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The Cordoba Mysteries #1
Checkmate
Tenth century Spain.
Cordoba, the capital of Moorish Spain is at the centre of a power struggle in the medieval world.
With its diverse population of Muslims, Christians and Jews, political and religious rivalries are never far from the surface in the city.
After a tense chess match between high ranking officials, one of the players, Aiden - a Christian professor of mathematics at the university - is found murdered.
With the threat of an international war at stake if the crime isn’t solved, the Caliph’s Jewish Vizier, Hasdai ben Shaprut, finds himself in a race against time to catch the killer.
Each of the chess players comes under scrutiny and it isn’t long before another murder is committed.
As the plot thickens will the answer slip through Hasdai’s fingers?
Or will he manage to Checkmate the killer?
‘Checkmate’ is a novel of murder, chess, astronomy and political intrigue set amongst the palaces and mosques of 10th century Cordoba. It is perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom.
'Brilliantly plotted and rich in period detail.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
'A gripping historical mystery.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'The Dante Conspiracy'.
Mark Dewar has a fascination for Spain in the time of the Moors, Al Andalus, and for crime fiction. This is his first novel.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
Cordoba, the capital of Moorish Spain is at the centre of a power struggle in the medieval world.
With its diverse population of Muslims, Christians and Jews, political and religious rivalries are never far from the surface in the city.
After a tense chess match between high ranking officials, one of the players, Aiden - a Christian professor of mathematics at the university - is found murdered.
With the threat of an international war at stake if the crime isn’t solved, the Caliph’s Jewish Vizier, Hasdai ben Shaprut, finds himself in a race against time to catch the killer.
Each of the chess players comes under scrutiny and it isn’t long before another murder is committed.
As the plot thickens will the answer slip through Hasdai’s fingers?
Or will he manage to Checkmate the killer?
‘Checkmate’ is a novel of murder, chess, astronomy and political intrigue set amongst the palaces and mosques of 10th century Cordoba. It is perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom.
'Brilliantly plotted and rich in period detail.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
'A gripping historical mystery.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'The Dante Conspiracy'.
Mark Dewar has a fascination for Spain in the time of the Moors, Al Andalus, and for crime fiction. This is his first novel.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher.
274 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
30 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dewar
8 books18 followersBehind the pseudonym Mark Dewar lies a writing combination (Mark Heywood and Peter Dewar) specialising in historical crime fiction.
Mark Dewar has a fascination for Spain in the time of the Moors, Al Andalus, and for murder most foul. The Cordoba series explores this fascinating period in Spanish history and its finely balanced political situation and threat of imminent war with Baghdad. The absorbing rituals of daily life are played out amongst tightly plotted murder mystery investigations.
The first book in the series was shortlisted for the 2008 Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award. In 2012 it was published in Spanish as 'Final de Partida en Cordoba' and in 2014 it was published in English as 'Checkmate'.
Mark Dewar has a fascination for Spain in the time of the Moors, Al Andalus, and for murder most foul. The Cordoba series explores this fascinating period in Spanish history and its finely balanced political situation and threat of imminent war with Baghdad. The absorbing rituals of daily life are played out amongst tightly plotted murder mystery investigations.
The first book in the series was shortlisted for the 2008 Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award. In 2012 it was published in Spanish as 'Final de Partida en Cordoba' and in 2014 it was published in English as 'Checkmate'.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 22, 2016
I chose this book (thanks, Endeavour Press) because I have a great interest in most things historical ... and I'm a chess fan. Well, what can I say about it? Quite simply, WOW! What a fantastic book. Loved every single part of it. I'm now a lifelong fan of Mark Dewar (or Mark and Dewar!) and will read the other books, certainly in this series.
July 4, 2020
Moorish Spain makes for a fascinating setting, but this historical mystery could only partially hold my interest... though I might have been more intrigued if I had the slightest interest in chess. This being the author duo's debut novel, I might pick up the next book to see if it hooks me more than this one did.
February 10, 2020
Atmospheric and clever
Very well written, convincingly portrays the nature of society in Cordoba at that time. The characters are fully rounded and plausible. Now, in to the next in the series...☺
Very well written, convincingly portrays the nature of society in Cordoba at that time. The characters are fully rounded and plausible. Now, in to the next in the series...☺
October 14, 2020
Cordoba 948 A.D. After a chess match, Aiden, a Christian professor of mathematics is found murdered.
The Caliph's Jewish Vizier, Hasdai ben Shaprut investigates with the help of General Ghalib, commander of the Personal Guard.
An enjoyable historical mystery, a good start to the series.
The Caliph's Jewish Vizier, Hasdai ben Shaprut investigates with the help of General Ghalib, commander of the Personal Guard.
An enjoyable historical mystery, a good start to the series.
December 30, 2021
Descriptive Writing
I enjoyed the descriptive writing as to the characters thoughts and feelings and over the course of the novel enjoyed how the direction, twist and turns in the story met in the conclusion.
I enjoyed the descriptive writing as to the characters thoughts and feelings and over the course of the novel enjoyed how the direction, twist and turns in the story met in the conclusion.
May 16, 2017
Interesting mystery with historical elements.
December 4, 2024
There is, I think, often a temptation for mystery writers to set their stories in 'exotic' locations or situations to help them stand out in an oversaturated market. But then, so often, that interesting location/historical setting becomes a thin veneer on the backdrop of the plot. Set in Egypt? Name-drop the pyramids and maybe the sphinx and talk about how hot and sandy it is. Set in Thailand? Sweltering heat and prostitutes and street food. There just often seems to be a stunning lack of curiosity in books like this.
However, that is far from the case in 'Checkmate.' It's clear almost immidiately how invested both authors are in their chosen locale of Cordoba during the 10th century. And I'm not just talking about the attention to detail of the architecture, the fabric of the town, the (I assume) historically accurate details about chess and astronomy. In 'Checkmate' everything feels solid in a way that makes me feel like having read it I know something about this place at this time.
And that extends to the plot as well. The mystery is so entwined with the political turmoil that it had to be set where it was set, when it was set. More than anything, I commend this choice to share what is clearly a passionate interest through entertaining storytelling. That vibe of excitement at being able to put all that knowledge to use spills out onto the pages and succeeded in getting me curious in a part of history I had no prior knowledge of, much less any interest in.
It reminded me very much of a YA series that also deserved much more attention that in got in its day: The Samurai Detective Series by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, set in 18th century Japan.
Not sure where exactly I'd place the second book in the Mark Dewar 'Cordoba' series on my TBR, but it's definitely on my radar now.
However, that is far from the case in 'Checkmate.' It's clear almost immidiately how invested both authors are in their chosen locale of Cordoba during the 10th century. And I'm not just talking about the attention to detail of the architecture, the fabric of the town, the (I assume) historically accurate details about chess and astronomy. In 'Checkmate' everything feels solid in a way that makes me feel like having read it I know something about this place at this time.
And that extends to the plot as well. The mystery is so entwined with the political turmoil that it had to be set where it was set, when it was set. More than anything, I commend this choice to share what is clearly a passionate interest through entertaining storytelling. That vibe of excitement at being able to put all that knowledge to use spills out onto the pages and succeeded in getting me curious in a part of history I had no prior knowledge of, much less any interest in.
It reminded me very much of a YA series that also deserved much more attention that in got in its day: The Samurai Detective Series by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler, set in 18th century Japan.
Not sure where exactly I'd place the second book in the Mark Dewar 'Cordoba' series on my TBR, but it's definitely on my radar now.
November 23, 2023
A nice, short book with an interesting mystery and a lot of research behind it
April 14, 2016
“Checkmate” eBook was published in 2014 and was written by Mark Dewar (pseudonym used by Mark Heywood and Peter Dewar). Five novels have been published under the name of Mark Dewar.
I was notified that the book was available by the publisher. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The novel is set in 948 Cordoba, Spain. Then the capital of Moorish Spain.
The primary characters are Vizier Hasdai be Shaprut and General Ghalib. A noted scholar, astronomer and chess player, Aiden, is found murdered. He had just played six others in a public and tense chess match. Now his opponents, as well as the audience are under suspicion.
The Caliph’s son, who was a student of Aiden, charges Hasdai and Ghalib with finding the killer. The situation is complicated by the presence of an emissary from Bagdad. A war with Bagdad seems likely in the future. Hasdai and Ghalib are told that the Bagdadians will be arrested and executed for the murder unless hard evidence is found pointing to another.
Hasdai and Ghalib must navigate through political obstacles, as well as through the tight lipped audience at the chess match. Few want the exact extent of the betting and exchange of funds resulting from the chess matches to come to light.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 290 page novel. The setting in 10th century Spain set this Mystery apart. The diverse population of Cordoba - Muslims, Christians and Jews - along with the political and religions tension made this an interesting read. With the human eye and experience the only ‘forensics’ available, it was a very different kind of investigation. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I was notified that the book was available by the publisher. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The novel is set in 948 Cordoba, Spain. Then the capital of Moorish Spain.
The primary characters are Vizier Hasdai be Shaprut and General Ghalib. A noted scholar, astronomer and chess player, Aiden, is found murdered. He had just played six others in a public and tense chess match. Now his opponents, as well as the audience are under suspicion.
The Caliph’s son, who was a student of Aiden, charges Hasdai and Ghalib with finding the killer. The situation is complicated by the presence of an emissary from Bagdad. A war with Bagdad seems likely in the future. Hasdai and Ghalib are told that the Bagdadians will be arrested and executed for the murder unless hard evidence is found pointing to another.
Hasdai and Ghalib must navigate through political obstacles, as well as through the tight lipped audience at the chess match. Few want the exact extent of the betting and exchange of funds resulting from the chess matches to come to light.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 290 page novel. The setting in 10th century Spain set this Mystery apart. The diverse population of Cordoba - Muslims, Christians and Jews - along with the political and religions tension made this an interesting read. With the human eye and experience the only ‘forensics’ available, it was a very different kind of investigation. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
July 27, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in a giveaway. I signed up for it because I'm a particular fan of historical mysteries, and I also am quite familiar with medieval Spain. It was a very interesting, compelling read, and I'd highly recommend it as a mystery. The author also clearly did research into the period, with a number of references and descriptions that help set the reader in medieval Cordoba. Sometimes, though, the prose sounds a bit modern for the setting, which jarred me out of the character's world. Someone less familiar with the medieval era might not find it a problem, though.
May 3, 2014
'Brilliantly plotted and rich in period detail.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.
'A gripping historical mystery.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'The Dante Conspiracy'.
'A gripping historical mystery.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'The Dante Conspiracy'.
May 1, 2016
Okay... interesting opening, but I lost interest. Not something I would typically read, but for mystery fans - probably a good story.
Didn't finish it.... but may try again in the future.
Didn't finish it.... but may try again in the future.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews