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Hugh Corbett #20
Death's Dark Valley
1311. Murder and mayhem prowl the highways and coffin paths of Medieval England . . .Hugh Corbett returns in the twentieth gripping mystery in Paul Doherty's ever-popular series. If you love the historical mysteries of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell you will love this.It is four years since the death of King Edward I, but his reign of terror has cast long shadows over the kingdom.At Holyrood Abbey, sheltered in the depths of the Welsh march, the old king's former bodyguards protect his secret relics and watch over a mysterious prisoner who is kept in the abbey's dungeon. But their peaceful existence is shattered when Abbot Henry is poisoned.Summoned to Holyrood, Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, finds the fortress in chaos. Brothers Anselm and Richard have been brutally slain by nails driven deep into their skulls. No one knows who could be behind the gruesome killings and the news attracts the attention of two unwanted the sinister Marcher Lord Mortimer and King Philip of France's devious envoy De Craon.As more mysterious deaths occur, and a violent snow storm sweeps through the valley, Corbett must act quickly to identify the malevolent demon who has risen from hell to turn the abbey into a house of murder . . .Praise for Paul Doherty's dark and suspenseful 'His fascination for history comes off the page' Daily Express'An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite' Northern Echo'Deliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric' Historical Novels Review'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history . . . evocative and lyrical descriptions' New Statesmen
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2019
158 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books606 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 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 18, 2020
This gripping historical mystery is the 20th volume of the wonderful " Hugh Corbett" series from the formidable author, Paul Doherty.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a great Character List and a short Historical Note, while at the end you'll notice a very well researched and explained Author's Note concerning this great medieval mystery.
Story-telling from this author is as ever of a top-notch quality, this period of history is the author's speciality, the atmosphere of these medieval times comes splendidly off the pages, and all characters, whether real historical or great fictional, come vividly to life within this very exciting tale.
The book starts off with a prologue which is divided into three important parts, part 1 being the slaughter near Caerwent in Wales in AD 1300, the 2nd the death of King Edward I in AD 1307, while the 3rd is in AD 1311, when the Brothers Anselm and Richard are found murdered at Holyrood Abbey in Wales, while Father Abbot, Henry Maltravers is supposedly seriously ill due to poisoning.
Henry Maltravers, formerly a confidant, who along with Anselm and Richard were holy Knights of the Swan during the reign of the King Edward I, and these men have built and maintained Holyrood Abbey according to King Edward I's wishes, when all of a sudden now in late AD 1311 murders start to occur, and so Hugh Corbett is summoned by King Edward II to go Holyrood Abbey and to find out what's going on there.
And so the main story begins late in the year AD 1311, and our main protagonists, Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, and his henchman, Ranulf-atte-Newgate, Clerk of the Green Wax, have arrived at Holyrood Abbey to investigate the killings of Anselm and Richard.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling historical mystery, where more murders will occur and treachery is everywhere, and in these circumstances Hugh Corbett will in his own unique and cunning fashion unravel the threads of this web of deceit, and by doing so in a clever way finally be able to reveal and condemn the culprit(s) of these treacherous crimes against the English Crown.
Highly recommended, for this is truly a superb historical mystery series, and what this episode is concerned, I like to call it: "Another Terrific Hugh Corbett Mystery"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find a great Character List and a short Historical Note, while at the end you'll notice a very well researched and explained Author's Note concerning this great medieval mystery.
Story-telling from this author is as ever of a top-notch quality, this period of history is the author's speciality, the atmosphere of these medieval times comes splendidly off the pages, and all characters, whether real historical or great fictional, come vividly to life within this very exciting tale.
The book starts off with a prologue which is divided into three important parts, part 1 being the slaughter near Caerwent in Wales in AD 1300, the 2nd the death of King Edward I in AD 1307, while the 3rd is in AD 1311, when the Brothers Anselm and Richard are found murdered at Holyrood Abbey in Wales, while Father Abbot, Henry Maltravers is supposedly seriously ill due to poisoning.
Henry Maltravers, formerly a confidant, who along with Anselm and Richard were holy Knights of the Swan during the reign of the King Edward I, and these men have built and maintained Holyrood Abbey according to King Edward I's wishes, when all of a sudden now in late AD 1311 murders start to occur, and so Hugh Corbett is summoned by King Edward II to go Holyrood Abbey and to find out what's going on there.
And so the main story begins late in the year AD 1311, and our main protagonists, Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, and his henchman, Ranulf-atte-Newgate, Clerk of the Green Wax, have arrived at Holyrood Abbey to investigate the killings of Anselm and Richard.
What is to follow is an intriguing and thrilling historical mystery, where more murders will occur and treachery is everywhere, and in these circumstances Hugh Corbett will in his own unique and cunning fashion unravel the threads of this web of deceit, and by doing so in a clever way finally be able to reveal and condemn the culprit(s) of these treacherous crimes against the English Crown.
Highly recommended, for this is truly a superb historical mystery series, and what this episode is concerned, I like to call it: "Another Terrific Hugh Corbett Mystery"!
May 2, 2020
Year: 1311 - four years since Edward I of England’s death. Setting: deep in the Welsh march, a troubled and deadly location. Paul Doherty’s Death’s Dark Valley ( Sir Hugh Corbett, #20) brings Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret seal and Edward II ‘s representative , Ranulf-atte-Newgate, principal clerk in the Chancery of the Green Wax and Sir Hugh’s henchman, and Chanson, Clerk of the Stables to Holyrood Abbey in the Welsh march which has become Death’s playground. Edward I was a “great and terrible king” whose acts committed because of his horrific temper are still being felt as they are in Holyrood Abbey. Thus, Edward II pleads with Sir Hugh to leave his home and investigate these deaths. In this book the author relates various historical facts of the life of Edward I that made him who he was. Sir Hugh was/is the most honest and analytical clerk. To be honest I have a feeling the author wishes to wind up the series! Different events at varying ages of Edward I are discussed, and Sir Hugh was Keeper of the Secret Seal throughout the series. One warning: the stories are dark but that was the medieval age- an extremely brutal era! The author’s writing draws the reader right into the medieval times. Beautifully done! 5 stars
January 1, 2022
Bang up job!!!
WOW WOW. That was a damn fine read. So many mysteries of peoples lives. From start to finish, all there good and bad there love and hate. Oh an how much hate some of these characters have from country to Kingdom an King. Now history is coming together to give us a look see into our main characters lives. 2 to go so you better have made them one hell of a fine read.
WOW WOW. That was a damn fine read. So many mysteries of peoples lives. From start to finish, all there good and bad there love and hate. Oh an how much hate some of these characters have from country to Kingdom an King. Now history is coming together to give us a look see into our main characters lives. 2 to go so you better have made them one hell of a fine read.
October 28, 2020
this was an easy read based at the end of Edward I and early parts of Edward II reign and in the Welsh marches, the author weaves historical fact with fiction into a novel of sinister going on. the book keeps you entertained until the end and its conclusion
September 7, 2022
First book I've read by this author and I was disappointed. He's published many, many books; has an academic background specializing in medieval British history and yet this book was just rather dull. Maybe because I came in at #20 of the series?
I went to the library intending to bring home the first book in his newer Margaret Beaufort series but this one had bigger print, a brighter cover, and fewer pages. Maybe not best criteria for selection?
I didn't get much sense of the character of Hugh Corbett, the mystery solver, and the mystery itself seemed rather convoluted and unlikely. I did like the setting (a dark Welsh valley) and appreciated both the list of characters given at the front of book and the historical note at the end. Author did good job of giving a sense of the character of Edward I of England, who was very important in the story even though he had been dead for several years when the action takes place.
I would have liked a map, too. Not sure if I'll give author or series another chance. 2.5
I went to the library intending to bring home the first book in his newer Margaret Beaufort series but this one had bigger print, a brighter cover, and fewer pages. Maybe not best criteria for selection?
I didn't get much sense of the character of Hugh Corbett, the mystery solver, and the mystery itself seemed rather convoluted and unlikely. I did like the setting (a dark Welsh valley) and appreciated both the list of characters given at the front of book and the historical note at the end. Author did good job of giving a sense of the character of Edward I of England, who was very important in the story even though he had been dead for several years when the action takes place.
I would have liked a map, too. Not sure if I'll give author or series another chance. 2.5
July 11, 2019
Top notch historical mystery. Full review at classicmystery.blog
March 2, 2020
I didn’t like the book, since it is more of a history fiction than a novel. Probably I would care if I knew nothing about that period, but I didn’t appreciate the way the author played with the history here. Other than that - can be an interesting read.
January 26, 2020
No murders in locked rooms (the theme was getting tiresome), just a great, straight up, intricately woven Medieval mystery! One of the best of the Hugh Corbett series! :)
March 2, 2020
It’s 1311—young Edward II is on the throne in England and there are things more rotten than just in Denmark. The fierce, warrior Edward I is now gone but not forgotten, especially by the Welch, whom he’d seen slaughtered on more than one occasion. In “Death’s Dark Valley,” the 20th episode in Paul Doherty’s Sir Hugh Corbett series, there’s little change.
While he’s been dead four years, the grudges continue and, alas and alack. There’s no “peace in the valley,” as murder most royal is being committed at Holyrood Abbey, an imposing castle fortress in Wales in a very deep and dark and dangerous valley—the bodies of former Knights of the White Swan keep turning up, all killed, mysteriously and savagely in the same (gruesome) manner. Doherty doesn’t spare us the descriptions!
So in marches Sir Hugh, on special assignment for the king (it’s his job to take these assignments, as special clerk). In Death’s Dark Valley, off he and his aides Ranulf and Chanson go, in the middle of a winter. It’s a challenge, of course (both the winter and the murders!). It’s also part of the international intrigue (once again, Corbett’s arch rival, the French envoy DeCraon is on hand) and those intrigues continue.
Certainly, malevolence abounds, with all kinds of secret tunnels, turns, and games. So much so that it reminds this reader of Doherty’s previous Corbett adventure, which is the primary criticism of this one. Nothing new here, which heralds a bit of disappointment, having read all of the Corbett series. Again, Doherty plays the Agatha Christie card and, as usual, Corbett solves the crimes in the “parlor room” setting, with all characters present, a bit of anti-climax. Still, Doherty’s penchant for period descriptions is outstanding. He knows his history, the settings, and even the actual characters so as a historical story, once he again he triumphs. As DeCraon heads back to Paris, we feel that, quite obviously, we’ll see him in the 21st installment (set for this fall's publication). Sigh.
While he’s been dead four years, the grudges continue and, alas and alack. There’s no “peace in the valley,” as murder most royal is being committed at Holyrood Abbey, an imposing castle fortress in Wales in a very deep and dark and dangerous valley—the bodies of former Knights of the White Swan keep turning up, all killed, mysteriously and savagely in the same (gruesome) manner. Doherty doesn’t spare us the descriptions!
So in marches Sir Hugh, on special assignment for the king (it’s his job to take these assignments, as special clerk). In Death’s Dark Valley, off he and his aides Ranulf and Chanson go, in the middle of a winter. It’s a challenge, of course (both the winter and the murders!). It’s also part of the international intrigue (once again, Corbett’s arch rival, the French envoy DeCraon is on hand) and those intrigues continue.
Certainly, malevolence abounds, with all kinds of secret tunnels, turns, and games. So much so that it reminds this reader of Doherty’s previous Corbett adventure, which is the primary criticism of this one. Nothing new here, which heralds a bit of disappointment, having read all of the Corbett series. Again, Doherty plays the Agatha Christie card and, as usual, Corbett solves the crimes in the “parlor room” setting, with all characters present, a bit of anti-climax. Still, Doherty’s penchant for period descriptions is outstanding. He knows his history, the settings, and even the actual characters so as a historical story, once he again he triumphs. As DeCraon heads back to Paris, we feel that, quite obviously, we’ll see him in the 21st installment (set for this fall's publication). Sigh.
May 30, 2023
I don't think I've ever complained about a piece of fiction not being true before but I think that's what I'm having trouble with here. It's not that it's unlikely - the characters are all very believable and their motives all fit with the place and time - but that too much of the situation has had to be created out of whole cloth. Edward I could well have acted as his character does in the battle in that (unnamed) Welsh valley and the rest could have followed from it but to create a whole important abbey with a population of men who are dedicated in a way that doesn't fit with any normal foundation just jars and how convenient that there are so many specialist craftsmen there and virtually no traditional warrior lords of the sort you would find in a king's comitatus (and I must remember that word. The only place I've seen it before was in the phrase posse comitatus). I just feel that Mr. Doherty has gone a stretch too far in this book. I assume that the previous book (Devil's Wolf?) was concerned with the cult of the Black Chesters so that we are dealing with the after effects.
Mr. Doherty may write about De Montfort as a traitor and such but I don't think he was really thought of as such by all of the nobility of England and we certainly don't now. I have a tendency to think rather better of Simon de Montfort ever since a book I read in my teens described Edward II during his time as a hostage in de Montfort's household. Never ignore youthful influences.
It certainly is odd that this should be a novel that I criticise for being too fanciful. As for the pretender in question well there are a number of arguments against anyone believing in him, starting with the likelihood of an infant prince being left anywhere a mad pig was likely to be and including the fact that no one seems to have suggested that while the young man might be an illegitimate son of Edward I the man Edward II was undoubtedly, or so it seems, the son of his father.
Mr. Doherty may write about De Montfort as a traitor and such but I don't think he was really thought of as such by all of the nobility of England and we certainly don't now. I have a tendency to think rather better of Simon de Montfort ever since a book I read in my teens described Edward II during his time as a hostage in de Montfort's household. Never ignore youthful influences.
It certainly is odd that this should be a novel that I criticise for being too fanciful. As for the pretender in question well there are a number of arguments against anyone believing in him, starting with the likelihood of an infant prince being left anywhere a mad pig was likely to be and including the fact that no one seems to have suggested that while the young man might be an illegitimate son of Edward I the man Edward II was undoubtedly, or so it seems, the son of his father.
May 10, 2021
This is a great historical novel with fact and fiction mixed up. Sir Hugh Corbett along with Ranulf and Chanson and Ap Ythal the archer is trying to solve the case of murder of several of brothers at a lonely Abbey. They suspect if its the foul-play of a battle that perished many of the dwellers of the valley who are now seeking revenge against the retired warriors who fought at the king’s orders once.
Without going much into the plot details I would say this was a pleasant read. The author is well versed with the royal affairs of that time and uses that as a background. The language uses a lot of archaic or words from that era of time. The location description of the Abbey is quite dark and builds up a mysterious environment border-lining if there is something magical in the occurrences happening.
But this book may not be for everyone as it emphasizes on plot development and might turn a bit slow in some parts and add to that slightly unconventional language and imagery and keeping track of so many characters with different titles. But becomes quite fast paced toward the end. I would say its a commendable read as it was my first historical fiction and i liked it.
Without going much into the plot details I would say this was a pleasant read. The author is well versed with the royal affairs of that time and uses that as a background. The language uses a lot of archaic or words from that era of time. The location description of the Abbey is quite dark and builds up a mysterious environment border-lining if there is something magical in the occurrences happening.
But this book may not be for everyone as it emphasizes on plot development and might turn a bit slow in some parts and add to that slightly unconventional language and imagery and keeping track of so many characters with different titles. But becomes quite fast paced toward the end. I would say its a commendable read as it was my first historical fiction and i liked it.
August 19, 2023
This was a really excellent Hugh Corbett mystery. I haven’t read one in awhile and I noted this was published in 2019 so it gave me hope that Doherty hasn’t finished completely with Hugh, Ranulf, and Chanson. I mostly read his. Rather Athelstan novels but you can really tell that the same hand and mind wrote both these series. In this book, Hugh, who had removed himself from the court after falling out with Edward I, is recalled into action by the new King, and sent into the Welsh Marches to a monastic community made up of retired Knights of the Swan, Edward I’s former comitatus. Someone is cruelly and mysteriously murdering these former knights by hammering a large iron spike into their foreheads. Most mysteriously, these killings are accomplished quickly and silently, and fear is now growing in the Abbey of Holyrood. Add to this a mysterious prisoner and a massively valuable relic, both of which the King of France would love to have, and you have the makings of an excellent mystery.
November 13, 2019
I honestly do not know how Paul Doherty does it: I write books myself, but I could never match his output or, if I did, I would not be able to manage his originality for each tale. I must be honest, I prefer Brother Athelstan but I always buy a Hugh Corbett book when it comes out: I have them all.
This one is more intense than some of the others and shews Corbett being more authoritative than he has often been in the past and I wonder if this is because the new king, Edward II, is a weak king?
The tale has Corbett and his henchmen snowed in at a fortress abbey on the Welsh Marches with brothers, who are ex-King Edward I's bodyguards, being killed by being nailed in the head! I love trying to solve the murder mysteries before Hugh Corbett does, and I had some ideas of who and some ideas about "how" in regards to the killers' movements, but the method, ah, well, that I never guessed.
So, well done Paul Doherty: another brilliant 5 * book and I look forward to the next one.
This one is more intense than some of the others and shews Corbett being more authoritative than he has often been in the past and I wonder if this is because the new king, Edward II, is a weak king?
The tale has Corbett and his henchmen snowed in at a fortress abbey on the Welsh Marches with brothers, who are ex-King Edward I's bodyguards, being killed by being nailed in the head! I love trying to solve the murder mysteries before Hugh Corbett does, and I had some ideas of who and some ideas about "how" in regards to the killers' movements, but the method, ah, well, that I never guessed.
So, well done Paul Doherty: another brilliant 5 * book and I look forward to the next one.
April 18, 2020
Paul Doherty has done it again.
Hugh Corbett and Ranulf are back in Death’s Dark Valley.
Edward II is on the throne and paying little attention to his kingdom. The Knights of the Swan, a special cohort dedicated to the old king and faithful to his memory, are now monks and dwellers in a fortress/abbey in a Welsh valley. There is treachery – and great treasure – within and enemies outside the walls.
The only disappointment here was that I was able to figure out the how of the murders early on although the why escaped me. Still the book is brilliantly written and fully satisfying.
Five stars – again.
Hugh Corbett and Ranulf are back in Death’s Dark Valley.
Edward II is on the throne and paying little attention to his kingdom. The Knights of the Swan, a special cohort dedicated to the old king and faithful to his memory, are now monks and dwellers in a fortress/abbey in a Welsh valley. There is treachery – and great treasure – within and enemies outside the walls.
The only disappointment here was that I was able to figure out the how of the murders early on although the why escaped me. Still the book is brilliantly written and fully satisfying.
Five stars – again.
September 9, 2019
It's hard to believe, but this is the 20th book in the series and in my opinion, every story is fresh and exciting. Sir Hugh seems a little more introspective this time out, battling a familiar adversary (De Craon). And there are plenty of red herrings to confuse things and dangerous situations for Sir Hugh, Ranulf and Chanson. Even though I love mysteries, I'm not particularly good at figuring out "who done it" and the reveal is always a surprise to me. Although after the reveal, I can see the clues exactly and things make perfect sense and all the loose ends are tied up. Another great mystery that will not disappoint.
January 19, 2021
Excellently researched and plotted. The use of atmosphere is quite suspenseful and the mystery - or mysteries - are baffling. There was a hint of Dumas' "The Man in the Iron Mask." The violence of that time - nasty, short and brutish - is horrendous and horrifying. It's also a bit unusual to the modern mind the impact of religion, the fear of hell and the belief in the holy relics.
August 6, 2019
Corbett saga is still as fresh as first one
If you like Paul Doherty - it is among his best books - when it comes to English historical fictions - he is the best - 20 odd outings with Sir Hugh Corbett - and I cannot wait for the next one.
If you like Paul Doherty - it is among his best books - when it comes to English historical fictions - he is the best - 20 odd outings with Sir Hugh Corbett - and I cannot wait for the next one.
November 21, 2019
Another freakin' masterpiece! I don't know why PBS doesn't just make a series on this series of books. Don't read this book if you haven't read the series especially book #19 as it is a major part of this book.
If you like historical fiction this is good stuff Mainard.
If you like historical fiction this is good stuff Mainard.
September 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this story and the high-paced action. The setting at an isolated monastery was also interesting. The only complaint I have is that the story was so fast-paced that it did leave much room for prose or anything besides action.
December 27, 2020
A murder mystery set in the 1300s.
I found the plot / language / characters all very convoluted plus the writing style was woolly.
Overall it was a dry read (more history book than story) - reading time around five hours.
I found the plot / language / characters all very convoluted plus the writing style was woolly.
Overall it was a dry read (more history book than story) - reading time around five hours.
August 7, 2019
Excellent mystery!
August 17, 2019
Paul’s stories of medieval England just get better and better. This is absolute chaos and carnage in the best way. Love the story and the mystery.
November 6, 2019
Well plotted and engaging. Corbett and Ranulf, with the help of Chanson, are at the top of their game in this one.
December 29, 2019
This covers an interesting period of history. The formula he uses is unchanged and a bit predictable, but an engaging and enjoyable read nonetheless.
January 11, 2020
A good mix of history, medieval and a mystery to solve for the main character
September 13, 2020
Cool and scary
August 4, 2022
Liked it!
Good characterizations with believable expressions of plots and counter plots. The descriptions were well constructed so the locales and players were easily pictured
Good characterizations with believable expressions of plots and counter plots. The descriptions were well constructed so the locales and players were easily pictured
July 23, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. Have read all the Hugh Corbett series by Paul Doherty and this latest one in the series was another good book to read. Couldn't put it down and kept me guessing to the end with a few twists and surprises in the story which I hadn't thought of. Characters were as good as ever and the description of areas in the book, really well written and made me think I was there. Certainly looking forward to the next book in the series and seeing what is in stall for Hugh Corbett and his associates.
May 30, 2023
The author keeps reiterating Solomon's temple Solomon's temple,(excavations found nothing in Jerusalem to prove that it actually existed )Torah allegations.
April 22, 2021
Dark indeed! Why is that when I watch things like Cadfael I find monks safe and quite comforting. But when I read books like this I find monks threatening and quite scary! This is so well written and you get a history lesson without realising it. I love these books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews