The House of Crows

The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #6

by Paul Harding (Pseudonym), Paul Doherty

It's the Spring of 1380 and the Regent John of Gaunt needs money and supplies for his war against the French. Unfortunately, the members of parliament at Westminster are proving especially stubborn - and the Regent's cause is not aided when some representatives from the shire of Shrewsbury are foully murdered. John of Gaunt orders Sir John Cranston , along with his trusty ally Brother Athelstan , to find the assassin before he loses every chance of obtaining the taxes he requires, before more innocent people are found dead. An absolutely scintillating historical mystery, perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and S. G. MacLean.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Medieval, Fiction, Historical, Crime

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

A pseudonym used by Paul Doherty.

Book 1-7 of The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan were originally written under pseudonym Paul Harding. Since 1998, starting with book 8, The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan were published under his own name Paul Doherty.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very exciting historical mystery is the 6th volume, and we're going back to 1995, of the glorious "Brother Athelstan" series from the author, Paul Doherty, but this one was written under his pseudonym, Paul Harding.
The reason that I go back in time is quite simple really, it is an attempt to complete (my) this series somewhat, and so with this adventure we go back to the year AD 1380.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a map of London at around AD 1380, and where this wonderful mystery will take place.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, and although this book is somewhat at the beginning of this series, it still gives you absolutely the feel and atmosphere of these medieval times in London, with the Boy-King, Richard II, at the throne, but under the guidance and rule from his uncle, the Regent, John of Gaunt.
The book starts off with a short prologue which is set in the Spring of the year AD 1380, and our where our remarkable duo, consisting of the sharp-minded, Brother Athelstan, and the formidable, Lord High Coroner of London, Sir John Cranston, will come once again into full action to solve the hideous murders of the Knights, Sir Oliver Bouchon, closely followed by Sir Henry Swynford, both coming from Shrewsbury and both attending the Parliament sessions at Westminster at the behest of the Regent, John of Gaunt.
Within this murky world of political intrigue, court conspiracy, treason and backstabbing, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, will have to find a way, while having to deal with setbacks and lies, to unravel these mysterious murders which are committed to those members of the "House of Crows", this House so-called towards members of Parliament at Westminster.
What will follow is a very thrilling mystery, in which Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, have to do their utmost to get to the bottom of this conspiracy, and after some twists and turns, finally followed by an eventful and genius plot, the murderer will be revealed in all its glory.
Very much recommended, for this is in my view, besides the "Hugh Corbett" series, a magnificent series to follow and enjoy, and what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "An Astounding Thrilling Murder Mystery"!

[Иван Величков · Rating 3 out of 5]

И както ми е тръгнало на гарвани днес...

Пол Дохърти не е Роберт ван Хюлик и никога няма да бъде, но леките му исторически кримки, особено тези ситуирани в средновековна Англия, имат един чар. Вътре липсва типичното за острова величаене, както и типичният за континента мрачен декаденс. Дохърти успява да запази позицията си на наблюдател и макар да изкривява леко историческите събития за сметка на сюжетите си, историите му са увлекателни и забавни(поне за мен).

Поредната история за дебелия жизнерадостен градски коронер Джон Кранстън(нещо като детектив от убийства по него време, даже май като цевлия отдел убийства) и тихият му секретар – монахът Ателстан. Този път проблемите валят от всякъде. На фона на една пометена от чумата Англия с малолетен владетел и на прага на селско въстание (което чисто хронологично би трябвало да избухне в следващата книга), някой започва да избива противниците на регента в парламента, под носа на градската стража. Освен това в енорията на брат Атестан се е появил демон, изчезнал е един от поверениците му, а някой краде и убива котките в цял Лондон. Нашите герои са сигурни, че всичките тези неща са свързани по между си, само дето никой няма идея как.

Увлекателна кримка, нямам представа как ги вади с тази скорост. Единственото нещо, което ме дразни в историите на брат Ателстан е този регент, на който всъщност са базирани, а въпреки голямото си влияние никога не е бил включван в някой от трите регентски съвета между 77 и 80 години, но в историческия роман подобни волности са позволени. Нямаше да е лошо да има страничка две на края на всяка книга в които да се уточнява кое е историческа истина и кое измислица все пак.

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a who don it!!!!

This one really stumped me. I would of never guessed who do it. Very well wrote and nicely done Sir.

[Jazzysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 6th entry is set in and around the great halls of Westminster in England, where a Parliament of the Commons has been called. Mainly to vote for even more monies for the Kingdom and that means even more taxes for the poor working classes.
John of Gaunt, Regent to the young Richard II is the instigator of this and we are lead on a series of murders bent on revenge for past sins.

It was hard in the end to have any sympathy for those murdered, as they were not good men and had committed crimes aplenty.

Along with disappearing cats and a "demon" haunting St Erconwald's Brother Athelstan is able to solve all 3 mysteries ably assisted by Sir John the city Coroner.

Excellent reading, with a surprise twist at the end when the culprit is unmasked.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in this really enjoyable series. The King’s Coroner Sir John Cranston and brother Athelstan are ordered by the Regent John of Gaunt to investigate the murders of parliamentarians from Shropshire. The Regent wishes to levy more tax to continue his war against France and his plans are in danger.
Cranston and Athelstan make a formidable but easily underestimated pair, but as ever they work well together - Cranston is large, noisy and frequently with drink. Athelstan is quiet, unassuming yet very observant and sharp as a pin. Between them they make are an entertaining but credible team.
The book is set in London in 1380. I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of London street life and Athelstan’s parishioners: Watkin the dung collector, Bladdersniff the Beadle, Pike the ditcher and many more.
Highly recommended.

[Susan in NC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all of the books in the Brother Athelstan series, and read several of Harding's (aka P.C. Doherty and other names) other mystery series, generally finding them extremely well-researched and well-written if at times a bit dry and humorless. "House of Crows" was a delight, however, with a new camaraderie and shared humor between Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, the King's Coroner in London - a veritable medieval bromance! Not only did their relationship and interactions seem more natural and humorous, I felt that we were finally getting beneath the drunken, belching blowhard caricature that has been Sir John in the previous books and seeing the honorable, tough, honest, seasoned warrior underneath.

I really enjoyed this outing, with our heroes ordered by the devious Regent John of Gaunt to solve several murders of members of parliament; Athelstan's parishioners are also convinced there is a demon loose at St. Erconwald's and Sir John is trying to discover why cats are disappearing from Cheapside. Plenty to engage readers while allowing us to visit with Benedicta, Pike, Watkin and the rest of Athelstan's entertaining parishioners, and a brief glimpse of the Lady Maude, Sir John's adored (and feared!) young wife and the poppets, his beloved twin baby boys. This series is getting better and better, and I can't wait to dive into the next book! Highly recommended.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry in the series finds the detective pair of Sir Cranston and Brother Athelstan up against several mysteries at once: a rash of disappearing cats in Cheapside, the strange appearance of a frightening creature (could it be the Devil?), the vanishing of a local soldier, and the worst of the mysteries, the string of murders of a group of knights appearing for parliament.

As each mystery unfolds (some related, some not), the pair are entertaining, likable, and skilled in their own way, and the various peoples, setting, and culture of the period come alive in the hands of Paul Doherty. This far along he's writing smoothly and comfortably and the story ends in a satisfying series of conclusions.

[pauline holbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I loved this book and I love the characters Brother Athelston and the coroner. I had no idea who the culprit was although I did think it was someone else. What a good plot as always. I read this book in less than a week. From a historical point of view is nice to learn how people lived from day to day in this age.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and well plotted. Brother Athelstan and Sir John solve a series of murders (as well as identify a Demon and catch catnappers). But along the way they cross a very powerful individual, which sets the stage for the next story in the series.

[Maeghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was as good as ever....

......but the editing was awful: I caught at least five glaring errors, including missnaming Br. Athelstan's brother. Beyond that, the story is very good, albeit depressing: this series is built around the unsuccessful peasant revolt of 1381 and, good Lord, didn't the Lords of the soil deserve revolt! You become very attached to the characters, something Doherty really well, and their suffering is both very real and very sad.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love murder mysteries, especially medieval ones. This book had me guessing til the very end as to who the murderer was. I am happy to say I guessed correctly.

Brother Athelstan and his cat are without a doubt my favorite characters. I just wish this series wasn’t so hard to locate. But I’ll continue to look for the rest of the series. I have to find out what other mysteries Brother Athelstan solves.

[Bruce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crows

A group of knights arrive from Shrewsbury for Parliament and one by one they are murdered. Cats are going missing and a Devil haunts the city. A guard at the Tower is also missing. Can Athelstan and Cranston solve the murders, discover who is stealing the cats and rid the area of the monster sent by Satan? How is John of Gaunt involved in murders? I enjoyed it. It's a great series.

[Mrs Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I love these books with Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston. Both wonderful characters and Athelstan’s parish council are an absolute hoot. Their names and occupations too. I had an inkling of who “done it” but only towards the end and I couldn’t guess why. Highly recommended.

[guy carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

As ever the combination of Lord Fat Arse And Brother Athelstan is glorious. A wonderful story involving murder, political intrigue and the joy of Brother Athelstan's parishioners.

[Stacielynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

the friar and his coroner friend are an interesting, if not compelling pair of sleuths set in 1300s England during the early days of the reign of the young King Richard.
i bought a stack of these at the book barn and have plenty of quarantine reading!

[Jack Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Crows

Excellent I was completely fooled until the last. Masterful story teller. Everyone reading these novels should look into the real history of Gaunt and Richard 11 it ties in with the books.

[Ian D. Fetigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely

Another great period mystery with Sir John and Friar Athelstan. He is off to Oxford - that should be fun.

[Nicci Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

You feel your in the mystery, completely engulfs the imagination.
The history and people such a fantastic series. Good balance of interest and intrigue

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This series of books is so good . The two main characters really jell , the plots are great , I think these books are up there with CJ Samson novels .

[John Mehlhopt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

The atmosphere,the characters,the twisting sub plots.A great read and very hard to put down once I got started.Glad I wasn't born then.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

As per usual I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Friar Athelstan and Coroner Cranson. They are a great team. Quite a few more in the series to look forward to!

[Sanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Brilliant twist to it

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book of the year read. A good historical mystery set in the year of 1380

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog here in July 1998.

Another of "the sorrowful mysteries of Brother Athelstan" by P.C. Doherty under one of his other names. The main characters remain the same as in the earlier books, Sir John Cranston, coroner of the city of London, and his friend, the friar Athelstan, doing their best to bring justice to the corrupt world of late fourteenth century England, under the boy king Richard II and the ruthless regent John of Gaunt.

In this novel, Gaunt has called Parliament in an attempt to raise more money through taxes - the principal limit to an English king's power throughout the middle ages was his inability to raise direct taxation without the consent of Parliament. The problem Cranston and Athelstan are given to sort out is that someone is killing off the MPs from the Shrewsbury area, who are opponents of Gaunt.

As usual in these books, the excellence of the medieval London background stands out; the squalor is strongly depicted, as well as the spirituality.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always someone you never suspected

And if life was in any way like the books, then I am truly glad I did not live in these dark days. Though I suppose the average man in the street was unaware of most of it.

[Mullen Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

after reading the others books before .. I must say I am done. Tired of the same over and over again with those 2. Even do the murders change ... it is still getting on my nerves now. So I stop with this book.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can trust these books to entertain