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Crowner John Mystery #10
The Elixir of Death
1195. Prince John still plots to seize the throne from his brother, Richard the Lionheart--and in his wicked schemes, he is supported by Philip of France. The French king offers to help John financially by sending him a mysterious alchemist, a Mohammedan named Nizam, who claims to be able to turn base materials into gold. But the ship that was transporting Nizam and his retainers is found wrecked off the south Devon coast, its crew savagely slaughtered. Shortly afterward, a Norman knight named Peter le Calve is foully murdered, his severed head stuck on the rood screen of Exeter cathedral. It's up to Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, to find a motive and connection between the killings. And just what is his unscrupulous brother-in-law, the disgraced ex-sheriff and Prince John-sympathizer, Richard de Revelle, trying to hide?
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2006
46 people are currently reading
260 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
February 25, 2022
I absolutely adore Crowner John as a character and Bernard Knight as an author, and am happy reading this series. This mystery was a bit farfetched so gave it 4.5 stars only.
The period detail is impeccable and historically correct as always and the characters have depth and are believable. I am on to the next one.
The period detail is impeccable and historically correct as always and the characters have depth and are believable. I am on to the next one.
March 20, 2018
Another good mystery for Crowner John concentrating on Saracens and Alchemy. Overall I enjoyed the book but I am 10 books into the series and I am getting a bit bored of the author constantly repeating the background information for Crowner and all the usual characters. I understand that new readers might pick up in the middle of a series, but it seems almost verbatim from book 1 each time he brings it up. I was quite hopeful at the beginning of the book as the author himself mentions that he has to repeat himself for new readers, and directs you to the glossary at the front of the book - however he doesn't actually place the characters back stories into the glossary and mentions them throughout the book over and over still! I've never known a continuing series that thinks people can't enjoy the book without being told all the characters back story over and over again. A shame as it ruined my enjoyment of an otherwise good story.
November 30, 2010
Excellent, had a job to put it down, contains it all. treachery, betrayal, love passion action & a large helping of historical content.
January 8, 2025
I enjoyed the first two, maybe three, books of this series. At this point, I am only reading them as I was gifted the remainder of the series. They stopped being good books ago. The Elixir of Death is particularly Not Good. This is not a murder mystery: the culprits are revealed very early on. It is not a "how catch 'em," as Crowner John just sort of bumbles around having no clues and no leads. To some extent, the good part of the book is that much of the book focuses on the secondary characters of the series much more than John. When John is "on screen," it is more of the tired, repetitive parts of the series: he loves his mistress more than his wife, the cleric Thomas is struggling to fit back into the order, Richard continues to scheme, etc. On the whole the book is boring, there is no mystery, and the plot doesn't advance. The book just sort of stumbles to a conclusion in the last chapter, and there's a great deal of sweeping loose ends under the rug rather than resolving them. This is the weakest book in the series yet, and I see no reason to ever read it. Two stars because I actually managed to finish it.
March 6, 2025
I’ve enjoyed all 10 books in this series. I know Exeter and the surrounding areas well, so to picture it back in the 1100’s makes it even more interesting for me. Add to this, the fact that some of the characters did actually exist and Bernard Knight’s description of the general living conditions and the meals back then - it’s a history lesson and a murder mystery all in one!
There are a few gruesome murders that Crowner John and his team are trying to solve. Having read all 10 books, I’ve got quite fond of him and his team and his mistress, Nesta. His wife, Matilda, isn’t my favourite character! The story did seem to loose it’s way a bit, in the middle, but the rip-roaring ending more than made up for that.
If you enjoy well researched historical novels, with murders aplenty, this series is for you. I’ve loved all the books!
There are a few gruesome murders that Crowner John and his team are trying to solve. Having read all 10 books, I’ve got quite fond of him and his team and his mistress, Nesta. His wife, Matilda, isn’t my favourite character! The story did seem to loose it’s way a bit, in the middle, but the rip-roaring ending more than made up for that.
If you enjoy well researched historical novels, with murders aplenty, this series is for you. I’ve loved all the books!
October 21, 2020
This was a great read.
Between Alchemy, murder most foul, Saracens and, as usual when it has anything to do with the involvement of the previous Sheriff of Exeter, Richard de Revelle, treachery, the story was both well paced, and also delivered some great historical details of the Crusades, and the aftermath of those decisions and actions.
We also had another look at just how badly the decisions that Crowner John makes, where the women in his life are concerned, can develop.
I think the only people who came out of this totally unchanged, had to be Gwyn, who never does change anyway, and Thomas, whose acceptance back into the Church, hasn't changed his willingness to be of service to Crowner John.
It'll definitely be interesting, to see what happens next in The Noble Outlaw!
Between Alchemy, murder most foul, Saracens and, as usual when it has anything to do with the involvement of the previous Sheriff of Exeter, Richard de Revelle, treachery, the story was both well paced, and also delivered some great historical details of the Crusades, and the aftermath of those decisions and actions.
We also had another look at just how badly the decisions that Crowner John makes, where the women in his life are concerned, can develop.
I think the only people who came out of this totally unchanged, had to be Gwyn, who never does change anyway, and Thomas, whose acceptance back into the Church, hasn't changed his willingness to be of service to Crowner John.
It'll definitely be interesting, to see what happens next in The Noble Outlaw!
November 16, 2020
Another in this series of medieval mysteries with a splash of human interest and a pinch of love story. Crowner John and his assistants, Gwyn and Thomas have grown on me through this series and this is one of their adventures which keeps up a good pace without being frantic (well, the denoument is very fast moving as you might expect.) This story involves some wicked men who are what we would now call Muslims and as such that made me a little uncomfortable, with the danger of stereotyping, but then the story reflects the days in which it is set, and recognises the horrors perpetrated by the "Christian" armies during the Crusades, so I think it is balanced.
April 6, 2023
Another great read by Bernard Knight. Although I didn't feel that there was any real sense of peril for the main characters, the last 100 pages were again thrill-a-minute and I was captivated by how the story would end.
Brought it down to 4*s because the first 20% of the book doesn't really progress much and repeats a lot of the background which has already been covered in other books. Always challenging with 9 earlier novels but I think it was a bit too much this time. Interestingly the author mentions in the introduction that he has tried to keep backstory to a minimum but it didn't seem like it.
Brought it down to 4*s because the first 20% of the book doesn't really progress much and repeats a lot of the background which has already been covered in other books. Always challenging with 9 earlier novels but I think it was a bit too much this time. Interestingly the author mentions in the introduction that he has tried to keep backstory to a minimum but it didn't seem like it.
June 28, 2018
An excellent read! Bernard Knight is a great historical fiction writer.
This is the first book I read of his and will read his other books in the 'Crowner John Mystery Series'. Very unique writing style incorporating mystery, drama and the medieval time period solving murders as the King's coroner.
Reading the book and learning about the characters was tactful in delivery. My favorite characters were John de Wolfe and his side-kick Gwen. An entertaining and delightful book from start till end.
I would recommend this book to fans of Bernard Cornwell.
This is the first book I read of his and will read his other books in the 'Crowner John Mystery Series'. Very unique writing style incorporating mystery, drama and the medieval time period solving murders as the King's coroner.
Reading the book and learning about the characters was tactful in delivery. My favorite characters were John de Wolfe and his side-kick Gwen. An entertaining and delightful book from start till end.
I would recommend this book to fans of Bernard Cornwell.
March 3, 2019
I have a very high regard for the novels in the Crowner John series. I love their leisurely pace, well-drawn characters, and the immersive world of medieval Exeter that Bernard Knight evokes. Now that I have added 'The Elixir of Death' to my collection, it now joins my top three of this series after 'The Grim Reaper' and 'The Poisoned Chalice'. This novel must rank as one of the most gruesome and action packed of the series. Great fun and a smashing week's read.
June 26, 2020
Good knight. Bad knight
Thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson regarding the second crusade. It was not the stereotypical image of the chivalrous Knights.
John, Gwynn, and Thomas continue to grow in character and as characters. I like their interaction, banter, and trust. John is confident enough to realize his current shortcomings and will defer to Gwynn or Thomas as appropriate.
Thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson regarding the second crusade. It was not the stereotypical image of the chivalrous Knights.
John, Gwynn, and Thomas continue to grow in character and as characters. I like their interaction, banter, and trust. John is confident enough to realize his current shortcomings and will defer to Gwynn or Thomas as appropriate.
September 15, 2019
My first Bernard Knight Sir John de Wolfe book.
Interesting story, quite straightforward plot without unnecessary intertwined twists for the sake of producing heart quickened climaxes, quite well developed characters.
Interesting story, quite straightforward plot without unnecessary intertwined twists for the sake of producing heart quickened climaxes, quite well developed characters.
February 11, 2020
Like last time: an entertaining mystery, but the writing style fails to capture your attention (and has typos!)
There is no emotion or depth in the characters, who remain superficial, the timeline is confusing and I really have had enough of the word "as" for a while, now...
There is no emotion or depth in the characters, who remain superficial, the timeline is confusing and I really have had enough of the word "as" for a while, now...
August 19, 2021
A very dependable book in Knight's series. There are a few trite phrases turning up...maybe Knight is getting bored? He always has to mention the state of the sky and the nature of the food being eaten, but it's not a disappointing read in its genre.
June 14, 2017
One of the best Crowner John Mysteries so far. Kept my interest throughout.
October 7, 2017
First book of the series I read
July 19, 2019
Well done. The historical details are fascinating.
dnf
January 9, 2020Unavailable in audio
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December 18, 2024Bernards
,s knowledge of the history of those times is astounding.
,s knowledge of the history of those times is astounding.
August 30, 2010
#10 Crowner John mystery set in medieval Devon county, UK. When the dead bodies of Thorgils, a ship's captain and his crew wash up in the mouth of the river along with their battered ship, Crowner John first believes it's a case of straightforward piracy. But further investigation makes him think that something else is afoot, and he's right.
There's another plot against King Richard, set up by none other than Prince John--with the help of John's brother-in-law, former Sheriff Richard de Revelle. They've brought an alchemist to Devon from Outremer to work with a local alchemist in an attempt to turn base metals into gold that John can then use in his efforts to overthrow his brother from the throne. Since Thorgils is the husband of one of John's former mistresses, he feels honor-bound to get to the cause of his death, and before long, the vicious murder and decapitation of a manor lord with a similar stab wound to Thorgils' begin to make the tenuous connection between the two crimes--John and his crew are off across the county asking questions and gleaning information over pots of ale in local taverns.
On a personal note, Thomas, John's defrocked clerk, is reinstated by the church and apologized to for wrongfully removing him from the priesthood, having been falsely accused of raping a young female student. And John is once again trying to balance his time between his duties as Crowner, his mistress Nesta at the Bush Inn and his loathsome wife Matilda.
Enjoyable as always, with great characters and a wonderful sense of place and time.
There's another plot against King Richard, set up by none other than Prince John--with the help of John's brother-in-law, former Sheriff Richard de Revelle. They've brought an alchemist to Devon from Outremer to work with a local alchemist in an attempt to turn base metals into gold that John can then use in his efforts to overthrow his brother from the throne. Since Thorgils is the husband of one of John's former mistresses, he feels honor-bound to get to the cause of his death, and before long, the vicious murder and decapitation of a manor lord with a similar stab wound to Thorgils' begin to make the tenuous connection between the two crimes--John and his crew are off across the county asking questions and gleaning information over pots of ale in local taverns.
On a personal note, Thomas, John's defrocked clerk, is reinstated by the church and apologized to for wrongfully removing him from the priesthood, having been falsely accused of raping a young female student. And John is once again trying to balance his time between his duties as Crowner, his mistress Nesta at the Bush Inn and his loathsome wife Matilda.
Enjoyable as always, with great characters and a wonderful sense of place and time.
February 22, 2016
It's been a long time since I've read a mystery as enjoyable as this one. I enjoyed the setting (southern England in the 1200s), the surprising twists of the plot, and the plot's timeliness (killing in the name of religion). I wasn't familiar with the author, but I was impressed by his knowledge of England at this time, and I deeply appreciated the glossary of terms that he provided.
January 11, 2017
This novel featured well-defined characters and a plausible story, with plenty of twists and turns. The historical setting added interest, without becoming over-powering. This is the first Crowner John Mystery that I have read, but I look forward to reading more!
August 6, 2009
the audio version was very entertaining..
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August 15, 2012Love all these books about Exeter and environs in the Middle Ages centered around "Crowner John"
March 27, 2013
I find all the Crowner John stories fascinating from the aspect of how people lived in that period, plus, the storylines are a delight to read.
October 31, 2013
Another great mystery featuring the indominable Sir John de Wolfe against the evil and secret Sarassins.
March 7, 2014
Excellent read
March 27, 2015
Great books set in the 10th century about the work og=f the King's Coroner John de'Wolfe
February 21, 2016
What a great story. As the series develops so do the characters. Loved it
November 8, 2013
978-1-84739-991-5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews