Both of these buildings exist and are exactly as described in the pages of this novel, with two single exceptions.
First, the cistern that supplied drinking water to the defenders of Shobak Castle is located precisely where I described it, as is the access to the underground staircase that leads from the castle down to it. However, actually descending the staircase is not quite as easy as it appears to be in this book, so if you visit Shobak, please don’t expect that you’ll be able to retrace Bronson’s steps!
Second, the location and interior decoration of the Église Saint-Christophe des Templiers is accurate, and it is just as bizarre, mysterious and largely inexplicable as I have suggested. However, the crypt and the concealed doorway that I have described at the end of the book are entirely the products of my own imagination.
About the Author
James Becker spent over twenty years in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and served during the Falklands War. Throughout his career he has been involved in covert operations in many of the world’s hotspots; places like Yemen, Northern Ireland and Russia. He is an accomplished combat pistol shot and has an abiding interest in ancient and medieval history. His previous novels, The First Apostle, The Moses Stone, The Messiah Secret, The Nosferatu Scroll, Echo of the Reich and The Lost Testament also feature Chris Bronson and Angela Lewis.
Also by James Becker
THE FIRST APOSTLE
THE MOSES STONE
THE MESSIAH SECRET
THE NOSFERATU SCROLL
ECHO OF THE REICH
THE LOST TESTAMENT
and published by Bantam Books