What do you think?
Rate this book
Knight of Betrayal: A Medieval Timeslip Haunting
Thomas Becket, his murderers, and their king still have a score to settle."Perkins has created a genuine masterpiece in blending the plausible yet fictitious tale of the fates of the four knights who slew Becket and the impact of their restless spirits on the modern locality" – John Paul Davis, international bestselling author of The Templar Agenda and A Hidden History of the Tower of England's Most Notorious PrisonersA haunting timeslip novel examining history’s most infamous assassination, Knight of Betrayal is perfect for fans of Christina Courtenay, Karen Maitland, Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton.
***
1170, Canterbury Cathedral.Four knights break sanctuary to brutally murder Archbishop Thomas Becket for their king, Henry II.
Running from their crime, the four knights - Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, Reginald FitzUrse and Richard le Brett - flee north to Knaresborough Castle where Morville is overlord. Initially celebrating ridding their king of the pest that Becket had become, they find themselves increasingly isolated as the Church and public opinion turn against them.
2015, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.August is feva time - a celebration and festival of the arts. The Castle Players are to perform a play of their own Knight of Betrayal, based on the events leading up to Becket's murder.
Taking the honour seriously, they work hard to get into character - but after they experiment with a spirit board, are they channelling more than just the characters of the knights they are portraying?
***
What readers are saying about Karen
“Perkins' ability to write excellent historical fiction and modern day drama is itself a talent, yet the seamless transition between the two is genuinely astounding” – John Paul Davis, international bestselling author of The Templar Agenda and A Hidden History of the Tower of England's Most Notorious Prisoners“Ms Perkins is a true artist of the spoken word” – Author JJ Toner
“Fantastically creepy ghost story” – Author Lee Franklin
”Karen Perkins is truly a master of words, emotion, and craft” - Author Linda George
“Reading about a place that is close to my heart (as Haworth is) was wonderful. Karen should be proud of the intense research that she has done for this book” – Susan Sunderland, Amazon reviewer
“Karen Perkins is an excellent author and puts you right inside the Yorkshire Dales” – Mike McManus, Amazon reviewer
“Fantastic, atmospheric, tantalising, and edge of your seat read” – Jus, Amazon reviewer
***
1170, Canterbury Cathedral.Four knights break sanctuary to brutally murder Archbishop Thomas Becket for their king, Henry II.
Running from their crime, the four knights - Hugh de Morville, William de Tracy, Reginald FitzUrse and Richard le Brett - flee north to Knaresborough Castle where Morville is overlord. Initially celebrating ridding their king of the pest that Becket had become, they find themselves increasingly isolated as the Church and public opinion turn against them.
2015, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.August is feva time - a celebration and festival of the arts. The Castle Players are to perform a play of their own Knight of Betrayal, based on the events leading up to Becket's murder.
Taking the honour seriously, they work hard to get into character - but after they experiment with a spirit board, are they channelling more than just the characters of the knights they are portraying?
***
What readers are saying about Karen
“Perkins' ability to write excellent historical fiction and modern day drama is itself a talent, yet the seamless transition between the two is genuinely astounding” – John Paul Davis, international bestselling author of The Templar Agenda and A Hidden History of the Tower of England's Most Notorious Prisoners“Ms Perkins is a true artist of the spoken word” – Author JJ Toner
“Fantastically creepy ghost story” – Author Lee Franklin
”Karen Perkins is truly a master of words, emotion, and craft” - Author Linda George
“Reading about a place that is close to my heart (as Haworth is) was wonderful. Karen should be proud of the intense research that she has done for this book” – Susan Sunderland, Amazon reviewer
“Karen Perkins is an excellent author and puts you right inside the Yorkshire Dales” – Mike McManus, Amazon reviewer
“Fantastic, atmospheric, tantalising, and edge of your seat read” – Jus, Amazon reviewer
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2015
15 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Karen Perkins
36 books244 followersKaren Perkins is the author of the Yorkshire Ghost Stories, the Pendle Witch Short Stories and the Valkyrie Series of historical nautical fiction. All of her fiction has appeared at the top of bestseller lists on both sides of the Atlantic, including the top 21 in the UK Kindle Store in 2018.
Her first Yorkshire Ghost Story – THE HAUNTING OF THORES-CROSS – won the Silver Medal for European Fiction in the prestigious 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards in New York, whilst her Valkyrie novel, DEAD RECKONING, was long-listed in the 2011 MSLEXIA novel competition.
Originally a financial advisor, a sailing injury left Karen with a chronic pain condition which she has been battling for over twenty five years (although she did take the European ladies title despite the injury!). Writing has given her a new lease of – and purpose to – life, and she is currently working on A Question of Witchcraft – a sequel to Parliament of Rooks: Haunting Brontë Country.
To find out more about current writing projects as well as special offers and competitions, you are very welcome to join Karen in the her Facebook group. This is an exclusive group where you can get the news first, as well as have access to early previews and chances to get your hands on new books before anyone else. Find us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/groups/karenperkinsb...
Her first Yorkshire Ghost Story – THE HAUNTING OF THORES-CROSS – won the Silver Medal for European Fiction in the prestigious 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards in New York, whilst her Valkyrie novel, DEAD RECKONING, was long-listed in the 2011 MSLEXIA novel competition.
Originally a financial advisor, a sailing injury left Karen with a chronic pain condition which she has been battling for over twenty five years (although she did take the European ladies title despite the injury!). Writing has given her a new lease of – and purpose to – life, and she is currently working on A Question of Witchcraft – a sequel to Parliament of Rooks: Haunting Brontë Country.
To find out more about current writing projects as well as special offers and competitions, you are very welcome to join Karen in the her Facebook group. This is an exclusive group where you can get the news first, as well as have access to early previews and chances to get your hands on new books before anyone else. Find us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/groups/karenperkinsb...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 28, 2022
Good read although I don't enjoy books or films about the medieval times. Having said that, Karen has done a great job in transporting the reader to that point in history. I really felt I was there! I knew something bad would happen at the end but didn't expect this! Karen's books always manage to surprise and entertain!!
October 11, 2018
Karen Perkins has skilfully linked the story of the four knights who slew Thomas Becket on the steps of his altar with a 21st amateur theatre group who are performing a play about the infamous assassination. In an attempt to help the actors to connect with their characters, the play’s director uses a Ouija board to summon the spirits of the ancient knights but ends up opening a deadly portal to the past as the vengeful spirits of King, Archbishop and Knights gradually take over the minds and lives of their modern counterparts.
I really liked this book, it is a very readable and original mixture of fantasy, drama and comedy (I particularly enjoyed the part when the errant knights go ‘on the pull’ at the local Wetherspoons with disastrous consequences) and I was totally riveted by the time I reached the shattering climax.
A great read and very well executed by Ms Perkins. As always the historical sections of the book are very believable and well researched and for me it was great to read a book set in Knaresborough, which I know quite well. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
I really liked this book, it is a very readable and original mixture of fantasy, drama and comedy (I particularly enjoyed the part when the errant knights go ‘on the pull’ at the local Wetherspoons with disastrous consequences) and I was totally riveted by the time I reached the shattering climax.
A great read and very well executed by Ms Perkins. As always the historical sections of the book are very believable and well researched and for me it was great to read a book set in Knaresborough, which I know quite well. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
May 9, 2022
Perkins Has A Unique Ability To Blend The Past And Present!
This is an absolute diamond of a book. Written in the third person rather than the first, as seen in the author's spellbinding novel Thores-Cross, Perkins' has created a genuine masterpiece in blending the plausible yet fictitious tale of the fates of the four knights who slew Becket and the impact of their restless spirits on the modern locality. Perkins' ability to write excellent historical fiction and modern day drama is itself a talent, yet the seamless transition between the two is genuinely astounding. Action, drama, conflict, deceit, intrigue, humour, mystery, horror, hauntings and revenge, this book has everything in spades. Be you a history lover, ghost hunter, or simply a fan of a good yarn, prepare for one of the most unique yet complete novels you'll ever read!
This is an absolute diamond of a book. Written in the third person rather than the first, as seen in the author's spellbinding novel Thores-Cross, Perkins' has created a genuine masterpiece in blending the plausible yet fictitious tale of the fates of the four knights who slew Becket and the impact of their restless spirits on the modern locality. Perkins' ability to write excellent historical fiction and modern day drama is itself a talent, yet the seamless transition between the two is genuinely astounding. Action, drama, conflict, deceit, intrigue, humour, mystery, horror, hauntings and revenge, this book has everything in spades. Be you a history lover, ghost hunter, or simply a fan of a good yarn, prepare for one of the most unique yet complete novels you'll ever read!
September 13, 2019
Knight of Betrayal
Knight of Betrayal is a cracking book by Karen Perkins.
It is set in two timelines. One at the time and following the murder of Thomas Becket and the other in 2015. Part and present collide with devastating consequences.
I loved this book as it gripped me from start to finish. This is a different kind of ghost story and is very enjoyable indeed.
Highly recommended.
Knight of Betrayal is a cracking book by Karen Perkins.
It is set in two timelines. One at the time and following the murder of Thomas Becket and the other in 2015. Part and present collide with devastating consequences.
I loved this book as it gripped me from start to finish. This is a different kind of ghost story and is very enjoyable indeed.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2017
An interesting interweaving of British history and modern paranormal that keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages as the story rushes toward a tragic ending as inevitable as the grizzly death of the teenage ingenue in a classic slasher film. Definitely worth a read.
February 11, 2021
If you don’t like ouija boards etc don’t read this book!
I didn’t expect the ending as it happened, it was a pleasant surprise to be completely honest.
The history in the story is brilliant and I couldn’t fault it.
I do love the Yorkshire Ghost Stories!
I didn’t expect the ending as it happened, it was a pleasant surprise to be completely honest.
The history in the story is brilliant and I couldn’t fault it.
I do love the Yorkshire Ghost Stories!
December 19, 2021
Well done
Very entertaining. Loved the story and was great to go back and forth between the worlds. Definitely recommend if you want something a little different in historical fiction.
Very entertaining. Loved the story and was great to go back and forth between the worlds. Definitely recommend if you want something a little different in historical fiction.
October 27, 2021
While I loved the "back story" part of the book that took place in the 12th century the modern part was a bit over the top and the characters too wooden to really like. Interesting concept though.
October 2, 2022
Sadly, this book wasn't for me. I found the characters and the writing flat and I found I wasn't interested in the past timeline. I'd still recommend the author's previous works.
December 4, 2016
A group of actors are possessed by the spirits of the characters they are playing in a production they are putting on after using a spirit board. I loved the idea of this story and the historical aspect. However, I was disappointed by the writing itself. It seemed very flat, we did not really get to know anything about the modern characters and I found this difficult in seeing them in their possessed characters. I did finish this book, and it would be wrong to say I did not enjoy it, just the writing style was a bit flat for my liking.
July 19, 2015
Really!?
This is not my usual genre for reading, but it definitely captured my attention. I found it yesterday, read it all today!
This is not my usual genre for reading, but it definitely captured my attention. I found it yesterday, read it all today!
August 21, 2015
A very enjoyable ghost story,having read the previous novel by Karen Perkins I found this one even better.
February 7, 2016
The premise appealed to me but I liked this book less than the first book I read by Karen Perkins. Still a good story though.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews