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Cotton Malone #1
The Templar Legacy
The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes . . . until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was–and its true nature could change the modern world.
Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind.
It begins with a violent robbery attempt on Cotton’s former supervisor, Stephanie Nelle, who’s far from home on a mission that has nothing to do with national security. Armed with vital clues to a series of centuries-old puzzles scattered across Europe, she means to crack a mystery that has tantalized scholars and fortune-hunters through the ages by finding the legendary cache of wealth and forbidden knowledge thought to have been lost forever when the order of the Knights Templar was exterminated in the fourteenth century. But she’s not alone. Competing for the historic prize–and desperate for the crucial information Stephanie possesses–is Raymond de Roquefort, a shadowy zealot with an army of assassins at his command.
Welcome or not, Cotton seeks to even the odds in the perilous race. But the more he learns about the ancient conspiracy surrounding the Knights Templar, the more he realizes that even more than lives are at stake. At the end of a lethal game of conquest, rife with intrigue, treachery, and craven lust for power, lies a shattering discovery that could rock the civilized world–and, in the wrong hands, bring it to its knees.
From the Hardcover edition.
Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind.
It begins with a violent robbery attempt on Cotton’s former supervisor, Stephanie Nelle, who’s far from home on a mission that has nothing to do with national security. Armed with vital clues to a series of centuries-old puzzles scattered across Europe, she means to crack a mystery that has tantalized scholars and fortune-hunters through the ages by finding the legendary cache of wealth and forbidden knowledge thought to have been lost forever when the order of the Knights Templar was exterminated in the fourteenth century. But she’s not alone. Competing for the historic prize–and desperate for the crucial information Stephanie possesses–is Raymond de Roquefort, a shadowy zealot with an army of assassins at his command.
Welcome or not, Cotton seeks to even the odds in the perilous race. But the more he learns about the ancient conspiracy surrounding the Knights Templar, the more he realizes that even more than lives are at stake. At the end of a lethal game of conquest, rife with intrigue, treachery, and craven lust for power, lies a shattering discovery that could rock the civilized world–and, in the wrong hands, bring it to its knees.
From the Hardcover edition.
Audiobook
First published February 21, 2006
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About the author
Steve Berry
93 books7,553 followersSteve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-two novels, which include: The Last Kingdom , The Omega Factor , The Kaiser's Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, The King's Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy, and The Amber Room. Steve has also co-written a novel with Grant Blackwood, The 9th Man (a Luke Daniels Adventure), and four novellas with M. J. Rose: The End of Forever, The House of Long Ago, The Lake of Learning, and The Museum of Mysteries, all Cassiopeia Vitt tales. His books have been translated into 41 languages with over 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. Somewhere in the world, every thirty seconds, one of his novels is sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,749 reviews
May 21, 2012
The Knights Templars were founded in Jerusalem in 1118 to protect the pilgrims visiting Palestine at the end of the First Crusade of 1096. The full, original name was "The Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple which is in Jerusalem", but the for the sake of this review I will just refer to them as The Templars.
By papal decree only The Templars were allowed to wear the cross patee. The red cross is probably the most famous identifying symbol for the order.
The Templars because of their austere living conditions and their shrewd lending policies became very wealthy and powerful. Philip the IV of France, a man with ambitions that exceeded his pocketbook borrowed large sums of money from The Templars. When the interest payments became inconvenient Phillip the IV began putting pressure on Pope Boniface VIII to disband the order.
WELCHER!!!
To facilitate this end Phillip went so far as to attempt to kidnap the Pope. The Pope survived long enough to excommunicate the king, but then died from wounds received in the attempt. The new Pope decided it was in his best interest to lift the excommunication order, but it was his successor Clement the V who gave Phillip what he wanted.
On Friday the 13th 1307 The Templars are rounded up. They are charged with satanism and unnatural practices. Inquisition tactics are used to illicit confessions. It always amazes me the creativity the human species can bring to bear in finding new and malicious ways to torture another human being. Wouldn't you think you'd find a tried and true method and stick with it? The sick perversion of the amount of time spent thinking about and testing new ways to elicit pain from a helpless individual is beyond my comprehension.
Jacques De Molay is the head of the order, the grand master, when the purges begin. He receives special attention from the inquisition, but once they acquire his confession they continue to inflict pain on him.
He at one point is nailed to a door and then the door is swung back and forth to put the utmost pressure on the bones grating against the nails in his flesh. In 1314 they burn him at the stake and finally his ordeal is over. Templars did survive the purges and they reformed, but kept themselves hidden and out of the public eye. Legend has it that De Molay hid a great treasure before his incarceration and with it an item only referred to as The Great Device.
Steve Berry weaves his story around the rise to prominence of a Grand Master Templar who wishes to restore the order to their place of respect and honor. The hero of the story is Cotton Malone, a retired CIA operative who decided to move to Copenhagen to open a bookstore. His old boss comes to visit him in Copenhagen and before they can even meet Malone finds himself in a desperate chase across Copenhagen. As Malone moves around Europe interpreting clues and in the process thwarting the aims of the Grand Master Templar, the plot unfolds in spectacular fashion. There is blackmail, murder, betrayal, mayhem, secret doors, inventive escapes, and not a single sexual situation or even a hint of romantic entanglement. Steve Berry kept all his characters too busy to even pause for a moment of sexual gratification.
This is a plot driven novel, characterization is actually very weak, and is the main reason why I bumped this down to three stars. I really wanted to know more about Cotton Malone's life in Copenhagen, but before we are able to see "a day in the life of a Copenhagen bookseller" we are blasted into this complicated, elaborate plot that keeps the pages turning. Malone is like MacGyver, Van Damme, and James Bond all rolled into one SUPER AGENT. A misstep is only an opportunity for him to concoct a dazzling display of unequivocally awesomeness. He does receive some good advice from his boss. "Say it, do it, preach it, shout it, but never, absolutely never, believe your own bullshit. I've got a few people I know that I might forward that bit of wisdom to.
I can only hope that with further entries in the series Steve Berry will actually convince me that Cotton Malone has any real interest in the book trade. Further development of Malone and adding more time spent in the book world could place this series at the top of my guilty pleasures list. I thought the plot may have tilted too heavy a nod to Dan Brown, but the primary purpose of a thriller is to be a page turner; a book that takes the reader away from their own mundane existence, and this book fulfills that stipulation admirably.
By papal decree only The Templars were allowed to wear the cross patee. The red cross is probably the most famous identifying symbol for the order.
The Templars because of their austere living conditions and their shrewd lending policies became very wealthy and powerful. Philip the IV of France, a man with ambitions that exceeded his pocketbook borrowed large sums of money from The Templars. When the interest payments became inconvenient Phillip the IV began putting pressure on Pope Boniface VIII to disband the order.
WELCHER!!!
To facilitate this end Phillip went so far as to attempt to kidnap the Pope. The Pope survived long enough to excommunicate the king, but then died from wounds received in the attempt. The new Pope decided it was in his best interest to lift the excommunication order, but it was his successor Clement the V who gave Phillip what he wanted.
On Friday the 13th 1307 The Templars are rounded up. They are charged with satanism and unnatural practices. Inquisition tactics are used to illicit confessions. It always amazes me the creativity the human species can bring to bear in finding new and malicious ways to torture another human being. Wouldn't you think you'd find a tried and true method and stick with it? The sick perversion of the amount of time spent thinking about and testing new ways to elicit pain from a helpless individual is beyond my comprehension.
Jacques De Molay is the head of the order, the grand master, when the purges begin. He receives special attention from the inquisition, but once they acquire his confession they continue to inflict pain on him.
He at one point is nailed to a door and then the door is swung back and forth to put the utmost pressure on the bones grating against the nails in his flesh. In 1314 they burn him at the stake and finally his ordeal is over. Templars did survive the purges and they reformed, but kept themselves hidden and out of the public eye. Legend has it that De Molay hid a great treasure before his incarceration and with it an item only referred to as The Great Device.
Steve Berry weaves his story around the rise to prominence of a Grand Master Templar who wishes to restore the order to their place of respect and honor. The hero of the story is Cotton Malone, a retired CIA operative who decided to move to Copenhagen to open a bookstore. His old boss comes to visit him in Copenhagen and before they can even meet Malone finds himself in a desperate chase across Copenhagen. As Malone moves around Europe interpreting clues and in the process thwarting the aims of the Grand Master Templar, the plot unfolds in spectacular fashion. There is blackmail, murder, betrayal, mayhem, secret doors, inventive escapes, and not a single sexual situation or even a hint of romantic entanglement. Steve Berry kept all his characters too busy to even pause for a moment of sexual gratification.
This is a plot driven novel, characterization is actually very weak, and is the main reason why I bumped this down to three stars. I really wanted to know more about Cotton Malone's life in Copenhagen, but before we are able to see "a day in the life of a Copenhagen bookseller" we are blasted into this complicated, elaborate plot that keeps the pages turning. Malone is like MacGyver, Van Damme, and James Bond all rolled into one SUPER AGENT. A misstep is only an opportunity for him to concoct a dazzling display of unequivocally awesomeness. He does receive some good advice from his boss. "Say it, do it, preach it, shout it, but never, absolutely never, believe your own bullshit. I've got a few people I know that I might forward that bit of wisdom to.
I can only hope that with further entries in the series Steve Berry will actually convince me that Cotton Malone has any real interest in the book trade. Further development of Malone and adding more time spent in the book world could place this series at the top of my guilty pleasures list. I thought the plot may have tilted too heavy a nod to Dan Brown, but the primary purpose of a thriller is to be a page turner; a book that takes the reader away from their own mundane existence, and this book fulfills that stipulation admirably.
July 21, 2008
Steve Berry is the thinking man's Dan Brown. I was immediately impressed after reading The Romanov Prophecy, and The Third Secret. The Templar Legacy does not disappoint. If you enjoyed The DaVinci Code you will appreciate this novel all the more.
Berry mixes a decent understanding of folkore and history in this fast paced quest for the real Templar Treasure." He even takes a decent pot shot at all the conspiratroialists and others who have made fortunes off a well-documented hoax.
The book's idea of "The Great Device," and what it was is based on speculation that has goes back at least 2 or more centuries, and it has nothing to do with Mary Magdelene or the supposed Holy Grail, which was nothing more that Christianized versions of pre-Christian European Myths - the nonsense about san graal meaning royal bloodline not withstanding.
Great Fiction writing!!!!!!
Berry mixes a decent understanding of folkore and history in this fast paced quest for the real Templar Treasure." He even takes a decent pot shot at all the conspiratroialists and others who have made fortunes off a well-documented hoax.
The book's idea of "The Great Device," and what it was is based on speculation that has goes back at least 2 or more centuries, and it has nothing to do with Mary Magdelene or the supposed Holy Grail, which was nothing more that Christianized versions of pre-Christian European Myths - the nonsense about san graal meaning royal bloodline not withstanding.
Great Fiction writing!!!!!!
October 22, 2014
Maybe not quite a 4 star read, it dragged a bit in places & was quite long, but Berry certainly did his historical homework & came up with a great conspiracy. If you're not familiar with some of it, as I wasn't (I looked up more online.) he had a great author's note at the end that covered the main points.
While about religious people, orders, & conspiracies, Berry took a great secular look at it all, but wasn't insensitive to religious folks. He didn't berate the Gospels for their inconsistencies, but did cover many of the points & give a very realistic look at why they are, yet still made a case for religion. Pretty cool & I'm a pretty anti-religious person.
It was certainly a twisty mystery, somewhat overdone. Most of the characters were very well done. I didn't care for Cassiopeia, though. She overdone & wasn't believable at all. Felt tacked on in a lot of ways.
Overall, quite good. I'm not sure how good a sequel will be, but I'll give one a shot some day.
While about religious people, orders, & conspiracies, Berry took a great secular look at it all, but wasn't insensitive to religious folks. He didn't berate the Gospels for their inconsistencies, but did cover many of the points & give a very realistic look at why they are, yet still made a case for religion. Pretty cool & I'm a pretty anti-religious person.
It was certainly a twisty mystery, somewhat overdone. Most of the characters were very well done. I didn't care for Cassiopeia, though. She overdone & wasn't believable at all. Felt tacked on in a lot of ways.
Overall, quite good. I'm not sure how good a sequel will be, but I'll give one a shot some day.
January 25, 2024
Ho hum!
Dan Brown's DA VINCI CODE did it first and, most definitely, did it best! Now the genre is overcrowded with wannabes, copycats and third-rate knock-offs! I'll keep this review short and sweet. If I hadn't read THE DA VINCI CODE several years ago, I might have enjoyed this one to the tune of 3 stars. As it is, I found it tedious, plodding, derivative and little more entertaining than a video game with an endless string of puzzles and undeveloped cardboard characters ... in short, 1 star at best. Since there are probably still a handful of people for whom this might be the first time they've encountered a masons and templars novel, I'll allow it 2 stars.
Not particularly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Dan Brown's DA VINCI CODE did it first and, most definitely, did it best! Now the genre is overcrowded with wannabes, copycats and third-rate knock-offs! I'll keep this review short and sweet. If I hadn't read THE DA VINCI CODE several years ago, I might have enjoyed this one to the tune of 3 stars. As it is, I found it tedious, plodding, derivative and little more entertaining than a video game with an endless string of puzzles and undeveloped cardboard characters ... in short, 1 star at best. Since there are probably still a handful of people for whom this might be the first time they've encountered a masons and templars novel, I'll allow it 2 stars.
Not particularly recommended.
Paul Weiss
September 13, 2014
I suppose this is what might be called a "thriller" however I have hesitated to put it on that shelf. I hesitate because there are very, very few thrills in the book.
I've hit a string of mediocre books lately. These are all books I've been looking forward to but once I got into them they were at best, "yawn-worthy". This one is that way.
We start out on what has become well trodden ground since The Da Vinci Code. Again we're off on an adventure to track down the "real history" of things, in this case the Templars and their legacy (treasure, books, writings, scrolls etc.).
You know you'd think a book that opens with a rare book dealer who's an ex-special ops guy/ex-spook being drawn into an adventure about an ancient order of warriors, being involved early on in shootouts he doesn't understand, charging across the world, searching for treasure in old churches and elsewhere would be a page turner. It's synopsis leads a reader to believe he'll find a thrill ride.
Instead about a quarter of the way into the book the text bogs down into a lot of dry conversations. There's a second point of view where we get another really interesting setup, a fast moving escape and so on. But the story quickly slides back into explanations and so on.
The ending goes about where you think it will. This is the second book by this author I've picked up. I don't want to do a blanket assumption here but neither of the books has been overly burdened by original thinking.
I forged through it, but I can't really recommend it. Too bad.
Their is a question many of you probably want answered. I'll answer it here under a spoiler warning.
I've hit a string of mediocre books lately. These are all books I've been looking forward to but once I got into them they were at best, "yawn-worthy". This one is that way.
We start out on what has become well trodden ground since The Da Vinci Code. Again we're off on an adventure to track down the "real history" of things, in this case the Templars and their legacy (treasure, books, writings, scrolls etc.).
You know you'd think a book that opens with a rare book dealer who's an ex-special ops guy/ex-spook being drawn into an adventure about an ancient order of warriors, being involved early on in shootouts he doesn't understand, charging across the world, searching for treasure in old churches and elsewhere would be a page turner. It's synopsis leads a reader to believe he'll find a thrill ride.
Instead about a quarter of the way into the book the text bogs down into a lot of dry conversations. There's a second point of view where we get another really interesting setup, a fast moving escape and so on. But the story quickly slides back into explanations and so on.
The ending goes about where you think it will. This is the second book by this author I've picked up. I don't want to do a blanket assumption here but neither of the books has been overly burdened by original thinking.
I forged through it, but I can't really recommend it. Too bad.
Their is a question many of you probably want answered. I'll answer it here under a spoiler warning.
January 2, 2017
So fascinated by the amount of research that went into this. Really cool book, and I'm excited to follow Cotton on more adventures!
November 14, 2023
3,5 pentru teoria de la finalul romanului. Legende și adevăruri despre templieri sunt multe, dar întotdeauna e o plăcere să citești despre acestea. E o plăcere să citești o carte pentru care s-a depus multă muncă de cercetare.
October 15, 2007
once again i'm longing for half stars (2 vs. 3). i'm settling on this just being ok/2 stars, though, because:
- the dialogue is not afraid to spell things out. as in, explaining the obvious, in a predictable, simplistic manner
- the actual storyline meanders a little too much, at least for my taste in historical thrillers. i'd like these books to be, i don't know, thrilling.
- there were a couple of spelling/grammar errors. true, it could happen to anyone. true, it's an enormous pet peeve of mine in general. but in a professionally published book, it smacks to me of sloppiness and often reflects on the overall quality of the book.
- the 'big religious discovery' in this book, while interesting, was extremely disappointing in its resolution.
complaints aside, it really was ok. it was fun to explore some slightly new historical territory (at least for me). i ended up watching a documentary about the templars while i was reading this book and found the two in relative harmony, which was nice.
so there you go. 2 stars. =)
- the dialogue is not afraid to spell things out. as in, explaining the obvious, in a predictable, simplistic manner
- the actual storyline meanders a little too much, at least for my taste in historical thrillers. i'd like these books to be, i don't know, thrilling.
- there were a couple of spelling/grammar errors. true, it could happen to anyone. true, it's an enormous pet peeve of mine in general. but in a professionally published book, it smacks to me of sloppiness and often reflects on the overall quality of the book.
- the 'big religious discovery' in this book, while interesting, was extremely disappointing in its resolution.
complaints aside, it really was ok. it was fun to explore some slightly new historical territory (at least for me). i ended up watching a documentary about the templars while i was reading this book and found the two in relative harmony, which was nice.
so there you go. 2 stars. =)
April 20, 2015
The Templar Legacy
1 Star
This is my third attempt at reading this book and its time to call it quits.
The main character is interesting enough and the plot has potential, but it moves along at a snails pace with excessive descriptions of the scenery (villages, buildings, forests, gardens, etc.) and the innermost thoughts of each and every character most of whom I couldn't care less about.
Enough is enough!
1 Star
This is my third attempt at reading this book and its time to call it quits.
The main character is interesting enough and the plot has potential, but it moves along at a snails pace with excessive descriptions of the scenery (villages, buildings, forests, gardens, etc.) and the innermost thoughts of each and every character most of whom I couldn't care less about.
Enough is enough!
July 17, 2017
What can I say I just really like these kinds of books with thriller/action-adventure based on history and historical landmarks. This is about an American, Cotton Malone (which I’m not too thrilled with that name, lol!), who is now a bookseller in Denmark after retiring as a US Operative. He’s trying to live the quiet life when he finds himself embroiled in a quest (with his former boss) that involves the Knights Templar and looking for “The Great Devise”.
Yes this type of storyline and pace is reminiscent of The DaVinci Code but again, I really like these kinds of books. One part of the story is disputing the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and the thought-provoking line:
“It has served us well, this myth of Christ” – Pope Leo X.
I, myself, was brought up Catholic so the thing about these types of stories is that you have to go into it with an open mind. Obviously the author does his research and a lot of the book is based on historical references. But you also have to realize that a lot is fiction…….embellished. There’s nothing wrong with that since the book is……...fiction. I’ve seen way too many reviews on stories like these where people complain that it’s wrong, there’s no basis for it, no proof. Whatever. It’s fun. It takes you all over the world. Leave it at that.
That being said, I liked it, thought it was fun and I’m going to continue on with Cotton and his adventures. :)
Yes this type of storyline and pace is reminiscent of The DaVinci Code but again, I really like these kinds of books. One part of the story is disputing the belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and the thought-provoking line:
“It has served us well, this myth of Christ” – Pope Leo X.
I, myself, was brought up Catholic so the thing about these types of stories is that you have to go into it with an open mind. Obviously the author does his research and a lot of the book is based on historical references. But you also have to realize that a lot is fiction…….embellished. There’s nothing wrong with that since the book is……...fiction. I’ve seen way too many reviews on stories like these where people complain that it’s wrong, there’s no basis for it, no proof. Whatever. It’s fun. It takes you all over the world. Leave it at that.
That being said, I liked it, thought it was fun and I’m going to continue on with Cotton and his adventures. :)
June 23, 2019
"Say it, preach it, shout it, but never, absolutely never, believe your own bullshit!"
Templar Legacy, the first book of the Cotton Malone series, had such potential.....
Our hero, Cotton, a special ops kind of guy, must come to the rescue of his former boss from the Justice Dept who seems to be in over her head. Before committing suicide, her husband had left notes on how to decipher an antique codex, the purpose of which is unclear. However, she discovers she's not the only one participating in this treasure hunt, and the other folks like to play with guns. The story drifts back in time and we learn that the treasure has something to do with the vast financial resources of the ancient Templar Knights. This treasure is not just a matter of wealth, but also it's a powerful secret, and one that some folks will stop at nothing to protect.
If you're thinking the story sounds a bit like Da Vinci Code, you'd be correct. I'm cool with that. I liked Da Vinci Code. Ok, yes (like Da Vinci Code) Templar Legacy grates against my religious sensitivities, but it's a "fiction" book so who cares. Get over it. But what I really didn't like is how the author takes an otherwise great storyline and over complicates it to the point where reading becomes tedious. I'm not into having to take notes while I'm reading an action novel, so that I can keep track of all the side stories.
My little annoyances subsided toward the end of the book when the action began to pick up. And I've enjoyed some of other books in the series, so hopefully this just wasn't one of Mr. Berry's best.
Templar Legacy, the first book of the Cotton Malone series, had such potential.....
Our hero, Cotton, a special ops kind of guy, must come to the rescue of his former boss from the Justice Dept who seems to be in over her head. Before committing suicide, her husband had left notes on how to decipher an antique codex, the purpose of which is unclear. However, she discovers she's not the only one participating in this treasure hunt, and the other folks like to play with guns. The story drifts back in time and we learn that the treasure has something to do with the vast financial resources of the ancient Templar Knights. This treasure is not just a matter of wealth, but also it's a powerful secret, and one that some folks will stop at nothing to protect.
If you're thinking the story sounds a bit like Da Vinci Code, you'd be correct. I'm cool with that. I liked Da Vinci Code. Ok, yes (like Da Vinci Code) Templar Legacy grates against my religious sensitivities, but it's a "fiction" book so who cares. Get over it. But what I really didn't like is how the author takes an otherwise great storyline and over complicates it to the point where reading becomes tedious. I'm not into having to take notes while I'm reading an action novel, so that I can keep track of all the side stories.
My little annoyances subsided toward the end of the book when the action began to pick up. And I've enjoyed some of other books in the series, so hopefully this just wasn't one of Mr. Berry's best.
October 7, 2011
Total load of garbage from the beginning of the book until the end. This book was not even worth the paper it was written on.
February 29, 2008
I enjoyed this tale; I have just recently 'discovered' Berry (I read "The Third Secret" in August), but the mister has been enjoying him for some time now..
In a sort of Cliff Janeway–meets–The DaVinci Code story (although, much better told, in my opinion), we follow “Cotton” Malone, one-time federal agent with an eidetic memory and now a Copenhagen-based bookseller, as he becomes unwittingly involved in a search for the Great Devise, an ancient Templar archive that supposedly disproves the Resurrection and demolishes traditional Christian dogma. Also searching is a host of supporting characters including Stephanie Nell, Malone’s former supervisor; Mark Nell, the son-turned-Templar thought dead in an avalanche; Thorvalsen, the wealthy Dane supporting Malone; Cassiopeia Vitt, the wealthy mystery woman of Islam; Raymond de Roquefort, the fanatic Templar wanting to restore the Order to old glory; the old Master of the Templars and Geoffrey, his servant, aspiring to the Holy Order by doing his master’s will.
I enjoyed the story. Mystery, historical information, plenty of twist and turns, all added up to an entertaining read. And, unlike many of the Amazon reviewers, I found Cotton Malone to be an interesting, likable guy, and I intend to look for “The Alexandria Link” to find out more about him, and perhaps gain the answer to the origin of his name. If, like me, you are a closet conspiracy theorist and aren’t easily offended by writers who try to interpret religious ‘what if ?’s, I recommend giving this one a read
In a sort of Cliff Janeway–meets–The DaVinci Code story (although, much better told, in my opinion), we follow “Cotton” Malone, one-time federal agent with an eidetic memory and now a Copenhagen-based bookseller, as he becomes unwittingly involved in a search for the Great Devise, an ancient Templar archive that supposedly disproves the Resurrection and demolishes traditional Christian dogma. Also searching is a host of supporting characters including Stephanie Nell, Malone’s former supervisor; Mark Nell, the son-turned-Templar thought dead in an avalanche; Thorvalsen, the wealthy Dane supporting Malone; Cassiopeia Vitt, the wealthy mystery woman of Islam; Raymond de Roquefort, the fanatic Templar wanting to restore the Order to old glory; the old Master of the Templars and Geoffrey, his servant, aspiring to the Holy Order by doing his master’s will.
I enjoyed the story. Mystery, historical information, plenty of twist and turns, all added up to an entertaining read. And, unlike many of the Amazon reviewers, I found Cotton Malone to be an interesting, likable guy, and I intend to look for “The Alexandria Link” to find out more about him, and perhaps gain the answer to the origin of his name. If, like me, you are a closet conspiracy theorist and aren’t easily offended by writers who try to interpret religious ‘what if ?’s, I recommend giving this one a read
November 15, 2017
This is the first book of the Cotton Malone series, and thus far, the best one I have read. I'm sure my fascination with the history of Knights Templar was a weighing factor in my rating of the book. Nevertheless, Steve Berry has done a good job in mixing history with an interesting story line. The story was quick paced with full of action. The employment of diverse characters made it all the more interesting. I liked most of them, especially the Seneschal, Mark Nelly. But Cotton Malone was another story. His lack of authority and inaction made me irritable at times. I wonder what Mr. Berry was thinking in using such a lousy character as his lead. I'm only too glad that his character didn't diminish my interest in the book.
March 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book but it did require paying attention at a higher level to not miss important threads to the tale and people involved. I like the final ending and how it was handled. It’s always a little unnerving to think everything you think you know might be a manipulation by a group of people many, many years ago. But I always like a good yarn.
October 31, 2025
رحلة ضخمة تأخذك من الدنمارك لجنوب فرنسا في محاولة فك أسرار من التاريخ
فرسان الهيكل وسر وصولهم لمكانة -وثراء- مذهلين في وقت قصير في بداية القرن الثاني عشر
ثم سر ملاحقتهم والقضاء عليهم من قِبل ملك فرنسا فيليب الرابع والسر الذي لم يستطع الحصول عليه في القرن الرابع عشر
ثم سر الأب بيرينجر سونيير الذي يقال أنه عثر علي كنز مخفي منذ قرون أثناء ترميمه لكنيسة مريم الجدلية في جنوب فرنسا في القرن التاسع عشر
ثم هناك الأناجيل الأربعة والاختلافات بينهم.. بالأخص عن صلب وقيامة السيد المسيح في القرن الميلادي الأول.. ولكن لماذا تتطرق القصة هنا لهذا؟
علي خطي دان براون يسير ستيف بيري بخطيٍ أقل أحترافية ولكن بكثير من الأثارة للجدل
فيقدم هنا قصة مثيرة معتمدة علي بعض الحقائق والأسرار الحقيقية ولكن اضاف لها الكثير من المعلومات الخيالية والتكهنات التي جعلت -من وجهة نظري- قيمة الرواية المعلوماتية أقل بكثير من روايات دان براون
ولكن لنتعرف باختصار ودون حرق بعضا عن قصة الرواية قبل استكمال المقارنة
******* القصة *******
—————————
تبدأ رحلتك في كوبنهاجن ، الدنمارك في ساحة هويبرو
Højbro Plads
حيث تجلس مع "مالون كوتون" ، بائع الكتب، في كافية بتلك الساحة المكتظة بالزوار والسياح، منتظراً "ستيفاني نيلي" رئيسته السابقة عندما كان يعمل لدي وزارة العدل الأمريكية
وفجأة يبدأ ال"أكشن" ، يختطف شخص غامض حقيبتها وبعد كثير من المطاردات والغموض نكتشف أن "ستيفاني" في كوبنهاجن للبحث عن كتاب نادر عثرت علي اسمه في دفتر ملاحظات زوجها الراحل، مؤلف كتب نظريات مؤامرة، والذي مات منتحرا بعد أن أمضي عمره يبحث وراء "سر فرسان الهيكل" ولسبب ما قررت ستيفاني بعد وفاته بأعوام استكمال هذا البحث
نتجه بعدها الي جنوب فرنسا وبالأخص بلدة "رين لو شاتو" الشهيرة بأنها تحمل في أحشائها سر أسرار فرسان الهيكل
Rennes-le-Château
حيث عاش بها الأب سونيير كاهنًا لكنيسة متهالكة في اواخر القرن التاسع عشر. وتزعم بعض القصص حوله والتي انتشرت بعد عقود، أنه اكتشف أثناء أعمال الترميم مخطوطات تحتوي على سر غامض أو خريطة لكنز مخفي. بعد هذا الاكتشاف، بدأ سونيير بإنفاق مبالغ طائلة، فاقت بكثير إمكانيات الكنيسة، لترميم الكنيسة بالكامل والمعروفة بأسم كنيسة مريم المجدلية
ومن طرف أخر هناك "ريموند دي روكفور،" وهو أحد أعضاء جماعة فرسان الهيكل والتي مازالت تعمل ولكن في الخفاء...في الظلال ، يستغل "دي ريكفور" موت الكاهن الرئيس لتلك المنظمة ليقود أفراد خطيرة من الجماعة لا تتورع عن القتل ليسابق الزمن و"ستيفاني" و"مالون" ويعرف الأسرار التي كان يبحث عنها المؤلف نيلي قبل وفاته والموجودة بالمذكرات التي تحملها زوجته "ستيفاني" ... والتي تحاول ايضا كشف سر ألهب خيال كل المهتمين بالتاريخ
سر فرسان الهيكل
كما أعتاد دان براون في وصف المعالم الأثرية والفنية والتاريخية وحتي الشوارع والأماكن التي يزورها روبرت لانجدون، بطل رواياته، حول العالم ، يحاول هنا ستيف بيري مجاراته في الأمر ولكن للأسف جاء الأمر في أغلب الأحيان مطول بشكل غير ضروري... أقحام كثير من المعلومات حول الأماكن الحقيقية ولكنها لا تخدم كلها بالضرورة أحداث اللغز بعكس الحال في روايات دان براون
ربما يشفع له أنها روايته الثانية فحسب والصادرة في 2006 ، -روايته الأولي صدرت في 2003 نفس عام صدور شفرة دافنشي ، وقد أشاد بها دان براون نفسه وقتها
ولكن تظل مشكلة أخري قائمة وهي أن هناك أيضا وصف بعض الأماكن غير الحقيقية بشكل مفصل أيضا ، مثلا مقر فرسان الهيكل الحالي وبعض الكنائس التي تدور بها الأحداث المتخيلة .. فلا يوجد مثل تلك المنظمة في الوقت الحالي والتي تحتل مساحة كبيرة ومهمة طوال أحداث الكتاب
وهذا هو الفارق الأهم بين روايات دان براون وتلك الرواية
في روايات دان براون دوما يبدأ الكتاب بمعلومة أن كل الأماكن والمنظمات والجماعات والعقائد بالرواية حقيقية... هو فقط يضيف بعض التكهنات وشكل مختلف لقراءة لغز بين سطور التاريخ
ولكن هنا أستخدام الخيال كان أكثر في هذه الحالة مما جعل الكشف النهائي حول سر فرسان الهيكل وحتي موضوع قيامة السيد المسيح يبدو غير مرضيا علي الاقل بالنسبة لي ... بل يبدو وكأن الكشف النهائي مرتبط بالجملة في أول الرواية
"لقد أفادتنا كثيرا...أسطورة المسيح تلك"
في ملاحظات الكاتب في النهاية اضطر بالطبع توضيح أي اجزاء الرواية حقيقي وايها خيالي وهذا امرا جيدا ويشفع له بالنسبة لي
هناك الكثير من المعلومات حول الغنوصية والأناجيل المختلفة التي عثر عليها في مصر "منها انجيل برنابا والذي قرأت عنه في كتاب لأحمد بهجت" ولكن القصة اتخذت شكلا مختلف بالنهاية
-من الجيد ان الرواية مازالت من وجهة نظري ليست بوقاحة "عزازيل" يوسف زيدان والتي صدرت بعد تلك الرواية بعامين بعد ان شعر مؤلفها انه من السهل ان يقدم افكاره بهذا الشكل بحجة أن هناك روايات عالمية تحدثت عن الأمر-
تقييمي النهائي للرواية ثلاث نجوم ونصف... ولكن لأن الجودريدز لا يعترف بالأنصاف..أحترت التقييم بثلاث ام اربع نجوم
الرواية مثيرة وجيدة رغم العيوب السابق ذكرها بالمقارنة بمثيلتها -روايات دان براون والمفضلة لي- ولكن اعتقد ما جعلني استقر علي اثلاث نجوم هو مشكلة الشخصيات
******* الشخصيات *******
———————————
"كوتون مالون"
بعد تقاعده المبكر من قسم خاص بعمليات خطرة تابع لوزارة العدل الأمريكية وعيشه في الدنمارك حيث يعمل كبائع كتب أثرية في أكثر المدن تقديرا لتلك المهنة العريقة ، كوبنهاجن، يجد نفسه بسبب تلك المقابلة غير المتوقعة بأول الرواية عائدا للمهمات الخطرة التي ظن أنه سيعيش حياة هادئة بعيدا عنها
مشكلتي مع المؤلف هو أن كلا من شخصية مالون وستيفاني ، مديرته السابقة، تم تقديمها بشكل مكثف ومفصل بنفس الوقت في الفصول الأولي من الرواية بشكل تقريري جدا وجاف ، فأغلب المعلومات نعرفها عن طريق المعلومات التي جمعها "دي ريكفور" عنهما
لم أشعر بالألفة مع الشخصيات الرئيسية ، مالون وستيفاني... شعرت بشئ من انها احادية الأبعاد رغم محاولات المؤلف اللاحقة في تطوير شخصياتهم
"ريموند دي روكفور"
أحد اعضاء فرسان الهيكل في العصر الحالي والذي يطارد شخصيات الرواية الرئيسية بكل شر... شعرت أن دوافعه ايضا احادية جدا تذكرني مثلا ب"جريندلوالد" في سلسلة هاري بوتر...ذلك الذي يريد ان يخرج جماعته من الخفاء للعلن بدون سبب سليم سوي اثارة المتاعب والمشاكل بعد ذلك
أيضا هناك شخصية أخري لا أود حرق الأحداث لذا سنكتفي بالأشارة له ك"مساعد الكاهن الرئيس لفرسان الهيكل" المفترض ان الصراع الذي تواجهة عميق ولكن هناك ايضا شئ من احادية الأبعاد في شخصيته رغم انه يتغلب عليه في النهاية
ولا أنكر ان الجزء الخاص به كان مثيرا بسبب وجود شخصية مساعده
"جوفيري"
والتي أعتقد ان المؤلف نجح جدا في تقديم رسم شخصيته المتفانية في خدمة فرسان الهيكل بشكل ممتاز وتعرضت شخصيته لمفاجأت قوية
ومن الشخصيات التي أنتظر منها المزيد في الأجزاء القادمة "كفيل" كوتون في الدنمارك ، الثري
"هينريك ثورفالدسن"
وأيضا شخصية السيدة المسلمة القوية
"كاسيوبيا فيت"
وكان دورهما في الرواية ليس كبيرا ولكن مهما جدا في سير الأحداث وأعتقد أننا سنتعرف عليهم أكثر في روايات لاحقة
******* النهاية *******
———————————
هي رحلة غريبة ومثيرة رغم أي عيوب ذكرتها لا تزال رحلة تستحق ان تجربها
وبأكثر من 16 رواية أخري ل"كوتون مالون" منذ وقت تلك الرواية في 2006 حتي الأن، يبدو أن السيد ستيف بيري يعرف ما يفعله جيدا
لذلك لا مانع من قراءة بعض الخيال ممتزجا ببعض الحقائق والغاز اخري من التاريخ
وكلها تقريبا تدور حول الغاز تاريخية مختلفة
والمحطة القادمة مع كوتون ستكون في الأسكندرية.... وهذه الرواية انتظرت قراءتها طويلا بحق
محمد العربي
من 20 اغسطس 2025
الي 28 أغسطس 2025
فرسان الهيكل وسر وصولهم لمكانة -وثراء- مذهلين في وقت قصير في بداية القرن الثاني عشر
ثم سر ملاحقتهم والقضاء عليهم من قِبل ملك فرنسا فيليب الرابع والسر الذي لم يستطع الحصول عليه في القرن الرابع عشر
ثم سر الأب بيرينجر سونيير الذي يقال أنه عثر علي كنز مخفي منذ قرون أثناء ترميمه لكنيسة مريم الجدلية في جنوب فرنسا في القرن التاسع عشر
ثم هناك الأناجيل الأربعة والاختلافات بينهم.. بالأخص عن صلب وقيامة السيد المسيح في القرن الميلادي الأول.. ولكن لماذا تتطرق القصة هنا لهذا؟
علي خطي دان براون يسير ستيف بيري بخطيٍ أقل أحترافية ولكن بكثير من الأثارة للجدل
فيقدم هنا قصة مثيرة معتمدة علي بعض الحقائق والأسرار الحقيقية ولكن اضاف لها الكثير من المعلومات الخيالية والتكهنات التي جعلت -من وجهة نظري- قيمة الرواية المعلوماتية أقل بكثير من روايات دان براون
ولكن لنتعرف باختصار ودون حرق بعضا عن قصة الرواية قبل استكمال المقارنة
******* القصة *******
—————————
تبدأ رحلتك في كوبنهاجن ، الدنمارك في ساحة هويبرو
Højbro Plads
حيث تجلس مع "مالون كوتون" ، بائع الكتب، في كافية بتلك الساحة المكتظة بالزوار والسياح، منتظراً "ستيفاني نيلي" رئيسته السابقة عندما كان يعمل لدي وزارة العدل الأمريكية
وفجأة يبدأ ال"أكشن" ، يختطف شخص غامض حقيبتها وبعد كثير من المطاردات والغموض نكتشف أن "ستيفاني" في كوبنهاجن للبحث عن كتاب نادر عثرت علي اسمه في دفتر ملاحظات زوجها الراحل، مؤلف كتب نظريات مؤامرة، والذي مات منتحرا بعد أن أمضي عمره يبحث وراء "سر فرسان الهيكل" ولسبب ما قررت ستيفاني بعد وفاته بأعوام استكمال هذا البحث
نتجه بعدها الي جنوب فرنسا وبالأخص بلدة "رين لو شاتو" الشهيرة بأنها تحمل في أحشائها سر أسرار فرسان الهيكل
Rennes-le-Château
حيث عاش بها الأب سونيير كاهنًا لكنيسة متهالكة في اواخر القرن التاسع عشر. وتزعم بعض القصص حوله والتي انتشرت بعد عقود، أنه اكتشف أثناء أعمال الترميم مخطوطات تحتوي على سر غامض أو خريطة لكنز مخفي. بعد هذا الاكتشاف، بدأ سونيير بإنفاق مبالغ طائلة، فاقت بكثير إمكانيات الكنيسة، لترميم الكنيسة بالكامل والمعروفة بأسم كنيسة مريم المجدلية
ومن طرف أخر هناك "ريموند دي روكفور،" وهو أحد أعضاء جماعة فرسان الهيكل والتي مازالت تعمل ولكن في الخفاء...في الظلال ، يستغل "دي ريكفور" موت الكاهن الرئيس لتلك المنظمة ليقود أفراد خطيرة من الجماعة لا تتورع عن القتل ليسابق الزمن و"ستيفاني" و"مالون" ويعرف الأسرار التي كان يبحث عنها المؤلف نيلي قبل وفاته والموجودة بالمذكرات التي تحملها زوجته "ستيفاني" ... والتي تحاول ايضا كشف سر ألهب خيال كل المهتمين بالتاريخ
سر فرسان الهيكل
كما أعتاد دان براون في وصف المعالم الأثرية والفنية والتاريخية وحتي الشوارع والأماكن التي يزورها روبرت لانجدون، بطل رواياته، حول العالم ، يحاول هنا ستيف بيري مجاراته في الأمر ولكن للأسف جاء الأمر في أغلب الأحيان مطول بشكل غير ضروري... أقحام كثير من المعلومات حول الأماكن الحقيقية ولكنها لا تخدم كلها بالضرورة أحداث اللغز بعكس الحال في روايات دان براون
ربما يشفع له أنها روايته الثانية فحسب والصادرة في 2006 ، -روايته الأولي صدرت في 2003 نفس عام صدور شفرة دافنشي ، وقد أشاد بها دان براون نفسه وقتها
ولكن تظل مشكلة أخري قائمة وهي أن هناك أيضا وصف بعض الأماكن غير الحقيقية بشكل مفصل أيضا ، مثلا مقر فرسان الهيكل الحالي وبعض الكنائس التي تدور بها الأحداث المتخيلة .. فلا يوجد مثل تلك المنظمة في الوقت الحالي والتي تحتل مساحة كبيرة ومهمة طوال أحداث الكتاب
وهذا هو الفارق الأهم بين روايات دان براون وتلك الرواية
في روايات دان براون دوما يبدأ الكتاب بمعلومة أن كل الأماكن والمنظمات والجماعات والعقائد بالرواية حقيقية... هو فقط يضيف بعض التكهنات وشكل مختلف لقراءة لغز بين سطور التاريخ
ولكن هنا أستخدام الخيال كان أكثر في هذه الحالة مما جعل الكشف النهائي حول سر فرسان الهيكل وحتي موضوع قيامة السيد المسيح يبدو غير مرضيا علي الاقل بالنسبة لي ... بل يبدو وكأن الكشف النهائي مرتبط بالجملة في أول الرواية
"لقد أفادتنا كثيرا...أسطورة المسيح تلك"
في ملاحظات الكاتب في النهاية اضطر بالطبع توضيح أي اجزاء الرواية حقيقي وايها خيالي وهذا امرا جيدا ويشفع له بالنسبة لي
هناك الكثير من المعلومات حول الغنوصية والأناجيل المختلفة التي عثر عليها في مصر "منها انجيل برنابا والذي قرأت عنه في كتاب لأحمد بهجت" ولكن القصة اتخذت شكلا مختلف بالنهاية
-من الجيد ان الرواية مازالت من وجهة نظري ليست بوقاحة "عزازيل" يوسف زيدان والتي صدرت بعد تلك الرواية بعامين بعد ان شعر مؤلفها انه من السهل ان يقدم افكاره بهذا الشكل بحجة أن هناك روايات عالمية تحدثت عن الأمر-
تقييمي النهائي للرواية ثلاث نجوم ونصف... ولكن لأن الجودريدز لا يعترف بالأنصاف..أحترت التقييم بثلاث ام اربع نجوم
الرواية مثيرة وجيدة رغم العيوب السابق ذكرها بالمقارنة بمثيلتها -روايات دان براون والمفضلة لي- ولكن اعتقد ما جعلني استقر علي اثلاث نجوم هو مشكلة الشخصيات
******* الشخصيات *******
———————————
"كوتون مالون"
بعد تقاعده المبكر من قسم خاص بعمليات خطرة تابع لوزارة العدل الأمريكية وعيشه في الدنمارك حيث يعمل كبائع كتب أثرية في أكثر المدن تقديرا لتلك المهنة العريقة ، كوبنهاجن، يجد نفسه بسبب تلك المقابلة غير المتوقعة بأول الرواية عائدا للمهمات الخطرة التي ظن أنه سيعيش حياة هادئة بعيدا عنها
مشكلتي مع المؤلف هو أن كلا من شخصية مالون وستيفاني ، مديرته السابقة، تم تقديمها بشكل مكثف ومفصل بنفس الوقت في الفصول الأولي من الرواية بشكل تقريري جدا وجاف ، فأغلب المعلومات نعرفها عن طريق المعلومات التي جمعها "دي ريكفور" عنهما
لم أشعر بالألفة مع الشخصيات الرئيسية ، مالون وستيفاني... شعرت بشئ من انها احادية الأبعاد رغم محاولات المؤلف اللاحقة في تطوير شخصياتهم
"ريموند دي روكفور"
أحد اعضاء فرسان الهيكل في العصر الحالي والذي يطارد شخصيات الرواية الرئيسية بكل شر... شعرت أن دوافعه ايضا احادية جدا تذكرني مثلا ب"جريندلوالد" في سلسلة هاري بوتر...ذلك الذي يريد ان يخرج جماعته من الخفاء للعلن بدون سبب سليم سوي اثارة المتاعب والمشاكل بعد ذلك
أيضا هناك شخصية أخري لا أود حرق الأحداث لذا سنكتفي بالأشارة له ك"مساعد الكاهن الرئيس لفرسان الهيكل" المفترض ان الصراع الذي تواجهة عميق ولكن هناك ايضا شئ من احادية الأبعاد في شخصيته رغم انه يتغلب عليه في النهاية
ولا أنكر ان الجزء الخاص به كان مثيرا بسبب وجود شخصية مساعده
"جوفيري"
والتي أعتقد ان المؤلف نجح جدا في تقديم رسم شخصيته المتفانية في خدمة فرسان الهيكل بشكل ممتاز وتعرضت شخصيته لمفاجأت قوية
ومن الشخصيات التي أنتظر منها المزيد في الأجزاء القادمة "كفيل" كوتون في الدنمارك ، الثري
"هينريك ثورفالدسن"
وأيضا شخصية السيدة المسلمة القوية
"كاسيوبيا فيت"
وكان دورهما في الرواية ليس كبيرا ولكن مهما جدا في سير الأحداث وأعتقد أننا سنتعرف عليهم أكثر في روايات لاحقة
******* النهاية *******
———————————
هي رحلة غريبة ومثيرة رغم أي عيوب ذكرتها لا تزال رحلة تستحق ان تجربها
وبأكثر من 16 رواية أخري ل"كوتون مالون" منذ وقت تلك الرواية في 2006 حتي الأن، يبدو أن السيد ستيف بيري يعرف ما يفعله جيدا
لذلك لا مانع من قراءة بعض الخيال ممتزجا ببعض الحقائق والغاز اخري من التاريخ
وكلها تقريبا تدور حول الغاز تاريخية مختلفة
والمحطة القادمة مع كوتون ستكون في الأسكندرية.... وهذه الرواية انتظرت قراءتها طويلا بحق
محمد العربي
من 20 اغسطس 2025
الي 28 أغسطس 2025
March 24, 2011
I should have known: this is, after all, an attempt to muscle in on Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code territory. Lots of anti-New Testament material here! Oh, how I wish authors who want to write books in this "genre" would do wider research. Berry refers to Bishop Spong, for crying out loud! In my opinion, one book by N. T. Wright (Resurrection And The Son of God) would have been enough to alter the ending of Berry's book for the better. If you are looking for an escapist page-turner, then this book may be of interest. But please don't take any notice of his theological discussions. His dating of the Gospels is questionable, and he makes no mention of Paul's writings. 1 Corinthians is an undisputed Pauline letter, and Paul's chapter on the resurrection (chapter 15) blows Berry's liberal scholarship out of the water: it's early and refers to all of Jesus' resurrection appearances that were later written about in the Gospels. So there!
November 21, 2015
Dan Brown esque. Interesting thriller with the seemingly sole intent of challenging pre conceived historical beliefs. Long spots of historical info dumps, which I found interesting but could bore some. Entertaining at least.
September 12, 2007
It has served us well, this myth of Christ. — POPE LEO X
The above appears on the back dust jacket of The Last Templar and as an epigraph for The Templar Legacy. Fascinating, isn't it? My initial reaction upon seeing it for the second time, having just brought home The Templar Legacy, was, oh no, it's the SAME BOOK! Really, though, aside from both dealing with lost Templar treasure and the possible non-divinity of Christ, they're quiet different novels. (I may have even enjoyed this one more than either The Last Templar or The Da Vinci Code.) Berry tells the story cleanly with few unnecessary distractions, and the pacing is excellent. The twists and turns of plot were only predictable in that they were legion; Berry kept me guessing almost all of the time, and I was always intrigued. All in all, a good read.
What's really interesting for me, though, in all of these novels, is how much I find myself reflecting of my own religious beliefs. I think I enjoy them even more because they do challenge established Christianity, and, consequently, my beliefs. They make me think about things I often take for granted. I think that's partly why I'm drawn to them, and have read them all, despite their undeniable similarities. There is a fourth, a just-released novel called Labyrinth that I think I'll be checking out within the next few weeks. Apparently I can't get enough! Challenge away!
The above appears on the back dust jacket of The Last Templar and as an epigraph for The Templar Legacy. Fascinating, isn't it? My initial reaction upon seeing it for the second time, having just brought home The Templar Legacy, was, oh no, it's the SAME BOOK! Really, though, aside from both dealing with lost Templar treasure and the possible non-divinity of Christ, they're quiet different novels. (I may have even enjoyed this one more than either The Last Templar or The Da Vinci Code.) Berry tells the story cleanly with few unnecessary distractions, and the pacing is excellent. The twists and turns of plot were only predictable in that they were legion; Berry kept me guessing almost all of the time, and I was always intrigued. All in all, a good read.
What's really interesting for me, though, in all of these novels, is how much I find myself reflecting of my own religious beliefs. I think I enjoy them even more because they do challenge established Christianity, and, consequently, my beliefs. They make me think about things I often take for granted. I think that's partly why I'm drawn to them, and have read them all, despite their undeniable similarities. There is a fourth, a just-released novel called Labyrinth that I think I'll be checking out within the next few weeks. Apparently I can't get enough! Challenge away!
October 28, 2014
This is the first of the Cotton Malone series. The author, Steve Berry, has been described as "the thinking man's Dan Brown" and I can see why. I am certainly no biblical scholar but the book seemed to be well researched and real world mysteries are dealt with in a plausible way. I do wish, though, that readers who are offended by anything that challenges their religious views would just avoid those novels in the first place rather than read them and then trash the book's viewpoint.
I enjoyed learning much more about the Templars and how they evolved through history. I also liked the settings in Copenhagen and France, and having been to most of the locales described in the novel, found myself transported back to those places.
The plot was intriguing and while I thought the overall mystery to be sufficiently compelling and well paced, I felt the dialogue was a bit stilted. I've noticed this with other Steve Berry novels as well. The one thing that I appreciated the most was that Cotton Malone, our protagonist, served as a great foil for the reader. Just when I felt like saying, "That doesn't make sense," Cotton says, "That doesn't make sense." Since the mystery elements of the plot are quite complicated, it really helped when he asked the same questions I wanted to ask at exactly the right points. It was almost uncanny.
So, yes, I will definitely be reading more of the Cotton Malone series.
I enjoyed learning much more about the Templars and how they evolved through history. I also liked the settings in Copenhagen and France, and having been to most of the locales described in the novel, found myself transported back to those places.
The plot was intriguing and while I thought the overall mystery to be sufficiently compelling and well paced, I felt the dialogue was a bit stilted. I've noticed this with other Steve Berry novels as well. The one thing that I appreciated the most was that Cotton Malone, our protagonist, served as a great foil for the reader. Just when I felt like saying, "That doesn't make sense," Cotton says, "That doesn't make sense." Since the mystery elements of the plot are quite complicated, it really helped when he asked the same questions I wanted to ask at exactly the right points. It was almost uncanny.
So, yes, I will definitely be reading more of the Cotton Malone series.
May 27, 2016
So... I'm always looking for a new series to read and Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series fits the bill. In a formulaic Dan Brown-esque fashion we start off LONG ago in a land far away... laying the ground work for the "action" that will take place in the present(ish) day. While Cotten's backstory could have been built out a little more fully... hits are given that things will be either explained later in the story or... we are lead to believe this is a "story" for another time i.e., another book... thus the drawn out backstory can bit a bit annoying. Other than that the characters in the book are well thought out and the action is great fun... I will be looking forward to the next book in the series and all those there after!
August 1, 2013
Piatto e noioso. I personaggi sono stereotipi mal delineati e la tensione è quasi del tutto inesistente, spesso diluita da una narrazione ripetitiva e prolissa.
June 7, 2016
I thought the book was good, held my attention, and kept me guessing. I thought it was well researched, but since there was no roving reporters, internet, video cameras or cell phones centuries ago we rely on documents written by whoever was paying to have them written, and naturally if King Phillip IV, the Pope, or the Templars wanted to document an event, they would have it recorded to put themselves in the best light. So, historically, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle of what is said by all the documents. That said, I enjoyed the book and thought it well written.
February 5, 2008
I always enjoy Berry's stories, but he tends to be a bit wordy and heavier on detail than is necessary in some parts of this book. However, it's a good read, and this author always adds fascinating little historical tidbits.
June 16, 2024
Although feeling the story was drawn out, I like how Berry combines imagination and historical facts.
October 22, 2025
J’ai commencé à lire Steve Berry à ses débuts, lors de la parution de L’Héritage des Templiers en 2007, dans le Sud de la France — pas une journée pluvieuse, non, mais une de celles où l’on se sent prêt à voyager sans bouger de chez soi. Après avoir suivi les aventures de Cotton Malone pendant une dizaine d’années, je l’ai délaissé sans vraiment m’en rendre compte. Et finalement, c’est grâce à un simple crédit audio dont il fallait me débarrasser sur Audible, avant de mettre fin à mon abonnement, que je me suis replongé dans ce premier volume des enquêtes de Cotton Malone.
Dix pages. C’est tout ce qu’il m’a fallu pour retrouver un personnage que je n’ai plus jamais retrouvé ailleurs. Cotton Malone possède une aura très particulière, une noirceur presque tranquille, qui le rend à la fois distant et étrangement familier. Ancien agent du Département de la Justice devenu libraire à Copenhague, il ne ressemble à aucun héros du genre : moins flamboyant, plus réfléchi, souvent taciturne, il agit avec la prudence d’un érudit plutôt qu’avec la témérité d’un soldat. C’est précisément ce mélange de lucidité et de mystère qui fait de lui un protagoniste inoubliable.
L’Héritage des Templiers incarne tout ce que j’aime dans les thrillers historiques : une intrigue riche, solidement documentée, où la frontière entre vérité et fiction se brouille jusqu’à devenir indiscernable. J’ai toujours eu un faible pour les récits — qu’ils soient fictifs ou non — cherchant à percer le mystère de Jésus et, plus largement, de la foi. Ce roman, avec sa quête de vérité vieille de deux millénaires, m’a captivé de la première à la dernière page. Même en connaissant le dénouement, je me suis laissé happer par cette enquête ésotérique où le passé et le présent s’entrelacent dans une tension constante.
Steve Berry, à travers sa plume précise et rythmée, parvient à mêler érudition et suspense sans jamais sacrifier l’un à l’autre. Chaque chapitre dévoile une nouvelle strate du mystère, chaque lieu traversé — de Rennes-le-Château aux archives secrètes du Vatican — semble dissimuler une vérité enfouie. Et c’est là toute la force de son écriture : nous faire douter, nous faire croire, nous faire réfléchir.
Une mention spéciale s’impose pour la postface de l’auteur. Ce dernier prend le temps, après le récit, d’expliquer les faits historiques réels et ceux issus de son imagination. À une époque où cette pratique s’est raréfiée, remplacée par le sempiternel “Toute ressemblance avec des faits réels…”, il est rafraîchissant de constater qu’un auteur prenne encore la peine de partager les coulisses de sa recherche. Ce souci d’authenticité témoigne du respect qu’il porte à ses lecteurs, mais aussi de la passion qui anime sa démarche.
L’Héritage des Templiers n’est donc pas qu’un simple roman d’aventure : c’est une porte ouverte sur la mémoire collective, sur les secrets que l’Histoire dissimule derrière ses symboles et ses silences. Plus qu’un thriller, c’est une réflexion sur la foi, la vérité et la manière dont les croyances façonnent le monde.
Et me voilà, presque vingt ans plus tard, à retrouver Cotton Malone comme un vieil ami croisé au détour d’un souvenir. Je n’ai désormais qu’une hâte : poursuivre ma lecture des tomes suivants. Même si, soyons honnêtes, le prix du numérique risque bien de tempérer mes ambitions — 18 € pour un ebook de 2008 quand les nouveautés de 2025 plafonnent à 16 €, il y a de quoi méditer sur les véritables mystères de ce monde.
Benjamin L. Urbanski – Le Parfum des Mots
22 octobre 2025
Dix pages. C’est tout ce qu’il m’a fallu pour retrouver un personnage que je n’ai plus jamais retrouvé ailleurs. Cotton Malone possède une aura très particulière, une noirceur presque tranquille, qui le rend à la fois distant et étrangement familier. Ancien agent du Département de la Justice devenu libraire à Copenhague, il ne ressemble à aucun héros du genre : moins flamboyant, plus réfléchi, souvent taciturne, il agit avec la prudence d’un érudit plutôt qu’avec la témérité d’un soldat. C’est précisément ce mélange de lucidité et de mystère qui fait de lui un protagoniste inoubliable.
L’Héritage des Templiers incarne tout ce que j’aime dans les thrillers historiques : une intrigue riche, solidement documentée, où la frontière entre vérité et fiction se brouille jusqu’à devenir indiscernable. J’ai toujours eu un faible pour les récits — qu’ils soient fictifs ou non — cherchant à percer le mystère de Jésus et, plus largement, de la foi. Ce roman, avec sa quête de vérité vieille de deux millénaires, m’a captivé de la première à la dernière page. Même en connaissant le dénouement, je me suis laissé happer par cette enquête ésotérique où le passé et le présent s’entrelacent dans une tension constante.
Steve Berry, à travers sa plume précise et rythmée, parvient à mêler érudition et suspense sans jamais sacrifier l’un à l’autre. Chaque chapitre dévoile une nouvelle strate du mystère, chaque lieu traversé — de Rennes-le-Château aux archives secrètes du Vatican — semble dissimuler une vérité enfouie. Et c’est là toute la force de son écriture : nous faire douter, nous faire croire, nous faire réfléchir.
Une mention spéciale s’impose pour la postface de l’auteur. Ce dernier prend le temps, après le récit, d’expliquer les faits historiques réels et ceux issus de son imagination. À une époque où cette pratique s’est raréfiée, remplacée par le sempiternel “Toute ressemblance avec des faits réels…”, il est rafraîchissant de constater qu’un auteur prenne encore la peine de partager les coulisses de sa recherche. Ce souci d’authenticité témoigne du respect qu’il porte à ses lecteurs, mais aussi de la passion qui anime sa démarche.
L’Héritage des Templiers n’est donc pas qu’un simple roman d’aventure : c’est une porte ouverte sur la mémoire collective, sur les secrets que l’Histoire dissimule derrière ses symboles et ses silences. Plus qu’un thriller, c’est une réflexion sur la foi, la vérité et la manière dont les croyances façonnent le monde.
Et me voilà, presque vingt ans plus tard, à retrouver Cotton Malone comme un vieil ami croisé au détour d’un souvenir. Je n’ai désormais qu’une hâte : poursuivre ma lecture des tomes suivants. Même si, soyons honnêtes, le prix du numérique risque bien de tempérer mes ambitions — 18 € pour un ebook de 2008 quand les nouveautés de 2025 plafonnent à 16 €, il y a de quoi méditer sur les véritables mystères de ce monde.
Benjamin L. Urbanski – Le Parfum des Mots
22 octobre 2025
September 8, 2012
A "Me too!" in the Da Vinci Code genre. Enh.
Ok, finished it. OMG, you mean Jesus didn't ACTUALLY rise from the dead and that it's all a metaphor?! No shit, Sherlock. He hinges the whole plot on Jesus' resurrection, and then you're supposed to act all shocked when the characters actually find his bones. BFD. Of course then his characters are all like "Well this info doesn't really matter in today's modern society..." after they spent all this effort finding it. The characters are all underdeveloped and constantly tripping over each other- did Berry seriously need the whole troop present for the final confrontation? Some of the characters seemed like they were created just because the author thought there weren't enough, or that his already existing characters were too boring, or something. I'm still trying to figure out why Cotton Malone was the main character. Oh right, so Berry could create a travel/adventure/thriller series based on him. Otherwise there was no reason for Malone to be moving the plot forward. Cassiopeia was interesting but gone before she actually ever became relevant. She was just there to provide another plot twist (Thorvaldson sure gets around!) and to save Malone's ass from situations Berry couldn't write him out of.
Anyway, this book was lame. I'm tempted to read more though... just can't get enough of the fictional Biblical analysis! ;)
Ok, finished it. OMG, you mean Jesus didn't ACTUALLY rise from the dead and that it's all a metaphor?! No shit, Sherlock. He hinges the whole plot on Jesus' resurrection, and then you're supposed to act all shocked when the characters actually find his bones. BFD. Of course then his characters are all like "Well this info doesn't really matter in today's modern society..." after they spent all this effort finding it. The characters are all underdeveloped and constantly tripping over each other- did Berry seriously need the whole troop present for the final confrontation? Some of the characters seemed like they were created just because the author thought there weren't enough, or that his already existing characters were too boring, or something. I'm still trying to figure out why Cotton Malone was the main character. Oh right, so Berry could create a travel/adventure/thriller series based on him. Otherwise there was no reason for Malone to be moving the plot forward. Cassiopeia was interesting but gone before she actually ever became relevant. She was just there to provide another plot twist (Thorvaldson sure gets around!) and to save Malone's ass from situations Berry couldn't write him out of.
Anyway, this book was lame. I'm tempted to read more though... just can't get enough of the fictional Biblical analysis! ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2009
This was an enjoyable read. I liked it, I thought it was well written, it kept me in suspense, there were twists and turns, and it was interesting. (Although if you don't like fictional books that question the Bible or faith then this book is NOT for you!) It's a very Dan Brown kind of book (that I think is a bit...only a bit...more realistic.) I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one and settled on three.
I settled on three because
-At times the books gets very preachy/too lecture like.
-It's very repetitive. The book rehashes the same information over and over and over again. By the end I was thinking, "yes, I know we already covered this. It doesn't matter if THIS character isn't up to speed. I am. I don't need to read this again."
-The characters were (mostly)realistic...but not all that likable. I wanted to care more about them and what happened to them. Perhaps if their motivations were explored more fully (rather than the rehashing of details) I would have liked them more.
Even still - I think I will get Steve Berry another try. I'll have to see what's available in the library.
I settled on three because
-At times the books gets very preachy/too lecture like.
-It's very repetitive. The book rehashes the same information over and over and over again. By the end I was thinking, "yes, I know we already covered this. It doesn't matter if THIS character isn't up to speed. I am. I don't need to read this again."
-The characters were (mostly)realistic...but not all that likable. I wanted to care more about them and what happened to them. Perhaps if their motivations were explored more fully (rather than the rehashing of details) I would have liked them more.
Even still - I think I will get Steve Berry another try. I'll have to see what's available in the library.
June 1, 2022
5 sterren- Nederlandse paperback
Ik weet niet meer wanneer ik voor het eerst een boek van Steve Berry kreeg. Maar ik had een lievelings auteur erbij.
De erfenis van de Tempeliers is het eerste deel van Steve Berry rond het hoofdpersonage Cotton Malone. We leren Cotton Malone kennen als een boekverkoper in Kopenhagen die vroeger werkte voor een spionagedienst van het Amerikaanse leger, Magellan. Gedurende het verhaal leren we Cotton Malone iets beter kennen, maar het uitdiepen van hem als persoon is geen groot onderdeel van dit verhaal.
Je laten meeslepen in dit verhaal, dat ging heel snel en automatisch. Er gebeurt altijd wel iets in het boek, gaat nooit vervelen en het laat je ook nadenken over het ontstaan van het Christendom, de oorsprong van Jezus en hoe geloofwaardig het allemaal is.
Voor de niet gelovige dan. Ik als wedergeboren Christen weet beter. Die historische noot samen met het hoge suspense-level hebben ervoor gezorgd dat ik de volledige reeks van Cotton Malone wil lezen. En liefst zo snel mogelijk.
Als je fan bent van films/boeken als De Da Vinci Code en/of historische thrillers in het algemeen, is dit zeker een aanrader!
Ik weet niet meer wanneer ik voor het eerst een boek van Steve Berry kreeg. Maar ik had een lievelings auteur erbij.
De erfenis van de Tempeliers is het eerste deel van Steve Berry rond het hoofdpersonage Cotton Malone. We leren Cotton Malone kennen als een boekverkoper in Kopenhagen die vroeger werkte voor een spionagedienst van het Amerikaanse leger, Magellan. Gedurende het verhaal leren we Cotton Malone iets beter kennen, maar het uitdiepen van hem als persoon is geen groot onderdeel van dit verhaal.
Je laten meeslepen in dit verhaal, dat ging heel snel en automatisch. Er gebeurt altijd wel iets in het boek, gaat nooit vervelen en het laat je ook nadenken over het ontstaan van het Christendom, de oorsprong van Jezus en hoe geloofwaardig het allemaal is.
Voor de niet gelovige dan. Ik als wedergeboren Christen weet beter. Die historische noot samen met het hoge suspense-level hebben ervoor gezorgd dat ik de volledige reeks van Cotton Malone wil lezen. En liefst zo snel mogelijk.
Als je fan bent van films/boeken als De Da Vinci Code en/of historische thrillers in het algemeen, is dit zeker een aanrader!
February 1, 2010
I got this for free on Amazon Kindle.
It's worth what I paid for it. I couldn't make it past the first 80 pages, which were an obvious attempt to not only ride the coattails of The DaVinci Code but to also build a franchise around the main character. The fact that I came here to update my review and see that the goodreads title lists it as "Cotton Malone #1" pretty much seals the deal on that.
I grow very weary of these action franchises, and more than one speculative fiction author (James Rollins, I'm looking at YOU!) has had a strong body of work overshadowed by the special ops-covert military goofiness that seems so popular in these strains of novel. I'm just not in the mood to cavort through the streets of Europe and the pages of history with yet another multi-lingual, eidetic memory-having, erudite military man.
It's worth what I paid for it. I couldn't make it past the first 80 pages, which were an obvious attempt to not only ride the coattails of The DaVinci Code but to also build a franchise around the main character. The fact that I came here to update my review and see that the goodreads title lists it as "Cotton Malone #1" pretty much seals the deal on that.
I grow very weary of these action franchises, and more than one speculative fiction author (James Rollins, I'm looking at YOU!) has had a strong body of work overshadowed by the special ops-covert military goofiness that seems so popular in these strains of novel. I'm just not in the mood to cavort through the streets of Europe and the pages of history with yet another multi-lingual, eidetic memory-having, erudite military man.
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