I read P. C. Doherty's The Templar Magician for the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2012. The story takes place in the year 1152 in Outremer (Palestine), Scotland and France. It begins with Templars Philip Mayele and Edmund de Payans guarding Raymond, Count of Tripoli, as he rides through the city gates on his way to meet his wife in Jerusalem. When insults are hurled at Raymond, he tells the Templars to remain calm. The Templar guards have given Raymond space to interact with the crowd. Unfortunately for Raymond, he is quickly killed by Assassins (Muslims) who are dressed as Maronite priests. As punishment for failing to save Raymond's life, Edmund and Philip are thrown into the dungeon of a Templar castle. Eventually the Order releases the two and charges them to travel to Outremer with a mission to determine if their are occultists among their Order. Over the years, the Templars have taken in warriors who were not dedicated to Christ and who were committing carnal sins. Witches and warlocks have been committing gruesome murders and drinking the blood of their victims as a sacrifice to a demon. The Order wants to find these people and put them to death. I enjoyed this book immensely. Part of the reason is my love for the medieval era. Another reason is my fascination with anything Templar related. However, if Doherty was not a superb writer, the book would have fallen flat. I have read several of his novels and all are expertly written with great characters, suspense and fast pacing. Doherty has definately mastered the historical fiction genre, having published approximately 57 books that take place in Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt and medieval England. He knows his history well. I cannot recommend this book more highly. You gotta read it! ( )

This book is rich with historical detail about the rise of the Knights Templar in England. For those who enjoy studying this era, Doherty’s attention to historical accuracy will be appreciated; however, the novel as a story left a bit to be desired. I found the main character, Edmund de Payens, frustrating in his indecisiveness and naiveté and had trouble caring for him or about what happened to him.

The novel is initially set in Outremer (Palestine), the headquarters of the Templars and moves to various places in England. Although, again full of historical detail, the constant change of setting is tedious rather than pacey. The plot is full of intrigues within intrigues which frankly made it confusing rather than interesting. I had figured out who the villains were well before the main character and found myself cross with him for being too dense to see who it was.

I would recommend The Templar Magician to anyone with an interest in the era of the Knights Templar and the Crusades as it is rich with historical detail and peopled with figures from the past. As a novel, I found it very easy to put down.

Review by: Anne A of www.cherrymischievous.com ( )

This book is set in Jerusalem and in England during the year 1152-53. The Templar Order is still a force to be reckoned with in both places. King Stephen is fighting to maintain his crown in England amidst never ending civil war. This is the second book in Doherty's Templar series, and it is just as graphic as the first one, but very true to the era. At the centre of all this mayhem is a Templar knight by the name of Edmunde De Payens who is a relative of the great and infamous Hugh De Payens. Edmund finds himself in a great amount of danger while he is sent on missions by his order. And the driving force of all this evil is from a ruthless warlock who De Payenes is sent to find. As he searches in the Holy Land and in England he uncovers more evil than he can really take in. This Templar series of Doherty's is a winner. I love the era, and it's wonderful to read about this very secretive order. ( )