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Crowner John Mystery #7
Fear in the Forest
A Crowner John medieval mystery set in 12th century Devon, England
June 1195. A tall, brown mare gallops into the sleepy village of Sigford, dragging its rider by the stirrup, the broken shaft of an arrow protruding from his back. The embroidered badge sewn on the dead man's tunic identifies him as a senior officer of the Royal Forest.
With the victim's purse still full of money, the motive for the murder is a mystery. But when a second forest officer is violently attacked, the county coroner, Sir John de Wolfe, begin to uncover evidence of a sinister conspiracy.
June 1195. A tall, brown mare gallops into the sleepy village of Sigford, dragging its rider by the stirrup, the broken shaft of an arrow protruding from his back. The embroidered badge sewn on the dead man's tunic identifies him as a senior officer of the Royal Forest.
With the victim's purse still full of money, the motive for the murder is a mystery. But when a second forest officer is violently attacked, the county coroner, Sir John de Wolfe, begin to uncover evidence of a sinister conspiracy.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2003
45 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Knight
104 books135 followersAka Bernard Picton.
Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, (born 1931) became a Home Office pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. He has been writing since before 1963, when his first crime novel was published. Since then, he has written about thirty books, including contemporary crime fiction, historical novels about Wales, biography, non-fiction popular works on forensic medicine, twelve medico-legal textbooks and the Crowner John Mysteries series of 12th-century historical mysteries.
In addition, he has written scripts for radio and television dramas and documentaries, including the forensic series The Expert starring Marius Goring, in the 1970s. He has contributed to many other textbooks and has edited several medical journals - he was Managing Editor of Elsevier's Forensic Science International, the leading international publication in the field.
Currently, he is a founder member of The Medieval Murderers, a select group of historical crime-writers within the Crime Writers' Association, who give presentations at literary festivals, libraries and bookshops, to promote their work amongst the public. He is also one of the non-fiction judges for the annual 'Dagger' Awards of the Crime Writers' Association and a regular reviewer of crime books for the Internet site Tangled Web.
He was born and lives in Cardiff and as well as being a doctor, he qualified as a barrister and was awarded the CBE in 1993 for services to forensic medicine. In the 1950s, he served as a Regular Army medical officer in Malaya during the terrorist campaign, in a military hospital which he compares with 'MASH'.
-Wikipedia
Professor Bernard Knight, CBE, (born 1931) became a Home Office pathologist in 1965 and was appointed Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in 1980. He has been writing since before 1963, when his first crime novel was published. Since then, he has written about thirty books, including contemporary crime fiction, historical novels about Wales, biography, non-fiction popular works on forensic medicine, twelve medico-legal textbooks and the Crowner John Mysteries series of 12th-century historical mysteries.
In addition, he has written scripts for radio and television dramas and documentaries, including the forensic series The Expert starring Marius Goring, in the 1970s. He has contributed to many other textbooks and has edited several medical journals - he was Managing Editor of Elsevier's Forensic Science International, the leading international publication in the field.
Currently, he is a founder member of The Medieval Murderers, a select group of historical crime-writers within the Crime Writers' Association, who give presentations at literary festivals, libraries and bookshops, to promote their work amongst the public. He is also one of the non-fiction judges for the annual 'Dagger' Awards of the Crime Writers' Association and a regular reviewer of crime books for the Internet site Tangled Web.
He was born and lives in Cardiff and as well as being a doctor, he qualified as a barrister and was awarded the CBE in 1993 for services to forensic medicine. In the 1950s, he served as a Regular Army medical officer in Malaya during the terrorist campaign, in a military hospital which he compares with 'MASH'.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 3, 2016
Wow, the regular folks in this era just couldn't get a break. Corrupt officials, taxes and political turmoil created a difficult country to survive in.
And whoever managed to rewrite popular history so that Richard the Lionhearted is such a great guy really got it wrong. Not sure I'd have been too impressed with a king who didn't speak my language and never spent anytime actually ruling my country, instead he just milked the place dry of every cent he could so he could keep fighting his wars.
I liked the focus of this story on the Royal forests and the rules that governed it, and the people who lived in and around it. The secondary story with the Crowners personal life was less interesting and ultimately ends him back with the usual rather than progressing anywhere.
And whoever managed to rewrite popular history so that Richard the Lionhearted is such a great guy really got it wrong. Not sure I'd have been too impressed with a king who didn't speak my language and never spent anytime actually ruling my country, instead he just milked the place dry of every cent he could so he could keep fighting his wars.
I liked the focus of this story on the Royal forests and the rules that governed it, and the people who lived in and around it. The secondary story with the Crowners personal life was less interesting and ultimately ends him back with the usual rather than progressing anywhere.
January 9, 2011
If you go down to the woods today.......Crowner John investigates some dodgy goings on amongst the forest dwellers and officials. Murder, arson, intimidation; it's like a medieval episode of Eastenders. Thomas and Gwyn get a bit more to do and it's nice to see their characters develop a little more. De Wolfe's womenfolk are under a little stress too and the ending is rather bittersweet. The only thing that stops me from giving this 5 stars is that even after all this time, Knight's editor is still incapable of correcting the multiple errors that occur throughout.
May 9, 2013
I have enjoyed every book in this series that I have read. Not a book full of adventure, but I have come to love the characters and their development and their intertwined stories. Plus I have found it interesting how crimes were approached in the 1100's- with out all the since we have today. I would like to read more of the Crowner John stories.
December 10, 2021
Pretty sure that Crowner John is my favorite series of all time.
October 17, 2020
Once again, Crowner John, with his sidekicks, Gwyn and Thomas, are embroiled in plotting that may have, at it's heart, the plan to try, once my re, to overthrow King Richard, in favour of his brother, Prince John.
This suggestion is left deliberately hazy, but the usual suspects, aka Sheriff Richard de Revelle, plus various Barons, Knights, clergymen and many others, seem to be interfering with the running of the Royal Forest Laws, in order to create mayhem, and to get the men they want into positions that would allow them to skim off even more money from the tithes, and fines, those posts would get them.
When Crowner John is called out in his work as Coroner for Devon, the first signs of deep unrest within the Forest communities, along with the death of a Vergerer, the attack on a forest Warden, Nicholas de Bosco, whose Bottler was killed in the same attack, and an attack of arson, against a tanner who objected to theft, which ends in his death, are just some of the signs that show him something deeper is happening.
But, just as he had come across, previously, with the Tinner's cases, the fact was, that the Royal Forests had their own Laws, and Courts - and the Sheriff was doing all that he could, to stop John from doing his job.
To make things even more difficult, Nesta tells John that she is pregnant and, although John is happy to acknowledge the child, Nesta is behaving strangely towards him - but then the Sheriff visits his sister, John's wife, Mildred, and tells her that Nesta is pregnant by John, and so Mildred leaves the marital home, to go to the Priory at Polsloe, where there is a community of nuns. She won't talk to John, but leaves a message that she will not go back home.
But, while trying to spy on the foresters and their outlaw helpers, John is attacked, and left for dead, and Gwyn, who had been separated from him, then had to rush back to Exeter, to get help in searching for him in the forest.
In the meantime, rumours abound in Exeter, and Nesta hears that John is dead, which causes her to collapse, and miscarry the baby.
She is in such a bad way, that she is taken to the infirmary at Polsloe to recover. John doesn't know about this as, before he had even recovered a little from the attack, he decides something must be done to stop the killings - something that will curb his brother in law, and sort out just who is in charge of the Royal Forests.
What follows is a crazy time of long, hard, miles on horseback, as John finds that the only way to get the help he needs, is to travel to Winchester, to see the Chief Justicier, Hubert Walter who, apart from ruling England in behalf of the King was, fortunately, a friend of John's, a fellow soldier, and Crusader, as well as being totally true to his King.
It takes a lot of men to help John sort out the mess but, with his friend, Hubert's, go ahead, John is finally able to sort out most of the problems with the Royal Forest - and curb the Sheriff's plots once again.
But, although things are better between Nesta and himself, Mildred, who had been nursing Nesta at the priory, decides to go back home.
That's how the book ends, so I'm really hoping that this part of the story continues in the next of the series: The Witch Hunter.
This suggestion is left deliberately hazy, but the usual suspects, aka Sheriff Richard de Revelle, plus various Barons, Knights, clergymen and many others, seem to be interfering with the running of the Royal Forest Laws, in order to create mayhem, and to get the men they want into positions that would allow them to skim off even more money from the tithes, and fines, those posts would get them.
When Crowner John is called out in his work as Coroner for Devon, the first signs of deep unrest within the Forest communities, along with the death of a Vergerer, the attack on a forest Warden, Nicholas de Bosco, whose Bottler was killed in the same attack, and an attack of arson, against a tanner who objected to theft, which ends in his death, are just some of the signs that show him something deeper is happening.
But, just as he had come across, previously, with the Tinner's cases, the fact was, that the Royal Forests had their own Laws, and Courts - and the Sheriff was doing all that he could, to stop John from doing his job.
To make things even more difficult, Nesta tells John that she is pregnant and, although John is happy to acknowledge the child, Nesta is behaving strangely towards him - but then the Sheriff visits his sister, John's wife, Mildred, and tells her that Nesta is pregnant by John, and so Mildred leaves the marital home, to go to the Priory at Polsloe, where there is a community of nuns. She won't talk to John, but leaves a message that she will not go back home.
But, while trying to spy on the foresters and their outlaw helpers, John is attacked, and left for dead, and Gwyn, who had been separated from him, then had to rush back to Exeter, to get help in searching for him in the forest.
In the meantime, rumours abound in Exeter, and Nesta hears that John is dead, which causes her to collapse, and miscarry the baby.
She is in such a bad way, that she is taken to the infirmary at Polsloe to recover. John doesn't know about this as, before he had even recovered a little from the attack, he decides something must be done to stop the killings - something that will curb his brother in law, and sort out just who is in charge of the Royal Forests.
What follows is a crazy time of long, hard, miles on horseback, as John finds that the only way to get the help he needs, is to travel to Winchester, to see the Chief Justicier, Hubert Walter who, apart from ruling England in behalf of the King was, fortunately, a friend of John's, a fellow soldier, and Crusader, as well as being totally true to his King.
It takes a lot of men to help John sort out the mess but, with his friend, Hubert's, go ahead, John is finally able to sort out most of the problems with the Royal Forest - and curb the Sheriff's plots once again.
But, although things are better between Nesta and himself, Mildred, who had been nursing Nesta at the priory, decides to go back home.
That's how the book ends, so I'm really hoping that this part of the story continues in the next of the series: The Witch Hunter.
August 8, 2023
This series has got better and better as it has gone on. Bernard Knights depiction of medieval times is really engaging and his story telling deeply intriguing. Sir John De Wolfe is the main character, he is the Coroner or Crowner as he is more commonly known and has two highly trusted servants and friends, Gwyn, a rather large and muscular Cornishmanand whom acts as his bodyguard and Thomas a rather meek and unfortunately disgraced priest who mainly acts as his clerk. Together they try to uphold justice across Exeter and Devon. John also has a loveless marriage with Matilda, a rather morose and dowdy snob, but his true love lies with Nesta, the beautiful landlady of the local inn ‘The Bush’.
There has been a lot of disruption in and around the forested areas of Devon, the perpetrators seem to be a band of outlaws who have always escaped justice but now are acting as if they are above the law but when the Verder of the Forest is found murdered with an arrow in his back and local businesses are succumbing to great extortion John has to step in even though the Forest laws are not within his jurisdiction.
Once again a thoroughly entertaining tale taking place in the desolate times during the reign of Richard Couer De Lion. Here’s looking forward to the next instalment of the harrowing life of Crowner John. 5/5
There has been a lot of disruption in and around the forested areas of Devon, the perpetrators seem to be a band of outlaws who have always escaped justice but now are acting as if they are above the law but when the Verder of the Forest is found murdered with an arrow in his back and local businesses are succumbing to great extortion John has to step in even though the Forest laws are not within his jurisdiction.
Once again a thoroughly entertaining tale taking place in the desolate times during the reign of Richard Couer De Lion. Here’s looking forward to the next instalment of the harrowing life of Crowner John. 5/5
July 30, 2024
This is by far the best book so far in the Crowner John series. It races along, with lots of twists and turns. Once again, the ending is satisfying.
This takes place in summer 1195 in Exeter and the surrounding area. Crowner John, the coroner, has to investigate the murder of a forest officer, who is responsible for keeping order in the Royal Forest, where only King Richard is allowed to hunt. There are further murders, all linked to the forest laws and the outlaws who live there, hidden away so that they can’t be arrested. John and his coroners officer, Gwyn and Thomas, the little ex priest who can read and write (no many could, including Crowner John.) and keeps records of everything that happens.
Add to this the affair between John and his mistress Nesta, which everyone knows about, including John’s bad tempered wife Matilda, and you have a fast moving and exciting read.
Bernard Knight has the knack of bringing 12th century Devon to life. The way of life in those times, including the unsanitary day to day living, makes everything seem real, rather than just being another murder/mystery book. Even better, is knowing that some of the characters did actually exist.
I recommend this series 100%. I’m looking forward to book 8 in the series!
This takes place in summer 1195 in Exeter and the surrounding area. Crowner John, the coroner, has to investigate the murder of a forest officer, who is responsible for keeping order in the Royal Forest, where only King Richard is allowed to hunt. There are further murders, all linked to the forest laws and the outlaws who live there, hidden away so that they can’t be arrested. John and his coroners officer, Gwyn and Thomas, the little ex priest who can read and write (no many could, including Crowner John.) and keeps records of everything that happens.
Add to this the affair between John and his mistress Nesta, which everyone knows about, including John’s bad tempered wife Matilda, and you have a fast moving and exciting read.
Bernard Knight has the knack of bringing 12th century Devon to life. The way of life in those times, including the unsanitary day to day living, makes everything seem real, rather than just being another murder/mystery book. Even better, is knowing that some of the characters did actually exist.
I recommend this series 100%. I’m looking forward to book 8 in the series!
April 12, 2023
I generally like the Crowner John mysteries for the same reason I like procedural TV shows: each book is structurally the same. There's a murder, there's a mystery, it hints to a larger plot, the Crowner attempts to solve the mystery, he's stonewalled. There's conflict with the Sheriff, who's often implicated in the larger plot, there's some fighting, the Crowner ultimately solves the crime. Mix in some drama with his mistress and it's a book. Like good mysteries, you don't have to be able to solve the mystery, you just have to be able to think you can solve the mystery.
Fear in the Forest was the weakest Crowner John book yet. It's not bad, it's just not outstanding. The plot spins its wheels for most of the book: the reader isn't really given the feeling like they can solve the crime. The ending is ultimately not particularly satisfying, as it's really unclear who was behind the larger plot, or if it matters. In the end, the world is re-set, like a good procedural, with only a little bit of advancing of the larger meta-plot. It's fine.
Fear in the Forest was the weakest Crowner John book yet. It's not bad, it's just not outstanding. The plot spins its wheels for most of the book: the reader isn't really given the feeling like they can solve the crime. The ending is ultimately not particularly satisfying, as it's really unclear who was behind the larger plot, or if it matters. In the end, the world is re-set, like a good procedural, with only a little bit of advancing of the larger meta-plot. It's fine.
February 1, 2025
Good but frustrating
Another good story on crowned John, but after 7 books I find myself a bit frustrated. While John is castigated for infidelity, his wife isn't castigated for pride and disobedience, both issues the church at the time preached against. It starts to seem that John has little joy in life. Efficiency, satisfaction of duty ( sometimes) , but no real joy.
Another good story on crowned John, but after 7 books I find myself a bit frustrated. While John is castigated for infidelity, his wife isn't castigated for pride and disobedience, both issues the church at the time preached against. It starts to seem that John has little joy in life. Efficiency, satisfaction of duty ( sometimes) , but no real joy.
December 15, 2017
These books are beautifully written and I love the main characters patience with a wife in need of a good strangling. The theme is outlaws and although they feature in other books they are much more dominant here. They are pawns in a greater scheme but an interesting read none-the-less
September 15, 2019
great sense of place and time. solid story
January 28, 2021
Bernard Knight, and Sir John are back to their best!
September 7, 2021
An intriguing story but there were lots of typos and plot elements that were rather weak.
Read
June 22, 2023I enjoyed it.
October 17, 2023
An excellent read - in all aspects. Looking forward to the next in the series.
October 19, 2015
I thought I'd give this series a try, as I enjoy the Michael Jecks Templar series featuring a King's coroner. The Bernard Knight books are set much earlier, during the reign of King Richard the Lionhearted when the office and laws regarding coroners were first created. As a result the precise powers and people's understanding of the office are a bit hazy.
In this book, the coroner Sir John DeWolfe deals with forest law, which after centuries of Saxon law and Norman conquest law and ancient tradition is one of those incredibly complicated messes that crop up so often in English history. No one is exactly sure who has jurisdiction over what or what the limits of each group's power is, and the various layers of offices (Verderers, Wardens, Foresters, etc etc) all are in conflict with the Sheriff and Coroner. Meanwhile something ugly is happening in the forests of Devon and John DeWolfe is there to puzzle it out.
In terms of historical research this seems pretty good, with plenty of specific detail and curious information about laws and customs of the time. The moods of people about King Richard and the would-be usurper King John feel plausible and reasonable.
Unfortunately, the main character is just not likable. He's not engaging or charming, he's a serial adulterer, he uses his power roughly and without compassion, and runs roughshod over everyone and everything to get his job done. To make matters worse, he's not very smart or capable an investigator and delays taking the obvious route of getting official authority backing his power in the area until late in the book, mostly because doing so earlier would wrap things up sooner.
The book had plenty of historical bits - sometimes a bit too many, with some pieces of information being repeated several times - but didn't feel historical to me. It felt contemporary in much of the language and some of the attitudes, and other attempts to feel more set in the time felt very strange, like how nobody seemed to mind handling a rotting corpse. Yes, death was more familiar then but curiously looking at the patch of rotting skin that sloughed off into one's hand is not reasonable in any time period.
So its a mixed bag, and ultimately not a series I'll be continuing.
In this book, the coroner Sir John DeWolfe deals with forest law, which after centuries of Saxon law and Norman conquest law and ancient tradition is one of those incredibly complicated messes that crop up so often in English history. No one is exactly sure who has jurisdiction over what or what the limits of each group's power is, and the various layers of offices (Verderers, Wardens, Foresters, etc etc) all are in conflict with the Sheriff and Coroner. Meanwhile something ugly is happening in the forests of Devon and John DeWolfe is there to puzzle it out.
In terms of historical research this seems pretty good, with plenty of specific detail and curious information about laws and customs of the time. The moods of people about King Richard and the would-be usurper King John feel plausible and reasonable.
Unfortunately, the main character is just not likable. He's not engaging or charming, he's a serial adulterer, he uses his power roughly and without compassion, and runs roughshod over everyone and everything to get his job done. To make matters worse, he's not very smart or capable an investigator and delays taking the obvious route of getting official authority backing his power in the area until late in the book, mostly because doing so earlier would wrap things up sooner.
The book had plenty of historical bits - sometimes a bit too many, with some pieces of information being repeated several times - but didn't feel historical to me. It felt contemporary in much of the language and some of the attitudes, and other attempts to feel more set in the time felt very strange, like how nobody seemed to mind handling a rotting corpse. Yes, death was more familiar then but curiously looking at the patch of rotting skin that sloughed off into one's hand is not reasonable in any time period.
So its a mixed bag, and ultimately not a series I'll be continuing.
September 1, 2009
#7 Crowner John medieval mystery set in and around Exeter. Devon’s coroner is investigating doings in the King’s forest in the nearby countryside, spurred by a verderer found with an arrow in his back. There has long been conflict between forest officials and the people who live there, but this is something different. It seems the forest lawmen have taken up with outlaws, using them to enforce their new, stricter and very unreasonable rules. But why? John de Wolfe thinks there must be someone with money and power behind the whole scheme, and even begins to suspect his brother-in-law the sheriff.
While I figured out part of the mystery ahead of time, I think a more comprehensive knowledge of medieval laws and political workings would have been needed to sort the whole thing out. On a personal note, John’s mistress Nesta is expecting a baby and when his wife finds out, she leaves in a huff for the nunnery. While Matilda had long known of John’s dalliances, the news that a baby is forthcoming sends her over the edge and she decides to enter the convent as she’s threatened to do for many years. Nesta, rather than being joyful, is despondent over her condition and John is totally perplexed.
While I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book (relating to the King’s laws about ‘venison’ and ‘vert’ in the forest) I thought this book was a bit too long and convoluted. At least, there have certainly been better entries in the series. I’ve got several more of these in series waiting and certainly will read them, but I do hope the story itself is a little more tightly put together in upcoming books.
While I figured out part of the mystery ahead of time, I think a more comprehensive knowledge of medieval laws and political workings would have been needed to sort the whole thing out. On a personal note, John’s mistress Nesta is expecting a baby and when his wife finds out, she leaves in a huff for the nunnery. While Matilda had long known of John’s dalliances, the news that a baby is forthcoming sends her over the edge and she decides to enter the convent as she’s threatened to do for many years. Nesta, rather than being joyful, is despondent over her condition and John is totally perplexed.
While I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book (relating to the King’s laws about ‘venison’ and ‘vert’ in the forest) I thought this book was a bit too long and convoluted. At least, there have certainly been better entries in the series. I’ve got several more of these in series waiting and certainly will read them, but I do hope the story itself is a little more tightly put together in upcoming books.
March 7, 2012
Bernard Knight never actually uses the phrase "and with one bound our hero is free!" but I had the feeling he was dying to do so. Set in the time of Richard the Lionheart "Crowner John" the Coronor for Devon is investigating murder and mayhem in the King's Forests. The book is crammed full of historical detail and gives us an insight into the lives of both the peasants as well as the minor nobility. However I found the characters fairly simplistic, and while it was an easy and entertaining read, I never felt really engaged.
May 7, 2015
The usual good historical read - not much I can say that I haven't before in this series. This time round we get to learn a little bit about the laws of the Royal Forest and the hierarchy within - very interesting. However I am getting a little bored of the repetition of background about Crowner John etc that has been mentioned in every single novel - I know someone picking up this book first wouldn't know info given before, but other authors don't tell us time and again in each and every book.
July 24, 2011
I really enjoy reading this series of books. The story line, the characters, the mystery unfolds with the time of events. If you enjoy stories of medieval times in England, you're sure to enjoy this one and the others.
April 7, 2015
the Devil's descendents
It was very interesting tying this story Into the timeframe of Richard the Lionheart's absentee rule. I would like to read more of Bernard Knight's "crowner".
It was very interesting tying this story Into the timeframe of Richard the Lionheart's absentee rule. I would like to read more of Bernard Knight's "crowner".
July 28, 2016
This book is a change of pace from the others. It is mainly concerned about the happenings in the forest. Robin Hood would not be a hero. The author elaborates on the feelings of his clerk - a welcome addition.
I would have given it four stars but it had some editing problems.
I would have given it four stars but it had some editing problems.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2010
Excellent, contains it all, mystery, suspense, love passion betrayal as well as a large helping of historical fact
January 30, 2011
After reading a couple of Bernard Knights modern stories of the life of a Pathologist in the Wye valley, it was very nice to get back to the times and intrigues of Crowner John. Most enjoyable.
November 7, 2011
Did'nt think I was going to like this but I did
July 24, 2012
Better than many medieval mysteries, tho still somewhat generic. At least the protagonist is a working lawman and not a proto-scientific healer at the time of the plague!
January 31, 2016
The best so far, a great read, nice bit of action too.
November 4, 2016
Not as good as previous books.
January 3, 2013
Enjoyable apart from a few silly errors that should have been picked up on during proof reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews