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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Raymond Khoury's THE LAST TEMPLAR.
Barbara from Union, NJ
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Other authors I have read are Steve Berry, David Baldacci and Dan Brown.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
THE LAST TEMPLAR is an excellent page-turner, stay-up-late, must-read suspense/thriller --- similar to but different from THE DA VINCI CODE. I would highly recommend this book.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I would be very interested in reading any future books by Raymond Khoury, as long as he doesn't change his writing style as some authors who have made the top [bestseller] list do.
Diana from Port Arthur, TX
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I am a British murder mystery buff. I read Martha Grimes, P.D. James, Dorothy Simpson, Ruth Rendell, Reginald Hill and M.C. Beaton, etc. Also, my favorite author is Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and her historical horror novel series starring the vampire Ragoczy St. Germain.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
Wow! I didn't see the last twist coming at all. It was a very well-paced, informative book and was easy to keep the characters clearly defined because there weren't several other stories taking place at the same time. Very good book. Great subject, too. Made me think twice about what I've been taught as a Roman Catholic by birth who attended eight years of parochial school. I always like to have the old premise turned on its head and have to give the new possibilities serious consideration.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Definitely.
Jorge from Alameda, CA
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Over the last few years, Dan Brown. But I have enjoyed reading works by Stephen King, Tim Green, John Grisham and Dean Koontz, to name a few.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
The concept, the settings, the places, the characters, the whole story is a mix bound for perfection --- except somehow somewhere in the story the mystery was lost and lost a bit of touch when the secret that was keeping the curious reading no longer was a secret. Maybe the secret was revealed too soon in the story. I may not be a published author, or a professor of lit, but I really think that Mr. Raymond Khoury did a fine job on this his first novel. A -.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Absolutely. He's got it, and not many authors do.
Maggie from Woods Hole, MA
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read a lot of mystery writers: Crombie, Peter Robinson, the Kellermans, Anne Perry, J.A. Jance and Sue Grafton, etc. For suspense/thriller, I read everything Lincoln and Child write separately or together.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
I LOVED it. It's as compelling as Dan Brown's stuff, but a lot less fantastic. The ending was believable. Khoury is an excellent writer.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Absolutely. I'm going to add him to my list of authors to watch for. I hope he writes a whole bunch more.
Ted from St. Augustine, FL
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Stephen King, David Baldacci, Tom Clancy and Stephen J. Cannell.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
I enjoyed THE LAST TEMPLAR. It held my interest through the entire book. The plot twists were well-executed. I find the subject fascinating.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I would definitely read another book by Raymond Khoury.
Mike from Albuquerque, NM
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, etc.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
THE LAST TEMPLAR is a fairly typical adventure story with the usual cast of characters: the accidental hero, the resourceful heroine and villains you love to hate. As far as character development goes, THE LAST TEMPLAR has nothing new to offer. But the subject matter and the way it's approached is engaging and exciting. Although echoes of THE DA VINCI CODE were hard to ignore, the story has its own take on THE DA VINCI CODE themes and stands very well on its own merits. The pacing is expertly executed and the dull moments were few and far between. The ending is predictable but satisfying (if that's possible) but the last few pages were a bit unclear to me. All in all, I enjoyed the book very much with modest criticisms. I hope Mr. Khoury will work on his character development and will choose more original subject matter in the future. But, I anxiously look forward to seeing where he goes next.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Absolutely.
Nora from Crawfordsville, IN
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read everything Clancy serves up, and I love that his characters move from one stage to another, maturing, aging, growing in wisdom and declining. A new character, a minor protege of Clancy's Clark, may command a more central role in a later book, and it excites me. Others fall off the table, dying of wounds or cancer. This is what draws me to a writer, and I hope Khoury will follow that path, as he offers interesting characters who deserve further adventures.
I love James Michener, who followed the same plan, but whose characters and their generations of offspring were detailed in single volumes. Mostly I read actual history, from Middle Ages to World War II. Of course, Herman Wouk's magnificent THE WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, Michener's THE SOURCE; THE BOUNTY and IN SEARCH OF PARADISE; anything by Leon Uris... ahhh.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
My house was designed to have a dining room, but we made it instead a library, with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, which are bulging with my favorite authors. I can stand among them in the still of the dark night, when the owls have retired and the larks are not yet up, when I am inexplicably wide-awake, and I can feel the great minds around me as their thoughts vibrate on the pages. I will be placing THE LAST TEMPLAR among them.... Mr. Khoury writes as someone who knows his subject and I feel the echoes of many years of Mr. Khoury's loving tending of the plot, finally releasing his "baby" to the cold world, bundled in layers of fact and realism.
I would address these next comments to Mr. Khoury, with respect. You had a magical tale inside you, and it is obvious that you crafted it with love and persistence. You may think that you have told your tale; the characters completed their assignments, the world maintained its proper tilt, and you have the satisfaction of a job well-done. Rest if you must, but know that your readers are aware that, even as you attempt to move on, old nemeses plot to destroy your heroes, while new disasters and opportunities begin to stir just below the surface of your conscious mind. You must begin to collect the wisps of vapor and substance that you will weave into the further adventures of...perhaps Reilly?
In THE LAST TEMPLAR you, in my opinion, tried to tell too many stories. There is the wonderful mystical tale of the Templars. Their story enchants us all, as every thinking person asks over and over, what is real? Reilly chased the truth. Good. But you added romance, an unlikely and unnecessary complication. You don't need to add something for every reader; let romance-seekers go elsewhere; you are what romance writers cannot be, an authentic voice of history and cloaked machinations. Please don't cater to the lowest common denominator; there are hacks for that.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Would I read another book by Raymond Khoury? I wait with bated breath. Mr. Khoury, pull out all the stops. You have the talent and the knowledge to challenge, frighten, uplift, enlighten and enervate your readers. You can demystify, deconstruct, or debunk the unassailable, sanctimonious, or unpardonable beliefs, canons, or pompous buffoons of our time or the past. Go for it!
Karen from Lenexa, KS
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
Since I am not a professional writer, critic or book reviewer, it has taken me a little time to put into words what I think about the book. I kept thinking I should really like this book so what is missing? I thought the premise was good and I liked the action. I kept waiting to connect with the book at the level that makes a book feel real so that when I put it down I feel like I am living in two worlds at the same time. That just never happened. This book only comes close to being really good. Whereas most good books are better than the movies made about them, I believe this book would make a very entertaining movie.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
Yes, I might very well read another of Mr. Khoury's books, but it would be with different expectations. I would even recommend THE LAST TEMPLAR to my friends, but not with the idea of getting cozy in a comfortable chair and a mug of hot chocolate for a great winter afternoon read.
Deborah from Ypsilanti, MI
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read Lee Child, Stephen Hunter, Dennis Lehane, Robert Parker, Michael Gruber, Karin Slaughter and Robert Crais.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
I thought THE LAST TEMPLAR was good. I would give it a 7 out of 10. It seemed somewhat of a take off on THE DA VINCI CODE, which actually did not appeal to me.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I might read a future book by Raymond Khoury.
Susan from Winter Park, FL
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Of course, I have read THE DA VINCI CODE. I also like DeMille, Grisham, Kellerman, Follett and Childs.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
I liked the research that went in to it. I also wonder if it would have been written if THE DA VINCI CODE hadn't come first.
I enjoyed the storyline and would pass the book on to others.
I didn't know much about the Crusades so found this information informative.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I wouldn't rush to do so, but it would depend upon the reviews and the topic.
Rose from Vinton, LA
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Jeffery Deaver, Patricia Cornwell, Dan Brown, the Kellermans, James Patterson and Dean Koontz.
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
Good suspense. I wanted to know what the Templars had hidden. I was disappointed when the codex.... [Editor's note: this line has been edited to prevent a spoiler] and I felt cheated until I read the Epilogue. Nice twist. Conservative Christians might never finish this book and really be offended. Some members of our book club got really hostile when we read THE DA VINCI CODE and had to be reminded that this was fiction and merely proposed some questions --- not necessarily answers.
I found some of the writing ponderous and found myself skimming big sections in order to move on. Too much sermonizing in parts.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I think Mr. Khoury is downright brilliant and will improve on his writing as he goes. Perhaps criticism of this book will head him in the right direction.
Marcy from Oxnard, CA
What did you think of THE LAST TEMPLAR?
This [book has a] riveting plot [but is] poorly written. The opening chapters with an array of cartoon-like characters give the reader little reason to continue. The following excerpts are demonstrative of trite excess.
"vertiginously glamorous women"
"precise, seamed black dress that floated a few inches above her knees"
"seductive mass of curls framing the warm green eyes that radiated intelligence"
The superficial descriptions offend the thoughtful reader. The rapid introduction of characters is confusing. Acronyms are not defined. Copyediting missed numerous errors. The number of brutal events that threaten the lives of stereotypical Tess and Reilly over and over again is scarcely believable. The villains are incredibly villainous.
Nonetheless, this is a page-turner. The reader is caught up in the story. The author is not a great writer, but his story saves him. He addresses some of the same questions that fascinated readers of THE DA VINCI CODE and, like that book, this one likely will generate controversy.
The author’s point, I believe, is that faith is an essential component of the human experience and that it does not arise from or depend on fact. The teachings of Jesus are not altered by his divinity or humanity. The historical account, through the mouth of Dr. Vance, of the origins of the New Testament gospels surely will offend fundamentalist Christians.
Despite its flaws, this book likely will be widely read and talked about by a general audience. It will not appeal to scholars and sophisticated readers.
Would you ever read a future book by Raymond Khoury?
I will not read another by the author, but the second copy has been passed on to someone who, I am certain, will like it a great deal.
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