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A Bloody Mary Mystery #8
Murdering the Messenger
"Superb . . . a fast-moving and gripping plot" Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Merchant Murderers
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is back in London and enjoying a sedentary life – after his treacherous voyage back to his beloved city the previous year, he desires nothing more than the simple pleasures – women, wine, beer and more women.
But his new parish of St Helen's has different ideas for him . . . a week after first laying eyes on the tempting Miss Rachel Nailor, she turns up horribly dead on the church vestry floor . . . and someone is trying to frame him for her murder!
A fellow Lady Elizabeth sympathiser, it appears Rachel Nailor was a woman with many secrets. But was she murdered in a fit of lustful rage, or was it part of a wider political play? Who would want Rachel dead – and Jack hanged for it? The suspects are plenty and Jack is running out of time.
With his master breathing down his neck, and old foes crawling out of the woodwork to add to Jack's wine-fuelled headache, Jack has never been in more danger!
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is back in London and enjoying a sedentary life – after his treacherous voyage back to his beloved city the previous year, he desires nothing more than the simple pleasures – women, wine, beer and more women.
But his new parish of St Helen's has different ideas for him . . . a week after first laying eyes on the tempting Miss Rachel Nailor, she turns up horribly dead on the church vestry floor . . . and someone is trying to frame him for her murder!
A fellow Lady Elizabeth sympathiser, it appears Rachel Nailor was a woman with many secrets. But was she murdered in a fit of lustful rage, or was it part of a wider political play? Who would want Rachel dead – and Jack hanged for it? The suspects are plenty and Jack is running out of time.
With his master breathing down his neck, and old foes crawling out of the woodwork to add to Jack's wine-fuelled headache, Jack has never been in more danger!
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2023
5 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jecks
121 books620 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 25, 2023
Jack o’nine lives!
Jack, Jack, Jack! In between playing the gallant (in his own eyes more likely than not), escaping various complications he’s unwittingly set in motion, being a self confessed man of great appeal to the ladies, and the assassin for John Blount, (who works for Elizabeth) … well, there’s never a dull moment!
Jack more falls into situations than by any shrewd planning, and then has the devil’s own luck when pulling his irons out of the fire.
He’s moved into a new neighbourhood to escape the dunning of the tavern keeper Pudge who had provided food and drink for a party Jack didn’t throw. More complications!
Attending church (as one did in those days of Mary Tudor’s reign) Jack spies a lovely lady, Rachael Nailor, and fortuitously she arranges to meet with him. Only it’s not his charm she’s drawn to, oh no! She works for Elizabeth and Jack has been ordered to accompany her on a trip to France. Now we know after his last adventures away from London, Jack doesn't want to leave his beloved city, ever!
He’s going, that is until the lovely Rachael is found with her throat slit in the vestry of the church she’d supposedly gone to meet Jack. More trouble for him!
Well it’s downhill from here on for our anti hero, until the fog clears and Jack ‘o’nine lives’ once more walks clear.
Another, almost nonsensical couple of weeks in the life of our comic anti hero Black Jack!
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Jack, Jack, Jack! In between playing the gallant (in his own eyes more likely than not), escaping various complications he’s unwittingly set in motion, being a self confessed man of great appeal to the ladies, and the assassin for John Blount, (who works for Elizabeth) … well, there’s never a dull moment!
Jack more falls into situations than by any shrewd planning, and then has the devil’s own luck when pulling his irons out of the fire.
He’s moved into a new neighbourhood to escape the dunning of the tavern keeper Pudge who had provided food and drink for a party Jack didn’t throw. More complications!
Attending church (as one did in those days of Mary Tudor’s reign) Jack spies a lovely lady, Rachael Nailor, and fortuitously she arranges to meet with him. Only it’s not his charm she’s drawn to, oh no! She works for Elizabeth and Jack has been ordered to accompany her on a trip to France. Now we know after his last adventures away from London, Jack doesn't want to leave his beloved city, ever!
He’s going, that is until the lovely Rachael is found with her throat slit in the vestry of the church she’d supposedly gone to meet Jack. More trouble for him!
Well it’s downhill from here on for our anti hero, until the fog clears and Jack ‘o’nine lives’ once more walks clear.
Another, almost nonsensical couple of weeks in the life of our comic anti hero Black Jack!
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
December 11, 2024
‘There is no doubt that being accused of murder first thing in the morning, before breakfast and after only two pints of ale, is neither reassuring or relaxing.’
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is back in London and looking forward to a quieter life. He is now living in the parish of St Helen’s (avoiding jealous husbands is sometimes important), and while he’s hopeful of relaxing with wine and women, beer and women, and just women, life has other plans. In church, Miss Rachel Nailor catches his eye, and Jack would love to get to know her better. Unfortunately, a week later Rachel Nailor is found murdered on the floor of the church vestry, and Jack becomes a suspect.
‘Now I may be considered by some, and especially John Blount, to be less than a match for the brains of the average stone pillar, but that is because I conceal my intellect carefully.’
In addition to trying to find out who killed Rachel Nailor, Jack must avoid a few people (including a lover’s husband and a landlord to whom he owes a debt). Rachel Nailor was, like Jack himself, sympathetic to the Lady Elizabeth, sister of Queen Mary. Religious intolerance and unrest are part of the backdrop to this tale, and once again John Blount calls on Jack to investigate.
While on several levels this is a light read, Mr Jecks captures the tension created by the religious differences between Queen Mary and the Lady Elizabeth. Jack Blackjack, opportunist and fixer, fits right in. So, who did murder Rachel Nailor, and why?
This is the eighth novel in Mr Jecks’s Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery series and while I have only read a few of them, I feel like I’ve known Jack forever. Or, perhaps, I met one of his descendants in my younger days. Hmm.
If you enjoy historical crime fiction with a rogue hero, you may enjoy this. I did.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is back in London and looking forward to a quieter life. He is now living in the parish of St Helen’s (avoiding jealous husbands is sometimes important), and while he’s hopeful of relaxing with wine and women, beer and women, and just women, life has other plans. In church, Miss Rachel Nailor catches his eye, and Jack would love to get to know her better. Unfortunately, a week later Rachel Nailor is found murdered on the floor of the church vestry, and Jack becomes a suspect.
‘Now I may be considered by some, and especially John Blount, to be less than a match for the brains of the average stone pillar, but that is because I conceal my intellect carefully.’
In addition to trying to find out who killed Rachel Nailor, Jack must avoid a few people (including a lover’s husband and a landlord to whom he owes a debt). Rachel Nailor was, like Jack himself, sympathetic to the Lady Elizabeth, sister of Queen Mary. Religious intolerance and unrest are part of the backdrop to this tale, and once again John Blount calls on Jack to investigate.
While on several levels this is a light read, Mr Jecks captures the tension created by the religious differences between Queen Mary and the Lady Elizabeth. Jack Blackjack, opportunist and fixer, fits right in. So, who did murder Rachel Nailor, and why?
This is the eighth novel in Mr Jecks’s Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery series and while I have only read a few of them, I feel like I’ve known Jack forever. Or, perhaps, I met one of his descendants in my younger days. Hmm.
If you enjoy historical crime fiction with a rogue hero, you may enjoy this. I did.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 11, 2023
I like historical mysteries, so I felt drawn to this.
I read another book by this author previously, and found myself indifferent to it, but I enjoyed this one a little bit more.
This was a Bloody Mary Tudor mystery. Somehow, it had the seriousness and the tone that I hoped for and expected, but it was more humorous than I initially anticipated. There were some humorous moments in the story that I enjoyed. I also liked the protagonist and the way that he narrated. I found the individual chapters to be a little bit long, which isn't ideal if you prefer short chapters. However, I did find it light enough to read in one sitting. If you're looking for a mystery with a touch of humour, or a historical mystery that's a quick read, this would be a good choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
I read another book by this author previously, and found myself indifferent to it, but I enjoyed this one a little bit more.
This was a Bloody Mary Tudor mystery. Somehow, it had the seriousness and the tone that I hoped for and expected, but it was more humorous than I initially anticipated. There were some humorous moments in the story that I enjoyed. I also liked the protagonist and the way that he narrated. I found the individual chapters to be a little bit long, which isn't ideal if you prefer short chapters. However, I did find it light enough to read in one sitting. If you're looking for a mystery with a touch of humour, or a historical mystery that's a quick read, this would be a good choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.
October 7, 2023
“When I first saw the body, I thought I must be mistaken. Rachel should not have been there, she should have been packing, preparing herself for the journey, for in the next few hours she was supposed to travel to France – which was important to me, since she intended I should accompany her all the way to Paris.”
My thanks to Severn House for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Murdering the Messenger’ by Michael Jecks.
This is Book 8 in his Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery series that features roguish anti-hero, Jack Blackjack. As usual, Jack narrates the tale in his cheeky colloquial style. He may be a former pickpocket turned assassin but his real interest lies in women, wine, beer and more women. This tends to get him into trouble.
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is just settling back into his life in London after his recent adventures in the West Country. During a Sunday service at his new parish Jack finds himself distracted by the comely Rachel Nailor. Yet it appears that she has many secrets of her own as Jack learns from his master, John Blount, that Rachel is a fellow Lady Elizabeth sympathiser. This rather dampens his ardour, especially when he is ordered to accompany her on a dangerous mission to Paris.
Then Rachel Nailor’s body is found on the church vestry floor and it appears that someone is trying to frame Jack for her murder! Who would want her dead? It turns out that there are plenty of suspects as well as other foes crawling out of the woodwork to add to Jack's woes. It’s going to take all of Jack’s wits and plenty of good luck for him to survive these myriad threats.
Having read a number of books in this series of historical mysteries, I expected a fast paced tale and I wasn’t disappointed. There were plenty of interesting twists and turns as Jack seeks to survive the tumultuous society of Mary Tudor’s London.
Michael Jecks writes with great confidence and throughout I found myself completely immersed in Jack Blackjack’s adventures. It is a book and series that I am always happy to recommend for its attention to the historical setting, great characterisation, as well as being a great deal of fun.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
My thanks to Severn House for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Murdering the Messenger’ by Michael Jecks.
This is Book 8 in his Bloody Mary Tudor Mystery series that features roguish anti-hero, Jack Blackjack. As usual, Jack narrates the tale in his cheeky colloquial style. He may be a former pickpocket turned assassin but his real interest lies in women, wine, beer and more women. This tends to get him into trouble.
March 1557. Jack Blackjack is just settling back into his life in London after his recent adventures in the West Country. During a Sunday service at his new parish Jack finds himself distracted by the comely Rachel Nailor. Yet it appears that she has many secrets of her own as Jack learns from his master, John Blount, that Rachel is a fellow Lady Elizabeth sympathiser. This rather dampens his ardour, especially when he is ordered to accompany her on a dangerous mission to Paris.
Then Rachel Nailor’s body is found on the church vestry floor and it appears that someone is trying to frame Jack for her murder! Who would want her dead? It turns out that there are plenty of suspects as well as other foes crawling out of the woodwork to add to Jack's woes. It’s going to take all of Jack’s wits and plenty of good luck for him to survive these myriad threats.
Having read a number of books in this series of historical mysteries, I expected a fast paced tale and I wasn’t disappointed. There were plenty of interesting twists and turns as Jack seeks to survive the tumultuous society of Mary Tudor’s London.
Michael Jecks writes with great confidence and throughout I found myself completely immersed in Jack Blackjack’s adventures. It is a book and series that I am always happy to recommend for its attention to the historical setting, great characterisation, as well as being a great deal of fun.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
October 12, 2023
A Bloody Mary Tudor mystery.
Eighth book in the Jack Blackjack series.
Jack is a lovable rogue, loved how he narrated the book - he is a lot of fun, even though most of his trials and tribulations are self-inflicted.
It’s 1557 and Jack is back in London enjoying the simple pleasures - women and wine.
However it doesn’t last for long - when he is framed for the murder of Miss Rachel Nailor, who is found dead on the church vestry floor.
Who would want Rachel dead and Jack hanged for it.
Loved how it is not a traditional whodunnit detective book, but plays out more as a thriller .
Also the period in which it is set is vividly brought to life and adds and enhances to the plot.
A thoroughly enjoyable read
Thanks @michealjecks @severnhouseimprint and @netgalley for the eARC
Eighth book in the Jack Blackjack series.
Jack is a lovable rogue, loved how he narrated the book - he is a lot of fun, even though most of his trials and tribulations are self-inflicted.
It’s 1557 and Jack is back in London enjoying the simple pleasures - women and wine.
However it doesn’t last for long - when he is framed for the murder of Miss Rachel Nailor, who is found dead on the church vestry floor.
Who would want Rachel dead and Jack hanged for it.
Loved how it is not a traditional whodunnit detective book, but plays out more as a thriller .
Also the period in which it is set is vividly brought to life and adds and enhances to the plot.
A thoroughly enjoyable read
Thanks @michealjecks @severnhouseimprint and @netgalley for the eARC
December 1, 2024
Michael Jecks can write as if he were alive in the 16th century. This murder mystery also prompts consideration of what it must have been like during the conflict between the Church of England and the Catholic church and the tension between England and Spain. This was a time when God's existence was not in doubt and religion was a given. People seemed to not be dedicated to the principles of Christianity but to its political role. The first impression of Jack Blackjack is that he is a notorious degenerate but later this view changes a bit. After getting beyond some of acceptable, but now unacceptable, practices of the day, the plot revealed itself through clues and active detective work. It is an enjoyable read.
July 25, 2023
Crime detection in the 16th century consists of chasing down witnesses, piecing timelines together, and trying not to get killed. Blackjack is back on the case.
January 21, 2024
Jack Blackjack - a laugh a minute.
February 9, 2024
Solid read.
July 24, 2024
This was a better read than the last two.
December 31, 2023
Jack Blackjack shows his customary delusional ineptitude in this enjoyable romp from Michael Jecks, whose tongue is firmly in his cheek with this historical mystery series. Certain tropes do crop up again and again, such as Blackjack considering himself a dasher with the ladies and eyes up every woman he sees, but as soon as one appears to give him the glad eye, he runs a mile! All swagger and no backbone is our Jack, and while this is endearing to a point, it is not a bad thing that these books are not overlong, as a little of such pusillanimity goes a very long way. A nice light read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews