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The Sorrowful Mysteries of Brother Athelstan #2
The House of the Red Slayer
In December 1377 a great frost has the city in its icy grip; even the Thames is frozen from bank to bank. Murder, revenge and treachery also make their presence felt. The Constable of the Tower of London, Sir Ralph Whitton, is found murdered in a cold bleak chamber in the North Bastion. The door is still locked from the inside and guarded by trusted retainers - so how did the assassins slip across a frozen moat and climb the sheer wall to commit such a dreadful crime? Athelstan and Sir John Cranston, the wine-loving coroner of the city of London, are appointed to investigate these mysteries. They soon discover Sir Ralph's murder is only the first in a series of macabre killings which have their roots in a terrible act of betrayal committed many years previously.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1992
237 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Paul Harding
25 books14 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 28, 2021
Read this book in 2009, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Brother Athelstan" series.
Once again the historical details concerning this period of history has been superbly interwoven within this mystery of murder and mayhem in medieval England.
The tale is set in the year AD 1377, and our formidable pair of Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston once more in full action to solve a case of murder.
This time its the murder of the Constable of the Tower of London, Sir Ralph Witton, who's found in a cold chamber, with the door locked from the inside and guarded by trusted men.
The message Sir Ralph received a few days ago made him very terrified, what was in the message that him so afraid.
This is a complicated case for Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston to solve, but after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, they will be able to identify the culprit of the hideous murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Red Slayer Mystery"!
Once again the historical details concerning this period of history has been superbly interwoven within this mystery of murder and mayhem in medieval England.
The tale is set in the year AD 1377, and our formidable pair of Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston once more in full action to solve a case of murder.
This time its the murder of the Constable of the Tower of London, Sir Ralph Witton, who's found in a cold chamber, with the door locked from the inside and guarded by trusted men.
The message Sir Ralph received a few days ago made him very terrified, what was in the message that him so afraid.
This is a complicated case for Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston to solve, but after some twists and turns, followed by a superbly executed plot, they will be able to identify the culprit of the hideous murder.
Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Red Slayer Mystery"!
October 7, 2022
The Thames is frozen and so is everyone and everything else.
This story gives us a great look into life and death in the Tower of London, a fortress and forbidding place in any century, full of horrors and secrets.
Brother Athelstan has problems in his own parish with fresh graves being robbed and Sir John has his own worries with his beloved Lady Maude.
The body count rises but clever brother Athelstan figures it out, old sins cast long shadows.
This story gives us a great look into life and death in the Tower of London, a fortress and forbidding place in any century, full of horrors and secrets.
Brother Athelstan has problems in his own parish with fresh graves being robbed and Sir John has his own worries with his beloved Lady Maude.
The body count rises but clever brother Athelstan figures it out, old sins cast long shadows.
May 5, 2015
I decided to give the series a second go after not really enjoying the first, and perhaps unsurprisingly, I didn't particularly enjoy the second book in this series either. I really wanted to, and tried hard, but in the end, no. I even put it down for several months before deciding to finish the final third of it, in the off-chance it got better. It didn't.
You can read my previous review for a full explanation of what bothers me about this series, despite loving the genre intensely most of the time. I think the short version is simply this. It's not really a historical mystery.
It looks like one, certainly. Has all the trappings, medieval town, smelly streets, religious friar as a protagonist, the occasional historical tidbit thrown in (like a whore shaved bald and marched about the streets with a sign around her neck, or the suicide buried at a crossroad with a stake in his heart). But it's all just a set, like an elaborate costume party where everyone dresses in period costume but are still themselves underneath.
That's what has been niggling at me as I read these books - the author completely fails to adjust his own modern attitude to suit the time he is writing about, and it comes out not just in some of the characters, but nearly all of them.
It's difficult to write a sympathetic protagonist with an alien viewpoint to the reader's, which is one of the reasons so many protagonists in historical fiction are themselves quite exceptional. A perfect example of this is Matthew Bartholomew, from Susanna Gregory's excellent series of the same name. He is a middle ages doctor with a far more modern (though not entirely modern) outlook on medicine and life. He doesn't worry overmuch about astrological charts, he doesn't bleed his patients, performs surgery when requried, and he even washes his hands (shock of shocks).
The reason for all this? He studied and travelled with an Arabic master; the Arabs at that time had forgotten more medicine than the English knew and things like washing and anatomy were not unknown or anathema to them. Matthew pays a massive price for his oddity however, and throughout the series has been attacked (verbally and physically), accused of witchcraft, and often been in danger for his life, simply for his differing views.
Contrast this with Brother Athelstan, a very modern thinking man - who has absolutely no reason to be, at least none given in the first two books. His attitude is very unlike the prevailing at the time, particularly for a man with a religious vocation, a member of a strict order. Likewise, he never suffers for his oddity, but rather most everyone else either doesn't notice, or shares his views. Those close to him, his allies, all have very modern outlooks on the world, and it grates terribly against the suspension of disbelief.
I wont rule out reading book three sometime in the future, to see if it grabs me. It seems a shame since Doherty is very competent, even clever, in his mysteries themselves and the writing. The characters can be quite endearing at times, and I find myself buying into the soap opera when it comes to the struggles of their lives, particularly when it comes to Cranston the coroner. However, I wont be hurrying back, for I find the irritation of the modern characters in historical skin outweighs enjoyment of the plot at this point.
You can read my previous review for a full explanation of what bothers me about this series, despite loving the genre intensely most of the time. I think the short version is simply this. It's not really a historical mystery.
It looks like one, certainly. Has all the trappings, medieval town, smelly streets, religious friar as a protagonist, the occasional historical tidbit thrown in (like a whore shaved bald and marched about the streets with a sign around her neck, or the suicide buried at a crossroad with a stake in his heart). But it's all just a set, like an elaborate costume party where everyone dresses in period costume but are still themselves underneath.
That's what has been niggling at me as I read these books - the author completely fails to adjust his own modern attitude to suit the time he is writing about, and it comes out not just in some of the characters, but nearly all of them.
It's difficult to write a sympathetic protagonist with an alien viewpoint to the reader's, which is one of the reasons so many protagonists in historical fiction are themselves quite exceptional. A perfect example of this is Matthew Bartholomew, from Susanna Gregory's excellent series of the same name. He is a middle ages doctor with a far more modern (though not entirely modern) outlook on medicine and life. He doesn't worry overmuch about astrological charts, he doesn't bleed his patients, performs surgery when requried, and he even washes his hands (shock of shocks).
The reason for all this? He studied and travelled with an Arabic master; the Arabs at that time had forgotten more medicine than the English knew and things like washing and anatomy were not unknown or anathema to them. Matthew pays a massive price for his oddity however, and throughout the series has been attacked (verbally and physically), accused of witchcraft, and often been in danger for his life, simply for his differing views.
Contrast this with Brother Athelstan, a very modern thinking man - who has absolutely no reason to be, at least none given in the first two books. His attitude is very unlike the prevailing at the time, particularly for a man with a religious vocation, a member of a strict order. Likewise, he never suffers for his oddity, but rather most everyone else either doesn't notice, or shares his views. Those close to him, his allies, all have very modern outlooks on the world, and it grates terribly against the suspension of disbelief.
I wont rule out reading book three sometime in the future, to see if it grabs me. It seems a shame since Doherty is very competent, even clever, in his mysteries themselves and the writing. The characters can be quite endearing at times, and I find myself buying into the soap opera when it comes to the struggles of their lives, particularly when it comes to Cranston the coroner. However, I wont be hurrying back, for I find the irritation of the modern characters in historical skin outweighs enjoyment of the plot at this point.
May 1, 2022
I do love a good historical whodunit. I picked this up from the library and reading out of sequence doesn't seem to matter - there are background political developments but not a lot of character change to not between this and The Candle Flame at about #15?
Doherty is strong on atmosphere, his 14C London is noisy, smell and grim but awash in detail. And sewage. And improbably complex murders as one expects in the genre. Yet the books are saved from being grimdark by two things: the fundamentally warm buddy cop vibe of the two main characters, and brother Athelstan's surprisingly convincing sanctity and the edge of a larger goodness that he brings into everything he touches. Whereas CJ Sansom is perhaps a stronger writer, he's said in an interviews that miserable detectives are more interesting, and certainly he has kept Shardlake on a mean diet. Athelstan is less interesting, maybe, but much more comfortable company.
Doherty is strong on atmosphere, his 14C London is noisy, smell and grim but awash in detail. And sewage. And improbably complex murders as one expects in the genre. Yet the books are saved from being grimdark by two things: the fundamentally warm buddy cop vibe of the two main characters, and brother Athelstan's surprisingly convincing sanctity and the edge of a larger goodness that he brings into everything he touches. Whereas CJ Sansom is perhaps a stronger writer, he's said in an interviews that miserable detectives are more interesting, and certainly he has kept Shardlake on a mean diet. Athelstan is less interesting, maybe, but much more comfortable company.
June 13, 2023
Sir John Cranston the Coroner is his usual irascible self, drinking and eating too much. His long-suffering clerk, Brother Athelstan, is also out of sorts as his cemetery is being raided for newly buried corpses. The Coroner is worried about Lady Maud and Athelstan has unholy thoughts about the widow Benedicta. Then there are the murders within the tower of London that have betrayal and greed at their roots. Athelstan manages to work out the train of events and brings everything to a head in a Poirot like gathering in the tower.
A good fast paced read with a good plot. 4 stars.
A good fast paced read with a good plot. 4 stars.
July 24, 2021
Give it a go!!!
AHHHHHHH ,I figured it out after Fitzormonde told his tale of how they all knew each other. The terrible wrong they did to Sir Bartholomew Burghgesh. There were so many twist an turns as the men began to die a horrible death I almost began to bought myself. But I hung on through it all.
A fascinating English mystery.
AHHHHHHH ,I figured it out after Fitzormonde told his tale of how they all knew each other. The terrible wrong they did to Sir Bartholomew Burghgesh. There were so many twist an turns as the men began to die a horrible death I almost began to bought myself. But I hung on through it all.
A fascinating English mystery.
March 7, 2024
Je redécouvre la série de romans policiers historiques écrite par Paul Harding alias Paul Doherty et ayant pour héros un frère dominicain, Frère Athelstan, prêtre d’une des paroisses les plus pauvres de Londres. Il est le clerc attitré du Coroner de la ville, Sir John Cranston, bon vivant, buveur invétéré, sensible à ses heures perdues, à la carrure impressionnante, au verbe haut et fleuri et éperdument amoureux de son épouse, Lady Maude. Sir John a tout d’un Pantagruel !
Hiver 1377, Londres se prépare à fêter Noël, Frère Athelstan a un sérieux problème à régler dans sa paroisse : il y a profanation régulière des corps enseveli dans le cimetière attenant à l’église. Cela inquiète les paroissiens persuadés que le Mal rôde parmi eux. Pendant ce temps, à la Tour de Londres, symbole du pouvoir royal, le gouverneur Sir Ralph Whitton est trouvé, égorgé, dans sa chambre alors que la porte est fermée, qu’elle est gardée par des hommes de confiance à qui le gouverneur confie chaque soir la clef de la pièce. Qui est le coupable ? Quel est le mobile du crime horrible ? Une énigme, si j’ose dire, à la Hercule Poirot : un crime, un lieu clos et une belle ribambelle de coupables.
L’enquête est menée par les deux acolytes qui ont, par ailleurs, fort à faire dans les rues de leur quartier. Moi, lectrice, j’avançais avec quelques indices importants grâce au prologue. Avant de me plonger dans le Londres frigorifié par l’hiver 1377, l’auteur m’a envoyée à Chypre, quelques quinze ans avant le crime, lorsque des chevaliers, devenus mercenaires pour un Calife qui prit Jérusalem de manière sanglante. Je sais alors qu’un des chevaliers du groupe a trahi son chef pour récupérer le trésor volé dans une échoppe, et revenir sauf en Angleterre. Le chef en question est-il vraiment mort au cours de l’abordage par les Janissaires ? Cependant, malgré ces indices, j’avance en aveugle aux côtés du duo, mal assorti mais ô combien complémentaire, formé par le frère prêcheur et le coroner.
L’assassin ne se contente pas du meurtre de Sir Ralph, il s’en prend, peu de temps après, et successivement, aux deux Chevaliers Hospitaliers et à un important marchand de la ville, amis du Gouverneur de la Tour de Londres. Un point commun entre les assassinats : les victimes ont reçu un parchemin sur lequel est dessinée une nef et une galette de sésame annonciateurs d’une punition perpétrée par un Assassin de la secte du Vieux de la Montagne (rappelez-vous, les victimes ont été Croisés et connaissaient l’existence de ladite secte).
L’enquête avance lentement, très lentement, au gré du froid intense qui va jusqu’à geler la Tamise et interdire tout trafic fluvial. Les deux enquêteurs nous promènent dans les pires quartiers de Londres, nous font frissonner lors de la traversée du Pont de Londres où les fripouilles de tous poils n’hésitent pas à user du surin, nous attablent dans des auberges tantôt miteuses tantôt opulentes, nous permettent d’entrer à leur suite dans leur quotidien et de nous inquiéter de l’attitude mystérieuse de Lady Maude, attitude qui rend revêche, agressif et gueulard, c’est le terme à employer, le coroner persuadé que sa femme a un amant. De rencontrer un médecin éclairé dont les habitudes de travail sont loin de l’insalubrité dans laquelle exercent ses confrères, de croiser une jolie paroissienne pour laquelle le cœur de Frère Athelstan bat, ce qui le rend encore plus humain et plus attachant : il est attentionné envers ses ouailles, il est généreux et n’hésite pas à accueillir deux lépreux dans l’ossuaire. Au cours des pérégrinations d’Athelstan et de Sir John, les indices sont éparpillés sans que l’on puisse encore les comprendre. Les détails essentiels sont tellement subtils, perdus dans une observation des décors ou au détour d’une conversation domestique anodine, qu’ils passent inaperçus.
Tout s’éclairera et s’expliquera au moment voulu et ce pour mon plus grand plaisir. J’ai adoré être baladée, dans tous les sens du terme, dans un Londres du XIVè siècle, entre superstitions et avancées scientifiques et techniques, entre peur du divin et soif d’apprendre. Tout une époque, tout un monde prend vie sous mes yeux et ce grâce à la magie de la lecture et de l’imagination qu’elle suscite. J’ai pu voir un Moyen-Age dont les avancées sont occultées par le dogme religieux que bravent ceux qui, au contact des savoirs du Moyen-Orient (arabe et ottoman) veulent en libérer l’esprit humain afin que l’homme puisse avoir son libre-arbitre.
« Le donjon du bourreau » fut une relecture jubilatoire, j’ose le terme, et prenante.
Traduit de l’anglais par Anne Bruneau et Christiane Poussier.
Hiver 1377, Londres se prépare à fêter Noël, Frère Athelstan a un sérieux problème à régler dans sa paroisse : il y a profanation régulière des corps enseveli dans le cimetière attenant à l’église. Cela inquiète les paroissiens persuadés que le Mal rôde parmi eux. Pendant ce temps, à la Tour de Londres, symbole du pouvoir royal, le gouverneur Sir Ralph Whitton est trouvé, égorgé, dans sa chambre alors que la porte est fermée, qu’elle est gardée par des hommes de confiance à qui le gouverneur confie chaque soir la clef de la pièce. Qui est le coupable ? Quel est le mobile du crime horrible ? Une énigme, si j’ose dire, à la Hercule Poirot : un crime, un lieu clos et une belle ribambelle de coupables.
L’enquête est menée par les deux acolytes qui ont, par ailleurs, fort à faire dans les rues de leur quartier. Moi, lectrice, j’avançais avec quelques indices importants grâce au prologue. Avant de me plonger dans le Londres frigorifié par l’hiver 1377, l’auteur m’a envoyée à Chypre, quelques quinze ans avant le crime, lorsque des chevaliers, devenus mercenaires pour un Calife qui prit Jérusalem de manière sanglante. Je sais alors qu’un des chevaliers du groupe a trahi son chef pour récupérer le trésor volé dans une échoppe, et revenir sauf en Angleterre. Le chef en question est-il vraiment mort au cours de l’abordage par les Janissaires ? Cependant, malgré ces indices, j’avance en aveugle aux côtés du duo, mal assorti mais ô combien complémentaire, formé par le frère prêcheur et le coroner.
L’assassin ne se contente pas du meurtre de Sir Ralph, il s’en prend, peu de temps après, et successivement, aux deux Chevaliers Hospitaliers et à un important marchand de la ville, amis du Gouverneur de la Tour de Londres. Un point commun entre les assassinats : les victimes ont reçu un parchemin sur lequel est dessinée une nef et une galette de sésame annonciateurs d’une punition perpétrée par un Assassin de la secte du Vieux de la Montagne (rappelez-vous, les victimes ont été Croisés et connaissaient l’existence de ladite secte).
L’enquête avance lentement, très lentement, au gré du froid intense qui va jusqu’à geler la Tamise et interdire tout trafic fluvial. Les deux enquêteurs nous promènent dans les pires quartiers de Londres, nous font frissonner lors de la traversée du Pont de Londres où les fripouilles de tous poils n’hésitent pas à user du surin, nous attablent dans des auberges tantôt miteuses tantôt opulentes, nous permettent d’entrer à leur suite dans leur quotidien et de nous inquiéter de l’attitude mystérieuse de Lady Maude, attitude qui rend revêche, agressif et gueulard, c’est le terme à employer, le coroner persuadé que sa femme a un amant. De rencontrer un médecin éclairé dont les habitudes de travail sont loin de l’insalubrité dans laquelle exercent ses confrères, de croiser une jolie paroissienne pour laquelle le cœur de Frère Athelstan bat, ce qui le rend encore plus humain et plus attachant : il est attentionné envers ses ouailles, il est généreux et n’hésite pas à accueillir deux lépreux dans l’ossuaire. Au cours des pérégrinations d’Athelstan et de Sir John, les indices sont éparpillés sans que l’on puisse encore les comprendre. Les détails essentiels sont tellement subtils, perdus dans une observation des décors ou au détour d’une conversation domestique anodine, qu’ils passent inaperçus.
Tout s’éclairera et s’expliquera au moment voulu et ce pour mon plus grand plaisir. J’ai adoré être baladée, dans tous les sens du terme, dans un Londres du XIVè siècle, entre superstitions et avancées scientifiques et techniques, entre peur du divin et soif d’apprendre. Tout une époque, tout un monde prend vie sous mes yeux et ce grâce à la magie de la lecture et de l’imagination qu’elle suscite. J’ai pu voir un Moyen-Age dont les avancées sont occultées par le dogme religieux que bravent ceux qui, au contact des savoirs du Moyen-Orient (arabe et ottoman) veulent en libérer l’esprit humain afin que l’homme puisse avoir son libre-arbitre.
« Le donjon du bourreau » fut une relecture jubilatoire, j’ose le terme, et prenante.
Traduit de l’anglais par Anne Bruneau et Christiane Poussier.
March 3, 2022
This second book in the series is less gross and visceral than the previous book but retains the details and historical immersion has gotten smoother and more natural. Also, the characters are slightly more fleshed out. Athelstan is more priestly and less focused on the status of his church, while Sir Cranmer is less a flatulant cartoon and more cleverly unpredictable.
The mystery is presented as very obscure and "closed room" but was fairly easy for me to figure out who did it very early on, if not exactly why.
The mystery is presented as very obscure and "closed room" but was fairly easy for me to figure out who did it very early on, if not exactly why.
September 16, 2024
The book shows the brutality of the period, not just in the murders necessary to the genre but the across the breadth of life. I felt it was a bit baggy in places (and I had completely forgotten about the prologue) and Athelstan's mood and concerns all over the place. Overall a fine plot (or set of plots) and we are well set up for more from the priest of St Erconwald and Sir John Cranston, the Coroner.
July 23, 2022
Brilliant
February 18, 2014
I chose this book because Paul Doherty is going to be the International Guest of Honour at the Bloody Words Mystery conference, Toronto, Ontario, June 6-8, 2014, and I had never read any of his books - even though he has written over 100! This one is set in (approximately) 1380 and features a friar, Brother Athelstan, whose church is located in a poor part of London. Sir John Cranston, the Coroner for the city, has come to depend upon him for his skills in recording interviews, and his insights in solving crimes. He enlists Athelstan's help in solving a locked room murder - of the Constable of the Tower of London. At first, I found the story a bit slow-going, because there was a lot of detail and a lot of medieval terminology. However, I got caught up in the story, and the conclusion was surprising and satisfying.
October 25, 2019
The series improves!
I'm so happy to see the series improving from book 1 to 2! I'm sure it will continue to do so as the primary characters are fleshed out. Athelston becomes more beloved and Cranston less of a cartoonish buffoon. Benedicta and Maude have developed more personality as have the rest of Athelston's other parishioners. Bonaventura is a charming and debonair Marie's man...uh' err... cat. I'm so looking forward to the remaining books in this and the author's other series!
I'm so happy to see the series improving from book 1 to 2! I'm sure it will continue to do so as the primary characters are fleshed out. Athelston becomes more beloved and Cranston less of a cartoonish buffoon. Benedicta and Maude have developed more personality as have the rest of Athelston's other parishioners. Bonaventura is a charming and debonair Marie's man...uh' err... cat. I'm so looking forward to the remaining books in this and the author's other series!
September 3, 2024
Cover review of the American edition, titled just "Red Slayer," says, "A worthy successor to Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael." As a diehard Cad-phile, I picked up the book solely on that recommendation, and rarely have I been so disappointed. To be honest, I couldn't make it past the first chapter, so I must concede that it *could* get better. But by pg. 23 (ch. 1 starts on pg. 21), Harding had used 'murmured' half a dozen times, basically as the sole dialogue tag (for a character talking to himself in the most awkward exposition ever). The unimaginative and repetitive writing was annoying, but the clincher was using "monk," "friar," and "priest" interchangeably. How many characters begged Cadfael to hear their confession, but he refused because HE WAS A MONK, NOT AN ORDAINED PRIEST. How can anyone write not just one book but a whole series SET IN A MONASTERY - and leverage the great Peters' name and character! - without at least knowing THAT fact?! Dropping this dreck like a hot potato in favor of the real, original Medieval monastery murder mysteries.
October 6, 2024
A really enjoyable second instalment in the Brother Athelston series of stories.
Brother Athelston and Sir John Cranston (coroner) begin an investigation into the death of Sir Thomas Whitton, as he slept alone in the North Bastion of the Tower of London. They have precious little evidence to help them, and everyone seems to be hiding something. To make matters worse, there are several other murders of Sir Thomas' associates from his days soldiering in Outremer.
As the feast of Christmas nears, both Brother Athelston and Sir John are short tempered as they try to prise the truth out of all concerned, so that a murderer can be arrested.
Brother Athelston also has the distressing problem of having the cemetery at his church being desecrated. The corpses of those who had died unclaimed by family were disinterred, but by whom?
Brother Athelston and Sir John have their work cut out for them, but manage to solve the various mysteries before Christmas begins.
Brother Athelston and Sir John Cranston (coroner) begin an investigation into the death of Sir Thomas Whitton, as he slept alone in the North Bastion of the Tower of London. They have precious little evidence to help them, and everyone seems to be hiding something. To make matters worse, there are several other murders of Sir Thomas' associates from his days soldiering in Outremer.
As the feast of Christmas nears, both Brother Athelston and Sir John are short tempered as they try to prise the truth out of all concerned, so that a murderer can be arrested.
Brother Athelston also has the distressing problem of having the cemetery at his church being desecrated. The corpses of those who had died unclaimed by family were disinterred, but by whom?
Brother Athelston and Sir John have their work cut out for them, but manage to solve the various mysteries before Christmas begins.
February 26, 2024
The second in the Brother Athelstan series, I found this book more readable than The Nightingale Gallery in its writing style but felt the mystery element to be slightly inferior to its predecessor.
The Tower of London is a wonderful setting (one of the reasons I chose to read this is because I'm currently writing a novel set at the Tower and this was great for research) and the depiction of mediaeval London in a snowy, bleak December were characters in themselves.
The hardships faced by the population during those times and worsened by the weather were skilfully described.
The standout character was Cranston whose domestic strife provided a good background mystery to the book, and who yet again filled the book with boisterous life.
If you're looking for a book with vivid descriptions, a great setting, larger than life characters, and a neat plot, then this is for you.
Oh, and this book has one of the best prologues I've read.
The Tower of London is a wonderful setting (one of the reasons I chose to read this is because I'm currently writing a novel set at the Tower and this was great for research) and the depiction of mediaeval London in a snowy, bleak December were characters in themselves.
The hardships faced by the population during those times and worsened by the weather were skilfully described.
The standout character was Cranston whose domestic strife provided a good background mystery to the book, and who yet again filled the book with boisterous life.
If you're looking for a book with vivid descriptions, a great setting, larger than life characters, and a neat plot, then this is for you.
Oh, and this book has one of the best prologues I've read.
May 6, 2024
Another author who is able to conjure up the atmosphere of the late 14th Century with his vivid descriptions of London which, of course, was pretty miserable! However, Sir John Cranston is brought to life extremely well, as is his assistant, Brother Athelstan. They are entirely different characters which is probably why it works so well and there is a very good bond between them which is endearing. The plot is well worked and, despite some complexity, doesn't become difficult to follow and the book isn't overly long. A thoroughly good read and I already have Book 3 with a view to continuing the series and, I'm glad to say, there are many more to come thereafter!
November 6, 2024
This book is even best than the first book. It has more substance and complications + we get to know more about the characters.
The coroner's character is even more interesting I like the fact that Brother Athelstan is a strong character as what we witnessed in the first book and how human he is in thoughts and practices.
I have put so many other equally good and smashing books aside just to continue on with this series.
Read this series of you like mysteries and a chance to try to solve or mull things through. Come for the well crafted characters and the unmistakenly good writing skills. Love.
The coroner's character is even more interesting I like the fact that Brother Athelstan is a strong character as what we witnessed in the first book and how human he is in thoughts and practices.
I have put so many other equally good and smashing books aside just to continue on with this series.
Read this series of you like mysteries and a chance to try to solve or mull things through. Come for the well crafted characters and the unmistakenly good writing skills. Love.
July 24, 2022
2.5 in reality but rounded down.
I didn’t super like the first book in the series but decided to give the second book a go anyway.
Same problems I had with the first but at least this time Sir John had a bit more character other than “fat man fat and drinks and burps.” (That was pretty much his only character in the first book.) At least in this book we get to see his relationship with his wife which I like. (Also the second the text said Lady Maude was acting weird I knew immediately she was pregnant—she was.)
I didn’t super like the first book in the series but decided to give the second book a go anyway.
Same problems I had with the first but at least this time Sir John had a bit more character other than “fat man fat and drinks and burps.” (That was pretty much his only character in the first book.) At least in this book we get to see his relationship with his wife which I like. (Also the second the text said Lady Maude was acting weird I knew immediately she was pregnant—she was.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2022
Am I biased about how much I love these books? Probably.
This book took me so long as I was reading it in between book club reads and I think that is what brought it down half a star for me. Overall, this series is always easy to read and always ends on a note that makes me smile from ear to ear.
I will continue to recommend if you love murder mysteries, medieval times, and a splash of humour!
4.5 stars
This book took me so long as I was reading it in between book club reads and I think that is what brought it down half a star for me. Overall, this series is always easy to read and always ends on a note that makes me smile from ear to ear.
I will continue to recommend if you love murder mysteries, medieval times, and a splash of humour!
4.5 stars
February 6, 2020
Previsible desde las primeras páginas y aunque nos presentan muchos sospechosos bien pocos están en la edad correcta para ser tenidos en cuenta. Realmente decepcionante y aburrida. Resolviendo detalles intrascendentes. En las últimas treinta páginas se revela un desenlace sin sorpresa, es tal cual uno se lo había imaginado. El peor error que puede cometer un libro de suspense.
December 31, 2021
Quick read. Not bad. I read the first one some time ago, so sort of forgot some of the minor characters, but it was easy enough to get reacquainted with them via the story. Cranston seemed bit like a caricature - blowing hot and cold and drinking a lot (mostly due to his bad thoughts of what might be going on with Maude). Hope he's chilled out in the next book.
September 11, 2023
A well written book however didn’t provide as much enjoyment and easy reading as the original of the mysteries. The book seemed to drag out for a mystery that was predictable from the start. As the story progressed it became even more and more predictable with the answer basically being spelt out for you
January 3, 2024
Good closed-door, can't-happen plotting......
Re-starting this series and love the characters. Cranston cleans up his act a bit going forward so don't let that discourage you. You get to watch the characters grow as the series goes along, something Doherty also does really well with his Hugh Corbett series....re-reading that is next.
Re-starting this series and love the characters. Cranston cleans up his act a bit going forward so don't let that discourage you. You get to watch the characters grow as the series goes along, something Doherty also does really well with his Hugh Corbett series....re-reading that is next.
October 16, 2024
Brilliant Reading
Enjoyed the story line,very informative,descriptions of the victims is gruesome.Readers are kept on edge as clues are presented,then dismissed.Enjoyed attempting to work out who the murderer is.Loved the Coroners character " Over the top" in his behaviour.Brother Athelstan an amazing clever character.Great " on the edge"reading.
Enjoyed the story line,very informative,descriptions of the victims is gruesome.Readers are kept on edge as clues are presented,then dismissed.Enjoyed attempting to work out who the murderer is.Loved the Coroners character " Over the top" in his behaviour.Brother Athelstan an amazing clever character.Great " on the edge"reading.
December 11, 2024
The Tower
A man in a locked room in the Tower of London is murdered. Another man falls to his death from the Tower walls. There are two more murders. Someone is snatching bodies from the graveyard. Athelstan and Sir John must uncover the mysteries. Paul Doherty takes us to London at the beginning of the rule of Richard II, with all is grime and bad orders. I enjoyed the story.
A man in a locked room in the Tower of London is murdered. Another man falls to his death from the Tower walls. There are two more murders. Someone is snatching bodies from the graveyard. Athelstan and Sir John must uncover the mysteries. Paul Doherty takes us to London at the beginning of the rule of Richard II, with all is grime and bad orders. I enjoyed the story.
August 1, 2017
Van een vriendin gekregen op verjaardag, die het bij de afgeschreven boeken in de bibliotheek had gevonden. Detectiveverhaal over monnik die moorden moet oplossen, maar niet zo scherp en goed als Cadfael. Niet veel soeps, wel aardig.
March 25, 2019
Disturbingly accurate portrayal of the times, with Friar Athelstan being a member of the lower classes, we see the horrible way people are treated by the upper class. I like to stark truth and the graphic reality. But definitely not for the faint of heart.
July 18, 2020
Terrific
The second of the series I have read this week and as good as the first . Great plot and the banter and interaction between the two main characters brilliant, can’t recommend this book highly enough.
The second of the series I have read this week and as good as the first . Great plot and the banter and interaction between the two main characters brilliant, can’t recommend this book highly enough.
September 14, 2020
More historical fiction
I am a fan of this genre. I felt a real loss when I finished the Brother Cadfael books. This new Frier fills in nicely. The work does not set one’s teeth on edge with out of place ideology the 21st century doesn’t seem to intrude.
I am a fan of this genre. I felt a real loss when I finished the Brother Cadfael books. This new Frier fills in nicely. The work does not set one’s teeth on edge with out of place ideology the 21st century doesn’t seem to intrude.
July 11, 2022
Decided to read this series in order and am loving it. I do wonder if the characters will develop as they seem to be static in the first few books. But the mysteries are great and it does feel like you are walking in their shoes in history.
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