The Devil is Loose

The Crusader Knights Cycle #4

by Graham Shelby

Sequel to The Kings of Vain Intent.Graham Shelby has established an impressive reputation as an historical novelist. In THE KNIGHTS OF DARK RENOWN and its sequel THE KINGS OF VAIN INTENT he captured the glittering world of the Crusade . In THE VILLAINS OF THE PIECE he turned to Stephen and Matilda, and an England racked by civil war.THE DEVIL IS LOOSE describes with the same vigour and authenticity the rise to power of the Angevin brothers, Richard the Lionheart and John called Lackland. Richard, the master of war and the victim of his own temperament; John, manoeuvring to move clear of his brother's long shadow.between them stand the shrewd politician, Philip of France, eager to play off one against the other, and the great model of chivalry, William Marshal, the knight who had served their father Henry Il and never betrayed his troth.As the action unfolds we see what a price was paid by a medieval realm for the absence of its how quickly a violent and unruly society threw off the thin constraints of order and how rare was the man who could be relied on to fulfil a position of trust and to keep faith. Set against the harsh and colourful background of the times, the characters stand out sharply as individuals, their loyalties tested to breaking point—or beyond.Graham Shelby is now completing the sequel, in which Marshal's fortunes and John's chequered career reach their climax on the island of Runnymede.

Genres: Historical Fiction

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Graham Shelby (born 1939) is a British historical novelist. He worked as a copywriter and book-reviewer before embarking on a series of historical novels, mainly set in the twelfth century.

Chronological list of works:
The Knights of Dark Renown (1969), set in the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the reigns of Baldwin IV, Baldwin V and Queen Sibylla, majoring on the real-life knight Raynald of Châtillon and his arch-enemy Saladin.

The Kings of Vain Intent (1970), sequel to the above, dealing with the Third Crusade, depicting Conrad of Montferrat as the villain: the US edition contains an additional chapter.

The Villains of the Piece (1972) (published in the US as The Oath and the Sword), about the conflict between King Stephen and Queen Matilda. (standalone novel)

The Devil is Loose (1974), a sequel to The Kings of Vain Intent, following the later career of Richard I of England.

The Wolf at the Door (1975), sequel to the above, about John of England.

The Cannaways (1978), a story of a fictional eighteenth-century family.

The Cannaway Concern (1980), sequel to the above.

The Edge of the Blade (1986). (standalone novel)

Demand the World (1990), based on the life of Eliza Lynch. (standalone novel)

Reviews

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, informative, but not deep coverage of the characters and events, rather a "Cliff Notes" version. Shelby casts John as obnoxious, a despicable "Softsword."

Will likely re-re-read Myself As Witness and some of the Penman books for perspective.
Myself as Witness

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one :)