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 … 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.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Steve Berry’s The King’s Deception and a Cotton Malone dossier.
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Interesting premise
Enjoyed the read
It’s been some time since I read this book but I did enjoy it and found it to be an interesting take on the Templar mythology. My main complaint with the book is that, while the main character is supposed to have been a member of an elite law enforcement division, he often seems to be at a loss when it comes to effective tactics. This might just …
Imaginative historical fiction based around the Templars and the numerous stories/myths at this time in history. A really good story. Enjoyed reading this story.
I love the Cotton Malone series because they are usually page turners that keep me up all night. The best part about Malone is that he is not perfect. And because I love history it was funl reading real facts mixed into the fast paced story.
I liked the book a lot…interesting plot and characters.
Not only a good read, I learned a lot about the Templars.
Follow Berry. You are unlikely to be disappointed.
First Cotton Mallone book. Love the series
It was okay but not what I was looking for.
I love Steve Berry’s books. One of my favorite authors. Love how he weaves historical facts into every novel. Always fascinating subject matter.
Very engaging thought provoking moves fast easy to read good author
very entertaining
Entertaining story, but what I enjoyed most was learning about the Templars and the early years of Christianity.
Steve Berry weaves a wonderful web that pulls you into his books. This one has convinced me to buy the rest in the series!
Steve Berry writes gripping adventures with wonderful characters. When I start, I can’t put it down.
Predictable and not vertical original.
Loved it. Very suspenseful
Realistic characters in unlikely situations.
Steve Berry never lets me down….fast paced, great characters.