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Treaty of Blood: A BRAND NEW historical adventure from Michael Jecks for 2026
The BRAND NEW action-packed, epic historical adventure from Michael Jecks Once they'd had enough of war... Now they've had enough of peace
1359, Northern France. With the ink still drying on the Treaty of Bretigny, an agreement most believed to be nothing more than a stalemate between King Edward III of England and John II of France, the country is left riddled with both English and France armies – exhausted, adrift and directionless.
An atmosphere ripe for rebellion.
Berenger Fripper returns to the only life he truly understands, among the troops of Hawkwood’s company. But danger and treachery lurk around every abandoned French farm or village. When the company comes across the promise of riches hidden in a monastery, the motley crew finally feel as though their luck is changing…
But as quickly as they find the treasure, quicker still it’s stolen from under their noses, and as they seek revenge on the unknown thief, they find themselves swept up in the might - and the politics - of the Great Company… Will any of them get out alive?
Praise for Michael
'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom
'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low
'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times
'Classic Jecks – and that's as good as it gets' Susanna Gregory
'Vivid imagination and gripping prose' Anthony Riches
'Another fantastic series from Michael Jecks' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'All I can say is roll on the next one. I could not put this book down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'A brilliant read whatever your normal genre.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'Another masterpiece by Michael Jecks. Whatever you do, do not miss reading this novel it is amazing!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'All action!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'Outstanding! A terriific read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
1359, Northern France. With the ink still drying on the Treaty of Bretigny, an agreement most believed to be nothing more than a stalemate between King Edward III of England and John II of France, the country is left riddled with both English and France armies – exhausted, adrift and directionless.
An atmosphere ripe for rebellion.
Berenger Fripper returns to the only life he truly understands, among the troops of Hawkwood’s company. But danger and treachery lurk around every abandoned French farm or village. When the company comes across the promise of riches hidden in a monastery, the motley crew finally feel as though their luck is changing…
But as quickly as they find the treasure, quicker still it’s stolen from under their noses, and as they seek revenge on the unknown thief, they find themselves swept up in the might - and the politics - of the Great Company… Will any of them get out alive?
Praise for Michael
'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom
'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low
'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times
'Classic Jecks – and that's as good as it gets' Susanna Gregory
'Vivid imagination and gripping prose' Anthony Riches
'Another fantastic series from Michael Jecks' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'All I can say is roll on the next one. I could not put this book down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'A brilliant read whatever your normal genre.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'Another masterpiece by Michael Jecks. Whatever you do, do not miss reading this novel it is amazing!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'All action!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
'Outstanding! A terriific read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
About the author
Michael Jecks
123 books627 followersMichael Jecks is a best-selling writer of historical novels. The son of an Actuary, and the youngest of four brothers, he worked in the computer industry before becoming a novelist full time in 1994
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
He is the author of the internationally popular Templar series, perhaps the longest crime series written by a living author. Unusually, the series looks again at actual events and murders committed about the early fourteenth century, a fabulous time of treachery, civil war, deceit and corruption. Famine, war and disease led to widespread despair, and yet the people showed themselves to be resilient. The series is available as ebooks and all paper formats from Harper Collins, Headline and Simon and Schuster. More recently he has completed his Vintener Trilogy, three stories in his Bloody Mary series, and a new Crusades story set in 1096, Pilgrim's War, following some of the people in the first Crusade on their long pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He has also written a highly acclaimed modern spy thriller, Act of Vengeance.
His books have won him international acclaim and in 2007 his Death Ship of Dartmouth was shortlisted for the Harrogate prize for the best crime novel of the year.
A member of the Society of Authors and Royal Literary Society, Jecks was the Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association in 2004-2005. In 2005 he became a member of the Detection Club.
From 1998 he organised the CWA Debut Dagger competition for two years, helping unpublished authors to win their first contracts He judged the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award for three years.
Michael Jecks is a popular speaker at literary festivals and historical meetings. He is a popular after-dinner and motivational speaker and has spoken at events from Colombia to Italy, Portugal to Alaska.
His own highlights are: being the Grand Marshal of the first parade at the New Orleans 2014 Mardi Gras, designing the Michael Jecks fountain pen for Conway Stewart, and being the International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada Bloody Words convention.
Michael lives, walks, writes and paints in North Dartmoor.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 5, 2026
Treaty Of Blood by MichaelJecks, the first one we meet is William of Fern Shire Esquire who’s leading a group of marauders in the year 23 looking for villages to plumage and Rob or people to join their group. they soon learn the king of France is going to war with the dolphin and the news gives Beringer and his cohorts new plants. They’re going to find out which villages are sending money to the king and Rob those priest of any coin a treasure after they rob a church of all its treasure the treasure gets stolen from them with a dead body left inside this doesn’t deter them in because they will get their treasure back or at least die trying. we then meet Behringer he was in a munkdom trying to redeem himself of all his war crimes and other things that haunt him but soon he learns as long as there’s men around violence will be around as well he leaves the munk them and joins up with a Lieutenant, who soon quickly takes his measure and gives him his own troops. let me just mention there’s also a woman named Agnes and her two children that are traveling with Will and his marauders but soon the two groups become one loyalties are bought and paid for but unfortunately someone will soon find out death can be gotten the same way. There’s a lot that happens in the book but now I have to wait for the second book to find out what happens and I’m definitely going to read it I find the author writes the most interesting books with some pretty colorful characters. You can tell through his writing that he is a great fan of history as I am. there’s no conclusion in this book so I will say if you like starting a new series this is a great one to start I have read other books by the author and I must admit I am a great fan of his and have yet to rate his books lower than four stars and this one is definitely ranks at least four only because I don’t like cliff hangers. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
March 23, 2026
Well, we have to start with the stunning cover, of course. It sets the tone of conflict beautifully before you even start.
Secondly, this is the kind of historical fiction that reminds us how thin the line can be between victory and chaos, which I love.
What stands out most is the atmosphere, yet again. Jecks has a strong feel for the brutality and instability of medieval life, and the setting feels harsh, vivid, and convincing. There is a constant sense of movement and menace here: abandoned villages, uneasy alliances, and the lingering presence of conflict all give the story real momentum.
Even with the action, there is still room for the political tensions of the period to shape the narrative, which helps the book feel broader than a simple quest for treasure.
What I loved:
The visceral reality of medieval life stands out for me. It was a brutal time, and I love authors who do not shy away from that.
The premise is enticing, and absolutely delivers on its promise: military adventure combined with intrigue and hidden treasure. What’s not to like?
It’s the best example of a gritty page-turner in his genre that I’ve read in some time. If you like hard-hitting action and realism in your historical fiction, this is for you.
Secondly, this is the kind of historical fiction that reminds us how thin the line can be between victory and chaos, which I love.
What stands out most is the atmosphere, yet again. Jecks has a strong feel for the brutality and instability of medieval life, and the setting feels harsh, vivid, and convincing. There is a constant sense of movement and menace here: abandoned villages, uneasy alliances, and the lingering presence of conflict all give the story real momentum.
Even with the action, there is still room for the political tensions of the period to shape the narrative, which helps the book feel broader than a simple quest for treasure.
What I loved:
The visceral reality of medieval life stands out for me. It was a brutal time, and I love authors who do not shy away from that.
The premise is enticing, and absolutely delivers on its promise: military adventure combined with intrigue and hidden treasure. What’s not to like?
It’s the best example of a gritty page-turner in his genre that I’ve read in some time. If you like hard-hitting action and realism in your historical fiction, this is for you.
April 1, 2026
1359, northern France. A Treaty has been signed between the English and the French Kings, but bands of men on both sides still roam the countryside fighting and hunting for treasure. Hawkwood’s vintaine has taken in a new member, but everyone is a little suspicious of him – as they should be!
Set in a fascinating period of history, these books bring events and characters to life. Absorbing, easy to read, full of twists and turns they show how life was lived then and I love the way humour is threaded through the narrative, giving it a lift.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
Set in a fascinating period of history, these books bring events and characters to life. Absorbing, easy to read, full of twists and turns they show how life was lived then and I love the way humour is threaded through the narrative, giving it a lift.
Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.
May 10, 2026
- A good series
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews