What do you think?
Rate this book
An intriguing new Brother Athelstan historical mystery - December, 1380 . When the corpse of Sir Robert Kilverby is discovered in a locked room, Brother Athelstan accompanies the King’s coroner to investigate. For Sir Robert had in his possession a priceless relic, a sacred bloodstone, which has now disappeared. Did Sir Robert die of natural causes or was he murdered? Athelstan is sceptical of rumours of a curse hanging over Sir Robert, but when it is discovered that a second old soldier has been gruesomely slain on the same night, the rumours no longer seem so far-fetched . . .
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
170 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books608 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 29, 2021
Read this book in 2011, and its the 11th volume of the captivating "Brother Athelstan" series.
The book tale is set in December in the year AD 1380, and Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston in full action.
This time it concerns the death of Sir Robert Kilverby, who's discovered in a locked room, and so Brother Athelstan accompanies Sir John Cranston to find out what they can about this death.
In Sir Robert's possession was a priceless relic, a certain sacred bloodstone, and this relic has now disappeared, and so it seems that the man must have been murdered.
Sceptical at first about a curse, Brother Athelstan becomes convinced of murder, when a second old soldier is has been slain on that same night.
Who and why have they been murdered is the question, and what will follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery where Athelstan and Cranston will have to dig deep to get to the bottom of this case, and after quite some twists and turns, followed with a well executed plot, they will be able to solve this riddle of murders and catch the culprit in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Bloodstone Mystery"!
The book tale is set in December in the year AD 1380, and Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston in full action.
This time it concerns the death of Sir Robert Kilverby, who's discovered in a locked room, and so Brother Athelstan accompanies Sir John Cranston to find out what they can about this death.
In Sir Robert's possession was a priceless relic, a certain sacred bloodstone, and this relic has now disappeared, and so it seems that the man must have been murdered.
Sceptical at first about a curse, Brother Athelstan becomes convinced of murder, when a second old soldier is has been slain on that same night.
Who and why have they been murdered is the question, and what will follow is an intriguing and thrilling mystery where Athelstan and Cranston will have to dig deep to get to the bottom of this case, and after quite some twists and turns, followed with a well executed plot, they will be able to solve this riddle of murders and catch the culprit in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliant Bloodstone Mystery"!
October 8, 2019
2019 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-book that takes place in an abbey, monastery, or vicarage.
This was boring. The characters were hard to differentiate.
This was boring. The characters were hard to differentiate.
September 10, 2021
Life is cruel!!
First of all I would like to say this English who don it is a good read. Well written story with all the ,are you kidding me, now what is he up to, oh shit you better watch your back bother and well damn I got it wrong again!!!!
Second I would like to say I get to learn what it was like to live in those those days. The wealth like nice an clean an the poor lived even poorer an did what ever they could to put food on there tables. To find just a little happiness in all the filth they had to live with.
First of all I would like to say this English who don it is a good read. Well written story with all the ,are you kidding me, now what is he up to, oh shit you better watch your back bother and well damn I got it wrong again!!!!
Second I would like to say I get to learn what it was like to live in those those days. The wealth like nice an clean an the poor lived even poorer an did what ever they could to put food on there tables. To find just a little happiness in all the filth they had to live with.
March 13, 2022
Brother Athelston is called from his poor Southwark parish to assist the Crown Coronor solve a merchant's murder in a Cheapside mansion, find a valuable missing jewel relic called the Bloodstone, and solve a series of brutal murders of a group of archers called the Wyvern Company living in retirement (called corrody) at a wealthy abbey connected to both the merchant and the jewel relic. It is an engaging mystery set in a turbulent, gritty, dangerous medieval London at the end of the 14th century. Lots of interesting historical detail, vocabulary, events, even personages compliment the murder mystery. Those details along with the colorful variety of characters enrich a classic mystery plot that includes locked room murder and the gathering of suspects for the final reveal. I enjoyed it and will be looking to read more in this series.
The author Paul Doherty is an academic and teacher specializing in medieval history who has written several series under various pseudonyms, both male and female. Most are set in a medieval world, and the Friar Athelstan series was originally published by Paul Harding. All are being republished, and new ones published, under Doherty's real name.
The author Paul Doherty is an academic and teacher specializing in medieval history who has written several series under various pseudonyms, both male and female. Most are set in a medieval world, and the Friar Athelstan series was originally published by Paul Harding. All are being republished, and new ones published, under Doherty's real name.
June 4, 2019
This was a measured, eloquent and atmospheric historical mystery in which the body count rises higher than the chants at vespers. Reminiscent of The Name of the Rose or the Cadfael mysteries. I enjoyed.
January 26, 2015
Once you have read one of these books, you've read them all. So similar to each other to make Catherine Cookson look inventive.
May 15, 2017
Another Great Book
The Brother Athelstan series are well written with many twists and turns. I wish there were more as I am approaching the end.
The Brother Athelstan series are well written with many twists and turns. I wish there were more as I am approaching the end.
April 7, 2023
Although almost finished with the book, thanks to a small nap, I am not continuing for one simple reason: the author likes extended sections of descriptive metaphors and exposition on sights and smells, etc. Then there are clever sections (in the author's opinion) on interactions between a character and extraneous bystanders. All of that, of course, interrupts the flow of the story. By the time the author has finished showing off his wordsmithing abilities, my interest in the mystery has waned to the point that I no longer care who committed the murders. Also there is enough melodramatic language and performance to set my teeth on edge. Mr Doherty is definitely not my cup of tea.
May 25, 2018
Another in a favorite series
The Brother Athelstan mysteries are an engaging series of stories with historical detail, and relatable characters. I will confess that some of the logic and clues of some of the earlier stories are absent. Athestan’s solution makes sense, but there is little to understand how he reached his conclusions, I wouldn’t wish to give any spoilers by saying more about that. The story weaves together a series of related events into an engaging mystery, which is typical of Doherty’s series.
The Brother Athelstan mysteries are an engaging series of stories with historical detail, and relatable characters. I will confess that some of the logic and clues of some of the earlier stories are absent. Athestan’s solution makes sense, but there is little to understand how he reached his conclusions, I wouldn’t wish to give any spoilers by saying more about that. The story weaves together a series of related events into an engaging mystery, which is typical of Doherty’s series.
March 26, 2020
Sir Jack and Brother Athelstan search for the killers and for the stolen relic, a priceless bloodstone. The mystery is well written, but the characters are...well...out of character. It was not as enjoyable because I missed the characters that I had come to like in the other 10 books.
I hope this is just an aberration in the series.
The book, Bloodstone, is enjoyable as long as you don't expect the same personalities as in the earlier books of the series.
I hope this is just an aberration in the series.
The book, Bloodstone, is enjoyable as long as you don't expect the same personalities as in the earlier books of the series.
March 23, 2025
Bloodstone
The Bloodstone, a ruby formed from Christ's blood during his crucifixion, so it was claimed, is stolen. A man dies of poison in a locker room. Other murders follow. An attempt is made on Athelstan's life. Will our beloved friar solve the mysteries before his stalker stopped. The Fisher of Men shows up again. He is a wonderful supporting character. I enjoyed reading the book
The Bloodstone, a ruby formed from Christ's blood during his crucifixion, so it was claimed, is stolen. A man dies of poison in a locker room. Other murders follow. An attempt is made on Athelstan's life. Will our beloved friar solve the mysteries before his stalker stopped. The Fisher of Men shows up again. He is a wonderful supporting character. I enjoyed reading the book
May 25, 2018
A first
My first Paul Doherty and will not be my last. A well written who done it with lots of descriptive writing. I enjoyed it.
My first Paul Doherty and will not be my last. A well written who done it with lots of descriptive writing. I enjoyed it.
October 16, 2018
Booooooring! Repetitive, devoid of atmosphere and full of terrible characters.
July 17, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! I love anything to do with history, especially European history. It’s a great read!
February 3, 2021
An enjoyable book for the interaction between Athelstan and Cranston. Some of the other characters were a bit confusing.
April 15, 2021
Well done. It is well plotted and engaging.
April 20, 2022
brilliant
This series of books gets better every time, with a great cast of characters especially the main two . The plots are really clever on to the next one .
This series of books gets better every time, with a great cast of characters especially the main two . The plots are really clever on to the next one .
June 13, 2022
I enjoy reading these books. I particularly like in this book Athelstan's parishioners being remembered. It just wouldn't be the same with out his mob.
August 9, 2023
Brilliant read
This is a brilliant read as always in this series. Love Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston and all the other delightfully named characters!
This is a brilliant read as always in this series. Love Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston and all the other delightfully named characters!
October 18, 2023
interesting and complicated plot
Depressing and cheerless world presented but telling of human resourcefulness and amazing ability to find light in a dark and harsh life.
Depressing and cheerless world presented but telling of human resourcefulness and amazing ability to find light in a dark and harsh life.
March 11, 2025
This wasn't the best in the series, so many names and situations that I found it a little difficult to keep up with.
February 27, 2021
Thrilling seat gripper.
Just such another good mystery, couldn't put it down, ticks all boxes,
Held the suspense til the very last page
Just such another good mystery, couldn't put it down, ticks all boxes,
Held the suspense til the very last page
February 9, 2021
Semplice, ben scritto, con una buona ambientazione e una trama solida.
Fratello Athelstan ed il coroner Cranston sono personaggi godibilissimi e lo stile è lineare e mai noioso. Unica pecca i comprimari, che si fatica un po' a distinguere tra loro.
Fratello Athelstan ed il coroner Cranston sono personaggi godibilissimi e lo stile è lineare e mai noioso. Unica pecca i comprimari, che si fatica un po' a distinguere tra loro.
March 2, 2015
I enjoyed this rather different outing with Brother Athelstan and Sir Jack Cranston - the first murder takes place in London but additional murders and a large part of the action takes place at the Abbey of St. Fulcher, a wealthy Benedictine house along the Thames. Doherty as usual does a marvelous job of recreating the filthy, bustling, crowded streets of London and the desperate poverty of those who live there, but here he highlights the harsh and cruel contrast between that and the luxuriously opulent lifestyle of not just the ruling and merchant classes, but of many of the clergy in the powerful religious houses as well.
This novel opens immediately after Cranston and Athelstan's previous adventure "House of Shadows", so England is teetering on the edge of open rebellion by the peasants stretched to the breaking point by John of Gaunt's taxation; the Great Community of the Realm and the Upright Men are ready to revolt - in the Historical Note the author reminds us that the Peasant's Revolt is right around the corner in 1381. Doherty does a wonderful job bringing all of these competing fears, tensions and pressures to life as Athelstan and Cranston try to solve murders and maintain order for the Crown but also for the poor citizens of London. Athelstan cares deeply about his poor but rowdy parishioners, as does Cranston, and they know any revolt would be mercilessly suppressed. Complex, puzzling mysteries; an eccentric, funny and sympathetic cast of recurring characters and a wonderful crime-fighting duo in Cranston and Athelstan - what's not to love? I hope Doherty will keep up this series, it has become of my favorites.
This novel opens immediately after Cranston and Athelstan's previous adventure "House of Shadows", so England is teetering on the edge of open rebellion by the peasants stretched to the breaking point by John of Gaunt's taxation; the Great Community of the Realm and the Upright Men are ready to revolt - in the Historical Note the author reminds us that the Peasant's Revolt is right around the corner in 1381. Doherty does a wonderful job bringing all of these competing fears, tensions and pressures to life as Athelstan and Cranston try to solve murders and maintain order for the Crown but also for the poor citizens of London. Athelstan cares deeply about his poor but rowdy parishioners, as does Cranston, and they know any revolt would be mercilessly suppressed. Complex, puzzling mysteries; an eccentric, funny and sympathetic cast of recurring characters and a wonderful crime-fighting duo in Cranston and Athelstan - what's not to love? I hope Doherty will keep up this series, it has become of my favorites.
August 16, 2021
I went back in time a bit in reading The Bloodstone since the action takes place a year before the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. The bloodstone is a relics supposed to be created from Christ’s blood flowing down at the crucifixion, and it has disappeared from the casket in which it was held. Its history is that it was looted by a group of master archers from a Benedictine Abbey near Poitiers after the battle; these same archers are now housed comfortably at the Abbey of St Fulcher near London, and someone is murdering them, one by one. Because of the value of the bloodstone, Coroner Sir John Cranston and his faithful amanuensis, Brother Athelstan, are instructed to get it back no matter what! Athelstan is deposited at St Fulcher’s while Cranston trolls the sleepy backstreets of London to get some clue to the murders. Needless to say, the solution to the mounting murders is not easy, and Cranston has to pull in some highly disreputable people to get the word out. Athelstan is attacked and threatened but refuses to give up.
As usual, the writing of these stories is tight and compelling. You find yourself wanting to get back to the book when you’re not reading it.
As usual, the writing of these stories is tight and compelling. You find yourself wanting to get back to the book when you’re not reading it.
December 24, 2011
Paul Doherty has the ability to transport the reader into the sights and smells of the Middle Ages,and he is a master of the Locked Room Mystery. This is the eleventh in a series about Brother Athelstan, a parish priest who assists Sir John Cranston,the larger than life London Coroner, to solve bizarre and brutal murders.
The Bloodstone in the story is a powerful relic said to be made of the blood and sweat of Christ, which vanishes from a locked room. The novel reveals the greed,superstition,resentment of the suspects.
I really enjoyed this book,and my only criticism is that the assorted parishoners of St. Erconwald's, especially the lovely Benedicta and the church cat Bonaventure,only make a few appearances.
The Bloodstone in the story is a powerful relic said to be made of the blood and sweat of Christ, which vanishes from a locked room. The novel reveals the greed,superstition,resentment of the suspects.
I really enjoyed this book,and my only criticism is that the assorted parishoners of St. Erconwald's, especially the lovely Benedicta and the church cat Bonaventure,only make a few appearances.
February 9, 2014
This eleventh novel in the Brother Athelstan series took a subtle, slightly different direction than previous adventures of the "little friar" In earlier episodes, Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, London coroner, were pretty much inseparable in their pursuit of murderers, thieves and assorted street urchins of dubious character. In Bloodstone, Athelstan is pretty much on his own, confined to a Benedictine monastery by the greedy Regent, John of Gaunt. Not as a punishment but more as an incentive to recover a stolen relic. Cranston's contributions are still notable but Athlestan truly shines with his mastery of logic and sense of justice. An overall good read.
January 21, 2013
It's been a long time since there was a Brother Athelstan mystery -- too long! I love this series. PC Doherty really knows his time periods and is so gifted at plotting and characterizations. His characters are so very interesting. I don't think I'm giving anything away to say that this novel has two locked room puzzels in addition to lots of other mysterious events, and plenty of medieval color, sights & smells! I'm looking forward to the next book and hope there will be many more. It's too bad they are so hard to get here in the US.
December 13, 2011
The good news is there's a new Athlestan mystery after all these years. The bad news is Athlestan doesn't spend much time in his parish, so many of the recurring characters only make brief appearances in the book. Other than that, it's a typically good mystery from Doherty.
I hope we don't have to wait another 8 years for the next book in the series. Time wise, we're getting really close to Wat Tyler's Rebellion & I'd really like to see how Athlestan copes.
I hope we don't have to wait another 8 years for the next book in the series. Time wise, we're getting really close to Wat Tyler's Rebellion & I'd really like to see how Athlestan copes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 26, 2013my edition has 233 pages.
I do like the Brother Athelstan mysteries. the author takes you into the sights, smells and sounds of 14th century London; you get history, mystery and larger than life people.
and see there is yet another in the series. something to look forward to as i decide whether to add these newer titles to my personal collection.
I do like the Brother Athelstan mysteries. the author takes you into the sights, smells and sounds of 14th century London; you get history, mystery and larger than life people.
and see there is yet another in the series. something to look forward to as i decide whether to add these newer titles to my personal collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews