A miracle… or murder?
Paul Doherty writes a gripping novel in Saintly Murders, the fifth Kathryn Swinbrooke mystery. Perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Ellis Peters.
In the late summer of 1472, medieval physician and apothecary Kathryn Swinbrooke is summoned to investigate yet another puzzling situation in Canterbury. She is appointed by the Archbishop as Advocatus Diaboli – the Devil’s Advocate – to argue against the beatification of Roger Atworth, a friar in the Order of the Sack and confessor of King Edward’s mother. Atworth has died under mysterious circumstances, and there are rumours afloat of miraculous happenings surrounding his body. When Kathryn begins asking questions at the friary about Atworth’s death, she discovers that the logical explanation is murder, not a miracle. But Kathryn suspects a link between his death and that of an English spy outside the friary. With the murderer still on the loose, what began as a search for the town’s ills becomes Kathryn’s pursuit of a killer…
What readers are saying about the Kathryn Swinbrooke Mysteries:
‘The sense of menace, depth of characterization and interesting cast of characters make this book, and the series, a brilliant read’
‘A great romp through medieval England’
‘Superb plot and characters. Kathryn is so interesting and insight into the history of the time is so well documented. You feel as if you were there and can even smell it!’
Paul Doherty writes a gripping novel in Saintly Murders, the fifth Kathryn Swinbrooke mystery. Perfect for fans of Robin Hobb and Ellis Peters.
In the late summer of 1472, medieval physician and apothecary Kathryn Swinbrooke is summoned to investigate yet another puzzling situation in Canterbury. She is appointed by the Archbishop as Advocatus Diaboli – the Devil’s Advocate – to argue against the beatification of Roger Atworth, a friar in the Order of the Sack and confessor of King Edward’s mother. Atworth has died under mysterious circumstances, and there are rumours afloat of miraculous happenings surrounding his body. When Kathryn begins asking questions at the friary about Atworth’s death, she discovers that the logical explanation is murder, not a miracle. But Kathryn suspects a link between his death and that of an English spy outside the friary. With the murderer still on the loose, what began as a search for the town’s ills becomes Kathryn’s pursuit of a killer…
What readers are saying about the Kathryn Swinbrooke Mysteries:
‘The sense of menace, depth of characterization and interesting cast of characters make this book, and the series, a brilliant read’
‘A great romp through medieval England’
‘Superb plot and characters. Kathryn is so interesting and insight into the history of the time is so well documented. You feel as if you were there and can even smell it!’
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Reviews
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
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
A masterpiece of murder and mystery
An engrossing and informative read
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 era], not to mention the political intrigues
Paul Doherty has come up trumps again with this medieval mystery
The best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters
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