The Straw Men : being the twelfth of the sorrowful mysteries of Brother Athelstan

Title:

Being the twelfth of the sorrowful mysteries of Brother Athelstan

Brother Athelstan mysteries

Author:

Doherty, P. C.

Publication Information:

Sutton : Crème de la Crime, 2012.

Format:

Books

Physical Description:

214 p. ; 23 cm.

Series:

Being the twelfth of the sorrowful mysteries of Brother Athelstan

Brother Athelstan mysteries

Summary:

"January, 1381. Guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston have been attending a mystery play performed by the Straw Men, Gaunt's personal acting troupe, when the evening's entertainment is rudely interrupted by the sudden, violent deaths of two of Gaunt's VIP guests, their severed heads left on stage. The Regent orders Athelstan to find out who committed such a heinous act, leading Athelstan to tackle his most baffling case yet"--Provided by publisher.

Personal Subject:

John, of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, 1340-1399-Fiction.

Tyler, Wat, -1381-Fiction.

Subject Term:

Athelstan, Brother (Fictitious character) -- Fiction.

Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Great Britain -- History -- Richard II, 1377-1399 -- Fiction.

Genre:

Detective and mystery stories.

ISBN:

9781780290379

Document ID:

SD_ILS:1899221

Availability:

Library	Call Number	Format	Status
Searching... Milton Public Library	MYS DOHERTY	BOOK	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

"Medieval mystery fans have cause for rejoicing with the return of Brother Athelstan" Booklist on BloodstoneThe twelfth intricately plotted Brother Athelstan medieval mysteryJanuary, 1381. Guests of the Regent, John of Gaunt, Brother Athelstan and Sir John Cranston have been attending a mystery play performed by the Straw Men, Gaunt's personal acting troupe, when the evening's entertainment is rudely interrupted by the sudden, violent deaths of two of Gaunt's VIP guests, their severed heads left on stage. The Regent orders Athelstan to find out who committed such a heinous act, leading Athelstan to tackle his most baffling case yet.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Doherty's gift for blending historical intrigue and brilliantly constructed, impossible crimes has never been better displayed than in his 12th whodunit featuring Brother Athelstan (after 2012's Bloodstone). In 1381, England is controlled by its regent, John of Gaunt, uncle to the young Richard II. Gaunt's authority is under assault from the shadowy Upright Men, who lead an organization known as the Great Community of the Realm. Amid this turmoil, the man of God and perceptive criminal investigator looks into a number of London murders, including a man somehow shot in the face by a crossbow in a locked room and the savage slaughter of an entire family. The reek of the filthy streets is almost palpable, and the vivid descriptions enhance a classic fair-play plot that will appeal to John Dickson Carr fans. With dozens of books to his credit, Doherty continues to impress. Agent: David Headley, David Headley Literary Agency (U.K.). (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Brother Athelstan is back in fine form as Doherty continues to set the stage for the Great Uprising of 1381. When Athelstan and Lord Coroner of London Sir John Cranston are invited to the Tower of London to attend a private theatrical event performed by the Straw Men, the private acting troupe of controversial Regent John of Gaunt, they find themselves entangled in intrigue as they attempt to unravel a cunning murder plot. At the conclusion of the performance, the audience is attacked and a pair of severed heads are displayed on the abandoned stage. Though suspicion immediately falls upon the Upright Men, the group primarily responsible for fomenting the anticipated rebellion, sorting out the rebels, the spies, and the innocent bystanders proves to be every bit as difficult as solving the crime. Doherty mires the grisly action as firmly in mystery as he does the multitiered narrative in the mud, muck, and mayhem of medieval London poised on the brink of the Peasants' Revolt.--Flanagan, Margaret Copyright 2010 Booklist