THIS is a fabulous book that just grabs you and charges ahead at a fast pace.

It starts off in Acre in 1291, with the city falling to the Sultan's men, and two Templar Knights, Martin Of Carmaux and his mentor, Aimard of Villiers, who are ordered to escape to sea with a chest entrusted to them by their dying Grand Master.

Then we switch to present day Manhattan where four masked horseman dressed as Templar Knights, ride through the crowds gathered for the gala opening of a exhibition of Vatican Treasures at the Metropolitan Museum.

Caught in the brutal mayhem is archaeologist Tess Chaykin who witnesses the leader of these horsemen steal a strange geared device and, as he takes it, he utters a few cryptic Latin words.

The main FBI investigator is Sean Reilly, and as the horsemen's dead bodies start turning up Sean and Tess become drawn into the dark hidden history of the crusading knights.

It is an epic story with well developed and strong characters.

This book is a great thriller and a rich historic mystery but it is also very moving and can be highly recommended as a great read.

Why not join us at Redditch Library's next readers' group meeting on Friday, November 18?