Picture a Lebanese storyteller who dodged warzones and bank meetings to craft pulse-pounding thrillers—meet Raymond Khoury! Born in Beirut in 1960, this globetrotting author turned his knack for adventure into the New York Times bestseller The Last Templar, blending history, mystery, and cinematic flair. His journey from architect to novelist is as thrilling as his books.
The Making of Raymond Khoury
Raised in Lebanon, Khoury’s life took a dramatic turn in 1975 when his family fled the Lebanese Civil War to Rye, New York. After high school, he returned to Beirut to study architecture at the American University, even illustrating children’s books on the side. But war flared again in 1984, forcing a daring evacuation by U.S. Marines. Khoury pivoted to an MBA in France, dabbled in investment banking in London, and stumbled into screenwriting after a chance meeting with a banker who moonlighted as a screenwriter. This eclectic path sparked his love for storytelling.
Raymond Khoury’s Unforgettable Stories
Khoury’s debut, The Last Templar (2005), started as a screenplay but became a global hit as a novel, following archaeologist Tess Chaykin and FBI agent Sean Reilly unraveling a Knights Templar mystery. Its cinematic pace and historical depth drew comparisons to Dan Brown, but Khoury’s voice is distinctly his own. The Templar Salvation (2010) continues the duo’s adventures, diving into Vatican secrets. The Devil’s Elixir (2011) explores conspiracies with a darker edge, while Rasputin’s Shadow (2013) weaves Cold War intrigue with Imperial Russia’s mystique. Khoury’s dual-timeline style—melding modern thrills with historical flashbacks—keeps readers hooked, backed by meticulous research.
His novels, translated into over 40 languages, blend intellectual heft with breakneck action. As Booklist notes, “Khoury’s thrillers engage the reader’s mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace.” His screenwriting roots shine through in vivid, scene-driven prose, making his books feel like blockbuster films. With eight novels, including the alternate-history epic Empire of Lies (2019), Khoury consistently delivers smart, immersive stories.
Why Raymond Khoury Matters
Khoury’s impact lies in his ability to make history thrilling and accessible. His novels bridge cultures, drawing on his Lebanese roots and global experiences to craft universal tales of adventure. Fans praise his knack for blending fact and fiction, sparking curiosity about the past. His work on BBC series like Spooks and Waking the Dead, plus the NBC miniseries of The Last Templar, extends his influence into visual media. Khoury’s stories resonate with readers who crave brainy yet exhilarating escapes.
- Born: 1960, Beirut, Lebanon
- Key Works: The Last Templar, The Templar Salvation, The Devil’s Elixir, Empire of Lies
- Notable: His novels are translated into 40+ languages; The Last Templar became an NBC miniseries.
Snag The Last Templar and dive into Raymond Khoury’s world of heart-racing historical thrillers!