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The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #8
The Devil's Domain
In the summer of 1380 a French captain is murdered in Hawkmere Manor -- a lonely, gloomy dwelling place otherwise known as the Devil's Domain -- which is used by Regent John of Gaunt to house French prisoners captured during the bloody battles waged on the Narrow Seas. Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan are summoned to investigate the mysterious death but their path is riddled with obstacles. How could the murderer have entered the Frenchman's chamber when the room was locked from within? Their aide in the investigation, Sir Maurice Maltravers, is more of a hindrance than a help due to his suffering from the misery of heartbreak. Lady Angelica, the woman he intended to marry, has been whisked away to a convent by her tyrannical and disapproving father. It soon becomes apparent to Cranston and Brother Athelstan that only when the lovers are reunited will any progress be made in the murder investigation.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
162 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
236 books609 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 28, 2021
Read this book in 2015, and its the 8th volume of the superb "Brother Athelstan" series.
This tale is set in AD 1380, at a place called Hawkmere Manor, which is a gloomy lonely dwelling, otherwise known as the "Devil's Domain.
This place is used by John of Gaunt to house French prisoners, captured during the battles between the English and the French.
Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan are summoned there to investigate this murder, but are obstructed by with the riddle of how a murderer could enter the chamber of the French Captain, when that chamber was locked from within.
While their aide, Sir Maurice Maltravers, is having problems of his own when his love, Lady Angelica, is sent to a convent by her tyrannical father, and only when they are reunited can the investigation flourish again.
And so after quite some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, our main protagonists, Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan, with the assistance of Sir Maurice Maltravers, will be able solve this mysterious murder riddle, and in the end catch the culprit of this hideous murder crime.
Highly recommended, for this is another thrilling addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Devilish Mystery"!
This tale is set in AD 1380, at a place called Hawkmere Manor, which is a gloomy lonely dwelling, otherwise known as the "Devil's Domain.
This place is used by John of Gaunt to house French prisoners, captured during the battles between the English and the French.
Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan are summoned there to investigate this murder, but are obstructed by with the riddle of how a murderer could enter the chamber of the French Captain, when that chamber was locked from within.
While their aide, Sir Maurice Maltravers, is having problems of his own when his love, Lady Angelica, is sent to a convent by her tyrannical father, and only when they are reunited can the investigation flourish again.
And so after quite some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, our main protagonists, Sir John Cranston and Brother Athelstan, with the assistance of Sir Maurice Maltravers, will be able solve this mysterious murder riddle, and in the end catch the culprit of this hideous murder crime.
Highly recommended, for this is another thrilling addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Devilish Mystery"!
April 26, 2024
I really am enjoying rereading this series.
I love the vivid picture of 14th century London life Paul Doherty paints.
I also love Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston and the wonderful supporting cast of Athelstan's parishioners, the good and bad of London's society and the look we have at Historical events.
In this offering the intrepid two deal with a lovesick knight, French prisoners of war - who unfortunately keep dying, ghosts in St Erconwald's cemetery and real events of the time.
The Hundred Years War still continues between France and England and those that wish for change plot Revolution in England which eventually leads to the Great Revolt.
Sir Jack and our good Brother are up against a cast of murderous and cunning foes as they walk the streets of Southwark and London.
Highly recommended for Historical Whodunnit fans.
I love the vivid picture of 14th century London life Paul Doherty paints.
I also love Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston and the wonderful supporting cast of Athelstan's parishioners, the good and bad of London's society and the look we have at Historical events.
In this offering the intrepid two deal with a lovesick knight, French prisoners of war - who unfortunately keep dying, ghosts in St Erconwald's cemetery and real events of the time.
The Hundred Years War still continues between France and England and those that wish for change plot Revolution in England which eventually leads to the Great Revolt.
Sir Jack and our good Brother are up against a cast of murderous and cunning foes as they walk the streets of Southwark and London.
Highly recommended for Historical Whodunnit fans.
August 25, 2021
A Gooood Mystery!!!!
There is nothing better than to read a well written story about murder an mystery. Now this one did give me the chilly willys. Having a French assassin that can change his looks with the flick of the wrist in England. This one here has alot of dancing an to many partners from the English Court.
Athelstan had his hands full an not with just the murders, but his church an parish. What a smart man our little brother is.
There is nothing better than to read a well written story about murder an mystery. Now this one did give me the chilly willys. Having a French assassin that can change his looks with the flick of the wrist in England. This one here has alot of dancing an to many partners from the English Court.
Athelstan had his hands full an not with just the murders, but his church an parish. What a smart man our little brother is.
June 5, 2016
Yet another excellent mystery in the Brother Athelstan series, published 18 years ago. The events take place during the period of great unrest as peasants prepared/planned for revolt against what they considered intolerable tyranny and living conditions of the time. Since Brother Athelstan was parish priest in Southwark, close to London Bridge, his location figured into this sub plot. The main mystery revolves around the capture and imprisonment of French sailors being held for ransom. The Regent John of Gaunt figures in this tale, as well as thorough investigative work by Athelstan to uncover the murderer at work. There is a humorous mass said for animals in this one, but there is a rather substantial body count.
March 2, 2014
I enjoy this series more with each book - I'm reading them in order and although I enjoy the mysteries presented, I come back for the characters. The deepening friendship between Sir John Cranston, King's Coroner to the City of London, and his secretarius Brother Athelstan is a joy, along with Athelstan's motley crew of parishioners and the colorful vagabonds, whores, thieves and con artists parading through raucous, grimy London.
Another recurring character ratcheting up the tension with each appearance is John of Gaunt, the secretive, conniving Regent ruling England and commanding Cranston and Athelstan to ferret out traitors, murderers and threats to the King. Gaunt has spies everywhere and is feared and despised by his subjects, who yearn to break free of the grinding taxation and poverty that is their lot. The increasing possibility of a revolt and the never-ending war on the French has driven the action in the last few books in the series. Athelstan and Cranston sympathize with the starving, overtaxed peasants, but realize the coming revolt will spare neither man nor those they care about; this is brought home in a subplot in which the Community of the Realm, the rebels plotting the revolt, threaten two of Athelstan's parishioners into hiding weapons in his church cemetery. Sir Jack and Athelstan are also saddled with a love struck young knight in their investigations, and ordered by Gaunt to help him further his suit with a very wealthy and sheltered young lady whose wealthy and ruthless father may be trying to blacken his name. They also have to figure out who is poisoning French prisoners of war held for ransom...
If it sounds like a lot going on it is, but that to me is the fun in this series! I always learn more about a fascinating time in history, the characters are interesting and well-drawn, there is humorous dialogue, camaraderie, and a feeling of community in Athelstan's poor but well-meaning parish. The more I learn about Athelstan and Cranston and their rich and adventurous lives, the more I enjoy them and their friendship. Recommended for historical mystery fans.
Another recurring character ratcheting up the tension with each appearance is John of Gaunt, the secretive, conniving Regent ruling England and commanding Cranston and Athelstan to ferret out traitors, murderers and threats to the King. Gaunt has spies everywhere and is feared and despised by his subjects, who yearn to break free of the grinding taxation and poverty that is their lot. The increasing possibility of a revolt and the never-ending war on the French has driven the action in the last few books in the series. Athelstan and Cranston sympathize with the starving, overtaxed peasants, but realize the coming revolt will spare neither man nor those they care about; this is brought home in a subplot in which the Community of the Realm, the rebels plotting the revolt, threaten two of Athelstan's parishioners into hiding weapons in his church cemetery. Sir Jack and Athelstan are also saddled with a love struck young knight in their investigations, and ordered by Gaunt to help him further his suit with a very wealthy and sheltered young lady whose wealthy and ruthless father may be trying to blacken his name. They also have to figure out who is poisoning French prisoners of war held for ransom...
If it sounds like a lot going on it is, but that to me is the fun in this series! I always learn more about a fascinating time in history, the characters are interesting and well-drawn, there is humorous dialogue, camaraderie, and a feeling of community in Athelstan's poor but well-meaning parish. The more I learn about Athelstan and Cranston and their rich and adventurous lives, the more I enjoy them and their friendship. Recommended for historical mystery fans.
July 27, 2012
Originally published on my blog here in July 2000.
The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan now join Paul Doherty's other successful historical novels in being published under that name rather than the Paul Harding pseudonym. Eighth in the series, The Devil's Domain is typical, with the background of 1390s London fearful because of the growing unrest that would eventually lead to the Peasant's Revolt. Though this background is constantly part of the novel (and, indeed, the series), the more immediate cause of the mystery to be investigated by John Cranston, Coroner of the City of London, and his friend brother Athelstan, is the ongoing wars with France (later lumped together by historians as the Hundred Years' War).
A group of French prisoners has been housed in Hawkmere Manor, now Cripplegate, during a truce while their ransoms are negotiated and paid. However, one of them dies mysteriously, poisoned in a locked room even though the prisoners have agreed only to eat food they have shared, fearing an attack of this kind.
The plot is ingenious (though fairly specialist knowledge would be needed to work it out ahead of brother Athelstan). The background is, as always in Doherty's medieval novels, detailed and convincing (and not as sanitised as that presented by, say, Ellis Peters). Whatever author's name they appear under, the series continues to be worth reading.
The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan now join Paul Doherty's other successful historical novels in being published under that name rather than the Paul Harding pseudonym. Eighth in the series, The Devil's Domain is typical, with the background of 1390s London fearful because of the growing unrest that would eventually lead to the Peasant's Revolt. Though this background is constantly part of the novel (and, indeed, the series), the more immediate cause of the mystery to be investigated by John Cranston, Coroner of the City of London, and his friend brother Athelstan, is the ongoing wars with France (later lumped together by historians as the Hundred Years' War).
A group of French prisoners has been housed in Hawkmere Manor, now Cripplegate, during a truce while their ransoms are negotiated and paid. However, one of them dies mysteriously, poisoned in a locked room even though the prisoners have agreed only to eat food they have shared, fearing an attack of this kind.
The plot is ingenious (though fairly specialist knowledge would be needed to work it out ahead of brother Athelstan). The background is, as always in Doherty's medieval novels, detailed and convincing (and not as sanitised as that presented by, say, Ellis Peters). Whatever author's name they appear under, the series continues to be worth reading.
October 9, 2014
The plots are getting better as the series goes on. A hearty recommed!
September 7, 2022
An enjoyable story and mystery. Again Doherty presents us with three mysteries: the poisoning of French prisoners, the odd goings-on again in St Erconwald's graveyard, and the apparently suicide of a noble girl in a pub. This time another trouble is added in: a knight in love with a wealthy merchant's daughter, whose father has higher aims for her beauty.
We start with Brother Athelstan back in his little parish church, which is odd because the previous book ended with him leaving, having been ordered to Oxford. I don't know if Doherty decided that was a bad idea, couldn't figure out how to handle the situation, or had this planned all along, but it felt very unsatisfying for him to just be ordered back suddenly by his superior.
The mysteries were pretty straight forward, with the complexity only being withheld information but it was fun watching the pair of Sir Cranston and Brother Athelstan interact. The mysterious and nebulous threat of a peasant uprising looms on the horizon, and weaves into this story as well.
Much of the final mystery is centered around a certain specific kind of poison, which is untold until the big reveal which was a disappointing conclusion but its still a good read. My only main complaint is that Doherty runs down a list of new Medieval ideas and information he researched recently every time there's a stretch of travel through town, it feels almost formulaic or fill in the blanks. He walks by a corner where x is happening with y odd thing.
We start with Brother Athelstan back in his little parish church, which is odd because the previous book ended with him leaving, having been ordered to Oxford. I don't know if Doherty decided that was a bad idea, couldn't figure out how to handle the situation, or had this planned all along, but it felt very unsatisfying for him to just be ordered back suddenly by his superior.
The mysteries were pretty straight forward, with the complexity only being withheld information but it was fun watching the pair of Sir Cranston and Brother Athelstan interact. The mysterious and nebulous threat of a peasant uprising looms on the horizon, and weaves into this story as well.
Much of the final mystery is centered around a certain specific kind of poison, which is untold until the big reveal which was a disappointing conclusion but its still a good read. My only main complaint is that Doherty runs down a list of new Medieval ideas and information he researched recently every time there's a stretch of travel through town, it feels almost formulaic or fill in the blanks. He walks by a corner where x is happening with y odd thing.
February 16, 2023
Another excellent sorrowful mystery for Brother Athelstan and Sir John when French hostages, captured in a recent sea battle, start dying at the manor where they are being kept. No one can determine how men who all eat from the same plates can have been poisoned, and John of Gaunt tasks Athelstan and Sir John with finding the killer, a shadowy assassin called Mercurius. In the meantime, two of Athelstan’s parishioners, Watkin and Pike, have been instructed by the Great Community of the Realm to dig out the foundations of a wall one day, leave it overnight, and then fill it in. It doesn’t take long for Athelstan to discover what’s going on and to counter the work of those attempting to use his parish as a dumping ground for the upcoming revolt.
The nice thing about Doherty’s books is that all the plots and subplots tie together so while Athelstan and Sir John are solving one crime, they are also on the way to solving the next. This means that by the end, there are no loose ends left dangling to drive readers crazy.
For me, reading this Book #8 in the series, I was going backwards in time. I’ve read all the most recent books and now I’m going in and filling in the blanks so that I get the full flavour of my two favourite medieval heroes (including Brother Cadfael).
The nice thing about Doherty’s books is that all the plots and subplots tie together so while Athelstan and Sir John are solving one crime, they are also on the way to solving the next. This means that by the end, there are no loose ends left dangling to drive readers crazy.
For me, reading this Book #8 in the series, I was going backwards in time. I’ve read all the most recent books and now I’m going in and filling in the blanks so that I get the full flavour of my two favourite medieval heroes (including Brother Cadfael).
June 5, 2019
I expected to like this book a great deal more than I did. Maybe my high expectations are the reason it felt flat.
There are lots of nice historical facts dropped into the text, which was definitely on the plus side for this book. It's a favourite period of history so I enjoyed those little nibbles.
And the events of the plot were well enough thought out too - but not well executed. It just plods along. It's hard to imagine some clever assassinations could be boring but they were. The characters are lifeless caricatures and I didn't care what happened to any of them. They stand around telling each other what is going on rather than reacting and doing things. The period feels like a painted backdrop rather than being immersive.
Pity, because I'm not sure I can be bothered reading any of the others now.
There are lots of nice historical facts dropped into the text, which was definitely on the plus side for this book. It's a favourite period of history so I enjoyed those little nibbles.
And the events of the plot were well enough thought out too - but not well executed. It just plods along. It's hard to imagine some clever assassinations could be boring but they were. The characters are lifeless caricatures and I didn't care what happened to any of them. They stand around telling each other what is going on rather than reacting and doing things. The period feels like a painted backdrop rather than being immersive.
Pity, because I'm not sure I can be bothered reading any of the others now.
April 22, 2025
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did! The first two chapters made me a little worried it would be hard to follow but after that it was a breeze. The characters had distinct and interesting personalities. The names of some of the common people were funny too! You truly didn’t know who the killer could be or how they connect; however, there were so many suspects to keep the reader guessing. It all came together in the end in a very surprising way. Since it’s set in the 1300s the language was a little hard to follow but it was so much fun because it seemed to be accurate to the way people talked in that time. I’d totally recommend this book!
November 12, 2024
This series is so addicting, I just can't stop reading them.
It's not like the Brother Cadfeal books by the wonderful Ellis Peters as this series offers a much
more depiction of everyday nasty life in 13th century and court politics.
The bonus part would be the what appears to be inconsequential events that happens throughout the book that may seemto all be tied up at the end by the clever Brother Althesan.
I adore the characters that are introduced into the book - The addition of Godbless and Thaddeus is heaven-sent.
On to the next book
It's not like the Brother Cadfeal books by the wonderful Ellis Peters as this series offers a much
more depiction of everyday nasty life in 13th century and court politics.
The bonus part would be the what appears to be inconsequential events that happens throughout the book that may seemto all be tied up at the end by the clever Brother Althesan.
I adore the characters that are introduced into the book - The addition of Godbless and Thaddeus is heaven-sent.
On to the next book
August 26, 2018
My grandmother found this in a bargain bin, so I read it as a standalone. I had hoped it was part of a series because there were 2 plotlines and only one of them was resolved. I found it somewhat difficult to get into, but once I got about a quarter of the way through, it turned into a page-turner. If I come across another in this series, I will definitely pick it up, but I'm not rushing out searching for the rest of the series.
November 28, 2021
Interesting history
This is part of a fascinating series that combines a very realistic view of a piece of history with several puzzles. Yes there is murder mystery, but there are also smaller ordinary puzzles and the intrigues of a court run by John of Gaunt and the very real suffering of the very poor. Doherty's books always keep.me involved while being grateful not to have lived back then
This is part of a fascinating series that combines a very realistic view of a piece of history with several puzzles. Yes there is murder mystery, but there are also smaller ordinary puzzles and the intrigues of a court run by John of Gaunt and the very real suffering of the very poor. Doherty's books always keep.me involved while being grateful not to have lived back then
February 19, 2025
The Devil's Domain
There are many twists and turns in this story. Captured French pirates are dying mysteriously. Others die as well. Is there more than one killer? Why are Watkin and Pike digging a ditch? Brother Athelstan and Sir John must find the truth. A very interesting novel. I enjoyed it.
There are many twists and turns in this story. Captured French pirates are dying mysteriously. Others die as well. Is there more than one killer? Why are Watkin and Pike digging a ditch? Brother Athelstan and Sir John must find the truth. A very interesting novel. I enjoyed it.
May 6, 2019
The historical setting is very well done and it moves along at a good pace. Unfortunately I didn't care enough about the characters, and it was too sordid and gritty for me to want to read more in the series.
Notably there were no well developed female characters.
Notably there were no well developed female characters.
October 21, 2020
I really like this series and thought this story was well crafted but it was marred by a lot of sloppy typos. But Doherty has added some more quirky characters and animals to Brother Athelstan's menagerie.
May 16, 2019
Friends
I feel like that once again, l have made friends with Athelstan and sir John Cranston, and am looking forward to meeting with them again
I feel like that once again, l have made friends with Athelstan and sir John Cranston, and am looking forward to meeting with them again
January 30, 2020
Excellent
This one was a little more complex and that much more exciting because of that. The little friar has really been well developed in these stories.
This one was a little more complex and that much more exciting because of that. The little friar has really been well developed in these stories.
May 28, 2025
Another great read by Paul Doherty.
December 2, 2025
Bel giallo, bene organizzato nella trama e dai personaggi ben caratterizzati. L'ambientazione medievale è anche descritta molto bene
August 28, 2025
The most recent book I read is The Devil’s Domain by Paul Doherty. It’s a mystery set in the late Middle Ages. Lest you be misled by the title, it is not a work of moral theology although it does have some theological musings in the course of the story. The story concerns the mysterious murders of some French prisoners who are being held for ransom by the English during one of the seemingly interminable wars between England and France. The London coroner, Sir John Cranston (popularly known as Fat Jack) and his secretary, Brother Athelstan, a Dominican friar, are charged by the Regent, John of Gaunt to discover how the prisoners are being killed. Suspicion falls upon a French assassin who leaves no traces of his work. Jack tends to seek the answer by throwing his considerable weight around while Athelstan tends to be more intellectual. The story is well written, with historical insights into the period that gives a picture of life at the time.
January 12, 2014
The eighth installment in the Brother Athlestan series by prolific author Paul Doherty. Dominican friar (not monk) Athlestan and the wine and food loving coroner John Cranston continue to perform their respective legal and judicial duties. The colorful members of St Erconwald Parish, as well as Bonaventure the one-eyed cat, Philomel the retired war-horse and Thaddeus the goat blend together to help make 14th century England come alive.
July 3, 2024
Bringing history to life...
Paul Doherty is so good at what he does that I could almost swear I had actually been there; that I had seen and heard it all, though thankfully I hadn't smelt it!
Paul Doherty is so good at what he does that I could almost swear I had actually been there; that I had seen and heard it all, though thankfully I hadn't smelt it!
March 13, 2012
Another mystery for the gentle yet efficient Brother Athelstan. An enjoyable read.
December 9, 2023
loved it.
July 6, 2015
This is a great book. I love the Brother Athelstan stories.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews