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Templar Knight Mystery #3
A Plague of Poison
When a cake kills a squire, the castle governor enlists the help of Templar Bascot de Marins. But as murder spreads beyond the castle walls, he wonders if it is in fact the work of a lethal master of poisons.
293 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 3, 2009
About the author
Maureen Ash
29 books121 followersMaureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. Visits to castle ruins and old churches have provided the inspiration for her novels. She enjoys Celtic music, browsing in bookstores and Belgian chocolate. Maureen now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 18, 2011
Oooh, these are getting better! Love the rich historical details. The characterizations, especially of de Marins and Gianni, are still excellent. Their relationship with each other is very heartwarming. Delightful!
February 27, 2018
It was also very good to read, interesting, exciting and spinning, maybe in the end there was a little bit too much 'whining" from Bascot De Marins what the right thing to do, but still I enjoyed it very much.
January 17, 2019
8/10
Once again nailed it. These are super good. The formula is there but this one especially switched it up. Cool reveal and unexpected! This was a blast.
Once again nailed it. These are super good. The formula is there but this one especially switched it up. Cool reveal and unexpected! This was a blast.
October 11, 2020
A little bit slower than the earlier titles in this series
July 17, 2026
2.5/5. Twas alright.
January 28, 2017
Templer Knight Mystery #3
Spring 1201 finds our hero Templer Knight Bascot de Marins in Lincoln Castle amid much soul searching. King John has offered to restore Bascot's father's land and an income if he will leave the Templer order and sign on permanently to the Castilian Nichola de le Haye in Lincoln Castle. Bascot, who has been recovering from 7 years of imprisonment while on Crusade is trying to overcome the physical injuries of losing an eye and a badly damaged ankle, but he also slowly recovering from the emotional trauma and torture. Bascot has recovered a sense of purpose, but now feels that he should leave his order and accept the reward from King John for his ward Gianni's sake. Gianni is a deaf mute Bascot found starving and begging for food in Italy. Although Gianni lives in a time before true sign language, he is well adept at making his presence felt strong!y in this series. His cleverness shines through with each story and I find myself rooting for Bascot to do what is best for the servant who has become like a son to him.
Before Bascot can embark on his trip to London to face his old order a castle scribe is poisoned and shortly after a family of merchants is found also poisoned. Nichola de le Haye once again asks for Bascots help in solving the murders. There is a sense of urgency as the townspeople rush to attribute many deaths from the past to poson also. Panic sets in, and with it suspicion and a rush to judgement, and it is left to Bascot and Gianni to untangle the mess. Maureen Ash points out that all of the characters involved with the victims have been "poisoned" by these crimes.
The atmosphere of a medieval Castle and town are extremely well done with lots of interesting facts and detils about life in 13th century England. This novel also gives some pov from the murderer, which adds nicely to this story. The only complaint I have is that there is not enough dialogue and interactions between the characters causing it to feel a bit flat sometimes. Still well worth reading and I look forward to the next book in the series. 3 stars!
Spring 1201 finds our hero Templer Knight Bascot de Marins in Lincoln Castle amid much soul searching. King John has offered to restore Bascot's father's land and an income if he will leave the Templer order and sign on permanently to the Castilian Nichola de le Haye in Lincoln Castle. Bascot, who has been recovering from 7 years of imprisonment while on Crusade is trying to overcome the physical injuries of losing an eye and a badly damaged ankle, but he also slowly recovering from the emotional trauma and torture. Bascot has recovered a sense of purpose, but now feels that he should leave his order and accept the reward from King John for his ward Gianni's sake. Gianni is a deaf mute Bascot found starving and begging for food in Italy. Although Gianni lives in a time before true sign language, he is well adept at making his presence felt strong!y in this series. His cleverness shines through with each story and I find myself rooting for Bascot to do what is best for the servant who has become like a son to him.
Before Bascot can embark on his trip to London to face his old order a castle scribe is poisoned and shortly after a family of merchants is found also poisoned. Nichola de le Haye once again asks for Bascots help in solving the murders. There is a sense of urgency as the townspeople rush to attribute many deaths from the past to poson also. Panic sets in, and with it suspicion and a rush to judgement, and it is left to Bascot and Gianni to untangle the mess. Maureen Ash points out that all of the characters involved with the victims have been "poisoned" by these crimes.
The atmosphere of a medieval Castle and town are extremely well done with lots of interesting facts and detils about life in 13th century England. This novel also gives some pov from the murderer, which adds nicely to this story. The only complaint I have is that there is not enough dialogue and interactions between the characters causing it to feel a bit flat sometimes. Still well worth reading and I look forward to the next book in the series. 3 stars!
September 1, 2009
#3 Bascot de Marins "Templar Knight" historical mystery set in 1201, Lincoln UK. Bascot, attempting to make a decision as to whether or not he should leave the Templars and accept King John's offer to have his father's lands restored to him and allow him to name an heir. He worries that his ward, Gianni, a ragamuffin that he rescued from a life of poverty on the streets, will end up back where he came from if he were to go back to his Templar brothers rather than leave the order and remain one of Nicolaa de la Haye's retainers.
He's distracted from thinking about his choices, however, when a rash of poisonings plague Lincoln, with several deaths both in castle and town, apparently through honey laced with a deadly herb that lead to a quick and violent death. Near-panic begins to take the townsfolk, with people suspicious of everyone around them. Lady Nicolaa places the castle cooks under orders to serve only plain, unspiced foods, and charges Bascot with finding the vile murderer. His first task is to determine the motive of the killer, and to do that, he must try to figure out if the actual victims were the intended victims.
I like this series and am beginning to like Bascot more each book, but one thing I have found is that there are too many peripheral characters, such that when the killer was revealed, I barely remembered who they were. While not a wholly satisfying book, I'll definitely read on--a great sense of time and place and interesting major characters overshadow the meandering investigation.
He's distracted from thinking about his choices, however, when a rash of poisonings plague Lincoln, with several deaths both in castle and town, apparently through honey laced with a deadly herb that lead to a quick and violent death. Near-panic begins to take the townsfolk, with people suspicious of everyone around them. Lady Nicolaa places the castle cooks under orders to serve only plain, unspiced foods, and charges Bascot with finding the vile murderer. His first task is to determine the motive of the killer, and to do that, he must try to figure out if the actual victims were the intended victims.
I like this series and am beginning to like Bascot more each book, but one thing I have found is that there are too many peripheral characters, such that when the killer was revealed, I barely remembered who they were. While not a wholly satisfying book, I'll definitely read on--a great sense of time and place and interesting major characters overshadow the meandering investigation.
April 9, 2009
First Sentence: With the celebration of Eastertide at the end of March, a warm spring radiance had descended on Lincoln.
Templar Knight Bascot de Marins is recovering in the castle at Lincoln after eight years captivity and torture in the Holy Lands. Someone has poisoned a scribe of the castle and the family of a merchant in the town. The poison is traced to a high-grade honey and the poisonings were deliberate. It is also realized that the victims where not those intended. The first victim was to have been the castle’s castellan, who asks for Bascot’s help in finding the killer.
I very much enjoyed the first two books of this series, but the third wore a bit thin. It is a classic investigative mystery, which was well done, but short on dialogue and contained very little suspense. Although we know something of the primary characters, there is not a lot of depth provided to them. The sense of time and place was adequate but not rich or terribly evocative.
In all, I’d have to say this was a good read, but not much more than that.
A PLAGUE OF POISON (Hist. Mys-Bascot de Marins-England-1201) - G
Ash, Maureen – 3rd in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2009, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780425226773
Templar Knight Bascot de Marins is recovering in the castle at Lincoln after eight years captivity and torture in the Holy Lands. Someone has poisoned a scribe of the castle and the family of a merchant in the town. The poison is traced to a high-grade honey and the poisonings were deliberate. It is also realized that the victims where not those intended. The first victim was to have been the castle’s castellan, who asks for Bascot’s help in finding the killer.
I very much enjoyed the first two books of this series, but the third wore a bit thin. It is a classic investigative mystery, which was well done, but short on dialogue and contained very little suspense. Although we know something of the primary characters, there is not a lot of depth provided to them. The sense of time and place was adequate but not rich or terribly evocative.
In all, I’d have to say this was a good read, but not much more than that.
A PLAGUE OF POISON (Hist. Mys-Bascot de Marins-England-1201) - G
Ash, Maureen – 3rd in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2009, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780425226773
July 28, 2016
Apparently I gave this three stars the first time I read it, I have no idea why. This book slaps, as all these books totally slap. Maybe I was disappointed that some of the plot threads didn't get as neatly tied up as I would have liked, but I still think it was a banger.
March 20, 2025
This is the first book I've read in the series. Possibly this series should be read in order so the reader knows all the character relationships from page one.
The history seemed beautifully researched, enough to remind me how much I never liked the tunnel vision of the Crusaders and their tenancy to settle everything with violence. So I can't say I liked the main character, but he was true to form. I did like most of the other series characters, especially Nicolaa. The plot was a true mystery--that is, the circumstances of the murders were intriguing and kept me reading.
That said, there were so many characters, it was difficult to keep them all straight. They helped to people a very rich historical setting, but I wasn't always clear on all their varied roles in society. I thought the number of them tended to slow down the middle of the story, with Bascot having to travel around to visit all of them.
All in all, though, I'd recommend the read, especially if you like history and this period in particular.
The history seemed beautifully researched, enough to remind me how much I never liked the tunnel vision of the Crusaders and their tenancy to settle everything with violence. So I can't say I liked the main character, but he was true to form. I did like most of the other series characters, especially Nicolaa. The plot was a true mystery--that is, the circumstances of the murders were intriguing and kept me reading.
That said, there were so many characters, it was difficult to keep them all straight. They helped to people a very rich historical setting, but I wasn't always clear on all their varied roles in society. I thought the number of them tended to slow down the middle of the story, with Bascot having to travel around to visit all of them.
All in all, though, I'd recommend the read, especially if you like history and this period in particular.
March 25, 2019
A solid mystery set in medieval Europe. This is book three in the series, which can be read in any order, but there is an ongoing backstory of the protagonist's relationship with an orphan he rescued and intends to be his heir.
In this novel, Sir Bascot encounters a poisoner who is putting hellebore into honey, causing excruciating deaths. As the method is not easy to control exactly, the targets are not who the poisoner necessarily intended, complicating matters. And with the limited information and methods of the times, finding the killer is not an easy task.
The mystery is a fairly simple one, although not exactly "fair play" as you are deliberately not given several key pieces of information until revealed with the solution. The historical details are pretty minor but the overall flavor has a nice period feel. The Templars in this series are treated with a very high romanticized regard as idealized knights and Christians, but that is a minor side note.
In this novel, Sir Bascot encounters a poisoner who is putting hellebore into honey, causing excruciating deaths. As the method is not easy to control exactly, the targets are not who the poisoner necessarily intended, complicating matters. And with the limited information and methods of the times, finding the killer is not an easy task.
The mystery is a fairly simple one, although not exactly "fair play" as you are deliberately not given several key pieces of information until revealed with the solution. The historical details are pretty minor but the overall flavor has a nice period feel. The Templars in this series are treated with a very high romanticized regard as idealized knights and Christians, but that is a minor side note.
October 5, 2019
I have never read a book set in the medieaval period so it was an interested experience. The language seems to be true to the time period with the refernces to locations and positions. It was quite easy to work these out while reading and I did not feel it nessecary to look them up.
I did not really feel a connection to any of the characters which is why I will not be continuing with the series.
I also hate refernce to tourture in stories that I read, and the casual brutality of the time period meant that I could not really enjoy the book.
It was very interested to see the time period protrayed in a fiction book as it made it appreciate how far we have come as a society.
I did not really feel a connection to any of the characters which is why I will not be continuing with the series.
I also hate refernce to tourture in stories that I read, and the casual brutality of the time period meant that I could not really enjoy the book.
It was very interested to see the time period protrayed in a fiction book as it made it appreciate how far we have come as a society.
September 18, 2021
This historical mystery series is one of the best. It is well researched and well written with rich historical detail, interesting characters, and plots that keep the reader in suspense until the very end. The hero sleuth, Templar Knight Sir Bascot de Marins, has suffered much while held in captivity for eight long years by the Saracens in the Holy Land. Now, recovering from his wounds in Lincoln Castle, England, Sir Bascot de Marins is often prevailed upon to help solve crimes which cause him to reach deep within himself.
January 8, 2020
A good medieval whodunit in the "Medieval Murders" type. Good storyline based on revenge but also how people's view of evidence can be changed by perception or bias. Good sub-plot about Templar's relationship with his mute servant and his feelings of responsibility as well as his obligations to his Order. Good understanding of the period of history and the changes in the law that had occurred around that period. A good fairly demanding read.
March 2, 2020
A plague of poison by Maureen Ash
I really enjoyed this book especially the descriptions of medieval times. Having visited Lincoln on one of my various trips to the UK , I was able to visualise the setting.
I found the plot both entertaining & plausible. It was not till the last few chapters that I guessed the murderer.
I really enjoyed this book especially the descriptions of medieval times. Having visited Lincoln on one of my various trips to the UK , I was able to visualise the setting.
I found the plot both entertaining & plausible. It was not till the last few chapters that I guessed the murderer.
November 14, 2020
Third book in a series. This one seems to depend more heavily on the previous books than is usual for a book in a series. The first pages have too many characters to keep track of. But then it settles down and can be read. The mystery itself is nice. The setting is interesting, and presumably authentic medieval.
October 19, 2023
Another engaging and interesting read in this series.
The attention to historical setting and activity.. in this instance I loved the kitchen scenes as well as visiting the apiary… is well drawn.
The characters move through the story easily and have substance.
I very much enjoyed the read.
The attention to historical setting and activity.. in this instance I loved the kitchen scenes as well as visiting the apiary… is well drawn.
The characters move through the story easily and have substance.
I very much enjoyed the read.
May 4, 2026
I'm a bit irritated that Bascot allows his sel-righteousness Mar his good judgment. If it weren't for Gianni, an innocent man would have died because Bascot made poor decisions. But, with that said, it's a good series.
July 27, 2017
This kept me guessing, with the poisoner's point of view interweaved with the main narrative. Somehow this felt slower than the last to read through, but I still enjoyed it.
January 29, 2018
A Plague of Poison
A . I enjoyed the book. This is my third time reading: it. I am probably going to read more of the series.
A . I enjoyed the book. This is my third time reading: it. I am probably going to read more of the series.
June 6, 2018
Another great Lincoln murder mystery.
June 30, 2021
Engaging but the story arc is slowly beginning to decline. Ash has set up a plot development for the future that may impact the series.
May 1, 2023
Another solid murder mystery set in medieval Lincoln.
August 5, 2024
Best one so far.
September 7, 2014
Third in this series. It's been awhile since I read the earlier two, but I thought I'd catch up in this series of the one-eyed Templar Knight, returned from years of confinement in the Crusades and now solving murder mysteries in 1201, aided by his mute Italian boy sidekick Gianni, I am reminded that the author, Maureen Ash, does work in some vocabulary to broaden one's command of late medieval artifacts and architecture. The characters tend to be a bit flat, but the socio-cultural context is always stimulating in her books, and I trust her background research to help me learn more about their class system, customs of daily life, and the relationships between the various institutional forces in such as place as Lincoln, England, in 1201.
Someone has been poisoning the high grade honey, used in cakes or as sweetener for the wine. When there is a painful death in the castle, followed shortly thereafter by three more such deaths in the town, someone has to find out not only how this was done, but why, before more suffer the same fate--even as rumor begins to spread it could be a plague.
Someone has been poisoning the high grade honey, used in cakes or as sweetener for the wine. When there is a painful death in the castle, followed shortly thereafter by three more such deaths in the town, someone has to find out not only how this was done, but why, before more suffer the same fate--even as rumor begins to spread it could be a plague.
June 1, 2015
The third in the series sees Bascot dealing with the offer to inherit his father's lands if he resigns from the order, an idea he dislikes but feels he must do for Gianni. He is delaying until the sheriff returns to Lincoln to travel to London, but in the interim someone tries to poison Nicolaa killing a clerk in her place. Then a squire in service is poisoned the same way. Quickly thereafter a family in town dies the same way. Realizing great danger lurks he must work quickly to unmask the poisoner. Great deductions and attention to detail including the ones his mute servant notices are key. Nice mystery and nice backstory development
January 21, 2014
This is only the 3rd book in this series, but the second to feature a hysterical female, the second to feature rape/attempted rape as a theme, and the second to feature a woman stricken to incoherence. Again, the main characters are not well-developed, and the author relies on "off stage" information to solve her mysteries. All of this, coupled with my distaste for Bascot de Marins, the boring Templar who can't wait to get back to killing infidels, leave me wishing these books starred Gianni instead.
Think I'll go back to Joliffe or Sister Frevisse...
Think I'll go back to Joliffe or Sister Frevisse...
July 13, 2014
Who is poisoning villagers, castle folk, and Abby inhabitants? Will Bascot have to leave the Templers to secure the future of his ward?
I picked this book up because I love mysteries and I enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. I like the interaction of the characters and the setting. I am not as crazy about how Ash unfolds the mystery as you never have enough information to solve the mystery. You do not even know everything the main characters know and learn. I'll have to see if this annoys me enough to stop reading the series.
I picked this book up because I love mysteries and I enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. I like the interaction of the characters and the setting. I am not as crazy about how Ash unfolds the mystery as you never have enough information to solve the mystery. You do not even know everything the main characters know and learn. I'll have to see if this annoys me enough to stop reading the series.
June 13, 2015
What is it about Medieval Mystery series'? I just read the fourth of Michael Jecks and he did the exact same thing: the murderer's thoughts are available to us, but not his identity. I don't like that construct, I find it sloppy.
However! I had sneaked a peek at the ending (a grievous fault of mine but I am afraid I am unregenerate) and, despite knowing then the name of him what dunnit - I still was kept guessing right to the end - so a brilliant success by MA all round!
However! I had sneaked a peek at the ending (a grievous fault of mine but I am afraid I am unregenerate) and, despite knowing then the name of him what dunnit - I still was kept guessing right to the end - so a brilliant success by MA all round!
January 31, 2013
When the castle scribe is poisoned, it causes great concern with the castle residents. But when a merchant family outside the castle walls is also poisoned, Bascot must find the murderer before widespread panic ensues.
With this third book, the author has still failed to achieve the potential of the first book and leaves me wishing for a book more memorable, instead of just another average medieval mystery.
With this third book, the author has still failed to achieve the potential of the first book and leaves me wishing for a book more memorable, instead of just another average medieval mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews