Review - Cabal of the Westford Knight by David S. Brody

Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower

by: David S. Brody

Paperback: 425 pages
Publisher: Martin & Lawrence Press (January 27, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0977389871
ISBN-13: 978-0977389872
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches

In all honesty, I am not even sure where to start with Cabal of the Westford Knight. The minute I began reading, I was truly entranced and could not, nor did I desire to, put the book down. Mr. Brody does a beyond marvelous job of creating a fictionalized story around real life and researched bits of history. In a way, reading Cabal of the Westford Knight, was a bit like reading an in depth history book, only with an excellent fictional story wrapped around the history lesson.

Cabal of the Westford Knight takes the reader on a step by step quest to learn an ancient, deeply buried and sacred truth. The main characters of Cameron (Cam) Thorne and Amanda are amazing, realistic and allow the reader to embrace them from the very beginning. Amanda is a British researcher who partners with Cam to help uncover long buried secrets - secrets that many have been murdered to keep. I found it delightful the way the author brings Amanda's British background to life through the proper use of the British language and slang. The candor between Amanda and Cam bring a warmth to the story, while the frantic and intense pace leave the reader racing from page to page.

With fact, fiction, myth and legend wrapped together, Mr. Brody presents the reader with an undeniably engrossing and addictive story. Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower, is filled with twists and turns that will leave the reader guessing until the very end. As if the storytelling talent of Mr. Brody isn't enough, the photographs throughout aid in this delightful intertwining of fictionalized history and also add an engaging and very unique aspect to the story.

A bit along the same line as The Da Vinci, in respect to the religious aspects and secrets, Cabal of the Westford Knight is sure to be a huge hit. For anyone looking for a never ending ride, this is the perfect book - once you start, you will not want to put this book down. It is truly amazing and I look forward to exploring additional works by this author!

*overall rating 5/5

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About Cabal of the Westford Knight: Templars at the Newport Tower:

CABAL OF THE WESTFORD KNIGHT is a groundbreaking suspense novel inspired by the legend of the Westford Knight. The legend recounts how Scottish explorers secretly visited Westford, Massachusetts in 1398, where they carved an effigy in stone to commemorate the death of a fallen comrade, a carving that remains visible today. But who were these explorers, and why had they come? The life of the story’s modern-day protagonist depends on finding the answers.

Based on the latest scientific, historical and archeological research, the novel takes readers on a tour of 600-year-old sites and artifacts throughout New England, binding together stone towers and ancient inscriptions in a plot that reveals the true secrets of both the Knights Templar and the Jesus bloodline. The artifacts and sites, all authentic and all illustrated within the book, provide compelling evidence that the heirs to the Jesus bloodline carried ancient Templar treasures and secrets with them to North America as they sought refuge from persecution by Church leaders. Here in the New World, they hoped to establish a New Jerusalem based on age-old pagan values and beliefs that they believed reflected the true teachings of Jesus.

Knights Templar in America. Secret societies. Buried treasures. The Jesus bloodline. Pagans infiltrating the Catholic Church. CABAL OF THE WESTFORD KNIGHT has it all. A feast for history buffs and those who love a literary rollercoaster, this is a cutting-edge novel of suspense that will captivate readers—and force historians to rewrite American history.

While trying to help an elderly couple save their home, attorney Cameron Thorne is thrust into a bloody tug-of-war involving secret societies, treasure hunters and keepers of the secrets of the Jesus bloodline. Joined by Amanda, a beautiful British researcher with secrets of her own, Cam races around New England with only two choices, unravel the 600-year-old mysteries encoded in the ancient Templar artifacts or die trying.

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As an extra treat, follow Mr. Brody as he documents the writing of Cabal of the Westford Knight at http://westfordknight.blogspot.com/ Here you will find many of the intriguing pictures that are strung throughout the book!

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Excerpt:

The Monsignor crossed himself and bowed his head in a quick, silent prayer. He lifted his head and nodded, a nod that indicated agreement rather than merely understanding. “I need to be careful here — you and I, as attorney and priest, we are required to keep certain communications in strict confidence. So please excuse my oblique approach to this conversation.” He took a deep breath. “In the event you intend to continue to represent Mr. and Mrs. Gendron in this matter….” He paused and raised an eyebrow, offering Cam the opportunity to respond.

“Yes, I do. They need my help, and I’m responsible for what happened to Brandon — ”

The Monsignor lifted a hand to stop him, the silk robe rustling. “Nonsense. You did not plant the bomb. Whoever did so will have to answer to the proper authorities. In this world and the next.”

“Well, that may be but the Bobcat idea was mine.” He shivered, remembering Brandon’s bloodied body. “I’ll continue to represent them as long as they want me to. And I’m going to find out who did this to Brandon.”

“Good. I think they still need you. But I will suggest that you are only scratching the surface of this mystery, Mr. Thorne.”

“Wait. How do you know my name?”

The priest smiled. “I am familiar with your work in the sex abuse scandal cases.”

He appreciated Marcotte’s candor. In all the months he worked on the case, nobody from the Church had ever referred to the case as a sex abuse scandal. It was always ‘the allegations’ or ‘the incident’ or ‘the unfortunate conduct.’

“It took a lot of courage for you to do what you did. Leaking that testimony forced the Church to confront its crimes, to deal with its victims. Not many lawyers would have done what you did, risking your career like that.”

Cam smiled wryly. “Priests and lawyers. Not exactly the most popular members of society right now, are we?”

And to think, mothers used to dream of their children becoming lawyers or clergymen.” He took a deep breath. “But, getting back to the matter at hand, my recommendation is that you make an appointment with a young woman named Amanda Spencer. You can reach her through the Westford library. Do so soon. I’ve never met her personally but I believe she can shed some light on this matter.” He lifted his hand and stroked his chin. “But be careful. As you have seen, this is a volatile situation.”

Cam looked back toward the driveway. “I doubt McLovick will try anything else. He knows the police will be watching him.”

“Regarding Mr. McLovick, consider this: If he planted the bomb, it means he is certain there is a treasure buried here, which makes him — whether in jail or not — a continuing danger.” The Monsignor raised his index finger. “But perhaps he had nothing to do with the bomb. And if that is the case, then I think the danger is even greater.”

“I don’t follow.” Perhaps because his head was still ringing like a church bell.

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About David S. Brody:

David S. Brody is a Boston Globe bestselling fiction writer. He serves as a Director of the New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) and is an expert on the subject of pre-Columbian exploration of America. A graduate of Tufts University and Georgetown Law School, he resides in Westford, Massachusetts with his wife, novelist Kimberly Scott, and their two daughters. In his spare time he coaches youth sports and Special Olympics, skis, and plays on adult ice hockey and softball teams.

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