The Adept (Hardcover)

by Katherine Kurtz (Author), Deborah Turner Harris (Author) "IT was not until the following Monday, while waiting for his breakfast, that Sir Adam Sinclair became aware of the incident in Glasgow..." (more)
Key Phrases: skean dubh, leaden bowl, ferry captain, Fairy Flag, Lady Laura, Michael Scot (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When a wizard's sword is stolen from a museum in present-day Scotland, FBI psychiatrist Sir Adam Sinclair is sure that the crime represents something serious. Through a mutual acquaintance, he meets and befriends Peregrine Lovat, a troubled painter who is able to "see" the past and future lives of his subjects. Sir Adam himself is the latest incarnation of the Adept, a spiritual force that battles evil, and he and Peregrine make a perfect team as they set out to discover who stole the sword --and why a 12th-century grave has been unearthed, freeing the revived corpse of Scotland's most noted magician, who then pk wanders into a barpage 127 in the dead of night. The sleuths determine that an evil cult seeks the magician's spell-book and hidden gold. Peregrine draws what he "sees," whether it's the location of the sword or the cult gathered at the graveside. Sir Adam's own mystical powers bring him close to the cult, but closer to mortal and spiritual danger. This is a fast-moving and suspenseful tale by an unusually adroit duo, and the open ending promises more in the future. Kurtz is the author of the Deryni series, and Harris's work includes Spiral of Fire.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
YA-- Devoted Anglophiles will delight in the details of the life and times of Sir Adam Sinclair, physician, unadvertised assistant to the police in cases involving the occult, and the Adept. Along with Peregrine Lovat, an anguished patient and student of Sir Adam, readers follow the twisted path to a battle royal between forces of good and evil, between fairies and men of both stripes. This fast-paced story is slightly marred by an ending that seems devoted to capturing readers for the next title in the series, but it's fun, nonetheless.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (August 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727843826
• ISBN-13: 978-0727843821
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,414,785 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Occult fiction at its best, in a modern setting., November 18, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Adept 1 (Paperback)

I first read this book simply because I have enjoyed all of Katherine Kurtz's other works to date. As soon as I had finished it I wanted another one. Kurtz and Harris write a plausible occult novel that is set in a modern day Scotland. I do hope that ours is not like it or that if it is that there are really Hunting Lodges such as that described in the book to help protect people from the Dark side of humanity. As one would expect, the characters are both believable and interesting. You really care what happens to them and want to know more. Fortunately for us they have acceded to our wishes and there are now four books in the series with a fifth one on the way. If you're like me and look for good series to read you won't want to pass up on this one. But even if you're not into reading series you'll enjoy this book. It is both exciting and intriguing

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun supernatural thriller, April 3, 2001

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Adept 1 (Paperback)

So it isn't Agatha Christie. The Adept is still a fun, rollicking supernatural thriller that deserves a second (and maybe a third) look!

Sir Adam Sinclair is a shrink and baronet, who secretly battles evil forces in his native Scotland. (He's like Sherlock Holmes, but warmer and not as show-offy). While paying a visit to an old friend, he meets a young artist named Peregrin, who accidently foresees things and hears voices - and it's freaking him out. As Sinclair takes the young man under his wing, a wave of evil sorcerers rise to steal an ancient treasure, using the mystical Hepburn Sword and Fairy Flag. Sinclair must use all resources - earthly and unearthly - to catch them.

The writing style lags a bit, and I was uncomfortable with some scenes, such as discussions of reincarnation and bits of divination, as well as a stretched-to-different-body spirit speaking through a policeman. However, the base of the book and its characters will be familiar to mystery fans: the detective and his sidekick, and the friendly policeman (McLeod) who tags along on their adventures.

What sets them apart from a Hercule Poirot mystery? The climax is breathtaking after a slower pace throughout most of the book. Fairies (not cute little gauze-winged creatures, as Adam tells us) show up, as does a Ban-sidhe. And there's even a cameo near the end by a familiar "face" that will elicit a chuckle and a cheer from the most hardened reader.

The characters are fun to read about: Adam is sexy and suave in his buttoned-up, wry manner. Peregrin is a sweetie with his emotional problems and obvious crush. McLeod is a darling, the perfect endearing Highland chieftain in a cop's uniform.

For good spine-tingling fun, this is THE book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Astonishingly gripping read!, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Adept 1 (Paperback)

Fantasy fiction generally holds very little of interest for me, but this book is mesmerizing. It's well written, very well researched, and accurate in its descriptions of Scottish sites. The main characters are human and intelligent enough to make me read all five installments written thus far and hope for more.