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Crowner John Mystery #3
Crowner's Quest
On Christmas Eve in 1194, Sir John de Wolfe gratefully escapes a party being given by his wife to examine the body of a canon who has been found hanged. Suicide is suspected, but it is soon apparent that there is far more to this case than meets the eye. As always, his investigations are hampered by his brother-in-law, the sheriff Sir Richard de Revelle. But John must tread carefully, for it is not merely petty revenge that Richard has in mind this time—he is plotting treason and John is getting far too close to the truth for comfort.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 1999
54 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Knight
104 books136 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 40 reviews
June 12, 2022
Christmas Eve, 1194, Sir John de Wolfe, recently appointed coronor for Devon, gratefully escapes his wife Matilda's party to examine the body of a Canon who has been found hanged. Suicide is suspected, but it's soon apparent there is more to this case than meets the eye. But when a local lord is found dead, John suspects the two cases may be linked. As he digs deeper, he discovers a deadly conspiracy that could cost him more than his job.
This is the third book in this series but the first that I've actually read. Who committed the murders isn't much of a mystery but I'm a sucker for a historical yarn and this is a period of British history that I know virtually nothing about. I found this well paced, de Wolfe an interesting character. Knight has obviously done his homework but doesn't overdo it and I will certainly be looking out for more of the author's books.
This is the third book in this series but the first that I've actually read. Who committed the murders isn't much of a mystery but I'm a sucker for a historical yarn and this is a period of British history that I know virtually nothing about. I found this well paced, de Wolfe an interesting character. Knight has obviously done his homework but doesn't overdo it and I will certainly be looking out for more of the author's books.
Read
September 12, 2019Love these books - the characters are wonderful now on the third book I am very fond of this threesome who ramble through the West Country investigating deaths of Normans... Great Reads and gives me a sense of this time in History and how it all worked.
Read
August 24, 2014Bernard Knight writes a good Mediaeval mystery. He plots well, his characters are 3D and he knows his history. People who like to learn things when they read historicals will enjoy this series, but history and historical details are not thrust down the reader's throat, they just slide in as part of the story.
Crowner (coroner) Sir John de Wolfe is fiercely loyal to King Richard and very anti his brother, John. When he has to interrupt his Christmas Eve celebrations to see the body of a canon he soon finds himself dealing with more bodies and yet more treachery.
A thoroughly good read and most readers who enjoy hist-mysts will enjoy this. Sir John is a cheerful old reprobate and fun to read about.
Until I can have a private star rating for my own personal use - I do not agree with the Good Reads/Amazon methods of apply our readers' star ratings to an author's rating, which can affect sales - I will not add a star rating.
Crowner (coroner) Sir John de Wolfe is fiercely loyal to King Richard and very anti his brother, John. When he has to interrupt his Christmas Eve celebrations to see the body of a canon he soon finds himself dealing with more bodies and yet more treachery.
A thoroughly good read and most readers who enjoy hist-mysts will enjoy this. Sir John is a cheerful old reprobate and fun to read about.
Until I can have a private star rating for my own personal use - I do not agree with the Good Reads/Amazon methods of apply our readers' star ratings to an author's rating, which can affect sales - I will not add a star rating.
December 3, 2010
In which Crowner John stops a rebellion. He also investigates the murders of a clergyman and a local noble. And it all ends up interlinking as usual. These books are such an easy read and an entertaining waste of time. Nice to see Knight's editor has finally figured out what they're doing so there are less typos and grammatical errors.
October 10, 2020
Things are becoming more complex for Crowner John, in this third book of the series.
Not only has he got the anger of his wife, Matilda, to reckon with, as the party she had organised for the cream of society in Exeter, is then broken up, as John has to leave, due to the possible suicide of a Canon, which urgently needed to be investigated. Then, because of this, he also needs to organise a treasure hunt, as this is a clue to the Canon's death.
While this is going on, he also has to try and quell an incipient rebellion, organised by some of the highest landholders in Devon, followers of Prince John.
Then, to make life even more complicated, he has women problems, too, as his brother-in-law, Richard, tells John's wife, Matilda, and his Welsh mistress, Nesta, about another woman John's life.
John manages to get back into favour with Nesta, but Matilda has had enough, and leaves the marital home, to go and stay at her brother, Sheriff Richard de Revelle's apartment at the castle.
When a local Lord's death has to be investigated, too, and the same men who killed the Canon, and who are arranging the rebellion, are also involved, John needs the help of his trusty arms man, Gwyn, to ride swiftly, to bring to him men trustworthy, and loyal to King Richard, so that all of the various plots, which his brother-in-law is also implicated in, can be sorted, and worked out without embarrassing certain men in high places.
When some of the culprits are eventually caught, then Crowner John has to find a way that they can be dealt with, without getting Sheriff Richard de Revelle too deeply involved, as Matilda has asked of him - and what Crowner John proposes, is either particularly clever - or totally crazy!
I'm really loving this trio of crazy, medieval, men.
Their methods can sometimes be crude, or even a few steps past illegal, but they tend to get the results they are aiming for, one way or another.
Bernard Knight has really brought this period of history alive for me - and I've always loved history - but not so much through the Lords, or Ecclesiastic members, but through the people who so often work behind the scenes, or are barely worth a mention in the history books.
When young, I used to wish to experience some of the lives of the people who shaped our country but, on reading these books, I'm not quite sure that my younger self would have enjoyed the reality!
I certainly couldn't cope with even the smells, let alone the callousness, or the immediacy of death, at this time.
Despite that, I'm so glad I've got all of the Crowner John books, as I'd really hate to have to wait for the next one to get to me, before discovering what this crazy trio get up to next!
So, on, on, to The Awful Secret!
Btw, I was so sad about poor Bran - what a rotten swine, to kill that poor horse!
Not only has he got the anger of his wife, Matilda, to reckon with, as the party she had organised for the cream of society in Exeter, is then broken up, as John has to leave, due to the possible suicide of a Canon, which urgently needed to be investigated. Then, because of this, he also needs to organise a treasure hunt, as this is a clue to the Canon's death.
While this is going on, he also has to try and quell an incipient rebellion, organised by some of the highest landholders in Devon, followers of Prince John.
Then, to make life even more complicated, he has women problems, too, as his brother-in-law, Richard, tells John's wife, Matilda, and his Welsh mistress, Nesta, about another woman John's life.
John manages to get back into favour with Nesta, but Matilda has had enough, and leaves the marital home, to go and stay at her brother, Sheriff Richard de Revelle's apartment at the castle.
When a local Lord's death has to be investigated, too, and the same men who killed the Canon, and who are arranging the rebellion, are also involved, John needs the help of his trusty arms man, Gwyn, to ride swiftly, to bring to him men trustworthy, and loyal to King Richard, so that all of the various plots, which his brother-in-law is also implicated in, can be sorted, and worked out without embarrassing certain men in high places.
When some of the culprits are eventually caught, then Crowner John has to find a way that they can be dealt with, without getting Sheriff Richard de Revelle too deeply involved, as Matilda has asked of him - and what Crowner John proposes, is either particularly clever - or totally crazy!
I'm really loving this trio of crazy, medieval, men.
Their methods can sometimes be crude, or even a few steps past illegal, but they tend to get the results they are aiming for, one way or another.
Bernard Knight has really brought this period of history alive for me - and I've always loved history - but not so much through the Lords, or Ecclesiastic members, but through the people who so often work behind the scenes, or are barely worth a mention in the history books.
When young, I used to wish to experience some of the lives of the people who shaped our country but, on reading these books, I'm not quite sure that my younger self would have enjoyed the reality!
I certainly couldn't cope with even the smells, let alone the callousness, or the immediacy of death, at this time.
Despite that, I'm so glad I've got all of the Crowner John books, as I'd really hate to have to wait for the next one to get to me, before discovering what this crazy trio get up to next!
So, on, on, to The Awful Secret!
Btw, I was so sad about poor Bran - what a rotten swine, to kill that poor horse!
July 21, 2016
Up to Bernard Knight's usual standard
May 17, 2021
Really enjoyed this the third book about Sir John de Wolfe who is a great character and I am very fond of Gwyn and Thomas too, but not so sure of Matilda or Richard de Revelle. It is set in the year 1194 and with his usual care Bernard Knight is meticulous with setting the scene with his detailed descriptions of the city of Exeter and it's characterful inhabitants and social activities. The king is away fighting in France and there is a lot going on in and around Exeter and not all of it is to do with bodies, there is intrigue and rebellion in the air. The coroner Sir John de Wolfe is called from his Christmas meal much to the chagrin of his wife Matilda to attend to what appears to be the suicide of a canon. The death is not as it seems but why would anyone want to murder the devout canon in such a tortuous way? This is just the start of a string of incidents which seemingly have no connection which the Sheriff Richard de Revelle would prefer were not investigated. Sir John is ever the diligent coroner as he seeks to find justice for the victims and their families.
August 6, 2012
The Crowner John mysteries pass the time enjoyably enough but Bernard Knight needs either to do his historical research more accurately (as a forensic pathologist, you'd think he'd be more respectful of accuracy) or he needs a better editor to advise him. In each of the three novels I've read so far there has been something that has grated in terms of anachronism. In Crowner's Quest, set around December 1194, he keeps referring to the New Year coming after Christmas when January 1 only became New Year in 1752, after England adopted the Gregorian calendar. In 1194, New Year would have fallen on March 25th. Some of the attitudes imputed to his leading character fail to ring true. In the first of the mysteries, The Sanctuary Seeker, his hero Crowner John, on witnessing a public hanging, muses whether England would in the future bring in a more civilised mode of justice. Such forward projection would have been completely alien then. Finally, after the first novel, there is simply too much backstory reiterated even at points in the story when the reader doesn't need the information. In novels which are sequenced, other authors manage this much more elegantly; in terms of modern crime novels one could mention Ian Rankin and in terms of the historical crime novel there is, of course, Lyndsey Davis. Such a disappointment. Knight's starting premise is a fertile one for development and John de Wolfe, Nesta and Gwyn are interesting enough characters (even if Richard de Revelle is straight out of Sheriff of Nottingham mythology). I'll carry on reading because the books pass the time on a wet Sunday but they could have been so much better.
February 18, 2018
This is the third in the "Crowner John" series I haven't read the second yet as it wasn't in the shop - no matter they pretty well stand alone and the author makes sure you know some of the back history if you pick one up mid-series - a little repetitive.
In this medieval intrigue, a canon (cleric) is found hanging apparently suicide. However, our clever Crowner (Coroner) John and his trusty sidekick Gwyn, figure out that it isn't. It gets mixed up then with a search for buried treasure and a rebellion against the King (Richard the Lionheart) that nobles are planning. Interestingly, you can quite see the point of the nobles - John is a fervant supporter of the King - the King is permanently fighting wars in France and raising taxes against the British people to fund them, and never comes to Britain. So, as I say, interesting that while the nobles planning rebellion have a good point, they are definitely portrayed as the bad guys. John's woman troubles with his wife, mistress and others lead his opponents to find a way to get him into serious trouble. Anyway, it all rides to a conclusion.
The standard of writing isn't great to be frank and the repetitive nature of the 'reminders' was a little tedious. Nonetheless it was a good 'bed book' - not over demanding, lightweight murder mystery and with interesting historical snippets in it. Suitable to fall asleep with. I will get more in this series because I like a reasonable selection of going to sleep books to balance the more heavyweight day time reading
In this medieval intrigue, a canon (cleric) is found hanging apparently suicide. However, our clever Crowner (Coroner) John and his trusty sidekick Gwyn, figure out that it isn't. It gets mixed up then with a search for buried treasure and a rebellion against the King (Richard the Lionheart) that nobles are planning. Interestingly, you can quite see the point of the nobles - John is a fervant supporter of the King - the King is permanently fighting wars in France and raising taxes against the British people to fund them, and never comes to Britain. So, as I say, interesting that while the nobles planning rebellion have a good point, they are definitely portrayed as the bad guys. John's woman troubles with his wife, mistress and others lead his opponents to find a way to get him into serious trouble. Anyway, it all rides to a conclusion.
The standard of writing isn't great to be frank and the repetitive nature of the 'reminders' was a little tedious. Nonetheless it was a good 'bed book' - not over demanding, lightweight murder mystery and with interesting historical snippets in it. Suitable to fall asleep with. I will get more in this series because I like a reasonable selection of going to sleep books to balance the more heavyweight day time reading
December 10, 2014
I liked this enough that I will probably read others in the series, but only because I love the setting (12th century England), and I've been on a historical mystery binge for a while. However, I would not recommend these to anyone (unless you ran out of Shardlake, Bartholomew, Cadfael, or Singleton books and your MUST satisfy your historical-English-mystery fix Now).
Some reasons why I don't like this series:
* the writing is mediocre (and at times, it's inane and filled with modern cliches)
* historical inaccuracies abound (my favorite so far is De Wolfe's musings about "lines at right angles" to each other...)
* the majority of the characters are either detestable or pathetic
* and the most important one, for me, is the amount of SCREAMING people do at each other; entire relationships consist primarily of arguments, characters seem to relish in the joy of beating someone or yelling at someone. It's an ugly model for relationships, and not a pleasant one to experience, even as a reader.
Some reasons why I don't like this series:
* the writing is mediocre (and at times, it's inane and filled with modern cliches)
* historical inaccuracies abound (my favorite so far is De Wolfe's musings about "lines at right angles" to each other...)
* the majority of the characters are either detestable or pathetic
* and the most important one, for me, is the amount of SCREAMING people do at each other; entire relationships consist primarily of arguments, characters seem to relish in the joy of beating someone or yelling at someone. It's an ugly model for relationships, and not a pleasant one to experience, even as a reader.
December 29, 2010
Well I was just in the mood for some historical escapism , and this 12th century set mystery was just the thing so dived right into it.
The period detail and it's Devonshire setting is what I really like about these Crowner John novels, although the mystery element is good too. Times were certainly tough, and Kings Coroner John de Wolfe has a difficult job in unraveling the mystery of a the death of a canon, alongside the plot of a rebellion he uncovers. His brother in law the slippery Richard de Revelle is as always up to his neck in the plotting, which sees de Wolfe in very real danger himself - more than once. If that isn't enough he manages to upset both his difficult sour faced wife Matilda, and his Welsh mistress Nesta.
A really good read, with plenty of historical detail, the author has an obviously huge knowledge of this period, and this makes for a convincing story.
The period detail and it's Devonshire setting is what I really like about these Crowner John novels, although the mystery element is good too. Times were certainly tough, and Kings Coroner John de Wolfe has a difficult job in unraveling the mystery of a the death of a canon, alongside the plot of a rebellion he uncovers. His brother in law the slippery Richard de Revelle is as always up to his neck in the plotting, which sees de Wolfe in very real danger himself - more than once. If that isn't enough he manages to upset both his difficult sour faced wife Matilda, and his Welsh mistress Nesta.
A really good read, with plenty of historical detail, the author has an obviously huge knowledge of this period, and this makes for a convincing story.
May 22, 2014
Another enjoyable Crowner John mystery. This time the murders are almost secondary to the rebellion plot (although they are a small part of that plot). I found myself far more interested in the growing seeds of rebellion against Richard the Lionheart and found it fascinating to find out about the tensions in England at that time. It was also interesting to see another side to John's relationship with his wife and having it take a surprising turn towards the end of the book. As always there a lots of little details about how people lived their everyday lives and these give a certain realness to the characters. I'm holidaying in Devon this year and looking forward to seeing the locations mentioned in these novels - hopefully that will bring even more life to these stories.
November 4, 2011
Second Crowner story that I've read and to be honest, found it very "samey" to the previous book. Someone dies, Crowner has fallen out with his snobbish wife, who sides with her lying brother; Crowner and Brother in Law argue and shout at each other, then try and double cross each other; Crowner hangs out with his Welsh Mistress; Crowner hero-worships Richard the Lionheart; little bit of investigation; some people are arrested blah blah.[return][return]A few interesting moments, normally the small detail of how people live (washing once a week, bathing rarely) and eating (types of food and drink). But apart from that, did get a little bored with it all.
December 30, 2016
The third of the Crowner John novels. Treachery and treason are afoot once more in Devon, and Sir John de Wolfe investigates with the help of his officer Gwynn and scribe Thomas.
A canon is found dead in his house on cathedral grounds, and is found to be murder most foul, despite initially seeming to be a suicide. Later, a local manor lord is murdered, and the plot twists as rebels seek to discredit the coroner.
Another excellent read, more devious than the previous, but I very much enjoyed it.
A canon is found dead in his house on cathedral grounds, and is found to be murder most foul, despite initially seeming to be a suicide. Later, a local manor lord is murdered, and the plot twists as rebels seek to discredit the coroner.
Another excellent read, more devious than the previous, but I very much enjoyed it.
November 2, 2014
Another great medieval tale involving the crowner John de Wolfe and his two ever-faithful aides - Gwyn of Polruan and defrocked priest Thomas de Peyne. This third novel in the series has the relentless trio pursuing the murder of an aged canon, old Saxon treasure and, of course, the sniveling, manipulative sheriff, Richard de Revelle. Baronial dissatisfaction is also an integral part of the plot as distaste for the rule of Richard the Lionheart continues to plague the country.
January 23, 2017
Crowners Quest
I've read many medieval mysteries over the years. It is one of my favorite genres. I have read two books from this series. This will be my last. Simply not well written. Neither was the first. Often felt like I was slogging my way through. Almost quit reading it several times but I hate to not finish a book once I start - to give it a chance to get better - it didn't!
I've read many medieval mysteries over the years. It is one of my favorite genres. I have read two books from this series. This will be my last. Simply not well written. Neither was the first. Often felt like I was slogging my way through. Almost quit reading it several times but I hate to not finish a book once I start - to give it a chance to get better - it didn't!
December 18, 2015
I spend my time while reading these books trying to decide if I like any of the characters or not. Most of the time I think they are all pretty much despicable but then there are odd moments when I feel sorry for them or sympathize with their plight and life. Even the most miserable of them. I find it's keeping things interesting.
October 11, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in Bernard Knight's series, as I have the previous two. He admirably creates the atmosphere of the time, obviously achieved by his professional expertise in this historic period. It had a very intricate plot woven throughout and I never lost my interest from start to finish. I look forward to the next in the series.
November 23, 2019
What I enjoy most about the Crowner John series is the grimy detail of daily life for the Coroner and his trusty sidekicks Gwyn and Thomas.
The plots are all well and good but it’s how credible and empathetic the characters are that clinched it for me 👍🏻
The plots are all well and good but it’s how credible and empathetic the characters are that clinched it for me 👍🏻
December 11, 2010
Good! Liked it. Lots of drama in a well researched historical setting. Realistic characters.
February 7, 2012
I enjoy the history. I find myself getting lost in 1195 but I found the battle between the crowner and his wife boring.
May 22, 2015
Like this one as well, but found it ended rather quickly after way to long of a build up. But still enjoyed it. Love them all.
October 28, 2013
978-1-84739-996-0
February 1, 2017
not enough ducks
January 31, 2019
So so.
August 24, 2019
LOVED IT!!!! The series keeps getting better!!!
October 7, 2021
Tăcerea dimineții era sfârtecată de izbiturile securilor în copaci și de pocnetul flăcărilor ce mistuiau crengile hăcuite. Anevoios, dar fără îndurare, vreo doisprezece bărbați făceau ca marginea pădurii să se retragă din fața sforilor de pământ cultivat care se întindeau pe pantele văii din împrejurimile cătunului Afton, situat la câteva mile de Totnes. În acea lună, în pofida întreruperilor produse de încăierările cu locuitorii din Loventor, următorul cătun aflat dincolo de pâlcurile de copaci, tăietorii se înstăpâniseră deja pe doisprezece acri furați pădurii.
Alward, reeve-ul de origine saxonă din Afton, pășea de colo-colo pe pământul presărat cu grămezi de cenușă și număra copacii doborâți în acea săptămână. Îi însemna, făcând pentru fiecare câte o crestătură cu pumnalul pe un băț, ca să-i arate bailivului stăpânului său, Henry de la Pomeroy, care, neîndoielnic, avea să se arate nemulțumit de cât se muncise, indiferent cât de mare ar fi fost suprafața ce se adăugase proprietăților lui. Alward era conștient că se găseau pe un teren care constituia un subiect de gâlceavă și că, după tăierea fiecărui copac, pătrundeau tot mai adânc în proprietatea lui Sir William Fitzhamon, care socotea, pe drept cuvânt, că amărâtul cătun numit Loventor îi aparținea.
Nu-i plăcea defel să se certe cu sătenii din Loventor. În săptămâna dinainte, când aceștia veniseră și îi ocărâseră pe oamenii lui că încălcaseră proprietatea, se ajunsese la bătaie: el se alesese cu o tăietură la cap, iar în învălmășeala care se iscase, unul dintre ai săi fusese doborât la pământ și-și pierduse cunoștința. După aceea, bailivul trimisese doi oșteni ca să însoțească echipa de tăietori, însă după două zile în care avuseseră parte de liniște, aceștia fuseseră trimiși înapoi la castelul Berry, fortăreața lui Pomeroy, cocoțată pe o culme, la distanță de o milă.
Aceea se dovedise însă liniștea dinaintea furtunii. Abia se apucaseră de treabă de vreo două ceasuri, când, pe nepusă masă, dintre copacii rămași în picioare, o hoardă de bărbați înarmați cu ciomege și bețe lungi s-a năpustit spre ei, cu urlete și răcnete. Câțiva dintre oamenii din Afton și-au lepădat pe dată uneltele și au rupt-o de fugă la vale, către cătunul care se vedea în depărtare. Ceilalți, încurajați de Alward, și-au păstrat cumpătul și au încercat chiar să-i oprească pe atacatori răcnind și vânturând din brațe amenințător. În clipa următoare, un individ îmbrăcat în zdrențe l-a doborât cu o lovitură de par pe umăr, iar alt sătean cu o înfățișare sălbăticită a început să-l lovească zdravăn cu picioarele. Pe toată suprafața pustiită se petrecuseră scene asemănătoare, fiindcă cele două tabere, răcnind și suduind, s-au luat la bătaie cu pumnii și cu picioarele.
Alward, reeve-ul de origine saxonă din Afton, pășea de colo-colo pe pământul presărat cu grămezi de cenușă și număra copacii doborâți în acea săptămână. Îi însemna, făcând pentru fiecare câte o crestătură cu pumnalul pe un băț, ca să-i arate bailivului stăpânului său, Henry de la Pomeroy, care, neîndoielnic, avea să se arate nemulțumit de cât se muncise, indiferent cât de mare ar fi fost suprafața ce se adăugase proprietăților lui. Alward era conștient că se găseau pe un teren care constituia un subiect de gâlceavă și că, după tăierea fiecărui copac, pătrundeau tot mai adânc în proprietatea lui Sir William Fitzhamon, care socotea, pe drept cuvânt, că amărâtul cătun numit Loventor îi aparținea.
Nu-i plăcea defel să se certe cu sătenii din Loventor. În săptămâna dinainte, când aceștia veniseră și îi ocărâseră pe oamenii lui că încălcaseră proprietatea, se ajunsese la bătaie: el se alesese cu o tăietură la cap, iar în învălmășeala care se iscase, unul dintre ai săi fusese doborât la pământ și-și pierduse cunoștința. După aceea, bailivul trimisese doi oșteni ca să însoțească echipa de tăietori, însă după două zile în care avuseseră parte de liniște, aceștia fuseseră trimiși înapoi la castelul Berry, fortăreața lui Pomeroy, cocoțată pe o culme, la distanță de o milă.
Aceea se dovedise însă liniștea dinaintea furtunii. Abia se apucaseră de treabă de vreo două ceasuri, când, pe nepusă masă, dintre copacii rămași în picioare, o hoardă de bărbați înarmați cu ciomege și bețe lungi s-a năpustit spre ei, cu urlete și răcnete. Câțiva dintre oamenii din Afton și-au lepădat pe dată uneltele și au rupt-o de fugă la vale, către cătunul care se vedea în depărtare. Ceilalți, încurajați de Alward, și-au păstrat cumpătul și au încercat chiar să-i oprească pe atacatori răcnind și vânturând din brațe amenințător. În clipa următoare, un individ îmbrăcat în zdrențe l-a doborât cu o lovitură de par pe umăr, iar alt sătean cu o înfățișare sălbăticită a început să-l lovească zdravăn cu picioarele. Pe toată suprafața pustiită se petrecuseră scene asemănătoare, fiindcă cele două tabere, răcnind și suduind, s-au luat la bătaie cu pumnii și cu picioarele.
December 28, 2022
For two consecutive years I have maintained my old Holiday tradition of reading a historical this time of year. And, for the second consecutive year it is Crowner John novel. This is a series that reads best in order, and I say that even though I got hooked on these books years ago when I read a book more towards the middle of the series.
Knight does an excellent job of invoking the time period, and he makes me believe that he has researched this time in England. Unlike other authors he doesn't require page upon page to describe dress, food, how people comported themselves etc. He does it in a couple of paragraphs and then moves the story forward. The small grooming issue of bathing and shaving might be revisited, but again it is handled in a matter of fact of way.
Yeah, I'm taking a bit of a poke at the Aurbrey and Maturin books. I may try them again, but really it was my ex-wife who got hooked on the page after page of descriptions of a meal.
Knight also does a good job, and this is why I think it is better to read these in order, or laying out the political lay of the land. Prince John's failed rebellion is fresh in people's memory being just barely a year old. Richard the Lionheart's failure as a king as laid out, even though John remains devout in his loyalty to the King.
It is the rebellion that becomes more a story point here despite the murder of a canon, a religious man, on Christmas Eve. The man's murder leads to rumor of rebellion brewing again, as Richard had pardoned most of the nobles, including his brother, so they're still around to plot.
Including John's brother-in-law, Richard.
Relationships are better laid out here than in later books. John's relationship with Matilda, and the fact that he essentially has two mistresses, including Nesta.
Is John an outstanding detective-no. But, for the times we are talking about is he steadfast in desire to service King, England and Justice as best he can-yes.
Knight does an excellent job of invoking the time period, and he makes me believe that he has researched this time in England. Unlike other authors he doesn't require page upon page to describe dress, food, how people comported themselves etc. He does it in a couple of paragraphs and then moves the story forward. The small grooming issue of bathing and shaving might be revisited, but again it is handled in a matter of fact of way.
Yeah, I'm taking a bit of a poke at the Aurbrey and Maturin books. I may try them again, but really it was my ex-wife who got hooked on the page after page of descriptions of a meal.
Knight also does a good job, and this is why I think it is better to read these in order, or laying out the political lay of the land. Prince John's failed rebellion is fresh in people's memory being just barely a year old. Richard the Lionheart's failure as a king as laid out, even though John remains devout in his loyalty to the King.
It is the rebellion that becomes more a story point here despite the murder of a canon, a religious man, on Christmas Eve. The man's murder leads to rumor of rebellion brewing again, as Richard had pardoned most of the nobles, including his brother, so they're still around to plot.
Including John's brother-in-law, Richard.
Relationships are better laid out here than in later books. John's relationship with Matilda, and the fact that he essentially has two mistresses, including Nesta.
Is John an outstanding detective-no. But, for the times we are talking about is he steadfast in desire to service King, England and Justice as best he can-yes.
September 19, 2021
This being my first novel in the Crowner John mysteries, I thought it an enjoyable read, and very much liked the historical setting. It didn't appeal to me as much as the Brother Cadfael novels, but still had a certain quaintness that I found delightful.
The main protagonist, Sir John de Wolfe, is both a hero and a scoundrel. I'm not sure what passed as being acceptable back in 1194, but it seemed acceptable to have it off with as many people you chose. The reader is meant to accept Sir John as being moralistic in his approach to his verdicts and investigations, but he leads a rather hedonistic life. I warmed to Thomas, the clerk, more than Sir John. I would actually relish a series with Thomas as the lead - he makes for such an interesting character.
While I found the mystery serviceable enough, there were moments in the novel I felt tempted to skim through, such as the final chapter. I felt it a little indulgent, especially given the mystery had been solved.
A good book to be entertained for a few hours, and I'm sure historical mystery fans will love the series. I will read more if I come across them, but won't go out of my way to find them.
The main protagonist, Sir John de Wolfe, is both a hero and a scoundrel. I'm not sure what passed as being acceptable back in 1194, but it seemed acceptable to have it off with as many people you chose. The reader is meant to accept Sir John as being moralistic in his approach to his verdicts and investigations, but he leads a rather hedonistic life. I warmed to Thomas, the clerk, more than Sir John. I would actually relish a series with Thomas as the lead - he makes for such an interesting character.
While I found the mystery serviceable enough, there were moments in the novel I felt tempted to skim through, such as the final chapter. I felt it a little indulgent, especially given the mystery had been solved.
A good book to be entertained for a few hours, and I'm sure historical mystery fans will love the series. I will read more if I come across them, but won't go out of my way to find them.
March 12, 2024
I’m really enjoying the Crowner John series. It’s set in the 12th century and the author’s description of life back then really brings that era to life for me. The role of Coroner ( Crowner John) is a new role and the “Crowner” has no proper set rules to follow. He investigates suspicious deaths, of which there are several, with the help of his sidekicks Gwyn and Thomas. John’s investigations are hampered by the Sheriff, who is the brother of John’s social-climbing wife, Matilda. John and the Sheriff dislike each other, with the Sheriff complaining that the role of Coroner is unnecessary. He does all he can to hamper John’s investigations.
This era is really well described, with living conditions not being good! The punishment given to offenders are pretty brutal. The story moves along at quite a pace. I’m looking forward to reading book 4. I’ve found the ending of each of the 3 books I’ve read, to be very satisfying. I’ve become quite attached to John, Gwyn and Thomas and I’ve got a real dislike for Matilda, John’s wife, and the Sheriff. This is surely a sign of a good author, who has also researched that era very well, in my opinion.
This era is really well described, with living conditions not being good! The punishment given to offenders are pretty brutal. The story moves along at quite a pace. I’m looking forward to reading book 4. I’ve found the ending of each of the 3 books I’ve read, to be very satisfying. I’ve become quite attached to John, Gwyn and Thomas and I’ve got a real dislike for Matilda, John’s wife, and the Sheriff. This is surely a sign of a good author, who has also researched that era very well, in my opinion.
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