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The Draychester Chronicles #3
Death of the Anchorite
A mysterious killer is on the rampage. Make no mistake, the countryside can be a deadly place in late 14th century England, but who would dare target the village anchorite? After all, wouldn’t it be a deadly sin? Harm those devoutly religious women, walled up for life inside a cell in the village church, and face eternal damnation…only an angry, desperate man could be persuaded to carry out such evil…
The countryside is in an uproar, in the local cathedral city of Draychester, Bishop Gifford is angry and baffled. Events are spiralling out of control. Young Will Blackburne, bishop’s official, and his companions Bernard and Osbert are swiftly dispatched to investigate.
But perhaps all isn’t quite as it seems, a shadowy figure from within the city guides the killer’s actions, bringing events closer to home than anyone can predict …except perhaps the great cathedral’s own anchorite, Dame Dorothy, famous for her visions of the future, who dreams of death and destruction… the killer must be stopped, his evil master thwarted and Dorothy saved…
The countryside is in an uproar, in the local cathedral city of Draychester, Bishop Gifford is angry and baffled. Events are spiralling out of control. Young Will Blackburne, bishop’s official, and his companions Bernard and Osbert are swiftly dispatched to investigate.
But perhaps all isn’t quite as it seems, a shadowy figure from within the city guides the killer’s actions, bringing events closer to home than anyone can predict …except perhaps the great cathedral’s own anchorite, Dame Dorothy, famous for her visions of the future, who dreams of death and destruction… the killer must be stopped, his evil master thwarted and Dorothy saved…
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2021
63 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Westerbone
6 books3 followersM J Westerbone was born in the small industrial mill town of Radcliffe in the old county of Lancashire in the North West of England. From an early age he had a keen interest in history fueled by the fact there were the remains of a ruined medieval manor house (Radcliffe Tower) virtually on his doorstep. Deciding a career in archaeology or as a historian in all likelihood wouldn't pay the bills he focused on IT. He has been the director of an IT and Telecoms business for many years whilst continuing his passion for history by writing historical novels. He is married and lives with his wife in Lancashire.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 7, 2025
The best of the series!
I read this series randomly, enjoying every one! This book, Death of the Anchorite was the best yet! I love the characters, even evil old Ralph of Shrewsbury, as disgusting as he is! He rivals Sir Roger Mudstone for the title of Hell’s Best in Class! Such twisted villains! The action never stops. Just when the reader thinks the mayhem is contained, it bursts out in another place! I found myself wondering how on earth Bernard, Will, & Osbert could possibly survive long enough to end the reign of terror! All in all, the best installment of an excellent series!
I read this series randomly, enjoying every one! This book, Death of the Anchorite was the best yet! I love the characters, even evil old Ralph of Shrewsbury, as disgusting as he is! He rivals Sir Roger Mudstone for the title of Hell’s Best in Class! Such twisted villains! The action never stops. Just when the reader thinks the mayhem is contained, it bursts out in another place! I found myself wondering how on earth Bernard, Will, & Osbert could possibly survive long enough to end the reign of terror! All in all, the best installment of an excellent series!
March 16, 2025
another great read
Another great read but sad to lose sir roger,managed to be totally evil and humorous at the same time.great character who made the stories, hopefully room for stand alone books about his travels when he first left his home,also what happened to him in France when he was captured by the Breton,shame about travis to,
Well done with these books,looking forward to the next
Another great read but sad to lose sir roger,managed to be totally evil and humorous at the same time.great character who made the stories, hopefully room for stand alone books about his travels when he first left his home,also what happened to him in France when he was captured by the Breton,shame about travis to,
Well done with these books,looking forward to the next
March 3, 2021
Odd premise. One of the villians is pretty much identified by the odor of his rank farts. Several places where words are either misspelled or the wrong (but similar sounding) words are used. Needs more careful editing. Language is generally too modern for a novel set in medieval England. Entertaining, but not as well written as Ellis Peters by a long shot.
March 25, 2023
From strength to strength!
Better and better, the characters and plot are developing nicely, looking forward to book 4. Still a few modern/ US words and phrases but overall very good. Keep it up MJ!
Better and better, the characters and plot are developing nicely, looking forward to book 4. Still a few modern/ US words and phrases but overall very good. Keep it up MJ!
June 6, 2025
Death of an Anchorite
Another brilliant book, it takes us back again with Bernard, Will and Osbert in another adventure. Someone is killing the Anchorites ( which I had never heard of before) and it is up to our intrepid threesome to sort it all out. Very enjoyable
Another brilliant book, it takes us back again with Bernard, Will and Osbert in another adventure. Someone is killing the Anchorites ( which I had never heard of before) and it is up to our intrepid threesome to sort it all out. Very enjoyable
July 10, 2025
Wonderful
I really like this series, at least so far. Looking ahead I'm already sorry that there are not a whole lot more in the set. The fabulous trio are a great match/.mismatch for the evil that walks among them!
I really like this series, at least so far. Looking ahead I'm already sorry that there are not a whole lot more in the set. The fabulous trio are a great match/.mismatch for the evil that walks among them!
July 23, 2023
Need more
A series I have grown to enjoy and hopefully this is not the final in the saga,so hurry up and write some more also enjoyed the little piece of Howard of Warwick.
A series I have grown to enjoy and hopefully this is not the final in the saga,so hurry up and write some more also enjoyed the little piece of Howard of Warwick.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews