I always used to enjoy Ms. Clare’s early books, which were straight medieval whodunits, and was dismayed when a strong "woo-woo" element burst in and took the whole scenario hostage. At long last she has returned to her earlier style (or maybe the druids are having a vacation) and has produced a jolly good tale replete with Knights Hospitaller, sinister Saracens, stolen treasure, fleeing fugitives and ruthless assassins. In short, these stories are good on their own and do not need all that New Age rubbish to prop them up. Dare we hope this otherwise fine series is reverting to its former glory? I really do hope so.