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Paul Doherty
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ISBN | 978-075535456 | ||
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Ann
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Synopsis
Murder and mayhem set at the time of the secretive Templar Order.
The year is 1152, and Jerusalem is still in the hands of the Crusaders, although the lofty ideals of before have now been replaced by subtle power-play. Meanwhile, in England, King Stephen is waging bloody war against Henry Fitzempress. The Templar Order, now fifty years old, is a wealthy power, glittering with tempting riches. Against this background of bloodshed, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, and Englishman Edward Sendal find themselves caught up in a murder mystery when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, is brutally assassinated. Who would have wanted to murder Raymond, and is it possible that the answer may lie within the hallowed ranks of the Templar order itself?
Review
The Magician in the title is a bit of a mis-nomer, this is more like Denis Wheatley set in the twelfth century.
The historical facts are interesting but the remainder is a bit boring. The hero drifts through the action, occasionally prodded into berserker activity, and the other characters are very flat. While the descriptions are good, it all gets a bit lost and the division into two separate sections just doesn't work.
The writing is clear but the whole may be better suited to a young adult audience.
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