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Hugh Corbett #2
Сянка над короната
През една бурна нощ в края на тринайсети век Александър Трети, крал на Шотландия, препуска лудо към замъка Кингхорн, за да прекара нощта с младата си съпруга. На другия ден трупът на краля е открит на морски бряг. Вероятно конят се е подхлъзнал по високите скали, надвиснали над брега, и е повлякъл и конника към гибел.
Но в английския двор не вярват на тази версия. Неочакваната смърт на краля оставя шотландския престол без наследник, големите благороднически родове проявяват апетитите си към короната, Шотландия е на ръба на гражданска война. Събитията в далечната северна страна се следят отблизо и от най-мощните кралства в Европа - Франция и Англия.
Затова младият Хю Корбет, писар в кралската канцелария, е изпратен с тайна мисия в Шотландия. Той трябва да разбере дали смъртта на краля действително се дължи на нещастен случай или е дело на някой, който има интерес да предизвика нестабилност и размирици в страната.
Корбет трябва да следи и подмолните схватки за престола, тайните ходове на претендентите и дворцовите интриги. Последвалите убийства потвърждават подозренията на писаря. Смъртта го дебне навсякъде - из мрачните ходници на замъците, по тесните улички на средновековен Единбург и сред живописната природа на Шотландия, до мига на невероятната развръзка.
Но в английския двор не вярват на тази версия. Неочакваната смърт на краля оставя шотландския престол без наследник, големите благороднически родове проявяват апетитите си към короната, Шотландия е на ръба на гражданска война. Събитията в далечната северна страна се следят отблизо и от най-мощните кралства в Европа - Франция и Англия.
Затова младият Хю Корбет, писар в кралската канцелария, е изпратен с тайна мисия в Шотландия. Той трябва да разбере дали смъртта на краля действително се дължи на нещастен случай или е дело на някой, който има интерес да предизвика нестабилност и размирици в страната.
Корбет трябва да следи и подмолните схватки за престола, тайните ходове на претендентите и дворцовите интриги. Последвалите убийства потвърждават подозренията на писаря. Смъртта го дебне навсякъде - из мрачните ходници на замъците, по тесните улички на средновековен Единбург и сред живописната природа на Шотландия, до мига на невероятната развръзка.
234 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1988
115 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books607 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 8, 2025
**Read 4.5 STARS!**
This eventful historical mystery is the 2nd part of the "Hugh Corbett" series, and this book was originally published in 1988.
At the end of the book within the Author's Note you'll notice some very informative historical info regarding this story.
Storytelling is superb, all characters, real historical and fictional, come splendidly to life in this tale about the death of King Alexander III of Scotland and its consequences.
The book is set in the year 1286, and we find Hugh Corbett in Edinburgh, after being sent there by Chancellor Bishop Burnell but without the consent of King Edward I, to investigate this death of King Alexander of Scotland.
While making tentative enquiries at various parties, whether Scottish, English or French, Hugh Corbett is targeted himself at several moments while out and about during these investigations.
What is to follow is a thrilling and intriguing historical mystery, where plotters are planning for the future, whether for themselves or for their monarchs, and in these deadly circumstances Hugh Corbett, and his servant Ranulf, must search for answers and thus the solutions as to the death of King Alexander, and find the culprit who created this web of deceit and death and the attempts of his life, before they can and must head back to England and be safe there from various parties.
Very much recommended, for this is a second wonderful addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mysterious Political Killing"!
This eventful historical mystery is the 2nd part of the "Hugh Corbett" series, and this book was originally published in 1988.
At the end of the book within the Author's Note you'll notice some very informative historical info regarding this story.
Storytelling is superb, all characters, real historical and fictional, come splendidly to life in this tale about the death of King Alexander III of Scotland and its consequences.
The book is set in the year 1286, and we find Hugh Corbett in Edinburgh, after being sent there by Chancellor Bishop Burnell but without the consent of King Edward I, to investigate this death of King Alexander of Scotland.
While making tentative enquiries at various parties, whether Scottish, English or French, Hugh Corbett is targeted himself at several moments while out and about during these investigations.
What is to follow is a thrilling and intriguing historical mystery, where plotters are planning for the future, whether for themselves or for their monarchs, and in these deadly circumstances Hugh Corbett, and his servant Ranulf, must search for answers and thus the solutions as to the death of King Alexander, and find the culprit who created this web of deceit and death and the attempts of his life, before they can and must head back to England and be safe there from various parties.
Very much recommended, for this is a second wonderful addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mysterious Political Killing"!
July 8, 2020
2020 Summer Clearance Sale
2.5 stars
The second book in this series and the last one in my possession, for which I am thankful. Doherty is decent at plotting—he keeps Hugh moving along, gathering clues, taking risks, and annoying all the people around him. But Hugh is so wooden, so unemotional. The author tells us what Hugh is feeling, rather than letting the character tell us himself. My other complaint is that clues which are obviously meant to be meaningful in the author's mind don't reveal much to me. He's been thinking about them as he writes and he forgets that the reader hasn't been privy to his thought processes. Some of them are pretty obscure, others completely opaque.
I suspect that Doherty would be happier writing nonfiction, perhaps text books, but the market for those is tiny. So he writes almost-text-books, lightly disguised as novels. They're not awful, but they're not very inspiring either. This is a relatively painless way to learn history, but I think I'll keep looking for more engaging historical fiction for my future history lessons.
2.5 stars
The second book in this series and the last one in my possession, for which I am thankful. Doherty is decent at plotting—he keeps Hugh moving along, gathering clues, taking risks, and annoying all the people around him. But Hugh is so wooden, so unemotional. The author tells us what Hugh is feeling, rather than letting the character tell us himself. My other complaint is that clues which are obviously meant to be meaningful in the author's mind don't reveal much to me. He's been thinking about them as he writes and he forgets that the reader hasn't been privy to his thought processes. Some of them are pretty obscure, others completely opaque.
I suspect that Doherty would be happier writing nonfiction, perhaps text books, but the market for those is tiny. So he writes almost-text-books, lightly disguised as novels. They're not awful, but they're not very inspiring either. This is a relatively painless way to learn history, but I think I'll keep looking for more engaging historical fiction for my future history lessons.
April 20, 2017
Another Hugh Corbett mystery that I enjoyed.
April 14, 2018
King Alexander III of Scotland has died leaving no male heirs. This death appears suspicious. Enter Hugh Corbett, Clerk to the King’s Bench. The Crown in Darkness by P. C. Doherty (Hugh Corbett #2) has Hugh going to Scotland to check out the situation, but he travels alone as his assistant, Ranulf, is ill and stays at an abbey where both Hugh and Ranulf had been staying. Hugh is not pleased with the assignment, but makes his way to The Abbey of Holy Rood in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hugh can feel that he is not wanted there by the Scottish, the French Envoys, and, frankly, he does not want to be there. Hugh feels the danger and the strangeness found in medieval Scotland, but he has been sent so he must complete his job. I felt Hugh’s anxiety and fear, but I continued to read to see how he solved his dilemma. And solve it he does, but I kept getting the feeling that the author was stretching to complete Hugh’s job. As a student of British history, I know what did happen after Alexander III’s death, but I shall not reveal what took place. I like the author’s use of factual history in Hugh’s story, but I can feel the stretch, and it does not feel ‘right’ to me. I still enjoyed reading about Hugh Corbett, and I shall continue to do so. 31/4 stars
November 3, 2022
Hugh Corbett looks into the death of King Alexander in Scotland, apparently from a fall off a horse. A lot of questions aren't answered but its historically interesting. Corbett is in peril a lot of the time and does not have his capable servant Ranulf along to protect him for much of the book.
March 3, 2023
Just a fair historical mystery, much packed into a small book.
June 7, 2014
In this book, Hugh Corbett solves another medieval mystery. This time Hugh Corbett went to Scotland following the 'accidental' death of Alexander III of Scotland to investigate the circumstances on behalf of the Chancellor. I really enjoyed the medieval nature of the plot and especially the journey to the dark forest in Scotland to visit the Picts, often referred to as pixies, goblins or elves. "Once they were a proud people and ruled the greater part of Scotland but the Celts, the Angles, the Saxons and the Normans drove them from their lands into the dark vastness of the forests."
I thoroughly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys medieval mystery and intrigue.
I thoroughly recommend this author to anyone who enjoys medieval mystery and intrigue.
August 12, 2018
Je suis très mitigé (entre 2 et 3 étoiles) Le fond historique (rivalités sur la succession de l'Ecosse convoitée entre la France, l' Angleterre et les nobles écossais) est bien exploité, pimenté de quelques passages plus fictionnels
Mais Corbett reste ici un enquêteur peu attachant très (trop) intuitif
Il semble que l'auteur attache plus d'importance à l'histoire avec un grand H qu'à son roman et à ses personnages Dommage, car c'est un roman que j'ai envie de lire et non un cours d'histoire revisité
je lis en parallèle les enquêtes de Hugh de Singleton dont l'auteur s'attache plus aux détails de la vie quotidienne ce qui rend Hugh intéressant à mes yeux bien qu'à la longue, la description des menus ou autres vêtements risquent de me lasser D'autant qu'il y a de nombreuses répétitions (je sais bien que tous les livres doivent pouvoir se lire comme des "stand alone" mais pour qui suit la série, c'est très agaçant de se voir répéter des épisodes précédents )
Bref, ayant déjà acheté les suites, je continuerai à suivre Corbett dans ses enquêtes mais en alternant avec d'autres genres
Mais Corbett reste ici un enquêteur peu attachant très (trop) intuitif
Il semble que l'auteur attache plus d'importance à l'histoire avec un grand H qu'à son roman et à ses personnages Dommage, car c'est un roman que j'ai envie de lire et non un cours d'histoire revisité
je lis en parallèle les enquêtes de Hugh de Singleton dont l'auteur s'attache plus aux détails de la vie quotidienne ce qui rend Hugh intéressant à mes yeux bien qu'à la longue, la description des menus ou autres vêtements risquent de me lasser D'autant qu'il y a de nombreuses répétitions (je sais bien que tous les livres doivent pouvoir se lire comme des "stand alone" mais pour qui suit la série, c'est très agaçant de se voir répéter des épisodes précédents )
Bref, ayant déjà acheté les suites, je continuerai à suivre Corbett dans ses enquêtes mais en alternant avec d'autres genres
July 8, 2018
"Сянка над короната" е втора част от поредицата на Пол Дохърти - Средновековни загадки.
Хю Корбет, английски писар служи на канцлера Бърнел, който му дава деликатни и необичайни задачи, този път е изпратен в Шотландия, за да проучи съмнителната смърт на крал Александър III, паднал през една бурна нощ от коня си, докато яздел към Кингхорн на път към младата си съпруга Йоланда.
Кралят няма наследници от мъжки пол, само три годишна внучка в Норвегия - Маргарет. Но има и други благородници с близки родствени връзки до краля, които също искат трона,
Хю е пратен да разнищи обстоятелствата около смъртта на краля.
Много ми харесва как Дохърти преплита криминалната нишка в реални исторически събития и представя епохата с факти и описания, които правят събитията толкова реални.
Хю Корбет, английски писар служи на канцлера Бърнел, който му дава деликатни и необичайни задачи, този път е изпратен в Шотландия, за да проучи съмнителната смърт на крал Александър III, паднал през една бурна нощ от коня си, докато яздел към Кингхорн на път към младата си съпруга Йоланда.
Кралят няма наследници от мъжки пол, само три годишна внучка в Норвегия - Маргарет. Но има и други благородници с близки родствени връзки до краля, които също искат трона,
Хю е пратен да разнищи обстоятелствата около смъртта на краля.
Много ми харесва как Дохърти преплита криминалната нишка в реални исторически събития и представя епохата с факти и описания, които правят събитията толкова реални.
December 21, 2023
The books in this series are quick reads, in part because you find yourself saying "I'll just read till the end of the chapter to see what Corbett finds out." Then, you want to discover where he is going with that odd, but interesting path of reasoning and pretty soon you realize it is 2 am and you are almost done with the book.
Hugh uncovers several secrets about the the death of Alexander III of Scotland and who was likely behind the death.
Hugh uncovers several secrets about the the death of Alexander III of Scotland and who was likely behind the death.
May 18, 2021
Another history lesson
The way Paul Doherty weaves fact and fiction is just brilliant. A great story so wrapped up in truth. I also like the fact that Hugh Corbett and Ranulf feel I'll and tremble and are sick after being attacked. They don't carry on as if it is an everyday occurrence. It somehow makes it all the more real.
The way Paul Doherty weaves fact and fiction is just brilliant. A great story so wrapped up in truth. I also like the fact that Hugh Corbett and Ranulf feel I'll and tremble and are sick after being attacked. They don't carry on as if it is an everyday occurrence. It somehow makes it all the more real.
October 28, 2021
Nice job sir.
Will this is a first in this series that early on an I mean early on I new who don it. Great reading an a greater learning of history an murder on the side. There is a saying. "What Comes around goes around"
Will this is a first in this series that early on an I mean early on I new who don it. Great reading an a greater learning of history an murder on the side. There is a saying. "What Comes around goes around"
August 6, 2017
Обикновено давам 3 на Дохърти, но този път лекото и безмилостно боравене с мистерията, без изобщо да се променя нещо в историческия контекст, ми позволява да го оценя по-високо.
June 5, 2022
The Crown in Darkness is the second book in the Hugh Corbett series featuring a medieval clerk who acts as a detective/spy for the court of Edward I. This novel begins with Chancellor Burnell calling Corbett into his office and informing him that he will promptly (the journey takes seven weeks!) travel to Scotland and investigate the untimely death of Alexander III, the king of Scotland who perished without leaving an heir. Obviously, who sits on the throne is a matter of concern to the English, so Burnell wants information on what did happen (was the death truly an accident?) and find out any insight about who might seize the throne.
Corbett does not want the assignment. Scotland is a hostile and dangerous place, they have no love of the English. A nosy clerk coming, asking questions, is the last thing the Scottish want in their midst. At least there is one friendly face at Edinburgh - John Benstede, the amiable English ambassador to the Scottish court. Everyone else that Corbett encounters is a threat.
The novel is based upon an actual historical event: in 1298, King Alexander III really did perish when he wildly rode his horse along a steep mountain track at night in the midst of a raging storm. His horse fell (or was pushed?), and both king and horse died upon the rocks below. Corbett wishes to question the two squires that rode out that night with the king - though he finds that he cannot talk with Seton, because that squire has recently died. The other squire, Ercledoun was unable to keep pace with the king on horseback, and so was not riding with him when the fatal plunge occurred.
One thing I like about this mystery is that Corbett writes down a list of all the details about this investigation that bother him. Many mystery novels try to keep suspense by not revealing what the detective is thinking. But Corbett has as itemized list of all the facts that don't quite make sense to him. Why did the king impulsively ride out to visit Queen Yolande, who hated him? The king could easily have sated his lust with many willing female courtiers. Who delivered a message to Kinghorn instructing them to have King Alexander's favorite horse waiting for him at the far side of the Firth of Forth, when it appeared that the King's decision to ride to Kinghorn was a spur-of-the-moment sudden decision? The biggest question Corbett asks is "Cui Bono?" - who benefits? Of all the factions vying for the throne, who would commit regicide to advance their cause? (Corbett is convinced that the King was murdered - he rode out to the point where the king's horse fell from the mountain track and discovered a few threads of rope - a clue that an assassin might have stretched ropes across the trail in the night, tripping the horse and sending the king to his death.
Corbett faces many dangerous figures. Robert Bruce, a big violent man, is the head of a powerful clan that surely will make a move to grab the vacant throne. Queen Yoldande, the French princess married to King Alexander III, has nothing but scorn for an English clerk. The Scottish bishop, Wishart, is an ancient withered man, but with keen eyes and intellect, he passionately works to guard the Scottish throne from any perceived enemies. James Selkirk is a violent Scottish knight who makes no attempt to disguise his hostility toward Corbett. But most dangerous of all is the French ambassador, their chief spy, de Craon. De Craon is obviously in Scotland to advance the French interests - King Philip IV dreams of building an empire to rival Charlemagne's, and have a French queen produce the next king of Scotland would be a coup.
Corbett is in constant danger. At a banquet, during a tumult, someone takes advantage of the commotion to hurl a dagger at Corbett's throat - he barely escapes by the sheerest luck. Clearly someone does not want him poking around in Scottish affairs. At several points, Corbett escapes violent assault. At other times, there is no actual attack, but a sense of malice, the feeling that he is being marked and tracked, follows Corbett during his investigations and questions. After reading book 1 in this series, and now this story, Corbett must have the nine lives of a cat in that he is always escaping death by a whisker.
The book is just 184 pages in the hard-back edition that I read, so it is a quick read. Doherty doesn't get diverted with subplots or long info dumps about Scottish history. The story proceeds in a brisk pace to an interesting conclusion. I will hope to read the next book in this series. (I have already read book III, so will have to jump ahead to Angel of Death, book IV in the series.
Corbett does not want the assignment. Scotland is a hostile and dangerous place, they have no love of the English. A nosy clerk coming, asking questions, is the last thing the Scottish want in their midst. At least there is one friendly face at Edinburgh - John Benstede, the amiable English ambassador to the Scottish court. Everyone else that Corbett encounters is a threat.
The novel is based upon an actual historical event: in 1298, King Alexander III really did perish when he wildly rode his horse along a steep mountain track at night in the midst of a raging storm. His horse fell (or was pushed?), and both king and horse died upon the rocks below. Corbett wishes to question the two squires that rode out that night with the king - though he finds that he cannot talk with Seton, because that squire has recently died. The other squire, Ercledoun was unable to keep pace with the king on horseback, and so was not riding with him when the fatal plunge occurred.
One thing I like about this mystery is that Corbett writes down a list of all the details about this investigation that bother him. Many mystery novels try to keep suspense by not revealing what the detective is thinking. But Corbett has as itemized list of all the facts that don't quite make sense to him. Why did the king impulsively ride out to visit Queen Yolande, who hated him? The king could easily have sated his lust with many willing female courtiers. Who delivered a message to Kinghorn instructing them to have King Alexander's favorite horse waiting for him at the far side of the Firth of Forth, when it appeared that the King's decision to ride to Kinghorn was a spur-of-the-moment sudden decision? The biggest question Corbett asks is "Cui Bono?" - who benefits? Of all the factions vying for the throne, who would commit regicide to advance their cause? (Corbett is convinced that the King was murdered - he rode out to the point where the king's horse fell from the mountain track and discovered a few threads of rope - a clue that an assassin might have stretched ropes across the trail in the night, tripping the horse and sending the king to his death.
Corbett faces many dangerous figures. Robert Bruce, a big violent man, is the head of a powerful clan that surely will make a move to grab the vacant throne. Queen Yoldande, the French princess married to King Alexander III, has nothing but scorn for an English clerk. The Scottish bishop, Wishart, is an ancient withered man, but with keen eyes and intellect, he passionately works to guard the Scottish throne from any perceived enemies. James Selkirk is a violent Scottish knight who makes no attempt to disguise his hostility toward Corbett. But most dangerous of all is the French ambassador, their chief spy, de Craon. De Craon is obviously in Scotland to advance the French interests - King Philip IV dreams of building an empire to rival Charlemagne's, and have a French queen produce the next king of Scotland would be a coup.
Corbett is in constant danger. At a banquet, during a tumult, someone takes advantage of the commotion to hurl a dagger at Corbett's throat - he barely escapes by the sheerest luck. Clearly someone does not want him poking around in Scottish affairs. At several points, Corbett escapes violent assault. At other times, there is no actual attack, but a sense of malice, the feeling that he is being marked and tracked, follows Corbett during his investigations and questions. After reading book 1 in this series, and now this story, Corbett must have the nine lives of a cat in that he is always escaping death by a whisker.
The book is just 184 pages in the hard-back edition that I read, so it is a quick read. Doherty doesn't get diverted with subplots or long info dumps about Scottish history. The story proceeds in a brisk pace to an interesting conclusion. I will hope to read the next book in this series. (I have already read book III, so will have to jump ahead to Angel of Death, book IV in the series.
March 23, 2018
Hugh Corbett investigates the death of the Scottish King Alexander III, with Ranulf only providing brief amorous destraction of Queen Yoland's lady in waiting. In the beginning of the book Ranulf is delayed by illness and is thankfully left at Thomas the Rhymer's estate when Thomas and Hugh go off on a hallucinatory experience with the Picts. They are presented as small brown people here, but historically the descriptions of them vary in stature and color. Yoland has apparently been scorning Alexander's bed, never consumating the marriage, which she disguises by having a mock pregnancy. It's her lady in waiting's snort that reveals deeper currents surround the King's demise, which could have been predicted by a simpleton, much less Thomas Rhymer. Thomas is depicted as being albino, which is interesting, but of little import. Since I know very little about this period in history I was glad to understand the effects of Alexander's fall into the sea on the dynasty and future prospects of Scotland. Good enoug to want to read the next installment.
May 6, 2021
И в тази книга, образът на главния герой - разследващият престъпленията Хю Корбет - кралски писар, продължи да не ми допада. Не можах да го почувствам като близък или симпатичен, нито пък ми се стори много умен. На моменти се оплиташе като пиле в кълчища и допускаше фатални грешки, които успяваше да избегне единствено, благодарение на късмета си.
Отново преобладаваха описанията, но тук поне ми бяха интересни, защото касаеха отношенията между Англия и Шотландия, борбите за трона в края на 13 век., разликите в социално-икономическите условия, реда и порядките в съответните държави, институтът на уредените бракове сред монарсите.
Имаше доста разкази и за природата, населените места и замъците в Шотландия, които обаче, тук - на фона на загадката, седяха естествено и на мястото си.
И в тази книга, още преди края, успях да разгадая кой е извършителят, макар че имах известни колебания, които накрая се изчистиха, но в крайна сметка ми бяха интересни мотивите, които в тази книга не бяха толкова явни.
В заключение - "Сянка над короната" е доста прилична кримка, не е натоварваща и става за разпускане. Има описани доста интересни исторически факти на фона на мистерията. Твърди 4 *.
Отново преобладаваха описанията, но тук поне ми бяха интересни, защото касаеха отношенията между Англия и Шотландия, борбите за трона в края на 13 век., разликите в социално-икономическите условия, реда и порядките в съответните държави, институтът на уредените бракове сред монарсите.
Имаше доста разкази и за природата, населените места и замъците в Шотландия, които обаче, тук - на фона на загадката, седяха естествено и на мястото си.
И в тази книга, още преди края, успях да разгадая кой е извършителят, макар че имах известни колебания, които накрая се изчистиха, но в крайна сметка ми бяха интересни мотивите, които в тази книга не бяха толкова явни.
В заключение - "Сянка над короната" е доста прилична кримка, не е натоварваща и става за разпускане. Има описани доста интересни исторически факти на фона на мистерията. Твърди 4 *.
June 2, 2022
The usual from this author with an interesting historical mystery, this time surrounding the “accidental” death of Alexander III of Scotland in 1286, and the dogged pursuit of a solution, often stretching the narrative to provide 180 pages from 120 pages of material. Hugh Corbett is sent by Edward I’s Chancellor to establish the truth behind Alexander’s death and, in a dangerous environment, he slowly unravels an explanation with red-herrings along the way. The descriptions of the setting appeal more than the characters.
June 4, 2025
Solid historical mystery for me with the bonus of being based on real people and events. This bit of history is something that I never learned about so reading the author's note at the end made me enjoy this story more.
The only qualm I have is that Hugh gathers his clues, does some internal computing, asks a few more questions on the side then comes up with the solution to the murder while leaving the reading audience in the dark. Still, a small thing considering all the atmosphere and intricate characters we got.
The only qualm I have is that Hugh gathers his clues, does some internal computing, asks a few more questions on the side then comes up with the solution to the murder while leaving the reading audience in the dark. Still, a small thing considering all the atmosphere and intricate characters we got.
July 23, 2018
Segunda entrega de una saga policiaca ambientada en la Inglaterra del siglo XIII.
Una historia ciertamente poco creíble con una intriga más política que policial, en la que el protagonista desentraña un misterio de un modo absolutamente increíble, sin deducciones lógicas aparentes ni indicios previos.
En resumen, una novela que prometía pero que se ha Eudaldo en nada. Aburrida y sin mayor interés.
Una historia ciertamente poco creíble con una intriga más política que policial, en la que el protagonista desentraña un misterio de un modo absolutamente increíble, sin deducciones lógicas aparentes ni indicios previos.
En resumen, una novela que prometía pero que se ha Eudaldo en nada. Aburrida y sin mayor interés.
February 15, 2019
Hrmmm...undecided about this series...I like the main character and the mystery plot was good but something about the style of writing was a little detached for me. I guess you could say the book didn’t really “engage” me (it was never “I have to pick this up and keep on reading”) despite the historical setting and well plotted mystery. Because of all the historical elements and info I wanted to like this book more than I did. Will try a couple more in the series and see...
September 17, 2019
I enjoyed the historical component and the plot was interesting, built around Alexander III's mysterious over-the-cliff plummet to his death in 1286 (not a spoiler). However, I found Doherty's paragraph structure rather cumbersome. For example, multiple characters share dialogue within single (frequently page-long) paragraphs with no discernible distinctions, aside from quotation marks that bump into each other. Overall, it's a good read and I'll continue to read the series chronologically.
September 4, 2023
Fascinating plot set in a relatively unknown piece of Scottish history. The author is just as adept at painting a vivid picture of 13th century Edinburgh as he has thus far been in describing its 13th century counterpart, London. The protagonist is starting to grow on me, a seemingly mild, highly intelligent and thoughtful man, quite willing to throw his Welsh dagger at those who seek to harm him. Most enjoyable.
October 15, 2024
Better, even, than I remembered
Re-reading this series. Read this when is came out, I am shocked to realize it was DECADES ago. The Hugh Corbett series is the only series I have devoured every book of, becoming very attached to the characters. If you like mysteries in this period, Paul Doherty is your author and Corbett your excellent entry to the sub-genre.
Re-reading this series. Read this when is came out, I am shocked to realize it was DECADES ago. The Hugh Corbett series is the only series I have devoured every book of, becoming very attached to the characters. If you like mysteries in this period, Paul Doherty is your author and Corbett your excellent entry to the sub-genre.
August 18, 2025
Another good entry in Dohertys Hugh Corbett series.
Once again succeeds in its MO of being engaging but a little dryer, and more historically dense than his Brother Athelstan series.
if Athulstan is an armchair detective, then Hugh is a secret agent.
Fast horses, wine, and the crown of Scotland at stake... just be prepared to follow some of the minutiae of medieval Royal politics.
Once again succeeds in its MO of being engaging but a little dryer, and more historically dense than his Brother Athelstan series.
if Athulstan is an armchair detective, then Hugh is a secret agent.
Fast horses, wine, and the crown of Scotland at stake... just be prepared to follow some of the minutiae of medieval Royal politics.
July 24, 2017
Set during the reign of Edward I of England, clerk Hugh Corbett is sent to Scotland to investigate the death of Alexander III, King of Scotland. Although short and to the point, I didn't think the narrative was consistent. The story line seemed a bit sloppy in places.
September 12, 2017
While I love historical mysteries, a medieval England and Scotland setting is new to me! Took awhile to get into the time period, but once I did, I enjoyed the mystery and the "detective", Hugh Corbett. Have already started another book in the series!
April 30, 2023
Historical crime novel based on the death of Alexander III of Scotland. Good descriptions of the way people lived. The printing of this book in paperback suffers from it's layout. More than one person speaks in a paragraph and very often on the same line which makes it difficult to read.
June 19, 2017
Marvellous.
A great book with a lot of feisty and turns. I could not put it down until I finished it
A great book with a lot of feisty and turns. I could not put it down until I finished it
July 10, 2018
3.5. I think Corbett is inconsistent in his reactions, but I liked the story itself.
July 8, 2021
It just got better and better.
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