The Knight's Tale

Geoffrey Chaucer Mystery #1

by M.J. Trow

Introducing 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer as a memorable new amateur sleuth in the first of an ingeniously-conceived medieval mystery series.



April, 1380. About to set off on his annual pilgrimage, Comptroller of the King's Woollens and court poet Geoffrey Chaucer is forced to abandon his plans following an appeal for help from an old friend. The Duke of Clarence, Chaucer's former guardian, has been found dead in his bed at his Suffolk castle, his bedroom door locked and bolted from the inside. The man who found him, Sir Richard Glanville, suspects foul play and has asked Chaucer to investigate.

On arrival at Clare Castle, Chaucer finds his childhood home rife with bitter rivalries, ill-advised love affairs and dangerous secrets. As he questions the castle's inhabitants, it becomes clear that more than one member of the Duke's household had reason to wish him ill. But who among them is a cold-hearted killer? It's up to Chaucer, with his sharp wits and eye for detail, to root out the evil within.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, British Literature

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Meirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.

Reviews

[Judy Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Canongate Books, Severn House Publishing for an e-galley of this novel.

I keep trying to read historical mystery novels that feature real people from history, but most I'm not happy with. This book just wasn't for me. In this story Geoffrey Chaucer is asked to travel to Clare Castle to determine who has done murder without any clear reason why he would have been expected to correctly solve the murder. Maybe if he's pushed hard enough or made to feel beholding enough that will give him some kind of insights into how to solve a murder? I didn't find the characters interesting, charming, endearing, villainous or murderous; I spent a lot of my reading time going back over passages to see why I was confused. I also didn't find the time of 1380 very well represented except as it related to the historical figures who were included in the story; there wasn't much atmosphere for grounding the story outside of historical events.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveling back to the fourteenth century for a murder mystery that is investigated by the famous author of The Canterbury Tales himself had all sorts of appeal. I happily picked up this book by a new to me author and settled in to be lost in a medieval mystery full of political intrigue and personal connection for Geoffrey Chaucer.

Chaucer is middle-aged and living in London. He’s preparing to set out on one of his usual pilgrimages when the son of an old friend arrives saying he is needed at Castle Clare. Like most boys of good family, Chaucer was fostered in another home and the man who fostered him was none other than the previous king’s son, the Duke of Clarence, and he was fostered alongside Sir Richard Granville who has sent for him. Richard isn’t satisfied that the duke died naturally even if he died alone in his bed in a locked room.

The Knight’s Tale introduced a whimsical and irreverent side to the poet and I enjoyed this version of Geoffrey Chaucer. I could tell right away that the author would balance his book somewhat away from the historical side and towards his fictional tale. His writing style distracted me and some aspects of the story were far-fetched, but I was much taken with the characters and especially the humor as Chaucer got to know the duke’s current household as he investigated the death and spent time reminiscing of his time there in his youth.

The mystery was a clever one with the locked room aspect, the ‘is it or isn’t it a murder’ part at first, and the varying motives that were present a plenty. The duke had made his enemies both personal and political so there was no absence of people to watch and question and ponder.

All in all, it had a lighter feel than some other historical mysteries I’ve read in the period and promises to carry on into a series. I never did settle well into the author’s writing style which felt too modern at times to me, but that happens now and then for readers and writers so I don’t hold that as a negative. Even so, I did enjoy the humor and his characters, the medieval world, and the mystery, somewhat, so I can definitely recommend it to others.

I rec’d an eARC of this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some people, when they need a little comforting, turn to chicken soup. I turn to historical mysteries—and M. J. Trow is an author I can count on who can provide the kind of interesting, non-traumatic, non-overly romantic, occasional-in-joke fiction that I need when I'm in a funk.

I've read most of her Kit Marlowe mysteries. Now she's launched a Chaucer series. This is good news for me. Chaucer's Canterbury Tales contains 24 tales. So, if Trow is starting with the Knight's tale, that means I have up to 23 more books to look forward to in order to pull myself out of future funks.

This new book offers such little gems as—

"[H]e was so young. He'd barely finished shitting yellow."

"'Shawms.' the elder Glanville muttered suddenly. 'God, I hate shawms.'" (Shawms are actually a favorite of mine, but I can appreciate the sentiment.)

And there are the literary references—

"Glanville rolled his eyes. 'You know these Italians, Geoff,' he said. Actually, Chaucer didn't. He kept away from the Italian merchants in the city and the only Italian book he'd every read was by Dante Alighieri and it had left him rather cold."

And, as one of Chaucer's friends, who owns rather a large cat, explains when turning down an opportunity to go on pilgrimage: "I am not my own man, you see—for I must consider my cat, Geoffrey." Is Geoffrey the cat? Chaucer? Either way, it amuses.

If you're looking for historical mysteries that provide enjoyable, quick reads, M. J. Trow is just the ticket.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I love the way Trow takes a real historical character then posits them knee deep into the role of detective (check out his Kit Marlowe series).

I have added the tag of "alternate history" as Trow does play merry havoc with the timeline slightly but if you are not familiar with the time period, then you would be none-the-wiser. However, Trow is one of those authors who can pull it off rather convincingly and weave a wonderful mystery at the same time.

Geoffrey Chaucer - poet, soldier, civil servant, diplomat, courtier - is called upon by old soldier chum Richard Glanville to investigate a death of the one time patron - Lionel, Duke of Clarence. Throw in some witty, satirical, irreverent and humourous dialogue; murders (of course); some larger than life historical characters; and the aging Chaucer, and you have the start of what promises to be the first of another great mystery series.

This is a fun read - which I undertook in one sitting - testament to Trow's storytelling abilities.

[Ann Sabin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The knights suck, the virgin Emeyle should rule the kingdom.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it is the author who draws you to a book.

Based on previous reading pleasure you feel confident that you will almost certainly enjoy their latest offering. However, some titles of theirs don’t grip you; they may be interesting but other more pressing trends, subjects and recent reading habits may keep you from immediately picking up the book. It is therefore ‘stored’, categorised as “To be read” but will only ever likely to drift down that list unless fate intervenes.

Other new novels they release, may immediately resonate with you and these never get filed to join a passive list; they achieve almost overnight currently reading status. Must have, must read books in general media hype or personal desire to hold and read certain books.

M.J. Trow does historical crime fiction very well. I learn about a period in time, often less familiar while being entertained with clever stories that seem real and contemporary.

As with those individuals who feel they have lived a previous existence. No-one remembers it seems, their time as one of a 100 men in the Centurion Guard. No they walked the Earth in forgotten times as Julius Caesar or Cleopatra.

With this in mind this clever author has used his imagination to its productive best. Thus I have read one of his Charles Dickens mysteries and was delighted here to find a Geoffrey Chaucer tale with that English poet the central character and “private enquirer”.

A clever mind; imaginative and with some influence is what is required and Chaucer slips easily into that role in Trow’s inventive fictional murder mystery.

A Knight’s Tale is a clever title. One such person seeks out Chaucer in London to return with him to Suffolk and bring some clarity to the untimely death of a high ranking noble.

Full of humour; believable characters and a rich backdrop to the unfolding events, the story rattles along without loosing your interest; confusing you in its mystery or disappointing you in terms of action and life-threatening thrills. I was drawn to the book to learn more about the period, it’s history and the people of that time. Chaucer is something of a non-person to me so an ideal character to present before me. Knowing about but never having read the Canterbury Tales. Interested in Pilgrimage and a sucker for crime thrillers across time, locations and characters this book was just the story I needed to read at this time.

I’m sure it will not disappoint others drawn to such a novel or fans of this genre. The story is modern although well researched into its historical setting. It is colourful and draws on the feudal system, pageantry and conventions of its day. I was genuinely caught up in this fictional world and disappointed that the story ended. Plenty of intriguing relationships to explore and expand. I do hope these point to a series of titles based on Chaucer and his problem solving skills. Any further books released by this author in this particular series will go straight to currently reading and read before you could say “King John stole my throne.”

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Severn House for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review The Knight’s Tale. All opinions are my own.

Lionel, Duke of Clarence is dead – in a locked room – and Geoffrey Chaucer, aided by his friends Richard and Hugh Glanville are soon convinced it wasn’t a natural death. Enough to forego his paid-for pilgrimage to Canterbury to investigate. This task forms the basis of The Knight’s Tale by M.J. Trow, the first in the series featuring Chaucer, who in real life had been a member of the duke’s court and was a civil servant for the King at the time our story takes place, in 1380.

It’s determined that the duke was poisoned – and, we’re off. There are plenty of suspects. The mistress, of course, whom no one likes. There’s a priest that Chaucer is suspicious about, but he’s out of the picture pretty quickly. There’s even a possibility that a woman from Chaucer’s past is involved. Then there’s the duke’s Italian countess and her family; a blood-feud, perhaps? Trying to solve a murder he may be, but a man has to eat; Chaucer gets to taste pasta for the first time, and the author lets him describe it for us. A treat.

We get a day of “Clare Pageants,” passion plays (whose titles are hilarious), to cap the investigation. Chaucer figures everything out, of course, at some cost to himself. But all’s well that ends well, as that other fellow will tell us. “Beware the smiler with the knife,” as Chaucer himself recounts, in his own Canterbury Tales.

The tone of the dialog is very modern, as is the dialog itself in many places. The book thus tends to have a “less than medieval feel” throughout. Some readers will find this not to their liking, others may consider it an acceptable change of pace. But there are wordscapes here, and there is humor in the telling. Geoffrey Chaucer makes a satisfactory detective, in The Knight’s Tale.

[kerrycat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - will definitely continue with this series

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

The Knight’s Tale is the first tale of Geoffrey’s Chaucer’s masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, so it’s fitting that in this historical mystery, Chaucer himself is dragged away from his annual pilgrimage to Canterbury – his inspiration for the Tales – in order to involve himself in a Knight’s Tale of his very own, the first in a projected series that features Chaucer as the amateur “detective” investigating a mysterious death that might be murder.

As the story opens, Chaucer, just hitting 40 and feeling it hit back in more ways than one, finds himself headed to Castle Clare, where he was fostered, instead of on his annual pilgrimage as he had planned. His mentor, rescuer and earliest benefactor, Lionel of Antwerp, the Duke of Clarence, has died under mysterious circumstances. Chaucer’s old friend Sir Richard Glanville has come to fetch Chaucer from London in the hopes that the man will either allay his suspicions of murder or put some meat on their bones.

There are plenty of reasons to suspect foul play, and the late Duke had made more than enough enemies for anyone to wonder if he was sent to his reward a bit earlier than heaven or hell intended. As the oldest surviving son of the late King Edward III, there are also possible political connections and motives in every direction.

But the man died alone, in bed, in a locked room on an upper floor of the castle. No one could have snuck either in or out and left the key on the inside of the lock. It’s a puzzle that Glanville hopes Chaucer can solve – as he has solved other puzzling conundrums before, whether or not murder was involved.

In a world where 21st century forensics – or even the late 19th century forensic science of Sherlock Holmes – will not be invented for centuries, it’s up to Chaucer to use his brains and his gifts for drawing people out and observing their behavior afterwards to figure out first, if there was a crime and second, if so, who committed it.

All while being distracted by his memories of the place he once called home and the love he left behind there.

Escape Rating A-: After yesterday’s book, I found myself searching for something with a straightforward plot. Not that there aren’t plenty of twists and turns and red herrings in mystery, but the genre has features that a reader can always depend on. There’s a body, a detective (however amateur), and a perpetrator with means and motive to uncover. Mystery is, after all, the romance of justice served.

This story also takes place in a period that I’ve always loved, the Plantagenet era in England, so it had the feel of the familiar. Something that still held true even though the author played seriously fast and loose with time and place. But even when I became aware of the historical inconsistencies (that Lionel of Clarence died in Italy in 1368 not England in 1380), is just the tip of that iceberg), the setting and the characters still felt more than correct enough for the whole thing to carry me along as much as I’d hoped it would.

At the same time, it also reminded me very much of two historical mystery series that are set in the same time period and that include Geoffrey Chaucer not as the protagonist but as a secondary character. The Crispin Guest Medieval Noir series (start with Veil of Lies) by Jeri Westerson and the Owen Archer series (start with The Apothecary Rose) by Candace Robb also touch on the politics and court intrigues of the Plantagenet kings and their far flung families, friends, retainers and enemies. Meaning that if you like one of the three series you’ll probably like the others.

Like the other two series I mentioned, this first book in the Geoffrey Chaucer series does an excellent job of putting the reader into the period while managing successfully not to put the reader off by making the historic characters into grand historical personages, even though they were.

Because that’s a view we have looking back. In their own time and place, they were just people, and the story does a great job of humanizing them and making them feel, well, real. It’s not just Chaucer’s brain that’s on display here, but also his nostalgia for his youth and his mourning for its loss, as well as his occasional vain attempts to be the young man he once was. He’s human and funny and sad and sarcastic and occasionally even snarktastic by turns. It makes him a fascinating amateur detective.

One I hope to see more of in future books in this series. After all, The Knight’s Tale was the first of Chaucer’s 24 published Canterbury Tales, so I have high hopes for 23 more books in this series!

[Charlotte Pawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine Poet Geoffrey Chaucer as a solver of mysteries in this start to a new series. Hitting 40 Chaucer is going on a pilgrimage to get out of London. He spies a old friend from childhood and starts on a road to investigating the sudden death of his mentor The Duke of Clarence. This story gives you a real in-depth feel to medieval England. There are plenty of well thought out characters who catch your interest immediately. This is a great start to a series that you will follow with great expectations.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Bill Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour…

What’s not to like (or even to understand) these fabled first few lines of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Prologue to the Canterbury Tales?
And as much of a mystery the entire Tales has been to millions of high schoolers in America, Chaucer himself has been the subject of some modern mysteries! M.J. Trow, who has written a number of historical mysteries (principally the Kit Marlowe series), has now introduced us to his first episode with Geoffrey himself as the “detective.” And what a delight The Knight’s Tale is. We quickly point out that one doesn’t have to be an expert on The Tales, though (but some knowledge helps).
Credit goes to Trow, too, in that he readily changes the tone in this series (in the Marlowe series the atmosphere was much more serious, more subdued). But with Chaucer, he lightens the tone considerably and to his credit easily inserts so many satiric and even comic bits about the Father of English Literature and notable persons of that late 13th and early 14th century time.
Starting with the Knight (it seems appropriate that he starts with the ranking pilgrim), the literary touches and allusions make for even more delight. It seems that Chaucer (who was the Comptroller of the King’s Woollens), is staring out his window, rueing the fact that there was no inoculation for the virus (plague) decimating the country (of course!), when there’s a knock on his door. Alas and alack, it’s the Squire, the son of Sir Richard Glanville (the Knight), who is seeking Chaucer’s help. The Duke of Clarence (the King’s younger brother) is dead and there are too many suspicious factors surrounding his death.
So Chaucer proceeds to Clare Castle and the plot sickens. Yes, he deduces (and proves) that his longtime friend the Duke has been poisoned! Trow lets loose the dogs of war and off to the hunt we go!
Whether intended or not, The Knight’s Tale is quite a fast read, clever in some parts, and easy to read throughout. One of the delights is the ability of the author to toss in regularly and effectively references to Chaucer’s tales and pilgrims. Interesting too, are the bits surrounding Chauer’s own life. Basically, a fun read, and probably a moral or two tossed in. Of course, Chaucer solves the case.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent wordsmith blessed with a marvellous imagination takes some liberties, tweaks some dates and comes up with a terrific medieval whodunit, a suspenseful & humorous locked-room mystery full of poisonous intents, spicy Italian food & a terrific cast of historical characters and colorful fictional misfits. The second son of Edward III , Lionel of Antwerp (also known as the duke of Clarence) died in 1368 in Italy at the age of 29 after marrying his second wife, Violante Visconti. He supposedly died from food poisoning and probably too many other excesses......... But Mr. Trow wants to tease us a little bit so he moves Lionel's death to 1381 under the reign of his young and fragile nephew, the hapless Richard II, and makes his demise occur in Suffolkshire instead of the sun drenched landscape of Northern Italy. And it works because he gives us an amazing fictional feat centered around Lionel's suspicious death by poison (and not by food poisoning) and the subsequent investigation orchestrated by a genial 40 year old Geoffrey Chaucer, the celebrated poet who grew up as a ward of the late duke of Clarence. An entertaining murder mystery set in the middle of a richly detailed & very compelling tapestry of late 14th century England full of delightful dialogues and a very twisty plot full of menacing and evil pitfalls, as we follow with some trepidation a clever and judicious Master Chaucer as he painstakingly tries to untangle all the clues that will lead him eventually to the person or persons responsible for the royal murder.....Never a dull moment with Mr. Trow and I love it! Can't wait for his next fictional journey! Highly recommended and to be enjoyed without any moderation of course👍👍 Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn for this terrific ARC

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geoffrey Chaucer, poet and Comptroller of the Kings Woolens, got a call to come back to Clare Castle to investigate the death of the Duke of Clarence. Richard Glanville, who had been a squire with Chaucer back in the day, wanted his insight. So Chaucer put off his pilgrimage and rode back to a sort of home. Plenty of intrigue, plenty of suspects, and plenty of egos. And in the end, it was egos and passion that played large part in solving the case of a murderer who was just getting going. Interesting setting and nice interaction of the characters.

Sometimes a reader gets distracted and stops reading a title for a while. But now I regret not finishing this title sooner!

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the spring of 1480 Geoffrey Chaucer is summoned from London to Clare where Lionel, Duke of Clarence has just died in suspicious circumstances. Geoffrey's mission — find out how Lionel died and who killed him. Unfortunately I had major issues with this book. The author's attempts at humor fell flat. And none of the characters, not even Chaucer, seemed to be particularly likeable. Though I did finish the book, it was a struggle — I didn't really care whodunnit.

[David Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable romp set in the late 14th century and featuring Geoffrey Chaucer as an amateur sleuth. He is brought to Castle Clare in Suffolk to solve the murder of the Duke of Clarence (son of Edward III). The sprinkling of real characters from history mixed with a wry humour throughout makes for an entertaining read. A lot of the humour derives from deliberate anachronisms adding to the general entertainment. I look forward to the next installment.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superior, funny and very well researched as Geoffrey Chaucer, a man of many traders in 14th century England, not least major poet - must solve the murder of his old patron, and face up to some truths from his boyhood and some ghosts from his past. The dialogue is snappy and the action constant and Chaucer manages to become a budding sleuth to add to his skills. I only missed more snatches of his poetry but this is the beginning of his journey and I hope Trow throws in a few more quotes as well as continuing the series with other mysteries inspired by his hero's tales.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excellent start for a new historical mystery series, it features Geoffrey Chaucer as detective.
i thoroughly enjoyed it, it's an engrossing and entertaining story.
Vivid and well researched historical background, solid mystery full of twists and turns.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read in the classic country house murder style. I've read many of Trow's other series books and I think aspects of Maxwell, the secondary history teacher from another series, definitely popped up in Chaucer. I enjoyed all the historical references though I doubt if I'll remember all the correct vocabulary. I'll certainly look out for #2 when it is published.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 1380 Geoffrey Chaucer's former guardian, Lionel, The Duke of Clarence has been found dead in his locked bedroom at Clare Castle in Suffolk. Finder of the body, Sir Richard Glanville asks him to come and investigate. But will this be the only death and what could be the motives.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters, especially Richard Glanville and John Hawkwood. A good start to a new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristen McDermott · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book appears in Historical Novels Review issue 98 (November 2021):
Trow has written several historical mystery series, including one featuring the playwright Christopher Marlowe, so turning his attention to another English literary luminary, Geoffrey Chaucer, is a natural next step. Like other historicals that star Chaucer (Bruce Holsinger’s A Burnable Book, Michael B. Herzog’s This Passing World), this well-paced initial volume reads a bit like Canterbury Tales fan fiction, and the narrative style is cozy Edwardian armchair-detective rather than attempting to be actually medieval. However, Trow is an experienced craftsman, and his careful research creates a plausible historical analogue for the knight and squire who are the first-named fictional pilgrims in Chaucer’s famous anthology.
This novel begins, as do the Tales, on a cheerful April day, but the circumstances are more somber—Lionel, Duke of Clarence has just died under mysterious circumstances, and his trusted retainer, the titular Knight, Sir Richard Glanville, seeks Chaucer’s help in investigating the death, which shifts the setting to bucolic Clare Castle in Suffolk. Trow’s Chaucer is not a natural sleuth, but his open-mindedness and curiosity give him access to a wide variety of suspects; his innate empathy will inspire affection in all but the most pedantic of readers.
The omniscient point of view means that readers must shift their attention among many characters, which can be confusing, but Trow’s humorous tone and homely details of medieval life keep the reader entertained. His depiction of medieval biblical plays and folk festivals is particularly lively, all of which excuse the modern diction of his characters. Female characters, though important to the plot, are depicted in a tiresomely paternalistic way, and there are rather too many (historically accurate but insensitive) jokes about sexually predatory clergy, but one can chalk that up to the overall irreverent tone. It will be entertaining to see what kind of historical situations he comes up with for each of the Canterbury pilgrims.