Murder's Snare - (Brother Athelstan Mystery) by Paul Doherty

Book Synopsis

Friar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.

Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the 'Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross' sweeps into the peaceful village of Avranches, like the riders from the Apocalypse, leaving nothing but death and hellish destruction in their wake.

London, 1382: Brother Athelstan is summoned to unpick the ugly truth behind a number of killings afflicting the great city. Some carried out like clean, efficient assassinations, all bearing the message 'Justitia Fiat - let there be justice', others inflicting torture and humiliation upon the bodies. But the victims all have one thing in common - they were all once members of Via Crucis.

With every new gruesome discovery, Brother Athelstan, with the help of Coroner Cranston, uncovers more clues which make up a most complicated riddle - but can he put together the last piece before the fate of the whole country is decided?

A skilfully plotted and researched medieval mystery which will appeal to fans of C.J. SANSOM

Review Quotes

A tortuous, fascinating historical mystery whose finely honed descriptions are not for the faint of heart-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Stone of Destiny"

As always, Doherty makes a past century come alive in the service of a carefully crafted plot. Impossible crime fans will be pleased-- "Publishers Weekly on The Hanging Tree"

Doherty displays exceptional narrative flair as he brings the often-squalid sights, sounds and smells of medieval London to life in another artfully crafted and plotted historical mystery-- "Booklist on The Godless"

Doherty doles out clues shrewdly and decorates the narrative with his characteristically sharp period details.This long-running series has yet to show signs of slowing down-- "Publishers Weekly on Murder Most Treasonable"

Hair-raising descriptions of life in the Middle Ages enhance a challenging puzzle-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Hanging Tree"

Outstanding . . . Doherty keeps the action brisk, the crimes baffling and the deductions and solution fair-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Godless"

Reinforces the author's reputation as a master of historical crime fiction . . . A deeply satisfying puzzle-- "Publishers Weekly"

The often-unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells of London come alive as a harrowing backdrop to a complex mystery-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Unsettling historical detail enhances a story of hate, revenge, and multiple murders-- "Kirkus Reviews on Murder Most Treasonable"

With consummate skill and pacing, Doherty answers the plot's mysteries in a series of startling revelations, and the atmosphere of a London driven by ambition and greed is palpable. The prolific Doherty shows no signs of losing steam-- "Publishers Weekly on The Stone of Destiny"