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Sir Roger Shallot #3
The Grail Murders
In 1522 the rogue Roger Shallot and his sober-sided master Benjamin Daunbey are sent for by Cardinal Wolsey. Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, has been arrested for treason and Benjamin and Roger are made to witness his bloody execution. The true reason for Buckingham's downfall soon becomes apparent: he was searching at Templecombe Manor and Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset for two precious relics - the Holy Grail and Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur.
Benjamin and Shallot are ordered to Templecombe, accompanied by the leaders of King Henry VIII's dreaded secret service, the Agentes in Rebus, to find these relics for the King. They must pit their wits against the Templars, a secret organisation plotting against the Tudors of which Buckingham may have been a part and who may still have a member of their society close to the crown.
The difficulties that wily Shallot - running true to his boast of possessing the fastest legs and quickest wits in Christendom - has to face soon make their presence felt: a duel, blackmail, the curses of a witch, the grisly hand of glory, decapitated heads, mysterious fires - and silent murder in the eerie Templar chapel.
This novel was previously published under the pseudonym Michael Clynes.
Benjamin and Shallot are ordered to Templecombe, accompanied by the leaders of King Henry VIII's dreaded secret service, the Agentes in Rebus, to find these relics for the King. They must pit their wits against the Templars, a secret organisation plotting against the Tudors of which Buckingham may have been a part and who may still have a member of their society close to the crown.
The difficulties that wily Shallot - running true to his boast of possessing the fastest legs and quickest wits in Christendom - has to face soon make their presence felt: a duel, blackmail, the curses of a witch, the grisly hand of glory, decapitated heads, mysterious fires - and silent murder in the eerie Templar chapel.
This novel was previously published under the pseudonym Michael Clynes.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 30, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 3rd volume of the delightful "Roger Shallot" series.
This series brings us the recollections of Roger Shallot's adventures for his boss , Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
The tale is set in the year AD 1522, and Roger Shallot and Benjamin Daunbey are witness of the execution of Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, after having been found guilty of treason.
The true reason for the Duke of Buckingham's downfall was that he was searching for two precious relics, the Holy Grail and Excalibur at Templecombe manor and Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset.
Benjamin and Roger Shallot are sent to Templecombe to find these relics for the KIng, and they are accompanied by the King's dreaded secret service, the agentes in Rebus.
Their opponents are Templars, a secret organisation plotting against the Tudors, of which Buckingham may have been part, and one of them is still a member and also close to the crown.
What will follow is an intriguing and exciting Tudor mystery, in which Benjamin and Roger Shallot will have to use their wits, cunning and speedy legs, to unravel this mystery, and after several dangerous and deadly encounters in various circumstances they will be able to reveal the culprit of all this mayhem and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a wonderful addition of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Grail Mystery"!
This series brings us the recollections of Roger Shallot's adventures for his boss , Cardinal Wolsey, during the reign of King Henry VIII.
The tale is set in the year AD 1522, and Roger Shallot and Benjamin Daunbey are witness of the execution of Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, after having been found guilty of treason.
The true reason for the Duke of Buckingham's downfall was that he was searching for two precious relics, the Holy Grail and Excalibur at Templecombe manor and Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset.
Benjamin and Roger Shallot are sent to Templecombe to find these relics for the KIng, and they are accompanied by the King's dreaded secret service, the agentes in Rebus.
Their opponents are Templars, a secret organisation plotting against the Tudors, of which Buckingham may have been part, and one of them is still a member and also close to the crown.
What will follow is an intriguing and exciting Tudor mystery, in which Benjamin and Roger Shallot will have to use their wits, cunning and speedy legs, to unravel this mystery, and after several dangerous and deadly encounters in various circumstances they will be able to reveal the culprit of all this mayhem and murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a wonderful addition of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Grail Mystery"!
August 16, 2017
Un protagonista loffio, una trama leggera, pochissimi spunti interessanti: un libro buono solo per accendere il camino d'inverno!
November 24, 2022
Сър Шалот, шпионин на краля и безнадежден женкар, е по следите на две от най-издирваните реликви в историята - Светия Граал и меча на крал Артур. Но той не е единственият, поел на това пътешествие. В надпревара със зловещия Орден на рицарите тамплиери, сър Шалот се изправя срещу призраци, вещици и древни проклятия. Серия от загадъчни убийства го съпровожда по пътя му. "Убийствата на Граала" е увлекателна хроника за управлението на Хенри VIII, написана в стил "Името на розата," задължителна за феновете.
April 6, 2020
3.5 🌟
Molto diverso dai libri che leggo di solito, sia per quello che riguarda lo stile della narrazione, lo stile dei dialoghi e il fatto che a tratti il narratore, Shallot, sembra quasi rivolgersi direttamente al lettore.
Ciò detto, devo ammettere che essendo un'amante della storia l'ho trovato un libro interessante, con una ottima premessa iniziale.
Templari, omicidi apparentemente inspiegabili, Tudor, Windsor, cospirazioni, la ricerca del Gaal, la spada Excalibur, come potevo non leggere questo libro?
Molto diverso dai libri che leggo di solito, sia per quello che riguarda lo stile della narrazione, lo stile dei dialoghi e il fatto che a tratti il narratore, Shallot, sembra quasi rivolgersi direttamente al lettore.
Ciò detto, devo ammettere che essendo un'amante della storia l'ho trovato un libro interessante, con una ottima premessa iniziale.
Templari, omicidi apparentemente inspiegabili, Tudor, Windsor, cospirazioni, la ricerca del Gaal, la spada Excalibur, come potevo non leggere questo libro?
February 24, 2022
Paul Doherty is truly a master of his craft!
The art of storytelling can be good, bad or even indifferent, and then sometimes you find an author who is truly great. Paul Doherty is one of the great ones. Yet he makes it seem so simple. I wish I had his knowledge of history and his way with words. I can't wait to read more of his books.
The art of storytelling can be good, bad or even indifferent, and then sometimes you find an author who is truly great. Paul Doherty is one of the great ones. Yet he makes it seem so simple. I wish I had his knowledge of history and his way with words. I can't wait to read more of his books.
November 8, 2017
Great book
Again the author takes the reader through a maze by which the reader forgets which way to turn next. Superb writing.
Again the author takes the reader through a maze by which the reader forgets which way to turn next. Superb writing.
November 26, 2018
Libro lento, noioso e piuttosto prevedibile
July 1, 2019
Engaging story that is well plotted but Shallot is not a very likable character.
May 5, 2022
Bello, bello, bello.
July 15, 2025
Senza infamia e senza particolari lodi. Inizio molto confusionario e di difficile comprensione. Poi tutto si libera davanti ai nostri occhi. Libro da "una volta e forse mai più".
August 5, 2025
Enjoyable light read.
July 1, 2012
Probabilmente non l'ho letto in un momento adatto... sarà che ero al mare e magari avevo altro per la testa... ma non mi è piaciuto... L'ho trovato lento... moooolto lento ed estremamente pesante... ho fatto veramente fatica a finirlo :-(
July 6, 2014
Really a good series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews