Rasputin's Shadow (A Templar Novel) Paperback – October 7, 2014

This was my first book by this author, though I do have a few others on my shelf to read, and this was a good introduction to him. There was some back story that I may have need previous books to understand, but otherwise none of the others are needed. I like the historical aspects involving Rasputin and the cat and mouse chase between the law and the bad guys. The protagonist, Reilly, is enjoyable to follow and I liked getting into his head. However, I liked that the author didn't use his point of view throughout. The reader is taken into the worlds of the other characters as well, and it helps add to the suspense and help you fully understand what is going on. I will definitely be reading more by him in the future.

The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars was because I had a little bit of trouble getting into it, but that could just be too much on my mind. The theoretical scientific development that could have been possible in WWII is fascinating, especially considering the rumors that emerged about transportation at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, denied by our government. The plot is well written, exciting, and once I got into it, impossible to put down. Great read.

While this was a good read, much like the previous book in this series, it had nothing to do with the Knights templar at all which is why I started the series. This book also dropped tess to almost no involvement, which saddened me. I do like how it twisted real history with stretches of fiction. Overall decent book but not sure if there is another book that I'll read it.

This was a good entry in this series. The main plot moves solidly, although it did seem to slow down in the middle of the book. It picks up again and culminates in a strong finish. This book should be read as part of the series, as it is helpful ti have a foundation for the subplot.

Bought used. Book arrived in like new condition. Story is very dull and unexciting. Glad i saved money buying it used

An excellent yarn spun by an excellent author. This is a novel, but the details concerning Rasputin's influence on the Tsar and his wife are mostly true. Khoury has given voice to events which could have happened, but we'll never know exactly what did happen; except the demise of the Tsar and his family, and the country he governed.

I started reading this series with The Last Templar and really loved that book. As the last two books have gone away from the Templar theme, they haven't been as interesting. This one could have been compelling, but it took too long to bring out what the device did. The secondary plot is taking way too long to untangle.

I had a difficult time really getting into this story. The writing is decent and is a good story, but it just didn't suck me in the way I was hoping. The story presents some interesting, if terrifying possibilities, and comes to a satisfying conclusion while maintaining the ongoing story line of the lead character. I'll be watching for his next book!

This is a terrible book. Up to now I've enjoyed the adventures of Sean & Tess and was looking forward to them continuing. The book starts very slow because a lot of characters are introduced, some with unpronouncable and immediately forgettable Russian names and keeping track of who's who slows down the action. The majority of the first 100 pages barely involve Sean Reilly and poor Tess is reduced to two mentions, both of them sleepy utterances from bed. Don't know what she's been doing since the end of the last book but she's still sleeping it off. By page 140 I was so fed up with Sokolov that I was beginning to question whether this was a Sean/Tess book at all but by then it was too late. The book went on to the Oxfam pile unfinished and I reached for the next Scott Mariani book. Raymond, get a grip.

Good

Not as impressed as I thought I woudl be having read other books by this author. This was a slightly messy novel, with too much going on and the modern part of the story about the child seemed almost irrelevant. Okay.

Christmas present

Disappointing coming from a good author as raymond khoury