, The Templar’s Quest, and The Templar’s Secret), esoteric thrillers that mix history, mystery and fast-paced action. Palov’s books have been translated into eleven languages.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
126 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
About the author
C.M. Palov
5 books40 followersLibrarian note:
Czech editions of C.M. Palov books are published as Chloe Palov
Czech editions of C.M. Palov books are published as Chloe Palov
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 10, 2018
I've had this on my tablet for quite a long time and finally got around to reading it. I love mystical thrillers, especially when it comes to the knights templar. I really enjoyed The Templar's Secret and it kept me guessing until the very end. Brilliant!
My Rating: 5 stars
My Rating: 5 stars
December 1, 2013
I believe that The Templar's Secret is the best of the series by C. M. Palov. There are several factors that are in play that need to occur for the outcome that is wanted.
The Pope dies. That sets off a plot to determine the outcome of the Papal election. The Cardinal is aided by a satanic group within the Church, Santa Muerte, to find a lost gospel written by Gasper, one of the Magi. This gospel contains information that has been suppressed by the Catholic Church and then lost. Using this to blackmail the College of Cardinals will allow the newly elected Pope to revoke Vatican II.
Aisquith's daughter has been kidnapped... a daughter he didn't know had existed for 20 years.
Aisquith has to find the lost gospel to free his daughter without getting killed in the process.
Lots of action, betrayal, Catholic history and adventure. Great book.
The Pope dies. That sets off a plot to determine the outcome of the Papal election. The Cardinal is aided by a satanic group within the Church, Santa Muerte, to find a lost gospel written by Gasper, one of the Magi. This gospel contains information that has been suppressed by the Catholic Church and then lost. Using this to blackmail the College of Cardinals will allow the newly elected Pope to revoke Vatican II.
Aisquith's daughter has been kidnapped... a daughter he didn't know had existed for 20 years.
Aisquith has to find the lost gospel to free his daughter without getting killed in the process.
Lots of action, betrayal, Catholic history and adventure. Great book.
June 7, 2014
Wonderful characters, tightly plotted novel with a secret that you may or may not have heard before revealed towards the end. It moves along at a brisk pace and you feel you are on the adventures with everyone. Very enjoyable if you enjoy things like Indiana Jones and Dan Brown type thrillers.
January 19, 2017
I believe I have read this before but had completely forgotten it. Its such a light read and while some of the Templar and religious theories are interesting its not one of the best of this genre.
The premise for the story is weak with Caedemon suddenly finding he has a daughter 20 years on. The villains are stereotyped and one would have thought the Vatican cardinal could have found a better group plus he acts on a hunch.
The contrite hero priest was pretty obvious too.
Its also disappointing that there is no commentary by Pavlov at the end of the book as to how much is proven and assumed. The premise is interesting and has validity as organised religion is to my mind not necessarily the right way.
The premise for the story is weak with Caedemon suddenly finding he has a daughter 20 years on. The villains are stereotyped and one would have thought the Vatican cardinal could have found a better group plus he acts on a hunch.
The contrite hero priest was pretty obvious too.
Its also disappointing that there is no commentary by Pavlov at the end of the book as to how much is proven and assumed. The premise is interesting and has validity as organised religion is to my mind not necessarily the right way.
November 8, 2013
Such a shame when a great story line is wasted. I enjoyed the story but at every step you are almost screaming "that would not be happening". Whether its being left with mobile phones and internet connections or casually going to meet gunmen in an extremely naive way - it just spoils the story.
Sorry but that is how I feel. A clever author who has spent more time on the background than on the delivery.
Sorry but that is how I feel. A clever author who has spent more time on the background than on the delivery.
March 10, 2015
Similar to the Dan Brown thrillers. However, not crafted as well. The "puzzle" was a good one. Lots of action. Characters are cartoonish. Certainly worth a read.
March 27, 2015
Middling thriller
Promises much, delivers little. Reads like an hour long TV mystery. Not .such mystery and even less character development. Poolside read.
Promises much, delivers little. Reads like an hour long TV mystery. Not .such mystery and even less character development. Poolside read.
June 4, 2015
Thesaurus overused.
Intriguing premise of a damaging lost gospel with content damaging to the church but poorly written with a predictable plot and sophomoric phrasing.
Intriguing premise of a damaging lost gospel with content damaging to the church but poorly written with a predictable plot and sophomoric phrasing.
February 11, 2020
Excellent book as in the whole series
This is a series I am really enjoying and this book is very good. However some of the terms used and explanations given during Asquith’s trip to Kerala is grossly inaccurate and that’s a real pity because the author’s research and grasp of history is so good. He should have got an Indian with good knowledge of her/his own country and culture to review these.
This is a series I am really enjoying and this book is very good. However some of the terms used and explanations given during Asquith’s trip to Kerala is grossly inaccurate and that’s a real pity because the author’s research and grasp of history is so good. He should have got an Indian with good knowledge of her/his own country and culture to review these.
August 15, 2019
A very interesting summer read
I found this book in my suggested reads based on other books I enjoyed and it was conveniently free to download. It's an interesting action thriller packed with history.
I found this book in my suggested reads based on other books I enjoyed and it was conveniently free to download. It's an interesting action thriller packed with history.
January 16, 2015
The Templar's secret is the first book of C M Palov that I've read
"To see the house where Lucas dwelled, the faithful pilgrim sought the brother's way .Setting forth from the lion's castle, he dropped the French iron in the Spanish harbour" This is what the great Knight Templar, 'Fortes de Pinos' when interrogated by the apostolic inquisitor 'Friar Raymbaud le Breton'.
The Knight Templar was being accosted for being in possession of a religious text by the name,'Evangelium Gaspar', which was considered by the Roman Catholic Church as a heretical text which if it sees the light of the day would bring down Christianity completely.
The text 'Evangelium Gaspar' talks about the early life of Lord Jesus, when he visited India fell in the company of Saivite Bhramins of the Aryan race, which Aryan race is classified to have arrived at India from the Central Asia and Bhuddists who worshipped Lord Narayana in the form of Gautam Siddartha Bhudda, which Lord Bhudda had preached that there was no god, however only Lord Narayana could have stated that, and his followers started worshipping as God, and they do it to this day and for all eternity. This is the power of Lord Narayana, even if he says there is no God people fall at his benign feet and touch the potential limbs and apply the curative dust to their forehead.
Coming back to the sacred text 'Evangelium Gaspar' which categorically states that Lord Jesus had described himself as a son of a man and not son of God and moreover did not want anyone to worship him as a God, all that he wanted was people all over the known world to be good to each other at all times. However the powerful catholics had built a church in his name and preached Blood Atonement to everybody, which The Great Lord Jesus never wanted and further to this Its said that Lord Jesus had not died during Crucifixion, by the grace of God he had survived the crucifixion and later on miraculously healing from his wounds had left to further his preaching's. This is about the Sacred Text 'Evangelium Gaspar'
Coming back to Templar's Secret, The honourable Pope of the Roman Catholic Church had suddenly died, and it is the pious practice of the venerable church papal elections were to be held.
To further his audacious ambition of becoming the next pope, the doughty Cardinal Franco Fiorio would go to any extent, he was not ready to spare anyone. He wanted to control the Church and ensure that the church dominated the people all over the world. He wanted the Church to govern everyone under the Sun. For the Church to able to wield such power he needed to be in control of the helm of affairs of the church, for this he needed to influence the papal election into electing him as the next pope, to execute his sinister plan he needed the immediate possession of the 'Evangelium Gaspar'
Ms Gita Patel had a daughter in Ms Anala Patel, who had been the only member of her bantam family. Anala was unaware of her biological father for as many as 20 long years, all that she knew was that her mother had wedded a 'Dev Malik'. However She learnt from her brazen kidnappers that her father is a Templar expert and his name is 'Mr Caedmon Asiquith'
Gita after having learnt that her daughter was kidnapped and the ransom demanded was the 'Evangelium Gaspar', immediately traced her erstwhile boyfriend Caedmon, for she knew he was a Templar expert and could find the text for her. she had for so many years been silent on this as according to her lot of time had transpired and there was no need to bring this issue right now. Caedmon should actually thank the kidnappers as but for them he would have never learnt that he had a daughter.
Instead of distancing himself from the responsibility of a father he gallantly decided to get the ransom and rescue his daughter whom he had never met or seen.
Caedmon decides to help Gita and himself by finding out the text. He felt guilty for not having found out whether he had fathered a child
In his earnest endeavours to locate the ransom he has travel to India, France and the US. He is confronted with a terrorist gang Santa Muerte.
Now the Santa Muerte was a rogue organization, whose members counting upto 3 by the names Hector Calzada, Roberto Diaz, and Javier Alves.
These militants were enshrined within the Sanguis Christi whose head is the Father Gracian Santos
Father Gracian Santos was not a villain but he badly needed funds to protect his beloved Sanguis Christi, which would be provided to him if if aided in obtaining the ransom
Why what happens and how it unfolds is where Author C M Palov has exhibited his brilliance. The reader will definitely find this book very interesting
"To see the house where Lucas dwelled, the faithful pilgrim sought the brother's way .Setting forth from the lion's castle, he dropped the French iron in the Spanish harbour" This is what the great Knight Templar, 'Fortes de Pinos' when interrogated by the apostolic inquisitor 'Friar Raymbaud le Breton'.
The Knight Templar was being accosted for being in possession of a religious text by the name,'Evangelium Gaspar', which was considered by the Roman Catholic Church as a heretical text which if it sees the light of the day would bring down Christianity completely.
The text 'Evangelium Gaspar' talks about the early life of Lord Jesus, when he visited India fell in the company of Saivite Bhramins of the Aryan race, which Aryan race is classified to have arrived at India from the Central Asia and Bhuddists who worshipped Lord Narayana in the form of Gautam Siddartha Bhudda, which Lord Bhudda had preached that there was no god, however only Lord Narayana could have stated that, and his followers started worshipping as God, and they do it to this day and for all eternity. This is the power of Lord Narayana, even if he says there is no God people fall at his benign feet and touch the potential limbs and apply the curative dust to their forehead.
Coming back to the sacred text 'Evangelium Gaspar' which categorically states that Lord Jesus had described himself as a son of a man and not son of God and moreover did not want anyone to worship him as a God, all that he wanted was people all over the known world to be good to each other at all times. However the powerful catholics had built a church in his name and preached Blood Atonement to everybody, which The Great Lord Jesus never wanted and further to this Its said that Lord Jesus had not died during Crucifixion, by the grace of God he had survived the crucifixion and later on miraculously healing from his wounds had left to further his preaching's. This is about the Sacred Text 'Evangelium Gaspar'
Coming back to Templar's Secret, The honourable Pope of the Roman Catholic Church had suddenly died, and it is the pious practice of the venerable church papal elections were to be held.
To further his audacious ambition of becoming the next pope, the doughty Cardinal Franco Fiorio would go to any extent, he was not ready to spare anyone. He wanted to control the Church and ensure that the church dominated the people all over the world. He wanted the Church to govern everyone under the Sun. For the Church to able to wield such power he needed to be in control of the helm of affairs of the church, for this he needed to influence the papal election into electing him as the next pope, to execute his sinister plan he needed the immediate possession of the 'Evangelium Gaspar'
Ms Gita Patel had a daughter in Ms Anala Patel, who had been the only member of her bantam family. Anala was unaware of her biological father for as many as 20 long years, all that she knew was that her mother had wedded a 'Dev Malik'. However She learnt from her brazen kidnappers that her father is a Templar expert and his name is 'Mr Caedmon Asiquith'
Gita after having learnt that her daughter was kidnapped and the ransom demanded was the 'Evangelium Gaspar', immediately traced her erstwhile boyfriend Caedmon, for she knew he was a Templar expert and could find the text for her. she had for so many years been silent on this as according to her lot of time had transpired and there was no need to bring this issue right now. Caedmon should actually thank the kidnappers as but for them he would have never learnt that he had a daughter.
Instead of distancing himself from the responsibility of a father he gallantly decided to get the ransom and rescue his daughter whom he had never met or seen.
Caedmon decides to help Gita and himself by finding out the text. He felt guilty for not having found out whether he had fathered a child
In his earnest endeavours to locate the ransom he has travel to India, France and the US. He is confronted with a terrorist gang Santa Muerte.
Now the Santa Muerte was a rogue organization, whose members counting upto 3 by the names Hector Calzada, Roberto Diaz, and Javier Alves.
These militants were enshrined within the Sanguis Christi whose head is the Father Gracian Santos
Father Gracian Santos was not a villain but he badly needed funds to protect his beloved Sanguis Christi, which would be provided to him if if aided in obtaining the ransom
Why what happens and how it unfolds is where Author C M Palov has exhibited his brilliance. The reader will definitely find this book very interesting
March 28, 2015
Fascinating and Diabolically Delicious
"The Templar's Secret" is packed with fascinating tidbits of history sprinkled amidst the stress of a kidnapping and a high-speed treasure hunt to yield the ransom. Caedmon Aisquith, a specialist in Knights Templar history, is ensnared in the deadly hunt/kidnapping because the victim is a daughter he never knew he had. Determined to save her, Caedmon and his girlfriend, Edie, race around the world, putting together arcane bits of knowledge to locate the "Evangelium Gaspar," which the Catholic Church believes contains evidence of the Great Heresy.
Palov stacks the novel with interesting characters and outrageous feats of sleuthing in the manner of Indiana Jones. Aside from the fact that the female characters appear to stand around while Caedmon undertakes numerous risks resulting in injury, I enjoyed the action. The novel was fun to read and difficult to put down. I loved all the historical information.
This book would be great for any Dan Brown fans.
"The Templar's Secret" is packed with fascinating tidbits of history sprinkled amidst the stress of a kidnapping and a high-speed treasure hunt to yield the ransom. Caedmon Aisquith, a specialist in Knights Templar history, is ensnared in the deadly hunt/kidnapping because the victim is a daughter he never knew he had. Determined to save her, Caedmon and his girlfriend, Edie, race around the world, putting together arcane bits of knowledge to locate the "Evangelium Gaspar," which the Catholic Church believes contains evidence of the Great Heresy.
Palov stacks the novel with interesting characters and outrageous feats of sleuthing in the manner of Indiana Jones. Aside from the fact that the female characters appear to stand around while Caedmon undertakes numerous risks resulting in injury, I enjoyed the action. The novel was fun to read and difficult to put down. I loved all the historical information.
This book would be great for any Dan Brown fans.
April 14, 2014
I truly love this series. Not much I can say about it that probably hasn't been said already. I enjoyed the final showdown with all the baddies. Caedmon seemed a little more damaged goods in this one than in the previous ones. That could in part be because a lost love of hise shows up and drops the bomb that he has a daughter. Ah well, he rises to the challenge like a good hero, and rescues her and finds the lost gospel. All in all a great story.
March 1, 2015
What I like very much about many Templar books is a different possible telling of history. To condemn this book as anti-Catholic seems to me to be a dismissal of a very well written, erudite book. Great premise! Good characters! You love the right people and hate the right people! I loved the extensive vocabulary and the turn of very well written sentences. Overall a good read and I will read more of this authors work.
April 16, 2015
Temple of Doom meets Knights Templar Scholar
I love books that introduce me to places around the world and that raise questions and what ifs. Fascinating look into the Knights and a page turning adventure through history.
Now I am going to read up on some history to get facts on many of the subjects brought up in this Indiana Jones like story.
I love books that introduce me to places around the world and that raise questions and what ifs. Fascinating look into the Knights and a page turning adventure through history.
Now I am going to read up on some history to get facts on many of the subjects brought up in this Indiana Jones like story.
May 25, 2015
Fast paced, predictable
This was a fun read, and the story moved well for the most part. Enough fact mixed with the fiction to help you suspend belief if you did not slow down think about what was happening. Of the same genre as Dan Brown, but not up to his weight this was nevertheless an entertaining novel.
This was a fun read, and the story moved well for the most part. Enough fact mixed with the fiction to help you suspend belief if you did not slow down think about what was happening. Of the same genre as Dan Brown, but not up to his weight this was nevertheless an entertaining novel.
March 8, 2015
This action packed adventure takes you through history and the world while you join Caedmon and Eddie's search for a lost treasure. But how is the Vatican involved in this twisted plot? Only if they find the treasure before time runs out can they save lives and possibly bring down the church.
February 27, 2015
Another anti-Catholic diatribe.
I am loathe to understand what has Mr. Velov in such a state. I cannot believe he has anything happening to raise his ire to such a level. I am not given to such flowery prose as he, but methinks the man protesters too loudly.
I am loathe to understand what has Mr. Velov in such a state. I cannot believe he has anything happening to raise his ire to such a level. I am not given to such flowery prose as he, but methinks the man protesters too loudly.
March 24, 2015
Good historical / religious suspense
Good plot, well written with interesting characters and suspense, would read more from this author
Or on this subject, love the use of religious history
Good plot, well written with interesting characters and suspense, would read more from this author
Or on this subject, love the use of religious history
May 25, 2015
Slow Start but Exciting as NearsThe End
I thought this Book was going to be a bit boring at fit but as I continued in reading it , I found it more interesting and even a bit exciting as the end was near.
I thought this Book was going to be a bit boring at fit but as I continued in reading it , I found it more interesting and even a bit exciting as the end was near.
August 29, 2015
Another thrilling adventure with Caedmon Aisquith, Templar expert and former MI5 operative and his lady love Edie Miller. This one feautures a race to find the Evangelium Gaspar before it can be used to further a ruthless man's ambition. Fascinating theories abound in this controversial story.
July 21, 2020
Lots of action
The story follows the chase to find an ancient script that could change the whole basis of the catholic church. It races from England to India, France, Italy and the US. Interesting theological questions arise.
The story follows the chase to find an ancient script that could change the whole basis of the catholic church. It races from England to India, France, Italy and the US. Interesting theological questions arise.
May 9, 2013
I found this rather long-winded. Quite enjoyable but don't think I'll bother with others in the series. A bit too much of a Dan Brown lookalike.
May 1, 2014
A perfect book for dan brown fans.It speaks about the lost years of jesus christ.
March 14, 2015
Moves quickly
Plot holds together well while skewering the church. Worth a read no matter the unlikely plot premise. Well thought out.
Plot holds together well while skewering the church. Worth a read no matter the unlikely plot premise. Well thought out.
March 24, 2015
Can't put down
It is totally surprising,different sort of plot,has u on the edge, got to keep reading,great ending, easy reading to follow
It is totally surprising,different sort of plot,has u on the edge, got to keep reading,great ending, easy reading to follow
March 31, 2015
Entertaining book.
A very entertaining book with a mystery story to be told. Nicely written. Kept me immersed through the whole book.
A very entertaining book with a mystery story to be told. Nicely written. Kept me immersed through the whole book.
May 18, 2015
I am always intrigued by Templar stories... This is really a 3.5 and would have been a 4 with the pace of the story being a little more aggressive. A goo plot and decent character building.
May 29, 2015
Typical Catholic "oh no the good guys found the truth about Jesus better bump them off before they tell the world" Dan Brownish fare. Okay if you like that sort of stuff. Fortunately, I do.
Read
August 28, 2015Great religious conspiracy, very slow starting though. Once I got into it, I was hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews