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The Lost Treasure of the Templars #2
The Templar Archive
James Becker, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Treasure of the Templars and The Lost Testament, delivers a breakneck thriller continuing the adventures of antiquarian bookseller Robin Jessop and encryption expert David Mallory.
While trying to decipher what few clues they have managed to recover about the Templar’s secrets, Jessop and Mallory discover that the legendary “treasure” they have been searching for may not be what they thought. Rather than gold or precious jewels, their long-sought prize may, in fact, be something far more valuable...
Information.
For the Templar Knights were the original inventors of international trade. And not all of it was in money. Lands, titles, the fates of entire noble houses were placed in their keeping. The records of such transactions, though centuries old, may possibly yield the greatest wealth in the world. But hunting for such an archive places Jessop and Mallory in the cross hairs of Europe's most powerful families...
While trying to decipher what few clues they have managed to recover about the Templar’s secrets, Jessop and Mallory discover that the legendary “treasure” they have been searching for may not be what they thought. Rather than gold or precious jewels, their long-sought prize may, in fact, be something far more valuable...
Information.
For the Templar Knights were the original inventors of international trade. And not all of it was in money. Lands, titles, the fates of entire noble houses were placed in their keeping. The records of such transactions, though centuries old, may possibly yield the greatest wealth in the world. But hunting for such an archive places Jessop and Mallory in the cross hairs of Europe's most powerful families...
471 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2016
103 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 3, 2016
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James Becker, and Berkley Publishing Group, and Signet for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
James Becker returns with the second novel in this new Templar series. Picking up soon after the previous novel, The Lost Treasure of the Templars, Robin Jessop and David Mallory face numerous questions by the police when they return to Devon. Three bodies discovered at Jessop's apartment prove to be only the tip of the iceberg, as the duo provides a detailed narrative about the far-fetched adventures tney faced, culminating with a harrowing escape inside cave in northern Cypress. When they are released from custody, Jessop and Mallory resume their analysis of the Templar treasure box, which serves as the next clue in their ongoing adventure. Left to analysing photos of the box, a methodical examination of the symbols etched on the lid sends them to an ancient French cathedral. Meanwhile, the Ordo Praedicatorum, a Dominican Order working under deep secrecy in the heart of Rome, is taking account of their recent mission. They failed to eliminate Jessop and Mallory, who possess many Templar secrets and remain in possession of a highly revealing Templar parchment, whose messages lead the way to numerous treasures. Having stolen the Templar treasure box from the duo, the Order soon realises that it is empty with no riches in sight. After realising the benefit of using Jessop and Mallory, a team is dispatched to monitor the pair's progress, reporting back to Rome on a regular basis. When Jessop and Mallory crack another portion of the Templar parchment with another cipher code, they rush from a French cathedral to the heart of Switzerland. Reference in the parchment and based on Mallory's own knowledge, they surmises that the Templar treasure may have less to do with gold and precious stones than land ownership. The Templars were the originators of the world's modern banking system and devised the early form of mortgages. The 'treasure' is more an archive of land titles and deeds, which the Templars have hidden and whose emergence could lay claim to vast portions of Europe. As they interpret the clues and seek to find the Archives, Jessop and Mallory are followed not only by the Order, but a more and more sinister collective whose interest is unknown to the reader, but whose weaponry is second to none. The hunt for the Archives is a slow and arduous process, one that forces Jessop and Mallory to use their skills and patience as they scour Switzerland. However, finding the Archive is only the beginning, as its revelation to the world could have significant ramifications across Europe; one that the Order would use to their benefit. This is a well-devised follow-up novel that keeps the reader guessing, even with the cliffhanger ending that presupposes at least one more novel to solve the final Templar riddle.
Becker has done well with this new series, offering up an interesting collection of characters and varied settings to keep the readers curious and highly entertained. While this second novel did not seek to hash out character backstories, the apparent romantic connection the protagonists share cannot be missed by the attentive reader. This serves as a slightly hokey aspect of the novel, but it does not distract from the larger narrative. While the opening novel did have significant portions of 'cat and mouse' chases, this novel steers away from that and focusses more on the thrill of the treasure hunt, rather than shootings from car windows. The two groups following the duo adds an element of thrill, though it is only the Order that supplies a true competitive aspect, as they are in hot pursuit of our duo in the cave systems. One would be remiss not to mention the significant historical portions that Becker includes in this book. Becker has made a name for himself by exploring religious icons, which he is able to do in the early portions of the novel, namely while Jessop and Mallory stand in a French cathedral. However, as the title suggests, the Templars are central to the story and so knowledge of their movements and personal history is essential. Becker serves this up and weaves it into the story in an effective manner, dropping breadcrumbs throughout and using Mallory to educate the reader. It is just enough for the reader to feel as though they have learned something without an information overload. The chapters propel the book forward, though they are not too fast-paced so as to leave the reader sensing things are too unrealistic. That said, the 'Swiss' aspect seems to have come to the forefront and ended in a mere 10 pages, an anticlimactic moment perhaps used to push them off the radar and out of future storylines. It was as though Becker needed a second set of villains, but was running out of time and simply ended their story with a lunch-hour plot diversion. It appears there is a trilogy afoot, which will tie things up nicely, though I cannot see this series lasting for too long, as Becker is already showing signs of impatience with his minor characters, as mentioned above. The book is rich in history, thrills, and just enough drama to keep the reader wondering what is coming next, though pales in comparison to Becker's novels of old.
Kudos, Mr. Becker for a decent novel. I am curious to see what direction you will take the next novel, while keeping the story fresh.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
James Becker returns with the second novel in this new Templar series. Picking up soon after the previous novel, The Lost Treasure of the Templars, Robin Jessop and David Mallory face numerous questions by the police when they return to Devon. Three bodies discovered at Jessop's apartment prove to be only the tip of the iceberg, as the duo provides a detailed narrative about the far-fetched adventures tney faced, culminating with a harrowing escape inside cave in northern Cypress. When they are released from custody, Jessop and Mallory resume their analysis of the Templar treasure box, which serves as the next clue in their ongoing adventure. Left to analysing photos of the box, a methodical examination of the symbols etched on the lid sends them to an ancient French cathedral. Meanwhile, the Ordo Praedicatorum, a Dominican Order working under deep secrecy in the heart of Rome, is taking account of their recent mission. They failed to eliminate Jessop and Mallory, who possess many Templar secrets and remain in possession of a highly revealing Templar parchment, whose messages lead the way to numerous treasures. Having stolen the Templar treasure box from the duo, the Order soon realises that it is empty with no riches in sight. After realising the benefit of using Jessop and Mallory, a team is dispatched to monitor the pair's progress, reporting back to Rome on a regular basis. When Jessop and Mallory crack another portion of the Templar parchment with another cipher code, they rush from a French cathedral to the heart of Switzerland. Reference in the parchment and based on Mallory's own knowledge, they surmises that the Templar treasure may have less to do with gold and precious stones than land ownership. The Templars were the originators of the world's modern banking system and devised the early form of mortgages. The 'treasure' is more an archive of land titles and deeds, which the Templars have hidden and whose emergence could lay claim to vast portions of Europe. As they interpret the clues and seek to find the Archives, Jessop and Mallory are followed not only by the Order, but a more and more sinister collective whose interest is unknown to the reader, but whose weaponry is second to none. The hunt for the Archives is a slow and arduous process, one that forces Jessop and Mallory to use their skills and patience as they scour Switzerland. However, finding the Archive is only the beginning, as its revelation to the world could have significant ramifications across Europe; one that the Order would use to their benefit. This is a well-devised follow-up novel that keeps the reader guessing, even with the cliffhanger ending that presupposes at least one more novel to solve the final Templar riddle.
Becker has done well with this new series, offering up an interesting collection of characters and varied settings to keep the readers curious and highly entertained. While this second novel did not seek to hash out character backstories, the apparent romantic connection the protagonists share cannot be missed by the attentive reader. This serves as a slightly hokey aspect of the novel, but it does not distract from the larger narrative. While the opening novel did have significant portions of 'cat and mouse' chases, this novel steers away from that and focusses more on the thrill of the treasure hunt, rather than shootings from car windows. The two groups following the duo adds an element of thrill, though it is only the Order that supplies a true competitive aspect, as they are in hot pursuit of our duo in the cave systems. One would be remiss not to mention the significant historical portions that Becker includes in this book. Becker has made a name for himself by exploring religious icons, which he is able to do in the early portions of the novel, namely while Jessop and Mallory stand in a French cathedral. However, as the title suggests, the Templars are central to the story and so knowledge of their movements and personal history is essential. Becker serves this up and weaves it into the story in an effective manner, dropping breadcrumbs throughout and using Mallory to educate the reader. It is just enough for the reader to feel as though they have learned something without an information overload. The chapters propel the book forward, though they are not too fast-paced so as to leave the reader sensing things are too unrealistic. That said, the 'Swiss' aspect seems to have come to the forefront and ended in a mere 10 pages, an anticlimactic moment perhaps used to push them off the radar and out of future storylines. It was as though Becker needed a second set of villains, but was running out of time and simply ended their story with a lunch-hour plot diversion. It appears there is a trilogy afoot, which will tie things up nicely, though I cannot see this series lasting for too long, as Becker is already showing signs of impatience with his minor characters, as mentioned above. The book is rich in history, thrills, and just enough drama to keep the reader wondering what is coming next, though pales in comparison to Becker's novels of old.
Kudos, Mr. Becker for a decent novel. I am curious to see what direction you will take the next novel, while keeping the story fresh.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 4, 2021
If you had asked me when I read JAMES BECKER’s first Templar Treasure book, I would have said three or four months ago. It turns out it was actually three years ago. My bad! I really like stories about the Knights Templar both fiction and nonfiction, contemporary and historical. Book 1 in this series was THE LOST TREASURE OF THE TEMPLARS. I strongly recommend reading Book 1 first.
Book 2 in the series, THE TEMPLAR ARCHIVE, begins with the Battle of Morgarten near Lake Ageri in 1315. It is located south of Zurich, Switzerland on an historical route to Italy. The local peasants of three Swiss communities including Schwyz defeated a much larger and better-equipped army of Austrians. Legend has it that a small group of knights dressed in white robes aided the peasant army. The three communities became the basis for the Swiss Confederation of Cantons, modern day Switzerland.
David Mallory was a customer of Robin Jessop’s antiquarian bookstore in located in Dartmouth, Devonshire, England when the first book began. David is a former police officer and now a computer consultant who also dabbles in codes, making and breaking them. Robin knows medieval documents and has rudimentary knowledge of several European languages.
In book 1, the pair began a journey to locate the legendary treasures of the Knights Templar, lost for 700 years. On their return from Cyprus, the police begin to investigate a series of dead bodies David and Robin had left in their wake.
Their main opposition comes from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a quasi-independent governmental agency based in Rome and the Order of Dominicans, responsible for the Cathar Crusade of the 14th Century in France. They, too, are looking for the Templar Treasures. Among the “bad guys” are Silvio Vitale the leader and Marco Toscanelli second in command and field operator. In addition, a mysterious man known only as Mario makes his initial appearance at the cave.
After convincing the police in Exeter of their innocence, Robin and David head to Chartres, France. The cathedral there is featured in The DaVinci Code and other books about the Templars. They are following, and looking for more, clues from documents they had discovered in book 1.
From Chartres, the pair head to Switzerland. They are looking for a cave where the treasure could have been stored. Once found, the adventure intensifies with the Dominicans and Maltese in close pursuit. Unbeknownst to any of them, a third entity is watching the movements of all parties. As in the Indiana Jones stories, the caves are booby-trapped.
Although this is a long story, the pace is rapid. There are car chases and booby-trapped caves. There is a little mild romance. The settings are realistically described. I look forward to continuing the series, without a three-year delay. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans of adventure thrillers.
GO! BUY! READ!
Book 2 in the series, THE TEMPLAR ARCHIVE, begins with the Battle of Morgarten near Lake Ageri in 1315. It is located south of Zurich, Switzerland on an historical route to Italy. The local peasants of three Swiss communities including Schwyz defeated a much larger and better-equipped army of Austrians. Legend has it that a small group of knights dressed in white robes aided the peasant army. The three communities became the basis for the Swiss Confederation of Cantons, modern day Switzerland.
David Mallory was a customer of Robin Jessop’s antiquarian bookstore in located in Dartmouth, Devonshire, England when the first book began. David is a former police officer and now a computer consultant who also dabbles in codes, making and breaking them. Robin knows medieval documents and has rudimentary knowledge of several European languages.
In book 1, the pair began a journey to locate the legendary treasures of the Knights Templar, lost for 700 years. On their return from Cyprus, the police begin to investigate a series of dead bodies David and Robin had left in their wake.
Their main opposition comes from the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a quasi-independent governmental agency based in Rome and the Order of Dominicans, responsible for the Cathar Crusade of the 14th Century in France. They, too, are looking for the Templar Treasures. Among the “bad guys” are Silvio Vitale the leader and Marco Toscanelli second in command and field operator. In addition, a mysterious man known only as Mario makes his initial appearance at the cave.
After convincing the police in Exeter of their innocence, Robin and David head to Chartres, France. The cathedral there is featured in The DaVinci Code and other books about the Templars. They are following, and looking for more, clues from documents they had discovered in book 1.
From Chartres, the pair head to Switzerland. They are looking for a cave where the treasure could have been stored. Once found, the adventure intensifies with the Dominicans and Maltese in close pursuit. Unbeknownst to any of them, a third entity is watching the movements of all parties. As in the Indiana Jones stories, the caves are booby-trapped.
Although this is a long story, the pace is rapid. There are car chases and booby-trapped caves. There is a little mild romance. The settings are realistically described. I look forward to continuing the series, without a three-year delay. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans of adventure thrillers.
GO! BUY! READ!
September 21, 2017
After giving the first book in the Templar series, "The Lost Treasure of the Templars," a lukewarm reception, why would I read the second one? That’s a fine question. First, this is supposed to be a trilogy, so the first installment ended with unresolved plotlines (for example, the main plot). While flawed, the first book was also just interesting enough to make me curious as to what was going to happen next. So, I bought the book, meaning the author did his job and hooked me in.
Where does that leave us? (spoiler alert!)
Our intrepid, trained-better-than-James-Bond, yet average, everyday heroes have returned to England to face the authorities and figure out where to go next. They only have pictures of the treasure chests discovered on Cypress, but, with a little luck, maybe they can figure out the next clue. Thankfully, the evil bad guys are stuck with paltry resources – they only have millions of dollars at their disposal and a multitude of experts on the medieval world, Templars, and codes. It’s no wonder our heroes figure it out long before the baddies! Now they’re back on a cross-country trip through Europe. But there is more than just one group after them now.
While suspending disbelief is still a little tough at times, this second novel in the Templar trilogy by James Becker is better than the first. There is still a lot of action and inept assassins, but the book fulfills a level of adventure that the first one only promised (it’s like a second marriage, right?). There’s more exploration and clue-solving. The author also steps up the game by making the treasure something other than money or lost gospels that prove Scientology is the only true religion (though the third novel is yet to drop, so who knows). It’s a plausible treasure, too, which made the story a lot more fun.
The thing with this author, based on the two novels I have read, is that I like his prose and his flow of action and even his overarching ideas. It’s just the characters that lack. The best characters have flaws that rear up and affect the story. These flaws not only can lead to tension and suspense in an action story, but they also give the characters something to fight against and overcome (or not). The main characters here have no such flaws. It comes off like they’re out on an afternoon jaunt.
If you can check your brain at the door, you should have a lot of fun. I’ll probably read the third one when it arrives in bookstores, just to see how things shake out.
Where does that leave us? (spoiler alert!)
Our intrepid, trained-better-than-James-Bond, yet average, everyday heroes have returned to England to face the authorities and figure out where to go next. They only have pictures of the treasure chests discovered on Cypress, but, with a little luck, maybe they can figure out the next clue. Thankfully, the evil bad guys are stuck with paltry resources – they only have millions of dollars at their disposal and a multitude of experts on the medieval world, Templars, and codes. It’s no wonder our heroes figure it out long before the baddies! Now they’re back on a cross-country trip through Europe. But there is more than just one group after them now.
While suspending disbelief is still a little tough at times, this second novel in the Templar trilogy by James Becker is better than the first. There is still a lot of action and inept assassins, but the book fulfills a level of adventure that the first one only promised (it’s like a second marriage, right?). There’s more exploration and clue-solving. The author also steps up the game by making the treasure something other than money or lost gospels that prove Scientology is the only true religion (though the third novel is yet to drop, so who knows). It’s a plausible treasure, too, which made the story a lot more fun.
The thing with this author, based on the two novels I have read, is that I like his prose and his flow of action and even his overarching ideas. It’s just the characters that lack. The best characters have flaws that rear up and affect the story. These flaws not only can lead to tension and suspense in an action story, but they also give the characters something to fight against and overcome (or not). The main characters here have no such flaws. It comes off like they’re out on an afternoon jaunt.
If you can check your brain at the door, you should have a lot of fun. I’ll probably read the third one when it arrives in bookstores, just to see how things shake out.
July 10, 2025
It's more of the same blah blah blah, but it is strangely addictive. I confess, guilty pleasure that it is, I enjoyed listening to this entry into the Templar conspiracy of secrets genre (the third in a trilogy) whilst sitting painting, so I didn't really double-check the accuracy of much of the historical detail.
I am, however, frustrated that what could be/ should be a strong female lead plays second fiddle to a mansplaining know-it-all to whom she defers faster than the default web browser in googleville.
Still, I will read the third just to be annoyed and then jump into Dan Jones' The Templars to reestablish normal.
I am, however, frustrated that what could be/ should be a strong female lead plays second fiddle to a mansplaining know-it-all to whom she defers faster than the default web browser in googleville.
Still, I will read the third just to be annoyed and then jump into Dan Jones' The Templars to reestablish normal.
Read
October 21, 2016What a journey and its still not over. Have really enjoyed every second. I normally hate to wish my life away but roll on next year and the 3rd part Brotherhood of the Skull.
February 17, 2021
In the past I have really enjoyed the books by this author but this book, the second in the Hounds of God series, is giving me serious doubts as to whether I will read more.
For me, the problem is not so much the story itself as not only does the adventure rattle along at a reasonable pace but it gives a lot of background into the Knights Templar which is a subject that has always interested me.
No, the problem is in the editing. James Becker is a British author and sets his books with British central characters. However, it now appears that the book, which seems to come from a British publisher, is American edited. Let me make it plain, I am not using this review to have a go at American English but when, as a British reader, I pay my money to buy a supposedly British edition of a book, I do not expect to find that book littered with Americanisms and the use of American spelling - for example center instead of centre, gray instead of grey, armored instead of armoured, license instead of licence and check instead of cheque. This may seem like nitpicking to some but I am sure that if American readers bought American editions of books, they would expect to receive exactly that.
I just hope that when the third part of this story is published, more thought is given to readers from the author's own country.
For me, the problem is not so much the story itself as not only does the adventure rattle along at a reasonable pace but it gives a lot of background into the Knights Templar which is a subject that has always interested me.
No, the problem is in the editing. James Becker is a British author and sets his books with British central characters. However, it now appears that the book, which seems to come from a British publisher, is American edited. Let me make it plain, I am not using this review to have a go at American English but when, as a British reader, I pay my money to buy a supposedly British edition of a book, I do not expect to find that book littered with Americanisms and the use of American spelling - for example center instead of centre, gray instead of grey, armored instead of armoured, license instead of licence and check instead of cheque. This may seem like nitpicking to some but I am sure that if American readers bought American editions of books, they would expect to receive exactly that.
I just hope that when the third part of this story is published, more thought is given to readers from the author's own country.
August 8, 2021
Better than Book 1
Better than Book 1, in that the pace was faster and although there was a lot of descriptive text, it did seem to get in the way quite as much as in Book 1 - or perhaps I just got more accustomed to it. Written very much in the style of an "Indiana Jones" storyline with some fantastical and somewhat unrealistic leaps of chance, conjecture and luck; but just go with the flow and not a critical analysis. Will have to read Book 3 to see how it all ends.
Better than Book 1, in that the pace was faster and although there was a lot of descriptive text, it did seem to get in the way quite as much as in Book 1 - or perhaps I just got more accustomed to it. Written very much in the style of an "Indiana Jones" storyline with some fantastical and somewhat unrealistic leaps of chance, conjecture and luck; but just go with the flow and not a critical analysis. Will have to read Book 3 to see how it all ends.
August 26, 2019
I definitely read this book out of order. The first quarter of it refers to a previous adventure that I did not read so I had to hit the ground running knowing who each of the characters were.
This book focuses on the escapades of Mallory and Jessop, a former British cop and an antiquarian bookseller with some surprising skills. They apparently foiled the plans of Italian Silvio Vitale and his hitman Marco Toscanelli, of whom Vitale has a low tolerance for after several bungled results from the earlier book. It starts out with Mallory being questioned by police for a series of deaths that also must have happened in the earlier book. That was the way I entered this reading experience.
Mallory and Jessop work through a series of photos that they must have also taken in a previous book to follow the clues to the Templar treasure. The adventure takes them through France and Switzerland. Then there is another group of people with nasty intentions who are following them too. One thing I'm wondering is how a retired cop on a pension and a bookseller have enough money to cover all of these excursions. Maybe that was explained in Book One.
The writing seemed like it could do with some work. There were a lot of conversations that seemed simplistic and unnecessary to me. Sometimes the analysis of the clues they were chasing seemed to drag on. Too much detail. And sometimes, I think they could all read each other’s minds. Not in the fantastic sense but more like they could predict each other’s moves and intentions with almost no clear evidence of those intentions.
The book began slow and confusing for the reasons I already stated about coming into it in the middle. But as it went along the characters grew on me. I wanted them to succeed but when they did it was almost anti-climactic. And on the final page, it clearly was a set up for the next book. Whether I read the first or third books in this series is still up in the air.
This book focuses on the escapades of Mallory and Jessop, a former British cop and an antiquarian bookseller with some surprising skills. They apparently foiled the plans of Italian Silvio Vitale and his hitman Marco Toscanelli, of whom Vitale has a low tolerance for after several bungled results from the earlier book. It starts out with Mallory being questioned by police for a series of deaths that also must have happened in the earlier book. That was the way I entered this reading experience.
Mallory and Jessop work through a series of photos that they must have also taken in a previous book to follow the clues to the Templar treasure. The adventure takes them through France and Switzerland. Then there is another group of people with nasty intentions who are following them too. One thing I'm wondering is how a retired cop on a pension and a bookseller have enough money to cover all of these excursions. Maybe that was explained in Book One.
The writing seemed like it could do with some work. There were a lot of conversations that seemed simplistic and unnecessary to me. Sometimes the analysis of the clues they were chasing seemed to drag on. Too much detail. And sometimes, I think they could all read each other’s minds. Not in the fantastic sense but more like they could predict each other’s moves and intentions with almost no clear evidence of those intentions.
The book began slow and confusing for the reasons I already stated about coming into it in the middle. But as it went along the characters grew on me. I wanted them to succeed but when they did it was almost anti-climactic. And on the final page, it clearly was a set up for the next book. Whether I read the first or third books in this series is still up in the air.
November 21, 2017
A disappointing follow up. Historical and geographical research sprinkled throughout the text has authenticity that proves a lot of hard work by the author. The development of the series is so ponderous and cutting through the dense undergrowth of superfluous text requires real determination. Having said that I still kept turning the pages because I really wanted to know how the story would be developed. I stayed the course which was very persistent and patient of me [pat on back] but OH! what long sentences, what awful dialogue and what cardboard characters. The author seemed determined from the outset to set my teeth on edge as the previous plot line and events was endlessly regurgitated and the progress of the principal characters Mallory and Robin made me shake my head at times in disbelief. On a word-loss diet this story could be very readable and well-paced but it really does struggle to engage and the dialogue should be much more disciplined and crisp. How many double- takes I had to do on some sentences to unravel the convoluted thoughts? Lots and lots.
Nevertheless I have ordered the last book in the series because I'm a masochist and I believe any author who has put in this amount of effort should be rewarded in hard cash for his diligence.
Nevertheless I have ordered the last book in the series because I'm a masochist and I believe any author who has put in this amount of effort should be rewarded in hard cash for his diligence.
May 6, 2020
I read this sequel because the first in the trilogy left a lot unanswered, but now I’ll need to read the third...
This was better than the first because the main characters knew each other and so it felt less like a first date, and more like a historical fiction adventure. Not much history itself here, though, and more action.
Good, not great, but enough to compel me to read the third and finish this trilogy.
This was better than the first because the main characters knew each other and so it felt less like a first date, and more like a historical fiction adventure. Not much history itself here, though, and more action.
Good, not great, but enough to compel me to read the third and finish this trilogy.
May 31, 2017
The Templar Archive is the 2nd in a trilogy. Jessop and Mallory continue to follow the clues in search of the Templar "treasure." As they follow each clue, they come to realize that the end result may not be measured in treasure.
February 24, 2021
A little tedious for my taste. Mallory and Jessup decode a Templar scroll and end up in Switzerland with Italians hot on their heels. The Swiss government get involved. A satisfactory, though tedious, read.
August 27, 2022
This is the second in The Hounds of God trilogy by James Becker, another cracking read, especially for those that enjoy archaeological mystery thrillers. Suffice to say I have gone straight onto the final book in the trilogy.
November 10, 2022
Good story great use of tension to keep me interested I’ve deducted a star for the terrible narration - the idiot tone male narrators seem to think makes for convincing female characters. This one was particularly arrogant.
March 15, 2018
Wonderful continuation for Jessop and Mallory as they follow the trails left by the Templars.
July 7, 2018
Not as good as the first book but still a good read. The book definitely slows down in the middle which made it hard to stay vested, but the ending was good.
June 20, 2019
Enjoyed the book but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat.
August 16, 2019
The pacing of the book was extremely slow. I could not finish.
May 8, 2020
Holds Your Interest
Direct continuation of the first book. Includes a little less prescribed knowledge and more analyses and research. Surprise ending is nice twist.
Direct continuation of the first book. Includes a little less prescribed knowledge and more analyses and research. Surprise ending is nice twist.
January 1, 2021
As with the first book in this series, I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2021
Another wonderful book, replete with history and intrigue. On to the final book on the Templar trilogy.
December 24, 2021
I recommend these
I recommend these books as they had me hooked from the first page to the last and I hope there is more
I recommend these books as they had me hooked from the first page to the last and I hope there is more
November 25, 2022
First half of book moved slowly. Last half was better.
Read
March 12, 2023Night hall
Read
May 2, 2023Book two in the series. Good read.
February 12, 2024
More Scooby Doo, entertaining though.
Wish me luck with the third and final...
Wish me luck with the third and final...
July 17, 2024
Great second part like how the characters have developed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2016
“The Templar Archive” eBook was published in 2016 (September) and was written by James Becker (http://www.james-becker.com/ a terrible web site as it requires Flash to operate). Mr. Becker has published 11 novels.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is mostly set in France and Switzerland. The primary characters are antiquarian bookseller Robin Jessop and computer expert David Mallory.
This is the second volume of the “Lost Treasure of the Templars” series and picks up a short time after that novel ends. Using clues discovered in the first book, Jessop and Mallory travel to France to pursue their findings. What they find in Notre Dame Cathedral sends them to Switzerland.
Following them are members of the Dominican Order from whom they barely escaped from in the first book of the series. Not only are they faced with these killers, but another group has become interested in them as well.
The problem solving skills of Jessop and Mallory are stretched by the puzzles they are faced with. They must also avoid the Dominicans sent to kill them.
This was an enjoyable 7+ hour read of this 478 page Thriller. This was not the best book of the problem solving adventure genre that I have read, but it was decent. I think that one problem that I had was that most of the villains were not very evil. The author did keep the pace moving along well. The cover is OK though I am not sure what aspect of the story it is supposed to convey since Jessop and Mallory were in caves not stone tunnels. I give this novel a 7 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is mostly set in France and Switzerland. The primary characters are antiquarian bookseller Robin Jessop and computer expert David Mallory.
This is the second volume of the “Lost Treasure of the Templars” series and picks up a short time after that novel ends. Using clues discovered in the first book, Jessop and Mallory travel to France to pursue their findings. What they find in Notre Dame Cathedral sends them to Switzerland.
Following them are members of the Dominican Order from whom they barely escaped from in the first book of the series. Not only are they faced with these killers, but another group has become interested in them as well.
The problem solving skills of Jessop and Mallory are stretched by the puzzles they are faced with. They must also avoid the Dominicans sent to kill them.
This was an enjoyable 7+ hour read of this 478 page Thriller. This was not the best book of the problem solving adventure genre that I have read, but it was decent. I think that one problem that I had was that most of the villains were not very evil. The author did keep the pace moving along well. The cover is OK though I am not sure what aspect of the story it is supposed to convey since Jessop and Mallory were in caves not stone tunnels. I give this novel a 7 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
November 25, 2016
Another typical historical setting mystery. Catholic church hit men are hunting for the Templar Archives to control and rule etc. Two amateurs stumble across clue one in first book. In second volume they outwit the high tech bad guys and run into more 'bad' guys while finding the papers of the archives. I guess book three is the treasure part but who cares. Choppy plot. Choppy chapter presentation. Too much the typical format of one thing after another with the good guys just one step away from their destruction.
November 12, 2017
3.75 stars
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