The definitive digital guide to Michael Jecks's widely-praised Knights Templar series. Whether you're a long-standing fan of the medieval Knights Templar adventures, or yet to try this captivating historical series, this is the definitive guide you need. Meet Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, keeper of the kings peace, and his friend Simon Puttock, and discover this dazzling introduction to fifteen titles in the series. *Also contains an exclusive foreword from the author*
The Siege of Calais, during the Hundred Years' Wars. The thrilling second novel in a new series for master of the historical adventure, Michael Jecks, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Calais, 1346. Berenger Fripper and his men are stationed in the ancient port city, a city under English control and surrounded by enemies. They are here to defend their newly won territory from the French and their allies the Genoese. Enemies are all about them, but there is also trouble within. Someone in the vintaine is leaking vital information to the French, jeopardizing not only the safety of the men but also the future of the war, and Berenger must find out who before it's too late. And when the vintaine is attacked at sea and captured by the Genoese it looks as though their luck has run out. Can Berenger defeat the enemies that surround him and keep the English victorious?
Paris, 1307. A Knight Templar weeps as he watches his friends, broken by torture, go to their deaths at the stake. Pope Clement has destroyed the Order, persuaded of corruption within it. All that remains is the desire for vengeance against those who defiled the Order’s name. Devon 1316. Simon Puttock is the newly appointed bailiff of Lydford Castle, but has little experience of violence. A charred body is found in a burned-out cottage, and only the new lord, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, deduces that the victim was dead before the fire began. Together, Simon and Baldwin begin to piece together the events of the man’s last days. Then word comes of another murder, and this time the victim was burned alive…
Jack Blackjack's search for an executioner's son ensnares him in a fiendish mesh of schemes in this lively Tudor mystery. London. May, 1556. Hal Westmecott, one of the city's most feared executioners, reckons Jack Blackjack owes him a favour - and now he's come to collect his dues. Hal has ordered Jack to track down his long-lost son and, although Jack believes he's been set an impossible task, he's in no position to refuse. But when Jack's search draws him to the attention of a ruthless nobleman, a dead priest's vengeful brother and finally to a bloodstained body in a filthy lodging house, he comes to realize he is an unwitting pawn in a mesh of schemes dreamed up by the most powerful people in England. Just who is a friend, who is a foe - and will Jack escape with his life intact? A fast-paced Tudor mystery set during Bloody Mary's reign of terror.
Accused of a crime he didn't commit, will Sir Baldwin be able to clear his name? Bloody revenge on the streets of Paris threaten Sir Baldwin de Furnshill's royal mission in The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover, the twenty-fourth novel in Michael Jecks' brilliant medieval crime series. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Paul Doherty. 'A gem of historical storytelling' - Northern Echo Queen Isabella, wife to Edward II of England, has been dispatched to France in an attempt to bring about peace between the two countries, and Sir Baldwin de Furnshill must accompany her with his friend Simon Puttock. But the day after their arrival, a servant is found murdered, with Baldwin's dagger lying next to the body. As Baldwin struggles to prove his innocence, the killer strikes again. With so many English enemies gathering in Paris, will he be able to expose the culprit in time to protect the diplomats and their mission? What readers are saying about The Templar, the Queen and Her Lover: 'A superbly written book, with a diverse and fascinating cast of characters, mixing historical fact with the author's creations - and they blend beautifully...You can almost smell the damp and decay of the dungeon walls of Chateau Gailliard' 'Pacey read which pulls the threads of other stories together and ties them nicely up. 10/10' 'A pacey tale, with all the glorious details of early 14th century life set out with such loving knowledge, it was a pleasure to read, as ever. Everything ties up well and credibly, and there's always room for a few surprises and twists at the end. Quality!
London, 1554. Light-fingered Jack Blackjack wakes in a tavern's yard with a sore head, his knife smeared with blood and a dead stranger lying beside him. Jack may have robbed the man but he's certain that he didn't kill him. Unfortunately, the man's purse contains something much more valuable than money and, as the prime suspect for the murder, everyone is on Jack's tail. He needs to get out of the city, and fast, but a rebel army is marching on London: the bridge is blocked and every gate manned. Trapped in the city, Jack must avoid being caught long enough to find the real murderer.
The threat of war looms over England 1326. In an England riven with conflict, knight and peasant alike find their lives turned upside down by the warring factions of Edward II with his hated favourite, Hugh le Despenser, and Edward's estranged queen Isabella and her lover, Sir Roger Mortimer. Yet even in such times the brutal slaughter of an entire family still has the power to shock. Three further murders follow, and bailiff Simon Puttock is drawn into a web of intrigue, vengeance, power and greed as Roger Mortimer charges him to investigate the killings. The twenty-ninth instalment in the gripping Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Susanna Gregory. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom
Jack Blackjack stands accused of killing a priest in the wickedly entertaining new Bloody Mary Tudor mystery. April, 1555. A priest has been stabbed to death in the village of St Botolph, to the east of the City of London, his body left to rot by the roadside – and Jack Blackjack stands accused of his murder. As well as clearing his name, Jack has his own reasons for wanting to find out who really killed the priest – but this is an investigation where nothing is as it seems. Was it a random attack by a desperate outlaw, or do the answers lie in the murdered priest’s past? As he questions those who knew the dead man, Jack is faced with a number of conflicting accounts – and it’s clear that not everyone can be telling him the whole truth. But Jack is about to be sidetracked from the investigation … with disastrous consequences.
A pilgrimage across Europe throws up more than was bargained for... The fascinating fifteenth mystery in Michael Jecks' Knights Templar series, featuring the much-loved characters Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock. Perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin and Paul Doherty. 'Brisk medieval whodunnit' - Literary Review It is the summer of 1323, and Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock have been granted leave to go on pilgrimage. Together they travel across Europe to Santiago de Compostela. But danger is never far away, and when a beautiful girl is found murdered on a hillside, the friends are among the first on the scene. Baldwin and Simon lend their investigative skills to the inquiry, headed by the local pesquisidore. But the unexpected appearance of a face from Baldwin's past could threaten the investigation, as well as the future of Baldwin himself... What readers are saying about The Templar's Penance: 'Set in England and overseas, this is a great read from the master of medieval mystery. These books are really well researched and give you a taste of life in the middle ages - great read' 'It reads very well, the characters, the places and situations all hold one's interest' 'Five stars
The city gates are closed; the killer is within the walls... England, 1327. Sir Baldwin and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock have a major problem. The deposed King Edward II, imprisoned under their guard, has escaped. They must ride hard to Exeter to inform the sheriff. But the sheriff has problems of his own. Overnight, the body of a young maid has been discovered in a dirty alleyway. The city’s gates had been shut against the lawlessness outside, so the perpetrator must still be in the town. He tasks Baldwin with uncovering the truth behind this murder. But, with England in tumult, his task will be far from easy... The thirty-first instalment in the Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Philippa Gregory.
A stunning new series from Michael Jecks, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. The year is 1346 and King Edward III is restless. Despite earlier victories his army has still not achieved a major breakthrough and the French crown remains intact. Determined to bring France under English rule and the French army to its knees he has regrouped and planned a new route of attack. And on the beaches of Normandy his men now mass, ready to march through France to victory. But the French are nowhere to be seen. Edward knows that the worst thing he could do would be to take the battle to the French, where they will have the advantage and so he sets up camp near a small hill at Crecy and waits. The Battle of Crecy will be a decisive turning point in the Hundred Years' Wars. This is the story of that battle and the men who won it. Praise for Templar's Acre 'A cracking read in the best style of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell, this will delight existing fans and bring many more to the fold' Manda Scott 'Vivid imagination and gripping prose' Anthony Riches 'Compellingly brought to life - both bloody reality and glorious courage' Julian Stockwin 'The Siege of Acre is meticulously observed and bloodily rendered. I want more' Robert Low
An original short story taken from the anthology Motives for Murder, by members of The Detection Club A classic tale of domestic suspense from renowned historical author Michael Jecks. Detective Sergeant Blake is called to a perplexing scene in a posh home: a dead man, his unconscious wife, and a dead intruder...what really led to this tragic scene?
In an age of corruption, what will Sir Baldwin and Simon discover in their search for the truth? Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock must risk their own lives to protect the Queen of England in Michael Jecks' cleverly plotted twenty-third medieval mystery, Dispensation of Death. Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Susanna Gregory. 'Memorable characters, steadily absorbing period background... a commendable achievement' - Kirkus Reviews 1325: England is a hotbed of paranoia under the reign of the increasingly unpredictable Edward II and his lover, Sir Hugh le Despenser. When the Queen's lady-in-waiting is slaughtered and a man's body, hideously mutilated, is discovered behind the throne, King Edward demands to be avenged. Sir Baldwin de Furnshill is appointed to track down the killer, aided by his friend, Simon Puttock. But in an age of corruption, the knight and bailiff must fight to stay alive. And Baldwin and Simon soon learn that while their failure to find the murderer will carry its own peril, uncovering the truth may also be fatal. What readers are saying about Dispensation of Death: 'A colourful and detailed book which transports you back to the middle ages as though they were yesterday' 'Always fascinating; the descriptions of the historical characters is a true handbook of medieval history' 'Thrilling, on the edge of your seat stuff. Hard to put the book down
On a diplomatic mission in France, Sir Baldwin and Simon encounter more than they bargained for... Baldwin and Simon uncover a deadly assassination plot in The King of Thieves, a gripping mystery in Michael Jecks' hugely popular medieval crime series. Perfect for fans of Paul Doherty and Susanna Gregory. 'Complicated, well-populated, written with cross-cutting gusto, and accompanied by scholarly extras' - Ellery Queen Magazine 1325: Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend Simon Puttock are in France guarding King Edward's son on his perilous journey to meet the French king, Charles IV. But they are unaware that King Edward's wife Isabella is disaffected and plotting her revenge... What first appears a simple diplomatic mission is fast becoming lethally dangerous. Meanwhile, two murders in Paris are causing alarm. Is there a connection between the killings and the shadowy 'King' of thieves? Simon and Baldwin know the future of the English crown is at risk. And in order to protect it they must put their own lives in jeopardy. What readers are saying about The King of Thieves: 'Fast pace, intricate plot, well-drawn characters and good period feel make this a must for all fans of this genre' 'I cannot praise Michael Jecks' writing highly enough, his books always keep me guessing right to the end' 'Fantastic read - five stars
One kingdom, two kings. Only one can rule As the year 1326 draws to a close, London is in flames. King Edward II is a prisoner, and the forces of his vengeful queen, Isabella, and her lover Sir Roger Mortimer, are in the ascendant. The Bardi family, bankers who have funded the King, must look to their future with the Queen, steering a careful course between rival factions – if, that is, they can keep themselves alive. Others, too, find their loyalties torn. Guarding the deposed King on behalf of Mortimer, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and bailiff Simon Puttock find themselves entangled in a tightening net of conspiracy, greed, betrayal and murder. The thirtieth instalment in the gripping Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Susanna Gregory. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday
The knights prepare for combat, but the killings aren’t on the field... It’s 1322, and plans to host a tournament in the spring give moneylenders everywhere a golden opportunity. Many knights in Devon are already indebted to Benjamin Dudenay, and when a month before the festivities, he is found beaten to death, it is not in the least bit surprising. Simon and Baldwin must hurry to find the culprit, but then a carpenter commissioned to build the stands is killed in a similar fashion, leaving them with even more mysteries to solve... The eleventh instalment in the gripping Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of C J Sansom and Susanna Gregory. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom
Jack Blackjack is ordered to eliminate a spy in Princess Elizabeth’s household in this engaging Tudor mystery. June, 1554. Former cutpurse and now professional assassin Jack Blackjack has deep misgivings about his latest assignment. He has been despatched to the Palace of Woodstock, where Queen Mary’s half-sister Princess Elizabeth is being kept under close guard. Jack’s employer has reason to believe that a spy has been installed within the princess’s household, and Jack has been ordered to kill her. Jack has no choice but to agree. But he arrives at Woodstock to discover that a murder has already been committed. As he sets out to prove his innocence by uncovering the real killer, Jack finds the palace to be a place steeped in misery and deceit; a hotbed of illicit love affairs, seething resentments, clashing egos and bitter jealousies. But who among Woodstock’s residents is hiding a deadly secret – and will Jack survive long enough to find out?
Working against the clock, can Sir Baldwin and Simon hope to prevent a murder? As the threat of war hangs over England, Sir Baldwin and Bailiff Puttock must work desperately to prevent murder, in Michael Jecks' latest thrilling mystery in his hugely popular Knights Templar series. Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Susanna Gregory. 'Each page is densely packed with cuckolding, coarseness, lewdness, lechery, gore galore, but also with nobility. A heady mix!' - North Devon Journal 1326: King Edward II's estranged wife Queen Isabella shames him by refusing to return from France to England. When the king hears she has betrothed their son to the daughter of the French Count of Hainault, all England fears invasion by a Hainault army. The King's knights, including Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, are commanded to London to protect the realm. Meanwhile Bishop Stapledon, the Treasurer of England, is under severe threat - but from whom? He has made many enemies in his long political life, and Sir Baldwin and his friend, Simon Puttock, must do all they can to find the would-be assassin before he can strike... What readers are saying about The Bishop Must Die: 'The characters are richly drawn and weave in and out of the events of the early 14th century, with Michael Jecks showing great knowledge of the times' 'Jecks always brings his chosen era to life' 'Another masterpiece from one of my favourite authors
The tale of a journey that will shape the world for centuries to come... France, 1096. Crowds gather in Sens to hear the man known as the Hermit speak. He talks of a great pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a quest filled with promise for those Christian soldiers who march with him. Sybille knows the perils of the road ahead, but follow it she must. Her husband is a reckless gambler, easily swayed by the Hermit's words. For Odo, the pilgrimage provides the chance to demonstrate his unshakeable piety, while his brother Fulk craves adventure and excitement. Jeanne and Guillemette have been mistreated by the men in their life but this is their chance for redemption and a brighter future. But life on the road for two women alone will be full of perils... As the lines between love and hate, virtue and sin, good and evil become blurred, each must survive as best they can. Who will live to reach the holy city, and will the sacrifices they make to get there be worth the price they all must pay? The first instalment in a scintillating new series on the crusades, ideal for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Praise for Pilgrim's War 'This will delight existing fans and bring many more to the fold' Manda Scott 'Classic Jecks – and that's as good as it gets' Susanna Gregory 'Vivid imagination and gripping prose' Anthony Riches
Detained in a Cornish village, can Sir Baldwin and Simon discover who is behind a series of devastating attacks? Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock's seventeenth mystery, The Toll of Death, is a compelling tale of evil and darkness, from much-loved medieval adventure writer, Michael Jecks. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Ellis Peters. 'If you care for a well-researched visit to medieval England, don't pass this series' - Historical Novels Review Summer 1323: in the Cornish village of Cardinham, a penniless young woman is found hanged alongside the dead bodies of her children. Passing through the village on the final leg of their long journey home, friends Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock are detained and tasked with leading the investigation. Simon and Baldwin quickly discover the young woman's death is not an isolated incident. And as the escape of a traitor threatens to embroil the country in a new civil war, they must look beyond friendships and family loyalties to find an evil killer - and secure the safety of Cardinham, and all who dwell there. What readers are saying about The Tolls of Death: '[A] gripping story of murder and suspense' 'Thoroughly recommend this for anyone who is interested in medieval times - the background, as always, is authentic and the fictional characters so believable' 'Five stars
An ancient prophecy. An urgent message. A deadly plot. In the twenty-fifth instalment of Michael Jecks' Knights Templar mysteries, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock find themselves surrounded by more court intrigue and danger. Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and Bernard Cornwell. 'A page-turning masterpiece that will keep the reader totally gripped until the very last page' - Historical Novels Review It's 1325, and in England turmoil is rife. But could the Prophecy of St Thomas's Holy Oil be the key to saving the ill-fated reign of King Edward II? It is believed the one anointed with it will be a lion among men: he will conquer France, unite Christendom and throw the heathens from the Holy Land. Meanwhile, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend Simon Puttock return from France with urgent messages for the King himself. Soon they find themselves at the centre of a deadly court intrigue involving the most powerful and ruthless men in the country, who will stop at nothing, not least murder, to achieve their ambitions... What readers are saying about The Prophecy of Death: 'Apart from the immense amount of history I have learned along the way, one gets very affectionate about the main characters, almost like family!' 'Michael Jecks is one of the best medieval writers of our times. His two main characters come alive in the imagination when you're reading them' 'Michael Jecks has done it again. A wonderful book
The town is a powder keg ready to explode... All it needs is a match. England, 1320. The threat of civil war lies heavily on the kingdom. The monk Ralph of Houndeslow is new to Crediton’s leper hospital. He finds that not only are his charges appallingly ill, but bigotry means that they are all shunned by the people of the town. The citizens of Crediton are appalled when the goldsmith is found murdered, and his daughter assaulted. Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Simon Puttock quickly try to piece together the events of that night, yet as they gradually learn the truth, the shock becomes overwhelming. Meanwhile, the lepers lie victim to the rising hatred of the locals as fear and loathing are whipped into a frenzy of persecution. It’s up to Baldwin and Simon to pour water on the blazing rumours. Civil war, a murder investigation and full scale public uproar with dark implications put Baldwin and Simon to the test once again... An exceptional historical mystery from a true master of the genre, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Rory Clements and Susanna Gregory. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'A gem of historical storytelling' Northern Echo 'Michael Jecks is a national treasure' Scotland on Sunday
Country or family... which will Sir Baldwin and Simon choose? When Simon's daughter becomes embroiled in the plans of a group of outlaws, he and Sir Baldwin take matters into their own hands in the thrilling twenty-seventh instalment of Michael Jecks' Knights Templar mysteries. Perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin and Bernard Cornwell. 'Boasts an exciting, twisting plot' - Publishers Weekly King Edward II is furious when he learns that his wife Queen Isabella has defied him by remaining in France with their son. As the unfortunate messengers of this news, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend, Bailiff Simon Puttock, are dismissed from court. Returning home to Devon, they are shocked to discover that outlaws now hold sway in the land. When two clerics are found murdered, Baldwin and Simon must investigate. But the culprit is a friend of Dispenser and the King, and in taking the matter further they could be accused of treason. So they decide to leave the affair to others. Until, that is, Simon's own daughter comes under threat, and all hell is let loose... What readers are saying about No Law in the Land: 'Top crime, top adventure, great characterisation' 'A thoroughly intriguing tale of menacing threats. It is another glorious story from Michael Jecks' 'Jecks weaves a marvellously plotted, plausible story in amongst historical fact
Can the evil at work ever be stopped? The compulsive and evocative twentieth novel in the Knights Templar series from Michael Jecks, featuring much-loved characters Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock. Perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom and George R. R. Martin. 'Atmospheric and cleverly plotted' - Observer March 1323: in the rural idyll of Iddesleigh, a gang of men break into the home of Bailiff Simon Puttock's servant and attack his family. When word reaches Simon, he and Sir Baldwin de Funshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, hurry to the home, finding it burned to the ground and the bodies from within already buried. Could this be the result of a tragic accident, or is a darker force at work? As Baldwin and Simon attempt to uncover the truth, it quickly becomes clear that a terrible evil lurks in the land, and that the pain and bloodshed are far from over. What readers are saying about A Friar's Bloodfeud: 'A very good book. An interesting story populated with solid and interesting characters... A relaxed and finely paced writing style' 'Another cracking story from Michael Jecks and a plot that kept me guessing until the near end and even then I wasn't wholly sure... I can't sing Michael's praises enough' '[A] very clever and masterful bit of writing
When a Knight Templar is murdered, things get personal for Baldwin... On their way to a feast, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock find the murdered corpse of Sir Gilbert, a Knight Templar and old comrade of Baldwin's. The situation is confounded when a decapitated body is found. Baldwin and Simon's suspicions that the two deaths are linked seem to be justified when Baldwin himself is attacked. Baldwin and Simon find themselves caught up in a baffling investigation... The ninth instalment in the Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and CJ Sansom.
When Jack Blackjack disobeys the orders of his spymaster, he enters dangerous waters in this lively Tudor mystery. London, 1555. Queen Mary is newly married to Philip II of Spain – and not everyone is happy about the alliance. The kingdom is divided between those loyal to Catholic Mary and those who support her half-sister, Lady Elizabeth. Former cutpurse turned paid assassin Jack Blackjack has more immediate matters to worry about. Having been ordered to kill a man, he determines to save him instead. But Jack defies his spymaster at his peril ... and even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. When it appears that Jack has killed the wrong man, he reluctantly finds himself drawn into affairs of state, making new enemies wherever he turns. Can he survive long enough to put matters right? This engaging Tudor mystery will appeal to fans of S J PARRIS and RORY CLEMENTS.
The death of a runaway could spark a revolt... Devon, 1318. Peter Bruther, who works the land for his lord, Sir William Beauscyr, is fed up with his life of near-slavery, and has run away. Brutal punishments usually fall on the heads of runaways, but Bruther uses a legal loophole: on Dartmoor, tin miners enjoy special protection from prosecution. They are accountable only to the king. Brother swiftly sets himself up as a miner on the moors: safe... or so he thinks. Beauscyr and his two feuding sons are furious to learn they have no legal claim on their wayward man, and demand justice from Bailiff Simon Puttock. They fear more runaways. But other miners resent Bruther’s appearance, too, and they do not want their profitable extortion and protection racket destabilised. Before dissent can spread to other serfs working for Beauscyr, Bruther is found hanging from a tree. Simon, assisted by former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill, finds himself investigating cold-blooded murder, and there is no shortage of suspects... An action-packed historical mystery perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and Rory Clements. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday ‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom
A deadly hunt for a dangerous secret and a ruthless killer... The twenty-second novel in Michael Jecks' Knights Templar mysteries is a riveting tale of murder and intrigue in the King's Court. Perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin andEllis Peters. 'Another rip-roaring medieval intrigue. Terrific' - Nottingham Evening Post 1324 and the English kingdom is in uproar: Roger Mortimer, once the King's most able commander and now his most implacable, hated enemy, is plotting the King's assassination. And Mortimer is not the only person with murder in mind... When the bodies of a local craftsman and the King's messenger are found in the streets of Exeter, Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend, Simon Puttock, are implored to find the person responsible. The deceased messenger was carrying a dangerous secret that could prove fatal in the wrong hands. Baldwin and Simon must find the murderer before he can strike again... What readers are saying about The Malice of Unnatural Death: 'One of the best in the series - five stars' 'What great stories [Michael Jecks] writes, can't get enough of them' 'Thoroughly engrossing
No clues, and everyone’s a suspect... Agatha Kyteler, regarded as a witch by her superstitious neighbours, has no shortage of enemies. But when her body is found frozen and mutilated in a hedge one wintry morning, there seem to be no clues as to who could be responsible. Until a local youth runs away and the hue and cry is raised... Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, is not convinced of the youth’s guilt, and he manages to persuade his close friend Simon Puttock to help him with the investigation. As they endeavour to find the true culprit, the darker, sinister side of the village begins to emerge. A chilling, incredibly compelling historical mystery from a legend of the genre, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and C. J. Sansom. Praise for Michael Jecks ‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom ‘Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit’ Robert Low ‘The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels’ The Times
Superb . . . a fast-moving and gripping plot"- Publishers Weekly Starred Review August, 1556. Jack Blackjack is on a simple mission: make it back home to his beloved London. It should be simple, right? Wrong. He's made it as far as Exeter, but before he can secure a fresh steed in that hellish city, he's faced with a dead priest, ruthless thieves, and a devious Dean who's determined to see the back of Jack. That suits Jack just fine - he wants to leave! So when wealthy merchant Wolfe, offers passage to London via sea, Jack jumps at the chance . . . and unwittingly into further danger! With thieves, pirates and potential murderers at every turn who can Jack trust? Will he uncover the truth behind the dead priest and missing merchant ships? But more importantly, will he ever make it home to London with his purse strings and limbs intact? Set during the brief but exceedingly troubled reign of Queen Mary I, elder half-sister to the future Elizabeth I, (1553-1558) the Bloody Mary series features the amoral former cutpurse turned paid assassin, Jack Blackjack, as its cowardly, lecherous, yet strangely likeable amateur sleuth protagonist. The joke is always on Jack as he lurches from one crisis to the next, never quite sure what's going on, yet always - just about - managing to keep one step ahead of his many enemies and those who, for whatever reason, are trying to kill him.
A legend is born.The epic prequel to the Last Templar Mysteries series. The Holy Land, 1291. War has raged here for decades. The Crusader forces have been pushed back again and again until just one city remains in their control. One city that stands between the past and the future. One city that must be defended at all costs: Acre. Into this battle comes a young boy. Green and scared, he has never seen combat before. But, fleeing a dark past, he has no choice but to stay. That boy is Baldwin de Furnshill who, one day, will become the Last Templar. This is the story of the siege of Acre, and of the moment Baldwin first charged into battle. This is just the beginning. The rest is history. The epic prequel to the bestselling Last Templar Mysteries series, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Ben Kane. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times
The first death was horrifying, the second was awful... the third was inevitable. Peter Clifford, priest of the bustling town of Crediton, is an anxious man. Already nervous about the impending visit of the Bishop of Exeter, he is disturbed to learn that a company of violent mercenaries has taken up residence at the inn. Simon Puttock and Baldwin Furnshill are in attendance to help welcome the bishop. They are initially relieved when a diversion comes in the way of a robbery. But their relief turns to grim outrage when a young girl is discovered murdered, hidden in a chest. This is only the first of the Crediton killings... As murder follows brutal murder, Simon and Baldwin must discover the killer’s identity before he strikes again – and before their own lives are put in jeopardy. An endlessly gripping, deeply shocking tale of medieval Britain, an absolute triumph, perfect for fans of Giles Kristian, S. J. A. Turney and Bernard Cornwell. Praise for Michael Jecks 'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom 'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low 'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times
A gang of ruthless pirates and the prospect of civil war threaten medieval Britain... Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock, Michael Jeck's savvy sleuths, are on the case again in The Death Ship of Dartmouth, another compelling, well-crafted tale in the Knights Templar series. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Bernard Cornwell. Autumn, 1324: when a man is found dead in the middle of a Dartmouth road, many assume his demise to be the result of a drunken accident. Meanwhile, a ship is found ravaged by pirates out at sea, the crew killed or captured. Could this be the beginning of a new onslaught, or something even more sinister? Sir Baldwin de Furnshill has been told of spies and messengers being sent to the great traitor Roger Mortimer in France. If this is true, then civil war in England is surely imminent. Together with his friend, Simon Puttock, Baldwin is tasked by the most powerful men in the Kingdom with uncovering the truth. Fail, and they will be executed. Succeed, and others may be ready to silence them for ever. What readers are saying about The Death Ship of Dartmouth: 'Michael's books are full of intrigue and mystery and they are particularly well researched' 'Michael Jecks has got to be my number one author... I just can't get enough of his books. If you like a medieval whodunnit this is the writer for you' 'One of the finest entries in a consistently outstanding series - five stars
1321. Simon and Baldwin are rewarded for their services in a previous investigation by a summons to Exeter over the Christmas period to receive prestigious gloves of honour from the Boy-Bishop. However, they learn that Ralph, the glovemaker, has been robbed and murdered. Soon after, a Secondary named Peter is poisoned at the cathedral. Suspicion falls on him, with many assuming that he killed Ralph and then committed suicide, but Simon and Baldwin are unconvinced. Their investigation unearths deception by the highest ranks of Exeter's leading citizens, and a ruthless murderer, poised to strike again...
Baldwin and Simon uncover a deadly assassination plot in this fantastic novel in Michael Jecks' hugely popular medieval crime series. 1325: Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and his friend Simon Puttock are in France guarding King Edward's son on his perilous journey to meet the French king, Charles IV. But they are unaware that King Edward's wife Isabella is so disaffected that she has begun to plot her revenge. What at first appeared a simple diplomatic mission is in danger of becoming lethally dangerous...
As Sir Baldwin and Simon Puttock uncover the mysteries surrounding the church, they risk making more enemies than friends... The Chapel of Bones is the eighteenth mystery in Michael Jecks' riveting Knights Templar medieval series, featuring Sir Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock. Perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Paul Doherty. 'This fascinating portrayal of medieval life and the corruption of the Church will not disappoint. With convincing characters whose treacherous acts perfectly combine with a devilishly masterful plot, Jecks transports readers back to this wicked world with ease' - The Good Book Guide In 1283, Exeter Cathedral Close was the scene of a vicious ambush. Now, forty years on, more deaths are occurring. Is the first an accident? The second is surely not, and the killer will not be easy to catch. The victim, Henry Potell, was feared by many and held secrets some would wish to keep hidden, at any cost... For investigators Sir Baldwin de Furnshill, Keeper of the King's Peace, and his friend Bailiff Simon Puttock, events become increasingly mysterious. Who among Henry Potell's companions would have wanted him dead? The key to the mystery lies in the ominous Chapel of Bones, built in reparation for a terrible murder long ago... What readers are saying about The Chapel of Bones: '[An] engrossing and compelling read...rich in ambiance, colour and historical detail' 'Another tightly plotted episode in the Templar series. Jecks is a master' 'Michael Jecks hits the spot with an intriguing mystery that you can't put down
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