Second Crowner story that I've read and to be honest, found it very "samey" to the previous book. Someone dies, Crowner has fallen out with his snobbish wife, who sides with her lying brother; Crowner and Brother in Law argue and shout at each other, then try and double cross each other; Crowner hangs out with his Welsh Mistress; Crowner hero-worships Richard the Lionheart; little bit of investigation; some people are arrested blah blah.[return][return]A few interesting moments, normally the small detail of how people live (washing once a week, bathing rarely) and eating (types of food and drink). But apart from that, did get a little bored with it all. ( )

Christmas Eve, 1194, Sir John de Wolfe, recently appointed coronor for Devon, gratefully escapes his wife Matilda's party to examine the body of a Canon who has been found hanged. Suicide is suspected, but it's soon apparent there is more to this case than meets the eye. But when a local lord is found dead, John suspects the two cases may be linked. As he digs deeper, he discovers a deadly conspiracy that could cost him more than his job.

This is the third book in this series but the first that I've actually read. Who committed the murders isn't much of a mystery but I'm a sucker for a historical yarn and this is a period of British history that I know virtually nothing about. I found this well paced, de Wolfe an interesting character. Knight has obviously done his homework but doesn't overdo it and I will certainly be looking out for more of the author's books. ( )

Crowner's Quest (Crowner John Mystery #3)
by Bernard Knight

Bernard Knight writes a good Mediaeval mystery. He plots well, his characters are 3D and he knows his history. People who like to learn things when they read historicals will enjoy this series, but history and historical details are not thrust down the reader's throat, they just slide in as part of the story.

Crowner (coroner) Sir John de Wolfe is fiercely loyal to King Richard and very anti his brother, John. When he has to interrupt his Christmas Eve celebrations to see the body of a canon he soon finds himself dealing with more bodies and yet more treachery.

A thoroughly good read and most readers who enjoy hist-mysts will enjoy this. Sir John is a cheerful old reprobate and fun to read about.

Until I can have a private star rating for my own personal use - I do not agree with the Amazon methods of apply our readers' star ratings to an author's rating, which can affect sales - I will not add a star rating.

#3 in the Crowner John historical mystery series set in 1190’s Devon, UK. A priest is found hanged in the privy behind his home, at first presumed a suicide but upon further investigation, it’s obvious someone else did the deed. Why would anyone kill such a quiet, mousy little man who was happiest in the church library poring over history books, especially on a holy day such as the Eve of Christ’s Mass? When a second murder takes place a few days later, Crowner John de Wolfe begins to see the connections though of course his brother-in-law the Sheriff would disagree and seems to be deliberately trying to keep the coroner from investigating fully. Political intrigues and women troubles plague the Crowner in this book and a simple little murder is never quite what it seems. Enjoyable historical mystery with refreshingly realistic characters. ( )

A general review of this series:

This is back in the good old days of law enforcement, when trial by combat was definitive and would-be plea bargainers had to fight their accomplice(s) to the death.

I find these books fascinating as living history, perhaps even more than as mysteries. Knight always starts off with a glossary of terms. The period is not romanticized, but neither is it overly repulsive.

Sir John de Wolfe went crusading with Richard the Lionheart. Now back in England, he has been appointed to the newly reconstituted office of Crowner (Coroner). He fights a pitched battle with his corrupt, treacherous brother-in-law, the Sheriff, over official territory. He is very unhappily married to Mathilda, his incompatible wife; their relationship makes sleeping in peasant huts while on duty a treat. One of the things that makes it interesting, is that although Sir John is the central character, and presumably to be regarded with sympathy, his marital problems are not entirely blamed upon his wife.

John is assisted in his duties by his gigantic man of arms, and his clerk, a frail, defrocked priest.

In this story, Sir John investigates the apparent suicide of a canon, with considerable interference from his brother-in-law, the Sheriff. ( )