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The Devil's Elixir (Templar #3)

3.62 of 5 stars 3.62 · rating details · 993 ratings · 126 reviews

Sean Reilly and Tess Chaykin, the heroes of Raymond Khoury's New York Times bestselling Templar novels, return in an edge-of-your-seat thriller that reaches from the present day back to 1700s Mexico--and beyond...
What if there was a drug, previously lost to history in the jungles of Central America, capable of inducing an experience so momentous--and so shocking--that it...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published December 22nd 2011 by Signet Book (first published January 1st 2011)

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Dec 22, 2011 Malcolm rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading Raymond Khoury’s The Devil’s Elixir can be hazardous to your sleep cycle! You won’t be able to put the book down until you reach the last page.

Once again, Khoury pairs up FBI agent Sean Reilly and archeologist Tess Chaykin whom long-time Khoury fans already know from their tangled and dangerous destinies in The Last Templar and The Templar Salvation. In this high-energy thriller, Reilly and Chaykin shift their focus from Templar and Vatican mysteries to a potentially more dangerous secre...more Reading Raymond Khoury’s The Devil’s Elixir can be hazardous to your sleep cycle! You won’t be able to put the book down until you reach the last page.

Once again, Khoury pairs up FBI agent Sean Reilly and archeologist Tess Chaykin whom long-time Khoury fans already know from their tangled and dangerous destinies in The Last Templar and The Templar Salvation. In this high-energy thriller, Reilly and Chaykin shift their focus from Templar and Vatican mysteries to a potentially more dangerous secret extracted and resynthesized out of the South American rainforest.

Eusebio, the priest who learned about a psychoactive alkaloid from a tribal shaman in 1741, viewed the “sacred brew” as a catalyst that could lead a seeker toward mystical enlightenment. Álvaro, his Jesuit brother at the mission, called the drug the devil’s elixir. In the hands of a present-day drug lord named El Brujo the drug represents not only a belief-changing experience but a chance for unlimited profits with a potion more powerful than meth, cocaine and heroine combined.

Reilly is is drawn away from New York into the high-body-count world of drug cartels and kidnappings when a former girlfriend calls to report her life is in danger. Former DEA agent Michelle Martinez’s story is so compelling that Reilly packs his bags and heads for San Diego immediately. Soon, his life will be at risk as will Chaykin’s. One way or another, sparks fly when Reilly and Chaykin are involved in a case. This time out, there are a couple of additional complications, one being that Reilly never told Chaykin about his earlier relationship with the “seriously hot” Martinez.

Khoury’s story moves briskly with alternating chapters from the perspectives of El Brujo, southwestern FBI operatives, the drug lord’s foot soldiers, Reilly and Chaykin. This approach heightens the intrigue by showing the reader thrills, chills and plot twists that the primary characters have yet to discover. Reilly is a strong-willed, indefatigable FBI agent who gives everything he has to keep his loved ones safe while keeping the devil’s elixir out of the black market supply chain. At the same time, his conscience constantly asks him whether the ends justify his means.

Readers new to Khoury’s fiction may think as they finish each chapter in The Devil’s Elixir, “certainly things can’t get any worse than this.” Those who have read The Last Templar and The Templar Salvation know things never get better until the story’s over because following a Khoury plot is similar to riding a snowball through hell.

The Devil’s Elixir is a delightfully breath-searing ride.
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May 04, 2012 Robin Carter rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action-thriller

I have read all the Raymond Khoury books and they have got gradually better and better.

Sean Reilly and Tess Chaykin
1. The Last Templar (2005)
2. The Templar Salvation (2010)
3. The Devil's Elixir (2011)

Stand Alone

The Sanctuary (2007)
The Sign (2009)

The thing with any book of this type is that it automatically picks up that Dan Brown esque tag, but this is so much different to that, this is more of a Steve Berry, Andy Mcdermott (but less humorous) James Twinings. The plot is more credible the charac...more I have read all the Raymond Khoury books and they have got gradually better and better.

Sean Reilly and Tess Chaykin
1. The Last Templar (2005)
2. The Templar Salvation (2010)
3. The Devil's Elixir (2011)

Stand Alone

The Sanctuary (2007)
The Sign (2009)

The thing with any book of this type is that it automatically picks up that Dan Brown esque tag, but this is so much different to that, this is more of a Steve Berry, Andy Mcdermott (but less humorous) James Twinings. The plot is more credible the characters more realistic and on the whole the book more rounded.
That said as per any book in this genre you will notice similarities, you will think that things are a little trite and easy at times, but that's the nature of the genre, you want action, adventure, pace and pure mindless fun. This gives most of that, its not the best in the genre, but if you want to switch off and have some fun it does the job.

(Parm)

Product Description
FBI agent Sean Reilly and archaeologist Tess Chaykin, heroes of Raymond Khoury's bestselling Templar novels, return in another edge-of-your-seat thriller that reaches from present day back to 1700s Mexico - and possibly beyond. What if there was a natural drug, previously lost to history in the jungles of Central America, capable of inducing an experience so momentous - and so unsettling - that it might shake the very foundations of Western civilization? What if powerful forces on both sides of the law got wind of that drug and launched a vicious, uncompromising pursuit to possess it? In Raymond Khoury's million-copy-selling Templar novels, Reilly and Tess traveled the globe to unravel ancient mysteries with present-day ramifications. In The Devil's Elixir, they find themselves dragged into a race - against the clock, against a brutal drug kingpin known as "El Brujo" - the sorcerer - and even against government authorities - to merge two divergent trails, one several hundred years old, the other as current as a heartbeat, that could drag humanity to the brink of self-destruction. Packed with the nonstop suspense and unexpected twists Raymond Khoury fans delight in, The Devil's Elixir is destined for bestseller lists everywhere. (less)

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Feb 16, 2012 Herlock rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller

I actually loved the first book in the series, The Last Templar with its shifts between the ancient and current stories. Plus the TV miniseries was nice, even though there were quite a few changes in the conversion. The second book was interesting too, but much more action-oriented than is common to the "ancient treasure" genre.

And then, this book continues the same trend, and belongs a lot more to the pure action genre than the previous books.

I strongly believe I would have enjoyed this as a...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Richard Gazala rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Most novelists with robust sales in their rear view mirror stick rigidly to the tried-and-true format that earned them their past successes. In the highly competitive arena that is modern fiction book publishing there's nothing inherently wrong with a writer clinging tightly to formula, particularly when that formula has resonated with readers and the people cutting his royalty checks. It happens all the time. So it's both noteworthy and laudable when an author with Raymond Khoury's estimable tr...more Most novelists with robust sales in their rear view mirror stick rigidly to the tried-and-true format that earned them their past successes. In the highly competitive arena that is modern fiction book publishing there's nothing inherently wrong with a writer clinging tightly to formula, particularly when that formula has resonated with readers and the people cutting his royalty checks. It happens all the time. So it's both noteworthy and laudable when an author with Raymond Khoury's estimable track record not only probes a new path, but does it with a result as satisfying and enjoyable as his new thriller, "The Devil's Elixir."

Khoury burst onto international bestseller lists in 2006 with his blockbuster novel, "The Last Templar." "The Last Templar" and the three books that followed it have been translated into dozens of languages, and have charted in scores of countries. If any bestselling novelist could rest on his stylistic laurels and adhere to formula, it's Khoury. Kudos to him for choosing instead to present something a little different in his latest release. For the legions of ardent fans of Reilly and Tess there are no worries, because the engaging duo are back in "The Devil's Elixir." However, in this breakneck thriller the whirlwind plot (excepting the prologue) unfolds entirely in the present day, as opposed to interweaving with a historical adventure as in Khoury's previous works. And while Khoury's prose gets better and more engaging with every book, with this release admirably continuing that trend, for the first time in any of his novels Khoury elected to write a large part of the book in (Reilly's) first-person narrative. Given his prior triumphs, Khoury certainly didn't have to craft the book that way. That he did speaks well for him spreading his wings as a writer, and also enhances the immediacy and impact of the story for readers. Yet while exploring narrative techniques unprecedented in his earlier books, Khoury still delivers what his fans have rightfully come to expect -- a gripping plot with astonishing twists, consistently alluring protagonists, and a really nasty villain who earns his menacing epithet, El Brujo ("The Sorcerer"), many times over during the novel's course.

This is Khoury's best book to date. It will please his steadfast fans, and it will gain him many new ones.(less)

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Jan 04, 2012 Susan Tunis rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Third in a series, but works fine as a stand alone

As many thrillers as I read, somehow I hadn’t yet made it around to Raymond Khoury. So, even though I hadn’t read earlier Templar novels featuring Sean Reilly and Tess Chaykin, I decided to dive right in. Fortunately, Khoury’s enough of a pro to gracefully exposit everything I needed for this novel without spoiling past tales. I didn’t feel like I was missing a thing.

The Devil’s Elixir opens with three brief prologues that establish elements of t...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Raymond Khoury- The Devil’s Elixir (Dutton 2012) 3.75 Stars

This is a pre-release review. Look for it in stores near you in the new year.

FBI agent Sean Reilly has just received a phone call from an old flame; Michelle is ex-DEA and on the run from men who want her dead. Even odder is the fact that she is running with a son he never knew he had. Explaining this to Tess may not be so easy, but first he must save Michelle. He did not realize going in just what kind of trouble they were in, this may...more Raymond Khoury- The Devil’s Elixir (Dutton 2012) 3.75 Stars

This is a pre-release review. Look for it in stores near you in the new year.

FBI agent Sean Reilly has just received a phone call from an old flame; Michelle is ex-DEA and on the run from men who want her dead. Even odder is the fact that she is running with a son he never knew he had. Explaining this to Tess may not be so easy, but first he must save Michelle. He did not realize going in just what kind of trouble they were in, this may be more than even he can handle. Money, a new kind of drug, and powerful men seeking more power; a deadly mix for anyone who gets in their way. The question is, can Sean Reilly figure out what is going on and survive?

I found that this book started off a little bit slow, it doesn’t immediately grab your attention, but it does peak your curiosity. It also sets the stage with much needed background information. Once the prologue portion ends though, it does pick up the pace and turns into quite a fast-paced rollercoaster. It is full of heart-pumping action, with several big twists. One of these big twists is not very believable for me, but that would depend on your beliefs, as it delves into the paranormal, but I can certainly get past that. The conclusion was not the most realistic either, but it definitely added to the quick-pace. I enjoyed how the book involved great detective work and things did not come to them easily, as often times in thrillers, they just magically come up with answers; nice to see that it wasn’t so in this book. The characters also had great backgrounds and depth, so that they appear to jump off of every single page. One thing I really wasn’t fond of was the character shift from one page to the next. It was a bit distracting, but I do see where Khoury was coming from and it did help to fill out the storyline. Overall, I thought that The Devil’s Elixir was great. I enjoyed it more than I did his earlier works.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com.

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
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Jan 24, 2012 Paul Pessolano rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“The Devil’s Elixir” by Raymond Khoury, published by Dutton.

Category – Mystery/Thriller

Sean Reilly receives a frantic phone call from Michelle Martinez asking for assistance. Her young son, Alex, and she have just thwarted an attempt to abduct them. She has no where to turn to other than Sean who as an FBI Agent worked with her on a drug bust years ago in Mexico. Michelle also informs Sean that Alex is his son.

The drug bust in Mexico was unique in that they were trying to rescue a scientist who...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Sean the Bookonaut rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have somehow missed reading Raymond Khoury, despite him having four consecutive New York Times best sellers.

The Devil's Elixir features characters from Khoury’s previous novels but it works effectively as a stand alone.

Not having read Khoury before I had no idea what to expect. Prior to chapter one he quotes both Carl Sagan[1] :

There is a lurking fear that some things are 'not meant' to be known, that some inquiries are too dangerous for human being to make.

and Dr Harold Lief commenting on th...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Jaron rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book started off as a sort of abridged version of Don Winslow's Power of the Dog, with a lot of FBI and DEA vs. drug kingpins backstory and then went off in a mystical direction before coming back down to earth. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style but once I got used to it, I did end up zooming through many of the action sequences, especially toward the end.

I picked this book up based solely on the jacket copy, which maybe isn't the best way to choose reading material because the firs...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Kristin Lundgren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: medical-disease, thriller-medical

An old secret elixir, known only to the mountain shaman of Central America and Mexico, the drug Kingpin El Brujo (Navarro) who wants it it will make him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. He kidnaps a scientist who got the formula from his trips to the shaman's camps deep in the jungle, but when he tries to escape with a team led by Sean Reilly (from The Last Templar), he is shot since he was too injured to escape and can't be left behind to be tortured for the formula and allow it into the syst...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Elaine Seiler rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A really good read! Great story, interesting characters, lots of suspense, a very unusual twist and turn to the tale; one I never imagined....but, for me the best part was the synchronicity........ I write about all things energetic, all things metaphysical and this adventure/mystery tale has a surprise for its readers as the solution to the mystery lies in the realm of metaphysics. I won’t say any more for fear of revealing too much...Suffice it to say, for all you out there, who enjoy a good m...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Michael Johnston rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I know Khoury mostly from his historical fiction. He has written several books in the genre and while they aren't the best of the category, they are often diverting and enjoyable. This book, about a mystic belieiving drug dealer intent on revenge for past deeds and in search of the perfect (and perfectly addicting) synthetic drug, wasn't his best work.

It was a quick and easy read (a beach read if you will), but it didn't really grab or hold my attention. The characters didn't ring true and parts...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Trish Jackson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When FBI Sean Reilly gets a phone call from an ex girlfriend and co-worker, Michelle Martinez, whom he has not heard from for five years, he has no idea what enormous changes it is going to herald.

Michelle tells him she is in trouble -- armed men have entered her home and shot her boyfriend and she and Alex, are fleeing for their lives. When Sean asks who Alex is, she replies, "He's my four-year-old son -- and yours. I'm sorry I never told you about him."

Sean, who has been trying for children wi...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Miroslav Kohut rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The crappy trilogy gets even crappier conclusion:

I've always considered Raymond Khoury to be a Dan Brown wannabe. The fact is he always manages to deliver a fast paced, action-filled thrilling story. The problem is usually the theme of the story. While the first book in the so-called Templar trilogy was in this sense actually quite interesting, the second one was a serious let down for me and the final one is nothing short but a catastrophe.

Even if I let go of the fact that the third part of the...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Tim rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The third, and BY FAR least satisfying, of the "Riley and Tess" books. This one entails the discovery, in Mexico some hundreds of years ago, of an elixir which, it is discovered much later on in the book, allows one access to past lives Naturally, this, like the Ark of the Covenant, could be "Disastrous If It Falls Into The Wrong Hands!" And between the medieval discovery of the potion and the contemporary discovery of its true nature, we find Plucky Tess and Masculine Riley once again joining f...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Valerie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who like adventure stories in general

Recommended to Valerie by: Myself :)

I have read every one of Raymond Khoury's books, and I have truly enjoyed them all. The most current one, "The Devil's Elixir" is fascinating as it addresses so many different things going on in the scientific world today, in addition to the touching upon pharmaceutical companies trying to develop statin drugs from plants in the Amazon. I found the last few chapters especially fascinating because of the attention the author gave to research into reincarnation, which is not as "out there" as it o...more

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May 15, 2012 Eric rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

Although the cover was deceiving this turned out to be an interesting book. It's not the genre I normally read, but it intrigued me to the end. There was a revelation in the last half of the book that that I really didn't like...and I almost stopped reading because of it...but it turned out the be explained well in the end. In fact I'm really glad the ending turned out the way it did.

**********SPOILERS*************************************

Like I said I was disappointed the cover didn't have more...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Graeme Stokes rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have read ALL of Raymond Khoury's novels and without prejudice i can say he writes in a most enjoyable format. He has reprised his two characters from his earlier Templar novels Sean Reilly and Tess Chaykin. They now find themselves entwined in the murky world of Mexican drug lord El Brujo, a reprised character also. Just as the characters find themselves spiraling toward the inevitable climax (i say this as in unavoidable rather than certain to happen scenario), the story unfold's with a twis...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Joanna (J.F.Penn) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was disappointed in this book, perhaps because of the title and the prologue which suggested that there would be a lot more spiritual/ supernatural aspects. But most of the book doesn't really feature this and the only semi-supernatural aspect comes in at the end. It is more about drug wars and felt quite disjointed to me. Shame as I really enjoyed The Sign and others of Khoury's. Tess Chaykin has morphed into a caregiver in this book which I also found annoying since she was a strong female c...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Bernie Charbonneau rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book

Well this was a bit different. I have read all of Mr. Khoury's novels and have enjoyed them all. I guess, or I wouldn't keep reading him. First, I would like to comment that this is not a Templar novel, has nothing to do with his previous books except for the two returning characters, Sean Reilly, FBI agent and Tess Chaykin, archaeoligist. If you have read the previous novels, then you will be familiar with these two players. Without giving any tells about this novel, it was a good, fast read th...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Tim Busbey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Expectations are a dangerous beast. As a consumer of entertainment, we enter each new "relationship" with a TV show, movie or book with a set of expectations, based on previous experience with a creator or a marketing campaign or word of mouth, or some combination. When expectations meet reality, this is a good thing. But when expectations and reality don't quite seem to mesh, it leaves us as entertainment consumers feeling like we have been short-changed in some way.

For me, "The Devil's Elixir"...more Expectations are a dangerous beast. As a consumer of entertainment, we enter each new "relationship" with a TV show, movie or book with a set of expectations, based on previous experience with a creator or a marketing campaign or word of mouth, or some combination. When expectations meet reality, this is a good thing. But when expectations and reality don't quite seem to mesh, it leaves us as entertainment consumers feeling like we have been short-changed in some way.

For me, "The Devil's Elixir" was a case of unmet expectations. "The Devil's Elixir" is the third book in the series Khoury started in 2005 with "The Last Templar" and continued in 2010 with "The Templar Salvation." Again, the story centers around FBI agent Sean Reilly and his girlfriend, archaeologist Tess Chaykin. The first two books were action/thrillers that combined a modern-day quest with a healthy dose of history, including several chapters interspersed through each book that were set in the past. This time around, Khoury seems to tease at following that same pattern but fails to follow through.

The book opens with three prologues - the first set in 18th century Mexico and the other two in the more recent past. From there, Khoury jumps right into the action. Former DEA agent Michelle Martinez is on the run in California after gunmen burst into her home and kill her boyfriend. She escapes with her 4-year-old son and calls the only person she thinks can help, her ex-boyfriend, Reilly. Reilly immediately jumps on a plane and flies across the country to help protect Michelle and her son from the killers who are still on her tail. Unfortunately, Reilly is unable to protect Michelle from the killers, leaving her son alone with Reilly. To help take care of the boy, Tess also flies across the country

In the course of his investigation, Reilly discovers that the killers are working for a drug lord in search of long-lost information about a drug that produces an experience so amazing that it would instantly change our society and make the drug lord the richest, most powerful man in the world. And for reasons Reilly and Tess must discover, the boy is the key.

The last part of the book contains an odd twist which makes sense in the context of the story, but still seems a little far-fetched and even more outside-the-box than what I would normally expect to find in this genre.

"The Devil's Elixir" was more of a straight-forward action novel without the historical mystery and quest element that made the previous two books in the series fun. As I mentioned at the start, it's quite possible that if this was my first exposure to a Raymond Khoury novel I may have loved it. But I really wasn't expecting a simple action novel involving drug dealers and gangs when I started reading "The Devil's Elixir."

I also was a little put off by Khoury's decision this time to write in the first person for Reilly. The previous two books had been written in the third person, and while I applaud Khoury for stretching his literary legs and trying something new, it just didn't work for me. Action stories seem to work better in the third person without all the "I"s and "we"s.

I really wanted to like this book, since I had liked his previous works, and on some level, I did enjoy parts of the story. But as a whole, it just felt like a hodge-podge of ideas thrown together in a way that didn't quite work.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I gave "The Devil's Elixir" a 3.
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Jan 12, 2012 Terry Parrish rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Terry by: Won it from Dutton

I won an ARC of this book. Having never read any books by Mr. Khoury, I can say this, I will be reading his other works. WOW, what a read. Kept me on the edge of my seat. So much action it was almost hard to keep up. Loved all the characters, even the evil ones. Would'nt have been good without them. The story line was interesting in itself. Made you think about it. If his other books are as good as this one, then I will definitely enjoy them. Won't discuss story line because if you have read his...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Henrietta H rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I picked up this book, at Walmart of all places, I did not know it was a part of a series. Reading the book I also could not directly tell it was part of a series, which automatically gives it a thumb's up from me!

The action was fast-paced and the styling of the novel was "different" in a good way and kept me highly entertained throughout.

The characters of Reilly and Tess were very realistic in relationship and there is nothing like a-good-woman-standing-by-her-man story, especially when...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: raymond-khoury

This book by Khoury gets away from the Templars and finds Sean O’Reilly haunted by a specter from his past. His Ex-girlfriend calls out of the blue and says that people tried to kill her and her son and are hunting them and by the way my son is your son as well. O’Reilly is forced to go back into something he thought he left behind dealing with a ruthless Mexican drug lord and an incident he would rather forget. Non stop action with Reilly, Tess and his young son hunted at every turn. Can the fi...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, audiobook

I didn’t realize that The Devil’s Elixir was book three in the Templar series, probably because it didn’t have ‘templar’ in the title like the previous two books. The only connection it seems to have to the first two are the same main characters, FBI agent Sean Reilly and his girlfriend Tess Chaykin. It is not necessary to have read the first two books to enjoy this novel. It works well as a stand alone. The author sets the stage and gives us the necessary background information.

The story opens...more I didn’t realize that The Devil’s Elixir was book three in the Templar series, probably because it didn’t have ‘templar’ in the title like the previous two books. The only connection it seems to have to the first two are the same main characters, FBI agent Sean Reilly and his girlfriend Tess Chaykin. It is not necessary to have read the first two books to enjoy this novel. It works well as a stand alone. The author sets the stage and gives us the necessary background information.

The story opens with a few brief vignettes, one in 1700s Mexico, and the second, a drug bust Sean was a part of 5 years ago. Eventually we will understand the connection to these events. Fast forward to the present and Sean had just received a phone call from an old girlfriend. Someone has broken into her home. She escaped with her young son but knows they are still after her and she doesn’t know why. Events quickly escalate and we encounter drug dealers, nasty bad guys and some violence.

Although I read a fair amount of crime novels and had heard of the previous Templer books, this was the first book I’ve read by Raymond Khoury. What I found was an entertaining, action-packed thriller with complex interesting characters. It was fast-paced with a lot of plot twists, including one towards the end of the story that I didn’t see coming. Always more enjoyable when I am unable to accurately predict the outcome.

Richard Ferrone demonstrates what a versatile narrator he is. He does a great job with the voice of Sean Reilly. I had no trouble imagining him as a hardened FBI Agent who thought he’d seen it all. His voices for the other characters were distinct and the female and child characters were very good. (That is one of my annoyances in audio, when the narrator cannot vocalize a believable version of the opposite sex.)

Fans of crime fiction will enjoy this one and anyone new to the genre or the author will find this is a good place to jump in with a likeable main character and exciting plot. (less)

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Jul 26, 2012 Denise rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 18, 2012 Laura Ashlee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, audiobooks, adult, thriller, series-lovers, fiction, crime

http://owltellyouaboutit.com/2012/03/04/the-devils-elixir/

What a book to break me into a new genre. Okay, I admit I've read a few crime thrillers, but it was always because they were getting amazing buzz and sometimes I can't walk away from that. It was also before I got launched headfirst into the YA genre and the blogging world. This is the first time a crime thriller has made me say, "I might really love this genre."

I barely know where to start. I guess there's nothing too remarkable about t...more http://owltellyouaboutit.com/2012/03/04/the-devils-elixir/

What a book to break me into a new genre. Okay, I admit I've read a few crime thrillers, but it was always because they were getting amazing buzz and sometimes I can't walk away from that. It was also before I got launched headfirst into the YA genre and the blogging world. This is the first time a crime thriller has made me say, "I might really love this genre."

I barely know where to start. I guess there's nothing too remarkable about this book, aside from the fact that it's my first real foray into crime thrillers. For that reason, I'm floored and this book will always remain a favorite. Also, I MUST read the rest of his books. Actually, I think I'll listen to them because I found I enjoyed the narrator once I got into the book. More on that later. For now, let me give you the top three reasons this audio book was awesome: thrilling plot, likable characters, and a great narrator.

Maybe I'm just a rookie in the whole suspense thriller genre, but I totally did not see some of that coming. I mean, I figured out some of it, but not the big revelations at the end. It's kind of funny actually, because I don't think it was that difficult to work out. I just wasn't getting it. Either way, I loved the plot twists and the way the story progressed kept me hooked. I was already telling other people about it before I finished.

Admitedly, I was not into this when it began. There's a little epilogue about this old monk or something who discovers this drug and I was beyond confused. I just needed to get into the groove. I was also wary of the narrator because his voice didn't seem like a good fit. Enter Sean Riley. Now, this guy is why they chose this narrator. He was the perfect voice for Sean. I couldn't have asked for anything better. He has a scratchy, low voice that works perfectly for cop or FBI characters. He even did some nice voices for some of the other characters. There was a very good distinction between the male voices and the female and child voices. That is a must for a narrator in my book. So bravo to Richard Ferrone!

Seriously though, Sean Riley was awesome. I loved him immediately and I'm eager to read the previous books he's in. I liked Tess too, but Sean was the one I was really interested in. I guess that's good since he's the main character. Some of the other characters are a little more complex. I thought I knew them: that they're pitiful or a little crazy, or totally evil. As the story progressed and I saw how they fit into the puzzle of the plot, it became harder to throw them into love or hate categories. Well, not all of them. There are defintiely some hatable characters.

Bottom line: if you're into crime thrillers, this is great one. If you're not into them, maybe you should pick this one up and try it out. It's certainly got me interested in the genre.

This book was provided by the publisher for review. I did not receive any payment in exchange for the review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. (less)

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Jan 11, 2012 Robin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: archaeological-mystery, kindle, thriller

I'm a big fan of Khoury and while I respect him for trying to take the series in a new direction (let's face it, the Templars have been beat into the ground), I felt like this third book was not as good as the first two.

I think part of the reason for it is that the other two books were written entirely in third person whereas this one jumps between third and first. It was especially strange because one of the main characters, Sean Reilly, is now written in first person when he was not in the pa...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

While I expected the Templar series and its characters to deal with a Templar storyline, I was surprised and impressed with how Khoury took this away from its normal setting and made an electrifying story about drugs, the afterlife, and experimentation with both. I will not spill anything, but it all clicked into place, eventually.

Khoury has already shown how versatile that he can be with some of his other books, straying from the Templar theme (which was a hot topic for a while there), and yet...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Aaron Lazar rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my first Raymond Khoury book. I found it interesting, but it didn't flow as quickly as I would have thought based on the rave reviews on the inside cover, etc. Some of the characters were great, others didn't move me as much as I'd like. Good action in the last scene, nice twist. I'm not sure I'll read more of his work, it seemed laborious at times and didn't "call my name" like other books I love such as Michael Prescott or John D. MacDonald. But still not a bad story all in all!

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About Raymond Khoury

Raymond moved to Rye, New York, from his native Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war there in 1975. After graduating from Rye Country Day School, he returned to Lebanon to study architecture at the American University of Beirut. During his years there, in between repeated flare-ups of fighting, he illustrated several children's books for Oxford University Press's Middle East office. Raymond co...more

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The Devil's Elixir (Templar #3)

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