The Templar Legacy: Book 1 (Cotton Malone, #1)

by Steve Berry

The first explosive thriller in the Cotton Malone series from a New York Times megaselling author.

The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power, until the Inquisition destroyed them and their riches were lost forever.

But some people don't believe in 'forever'.

Ex-agent Cotton Malone used to work for Stephanie Nelle in the US Justice Department. Now Nelle wants his help to crack a series of puzzles that have confounded experts for centuries - and could lead to the legendary lost treasure of the Knights Templar.

But someone else is on the trail - someone prepared to commit the ultimate crime to win the ultimate prize. Malone and Nelle find themselves in a heart-stopping race through the villages, castles and cloisters of Europe in pursuit of a secret that, in the wrong hands, could bring the world to its knees.

• ISBN10: 0340899255
• ISBN13: 9780340899250
• Publish Date: 30 November 2006 (first published 1 January 2006)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Imprint: Hodder Paperback
• Format: Paperback (A-Format (178x111 mm))
• Pages: 576
• Language: English

Reviews

[Michael @ Knowledge Lost]

I saw that someone called Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone series as a thinking man’s Dan Brown; then I think about Umberto Eco’s Foucault's Pendulum. While I did find The Templar Legacy far more enjoyable than expected, it was still very much in the style of Dan Brown. The pacing and characters were decently written and the story would be controversial for someone that would get offended by Religious themes in fiction.

I wouldn’t compare it to Dan Brown anymore more than the fact its set around a conspiracy, after that it is more in the feel of Indiana Jones. The modern day Templers make for great antagonists as Cotton goes treasure hunting. The scenery is the biggest stand out for me; the description of France and Rennes-le-Chateau, mixed with some creative licence makes for an enjoyable backdrop.

I enjoyed this book, but like most bestsellers, I didn’t love the book. It packs a punch and was thrilling to read but I don’t think I will ever read it again.