As the travellers set out on their pilgrimage, the first tale of death and deceit falls to the Knight…
Paul Doherty relates the Knight’s tale in An Ancient Evil – a tale of mystery and murder as he goes on pilgrimage from London to Canterbury. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Susanna Gregory.
As the travellers gather in the Tabard Inn at the start of a pilgrimage to pray before the blessed bones of St Thomas à Becket in Canterbury, they agree eagerly to host Harry’s suggestion of amusing themselves on each day of their journey with one tale, and each evening with another – but the latter to be of mystery, terror and murder.
The Knight begins that evening: his tale opens with the destruction of a sinister cult at its stronghold in the wilds of Oxfordshire by Sir Hugo Mortimer during the reign of William the Conqueror, and then moves to Oxford some two hundred years later where strange crimes and terrible murders are being committed. The authorities seem powerless but Lady Constance, Abbess of the Convent of St Anne’s, believes the murders are connected with the legends of the cult and she petitions the King for help.
As the murders continue unabated, special commissioner Sir Godfrey Evesden and royal clerk Alexander McBain uncover clues that lead to a macabre world sect, which worships the dark lord. But they can find no solution to a series of increasingly baffling questions, and matters are not helped by the growing rift between Sir Godfrey and McBain for the hand and favour of the fair Lady Emily…
What readers are saying about Canterbury Tales Mysteries:
‘Simply one of the best books ever written‘
‘An intriguing tale which keeps one entertained up to the last page’
‘Spellbinding‘
Paul Doherty relates the Knight’s tale in An Ancient Evil – a tale of mystery and murder as he goes on pilgrimage from London to Canterbury. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Susanna Gregory.
As the travellers gather in the Tabard Inn at the start of a pilgrimage to pray before the blessed bones of St Thomas à Becket in Canterbury, they agree eagerly to host Harry’s suggestion of amusing themselves on each day of their journey with one tale, and each evening with another – but the latter to be of mystery, terror and murder.
The Knight begins that evening: his tale opens with the destruction of a sinister cult at its stronghold in the wilds of Oxfordshire by Sir Hugo Mortimer during the reign of William the Conqueror, and then moves to Oxford some two hundred years later where strange crimes and terrible murders are being committed. The authorities seem powerless but Lady Constance, Abbess of the Convent of St Anne’s, believes the murders are connected with the legends of the cult and she petitions the King for help.
As the murders continue unabated, special commissioner Sir Godfrey Evesden and royal clerk Alexander McBain uncover clues that lead to a macabre world sect, which worships the dark lord. But they can find no solution to a series of increasingly baffling questions, and matters are not helped by the growing rift between Sir Godfrey and McBain for the hand and favour of the fair Lady Emily…
What readers are saying about Canterbury Tales Mysteries:
‘Simply one of the best books ever written‘
‘An intriguing tale which keeps one entertained up to the last page’
‘Spellbinding‘
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Reviews
As always the author invokes the medieval period in all its muck as well as glory, filling the pages with pungent smells and description. The author brings years of research to his writing; his mastery of the period as well as a disciplined writing schedule have led to a rapidly increasing body of work and a growing reputation
Praise for Paul Doherty: The maestro of medieval mystery... As with all Doherty's historical whodunnits, it is packed with salty dialogue, the smells and superstitions of the 14th century, not to mention the political intrigues
The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters
An engrossing and informative read
Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history... evocative and lyrical descriptions
For those who are keen enthusiasts of medieval murder stories the name Paul Doherty will need no introduction... He writes with enthusiasm about an era he knows well
Doherty's deep understanding of the period and the nitty-gritty of historical detail are to the fore without intruding on the rhythm of the plot. Superb entertainment
Paul Doherty has come up trumps again with this medieval mystery
A masterpiece of murder and mystery