Book review - "The Devil's Wolf" by P. C. Doherty

I think P. C. Doherty has ghost writers for his publications and when they learn a new word, they try to see how many times they can use it in a novel.  In his previous book in this series, Dark Serpent, the word was ‘contumaciously’ (stubbornly perverse or rebellious).  In The Devil’s Wolf, the nineteenth and latest Hugh Corbett mystery, the word is ‘comitatus’ (a companion, an associate).  The repetition becomes tedious and distracts from the enjoyment of the story.  Doherty et al, think about using a thesaurus!  It is a great tool.

In The Devil’s Wolf, King Edward II has sent Hugh Corbett and his comitatus north, closer to Scotland.  England’s war with the Scots is going from ‘terrible’ to ‘it can’t get any worse’.  Corbett is traveling to Lord Percy of Alnwick Castle for a prisoner exchange with the Scots.

On the way, Corbett is warned of an attack by Edmund Darel, a ruthless knight whose sympathies lie with Robert the Bruce.  Corbett and his men foil the attack but one of their Scottish prisoners is later found poisoned.

Even after they reach the safety of Alnwick Castle, more attempts are made to kill Corbett.  Two more Scottish prisoners are poisoned and the fourth disappears.  Corbett knows there is a traitor in their midst but he cannot determine who it is.  He hears stories of Darel’s comitatus cavorting with witches and devil worshippers at bizarre midnight ceremonies.

Doherty takes a walk on the weird side with this story.  He’s touched on these subjects before but hasn’t take a complete dive off the deep end as with this one.

But Doherty ends The Devil’s Wolf with a teaser for the reader that Hugh Corbett Novel #20 will follow.

Three dragons out of five.
🐉🐉🐉

Book review - "The Prince of Darkness" by P. C. Doherty

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!

The Crediton Killings by Michael Jecks

One reason I enjoy reading medieval mysteries is they offer a certain degree of escapism. They allow a glimpse into another time when life was simpler, harsher and more rudimentary that is so contrary to our current lifestyle, the reader is drawn into the situation, making him think he’s standing in the middle of the town with the story unfolding all around him, with all the sights, sounds and smells. Yet the reader becomes grateful for modern-day creature comforts such as sewer systems, garbage removal and environmental laws.

The vivid details that Michael Jecks uses to describe the daily conditions of the small village of Crediton in fourteenth century England are real enough the reader can almost smell the odors of the open sewage trench running though the middle of the main street and the animal guts and excrement thrown out into the open from the butcher’s shop.

In The Crediton Killings, the fourth in the series featuring Keeper of the King’s Peace Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, a team of mercenaries has descended upon the town after being turned down by King Edward II to join his army. While the disgruntled soldiers of fortune cool their heels at a local inn, a serving girl has her eye on their leader, Sir Hector, and a newbie wants to join the band of mercenaries. Soon after the newbie disappears at the same time Hector’s silver goes missing and the serving girl is found murdered.

Hector and his closest lieutenant’s think the solution is simple when the newbie is found with some of the missing silver. Baldwin isn’t so certain. After a beggar woman is found murdered, he feels that someone is trying to manipulate him into a false conclusion.

During all this, Simon and his wife are reeling from the recent loss of their infant son Peterkin. Their grief puts a strain on their marriage and Baldwin feels helpless that he can’t help his closest friend.

Another reason I like medieval mysteries is the complex and deliciously twisted plots that cant’ be pulled from today’s headlines. Jecks pulls from fourteenth century culture, politics and public mindset to weave an intricate mystery with surprising twists even after the final solution.

The Crediton Killings is a great read even for those who aren’t fans of mysteries.