Customer Reviews

Devils Acolyte

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Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry when he began writing the internationally successful Templar series. Well all I can say is the Computer Industries loss is the reader's gain. He has now written about a score of the Knights Templar mystery books featuring Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock and there are more to follow. Michael's books are full of intrigue and mystery and they are particularly well researched. Mr. Jecks lives in the area he writes about and I am sure this must assist him a great deal with his background research.

14th century England was riddled with myths and legends dating back to before the Romans came. The people of Devon were just as superstitious as all the rest. But one tale strikes terror into the hearts of the people of Tavistock, the tale of the murders that have taken place on the Abbot's Way. It is said that a young acolyte who stole the abbot's wine was led to his death on the treacherous moors by non other than the devil himself.

Now in late 1322, it looks as though history may be repeating itself. The present Abott, Robert, has found his wine barrel empty and a body has been found out on the moors.

Sir Baldwin and Simon are called to investigate, but it soon becomes apparent that there is more than wine missing from the Abbey, and the body out on the moors is not the last.

Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock are my second most-favorite English detective team of all time. I always look forward to every new 'Knights Templar' novel I find on the shelf. Unfortunately, I have to say I was disappointed in THE DEVIL'S ACOLYTE, the 13th such tale Michael Jecks has penned.

In large part, my disappointment lies in the fact that 'the team' doesn't get together till half-way through the book; Puttock handling the investigating chores till then. And then Puttock thinks Baldwin is out for his job and they're at odds. As a result, initally the book lacks the spark, the warmth of other F/P adventures and almost seems a by-the-numbers effort.

The plot is Jecks' usual multi-threaded confection which, this time, involves theft at an Abbey, a maid abused and a grisly murder followed by several more. Various characters have checkered histories and life isn't exactly merry in the town of Tavistock.

In time, Furnshill and Puttock patch things up and unravel who-did-what so all's well that ends well. But I think Jecks goofed by separating F/P for so long. The attraction of the West Country mysteries has always been the relationship between two honorable and likable friends fighting against the bad guys. Recommended with reservations.

I love this series by Michael Jecks. Have bought most used in paperback from Amazon resellers and the newest from Amazon itself.

Jenks knows how to write and tell a good story that is historically accurate. A really good "whodunit."