What could be more peaceful than an academic talk by an historian, organized by the Head Librarian for a small flock of people interested in ancient Egypt and the Ark of the Covenant? Things change quite dramatically as archaeologist Jason Lovett seeks out British author Caedmon Aisquith as he is packing up after his presentation. Caedmon's lovely assistant, a wisecracking American photographer, initially has trouble believing that this interloper in their tight schedule is for real. As the men chat about deciphering ancient symbols, things become very real as blood spurts when a jeweled knife is skillfully thrown in their midst.

Having been trained by the British M15, Caedmon gives chase, but when that proves unsuccessful, he realizes he has clues to follow. As he starts on his quest to solve what Jason had found, he soon realizes that he and Edie have become the game as their mysterious adversary seems to have extraordinary skills at tracking them. Will they be able to solve the unbelievable quest that Jason's clues had pointed to? Can Caedmon remain true to his quest or will he become corrupted like the other seekers? Is the power of the ancient relic truly capable of destroying the world?

With its snappy dialogue and strong storyline, C.M. Palov has crafted a suspenseful thriller, filled with revenge, greed, and ties to the Bible, Atlantis, and ancient Templar lore. While intriguing as a stand alone book, the two main characters have previously been introduced in Palov's Arc of Fire, so reading that book first might be helpful to some. As a hero, Caedmon is a very likable person, in action and in thought, as he grapples with his academic and personal ambitions. For my part, I found Edie a little over the top at times with her non-stop flippant remarks. It seemed a bit jarring, given her intelligence and cleverness with clues in other situations. Still, the characters are well crafted, even including that of assassin Saviour Panos, as their background motivations are revealed. THE TEMPLAR'S CODEcontains many of the usual elements found in this genre: the chase across many intriguing places, ancient codes and relics, villains and the heroic couple. Yet for all that, there are enough surprising twists and revelations to make for an enjoyably suspenseful read!

Book Summary

The greatest secret in the history of mankind is a secret worth killing for...

During the Middle Ages a rumor was born about a mysterious and sacred Ancient Egyptian text. Known as the Emerald Tablet, it was said to contain the secret of creation.

But the greatest secret of all is who wrote it...