John Holliday / Templar Books In Order

Publication Order of John Holliday/Templar Books

A Canadian author, Christopher Hyde has been writing and publishing his unique brand of fiction for quite some time now, with her distinctive perspective on the modern contemporary thriller novel, which captures a level of excitement unlike any other. With a loyal following having amassed behind his work, he has been able to write a number of franchises, some of which he also goes under the pseudonym of Paul Christopher and A.J. Holt. Previously working within the media industry as a television interviewer, researcher and editor, he has managed to also give his work a highly visual style which immediately leaps of the page for the reader, creating an sense of engagement, along with his characters who are easy to relate to as well. One series that he is particularly well known for is that of his ongoing ‘Templar’ series of novels, which feature the exploits of his leading protagonist John Holliday who carries all the action throughout. Writing this franchise under the pen-name of Paul Christopher, they’ve become extremely popular, with a whole host of readers worldwide discovering them. Telling the story of Lieutenant Colonel John Holliday, they’re extremely fast paced with a high-octane level of action running throughout, constantly keeping the reader on the edge of their seats.
With over nine books and counting in the ongoing Templar series so far, there’s a lot more room to continue going for an indefinite amount of time with this particular franchise. Also known as the ‘John “Doc” Holliday’ series, this is the idea franchise for anybody interested in this certain genre of fast paced action thriller, as it really delivers. Allowing the reader to become fully invested in its leading character Christopher Hyde, also known as Paul Christopher here, offers something that keeps the reader guessing until the very final page.

The Sword of the Templars
Originally published in 2009 on the 7th of July, this was set to be the first in the series of the ongoing John Holliday series of Templar novels, as it introduced the character for the first time to the reading public at large. Setting up all the action and establishing its premise as a whole, it manages to convey a sense of the style and the tone that’s set to come in the forthcoming novels. Brought out initially through the Signet Book publishing house, it manages to provide all the information required for the readers in order to carry the series forwards.
Interested in arcane secrets of the old order, Hyde utilizes a rich and vibrant history of the contemporary historical conspiracy thriller, taking it forwards in the process and creating something new and unique. Knowing the genre well, he takes all the tropes and subverts them, ultimately turning them on their heads in the process, as he works at establishing something that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. The style of narration is also fast paced, as he uses minimal effort to convey a large number of ideas and concepts to his audience, giving them all the information they need to quickly move forwards. A somewhat reluctant hero and leading protagonist, it manages to take the story forwards through the character of John Holliday, giving him a unique and distinctive personality the resonates well with his audience. Set on a global stage it starts in West Point, and this sense of location is also something that Hyde really manages to capture as well, as he really gets a feel for it all.
In the final stages of his career now, Lt. Col. John Holliday is looking to settle down into a teaching position in the area of West Point. That’s when a medieval sword comes into his position after his uncle passes away, one that arrives in Hitler’s personal battle standard. This sets about a chain of events that sees someone burning down his uncle’s house in an attempt to retrieve the sword, someone engaged in a war that’s been taking place for centuries and will do whatever it takes to get the sword. Where will he strike next? Can John Holliday find out the truth behind it all? Will he save the sword of the Templars?
The Templar Cross
First brought out on the 9th of November in 2009, this was brought out only a short time after the first novel, as it carried on directly from the previous title as a sequel to the first. Continuing the adventures of John Holliday once again, it manages to jump straight into the action this time, having already developed his personality and where he’s coming from in the first title. With it being brought out through the Signet Book publishing house once again as well, it offers more of the same, whilst also providing some exciting twists and turns along the way as well.
Continuing in much the same vein as before, many regular readers will come to know what to expect with this series, and that’s no different here. Starting once again in West Point with Holliday hoping to find some peace and quiet, it has a lot of similar ideas from the previous novel about ancient global conspiracies, whilst also developing them in the process as well. The character of John Holliday himself is also similar to how he was before, in that he all he really wants is to settle down into his teaching job in West Point, a peace and quiet that is again disturbed by mysterious goings-on that he has to get to the bottom of.
The time the Israeli archaeologist Rafi Wanounou is engaged to Holliday’s niece Peggy, but it appears that she’s now been kidnapped. This is the only family remaining for Holliday so he goes about helping Rafi in an attempt to find her, but it seems that another global conspiracy is taking place. With an Egyptian legend driving things forwards this time, they are taken all across the world to uncover the secrets behind the ancient Order of the Templar Knights. Will they ever find Peggy? Can they save themselves? What is the secret behind the Templar Cross?

The Templar Series
Knowing his audience well, this particular set of novels are great for any reader looking to escape with a fun and fast-paced read, whilst also rewarding those truly invested in the character of John Holliday. Maintaining his arc of the full course of the novels, Hyde really allows him to develop as a leading protagonist, taking both him and his audience on a journey throughout. This ensures that the series will be around for quite some time to come yet, as there’s still far more potential to expand on the series keeping it running on into the foreseeable future.