Customer Reviews

The Bishop Must Die (Knights Templar)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a Jecks fan, this book does not disappoint. Sweeping towards a climactic moment in British history, our beloved Baldwin and Simon are again caught in national events. Jecks deftly handles the weaving of fictive characters and actual events.

The plotting is different from the other books; instead of a traditional murder mystery, we get a suspenseful plot leading to "who is going to commit the murder" that we know historically happened. I'm as caught up in the history now as I am in the characters. A great historical mystery series!

I have to date read all of Jeck's Knights Templar mystery novels and have enjoyed them very much. The interweaving of throughly researched historical events and characters with fictional events and characters makes for a highly entertaining read that really brings the era to life. He certainly is getting a lot of good material out of the Edward II debacle. Jeck's rendering of the main and secondary characters are typically nuanced and mutli-dimensional. Characters are not depicted in black and white terms. For me, Jeck's depiction of medieval life at all levels of society is the most fascinating aspect of his writing.

That being said, readers should be aware that with this novel (and the next) Jecks is moving away from his usual murder mystery plots and concentrating more on the political machinations and social upheavals of the times. For me, frankly, the murder mystery aspect of his novels was secondary to my enjoyment. However, readers new to Jeck's writings expecting something along the lines of the Brother Cadfael series, Candace Robb's Owen Archer novels, or the offerings of other "medieval mystery" writers may find themselves wondering where the murder mystery is buried. Also, my familiarity with the main characters (Baldwin, Simon, Bishop Walter, etc.) blinds me to the experience of a reader beginning the series with this novel. I think it probably holds up on its own, but you would be missing the pleasure of following the characters as they develop over the course of the series.

Overall, Jeck's is a skilled writer who does a wonderful job of bringing the medieval era to life in an entertaining and accessible form. I would highly recommend any of the books in the Knights Templar Mystery series.

this series of books by Michael Jecks has been very interesting. He does a good job of detail and makes you feel like you know the characters. I have read them all so far and enjoyed every one.

Jecks continues to make England's tumultuous history come to life. "The Bishop Must Die" is a continuation of his well-crafted and informative series. But because it is part of a series, this is not a good choice for someone who is not familiar with the characters.

1326: England is in turmoil. The Queen and her forces are set to invade. The king and his thoroughly despicable advisor, Hugh le Despenser, are frantically scrambling, trying to pull together forces loyal to their case to fight the invasion when it comes. And, as if that isn't enough, someone is plotting to kill Walter Stapledon, the Bishop of Exeter. Once more into the breach steps the winning team of Baldwin de Furnshill and Simon Puttock...but will even their considerable talents be able to stop murder most foul?

Considering he's a man of God, Stapledon has amassed a number of enemies eager for his head. Jecks skillfully weaves the invasion plotline against the Bishop's imminent assassination, introducing the various suspects and drawing the web ever tighter around Stapledon. Furnshill and Puttock, still trying to patch up their friendship due to a previous falling-out, try to balance their obligations to the king and the Bishop, who is an old and dear friend. All of which makes for an entertaining read.

Short and sweet: another winner from the prolific Mr. Jecks. Recommended.

Lots of historical detail and lots of action. Very well written and will keep you guessing right to the end.

Michael Jecks is one of my favorite historical writers.
His Templar series is so well written and researched, it;s an absolute pleasure to read.
This is a continous series about Baldwin, the former Knight Templar and his adventures upon returning to England.
We meet his soon to be best friend Simon Puttock, the bailiff, and so many other character that grow on you.
In this book I was sad to see the Bishop actually die a pretty gruesome death, he was in many of the books.
Not always liked but respected.

I just hope, Jecks keeps continuing this great series.
Anybody who's interested in the Knights templars and England in the 1300 should read these

Jecks continues his excellent series. His ending left the reader--as Jecks wanted--eager for the next book. The history and general information about the time is truly extraordinary.
Janet Cooper