2008 Book 90: The Last Templar

Book #:	90
Book Title:	The Last Templar
Author:	Raymond Khoury
Publisher:	Penguin Group
Pub. Date:	2005
Pages:	404
Started:	October 8, 2008
Finished:	October 11, 2008
Time to Read:	4 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"In a hail of fire and flashing sword, as the burning city of Acre falls into the hands of the West in 1291, The Last Templar opens with a young Templar Knight, his mentor, and a handful of others escaping to the sea carrying a mysterious chest entrusted to them by the Order's dying Grand Master. The ship vanishes without a trace. In present-day Manhattan, four masked horsemen dressed as Templar Knights emerge from Central Park and ride up the Fifth Avenue steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the black-tie opening of a Treasures of the Vatican exhibit. Storming through the crowds, the horsemen brutally attack anyone standing between them and their prize. Attending the gala, archaeologist Tess Chaykin watches in silent terror as the leader of the horsemen hones in on one piece in particular, a strange geared device. He utters a few cryptic Latin words as he takes hold of it with reverence before leading the horsemen out and disappearing into the night. In the aftermath, an FBI investigation is led by anti-terrorism specialist Sean Reilly. Soon, he and Tess are drawn into the dark, hidden history of the crusading Knights, plunging them into a deadly game of cat and mouse with ruthless killers as they race across three continents to recover the lost secret of the Templars."
Stars:	*****
Review:	This book has been on my "must read" list for awhile, so I was thrilled that it was among the lot of books I got for my birthday. What a fabulous read! This story expertly jumps back and forth between the Middle Ages and today, develops terrific characterizations for the main characters, and has a storyline that resonates. Now...some parts of the story requires a suspension of beliefs...but all in all, this is a terrific read that you need to pick up today!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany