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The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #10
The House of Shadows
A set of horrific killings hints at the answer behind a legendary crime...
Autumn, 1380. Brother Athelstan is very busy. He and his parish council are preparing for the annual Christmas mystery play when a series of brutal murders occur at a Southwark tavern.
Two young whores are found slain but their deaths are only the beginning of a series of gruesome killings which occur around the parish of St Erconwald’s.
He resolves to solve not only these grisly deaths, but also their source - the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, which occurred in Southwark some 20 years earlier.
Autumn, 1380. Brother Athelstan is very busy. He and his parish council are preparing for the annual Christmas mystery play when a series of brutal murders occur at a Southwark tavern.
Two young whores are found slain but their deaths are only the beginning of a series of gruesome killings which occur around the parish of St Erconwald’s.
He resolves to solve not only these grisly deaths, but also their source - the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, which occurred in Southwark some 20 years earlier.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2003
160 people are currently reading
303 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 37 reviews
October 29, 2021
Read this book in 2010, and its the 10th volume of this great "Brother Athelstan" series.
This tale is set in the Autumn of the year AD 1380, and once again Brother Athelstan and his friend Sir John Cranston in full investigating action.
When preparing for the for the annual Christmas mystery play, several murders occur in a Southwark tavern.
More deaths will follow around Brother Athelstan's parish of St Erconwold's, and several sinister figures are appearing in the tavern known as the "Night in Jerusalem", with the Misericord, master thief and cunning man, the Judas man, a bounty hunter, and finally the "Knights of the Golden Falcon", to celebrate their annual reunion.
Not only must they solve these grizzly murders but also their source being the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, twenty years earlier in Southwark.
Together they will enter a web of deceit and treachery, where maiming and death means nothing to those who are after that treasure, and after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly worked out plot, they are able to identify and catch the person behind these murders, and bring him to justice.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific addition to this marvellous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great House Of Shadows Mystery"!
This tale is set in the Autumn of the year AD 1380, and once again Brother Athelstan and his friend Sir John Cranston in full investigating action.
When preparing for the for the annual Christmas mystery play, several murders occur in a Southwark tavern.
More deaths will follow around Brother Athelstan's parish of St Erconwold's, and several sinister figures are appearing in the tavern known as the "Night in Jerusalem", with the Misericord, master thief and cunning man, the Judas man, a bounty hunter, and finally the "Knights of the Golden Falcon", to celebrate their annual reunion.
Not only must they solve these grizzly murders but also their source being the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, twenty years earlier in Southwark.
Together they will enter a web of deceit and treachery, where maiming and death means nothing to those who are after that treasure, and after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly worked out plot, they are able to identify and catch the person behind these murders, and bring him to justice.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific addition to this marvellous series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Great House Of Shadows Mystery"!
April 27, 2024
Old sins cast dark shadows and come back to haunt in this 10th offering from Paul Doherty of the Brother Athelstan series.
Here again we have stolen treasure meant for crusading armies and it's carriers foully murdered.
We meet a new host of Southwark characters; Mother Veritable(brothel keeper), the Judas Man, the Misericord, and another set of knights who have dark pasts and sins.
This one took some teasing out and we really had a fantastic conclusion.
I enjoyed the Author's notes about the Regent John of Gaunt - Duke of Lancaster and his personality , which Doherty portrays well.
Here again we have stolen treasure meant for crusading armies and it's carriers foully murdered.
We meet a new host of Southwark characters; Mother Veritable(brothel keeper), the Judas Man, the Misericord, and another set of knights who have dark pasts and sins.
This one took some teasing out and we really had a fantastic conclusion.
I enjoyed the Author's notes about the Regent John of Gaunt - Duke of Lancaster and his personality , which Doherty portrays well.
September 3, 2021
Trust????
A mystery with alot of twist an turns. Friendship an love. Who to trust no matter their station in life. Greed an power. An the only two that see the truth an minds of them all. Brother Athelstan an Sir John Cranston rut out the evil in London.
Great writing an a amazing story. Listen learned you can't trust anyone.
A mystery with alot of twist an turns. Friendship an love. Who to trust no matter their station in life. Greed an power. An the only two that see the truth an minds of them all. Brother Athelstan an Sir John Cranston rut out the evil in London.
Great writing an a amazing story. Listen learned you can't trust anyone.
June 30, 2022
This was fun! A good mystery set in an authentic London of 1380. No characters with angst. no emotional trauma. Since the national news of 2022 is tragically bleak, for me, right now, this was a good read.
September 28, 2023
This is the 10th book in this very enjoyable series and while I thought the last couple were perhaps a bit flat, this one is most definitely not. Athelstan and Cranston are variously helped and hindered in their detective endeavours by a cast of characters that includes: the Judas Man; Mother Veritable; the Misericord and the Fisher of Souls. Much of the action takes place around the Night in Jerusalem Tavern where the body count is high, and rising. Cranston, the Crown Coroner for London and brother Athelstan his secretarius investigate the deaths and realise there is a link to the mysterious disappearance of the Lombard Treasure 20 years before.
An excellent romp through 14th century London, which as ever is very vividly drawn.
Highly recommended.
An excellent romp through 14th century London, which as ever is very vividly drawn.
Highly recommended.
May 7, 2023
Twists and turns, a great yarn. Keeps you guessing to the last chapter. Loved it
June 9, 2025
The House of Shadows, 10th in the Brother Athelstan series by Paul Doherty, I found to be a bit slow and a little repetitive in the beginning. However, the ending where all the suspects, that are still alive, are brought together for Brother Athelstan to catch them in their sins, made it worth the wait.
Enjoyable read!
Enjoyable read!
October 23, 2022
A very complicated mystery is the centerpiece of this book. 20 years before the main storyline several knights serving John of Gaunt guard a huge chest of treasures intended to help finance a crusade to Outremer - the Middle East. The chest disappears, as do the pair of knights and a prostitute that one knight loves.
Two decades later, fellow knights of the two that vanished come to Southwark in London for their annual gathering at the Night in Jerusalem tavern. One by one, the knights begin to die. In fact the body count in this book is the highest in all the series so far. As the bodies pile up, Athelstan and Cranston try to make sense of what is going on, and maybe discover where all that treasure went.
Several other smaller subplots swirl through this, with some of the most cryptic-seeming clues in the series and even the resolution of the mystery is somewhat obscure.
Two decades later, fellow knights of the two that vanished come to Southwark in London for their annual gathering at the Night in Jerusalem tavern. One by one, the knights begin to die. In fact the body count in this book is the highest in all the series so far. As the bodies pile up, Athelstan and Cranston try to make sense of what is going on, and maybe discover where all that treasure went.
Several other smaller subplots swirl through this, with some of the most cryptic-seeming clues in the series and even the resolution of the mystery is somewhat obscure.
July 31, 2018
"- Sapete, sir Jack, una delle grandi differenze tra il male e il bene è che il bene è necessario e il male no. Guardate quegli assassini. Quando decisero di uccidere […]? Fu in un pomeriggio di sole? O di sera, dopo aver bevuto un bicchiere di troppo? E una volta che il malefico seme venne piantato ne nacque una siepe di rovi che oscurò e distrusse le loro vite, e le vite di tutti coloro che furono coinvolti. E tutto questo non era affatto necessario. Uccisero cinque persone innocenti solo per un cofano di sassi, per un pugno di mosche su un mucchio di letame! Non solo non ebbero il tesoro, ma più tardi divennero ugualmente ricchi e potenti, combattendo per la croce di nostro Signore! Tutte quelle morti, per nulla. Per nulla, sir John! - Si fece il segno della croce."
Mi mancherà, fratello Athelstan, lui e la sua fede, lui e il suo acume e ragionamento aristotelico. Mi mancherà, perché dopo questo episodio i successivi non sono più stati tradotti in italiano, ahimè. Ma so che ce ne sono altri 8 nella serie, in lingua originale. Ok, passeremo all'inglese e andremo avanti. Perché di tutti gli ispettori, commissari e compagnia bella posso fare a meno. Ma non di questo frate domenicano e del suo attualissimo Medioevo.
Mi mancherà, fratello Athelstan, lui e la sua fede, lui e il suo acume e ragionamento aristotelico. Mi mancherà, perché dopo questo episodio i successivi non sono più stati tradotti in italiano, ahimè. Ma so che ce ne sono altri 8 nella serie, in lingua originale. Ok, passeremo all'inglese e andremo avanti. Perché di tutti gli ispettori, commissari e compagnia bella posso fare a meno. Ma non di questo frate domenicano e del suo attualissimo Medioevo.
January 3, 2011
I loved this series and had been waiting for the right time to read the last one. I was a bit disappointed. It could have been edited down a bit: there's a bit too much summarizing, a bit too much description (and I usually love Doherty's descriptions). I thought the solution to the mystery was pretty obvious. I do love Athelstan & Cranston, though, and Doherty really makes late 14th century London come to life. I hope there will be more entries in this series sometime (Will Athelstan remain at St. Erconwald's? Will Cranston ever finish his Treatise on the Governance of London?)
August 24, 2018
character and grand detectiveShadows defined
Mr Doherty weaves an interesting and coherent story of intrigue, murder, and mayhem. Athelstan is a splendid detective and Sir John an able assistant and confidant. The novel is an excellent example of a time most are not familiar with and the author has done the research to verify it's content. Bravo, great read.
Ken B
Mr Doherty weaves an interesting and coherent story of intrigue, murder, and mayhem. Athelstan is a splendid detective and Sir John an able assistant and confidant. The novel is an excellent example of a time most are not familiar with and the author has done the research to verify it's content. Bravo, great read.
Ken B
May 24, 2020
I couldn't finish it, and I don't have enough life span to make myself waste any more time on books I am not enjoying. I think the breaking point came in when he started talking about ruffs--an item of clothing that came along well after the period this book purports to portray. Too much breaking the atmosphere with that sort of thing.
March 20, 2021
A networking acquaintance gave me this book in a box of books. She used to collect books to be sent to troops overseas. Not sure why this one didn't make the cut for that.
I had high hopes for a mystery and at first thought it might be like the Father Brown mysteries--and parts are, I guess, but some of the settings and details of this book seemed like they'd be out of place in a Father Brown mystery.
I also didn't follow Athelstan's solving of the case when he spent the night in the church--though I did guess one clue correctly before the solution came to him.
It gets a 3 because I did finish it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it and I definitely wouldn't reread it.
I had high hopes for a mystery and at first thought it might be like the Father Brown mysteries--and parts are, I guess, but some of the settings and details of this book seemed like they'd be out of place in a Father Brown mystery.
I also didn't follow Athelstan's solving of the case when he spent the night in the church--though I did guess one clue correctly before the solution came to him.
It gets a 3 because I did finish it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it and I definitely wouldn't reread it.
March 14, 2025
Shadows
Paul Doherty creates some very interesting supporting characters for his stories. In this book we meet the Judas Man, the Misercord, and the Fisher of Men returns. I love his descriptions of London in the 1380s. This story focuses on new murders and those that happened 20 years ago. How are they related and who are the new murders? Athelstan finds the right conclusions. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. After reading books one through 10, I look forward to reading the rest.
Paul Doherty creates some very interesting supporting characters for his stories. In this book we meet the Judas Man, the Misercord, and the Fisher of Men returns. I love his descriptions of London in the 1380s. This story focuses on new murders and those that happened 20 years ago. How are they related and who are the new murders? Athelstan finds the right conclusions. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. After reading books one through 10, I look forward to reading the rest.
July 26, 2023
Excellent as always!
I love this series, wonderful characters and descriptions with a maze of intrigues and plots to be unravelled by the erudite Brother Athelstan with the help of the larger than life Sir John Cranston. I’m so glad there’s plenty more books in this series and that Mr Doherty keeps writing them!
I love this series, wonderful characters and descriptions with a maze of intrigues and plots to be unravelled by the erudite Brother Athelstan with the help of the larger than life Sir John Cranston. I’m so glad there’s plenty more books in this series and that Mr Doherty keeps writing them!
March 10, 2020
Another Brother Athelstan mystery
An excellent mystery in 1380's medieval London. Doherty's detail about life in a medieval city is fascinating to anyone interested in this period.
An excellent mystery in 1380's medieval London. Doherty's detail about life in a medieval city is fascinating to anyone interested in this period.
February 2, 2024
So Sad....
Without giving it away, that is the hardest part about this book, the pointlessness of it all. I had an inkling but thought "No way". I am plowing through the whole series and thoroughly enjoying myself.
Without giving it away, that is the hardest part about this book, the pointlessness of it all. I had an inkling but thought "No way". I am plowing through the whole series and thoroughly enjoying myself.
November 15, 2024
Longer in pages than the previous books but certainly more depth and insight to the mind of John the Gaunt.
Thoroughly engaging as it demonstrates few impossible murders and locked room situations.
A must for impossible crime mystery buffs.
Thoroughly engaging as it demonstrates few impossible murders and locked room situations.
A must for impossible crime mystery buffs.
February 27, 2025
3 killings in one night. The friar Athelstan starts to investigate and find links to the Great Robbery of Lombard treasure which took place in Southwark 20 years previously. More deaths occur, but how are they linked and who is responsible?
April 24, 2020
Everyone a winner.
Another great tale with Brother Athelstan and Jack Cranston. Moneymaker great team and again one is placed right there in the scene by Paul Doherty.
Another great tale with Brother Athelstan and Jack Cranston. Moneymaker great team and again one is placed right there in the scene by Paul Doherty.
February 21, 2021
Intriguing tale with lots of twists and turns. Well done.
July 9, 2021
One of the better mysteries in this very enjoyable series. Doherty does a nice job with the historical setting as always. Athelstan and Cranston are an entertaining if definitely odd-couple sleuths.
December 6, 2021
Excellent book
This book I think is one of the best so far. So easy to read and yet engaging. The characters are well written and enjoyable.
This book I think is one of the best so far. So easy to read and yet engaging. The characters are well written and enjoyable.
December 12, 2021
Great
As with the other 9 books I have read in the series this didn’t disappoint, great plot and characters you get a real feel for 14th century England.
As with the other 9 books I have read in the series this didn’t disappoint, great plot and characters you get a real feel for 14th century England.
July 15, 2025
Well written and engaging; appreciate the way the author can merge his fictional charactors with historical characters and situations.
Read
August 8, 2025Love this series by Paul Doherty, so much so that I have kept them to read again.
November 13, 2016
is good
June 5, 2016
These intriguing little books are becoming addictive. I am growing fond of Brother Athelstan, Sir John Cranston and the motley collection of humanity who form the congregation of St Erconwold's.The novels are pacey, suitably blood-sodden for the genre and eminently readable. I've gone through three of them during this half-term break and am already heading for the good folk of Amazon to secure volume 11. Okay, they may not overly challenge the crime-solving instinct of the seasoned sofa-detective - Sherlock Holmes, this is not - but they are well-written, well-plotted and peopled by a likeable cast of characters. I know that we are headed inexorably for the great revolt and I approach this with a sense of trepidation. I actually am coming to care what befalls Sir John, Athelstan and his flock. That has to be the mark of a good series of stories. I got annoyed with Matthew Shardlake very quickly, John Shakespeare soon became an irritant and I am even losing patience with Sir Robert Carey but this list of dramatis personae have, like their parallels in my other current favourite series: Hugh de Singleton, Edwin Weaver and Gil Cunningham, become comfortable companions more than worthy of a few hours of my time.
February 13, 2015
One of my favorite historical mystery series, the Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan are better with every outing. This time Athelstan and Lord Coroner Jack Cranston must investigate several gruesome murders at a Southwark tavern. As they dig deeper they realize this crime is connected to a twenty-year-old mystery, the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure.
The mysteries are always satisfyingly complex, but what draws me back to this outstanding series are the wonderful recurring characters and the depth of Paul Doherty's amazing research and historical accuracy. Recommended to historical mystery fans.
The mysteries are always satisfyingly complex, but what draws me back to this outstanding series are the wonderful recurring characters and the depth of Paul Doherty's amazing research and historical accuracy. Recommended to historical mystery fans.
July 29, 2014
While we may suspect (or even know) who-done-it, with Brother Athelstan and Cranston it comes down to how it was done and can it be proved? I really love this series. I love the realistic history. I love how the cast of characters has grown organically over the years, so that we've naturally become attached to those in Athelstan's wider circle. A footnote in history has become almost heartbreaking to think about: what will happen during the rebellion? If you're new to the series, start with book 1. You'll enjoy it more.
It's true that a few times the summation of events was repeated and could have been edited out. But it wasn't overly irksome.
It's true that a few times the summation of events was repeated and could have been edited out. But it wasn't overly irksome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews