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Product Description
Product Description
1314, Paris: Pope Clement has destroyed the Order of Knights Templar, wrongly persuaded of their corruption. Watching through a veil of tears as his friends die at the stake, a surviving knight swears vengeance on their accusers.
1316, Devon: The newly appointed bailiff of Lydford Castle, Simon Puttock, is called to a village where a charred body has been found in a burned-out cottage. Unaccustomed to violence in this peaceful area, Simon assumes it's accidental death - but Sir Baldwin Furnshill, recently returned from abroad, quickly convinces him that the victim had been killed before the fire began. As Simon and the astute knight piece together the evidence, word comes of another murder, more horrible by far. Are the two incidents connected - and will the killers strike again?
About the Author
Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry to concentrate on writing and the study of medieval history, especially that of Devon and Cornwall. He lives with his family in northern Dartmoor.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For those who have not read Michael Jecks, but like historical novels, particularly about medieval England, you are in for all real treat. I have read some of the other comments from reviewers and I am not sure what they are getting at. Mr. Jecks writes a good entertaining tale. I am sure he did not set out to write a classic, just a book that is a good read with a good plot.
In actual fact his books are very well researched and it would be churlish to criticise what was in fact his first novel when he was trying to put flesh on the bones of his leading characters and hone his writing style. This books is the start of the extremely popular Knights Templar Mysteries.
1314 and an ill-advised Pope and also the King of France are doing everything in their power to destroy the powerful Knights Templars, sacking their headquarters in Paris and burning the leading officials of the movement for heresy.
Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a Templar, escapes and makes his way across the channel. His brother in England has died and the estate now belongs to Simon. He is careful to keep his past history secret but he has watched some of his friends die for no reason other than the whim of a Pope and he is determined to do anything and everything in his power to reap vengeance on their accusers.
In actual fact his books are very well researched and it would be churlish to criticise what was in fact his first novel when he was trying to put flesh on the bones of his leading characters and hone his writing style. This books is the start of the extremely popular Knights Templar Mysteries.
1314 and an ill-advised Pope and also the King of France are doing everything in their power to destroy the powerful Knights Templars, sacking their headquarters in Paris and burning the leading officials of the movement for heresy.
Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, a Templar, escapes and makes his way across the channel. His brother in England has died and the estate now belongs to Simon. He is careful to keep his past history secret but he has watched some of his friends die for no reason other than the whim of a Pope and he is determined to do anything and everything in his power to reap vengeance on their accusers.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first in a series of excellent in-depth novels which evoke the loneliness of the West Country in Medieval times. The harshness of the conditions, yet the wonder of a world but half-understood by people who lived their short lives out in constant fear, is alleviated by the warmth of the friendship with matures between Bailiff Simon Puttock and Sir Baldwin de Furnshill. Well-researched, cleverly plotted, the pace is good and the characters believable. I thoroughly recommend any of these books - I have 12-14 from this series.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had finished reading The Bishop Must Die when I realized that there were quite a few books ahead of it (27 to be exact). So I propley went to my local library and checked out The Last Templar. I was not disappionted by it.
First off, the plot was more mysterious than it had been in The Bishop Must Die. I'm not going to spoil the book, but it was very wickedly twisted in the end. I guess that is Michael Jecks's gift: to write his books with suspense and in the end give you a sucker punch.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, though I do see here it hasn't recieved much of a good press. But I thought of the book as the embodiment of what a good medieval mystery novel should be.
First off, the plot was more mysterious than it had been in The Bishop Must Die. I'm not going to spoil the book, but it was very wickedly twisted in the end. I guess that is Michael Jecks's gift: to write his books with suspense and in the end give you a sucker punch.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book, though I do see here it hasn't recieved much of a good press. But I thought of the book as the embodiment of what a good medieval mystery novel should be.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good straightforward medieval mystery
This is the first in the series of medieval mysteries which bring to us the characters of bailiff Simon Puttock and ex Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Catwoman
Not a real mystery, not a real historical novel and a magical...
Somehow I ended up with the eighth book in this series and never liking to start any series in the middle, I ordered the first few books. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2008 by Lilly Flora
Poor Writing, simplistic plot
It's amazing that there are more books to this series. This was far too long, very simple, mixed up morality-wise and jut plain poorly written and edited. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2006 by Opus_Seven
A poor start to the series
Simplistic plot, poorly written and badly edited. Also full of annoying anachronisms that betray a limited understanding of the Middle Ages. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2006 by Mr. Geoffrey Carter
A great book!!
This book is a very well constructed murder mystery with plenty of twists and brilliant characters who continue to develop throughout the story. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2005 by jenaveve
Too Slow . . .
. . . takes ages to get anywhere and never really gets there anyway. Does not come across as exciting in any way. No real reason to turn over to the next page. Read more
Published on 9 July 2005 by David Cranson
Fairly good mystery with plenty of atmosphere
Michael has a good knowledge of the period he is writing about and his descriptions of the epole and places were detailed but did not prevent the story moving. Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2000
Disappointing start for this series...
Whilst there can be little doubt that Michael Jecks has a firm grip on the historical facts of life in fourteenth century Devon, this novel leaves plenty to be desired in terms of... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2000
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