When the severed heads of beggars are found outside of Oxford and then the university Regent himself is murdered, a royal request for Sir Hugh Corbett sends the sleuth to investigate
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
Read this book in 2012, and its the 10th volume of the "Hugh Corbett" series, from the author, Paul Doherty.
Set in the summer of the year AD 1303, and Oxford in uproar and chaos.
Several mysterious deaths are occurring in and around Oxford, with beggars tied by their hair to the trees in the woods, while John Copsale, the Regent of Sparrow Hall, has been found dead in his bed, and especially this last act seems to be the murder committed by the mysterious 'Bel Man'.
This is followed with the college librarian and activist, Robert Ascham, found with a crossbow bolt in his chest.
These fatal deadly actions have a direct effect on King Edward I and his realm, so he visits Hugh Corbett at his country manor, to summon him to go to Oxford and start to investigate these hideous murders.
When in Oxford, Corbett's life is at risk from various corners, but resolutely and with determination and cunning he will be able to discover the culprit behind these deadly actions and to bring him to justice.
Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Mystery Hunt"!
P.C. Doherty’s The Devil’s Hunt gets Sir Hugh Corbett out of ‘retirement’ and sent to Oxford to investigate very weird and life losing situations in this University town, and is his companion, Ranulf, pleased about it! Ranulf is bored in the country and with country life. So off they go to Oxford - Sir Hugh, Ranulf, & Maltote. As they enter the town, they see heads hanging from tree branches tied by strips of hair on these heads. Why? Then at the University its Regent has died and the librarian is found murdered. What is all this? On top of these deaths, The Bellman has been posting proclamations concerning de Montfort, Edward I’s enemy during the civil wars of 1260s, but it is now 1303. Edward still hates de Montfort and anything to do with him so Edward arrives at Sir Hugh’s home & asks him to go to Oxford to discover just what is happening. Sir Hugh goes, and two horrifying events take place. Another good episode of investigation by Sir Hugh Corbett & Co.
Holy Damn that was the best yet. I didn't get either of the whodunits. We lose a wonderful character who would stab himself putting meat on his plate.Then our great Hugh Corbett is laying face first in the dirt.
Devil’s Hunt by P.C. Doherty is the tenth engaging entry in the Hugh Corbett medieval mystery series. It blends historical intrigue with a well-crafted whodunit. Set in 14th-century England, the novel follows Corbett as he investigates a series of gruesome murders tied to political conspiracies and dark secrets. Doherty’s meticulous attention to historical detail creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere, bringing the period to life with rich descriptions of medieval society, politics, and daily life.
The mystery itself is well-paced, with enough twists and red herrings to keep you guessing. I enjoyed Corbett who remains a compelling protagonist—intelligent, methodical, and deeply human. However, the prose can be dense at times, and the level of historical detail can slow down the narrative for those more interested in the mystery than the setting.
Overall, Devil’s Hunt is a satisfying historical mystery, ideal for fans of medieval fiction and intricate detective stories.
Este é um romance histórico onde uma série de crimes estão a deixar Oxford em estado de alerta. Várias famílias estão a ser encontradas mortas, em casa, com muita violência mas sem se conseguir perceber quem e como conseguiu entrar em casa das vítimas e matá-las, sem que os vizinhos se apercebam. Gostei de o autor ter pegado no tema/superstições da região dos Balcãs, os Strigoi, e tornar o tema central da trama. No entanto, achei a história algo confusa pois nem sempre era claro para mim quem era quem, nem como se ia desenrolando a história.
En ce début de XIVème siècle, à Oxford, les têtes des mendiants assassinés ornent les arbres tandis que les universitaires de Sparrow Hall meurent mystérieusement. Le roi Edouard Ier demandent à Hugh Corbett de mener l'enquête pour lui.
Une critique très courte car je n'ai vraiment pas grand chose à en dire. J'avais pris ce livre sans vraiment savoir de quoi il s'agissait dans une boîte à livres et il s'est avéré qu'il était le dixième tome d'une série de polars médiévaux. Toutefois, cela n'est nullement gênant de commencer par celui-ci, à la manière d'un Hercule Poirot.
Concrètement, le livre fait son travail mais sans plus. On le suit pour découvrir l'assassin mais je n'y ai pas trouvé une âme particulière qui me fasse me passionner pour ma lecture. Pour être honnête, j'ai quasiment déjà oublié l'existence de ce livre trois semaines après l'avoir lu.
Good setting details and strong sense of time and place (a place I'm glad I didn't live in - although perhaps I did in a previous live I've thankfully forgotten). I read so many mysteries and apparently there are only so many plot twists because I saw this one coming a mile off. But it was still a good read.
I enjoy this series so much. In this story, Corbett reluctantly returns to the king's service and is sent to Oxford. There, he confronts an assassin so clever, so siister, that it could be he has met his match. With Ranulf's assistance, he plumbs the depth of Sparrow Hall, a collage with dark secrets.
I enjoyed another Corbett story and was still surprised at most moments, even if I had a clue about others. To avoid spoilers, I would just say I was really sad and angry at several points and wasn't exactly expecting the ending.
What happens when you get about a chapter into one of Paul Doherty's books? Well, you read it again. I must have read this years ago, forgot that I read it and recently picked it up again. Oh, well, still a good read. Thank you Internet Archive for having a copy of this!
Good to re read this great detail to create the feel of mediaeval England. I was surprized to discover the Author is still working as headmaster at 73yrs old!
1303 Sir Hugh Corbett is sent on the orders of the King to Oxford. There have been several deaths of beggars, all with severed heads, but also the killing of Masters from Sparrow Hall. Credited to The Bellman. An entertaining historical mystery
Where is Ranuf's b son??? Why is it that author's introduce a compelling aspect to the stories that involves a main character and his/her life and then forgets to include the fact , in this case a small boy person, into any more of this books long narrative. I am peeved about this missing child!!! The man in charge goes to tremendous lengths to see justice is done in whatever form that takes...and forgets his own wife and offspring more often than not AND Ranulf's Son....simply unforgivable...just sayin'. And the book with it's brutal tales was a good read though this neglect of families of their own when they attempt to care for as many others as possible continues to ramble this reader. Where is Tamil d's son????!!
Originally published on my blog here in July 1998.
This is the seventh Hugh Corbett mystery, part of the series set in England during the reign of Edward I. This particular novel is set in Oxford, where Corbett is sent by the king to investigate the serial murder of the masters of Sparrow Hall, a small foundation forming part of the University and the mysterious proclamations of "The Bellman", who calls down curses on the king in the name of his old enemy Simon de Montfort.
When Hugh arrives in a city full of memories of his own youth, he discovers that Sparrow Hall is involved in other suspicious activities: students from the hall are believed to be part of a satanic coven meeting outside the city and ritually murdering beggars.
In this rather unpleasant situation, Hugh sets to work. The king is unconcerned about the murders themselves, just about the activities of the Bellman. He fears that proclamations in the name of Simon de Montfort might spark a rebellion, even after many years of Edward's rule.
The book is typical of the series, which I like in general because it conveys a much more accurate reflection of the medieval period than many members of this genre - in particular, the Ellis Peters' Cadfael books, which present a heavily romanticised and modernised version of the twelfth century, with Cadfael a twentieth century detective in thought and word and deed. The level of violence is quite high, and the investigation proceeds slowly enough to allow several more murders to take place before Corbett knows what is going on. I prefer, as detective stories, the Brother Athelstan mysteries written by Doherty under the name of Peter Haining.
In the summer of 1303, murder has made itself known in the King's university city of Oxford. The illustrious Regent of Sparrow Hall, John Copsale, is found dead in his bed. Some claim he died in his sleep, while still others whisper that Regent Copsale was murdered by the mysterious "Bell Man" - who posts treasonous notes on the doors of the churches.
Then the college librarian and archivist, Robert Ascham is discovered inside the college library with a crossbow bolt in his chest. Definitely an act of cold-blooded murder, but who could have done it? After all, the library was sealed, the doors and windows securely locked. And just what was Ascham trying to write on the piece of manuscript found lying beside him?
Are the Regent's death and Ascham's murder the result of a terrible curse of ghosts who still walk the earth, seeking vengeance? Or are the deaths somehow related to the ritualistic murders of beggars, the severed heads of whom are found tied by their hair to the trees in the forest. King Edward hears of the seething unrest in Oxford and arrives unannounced at the Leighton estate of Sir Hugh Corbett - Keeper of the King's Seal and clerk of the King's Bench. The King charges Sir Hugh to travel to Oxford to resolve the murderous mysteries that threaten to plunge the city and university into chaos.
I did enjoy this book, although it was slightly hard to follow. I was definitely interested to discover who the murderer was, though. I give this book an A!
Set in 1303, The Devil's Hunt is part of the Sir Hugh Corbett mystery series. Not having read any other the others, I can't really judge this one too harshly, but...
The Bellman is out and about, in and around Sparrow Hall. No one is safe--from thieves to people inside the Hall! Are all the murders related? Are there two murder sprees ongoing concurrently? At the behest of the King, Sir Hugh Corbett must find out...before more people die.
In the end, instead of making me want to read more of the Hugh Corbett mysteries, this novel just made me want to reread the Mel Starr Hugh de Singleton series.
I enjoyed this medieval mystery starring my favourite Clerk, Sir Hugh Corbett. This one is set in 1303 and Corbett is sent to Oxford to investigate a number of vicious murders. Oxford was a completely new setting for the series, and I enjoyed learning about the college halls and scholars and how they operated so many hundreds of years ago.
One of the key characters was surprisingly killed in this novel and I certainly wasn't expecting that. All in all, another enjoyable historical fiction by Doherty.
The author was recommended to me, particularly his early books in this series. This isn't an early one but it was pretty good, except that family names were only just beginning to be used so I imagine Doherty used them to move the plot along. The ending was a shock and I must see if there is a #11. The characters were definitely believable and I even began to like Ranulf-atte-Newgate. Reading about Oxford so much earlier than Morse was interesting, too, although Sparrow Hall must have disappeared centuries earlier.
This tenth addition to the Hugh Corbett series is top notch in all respects. I gave up watch television about five years ago. In the time I did watch it many series ended the season with a cliffhanger forcing the viewer to wait many weeks before resumption and resolution. This is such a novel with a major cliffhanger but fortunately I won't have to wait for number eleven. The Devil's Hunt includes some very devious villains as well as some very emotional moments. If I had more than two thumbs they would all be up with an added salute to Dr. Doherty for another great read.
Puedo resumirlo en una palabra: decepcionante. La primera mitad me mantuvo enganchada. Una gran ambientación hizo que me introdujera enseguida en la historia, en el su espacio y en su época. Pero, luego... no sé en qué momento exacto pinchó pero todo me parecía predecible y carente de originalidad. Lento en acciones y personajes tan maniqueos que me vi fuera de la historia, totalmente fuera, cuando apenas me quedaban 60 pág. Llegué al final, claro, pero con un sabor amargo.
This is an excellent read. Doherty knows his history of England in the era of Edward I. The mystery is hard to figure out, the characters real and the time period realistically pictured. The ending is very dramatic. All in all, a great read - highly recommended.
I have read a couple of the Hugh Corbett stories and find them quite enjoyable and an easy read. Perfect for journeys but sadly I did not warm to his character as much as I had with Cadfael ... this is likely a fault of waiting until my late forties to read it compared to being ten.
Good plot, good setting, interesting characters. The writing doesn't match the rest. A couple entire chapters at the end of the protagonist and the villain long- windedly expositing on what happened and how and the motivation.
Yes, this was solved more by luck than logic, but it was still a really good read. I just hope this isn't the last of we see of Sir Hugh Corbett and Ranulf-atte-Newgate.