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Thomas Berrington #8
The Message of Blood: Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery, Book 8
How do you prove your closest friend innocent of murder when all the evidence points to their guilt?
Spain, 1489. Cordoba, Andalusia. Sent to Cordoba on the orders of a man he hates, Thomas Berrington welcomes the distraction of a murder, but is shocked when he uncovers evidence pointing to the killer being his closest companion. When Jorge is imprisoned, Thomas must continue the investigation alone - a task made harder by the distraction of two beautiful women.
In his search for the truth, Thomas twists and turns through the confusion of Jorge’s past, uncovering a myriad of revelations, each of which throws up a new suspect. Finally reunited, they come close to discovering the identity of the culprit, only to confront an adversary more powerful than any they have faced before. To save Jorge’s life, Thomas may have to sacrifice everything he has gained.
Spain, 1489. Cordoba, Andalusia. Sent to Cordoba on the orders of a man he hates, Thomas Berrington welcomes the distraction of a murder, but is shocked when he uncovers evidence pointing to the killer being his closest companion. When Jorge is imprisoned, Thomas must continue the investigation alone - a task made harder by the distraction of two beautiful women.
In his search for the truth, Thomas twists and turns through the confusion of Jorge’s past, uncovering a myriad of revelations, each of which throws up a new suspect. Finally reunited, they come close to discovering the identity of the culprit, only to confront an adversary more powerful than any they have faced before. To save Jorge’s life, Thomas may have to sacrifice everything he has gained.
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
Published June 3, 2020
About the author
David Penny
23 books123 followersBorn in London in 1950, David Penny began writing at a tender age after moving to Mid Wales. Initially obsessed with all things science-fiction he read avidly and wrote even more. His first publications came at the age of seventeen in small fanzines. At the age of twenty-three a short story was accepted by Galaxy magazine – his first payment for writing. This was followed by appearances in the UK magazine Vertex. At the age of 24 his first novel, The Sunset People, was accepted for publication by Robert Hale and David was taken on by the Leslie Flood Literary Agency. Three other science fiction novels followed: Starchant, Out of Time and Sunshine 43.
David enjoyed a dissipated and wasteful (but not wasted) youth, doing little other than writing, growing his hair (a pursuit sadly no longer available to him) and following an alternative lifestyle. Into such an idyllic existence real life rudely interrupted, and David spent the next 35+ years in a variety of jobs, eventually running his own software company.
As the years wore on he missed writing more and more, and eventually returned to it.
The Red Hill is his first novel in 35 years and introduces the surgeon-detective Thomas Berrington.
David enjoyed a dissipated and wasteful (but not wasted) youth, doing little other than writing, growing his hair (a pursuit sadly no longer available to him) and following an alternative lifestyle. Into such an idyllic existence real life rudely interrupted, and David spent the next 35+ years in a variety of jobs, eventually running his own software company.
As the years wore on he missed writing more and more, and eventually returned to it.
The Red Hill is his first novel in 35 years and introduces the surgeon-detective Thomas Berrington.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 15, 2020
I enjoyed...
I enjoyed this installment of Thomas Berrington. I love the character development of the main characters and secondary characters alike. I hope that Thomas finds love again. I look forward to when Thomas goes to birthplace of England. I am curious to see how Jorge and the others adapt with different language and culture.
I enjoyed this installment of Thomas Berrington. I love the character development of the main characters and secondary characters alike. I hope that Thomas finds love again. I look forward to when Thomas goes to birthplace of England. I am curious to see how Jorge and the others adapt with different language and culture.
February 18, 2020
Solid five-star book!
I preface my review here by stating this is one of my absolute favorite series.
David Penny does a remarkable job employing historical characters and eras in history to accomplish a riveting plot. This 15th century staging is made so real I was immediately drawn into the plot as the series continues.
Jorge the eunuch is prominent in this book as he seeks his parentage. Thomas Berrington, again, is beset with a mystery after a house burns down and a murder has occurred while Jorge is arrested for the crime.
Many other characters are included from before, specifically King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella as well as Jorge's and Thomas's families to name a few.
I love Penny's writing and ability to draw you into the life in Moorish Spain. I found I was unable to put the book down once started. His employment of the era and historical characters makes it all the more enjoyable. I cannot wait for the next installment which I understand to be later in 2020.
A great book. A fantastic series. A must read for historical fiction lovers that I readily recommend. Bravo!
I preface my review here by stating this is one of my absolute favorite series.
David Penny does a remarkable job employing historical characters and eras in history to accomplish a riveting plot. This 15th century staging is made so real I was immediately drawn into the plot as the series continues.
Jorge the eunuch is prominent in this book as he seeks his parentage. Thomas Berrington, again, is beset with a mystery after a house burns down and a murder has occurred while Jorge is arrested for the crime.
Many other characters are included from before, specifically King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella as well as Jorge's and Thomas's families to name a few.
I love Penny's writing and ability to draw you into the life in Moorish Spain. I found I was unable to put the book down once started. His employment of the era and historical characters makes it all the more enjoyable. I cannot wait for the next installment which I understand to be later in 2020.
A great book. A fantastic series. A must read for historical fiction lovers that I readily recommend. Bravo!
September 24, 2024
Way too much prose
Ugh, the story finally almost made me change my mind about the writing. It's still strong and start light the endless adventures and plots are worn through. As I read I found I was losing interest in who did what to whom.
Perhaps it's just the intricate web of half truth and sticky deception but for me I am finally not very interested in however this saga ends.
I will say I enjoyed reading the first 4 books and quite possibly should have stopped there. I'm ready to put the series aside. If there are additional books it will be a good while before I delve in again.
Recommended but with better caution for not doing as I did and trying to connect them all in a series. They're more stand alone books that have historical hooks for the characters but not necessarily the plots.
Still I enjoyed the reading.
Ugh, the story finally almost made me change my mind about the writing. It's still strong and start light the endless adventures and plots are worn through. As I read I found I was losing interest in who did what to whom.
Perhaps it's just the intricate web of half truth and sticky deception but for me I am finally not very interested in however this saga ends.
I will say I enjoyed reading the first 4 books and quite possibly should have stopped there. I'm ready to put the series aside. If there are additional books it will be a good while before I delve in again.
Recommended but with better caution for not doing as I did and trying to connect them all in a series. They're more stand alone books that have historical hooks for the characters but not necessarily the plots.
Still I enjoyed the reading.
May 25, 2026
Outstanding
Unfortunately the end result of my enjoying all these books is the fact that there is only one more volume in this series. Distressing to say the least. These are really good books, lots of history, lots of fine fiction, mixed well and presented well. Fortunately I read the afterword, wherein David Penny mentioned that there is another series. A continuing series starting after the final book of THIS series. What a relief. There is still a future, wit so well in the past. Thank you, David Penny. Keep writing.
Unfortunately the end result of my enjoying all these books is the fact that there is only one more volume in this series. Distressing to say the least. These are really good books, lots of history, lots of fine fiction, mixed well and presented well. Fortunately I read the afterword, wherein David Penny mentioned that there is another series. A continuing series starting after the final book of THIS series. What a relief. There is still a future, wit so well in the past. Thank you, David Penny. Keep writing.
April 5, 2020
Many unanswered questions still. Still a good mystery to take the reader into a different world. This shows a world that may have existed back in the 15th century. It was never spoken of when studying the histories of the times.
🙂 research into these times shows that we in this century are pretty lucky to have the means to explore and problem solve that did not exist at the time.
🙂 research into these times shows that we in this century are pretty lucky to have the means to explore and problem solve that did not exist at the time.
February 1, 2021
Historical fiction at it very best
The Thomas Barrington series is a bench mark in historical fiction, excellent story lines , characters that draw you in and writing of the highest quality.
If you have not yet discovered Thomas Berrington, don't delay, start at the beginning and enjoy a wonderful journey through 15th century Spain.
The Thomas Barrington series is a bench mark in historical fiction, excellent story lines , characters that draw you in and writing of the highest quality.
If you have not yet discovered Thomas Berrington, don't delay, start at the beginning and enjoy a wonderful journey through 15th century Spain.
August 1, 2024
Another fantastic book in a fantastic series
Another outstanding book in this historical fiction (mystery/thriller) series that centers on the physician Thomas Berrington and his friend and companion Jorge Olmos. I highly recommend this series, and suggest reading from the first book so the reader can enjoy each word and page in the correct order.
Another outstanding book in this historical fiction (mystery/thriller) series that centers on the physician Thomas Berrington and his friend and companion Jorge Olmos. I highly recommend this series, and suggest reading from the first book so the reader can enjoy each word and page in the correct order.
June 21, 2025
A tangled web
Once again Thomas, Jorge, Usain, Kin and Lawrence on a "Five go mad in Cordoba" adventure. Jorge's life endangered and Thomas going through a plot as thick as soup. Kings, Queens and old flames, absent fathers and long lost sons.
A marvellous tale, enjoyed every page.
Once again Thomas, Jorge, Usain, Kin and Lawrence on a "Five go mad in Cordoba" adventure. Jorge's life endangered and Thomas going through a plot as thick as soup. Kings, Queens and old flames, absent fathers and long lost sons.
A marvellous tale, enjoyed every page.
July 25, 2020
Waiting for the next one!
I love this series! The weaving of historical figures, the mix of the two opposing cultures, and characters that stay with you long after you finish the books. David Penny can't write them fast enough for me. Thomas Berrington never disappoints!
I love this series! The weaving of historical figures, the mix of the two opposing cultures, and characters that stay with you long after you finish the books. David Penny can't write them fast enough for me. Thomas Berrington never disappoints!
April 23, 2023
Another winner!
Good versus evil. Love versus hate. Truth versus lies. Even family versus kinship. This was a hard book for me to read but the best of them all. We are getting to the heart of the story.
Good versus evil. Love versus hate. Truth versus lies. Even family versus kinship. This was a hard book for me to read but the best of them all. We are getting to the heart of the story.
December 11, 2024
1489 Cordoba. Soon Thomas Berrington becomes involved in a murder investigation unfortunately for him the only suspect is his closest friend, the eunuch Jorge. But who is really behind the killings and why.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
February 24, 2025
Number 8 in the series and still up to standard, thomas must now put his detective skills to help a friend ( which one read the book no spoilers). They is a potential pope, a queen and a king all closely involved in his life. So with no more ado just read the book.
March 2, 2020
Well worth reading, as were all the previous books!
March 4, 2020
Excellent
From the beginning to the last chapter the writing makes the characters feel real and the reader able to visualise as if watching a film.
From the beginning to the last chapter the writing makes the characters feel real and the reader able to visualise as if watching a film.
April 21, 2020
Another brilliant story. Can't wait for the next episodes. Characters are always strong and the scene setting second to none. Love these books
April 30, 2020
Corin Tellado meets Rambo. The worst in the series.
November 5, 2021
Another good one
This is a great series for me. It combines history mystery, friendship, love and some lust. Always a good read.
This is a great series for me. It combines history mystery, friendship, love and some lust. Always a good read.
February 26, 2022
Wonderful historical fiction
June 4, 2022
Excellent Series
Compelling, well-plotted and very well written. Enjoying every page, as I have done with the previous volumes. Looking forward to more.
Compelling, well-plotted and very well written. Enjoying every page, as I have done with the previous volumes. Looking forward to more.
April 6, 2023
Near the end
Action all the way. Would love Berrington to be my GP. One more book in the series. Then the Tudor series. I will miss all the characters - and wish I could adopt Kin
Action all the way. Would love Berrington to be my GP. One more book in the series. Then the Tudor series. I will miss all the characters - and wish I could adopt Kin
February 25, 2025
The best in the series.
May 13, 2026
Loved this one, couldn't put it down
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews