Murder for Christ's Mass

Templar Knight Mystery #4

by Maureen Ash

The town of Lincoln is covered in snow-concealing the mortal remains of a clerk who worked in the local mint. The only clue is a pristine coin stamped with the visage of King Stephen. But Templar Bascot de Marins soon discovers that the motive goes beyond money-and beyond mere murder.

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

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2009

About the author

Maureen Ash was born in London, England, and has had a lifelong interest in British medieval history. Visits to castle ruins and old churches have provided the inspiration for her novels. She enjoys Celtic music, browsing in bookstores and Belgian chocolate. Maureen now lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Templer Knight Mystery Book #4

December 1201 AD. The town of Lincoln and the occupants of the castle are getting ready to celebrate the holidays with the influx of guests and visitors that has them bursting at the seems. Amid all of this a body is found by a stonemason with evidence indicating murder. This sets the stage for a new murder mystery to be solved by our intrepid sleuth Templer Bascott de Marins and his assistant Gianni. The mystery in this story is a good one that has enough twists and turns so that I kept changing my mind as to who was guilty and was surprised in the end as was Bascot. One of the reasons I like this series is Bascots empathy with the downtrodden, and his humility and fallibility. Bascot has excellent instincts while working his way through an ivestigation, but he does not have all of the answers.
The body is found in the masonary yard and connected to the assayer and those responsible for minting new coins for the crown. This allows Maureen Ash to use her extensive research and skill at creating life in the 13th century. Readers get a peak into the lives of the architects and stonemasons employed in building and maintaining a great Cathedral, and also the processes used to mint new silver coins in medieval times. The descriptions of life and the surroundings of the Castle and town of Lincoln are rich and readers are immersed in life in the 13th century. I enjoyed this entry in the series and highly recommended it to all who are intersted in historical mysteries. 4 stars!

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, nice and twisty, with lots of very satisfying historical detail. The series is getting better. I hope Ash has lots more Templar books in store for us.

[Amy Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth (and I think last) in the series sees Bascot investigating how a man was found stabbed dead within the cathedral quarry the morning of Christ's Mass. With treasure trove a and debts and fences clouding the issue, it is a tale of intrigue - and of seeing Gianni find his place in Lady de Haye’s household.

[Rayann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoy this historical medieval mystery series. Each time I begin another book in the series, I am happy, once again, to spend time with these engaging characters. The author, Maureen Ash, expertly weaves in period details in her well-written stories.

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Her sense of place and time is remarkable and I really was drawn into this world.

[Paschalis]

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[Zandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough; I’ll continue the series but won’t reread this one.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written and engaging story.

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read through, still a banger.

[Spuddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 Bascot de Marins "Templar Knight" mystery set in Lincoln, UK in 1201. Bascot, a Templar Knight recovering from several years of capture in the Middle East by serving as a household knight to Nicolaa de la Haye, castellan for the city of Lincoln, investigates a murder for her husband, Gerard Camville who is the Sheriff. A young apprentice who works at the mint is found stabbed in the heart on Christmas morning, although he has been dead a few days already.

Bascot's observant young assistant Gianni spots a coin in the vicinity, and it turns out to be an old coin minted during the reign of King Stephen decades ago. Bascot and Camville both fear this means there is a treasure trove nearby and seek to find it lest King John accuse Camville of treachery and withholding monies from the crown--while Nicolaa de la Haye holds the king's favor, the Sheriff has been less than supportive in times past. One death leads to another as Bascot, Gianni and Camville strive to locate not only the murderer from among a whole smorgasbord of suspects, but to find the treasure trove before Twelfth Night, which signals the end of the Christmas holidays and the return of the county's coroner--who would be sure to put in a bad word for Gerard Camville with the King any time he can.

I really enjoy this series as the author does a wonderful job of showing 'what things were like' back in that time period without making you realize she's taught you something. While some of the minor characters are a bit two-dimensional, and the dialogue sometimes seems a little flat, the sense of time and mood is truly outstanding. It will be interesting to see in the next book if Bascot truly does rejoin the Templar order and leaves Gianni training as a clerk in Lincoln, or if circumstances have him staying around.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Sentence: The stone quarry lay still and silent under the maelstrom of wind and raging clouds scudding in the skies above.

A body of a clerk for the local mint is found having been dumped in a mine. The only clue is a pristine coin from the reign of King Stephen. Castellan Nicolla de la Haye and her husband Sheriff Gerard Camville have asked templar Bascot de Marins, who has had prior success in uncovering murderers, solve this crime.

I do enjoy this series. Ash creates a very strong sense of time and place. With each book, I learn a bit more history both of England and the Templars. It is that level of detail I appreciate and find fascinating.

Ash’s characters are very strong and I appreciate the back-story she provides on them. Marins seemed less conflicted in this book and it also made me wonder whether this is the end of the series, which I would find sad.

Although the story lacked suspense, it was very well plotted. I appreciate when I never quite know where it is going next. There was an excellent, unforeseen twist at the end I particularly enjoyed.

The books may not have the complexity or depth of Susanna Gregory, but for those who enjoy mysteries set in the Middle Ages, this was a better-than-good book in a very good series.

MURDER FOR CHRIST’S MASS (Hist. Mys- Bascot de Marins-England-Middle Ages/1201/02) - G+
Ash, Maureen – 4th in series
Berkeley, 2009, US Papaback, - ISBN: 9780425231579

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Mystery

The book is well qritten with likeable characters and a feel or the medieval times. Cant wait for the next one

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fourth contribution in the Templar Knight series features the deductive skills of the one-eyed Bascot de Marins, returned to England after several years in captivity at the hands of the Saracens, now attended by his sidekick the mute but observant Italian boy Gianni. Set in Lincoln in the early years of the 13th century, this one occurs during the Christmas/New Years/Epiphsny holidays, with a betrothal ceremony planned for the sheriff's son to boot--this means we not only get the mystery to solve but also some fascinating social and cultural history of how such seasonal celebrations would have been held in that time and place. Added bonus--it's a particularly interesting murder mystery this time, involving the Mint and those working there, so we also get to learn about how royal coinage was created then, what political and economic rules governed the physical creation and distribution of such money, and what the legal ramifications would be if someone discovered a treasure trove hidden about fourscore years earlier but didn't immediately turn it over to the king or his agents.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bascot de Marins is a character I will be following as long as Maureen Ash wants to write his story. He is spiritual and a defender of justice. Watching his mind work out the mystery of the murdered man and the interweaving of all of the information he discovers.
I love his relationship with his young servant, Gianni. How he nurtures and guides Gianni to follow his strengths so that when de Marins goes back to his Templar duties, Gianni won't be at a loss for a position in life.
Greed is prevalent throughout the book and takes all forms. Some give into it and others resist.
Plenty of red herrings to go through with de Marins as he makes mistakes, but ultimately figures it all out.
Five medieval mystery beans.....

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sure there is probably a formula working in these stories. I have not been able to identify it. There is a mystery involved, but there is a lot to background so you get a sense of the life and times of Medieval England. I probably could have solved this one, but really wasn't paying close attention. I got wrapped up in the 'life and times'. It is all very interesting and don't find myself skipping through it. The only downside-Bascot cannot make up his mind whether he is going to stay or going to rejoin the Templars. This story seems to indicate that he is planning on going back to the Templars. Recommend.

[Argum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not suspect the real culprit at all. The Templar is biding his time in Lincoln while his servant trains as a clerk, we will have to wait longer to find out how the new return to full duties shakes out. A man is murdered and a very old illegal coin is found nearby. Suspecting a hidden treasure horde, the sheriff asks Bascot to investigate quietly. Less help from his friends and Gianni is teaching a boy with a cleft pallette his sign language so the Templar is more alone this time. Lots of friends around just more cameo.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really feeling more like two stars, but I appreciate the understanding and description of the period. I won't read any more of these books now that I have given my fair chance at this series. I need to care about the characters to follow a series. One does not even care about the murder victims in these books, and that is why I avoid modern mystery books...so I am done.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid bit of historical murder mystery--nothing flashy, but entertaining.
Good to read on a warm day, as it really does take place during the Christmas holiday season.
Our Templar hero is not quite as engaging as Brother Cadfael, but the series should appeal to fans of Ellis Peters' books.

[Erika]

I enjoy this type of mystery. It took a while to get into, I think there are some series that are better written. This one did have quite a few twists & turns. Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend to fans of medieval type mysteries.

[Monica Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th of the series of the Templar Knight Mysteries. The best of the lot so far, I would give this 4.5 stars. The writing is more polished, the characters are deeper, the storyline is tighter and richer, with an added sub-story of human compassion. An enjoyable, quick read.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all mystery series are created equal, and I really like The Templar Knight series by Maureen Ash. If you are into historical fiction, you might enjoy these intriguing stories set in England, 1201 AD. Murder for Christ's Mass was an excellent read, and I am looking forward to the next!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read. will be interesting to see how the series moves forward from here.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if slightly predictable medieval mystery.

[Cece · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4 Still finding this series to be on the upswing.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The few intriguing bits of information about money creation in the middle ages made this a slightly better story than the last couple.

[Lisa Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nice quick read and it kept my interest with the twist and turns. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

another interesting mystery. loved how it describes life at that time.

[Rosalind Hoenig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the last one. If I could give half stars u would give it 3.5. They are getting better but still a bit verbose.