What do you think?
Rate this book
Peter Sparke #5
The Templar Tower
Time is running out for the Templars and new enemies are circling. At the height of their power, with vast possessions across Europe, the Templars begin their preparations for the greatest threat their Order has faced. Under the command of the knight known as "The Masoin", Salvatore di Radda is tasked with carving out the beginnings of a last Templar redoubt in the Alpine strongholds in what is now modern Switzerland. His greatest danger, and the greatest enemy the Order faces is his own brother, Father Missimo, a leading member of the Inquisition.
In a parallel story line, Peter Sparke and Professor Tilly Pink find themselves embroiled in the pursuit of a long last document which could establish the truth behind the legend of the Templars in Switzerland. Sparke, now wealthy from his famous discovery of the Templar treasury in the Scottish Highlands, looks forward to a quiet life of amateur research, but finds that a harder thing to attain than he imagines.
In a parallel story line, Peter Sparke and Professor Tilly Pink find themselves embroiled in the pursuit of a long last document which could establish the truth behind the legend of the Templars in Switzerland. Sparke, now wealthy from his famous discovery of the Templar treasury in the Scottish Highlands, looks forward to a quiet life of amateur research, but finds that a harder thing to attain than he imagines.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2015
23 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 28, 2015
"I want more!!" "The Templar Tower," at least for now, brings to a close this fast paced Peter Sparke series by Scott Chapman. (Mr. Chapman, are you listening??) "The Templar Tower" is the 5th book in this series which began with "The Templar Vault." This book, as did the whole series, grabbed my interest quickly. Peter Sparke, our protagonist who at one time worked in the international business world where he worked as a leading international crisis manager. Life does change throughout the series.
What is especially unique about this book (and series) is the recurring dual strands of plot - the Templar medieval past and the present world. Chapman takes readers back to medieval times, beginning the story/ series just prior to the overthrow of the Templar Knights, and then moves the reader back and forth from the Templar world to the current world. The past, of course, is intertwined in some manner with the present. In the present, our protagonist is Sparke, who has a recurring sort of partner in Professor Tilly Pink, a Scottish professor. In the past, our Templar protagonist is Salvatore, a loner noble who becomes a Templar, also has a recurring sort of partner in the mysterious "Mason," an essential Templar leader throughout the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Templar Tower;" it was engrossing and a quick read. In fact, this entire series is quite amazing. The characters, past and present, were interesting, well developed, and as a reader, you cared about them. Sometimes, I was so caught up in the story that I wanted to skip ahead a chapter or two, so as to continue the story in the past or the present. Although "The Templar Tower" can be read as a stand alone book, please do read this series from the beginning to enjoy the growth and evolution of the characters. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading the next one, IF Mr. Chapman decides to write one!!
What is especially unique about this book (and series) is the recurring dual strands of plot - the Templar medieval past and the present world. Chapman takes readers back to medieval times, beginning the story/ series just prior to the overthrow of the Templar Knights, and then moves the reader back and forth from the Templar world to the current world. The past, of course, is intertwined in some manner with the present. In the present, our protagonist is Sparke, who has a recurring sort of partner in Professor Tilly Pink, a Scottish professor. In the past, our Templar protagonist is Salvatore, a loner noble who becomes a Templar, also has a recurring sort of partner in the mysterious "Mason," an essential Templar leader throughout the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Templar Tower;" it was engrossing and a quick read. In fact, this entire series is quite amazing. The characters, past and present, were interesting, well developed, and as a reader, you cared about them. Sometimes, I was so caught up in the story that I wanted to skip ahead a chapter or two, so as to continue the story in the past or the present. Although "The Templar Tower" can be read as a stand alone book, please do read this series from the beginning to enjoy the growth and evolution of the characters. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading the next one, IF Mr. Chapman decides to write one!!
December 2, 2024
Almost 50 years ago I was a part-time volunteer soldier in Ireland.
During that time I discovered that (a) I wasn't a particularly good soldier but I could peel potatoes with the best of them, and (b) how to march in place (i.e. your legs go up and down but you don't actually move.)
“The Templar Tower” is a classic example of a book which marches in place, nothing much actually happens, but it does glacially advance the overall arc of the series.
And that arc is that, far from being completely destroyed, the Knights Templar had a contingency plan should Armageddon happen.
It did and their disaster management plan kicked in. While it may have preserved a remnant of the Order it remains unclear as to why.
Like the other books in the series it really needs a human editing.
And the main characters remain one dimensional, depressingly so.
Not a happy reader.
2 Stars.
During that time I discovered that (a) I wasn't a particularly good soldier but I could peel potatoes with the best of them, and (b) how to march in place (i.e. your legs go up and down but you don't actually move.)
“The Templar Tower” is a classic example of a book which marches in place, nothing much actually happens, but it does glacially advance the overall arc of the series.
And that arc is that, far from being completely destroyed, the Knights Templar had a contingency plan should Armageddon happen.
It did and their disaster management plan kicked in. While it may have preserved a remnant of the Order it remains unclear as to why.
Like the other books in the series it really needs a human editing.
And the main characters remain one dimensional, depressingly so.
Not a happy reader.
2 Stars.
January 20, 2024
Good read bad editing
A nice follow on from the four previous books. The storyline continued in an easy to read writing and the added characters fit well into the story.
The editing got worse with each book. Whomever proof read did a very, very bad job.
A nice follow on from the four previous books. The storyline continued in an easy to read writing and the added characters fit well into the story.
The editing got worse with each book. Whomever proof read did a very, very bad job.
July 26, 2018
Better character development
I really enjoyed the development of both the historical and modern day characters in this book. I'm excited for more...
I really enjoyed the development of both the historical and modern day characters in this book. I'm excited for more...
September 5, 2018
Not too bad. It is a fun fast read. Like the characters.
March 22, 2017
OMG if you have an interest in the Templar's, this series is an absolute must read!
February 24, 2016
The Templar Tower is based on an interesting concept. The read is reasonably paced if shifting a bit too frequently between present and historical. I didn't find the story really engaging. The characters are moderately well developed but I never really connected with them. On the whole, it's missing gripping drama even in the action scenes. For me, there is too much 'tell' that should be 'show.' The bus incident was the only real hot spot, but it just didn't seem to fit with the story.
It's passed the word processor spell checker, but seriously needs a copy edit. Too many wrong words like 'the' when it should be 'they' are so distracting they damage the sense of involvement.
It's passed the word processor spell checker, but seriously needs a copy edit. Too many wrong words like 'the' when it should be 'they' are so distracting they damage the sense of involvement.
April 19, 2015
I wasn't ready for the book to end when it did. I felt like I'd been left hanging over a cliff and wanted to know more. I do enjoy the series and await the arrival of the next novel in the series.
I've read all of Chapman's Templar books and enjoy them. There is some awkwardness at times when the chapters jump to the other time period as well as an occasional startle -- a word that doesn't seem to fit well or slightly off usage. The additional characters are fairly one-dimensional; I'd particularly like to have more a bit insight into Salvatore and Tilly's thoughts.
I've read all of Chapman's Templar books and enjoy them. There is some awkwardness at times when the chapters jump to the other time period as well as an occasional startle -- a word that doesn't seem to fit well or slightly off usage. The additional characters are fairly one-dimensional; I'd particularly like to have more a bit insight into Salvatore and Tilly's thoughts.
December 13, 2015
I Was Riveted.....
....no housework, no sleep, not even a shower could keep me from finding out what would happen next. I have had an intrest in the Knights Templar and their fate for a while now, and this feels like it could have happened. The author's use of corresponding story lines is very well done, and I loved the surprise at the end.. The characters are fully developed and interesting. I just ordered the first three books featuring Mr. Peter Sparkes. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who loves history, mystery, or just a good story.
....no housework, no sleep, not even a shower could keep me from finding out what would happen next. I have had an intrest in the Knights Templar and their fate for a while now, and this feels like it could have happened. The author's use of corresponding story lines is very well done, and I loved the surprise at the end.. The characters are fully developed and interesting. I just ordered the first three books featuring Mr. Peter Sparkes. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who loves history, mystery, or just a good story.
November 11, 2015
Compelling
Another excellent installment in the Starke series. Some romance, more intrigue, and more problem solving by the renowned Peter Sparke. An engrossing story, well researched and presented. Academia is just as bad as the U.S. Congress. This is a great series,entertaining.
Another excellent installment in the Starke series. Some romance, more intrigue, and more problem solving by the renowned Peter Sparke. An engrossing story, well researched and presented. Academia is just as bad as the U.S. Congress. This is a great series,entertaining.
March 26, 2016
Good read. Author moves back and forth in time but makes it work well. This is my second book by this author and enjoyed each.
No profanity , proves that some Authors. can write decent books that are entertaining without a surplus of four letter swear words.
No profanity , proves that some Authors. can write decent books that are entertaining without a surplus of four letter swear words.
April 10, 2015
I sure hope there is a book 6....I'm looking forward to the further adventures of Peter and tilly...and Salvatore, his very evil brother by birth, Massimo and the Mason....
March 4, 2016
Good book
This series of stories have been excellent. I look forward to more. Thanks to the author for sharing his skills with his readers.
This series of stories have been excellent. I look forward to more. Thanks to the author for sharing his skills with his readers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews