From Publishers Weekly
Pouring old wine into new bottles once again, Kurtz and Harris serve up another vintage dark fantasy in this fifth adventure about reincarnated Adept Adam Sinclair and his efforts to contain ancient occult forces simmering beneath the civilized veneer of contemporary Scotland. Sworn to uphold "a code of spiritual morality which is, itself, a reflection of the Divine Will," Sinclair, Peregrine Lovat and other mystically endowed members of the Hunting Lodge square off against black Adept Francis Raeburn, still licking his wounds after his defeat in Dagger Magic (1995). They also take on the Lodge of the Lynx, a cabal of evildoers determined to channel the demonic energies of Taranis, Lord of Lightning. Kurtz and Harris have become so comfortable with their characters and the details of their lives that they dither leisurely for the first half of the novel, juxtaposing Adam's lengthy preparations for his Stateside wedding to Ximena Lockhart against Raeburn's equally protracted execution of the Druidic rites that will summon terrors from the Outer Darkness. But once Adam returns to Scotland from his American sojourn, the tug-of-war between the armies of light and darkness escalates into a full-blown battle. The secrets of freemasonry, the Knights Templar and Scottish myth are deployed like campaign strategies; psychometry, scrying, astral projection and other armaments in the occult arsenal are unleashed with wild abandon. Although stamped from the same template as the black magic novels Dennis Wheatley wrote a half-century ago, this tale packs thrills that will appeal to discerning modern readers. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The fifth volume in the popular Adept series maintains the high standards of Kurtz and Harris' classic reworking of the occult detective theme. The evil adepts of the Lodge of the Lynx have returned to the fray, trying by devious and foul means to revive a medieval Scots sorcerer-nobleman who is alleged to have the power to bind elementals themselves. The body count is considerable before the Lodge and its odious leader, Francis Raeburne, meet a well-deserved fate, and that count nearly includes Adam Sinclair and several of his friends. Fortunately, Sir Adam survives to marry his beloved Ximena at last, and readers will enjoy the same elegance, wit, folkloric and occult scholarship, brisk pacing, and flavor of contemporary Scotland that have distinguished this book's predecessors. Sir Adam and friends may yet achieve the popularity of Manly Wade Wellman's John the Balladeer. If and when they do, it will be deserved. Roland Green

From Kirkus Reviews
First time in hardback for this established contemporary occult series (Dagger Magic, etc.). Edinburgh baronet and psychiatrist Sir Adam Sinclair leads a Hunt Lodge, a sort of white magic police force. While Adam's in America collecting his bride- to-be, Ximena, old foe and black magic Lynx-Master Francis Raeburn takes possession of an ancient Pictish dagger, an implement he hopes to us as a channel for evil psychic energy. All the while Francis is keeping tabs on Adam and company, though the latter only gradually become aware of who and what they're up against. After several skirmishes, Francis uses the dagger to summon the banished spirit of William Lord Soulis, Scotland's wickedest sorcerer; Soulis demands a body to occupy as his price for revealing how to control demons. So Francis snatches Adam while he's distracted by wedding preparations, and a furious showdown ensues. Rather too much padding, but well-handled occult lore and doings with plenty of local color: Fans of Kurtz's engrossing Deryni series of Harris's solo outings (The Bastard Prince, 1994, etc.) should find it worth a look. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly
This tale packs thrills.

Locus
Good adventure...satisfying.

Book Description
Sir Adam Sinclair, the mystic historian known as the Adept, has emerged victorious from his encounters against the forces of darkness. But now he faces the most unthinkable crime imaginable against his kind: murder.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Mystic and historian, Sir Adam Sinclair is Master of the Hunt, leader of a secret brotherhood at war with the dark and unholy Powers that menace our world. He has had many names, lived many lives, but his mission remains the same: to protect the Light from those who would tread the Dark Roads. In his time, he has challenged the forces of evil and been victorious. Now evil is rising once again - an extraordinary evil born of ancient elemental magic and twentieth century ambition. And Adam Sinclair will face the most unthinkable crime against his kind: the murder of an Adept.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Pouring old wine into new bottles once again, Kurtz and Harris serve up another vintage dark fantasy in this fifth adventure about reincarnated Adept Adam Sinclair and his efforts to contain ancient occult forces simmering beneath the civilized veneer of contemporary Scotland. Sworn to uphold "a code of spiritual morality which is, itself, a reflection of the Divine Will," Sinclair, Peregrine Lovat and other mystically endowed members of the Hunting Lodge square off against black Adept Francis Raeburn, still licking his wounds after his defeat in Dagger Magic (1995). They also take on the Lodge of the Lynx, a cabal of evildoers determined to channel the demonic energies of Taranis, Lord of Lightning. Kurtz and Harris have become so comfortable with their characters and the details of their lives that they dither leisurely for the first half of the novel, juxtaposing Adam's lengthy preparations for his Stateside wedding to Ximena Lockhart against Raeburn's equally protracted execution of the Druidic rites that will summon terrors from the Outer Darkness. But once Adam returns to Scotland from his American sojourn, the tug-of-war between the armies of light and darkness escalates into a full-blown battle. The secrets of freemasonry, the Knights Templar and Scottish myth are deployed like campaign strategies; psychometry, scrying, astral projection and other armaments in the occult arsenal are unleashed with wild abandon. Although stamped from the same template as the black magic novels Dennis Wheatley wrote a half-century ago, this tale packs thrills that will appeal to discerning modern readers. (Jan.)

Kirkus Reviews

First time in hardback for this established contemporary occult series (Dagger Magic, etc.). Edinburgh baronet and psychiatrist Sir Adam Sinclair leads a Hunt Lodge, a sort of white magic police force. While Adam's in America collecting his bride- to-be, Ximena, old foe and black magic Lynx-Master Francis Raeburn takes possession of an ancient Pictish dagger, an implement he hopes to us as a channel for evil psychic energy. All the while Francis is keeping tabs on Adam and company, though the latter only gradually become aware of who and what they're up against. After several skirmishes, Francis uses the dagger to summon the banished spirit of William Lord Soulis, Scotland's wickedest sorcerer; Soulis demands a body to occupy as his price for revealing how to control demons. So Francis snatches Adam while he's distracted by wedding preparations, and a furious showdown ensues.

Rather too much padding, but well-handled occult lore and doings with plenty of local color: Fans of Kurtz's engrossing Deryni series of Harris's solo outings (The Bastard Prince, 1994, etc.) should find it worth a look.