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Hugh Corbett #23
Realm of Darkness
Spring, 1312. Edward II of England is absorbed with his favourite, Peter Gaveston, while his young wife, Isabella, is about to give birth. Isabella's father, the ruthless Philip of France, dreams of a grandson wearing the Crown of the Confessor and starts to meddle - even if that means murder...
Amaury de Craon, Philip's Master of Secrets, is despatched to carry out his deadly deeds and Edward II summons Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, to intercept. Both master spies lodge at the Benedictine abbey of St Michael's in the forest of Ashdown. Supposedly a house of prayer, the abbey holds sinister secrets and treasures which include the world's most exquisite diamond, The Glory of Heaven. However, shortly after their arrival, the diamond is stolen and its guardian murdered. Other macabre incidents follow, Satan is seen walking through God's Acre and a nearby tavern is burnt to the ground and no one escapes. Corbett, assisted by his henchmen, prepares to navigate this hazardous maze of murder...
Amaury de Craon, Philip's Master of Secrets, is despatched to carry out his deadly deeds and Edward II summons Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, to intercept. Both master spies lodge at the Benedictine abbey of St Michael's in the forest of Ashdown. Supposedly a house of prayer, the abbey holds sinister secrets and treasures which include the world's most exquisite diamond, The Glory of Heaven. However, shortly after their arrival, the diamond is stolen and its guardian murdered. Other macabre incidents follow, Satan is seen walking through God's Acre and a nearby tavern is burnt to the ground and no one escapes. Corbett, assisted by his henchmen, prepares to navigate this hazardous maze of murder...
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2022
61 people are currently reading
103 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 10, 2022
Lent, March 1312. London docks and ports of SE England. Paul Doherty’s Realm of Darkness (Hugh Corbett #23) once again has Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal and his henchmen, Ranulf-atte-Newgate, Principal Clerk in the Chancery of the Green Wax, and Chanson, Clerk of the Stables up against Monseigneur Amaury de Craon, Philip IV of France’s Keeper of Secrets, head of the Chambre Noire in the Louvre Palace, Paris. These two men have been known enemies for a long period - first when Sir Hugh worked for Edward I of England and now Sir Hugh works for Edward II, son of Edward I. De Craon continues to ‘work’ for Philip IV of France whose daughter is Edward II’s pregnant wife. As Philip says his good-byes to de Craon, he states unequivocally “Kill Corbett.” De Craon’s reply, “Of
course, your Grace.” This meeting is to take place at the Abbey of St. Michael’s in the Woods which is close to Windsor Castle where Queen Isabella is staying at the moment. Her husband, Edward II, is off with his favorite, Piers Galveston, which is causing havoc with the leading earls. Philip of France has destroyed the Knights Templar on trumped up charges which has caused extreme anger in both France and England where Edward II took a vow to protect the Templars, but did not. The order had given the ‘Glory of Heaven’, a matchless diamond, to Edward to remind him of his vow to protect K.T.
Now, it has been stolen from a fortified chapel at St. Michael’s, and a brother as been killed, but there is so much more. “All I do know is the ghosts of the past, the ghosts of Acre and elsewhere, have caught up with us.” For medieval mystery lovers, the Hugh Corbett series is a must. Thank you, Dr. Doherty. 5 stars.
course, your Grace.” This meeting is to take place at the Abbey of St. Michael’s in the Woods which is close to Windsor Castle where Queen Isabella is staying at the moment. Her husband, Edward II, is off with his favorite, Piers Galveston, which is causing havoc with the leading earls. Philip of France has destroyed the Knights Templar on trumped up charges which has caused extreme anger in both France and England where Edward II took a vow to protect the Templars, but did not. The order had given the ‘Glory of Heaven’, a matchless diamond, to Edward to remind him of his vow to protect K.T.
Now, it has been stolen from a fortified chapel at St. Michael’s, and a brother as been killed, but there is so much more. “All I do know is the ghosts of the past, the ghosts of Acre and elsewhere, have caught up with us.” For medieval mystery lovers, the Hugh Corbett series is a must. Thank you, Dr. Doherty. 5 stars.
July 19, 2022
Cliff Hangers 🤔
I really hate cliff hangers. But all in all a fast pace read, with a lot mysterious unsolved. What is next for Hugh Corbett ????
I really hate cliff hangers. But all in all a fast pace read, with a lot mysterious unsolved. What is next for Hugh Corbett ????
December 19, 2022
Yet another entertaining page turner from that master of mystery, Paul Doherty.
This time Hugh Corbett has three separate mysteries to solve and they are only partly connected. All is complicated by the involvement of his French opposite number, King Phillip of France's Master of Secrets, Amaury de Craon. They have crossed swords before, but this time it is more deadly than before.
Others have laid out the plots and background, so I won't go over that well trodden ground, but what I will do is say that the plots are creditable and reflect some of the concerns of the 14thC, one of which has raised its ugly head again.
Playing the sleuth with a Doherty book is fun: some I got right others, well, there are some unexpected surprises - see which ones you get right when you read the book and, yes, you should buy and read the book because you will not be disappointed.
This time Hugh Corbett has three separate mysteries to solve and they are only partly connected. All is complicated by the involvement of his French opposite number, King Phillip of France's Master of Secrets, Amaury de Craon. They have crossed swords before, but this time it is more deadly than before.
Others have laid out the plots and background, so I won't go over that well trodden ground, but what I will do is say that the plots are creditable and reflect some of the concerns of the 14thC, one of which has raised its ugly head again.
Playing the sleuth with a Doherty book is fun: some I got right others, well, there are some unexpected surprises - see which ones you get right when you read the book and, yes, you should buy and read the book because you will not be disappointed.
October 3, 2023
Not a bad book, but I did get rather prejudiced against it early on by a fairly large historical error (I'm not an historical expert btw).
Edward's favourite/possible lover Piers Gaveston is for some reason called Peter in this, both in the character list and repeatedly in the text. It can't be a case of the author wanting to simplify names as the book is full of archaic English and French names that are far more obscure than Piers, so I can only conclude it's a mistake. We all make mistakes, of course, and my own work is far from perfect but to see such a big one so early stuck as a thorn in my paw.
As to the plot, I thought it was good - we had a very nice mix of a Cadfael-esque murder mystery/theft at an abbey (which is what I'd gone in expecting), but with a hefty dose of wider politics and spy intrigue plot as well. We had some good historical context, and the 'whodunnit' aspect was pleasingly unpredictable. Overall the good in this book overrode the bad, and I'll happily have a go at another of this author's books - there are a few in my local library.
PS - I know it's weird starting a series at 23, but I was limited by what the library had and I was well-informed that these can be read out of sequence. To anyone else in a similar situation, I can confirm that this made perfect sense without more context.
Edward's favourite/possible lover Piers Gaveston is for some reason called Peter in this, both in the character list and repeatedly in the text. It can't be a case of the author wanting to simplify names as the book is full of archaic English and French names that are far more obscure than Piers, so I can only conclude it's a mistake. We all make mistakes, of course, and my own work is far from perfect but to see such a big one so early stuck as a thorn in my paw.
As to the plot, I thought it was good - we had a very nice mix of a Cadfael-esque murder mystery/theft at an abbey (which is what I'd gone in expecting), but with a hefty dose of wider politics and spy intrigue plot as well. We had some good historical context, and the 'whodunnit' aspect was pleasingly unpredictable. Overall the good in this book overrode the bad, and I'll happily have a go at another of this author's books - there are a few in my local library.
PS - I know it's weird starting a series at 23, but I was limited by what the library had and I was well-informed that these can be read out of sequence. To anyone else in a similar situation, I can confirm that this made perfect sense without more context.
July 19, 2022
Realm of Darkness by Paul Doherty is the 23rd novel featuring Hugh Corbett. Doherty excels at creating a believable medieval world. Full of plot twists, lies, intrigue and betrayals. It is suspenseful and Doherty's writing pulls you into a rich, atmospheric story.
The French spymaster Amaury de Craon has long been Corbett’s nemesis. In this story de Craon and his precious sacred six plot to kill King Edward II and Hugh Corbett keeper of the king's secret seal himself a master spy. De Craon hopes to steal back a precious religious relic the diamond ‘Glory of Heaven.’
Can Hugh survive long enough to solve the murders prevent the king and himself from being murdered and retrieve the ‘Glory of Heaven.’
Corbett is a hero and righteous man and this series shows no signs of waning. Doherty cleverly keeps us guessing until the end with some clever locked room solutions. The clash between Corbet and de Craon is more cat and mouse in the shadows, hopefully, the next volume will see them clash head-on.
Excellent read and one of my favourite series.
The French spymaster Amaury de Craon has long been Corbett’s nemesis. In this story de Craon and his precious sacred six plot to kill King Edward II and Hugh Corbett keeper of the king's secret seal himself a master spy. De Craon hopes to steal back a precious religious relic the diamond ‘Glory of Heaven.’
Can Hugh survive long enough to solve the murders prevent the king and himself from being murdered and retrieve the ‘Glory of Heaven.’
Corbett is a hero and righteous man and this series shows no signs of waning. Doherty cleverly keeps us guessing until the end with some clever locked room solutions. The clash between Corbet and de Craon is more cat and mouse in the shadows, hopefully, the next volume will see them clash head-on.
Excellent read and one of my favourite series.
June 28, 2023
Paul Doherty writes two of my favorite series -- his Brother Athelstan books and the Hugh Corbett books. The Corbett books take place during the reign of Edward I and Edward II. Hugh is spymaster for the King, and in Realm of Darkness, we find him at a Benedictine abbey near Windsor, dealing with his counterpart in France, the sinister Amaury de Craon, who has sworn to kill Hugh. There also is the baffling mystery of the theft of a religious relic, the Glory of Heaven diamond, and the murder of the monk guarding it. Finally, a fire has consumed a tavern near the abbey, with everyone inside killed. What Doherty does best is present a realistic portrait of England in the early 1300s. This England is gritty, violent and so very atmospheric. You will not get a romanticized story of medieval life. This series must be read in order.
December 17, 2024
between 3 and 4 stars.
Knowing the history, the french King and the Templars and how it ended, the English kings lover Piers Gaveston how he ended and his King lover. I found it a bit over the top that Corbett was so invested in the Queen. I can not see him not having a problem with the situation King/ Gaveston. He also seemed to have no problem with the others. Does not fit the time.
I also really did not needed more gay men in this book. With all the woke going on right now I try to avoid this. So this was something I really could have did without. I also found this book rather dry. Almost boring. I also did not liked how the Templars where used in this story. So I rate it between 3 and 4 stars.
Knowing the history, the french King and the Templars and how it ended, the English kings lover Piers Gaveston how he ended and his King lover. I found it a bit over the top that Corbett was so invested in the Queen. I can not see him not having a problem with the situation King/ Gaveston. He also seemed to have no problem with the others. Does not fit the time.
I also really did not needed more gay men in this book. With all the woke going on right now I try to avoid this. So this was something I really could have did without. I also found this book rather dry. Almost boring. I also did not liked how the Templars where used in this story. So I rate it between 3 and 4 stars.
July 13, 2022
Promise Kept
This is the first Hugh Corbett book I’ve bought at full price. The promise of another adventure with Sir Hugh & Ranulf atte Newgate was just to tempting to miss. Well, Professor Doherty certainly fulfilled the promise! The lies, the intrigue, the plot twists all pulled me into the middle of the story. De Creon & his precious Sacred Six plot to kill King Edward II, Sir Hugh, & steal a precious religious relic! Their willingness to lie & murder know no bounds! Can Hugh survive long enough to solve the murders & retrieve the missing jewel? He will have to be willing to meet intelligent evil with brilliant good!
This is the first Hugh Corbett book I’ve bought at full price. The promise of another adventure with Sir Hugh & Ranulf atte Newgate was just to tempting to miss. Well, Professor Doherty certainly fulfilled the promise! The lies, the intrigue, the plot twists all pulled me into the middle of the story. De Creon & his precious Sacred Six plot to kill King Edward II, Sir Hugh, & steal a precious religious relic! Their willingness to lie & murder know no bounds! Can Hugh survive long enough to solve the murders & retrieve the missing jewel? He will have to be willing to meet intelligent evil with brilliant good!
August 9, 2022
I enjoy the series about Sir Hugh Corbett and Brother Athelstan because Paul Doherty blends fact with fiction so well that I sometimes have to go and research what actually happened. And I admit, I am sometimes disappointed that the truth isn't as exciting as PD's books. He writes so well, you can almost smell the rank streets of London.
July 16, 2022
Great Read
Great book. Corbett is a hero and righteous man. I hope we still have men like him in the world today.
Great book. Corbett is a hero and righteous man. I hope we still have men like him in the world today.
July 8, 2023
One of Doherty's better works. Well plotted.
October 26, 2023
A very good story with a lot of twists and turns. Just hard to really get into.
December 13, 2024
This fabulous historical mystery is the 23rd volume of the amazing "Sir Hugh Corbett" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a Character List, as well as an Historical Note, while at the back you'll notice an Author's Note where the historical details concerning this period of history are wonderfully explained.
Storytelling is superb, all characters, from real historical to excellent fictional, come vividly to life in this tale of intrigue, murder and mayhem, and the warlike atmosphere between England and France is gloriously pictured and described.
This story starts off in the time of Lent, AD1312, during the reign of King Edward II, and we find the Keeper of the Secret Seal, Sir High Corbett, his henchmen Ranulf-atte-Newgate and Chanson, while also the moon girl, Megotta, will make an important appearance, in and around the Abbey of St Michael's in the Woods in Ashdown.
Also coming from Windsor Castle and arriving at this Abbey will be Sir Hugh Corbett's French deadly adversary and Master of Secrets of King Philip IV, Amaury de Craon and his henchmen of killers, plotting their own actions of murder and mayhem.
In this House of prayers sinister secrets are kept, while also the world's most famous diamond, The Glory of Heaven, gets stolen and its guardian, Brother Mark gets killed, but soon after this incident more murders will follow, especially at the camp of the French Embassy, and all this will lead to betrayal and a fight to the death between the Courts of England and France, but also the Templars and the Church.
What is to follow as a whole is a tremendous historical mystery, where political intrigue, vengeance, backstabbing and plotting for supremacy will be the main ingredients in this story, and where Sir Hugh Corbett will have to use his wits to the full in an attempt to get to the bottom of several cases, and after some interesting twists and turns followed by fantastic worked-out plots, these cases will be solved and their culprits revealed in a most astonishing fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another terrific addition to this exceptional series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Brilliant Dark Realm"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find a Character List, as well as an Historical Note, while at the back you'll notice an Author's Note where the historical details concerning this period of history are wonderfully explained.
Storytelling is superb, all characters, from real historical to excellent fictional, come vividly to life in this tale of intrigue, murder and mayhem, and the warlike atmosphere between England and France is gloriously pictured and described.
This story starts off in the time of Lent, AD1312, during the reign of King Edward II, and we find the Keeper of the Secret Seal, Sir High Corbett, his henchmen Ranulf-atte-Newgate and Chanson, while also the moon girl, Megotta, will make an important appearance, in and around the Abbey of St Michael's in the Woods in Ashdown.
Also coming from Windsor Castle and arriving at this Abbey will be Sir Hugh Corbett's French deadly adversary and Master of Secrets of King Philip IV, Amaury de Craon and his henchmen of killers, plotting their own actions of murder and mayhem.
In this House of prayers sinister secrets are kept, while also the world's most famous diamond, The Glory of Heaven, gets stolen and its guardian, Brother Mark gets killed, but soon after this incident more murders will follow, especially at the camp of the French Embassy, and all this will lead to betrayal and a fight to the death between the Courts of England and France, but also the Templars and the Church.
What is to follow as a whole is a tremendous historical mystery, where political intrigue, vengeance, backstabbing and plotting for supremacy will be the main ingredients in this story, and where Sir Hugh Corbett will have to use his wits to the full in an attempt to get to the bottom of several cases, and after some interesting twists and turns followed by fantastic worked-out plots, these cases will be solved and their culprits revealed in a most astonishing fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is another terrific addition to this exceptional series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Brilliant Dark Realm"!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews