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The Papal Assassin #1
The Papal Assassin: Swordmaster. Schemer. Seducer
A devastated and forlorn young man stands by the bed of his dead parents in a deserted chateau in France. He is alone, but he is the heir to the power and wealth of the vast family estates.
Piers De Chatillon, tall and darkly handsome with a sharp wit, will carve out a place for himself as an ambitious courtier, lover and swordsman in the courts of Europe. More significantly, he will become a force to be reckoned with at the Pope’s side in Rome and one of the most feared assassins in Europe.
The story is set in the turbulent years of the 11th century when the Catholic Church began to flex its muscles against the Holy Roman Emperor and the northern Princes. It moves from the French and German courts to Rome and finally on a perilous and deadly journey to the forbidding medieval fortress in Prague, home of the Dukes and Bishops of Bohemia.
Piers De Chatillon finds he has to fight for his life from his first days as a young man in the French court. Nonetheless, nothing has prepared him for the challenges he will face in the dangerous corridors of the Pope’s Lateran Palace in Rome. Here, he will learn his trade as an assassin and arch manipulator.
The enemies of Pope Alexander line up against the clever young Papal Envoy who stands in their way, and they are determined to destroy Piers De Chatillon in the most brutal way so they can assassinate Pope Alexander.
Piers De Chatillon, tall and darkly handsome with a sharp wit, will carve out a place for himself as an ambitious courtier, lover and swordsman in the courts of Europe. More significantly, he will become a force to be reckoned with at the Pope’s side in Rome and one of the most feared assassins in Europe.
The story is set in the turbulent years of the 11th century when the Catholic Church began to flex its muscles against the Holy Roman Emperor and the northern Princes. It moves from the French and German courts to Rome and finally on a perilous and deadly journey to the forbidding medieval fortress in Prague, home of the Dukes and Bishops of Bohemia.
Piers De Chatillon finds he has to fight for his life from his first days as a young man in the French court. Nonetheless, nothing has prepared him for the challenges he will face in the dangerous corridors of the Pope’s Lateran Palace in Rome. Here, he will learn his trade as an assassin and arch manipulator.
The enemies of Pope Alexander line up against the clever young Papal Envoy who stands in their way, and they are determined to destroy Piers De Chatillon in the most brutal way so they can assassinate Pope Alexander.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2022
About the author
S.J. Martin
11 books19 followersS.J.Martin- Author Bio
I have loved history from a very early age reading dozens of historical novels in my teens. This interest not only influenced my academic choices at university but also my life choices and careers. I spent several years with my trowel in the world of archaeology before finding my forte as a storyteller in the guise of a history teacher. I wanted to encourage young people to find that same interest in history that had enlivened my life.
I always wanted to write historical fiction. The opportunity came when I left education; I then gleefully re-entered the world of engaging and fascinating historical research into the background of some of my favourite historical periods.
There are so many stories still waiting to be told, and my first series of books on ‘The Breton Horse Warriors’ proved to be one of them. The Breton Lords, such as my fictional Luc De Malvais, played a significant role in the Battle of Hastings and helped to give William the Conqueror a decisive win. They were one of the most exciting troops of cavalry and swordmasters in Western Europe.
The Papal Assassin Series is a spin-off from that successful series but has far more intrigue.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
I have loved history from a very early age reading dozens of historical novels in my teens. This interest not only influenced my academic choices at university but also my life choices and careers. I spent several years with my trowel in the world of archaeology before finding my forte as a storyteller in the guise of a history teacher. I wanted to encourage young people to find that same interest in history that had enlivened my life.
I always wanted to write historical fiction. The opportunity came when I left education; I then gleefully re-entered the world of engaging and fascinating historical research into the background of some of my favourite historical periods.
There are so many stories still waiting to be told, and my first series of books on ‘The Breton Horse Warriors’ proved to be one of them. The Breton Lords, such as my fictional Luc De Malvais, played a significant role in the Battle of Hastings and helped to give William the Conqueror a decisive win. They were one of the most exciting troops of cavalry and swordmasters in Western Europe.
The Papal Assassin Series is a spin-off from that successful series but has far more intrigue.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 20, 2023
1072 Piers de Chatillon has become one of Pope Alexander's Papal Legates. But how did that occur, and what does the future hold for this formidable assassin as he makes enemies throughout Europe.
An interesting and well-written entertaining historical thriller. A good start to this series.
An interesting and well-written entertaining historical thriller. A good start to this series.
December 6, 2024
Excellent read mixing real history with fiction. Fast paced from begining to end. The author used several words through the book that I had never heard of before and I am a retired linguist. Gained knowledg of history I hadn't heard of. Very good read.
May 21, 2023
Excellent but need an edit
I thoroughly enjoy this read, it kept me engaged throughout and I finished it in 24 hours. I found one or two niggles though, here is an example. (I used to proof and edit).
Page 241, two characters go to purchase a pair of grappling irons. They are described as “two pronged”.
Page 243, in an effort to keep the noise down one character tears his clothing to muffle the three prongs of the grappling hooks!
I’ve heard of memory metals being invented but not alive ones.
Such things can spoil a good read if you’ve an eye, or some experience in proofing/editing. So I made note of this inconsistency and thought you might like to know! There were a couple more but I don’t get paid for this so didn’t make note of them.
You can have this one for free!
I thoroughly enjoy this read, it kept me engaged throughout and I finished it in 24 hours. I found one or two niggles though, here is an example. (I used to proof and edit).
Page 241, two characters go to purchase a pair of grappling irons. They are described as “two pronged”.
Page 243, in an effort to keep the noise down one character tears his clothing to muffle the three prongs of the grappling hooks!
I’ve heard of memory metals being invented but not alive ones.
Such things can spoil a good read if you’ve an eye, or some experience in proofing/editing. So I made note of this inconsistency and thought you might like to know! There were a couple more but I don’t get paid for this so didn’t make note of them.
You can have this one for free!
July 15, 2024
I enjoyed the action and adventure of this story. The author description states he was a history teacher and it is apparent from the details the author uses. An example is his use of correct English words such as the time period correct swive a female rather than the current term f****. I enjoy it when I have to take the time to look up a word’s definition. I also enjoyed the author’s trick of making the hero a member of the papal legate but he is not a priest. Fair warning the author makes sure his character lives up to the title of Swordmaster, Schemer, Seducer.
May 24, 2023
A Most Enjoyable and Memorable Way to Learn History!
If only my high school history/government teacher knew how much more memorable information is when it is presented in an enjoyable manner as Martin does here, instead of meaningless memorizing with little understanding! What a great read!
If only my high school history/government teacher knew how much more memorable information is when it is presented in an enjoyable manner as Martin does here, instead of meaningless memorizing with little understanding! What a great read!
January 15, 2024
Fast paced historical adventure
The action and intrigue are well paced. Romance and great historical information too. The pigeon history fascinated me. If you love European history, Palace Courts, fighting clergy and of course, Irish Warriors. You are in for a great treat.Chantillan will enchant you. Brilliant story telling
The action and intrigue are well paced. Romance and great historical information too. The pigeon history fascinated me. If you love European history, Palace Courts, fighting clergy and of course, Irish Warriors. You are in for a great treat.Chantillan will enchant you. Brilliant story telling
January 18, 2024
Engaging narrative.
Stilted and unbelievable dialogue.
Weird and painfully unsexy (even tho explicit), perfunctory sex scenes.
World-building ltd to names of objects and places.
Zero character development.
Lots of clunky phrasing, tortology etc. - cries out for an edit.
Everything is told, not shown.
Epilogue begins:
“It was a dark and cold night…”
Stilted and unbelievable dialogue.
Weird and painfully unsexy (even tho explicit), perfunctory sex scenes.
World-building ltd to names of objects and places.
Zero character development.
Lots of clunky phrasing, tortology etc. - cries out for an edit.
Everything is told, not shown.
Epilogue begins:
“It was a dark and cold night…”
April 20, 2023
Good
An enjoyable easy read. Liked the main characters and the storyline. I will read the next books in the series.
An enjoyable easy read. Liked the main characters and the storyline. I will read the next books in the series.
July 14, 2023
Great read, couldn't put it down.
January 7, 2024
Enjoyable
A friend recommended this and it was a good read. Good story, entertaining characters and I just downloaded the next book.
A friend recommended this and it was a good read. Good story, entertaining characters and I just downloaded the next book.
January 24, 2024
Interesting historical fiction circa 1072-1090 C.E.
January 11, 2023
From the first page to the last, this is a galloping page-turner. I found myself immersed in the traumatic back story of a character I am already highly engaged with (from The Breton Horse Warriors series), was introduced to some very interesting new characters and rode a rollercoaster of events. I love the way this author weaves fact and fiction together – until you check on it, you are never quite sure which is which!!! Roll on the next one!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews