The Knight's Tale - (Geoffrey Chaucer Mystery) by M J Trow (Paperback)

About the Book

April, 1380. About to set off on his annual pilgrimage, Geoffrey Chaucer abandons his plans when an old friend appeals for help. His former guardian has been found dead in his bedroom at his Suffolk castle, the door locked from the inside. Who among the castle's inhabitants is a cold-hearted killer? It's up to Chaucer to root out the evil within.

Book Synopsis

Introducing 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer as a memorable new amateur sleuth in the first of an ingeniously-conceived medieval mystery series.

April, 1380. About to set off on his annual pilgrimage, Comptroller of the King's Woollens and court poet Geoffrey Chaucer is forced to abandon his plans following an appeal for help from an old friend. The Duke of Clarence, Chaucer's former guardian, has been found dead in his bed at his Suffolk castle, his bedroom door locked and bolted from the inside. The man who found him, Sir Richard Glanville, suspects foul play and has asked Chaucer to investigate.

On arrival at Clare Castle, Chaucer finds his childhood home rife with bitter rivalries, ill-advised love affairs and dangerous secrets. As he questions the castle's inhabitants, it becomes clear that more than one member of the Duke's household had reason to wish him ill. But who among them is a cold-hearted killer? It's up to Chaucer, with his sharp wits and eye for detail, to root out the evil within.

Review Quotes

A gripping story packed with a palpable sense of danger, and a shocker of an ending, makes for absorbing reading-- "Booklist on The Black Hills"

A series kickoff that augurs well for more juicy Chaucer escapades-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Readers will find themselves intrigued by Trow's fine tale, which is full of ribald humor, high-spirited adventure, intriguing twists, and realistic period ambience-- "Booklist on Black Death"

Stellar ... Trow reinforces his place at the top of the Elizabethan mystery subgenre-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review of The Reckoning"

Subtle humor, colorful characters, and a shock ending are all on display in abundance-- "Booklist on The Reckoning"

Trow brings medieval England fully to life through well-chosen period detail, but the novel's main strength is its portrait of Chaucer . Readers will hope to see a lot more of him in his role as sleuth-- "Publishers Weekly Starred Review"

Twisty, unpredictable, and ultimately satisfying-- "Kirkus Reviews on Black Death"

With twists aplenty, ribald humor, intriguing and varied characters, and vivid descriptions, this suspenseful, playful, and funny mystery will appeal to a broad range of readers-- "Booklist"

About the Author

M.J. Trow is a military historian by training and the author of the longrunning Inspector Lestrade and 'Mad Max' Maxwell detective series, as well as the Kit Marlowe Tudor mystery series. He lives in the Isle of Wight.