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Stories told on Pilgrimage from London to Canterbury #2
Muchos cadáveres y un ataud vacio
In August 1358, the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, lies dying. When death comes, she is buried next to her lover Roger Mortimer in Greyfriars, but violence continues and Nicholas Chirke, an honest young lawyer, is called in to investigate the strange events following her death.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 26, 2021
Read this book in 2012, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Canterbury Tales" series, featuring Geoffrey Chaucer.
Another group of pilgrims are making their journey from London to St Thomas a Becket's shrine in Canterbury, when all of a sudden an April shower force them to take shelter in a tavern, and there the Man of Law will tell his tale of fear and intrigue.
This tale is set in AD 1358, and the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, is dying.
The moment when she dies, she will be interred next to her lover Roger Mortimer in Greyfriars, and that action will provoke very much unrest and violence.
The honest young lawyer, Nicholas Chirke, is sent there to investigate these strange and hostile events following the death of Isabella.
What will follow is an exciting and thrilling mystery, in which the Man of Law will tell his tale in a most absorbing fashion, and where intrigue and treachery will play a very important when the investigations are going on, and eventually the end result of these events will be filled with a lot of tension and death.
Highly recommended, for this is a another wonderful addition of this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Intriguing Tapestry Mystery"!
Another group of pilgrims are making their journey from London to St Thomas a Becket's shrine in Canterbury, when all of a sudden an April shower force them to take shelter in a tavern, and there the Man of Law will tell his tale of fear and intrigue.
This tale is set in AD 1358, and the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, is dying.
The moment when she dies, she will be interred next to her lover Roger Mortimer in Greyfriars, and that action will provoke very much unrest and violence.
The honest young lawyer, Nicholas Chirke, is sent there to investigate these strange and hostile events following the death of Isabella.
What will follow is an exciting and thrilling mystery, in which the Man of Law will tell his tale in a most absorbing fashion, and where intrigue and treachery will play a very important when the investigations are going on, and eventually the end result of these events will be filled with a lot of tension and death.
Highly recommended, for this is a another wonderful addition of this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Intriguing Tapestry Mystery"!
February 24, 2017
I enjoyed this book a lot, however it did not grip me as much as the first one. I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series. Doherty is a fantastic writer and is able to sculpt a unique perspective, one both luxurious and decrepit of medieval England and his characters are engaging and complex.
July 6, 2024
It's depressing to consider that I had first read this book in the late nineties and had been utterly seduced by the stagey, complex world of lies, deceit and (naturally) murder that Doherty creates.
Coming back nigh thirty years later it's a joy to find the vivid drama undimmed. I studied mediaeval literature at university and so can respect the very clever way Doherty creates such a stirring tale of murky deeds, all while showing a light hand of respect and historical knowledge towards Chaucer and 1300's English history.
You don't need a degree to get into the story, though you will need to keep your wits around you as the story is quite elaborate.
You absolutely get a return for your effort though: a brooding, vivid and stark tale as anyone might wish for the evening reading!
Coming back nigh thirty years later it's a joy to find the vivid drama undimmed. I studied mediaeval literature at university and so can respect the very clever way Doherty creates such a stirring tale of murky deeds, all while showing a light hand of respect and historical knowledge towards Chaucer and 1300's English history.
You don't need a degree to get into the story, though you will need to keep your wits around you as the story is quite elaborate.
You absolutely get a return for your effort though: a brooding, vivid and stark tale as anyone might wish for the evening reading!
April 14, 2012
This novel might as well be crowned my favourite out of all books by Doherty I've read. Very intense and intriguing.The storyline is elaborate, you never know what's going to happen next(nor did you realize who was the 'big boss' until the very end.)Very well written,true ,as always, to the historical facts, and still super interesting.
July 16, 2017
This is my second book in this series - they are a good one day read ( if you have a beach day!). I like the back and forth between the pilgrims - and am looking forward to hearing more from them! Side note - My local library system only had the first book, but they were able to get a loan for me from another Maryland Library - appreciate that!
April 18, 2008
Set in the reign of either Henry IV or Richard II, this is easy reading, but it demands little from the reader except to go along on the ride. It is based on the 2nd of the Canterbury Tales.
April 11, 2009
These retold Canterbury Tales are awesome!
March 12, 2019
Another excellent read in the Canterbury Pilgrims dark and disturbing tales series from Paul Doherty.
The author really knows his subject, his scenes of description are never wasted on the mindlessly trivial - he makes the otherwise trivial street descriptions fascinating.
The Man at Law tells a story of seemingly unrelated murders carried out ruthlessly for a murky criminal figure, the Guardian of the Gates, who controls and polices the underworld of crime in London. Based around the death of the late Queen - an arch manipulator and collaborator who was not popular with her husband, her son or her subjects, as soon as dies, her loyal servant, Vallance, flees Castle Rising in Norfolk for London, only to die before boarding a Venetian ship sailing for France. What secret did he hold about the late Queen, and why were his last words 'St Denis!'? The lawyer who heard his last words was walking in fear of his life and found horribly murdered and his body dumped in a remote ditch. What did he know? The servant is then found, throat cut and dumped in a fish pond - what had he discovered?
The Man at Law tells the story of a young lawyer, struggling in his profession who is indentured by a rich relative to find out 'the truth' - but what Simon, the Man at Law, and his loyal servant find out on the way could seal their own horrible deaths.
Excellent read - highly recommended!
The author really knows his subject, his scenes of description are never wasted on the mindlessly trivial - he makes the otherwise trivial street descriptions fascinating.
The Man at Law tells a story of seemingly unrelated murders carried out ruthlessly for a murky criminal figure, the Guardian of the Gates, who controls and polices the underworld of crime in London. Based around the death of the late Queen - an arch manipulator and collaborator who was not popular with her husband, her son or her subjects, as soon as dies, her loyal servant, Vallance, flees Castle Rising in Norfolk for London, only to die before boarding a Venetian ship sailing for France. What secret did he hold about the late Queen, and why were his last words 'St Denis!'? The lawyer who heard his last words was walking in fear of his life and found horribly murdered and his body dumped in a remote ditch. What did he know? The servant is then found, throat cut and dumped in a fish pond - what had he discovered?
The Man at Law tells the story of a young lawyer, struggling in his profession who is indentured by a rich relative to find out 'the truth' - but what Simon, the Man at Law, and his loyal servant find out on the way could seal their own horrible deaths.
Excellent read - highly recommended!
January 18, 2025
Пол Дохърти – „Пазителят на портите“
Продължава с поредицата „Кентърбърийски загадки“ на Дохърти.
Ред е на Правникът да разкаже своята тъмна история. За разлика от първата книга, където е наблегнато повече на ужаса и свръхестественото, втората книга си е средновековно крими. Дохърти ни хвърля насред Лондон през 14 век, когато властва Едуард III. Младият адвокат Никълъс Чърк започва да разследва убийството на известен съдия. Но вместо отговорите, героите затъват все по-дълбоко, а убийствата стават все повече, като всяко едно е свързано с опазването на една тайна. Тайна, която е свързана Кралят и семейството му. Една фигура стой в центъра на събитията, това е „Пазителят на портите“ – човек-мистерия, който управлява „подземния“ свят в Лондон.
В началото не успя да ме грабне, но след всяко убийство загадката ставаше все по-голяма, и интересът ми нарастваше все повече, докато не разбера каква е тайната, и кой е Пазителят. Всяка книга (разказ) от поредицата ти дава информация за миналото на разказвачите, и техните причини, заради които пътуват.
Продължава с поредицата „Кентърбърийски загадки“ на Дохърти.
Ред е на Правникът да разкаже своята тъмна история. За разлика от първата книга, където е наблегнато повече на ужаса и свръхестественото, втората книга си е средновековно крими. Дохърти ни хвърля насред Лондон през 14 век, когато властва Едуард III. Младият адвокат Никълъс Чърк започва да разследва убийството на известен съдия. Но вместо отговорите, героите затъват все по-дълбоко, а убийствата стават все повече, като всяко едно е свързано с опазването на една тайна. Тайна, която е свързана Кралят и семейството му. Една фигура стой в центъра на събитията, това е „Пазителят на портите“ – човек-мистерия, който управлява „подземния“ свят в Лондон.
В началото не успя да ме грабне, но след всяко убийство загадката ставаше все по-голяма, и интересът ми нарастваше все повече, докато не разбера каква е тайната, и кой е Пазителят. Всяка книга (разказ) от поредицата ти дава информация за миналото на разказвачите, и техните причини, заради които пътуват.
January 13, 2023
AS Chaucer's pilgrims progress towards Canterbury, the Man of Law narrates the evening tale of mystery about the Dowager Queen Isabella, mother of Edward III. Isabella is thought to have died in August 1358 of the pestilence in her castle where her son has kept her incarcerated. Her trusted squire flees, carrying a manuscript that could discredit the King, but dies before revealing his secrets. Young lawyer Nicholas Chirke is hired to investigate and a great pursuit follows. Fascinating look into the period.
September 7, 2017
Another solid second book in the Canterbury series. By the master of the medieval mystery Paul Doherty.
In August 1358, Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, lies dying. When death comes, she is buried next to her lover Roger Mortimer in Greyfriars, but violence continues and Nicholas Chirke, an honest young lawyer, is called in to investigate the strange events following her death. This one rings true but is it? And are any of the pilgrims involved in the tale?
In August 1358, Queen Isabella, mother of King Edward III, lies dying. When death comes, she is buried next to her lover Roger Mortimer in Greyfriars, but violence continues and Nicholas Chirke, an honest young lawyer, is called in to investigate the strange events following her death. This one rings true but is it? And are any of the pilgrims involved in the tale?
December 15, 2020
Set in 14th century London, this is in tone with most of Doherty's previous work, at least ones I'm familiar with 😁
The unhygienic squalor of the city coupled with injustice and treachery all around creates a bleak though supposedly historically accurate picture.
The story does not drag, but one feels it could've been told better.
The unique narrative style does much to break any tedium.
Overall, quite a good read.
The unhygienic squalor of the city coupled with injustice and treachery all around creates a bleak though supposedly historically accurate picture.
The story does not drag, but one feels it could've been told better.
The unique narrative style does much to break any tedium.
Overall, quite a good read.
August 30, 2017
Enjoyable read - interesting twist with the story in the story (and now the characters are found to know each other in the past). Some things are tiring (like I understand London was filthy - always rats, stench, chamber pots being tipped out of windows or lying around overflowing, etc - but that every scene has to be like that - yuck).
December 12, 2018
Al ser una trilogía(saga?), estaba seguro que esta historia estaría entrelazada con la contada en el primer libro, resultó agradable ver que no era así. De repente me perdía en algunas partes porque la historia parecía no avanzar, algunos personajes, al final, no tuvieron repercusión; aún así resulta una historia entretenida sobre la reina Isabella Regina durante el reinado de Eduardo II.
September 18, 2019
Un entretenido relato de misterio e intriga con base real sobre la vida de Isabel de Inglaterra, Eduardo II y III, y Mortimer, amante de la primera. Es una historia diferente pero sigue el planteamiento de la primera entrega de ser un relato hablado que cuentan uno de los peregrinos del grupo en su caminar hacia Canterbury para hacer más ameno el viaje y las noches tabernarias.
April 30, 2022
Exciting and moving
Another excellent bok from Paul Doherty. I love the way he weaves fact with fiction. He does it so well that I sometimes have to go and research the 'real thing'.
Another excellent bok from Paul Doherty. I love the way he weaves fact with fiction. He does it so well that I sometimes have to go and research the 'real thing'.
June 29, 2019
Clever
Always a twist. As a fan of the author and avid reader of the Hugh Corbett and Father Athelston series l now look forward to the next Canterbury tale!
Always a twist. As a fan of the author and avid reader of the Hugh Corbett and Father Athelston series l now look forward to the next Canterbury tale!
April 1, 2020
I loved this book,a good mystery
April 24, 2020
Paul Doherty wrote another wonderful mystery. I do have to say that this was not my favorite out of the series. The plot did not grab me but it was well written.
June 1, 2024
Truth Or???
I really enjoyed this book, kept me guessing until the end. Can't wait to read more of these Mysteries.. Love these.
I really enjoyed this book, kept me guessing until the end. Can't wait to read more of these Mysteries.. Love these.
October 4, 2025
Slow start but got better. Not as good as the first book.
March 24, 2017
I found this book rather tedious and sometimes confusing. Based on the other reviews, the problem must be with me. :)
March 2, 2017
Пол Дохърти – „Пазителят на портите“
Продължава с поредицата „Кентърбърийски загадки“ на Дохърти.
Ред е на Правникът да разкаже своята тъмна история. За разлика от първата книга, където е наблегнато повече на ужаса и свръхестественото, втората книга си е средновековно крими. Дохърти ни хвърля насред Лондон през 14 век, когато властва Едуард III. Младият адвокат Никълъс Чърк започва да разследва убийството на известен съдия. Но вместо отговорите, героите затъват все по-дълбоко, а убийствата стават все повече, като всяко едно е свързано с опазването на една тайна. Тайна, която е свързана Кралят и семейството му. Една фигура стой в центъра на събитията, това е „Пазителят на портите“ – човек-мистерия, който управлява „подземния“ свят в Лондон.
В началото не успя да ме грабне, но след всяко убийство загадката ставаше все по-голяма, и интересът ми нарастваше все повече, докато не разбера каква е тайната, и кой е Пазителят. Всяка книга (разказ) от поредицата ти дава информация за миналото на разказвачите, и техните причини, заради които пътуват.
Продължава с поредицата „Кентърбърийски загадки“ на Дохърти.
Ред е на Правникът да разкаже своята тъмна история. За разлика от първата книга, където е наблегнато повече на ужаса и свръхестественото, втората книга си е средновековно крими. Дохърти ни хвърля насред Лондон през 14 век, когато властва Едуард III. Младият адвокат Никълъс Чърк започва да разследва убийството на известен съдия. Но вместо отговорите, героите затъват все по-дълбоко, а убийствата стават все повече, като всяко едно е свързано с опазването на една тайна. Тайна, която е свързана Кралят и семейството му. Една фигура стой в центъра на събитията, това е „Пазителят на портите“ – човек-мистерия, който управлява „подземния“ свят в Лондон.
В началото не успя да ме грабне, но след всяко убийство загадката ставаше все по-голяма, и интересът ми нарастваше все повече, докато не разбера каква е тайната, и кой е Пазителят. Всяка книга (разказ) от поредицата ти дава информация за миналото на разказвачите, и техните причини, заради които пътуват.
September 10, 2013
In this second novel of the Canterbury Tales series, the Lawyer takes up the challenge and begins his chilling tale. His story begins with the death Queen Isabella, the despised wife of the former king, Edward II. After her burial, her squire attempts to board a boat to France, only to be cut down and left to die. A young lawyer, Nicholas Chirke is hired to investigate why the squire was attempting to flee and what, if anything, he was carrying with him. Before long, Chirke runs afoul of assassins and a mysterious person called The Guardian of the Gate and realizes that he might be just a pawn in a much bigger game . .
January 15, 2009
This was less supernatural than the first one, more of an actual mystery. The period detail is good and the characters interesting.
January 10, 2012
Well told, with discription of how horribly smelly the time of history was,,,,
May 14, 2013
Interesting -and horrifying - take on the final days of Queen Isabella... can only hope that this was all in the authors mind, but knowing that he is a historian...
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews