1296 and Edward I is convinced that their is a spy in his court passing his secrets to the French. He instructs Hugh Corbett to find the guilty party, and evidence for a conviction. Corbett's mission takes him to Paris and Wales.
An enjoyable quick read. ( )

Eduardo I de Inglaterra y Felipe IV de Francia están en guerra. Felipe ha conseguido apoderarse del ducado inglés de Aquitania, y está empeñado en aplastar a Eduardo con todos los medios a su alcance. El rey inglés sospecha que su enemigo cuenta con la ayuda de un espía que se mueve a sus anchas por la corte de Londres, y encarga a Hugo Corbett la misión de localizar y, si es posible, destruir al traidor. Una empresa que le hará correr graves riesgos por tierra y por mar, y que lleva a Corbett a los peligrosos bajos fondos de París y más tarde al hostil ambiente de Gales. El escribano real se encuentra metido de lleno en las turbias corrientes subterráneas de la política europea de fines del siglo XII, enfrentando a un hábil y mortífero espía dispuesto a eliminar sin contemplaciones toda amenaza a su oculta identidad.

This is another book in the Hugh Corbett series of medieval mysteries, and I really enjoyed it. ( )

I believe this is the second worst medieval murder mystery I've read (or half read, since I couldn't go on punishing myself). It reads like a first draft that was dashed off in two weeks with no love from a competent editor. The edition I have is the first American edition, but it was published previously in the UK, so the number of spelling mistakes and typos only add to the impression of something knocked off and rushed out to be forgotten with no care on the part of any concerned.

It is one of those books one reads and wonder how in the world it ever got published. There is a fresh abuse of the English language every few pages. In one instance, the hero comments on the 'sexual prowess' of two other male characters, when the author really means 'sexual appetite'. The main character has no way of knowing the relative prowess the two gentlemen in question, unless there is some back story I am happily missing. And that's just one of many possible examples.

A truly awful read. ( )

Like all P. C. Doherty's books about Hugh Corbett, a rattling good read. A Mediaeval murder mystery that brings to life the sounds and smells of the cities, villages and people of the period. Great characterisation, well researched (the author knows the period exceptionally well), gentle humour combined with suspense and some "religious" terror. Un-put-down-able. Thoroughly recommended. ( )