Sophia Rose is here with The Templar Detective and the Sergeant’s Secret by J. Robert Kennedy. Narrated by Philip Battley, this is the third in the Templar Detective series of medieval mysteries set in thirteenth-century France. Come see why Sophia enjoys these riveting historical thrillers.
by J. Robert Kennedy
Series: The Templar Detective Thrillers #3
Narrator: Philip Battley
Length: 6 hours and 22 minutes
Genres: Historical Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.3x
HAS ONE TEMPLAR’S LOYALTY FALTERED, OR IS SOMETHING MORE SINISTER AT PLAY?
When Templar Knight Sir Marcus de Rancourt’s sergeant and best friend, Simon Chastain, expresses doubts about the new life they have undertaken, Marcus urges him to seek out the family he hasn’t seen in over 25 years, then choose his own path to follow.
But when his trusted sergeant doesn’t return, Marcus knows something must be wrong, for he refuses to believe decades of loyalty and service would be abandoned without any word.
Determined to find out what has happened, Marcus leaves in search of his missing sergeant, and quickly becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit decades in the making.
From USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy comes The Templar Detective and the Sergeant’s Secret, a pulse-pounding tale of historical intrigue, packed with mystery, suspense, and humor, perfect for fans of edge-of-your-seat thrillers in the style of Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and James Rollins.
Sophia Rose’s Review
Part historical and part riveting thriller, J Robert Kennedy’s medieval knight detective series met and exceeded my expectations. I love historical mysteries particularly when they are well settled in their historical backdrop as much as offer a cunningly crafted mystery and an engaging detecting character to solve it.
The Templar Detective and the Sergeant’s Secret is the third in the Templar Detective series of medieval mysteries set in 13th century France. In after thought, I would definitely recommend not jumping in here, but getting the series in order. I didn’t have trouble following the story line or picking up where the last book must have left off, but I could see that this one built on the last.
Knight Templar, Sir Marcus de Rancourt, retired and returned home to France to take up the running of his late sister’s farm and rearing her children. His retinue including his sergeant, Simon Chastain, a loyal and true brother in arms came with him. They have all been through a great deal together and Sir Marcus, back in the Templar fold and given special dispensation to remain on the farm, has a growing ‘found family’ and brotherhood about him now.
But Simon is having a sort of crisis of faith and calling and not sure this new life is for him. Marcus being the type of leader he is tells Simon to go home and give thought to it all.
And, then his loyal comrade is gone much longer than expected with no word and seems to have left them. Sir Marcus knows this is unlike Simon so he goes looking and finds a dark and sinister, long-in-the-making plot of revenge has been sprung. Simon’s past history is laid out even as Sir Marcus gets to the bottom of things.
This was more action and taunt physical danger than the average historical mystery. Men at arms work and intrigue all fueled by a revenge plot that was laid out. I was enthralled to see how the end game would be achieved. It got gritty and plunged dark depths with the torture and imprisonment in the dungeon part right from the opening chapter before it went on to a scene back at the farm when the situation of Simon’s leaving began and Sir Marcus had to way the truth of Simon’s character and loyalty up against the seeming facts.
The Templar Detective and the Sergeant’s Secret was narrated by new to me Philip Battley. I had no trouble settling into his storytelling or voice for the characters. I would definitely listen to more of his work.
All in all, the Templar Detective and the Sergeant’s Secret got me excited that a new series I was trying landed well and made me want to go back for the first two stories and keep right on going until I caught up with the rest of the released books. I would definitely recommend the audio edition and wait for each of those releases for historical mystery fans who like it pulse-pounding at times and on the gritty side with some solid bromancing and occasional banter.
About J. Robert Kennedy
With millions of books sold, award-winning and USA Today bestselling author J. Robert Kennedy has been ranked by Amazon as the #1 Bestselling Action Adventure novelist based upon combined sales. He is a full-time writer and the author of over seventy-five international bestsellers including the smash hit James Acton Thrillers.
About Philip Battley
Philip Battley is a highly experienced audiobook producer and narrator, with his own studio. He has narrated over 160 audiobook titles.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I do enjoy historical mysteries, as you know! I’ve never read one where a medieval knight is the detective. I’ll look into the series and make sure to start with book one, haha!
Sophia Rose
Ha, yes, definitely a good tip to go with the first book. I read another series with a medieval knight detective so I was really excited to come across this one, too.
Nano Banana AI
I love how this series focuses on the dynamics between Marcus and Simon. The loyalty and trust between them must really drive the tension in this book. Does the mystery delve deep into their past, or is it more about Simon’s actions in the present?
Sophia Rose
No, it doesn’t go into their shared past, but Simon’s and the situation there in France. I hadn’t read or listened to the previous books so I was glad it introduced a new situation.