I’m enjoying reading P.C. (Paul) Doherty’s medieval mystery series featuring Hugh Corbett, because the books seem to be getting better and better. I just finished the fifth book, The Prince of Darkness, and I’m not sure if Doherty was referring to Prince Edward (who would become Edward II) or Satan, who apparently walked the corridors of the nunnery Corbett is investigating.
A goodly portion of this story takes place at Godstowe Priory,
a nunnery where Lady Belmont, former lover of Prince Edward has died
mysteriously, her body found at the foot of the stairs. An uneasy truce exists between Edward I and
Philip IV of France. It is hoped that a
marriage between Prince Edward and Philip’s daughter Isabelle will bring about lasting
peace. But Philip is trying to get out
of the deal by creating scandal around the Prince of Wales.
Not that Prince Edward is above reproach. His close relationship with Gaveston is the
worst kept secret in Europe and nobody believes the death of his ex-paramour
was anything but murder. King Edward I
sends his favorite clerk and spy, Hugh Corbett, to Godstowe Priory to find out
what happened and keep his estranged son out of any scandal that would
jeopardize the union.
A tale involving naughty nuns, a mysterious death and political
intrigue reminds me of Margaret Frazer’s Dame Frevisse novels or Peter Tremayne’s
Sister Fidelma. This one ranks right up
there with the best. The final solution is a surprise but then Doherty puts a surprising twist at the end as well, giving the reader another shock.
This is why we read whodunits!
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