Customer Reviews

The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover A Knights Templar Mystery (Knights Templar)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, I'll admit to two of my biases: I have enjoyed all of Michael Jecks' books, and I love medieval mysteries in general. And I hate the fact that these are sold as being "Knights Templar" mysteries, because that is hardly their main focus.

That being said, this book is more Templar-oriented than most, and Jecks is as scrupulous about history as always. I also love the fact that the title is in some ways a potentially misleading riddle.

For those who are used to seeing Jecks' characters in the English countryside, this novel, which is set mostly in France, will be new and different. I applaud Jecks for branching out geographically, while keeping the characters with whom I was comfortable. It is another book that teaches a lot of history painlessly while amusing us with interesting characters and a good mystery.

Michael Jecks is a very, very accomplished writer. He brings the Edward and Isabella period to brilliand life. I recommend everyone who has interest in mistery and medieval history to read his books as soon as possible and, just like me, to crave for the next installment of the series

This is the first book in the series that fails to deliver on an enjoyable mystery. The author almost apologizes for the radical change in his crafting of this story. Mr. Jecks does a wonderful job of weaving his character into the historical backdrop of the English-French conflict and provides a solid story line to follow. It is however not his typical work that builds details and characters to a climax of understanding who the culprit is. I would recommend it as a good read for someone who is like the time period of the setting, as the story touches on many of the little known facts of the events, just not a good mystery.

Although there wasn't much of a murder mystery there was a definitely an aire of intrigue! This book is among the best in this series and served as a refresher course for some forgotten history. As with his previous books I am left wanting more tales of Sir Baldwin and Simon. I definitely recommend this book to all who love a good story.

This is Jecks's 24th or 25th work, depending on how one counts, and he has progressively improved from his first opus. This one has less to do with the mystery of a murder than any of his previous ones and focuses more on the history of 1325 vis a vis England and France - which I found to be quite enjoyable and a delightful way to absorb some history. Jecks does an excellent job of making it come alive while keeping historically grounded and what a story it was and is:
Queen Isabella of England, spouse of Edward II and sister to King Charles of France, has been dispatched to France to negotiate for the return of England's land there. Complicating matters is that she has been exiled by her own husband in favor of his male lover and is disliked by her sibling for having brought to his attention his wife's infidelity. Murders ensue left right and center as the various factions jostle for advantage and our trusty detectives Sir Baldwin and Simon the bailiff must be nimble to discern the truth while dodging the slings and arrows - and not just verbal ones - hurled against them.
Jecks is careful to employ period correct phrases and references to the religion, customs, and clothing of the time and provides an insight as to the way things were and perhaps how men and women then perceived themselves and their time. Jecks's characters have gradually acquired sex lives over his last few writings and one hope that trend will continue and give us further insight to medieval manners and morals and round out his depiction of English life in the middle ages. The book can be enjoyed on its own but does reference prior events and murders as Jecks writes in real time and his characters age along with us. The Templar part of the novel is adequately explained along the way. Good characterization, settings, and attention to historical detail and you finish the book smarter than when you started. What more can one ask for?

OK. So I take it from other readers that they enjoy the writing style, which is fine. I do not. The author may have great knowledge about all things Templar, but I am not going to find out because I can't even finish reading the book. I don't like the short, couple of pages of story line and he keeps jumping from one thing to another. I also find his habit of starting each bit with the location, which could have (and should have) easily been worked into the story wording. Also, I don't care what specific date Ash Wednesday was.

The entire book is too fragemented; the story is not flowing and too hard to follow. The characters are not very well developed; as a matter of fact, there is probably too many characters. The background of the story isn't very well developed. The speech of the characters may be the way it was, but it's not engaging. I am a big fan of all things medieval, Templar, etc. but I am sad to say that for me, this book totally sucked. Read into it at a local bookstore before you buy and make sure you can handle the style.

Jecks does it again. The characters live and the situations are, as always, believable. Michael Jecks makes history exciting. He is an exceptional author.

I really liked Jeck's treatment of this theme. I appreciate his research and then his interpretation of Isabella's diplomatic trip to France. He made it come alive.

I can only apologize to Michael Jecks for not having written a review before now. Although I had the long wait, it arrived earlier than originally expected. I pledged to wait and finish the book that I was reading at the time by an excellent author. But, the flesh is weak and before I knew it, I was carefully taking the dust jacket off the precious tomb and finding it most difficult to put down despite a set back in health. Jecks has been good, no excellent before now. Then he wrote outside of his "home ground" and one or two nay sayers where there to chide him for leaving home as it were. I could not agree! He grew and his character development grew apace. Now Jecks has proven to me that he can weave a great story in a most complex web while one enjoys every minute of reading not just the "who done it," but absorb the historical period at the same time. I will leave it at that because I don't plan on telling the story. But, Jecks, you had best get the next one on the shelves soon. I am also glad to see that the book stores are keeping his older works on the shelves as never before that I have seen in this part of the U.S. I certainly hope that British readers appreciate what they have in this author and give him credit. The book is good enough that I over looked the few typos that I don't credit the author with, but his publisher should take greater care for Jecks. I am looking forward to the release of his friend, Bernard Knight's, latest work. I hope for earlier than expected release here.