Travis Simpkins: "The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury

The Last Templar

by Raymond Khoury

Penguin Books, 2005

Notes by Travis Simpkins

Fast paced and gripping, The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury expertly utilizes the winning formula of having ancient mysteries play out in a modern setting… it is instantly relatable and altogether intriguing. Perhaps intentionally, the book has a cinematic feel to it's scenes and indeed, a TV mini-series adaption of the novel has since been released. The text is well-written and Raymond Khoury's genuine interest in history and his knowledge of the novel's geographical sites creates an air of believability in a genre often populated by far-fetched scenarios.

The plot begins when four horsemen, dressed at Knights Templar, raid the opening of an exhibition of Vatican treasures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Leaving bloodshed in their wake, they abscond with a curious geared encoding device. The subsequent investigation finds an archaeologist teamed up with an FBI Agent as they chase after those responsible, delving frighteningly deep into an ancient mystery while traveling across the globe in search of the lost secret of the Templars. Flashbacks to 1291 and the harrowing ordeals that the Templars faced in a desperate effort to protect their secret offer respite from the modern chaos. The present-day journey takes the reader on a journey from New York City to the mountains of Turkey, from Vatican City to the small island of Yialos in Symi. Well worth the cover price, the 500+ page storyline moves rapidly and stays interesting throughout.