Overview

Alone in his isolated, windswept chapel on the edge of Dartmoor, who could blame the young priest, Mark, for seeking affection from the local miller's daughter, Mary But when Mary's body is found brutally stabbed, Mark is the obvious suspect, and the discovery that she was pregnant seems to confirm his guilt. Called in to investigate, Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock soon begin to have their doubts. Could it not have been one of Mary's many admirers who murdered her in a fit of jealousy Or her father, the miller, who is acting in an increasingly disturbed manner And what exactly is the local Baron trying to hide Will they be able to find the murderer before he strikes again

Full Product Details

9780755301690

Table of Contents

Reviews

Nicely detailed and tightly argued, with involving and memorable characters. The whole series belongs in any collection where historicals are popular. Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background...a commendable achievement.

Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background...a commendable achievement. Nicely detailed and tightly argued, with involving and memorable characters. The whole series belongs in any collection where historicals are popular.

The poor old 14th century still hasn't got it right: the citizens of England's West Country are slaughtering each other wholesale under warring flags and on a smaller scale without official sanction. Once again it falls to Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his devoted friend Bailiff Simon Puttock (The Devil's Acolyte, 2002, etc.) to see justice done. Mark, a young priest, has been sent from Exeter to preside over the small chapel at Gidleigh, the home of Sir Ralph de Wonson, his undeclared father. Soon enough, Mark falls madly in love with Mary, the miller's beautiful daughter. It boots nothing; before long Mary, now pregnant, is found stabbed to death at the side of the highway. Fleeing, Mark is soon captured and ordered to stand trial for the murder. Nor can he count on his father for help, since Sir Ralph, master of Gidleigh Castle after the death of Sir Richard Prouse, is preoccupied with his son Esmon, a young bully, and his unacknowledged offspring in the miller's family. Left on his own, Mark escapes from prison but not from death as a bloody battle rages at Gidleigh Castle-a trial in whose aftermath Mary's true killer will be revealed. Villains and victims abound, confusion and mayhem reign in an endless chronicle of crossed swords and crossed parental lines. Medievalists may find joy here, others an extended test of forbearance. (Kirkus Reviews)

Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background...a commendable achievement.

Life in the early 14th century was nasty, brutish and short - preferably viewed from the 21st century, through the eyes of a writer who has researched it minutely. Michael Jecks obviously loves the period - at a distance - and conveys his enthusiasm through a series linked by Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and Bailiff Simon Puttock, partners in the investigation of crime and mystery. This is their 14th adventure, and even their charmed lives are tested to the full when they're called to control the increasing mayhem tearing apart the community of Gidleigh, on Devonshire's beautiful but menacing moors. The lower orders are bullied by their masters and the strict rules of the Church, while the threat of Hellfire Hereafter keeps them in constant subjugation. So it isn't surprising that explosions of violence and even murder are not uncommon - and the Keeper and the Bailiff find that they have both to contend with. Jecks's knowledge of and enthusiasm for the period are both a strength and a weakness. The characters (many of whom engage the reader's sympathy), setting and action are convincing, but the temptation to include too much detail is sometimes overwhelming and holds up the action. On the whole, though, the story bounces along very satisfactorily - the startling revelations punctuate it with pleasing frequency and readers with a penchant for bloody skirmishes (of which there are many) and sudden death will find the whole thing greatly to their taste. By the time the story ends most of the characters have gone to what one hopes is a Better Life. Luckily the Keeper of the King's fragile Peace and his sidekick Simon escape virtually unscathed to fight another day, solve a few more mysteries, and enjoy yet more adventures. It's all good fun, and makes one very glad to be living in the age of central heating and (mostly) edible food. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Michael Jecks gave up a career in the computer industry to concentrate on writing and the study of medieval history, especially that of Devon and Cornwall. He lives with his family in northern Dartmoor.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available