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Halfdan and his master, Winston the Illuminator, are guests in a monastery when they’re awakened in the middle of the night and asked to solve a crime. A monk praying in the church has been brutally murdered, and his severed hand offers the first clue of a motive. As they investigate who could have committed such a heinous atrocity—and why—Halfdan and Winston must negotiate bitter rivalries within the monastery’s hierarchy, a sensitive class structure, and the tension between the new laws King Cnut has sworn to uphold and the codes of honor that precede them. With peace in England on shaky ground and the king’s favor of paramount importance, Halfdan and Winston follow a precarious path toward answers that no one is sure they want.

This second novel in Martin Jensen’s acclaimed King’s Hounds series delves deeply into a chaotic world where alliances change, but oaths are forever.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

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About the author

Martin Jensen

69 books65 followers
Martin Jensen debuterede i 1998 ned den historiske roman "Frit gennem Jylland", som er genudgivet i 2011.

Han modtog i 2009 Edvard Pedersens Biblioteksfonds Forfatterpris og Det Danske Kriminalakademis hæderspris for 7-bindsserien om byfoged Eske Litle og Assens i 1300-tallet.

Han har desuden skrevet fem samtidsromaner og de historiske romaner Soldaterhoren, Tømrerens datter og Ravneflugt.

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Bestselling Danish novelist Martin Jensen was born in 1946 into a working-class family and worked as a teacher and a headmaster in Sweden and Denmark before becoming a full-time author in 1996. He and his wife collect mushrooms, enjoy bird watching, and are botany enthusiasts. Martin Jensen is the author of twenty-one novels. The King's Hounds is his first title to be published in English.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
Profile Image for Lorraine.
1,161 reviews87 followers
July 30, 2023
England, 1018. Martin Jensen’s Oathbreaker (King’s Hounds, #2, King Cnut, #2) a translation from Danish, is an absorbing medieval mystery set in a disordered era in England when a Danish prince, Cnut, is declared the King of England but not as Charles III is the King of England today. England in
1018 consisted of 5 kingdoms: Northumbria, The Danelaw, East Anglia, Mercia, and Wessex. In Oathbreaker I read of the Viking attacks by Sven Forkbeard, Cnut’s father, and Norwegian Olaf Tryggvason who plundered many places in England, and I read about these raids in The Widow Queen, a translation from Polish, whose subject was Cnut’s mother who married Sven (her second marriage) to become Queen of Denmark. I love how the books I am reading this year ‘cross over’ each other. That was not planned - just luck! England was extremely disjointed at this time. The Angles, the Saxons, and the Danish chieftains agreed to make Cnut king, but there are alliances that were made before as Cnut is ‘politicking’ to become king. More importantly, oaths were being given. “……alliances change, but oaths are forever.” Highly recommended! 5 stars
change, but oaths are forever
Profile Image for H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov.
2,125 reviews821 followers
June 16, 2014
Okay, put me down as guilty. When I learned that Martin Jensen's second book in "The King's Hounds" series had been translated, I had to acquire it. When, as a devote of monastery murders a la Ellis Peters (Brother Cadfael), I learned the subject of this adventure, I had to drop other things over the weekend and zoom through Oathbreaker.

This book also takes place in the time of King Cnut's unification of England. Our detective duo consists of a Saxon, Winston the Illuminator, and a Dane, Halfdan, who had been a landed English noble and now is in Winston's employ. Shortly after the events in Oxford (see The King's Hounds), they are sent on a secret mission under the guise of Winston having to illuminate (illustrate) a Benedictine text. A murder in a monastery gives Winston a chance to prove that "looking at the fine details can lead to seeing the bigger picture."

Jensen improves upon his first book in several ways: the characters (with whom we are now familiar) are less awkward in their relationships; the picture of life in rural England is beautifully drawn down to the smallest detail; and, the politics at every level of society is well thought through and relevant to the plot.

A most enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Kathy.
3,873 reviews290 followers
October 2, 2014
Seems as though there are just two books in this series? Wishing there was another one to dive into as I am interested in the time period and historical figures true to time and place. However - for historical fiction, these books are modern language and also reflect modern attitudes. Not such a problem as it makes for easy reading, I suppose, but they are just enjoyable mysteries. The main characters are interesting.
Profile Image for Pamela Mclaren.
1,692 reviews114 followers
November 8, 2019
Halfdan and his master, Winston the Illuminator, are drawn into another mystery when Winston takes on a commission and while traveling, stop at a church where soon, one of the monks is murdered. They must consider the monks themselves, the two Benedictine monks that hired Winston and who have a rivalry with the monks at the church, as well as the various soldiers and headmen that are also at the church.

One think for sure, there is more to the dead man than the fact that he was a monk and before this mystery can be solved, Halfdan and Winston must discover those secrets that all men carry about their past and the things they may have done for their king.

The king is King Canute, the 11th-century monarch of Denmark, Norway and reigning over England during the period of this book series. And during this period, think about it, there was little rule other than the wandering king's men and no forensics to speak of and here Jensen has established two smart men who are taking up the reins of detectives as they come across this crime. There had to be some men who did this in this time period but I'm sure that they didn't spend as much time and care in winnowing out the backstory of the incident to find the real criminal. In those days, I think justice only happened rarely, but despite this, its wonderful to see that happen at least in the pages of this series.

Good interesting reading. Strong characters and a strong story with background based on historic fact. Every time I read one of these books I want to know more about the history.
Profile Image for Jeannie Walker.
Author 12 books567 followers
August 28, 2014
This non-fiction murder mystery by Martin Jensen reminds me somewhat of my own true crime saga where I teamed up with the sheriff and Texas Ranger to help solve the murder of my millionaire ex-husband. That heinous atrocity was an extremely cruel and wicked act that took the life of someone I loved even though we were divorced. I became his voice, as he no longer had one.
The real-life murder mystery I helped investigate and wrote about in “Fighting the Devil” actually took place in 1990 in the Lone Star state of Texas with the story recently being aired and re-enacted a few days ago on National TV by Investigation Discovery on their series - “Deadly Women” - Hunger for Cash.
Oathbreaker (The King's Hounds series) is set in the period of 1018 a time when the Danish ruled English, it is based on a real event. I don’t know how much of the story is actual and factual, but it is an interesting novel and has a lot of history in it.

Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
Fighting the Devil A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder by Jeannie Walker
I Saw the Light - A True Story of a Near-Death Experience by Jeannie Walker
Thomas, The Friendly Ghost - A True Story of Ghostly Encounters by Jeannie Walker
Forever in My Heart - A True Story of Coincidence and Destiny by Jeannie Walker
The Rain Snake A Children's Color Illustrated Book of the miracles of prayer and love by Jeannie Walker
Profile Image for Susan.
1,060 reviews198 followers
July 5, 2014
This is a fine historical novel set in 1018. Danish King Cnut is ruling a large chunk of England and has achieved a tense peace in his lands. He wants to keep the peace and sends Winston, a manuscript illustrator, and his assistant, Halfdan, a former member of the ruling class that has lost his estate to the Danes, to a monastery supposedly to illustrate a monk's book. The real goal is to check out if there are problems brewing with Leofwine, the only Saxon Earl in Mercia.

Here's my problem with the book and I know it sounds petty. The story opens up with Uhtred's demise. I nearly had a hear attack. Uhtred is the main character in my beloved Saxon series written by Bernard Cornwell. Uhtred was the heir to his family's estate when it was stolen from him by his crooked uncle in the late 980's or so. He was taken in and raised by the Vikings and was a follower of the Viking Gods, Thor and Freya among them. Still he fights for Alfred the Great, a devout Christian, as he wants to regain his estate. He is a burden to Alfred as he wears the cross of Thor but a terrific fighter. In one of the better scenes of any book, England, as we know it, comes down to a small swamp with Uhtred and Alfred and a few dedicated followers. All this time I had thought he was a made up character but apparently he was based on a real character. I think Jensen's character is the same as Cornwell's. I can't tell you how much that irritated me. He is such an obscure character, why would you use him while Cornwell's successful series is continuing? I loathe that I know how Uhtred's story ended before Cornwell told me.

Still I think I would like other stories in this series. The mystery was really unsolvable by the reader as enough clues weren't given. Still good historical mysteries are hard to find and this is above average although not excellent. Just don't talk about my Uhtred anymore. He belongs to Cornwell.
Profile Image for Leslie.
2,760 reviews231 followers
September 27, 2015
3.5★ The second book in the Danish historical fiction mystery series by Martin Jensen. It feels a bit strange to read a translated book set in England but this series is set in the time of King Cnut (Canute) when England was ruled by a Dane. The tensions between the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings are even more evident in this second book of the series. While that part of the story was interesting, I found the dispute between the two monasteries even more fascinating. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Profile Image for Rachel Burke.
642 reviews7 followers
August 30, 2018
Another excellent historical mystery

A mystery set in pre-1066 England, a time I don't know a lot about. The setting us well explained and you can easily get lost in it. The terms are occasionally jarring (simply because they are either unfamiliarity English speakers or only familiar in terms of Harry Potter, which is entertaining) but the story is worthwhile. And the setting isn't just a setting. The character s belong in it they think the thoughts that would be thought in that setting, and their actions match it (no one is looking for fingerprints in the late 900s.) Ale is drunk, and local politics and monasteries rule the day.

On a side note I love all of the sarcastic wit about nobles. The books are worth reading for that alone.
231 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2025
Please note that I have read the Danish original, because the translation of the first book, the King's Hounds, was depressing.

The nicest thing about historical fiction is that you can cheat – take time out and check the history books.
The Author knows his history very well, and weaves it in most excellently in a good murder mystery.

The sad part of historical fiction is that history won't change just because we like the characters. The fictional ones and the real ones.
If Cnut hadn't died so young, nobody would have to cry learning English grammar. And believe me, those of us who have learned it have cried. And cursed. But not in English. English is useless for cursing, whatever the English think...
Profile Image for Cookie.
184 reviews
December 23, 2020
#cookiereads Oathbreaker by Martin Jensen 🕵️‍♂️
The second book of the King’s Hounds finds Winston and Halfdan solving a murder of a monk. The monk is brutally murdered in a church. They find out the murdered monk was not who he seems to be. 🕵️‍♂️
The history is very interesting but it takes well over a hundred pages for the plot to start!!! And again it drags on and on. Like the first book at the end I really didn’t care about the mystery. 🕵️‍♂️
1.5 paws out of four paws #kingshounds #historicalfiction #medievaltimes #bookstagram #dogsreadingbooks #corgisofinstagram #corgireads #bluemerlecorgi
Profile Image for Peter.
844 reviews7 followers
October 12, 2023
I thought this was the best of the trilogy.

This second novel has Halfdan and Winston, the Watson and Holmes of Cnut’s England and undercover as Cnut's spies, travelling north to a monastery in Brixworth near Peterborough, where a belligerent brother is murdered, and suspects abound.

The monastic setting (in dispute with a larger nearby monastery) and questions of loyalty amongst the Anglo-Saxons of the north, add to the scenario as the background of the victim is unravelled.
The monastery provides a strong sense of place and time and the political and religious angles really help compared to the others in the series; it's an engaging read.
Profile Image for Cindy Woods.
1,058 reviews20 followers
August 16, 2017
Pretty good plot!!!

I think I especially liked this ending. I felt it was justice!
What a tumultuous time in history!!!! War after war....I cannot imagine being just the average tavern owner or shopkeeper living under the stress. The author does a good job incorporating history into his plot. The main characters are like day and night, yet such good investigating partners as they, once again, are assigned the task of solving a murder.
I would recommend to readers of historical fiction. Good plot.
577 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2022
I'm enjoying this medieval mystery series set in Britain in King Cnut's time. I knew very little of this time--so it's fascinating to see the mix of cultures there at that time (1018). Halfdane and his master Winston the Illuminator are sent to northern England by King Cnut to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. While at the monastery at Brixworth, Brother Godfrid is murdered in the church. Winston and Halfdane agree to investigate--is it one or more of the feuding religious brothers or is it someone from Godfrid's past?
732 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2022
Fascinating story

This is a story of treachery and what lengths a person will go to avenge his friend and leader. Travel back to the eleventh century and a time where the Viking leader Cnut is King of England and to consolidate his power he killed, by treachery, his enemies. The revenge takes place in a monastery in Mercia and the investigation of the murder is the plot to this story along with a sub plot of monastery rivalry. Very enjoyable story.
Profile Image for Maria Rivas-mc.
267 reviews8 followers
October 31, 2023
Transported back to another time

Martin Jensen ‘s Oathbreaker is marvelously developed, bringing the reader into a lived experience.

I loved the the way the ends were tied up and look forward to reading yet another of Halfdan’s and Winston’s adventures. Absolutely recommended for history and crime buffs. A twofer!
Profile Image for Boosmummy.
380 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2019
I love historical mysteries and this is definitely a good follow up to book 1. The writing is easy to read and the story flows well. I enjoyed the characters, even the annoying ones like Edward and Simon! Well worth a read.
Profile Image for DeWayne Landwehr.
Author 7 books24 followers
October 18, 2019
Another complicated medieval thriller

If you like medieval English history, you should love this series. This is the second of a series of three, in which Winston, a manuscript illuminator, receives another unlikely assignment to solve a murder. Lots of twists in the plot.
Profile Image for Bernie4444.
2,464 reviews12 followers
December 24, 2022
This is the second book in "The King's Hounds" series, by Martin Jensen.

Old-time stories of Saxons (a group of early Germanic peoples near the North Sea coast of northern Germania) and Danes (a North Germanic ethnic group native to Denmark) kings and treachery.
137 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2023
Murder and Oaths

A fascinating story of honor, oaths made and broken, and treachery. I simply could not put this book down as it got closer to the conclusion.
Take the time to read, and be fascinated with life in the 10th century.
Profile Image for Linda Griffin.
Author 2 books1 follower
March 29, 2019
After a slow start, those second book in the series delivered a satisfying mystery.
3 reviews
June 5, 2019
Far too many characters

Too many characters that are not a major part of the story and names that are difficult to remember or say
814 reviews
July 15, 2020
An engaging, well told story. Some of the characters are not fully developed but it was still a well plotted tale that held my interest.
Profile Image for Miriam.
656 reviews9 followers
June 24, 2024
Very entertaining with nice historic information in a kind of easy way.
15 reviews
November 2, 2024
príjemná detektívka, s primeraným množstvom napätia, rýchlo ma vtiahla do deja a pri čítaní som sa ozaj cítila, ako keby som behala po anglicku v 11 storočí
338 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2025
Revenge

A triad is formed. Monastic infighting. Vendetta, loyalty on all sides. King’s men? A wonderfully spun tale with many twist and turns.
858 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2021
4.0. While the translation could use some work, the second book in the series is every bit as good ss the first. The two main characters are so different from each other and it is hard to believe that they can work together. But they do, sometimes not very willingly, and the outcome is often humorous. Winston took the bigger role in the first book and Halfden then has a bigger role in the second book. That allowed me to get a better view of each character and to see their strengths much better. And I am enjoying learning about the Danes and Vikings and Britains during the 9th century.

As for the mystery itself, I found it well done.

Finally, there is the translation. The problem is the use of modern-day idioms for a book set in 9th century. It can be a little jarring at times but only a little bit for me.
Profile Image for Sarah.
453 reviews22 followers
March 30, 2014
Book received through GoodReads giveaway program for an honest review. Thanks for the book!

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. Halfdan and Winston are just the right blend of humorous, serious, and dedication that I love. I especially enjoyed Halfdan. He's a down to earth kinda guy that likes his earthy pleasures, has a strong sense of honor, and is loyal to those he feels deserves it. I was kept enthralled by his, and Winston's and Alfrida's, intelligent approach to the murder/mystery and their teamwork to solve the mystery.

The time period the author chose to write about also was fascinating. This is a often forgotten time period when it comes to historical fiction. To find a murder/mystery set there was something else on top of that rarity. The author brought the time period to life in his descriptions of the setting and his presentation of the volatile politics of the period. That era of England's history was such a stew-pot of Dane, Saxon, and Angle strife that that alone kept me enthralled on top of the rest of the story.

The murder/mystery part of the story was a bit of a letdown, though. I was kept guessing for the most part on the whodunit; I couldn't predict the murderer until it was revealed. So that was a plus. But the investigation itself left much to be desired. A lot of the clues and such relied on hearsay and "eyewitness" testimony. There were a few random physical clues incorporated into the investigation. But if this case would have been put through an actual court, methinks it would have been dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The characters and setting were good in this book. But the mystery really was a letdown. I definitely wouldn't recommend this novel if you're looking for a vastly engaging mystery. However, if you're looking for a good story with entertaining characters set in a time period you'll have a hard time finding somewhere else, give this book a look.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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